Clifford | Technology and Life

How to start windows faster

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:52:21 PST

There are too many information on the internet on how to do this tweak. Why does windows get slow startup, this is due to many software are trying to start with the windows booting process, causing your system start slow. But this can be tweak to the right path and make your computer start faster.

Whether if its XP, Vista or 7, you can tweak this to create a zooming windows start. There are many ways on how to do this but this is probably the easiest.

To check and change your windows startup items using windows own tools, use msconfig. I don’t recommend changing your settings through this tool if you’re a beginner so be careful on what you change. To get to msconfig, go to run command(press windows key + R) then type msconfig. Click the startup tab, you can now see a list of your startup items. Be careful on what you disable, specially your antivirus. Just disable the programs that you don’t regularly use then press ok. Windows defender is also capable of this tweak and a lot safer than using msconfig, this is bundled with vista and installed via update in xp.

Another way to do it is by using a software to do it, it’s a lot easier, its just a matter of clicks. One is Autoruns which is available in sysinternals website. Just like windows defender, run the tool and disable the startup items you don’t want to get started while windows boots up. Many third party registry tools are bundles with startup editors, just be picky. Check for reviews first before installing in your system, unless you’re experience enough to be a software tester buddy. I recommend CCleaner and Glary Utilities to change your startup items, these are freewares that can do the job, no need to pay for a cent.

I hope you learn something in this post and soon I will be posting some new freewares for this tweak. There are a lot out there, we just have to test it out.

Cityville : Create your dream city

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 00:13:24 PST

CityVille is a browser based casual social city-building simulation game developed by Zynga as an application for the social-networking website Facebook. It was announced on November 18, 2010, but the launch date was delayed to December to allow Zynga to make adjustments to the game.

The game allows Facebook members to become the mayor of a virtual city and to oversee its development into a large metropolis. Players can perform tasks, which include farming, construction, and tax collection in their city using energy points. The amount of energy available increases as the user gains in experience levels. The energy points are replenished automatically at a constant rate.

The player can also visit their neighbor's city and perform up to 5 jobs daily. This gives the user reputation points which provides the user with a free goods bonus with each reputation level-up and increases the amount of energy, XP and coins bonuses available on a daily basis.

On the 1st week of 2011, Cityville beat the record of Farmville for the most played game. Are you playing this game? I encountered this website that says cityville bot for free, you might want to try it. Click here.

Process explorer - better task manager

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:07:15 PST

Are you tired of task manager interface? Giving not enough information you needed. One freeware to the rescue, Process Explorer.
It shows you detailed information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. It does what the task manager do with a twist and more information. You can even change the task manager with this one, enable it under its options menu(you must be logged as administrator to do that).

No need to install, simply run Process Explorer (procexp.exe).
The help file describes Process Explorer operation and usage. If you have problems or questions please visit the Sysinternals Process Explorer Forum.
You can check here the technet page for process explorer.

Snipping tool - capture that screen

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:19:39 PDT

Are you still using the old method of capturing your screen? Here is the better and easier way of capturing screen. Use Snipping Tool to capture screen shots.You can use Snipping Tool to capture a screen shot, or snip, of any object on your screen,

and then annotate, save, or share the image. Simply use a mouse or tablet pen to capture any of the following types of snips:

Free-form Snip. Draw an irregular line, such as a circle or a triangle, around an object.
Rectangular Snip. Draw a precise line by dragging the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.
Window Snip. Select a window, such as a browser window or dialog box, that you want to capture.
Full-screen Snip. Capture the entire screen when you select this type of snip.

After you capture a snip, it's automatically copied to the mark-up window, where you can annotate, save, or share the snip.

Your snipping tool can be found at

all programs-->accessories-->snipping tool.

This is only available on vista and windows7.

Download Statusbar 0.9.6.7

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:57:50 PDT

Firefox addon DownloadStatusbar. View and manage downloads from a tidy statusbar - without the download window getting in the way of your web browsing. Despite its compact size, Download Statusbar packs in more useful features than the standard download window.

The fully customizable interface auto-hides when not in use, allowing full control without interruption.

Features:

Single-click pause and resume
Run a completed file with a double-click. Also available: open containing folder, visit source website, and rename the file
Delete a file from your system from the context menu
In-line view of percent done, speed in KB/sec, KB downloaded so far, and remaining time, can be customized in the options.
Updating tooltip provides a more detailed view of the current download, including source, destination, size of the download and the remaining time
Option to automatically clear files reduces clutter
Stop downloads and save them for the next browser session.
Option to start virus scanner when a download completes
Optional mini mode integrates into the firefox statusbar to further reduce size
Available in 40 different languages!

Click here to add to firefox now.

Avira Antivir Personal - Free Antivirus

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:31:59 PDT

The best free antivirus available today. Why buy if theres free.

Avira AntiVir Personal - FREE Antivirus is a reliable free antivirus solution, that constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs such as viruses,

Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc. Monitors every action executed by the user or the operating system and reacts promptly when a malicious program is detected.

Avira AntiVir Personal is a comprehensive, easy to use antivirus program, designed to offer reliable free of charge virus protection to home-users, for personal use only, and is not for business or commercial use. Available for Windows or UNIX.

Download Avira antivir personal Free Edition 9.0.0.415. Click here to be redirected to the Download.cnet.com

You can also download the Avira Premium 30 day trial edition here. With the premium edition, you receive better protection with its additional features.

Ultimate Windows Tweaker Portable

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:45:22 PDT

Ultimate Windows Tweaker is a freeware Tweak UI Utility for tweaking and optimizing Windows Vista, 32-bit & 64-bit. It can simply be downloaded and used as a portable application to customize your Windows Vista to meet your requirements. With judicious tweaking,

It can make your system faster, more stable, and more secure with just a few mouse clicks. The tweaker detects whether you have IE 7 or IE 8 installed and accordingly offers you the relevant tweaks only. The utility has a simple easy-to-use user interface, with the tweaks being classified in separate heads based of their functionality. Most tweaks are hidden inside Vista, and what this tweaker does is to try and put the useful one's in one place. It has over 130 tweaks, but is yet, just a 380 KB .exe file, which does not require an install.

The tweaks are classified under seven categories and can be accessed through a common interface, just like your Windows Vista Control Panel.
1) Personalization,
2) User Accounts & UAC,
3) System & Performance,
4) Security,
5) Internet Explorer (IE7 / IE8)
6) Network Optimization
7) Additional Options

System Requirements :

Ultimate Windows Tweaker is developed for Windows Vista and supported in all available editions under 32 and 64 Bit. Earlier version of Windows - Windows 95, 98, ME, NT and XP are not supported.
Minimum system configuration :

    * Microsoft Windows Vista
    * 800x600 screen resolution with 256 colors
    * 5 MB free disk space
    * Internet Explorer 7 or higher

Recommended system configuration :

    * Microsoft Windows Vista
    * 1024x768 screen resolution with 32-bit colors
    * 10 MB free disk space
    * Internet Explorer 7 or higher

Download Ultimate Windows Tweaker

Copy files faster with Teracopy

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:17:49 PDT

Free download application Teracopy for faster copying windows files. TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed, providing the user with a lot of features.
Copy files faster. TeraCopy uses dynamically adjusted buffers to reduce seek times. Asynchronous copy speeds up file transfer between two physical hard drives.Pause and resume file transfers. Pause copy process at any time to free up system resources and continue with a single click.Error recovery. In case of copy error, TeraCopy will try several times and in the worse case just skip the file, not terminating the entire transfer. Interactive file list. TeraCopy shows failed file transfers and lets you fix the problem and recopy only problem files. Shell integration. TeraCopy can completely replace Explorer copy and move functions, allowing you work with files as usual.Full Unicode support. Windows 7 x64 support. Free Download for home users.

Facebook lite version

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:05:20 PDT

A lite version of facebook is a simple and faster version of facebook.
Facebook that enables people to make comments, accept Friend requests,
write on people's Walls, and look at photos and Status updates. Facebook offers many application and games that most of its members enjoy, but how about if you're not in the mood of playing? Just want to snoop around a little, The lite version is a way to go. Its faster and simple. I have a screenshot of it but you can take look on your own by going to lite.facebook.com

Multiple file selection in vista & 7

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:43:02 PDT

This is windows tip for easier multiple file selection.How do you select multiple files in windows? I would say ctrl + click is an old fashion way.
There is a new way in selecting multiple files in vista and windows 7. This is selection by using checkbox, it makes easier to select multiple files. To enable the checkbox, launch windows explorer, from the menu click tools, then folder options then view tab. Find the "use checkbox to select items".

Tools-->Folder Options-->View Tab-->Use checkbox to select items.

Click OK and your done.

Hotspotshield- AnchorFree download

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:59:03 PDT

Are you protected from browsing internet in wifi hotspots? If not, Use hotspot Shield for free protection. Protecting you and giving you privacy and anonymity. Secure your web session, data, online shopping, and personal information online with HTTPS encryption.
Protect yourself from identity theft online. Hide your IP address for your privacy online. Access all content privately without censorship; bypass firewalls. Protect yourself from snoopers at Wi-Fi hotspots, hotels, airports, corporate offices. Hotspot shield works like this, it encrypts the connection of your computer to the wifi hotspot thus encrypting every information you send, sounds great for free right?.Now its available for mac and windows. Its pure free with easy to unistall. Check hotspotshield.com for more details.

Hotspostshield download links: http://uploaded.to/?id=6lwvzv

This is a free download, happy browsing to the limits without any restrictions.

If this link goes broken, please contact me to supply another link. Use the contact menu or post a shout.

The imposing performance graduates with my highlight.

Log me in hamachi download

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:04:36 PDT

Log me in hamachi - Create a VPN(Virtual private network) in a matter of minutes. This free version is intended for personal use only that connect up to 16 clients. Upgrade for commercial version for more features.
This is just perfect for home use in setting up internet connection sharing, printer and file sharing. Log me in hamachi does this all automatically, without this tool to create a VPN is a somewhat tricky.
Choosing the free edition allows you to create a VPN but in unmanaged mode only and limited to mesh network configuration. This is good for begginers or just to try the software but if your convinced and decided to go with it, taking the commercial edition is a big leap. Big companies needs this specially for the ones with many branches nationwide or worldwide.Check logmeinhamachi.com for more details.

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:04:17 PDT

Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars

Huang Lee, the spoiled son of a recently murdered Triad boss, arrives by plane in Liberty City with Yu Jian, a sword that Huang's father won in a poker game and has decided to use as an heirloom, to deliver it to the

new patriarch of the family, Huang's uncle Wu "Kenny" Lee. Shortly after landing, Huang's escorts are killed by assassins and he is shot and kidnapped. The assailants steal the sword and, thinking Huang is dead, dump his body in the water. Huang manages to survive and informs Kenny that Yu Jian has been taken. Kenny explains that he had intended to offer the sword to Hsin Jaoming, the aging Triad boss in Liberty City, as a means of securing a position as his replacement. Kenny is dishonored and reduced in power due to the loss of Yu Jian, leaving him and Huang working to keep their businesses afloat. Click the images for recent prices.

Netbooks and Ultraportable notebook

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:03:27 PDT

The battle of the new generation of portables. Which one is best for you? Everybody has a preference because everybody is different. Let us take on these on the battleground.

Dell Inspiron mini vs Acer Ferrari one

MSI u135 vs            Thinkpad edge

Netbook      Ultraportables
6-8 hours                 Battery life          4-6 hours
poor                        Performance        Median
3 lbs                           Weight                3-5 lbs
$300~500                    Cost                  $500~1000



Choose what fits you...

How to buy a laptop?

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:44:04 PDT

How to buy a laptop? What should I consider before buying one? This are just few of the questions in our mind before buying. First, what is a laptop anyway?A laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use and small and light.

Laptops portability in one of its aspect that's why people of different types choose it over desktop. As of now, there are more laptop designs to choose from and what specifications it should carry. Here are the features that a regular user should consider:
Processor - For everday user that want a strong and flexible battery performance, a 2Ghz Core 2 duo is recommended.
RAM - to have a great application to run smoothly, 2 Gigabytes or more is necessary.
Battery - Laptop batteries come in different life. Now the latest available is 8 hours but this depends on how your machines runs and also what application your using. Buying an extra battery if you always work on field but an extra battery will cost you depends on its rating.

Graphics - This feature is often eye-bold by gamers and photoshop users. The more power and compatibility with games and photo editing softwares are better. Nvidia and Ati are the leading producers of graphic cards. Average users need not to worry because laptops today are build with good graphic cards that can play different games that are most available today.
Screen Size - This feature is one of the most considered due to its portability, users want to have their laptop handy in anywhere they go. I advice 14.1 screen size is best specially for your eyes.
Hard drive - Most laptops today have bigger pre-installed hdd than before. If you want a better performance, consider buying a fast hdd speed, a 7200rpm is good for now but I wish a faster would come out soon.
Keyboard and pointing device - The smaller the size of a laptop, its keyboard keys are so little which cause difficulties to some users. Buying an usb or bluetooth enabled mouse is more convenient to use, consider it an additional investment.
Optical drives - Most laptops are equipped with this but with the release of the new generations, some are not capable due to its size. One considerations now are a dvd player or a blu-ray player which will give you a laptop in a additional price.
Size and weight - Many newly release laptop are advertise as thin and lightweight, travellers prefer this feature for comfort. If you consider this as a must be feature then prepare yourself for some of the good features can be box in this set.
Cost - This is the most considered, most deals are cheap and of course its features are factors. The higher the price the better.
Check for best laptop prices available here today.

mytechdrive now online!

noreply@blogger.com (ford) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:24:36 PST

Welcome to MyTechDrive!

This site will talk about the technology rising today. MyTechDrive will provide tech news, reviews, how-to's, and downloads. Information available here are from my own experience and informations that is worth to be shared. Guides available are intended for different level of individuals and not only for a certain group.

If you find something and want me to published here, feel free to contact me.
Click here or go to the contact tab and send me an email.

Thank you. Enjoy!