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How to Prevent Ubuntu Linux from Resetting or Changing Computer’s BIOS or Hardware Clock

Shivaranjan — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:00:26 +0000

When Ubuntu Linux and Windows are used together and if the time zone is not UTC and when the computer is rebooted into Windows after Ubuntu Linux is used the time gets changed as the BIOS clock gets reset to UTC. For example if the time zone that is set in Ubuntu Linux is GMT +5.30 hrs then after Ubuntu Linux’s usage the time in BIOS clock would be set to UTC time i.e. the BIOS clock would be +5.30 hrs behind the Ubuntu Linux’s time but if you boot into Ubuntu Linux it will automatically adjust to the local time where as the time on Windows will be the UTC time which can cause issues with Windows.

The difference is the way Ubuntu Linux and Windows handle time, Windows considers the BIOS clock of the computer to be the local time where as Ubuntu considers it as UTC time. To solve this we would have to set Ubuntu Linux to consider the hardware or BIOS clock as local time

How to Prevent Ubuntu Linux from Resetting or Changing Computer’s BIOS Clock

In the following steps you can find the steps to set the hardware clock as local time in Ubuntu.

1. Open the terminal and enter the following command:

sudo gedit /etc/default/rcS

2. In the gedit window that opens ups find the the line UTC=yes and change it to UTC=no

After you make the changes it should look like this:

After you make the changes save the data using the save button. That’s it now the Ubuntu Linux will treat the hardware or BIOS clock as the local time and the alternate boots between Windows & Ubuntu Linux should not cause issues with time.

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Control Windows Vista UAC (User Account Control) Settings with UAC Shortcut

Shivaranjan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:12:01 +0000

UAC Shortcut is a free software that gives various options to control the Windows Vista UAC prompt. Many people who run Windows Vista get annoyed by the User Account Control Prompt (UAC) that keeps popping every now and then so this tool is for them.

Features of Windows Vista UAC Shortcut:

1. Disable the Windows Vista’s UAC consent prompt so that it will not prompt to grant permission.

2. Keep the UAC prompt switched OFF or ON for a specified period of time, option is also available to keep keep the UAC prompt enabled or disabled at a particular time.

Suggested Reading: Windows 7: User Account Control (UAC) Explained

3. Ability to turn ON or OFF the UAC functionality.

4. Assign mouse buttons as shortcut keys to enable or disable UAC.

Download Windows Vista UAC Shortcut (Direct Download) HomePage

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Convert, Resize, Rename and Compress Image Files using ImageKonverter

Shivaranjan — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:45:26 +0000

ImageKonverter is a free cross platform software that can convert, resize, rename and compress image files. The supported image file format include BMP, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PBM, PGM, PPM, XBM and XPM.

Features of ImageKonverter:

1. Resize the images based on custom sizes and also control the aspect ratios of the output files.

2. Ability to rename the output file with custom suffix.

3. Convert images from one format to another format supported formats include BMP, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PBM, PGM, PPM, XBM and XPM.

4. The output image quality can be controlled, if you set a lower value the quality will suffer but the file size will be smaller.

This tool works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Download ImageKonverter

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Ultimate All-in-one PDF Tool to Merge, Split, Encrypt, Decrypt, Reformat, Watermark PDF Files & More

Shivaranjan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:12:39 +0000

PDFill PDF Tools is a free collection of PDF tool using which you can Merge, Split, Reorder, Encrypt, Decrypt, Rotate, Crop, Reformat, Header, Footer, Watermark, Images to PDF, PDF to Images, Form Fields Delete/Flatten/List, and PostScript to PDF.

Features of PDFill PDF Tools:

1. Merge multiple PDF files: Merge two or more PDF files into a single PDF file. To merge multiple PDF files add the files and select the order in which you would like to merge the files and then using the save as option save it.

2. Split or Reorder PDF file: Extract pages from a PDF file into a new file and reorder the page sequence into a new file. Use this option if you would like to select a selectively.

3. Encrypt and Decrypt PDF file with Security Options: Encrypt or Decrypt PDF documents (Master Password or User Password may be required). Protect PDF files with passwords and prevent PDF files from being printed, copied, changed, filled, extracted, signed, assembled or merged. The following security control options are available: printing, fill in, modification contents, copy, assembly, degraded printing, screen readers and modification of annotations

4. Rotate and Crop PDF File: Rotate a PDF page by 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree. Crop a page to modify its layout of Print or View by specifying its margins. You can crop or rotate PDF files by selectively with options like Landscape pages only, portrait pages only, odd pages and even pages.

5. Reformat PDF file: Put multiple pages into one page to save paper and inks when printing hard copies. The following options are available: change the PDF file page size, change the margin from the edges, modification of margin between pages, number of columns, control the line colours and etc.

6. Add Header and Footer to PDF file: Add Headers and Footers to present information, such as date, time, page numbers, or the title of the document, in the top or bottom margins of a document.

7. Add Watermark by Stylized Text to PDF: This option allows you to watermark the PDF files with styled text, you can use various fonts, colour of fonts, layout and etc to add your watermark.

8. Add Watermark using Image to PDF file: Watermark the PDF files using an image file, the following image files are supported: bmp, jpg, gif, png, tiff, and wmf.

9. Convert Images to PDF file: Convert images files like bmp, jpg, gif, png, tiff, and wmf into a PDF file with layout options. The available layout options are

10. Convert PDF into images: Save PDF pages into images (png, jpg, bmp and tiff) with DPI options. This option can be used a pdf to image file converter.

11. Edit PDF Form Fields: Delete, Flatten or List the PDF Form Fields inside a PDF file.

12. Convert PostScript(PS) File into PDF: Converts PS file into PDF files so that it can be opened in PDF readers.

As you can see this 12-in-one PDF file tools is very useful, it is highly recommended that if you use PDF file quite often then this tool is a must have for you. This tool runs on all versions of Windows and requires Java to be installed.

Download PDFill PDF Tools

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Optimize and Reduce the File Size of PNG Files using PNG Optimizer

Shivaranjan — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:25:24 +0000

PNG Optimizer is free tool using you can batch optimize and reduce the file size of your PNG file images. The reduction in file size is very useful as it will save Internet bandwidth and hard disk space.

To batch process the image files just drag and drop them and the tool will optimize the files and output it in the same directory. This tool accepts PNG, GIF, BMP and TGA files are input but the output will be only PNG file format after the conversion or optimization. As you can see that this tool is pretty easy to use but unfortunately it does not support JPG / JPEG image files as input hence this is a drawback of this tool, we suggest that the author of this software also include support for JPG files. This tool does not require any installation hence can be used as a portable application in portable flash drives. This software works with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Download PNG Optimizer

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Batch Convert Multiple Text Files (Txt) to PDF File using TXT To PDF Converter

Shivaranjan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:57:16 +0000

For people who work with lots of Text files (txt) and have a requirement of converting txt files to PDF then Zilla TXT To PDF Converter is for them. TXT to PDF Converter is free tool that can batch convert multiple text files (txt) files to PDF file quickly.

To convert text files to PDF just drag and drop them and hit the ‘Start converting’ button to start the conversion process to PDF file. If you have a folder that contains txt files then drag and drop the folder and the entire txt files in that folder will be converted to PDF file.

The output PDF file parameters like page size, font size, characters/line and author of PDF document can be controlled.

This tool works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, as this tool does not require any installation hence can be used as a portable application in USB portable flash drives.

Download Zilla TXT to PDF Converter

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Windows 7: How to Erase a Rewritable CD / DVD Disc

Shivaranjan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:54:29 +0000

Rewritable CD and DVD discs are used by us on day to day basis for various needs. To reuse a rewritable CD or DVD we would have to erase the disc prior to use if the previous session was closed, most of use the third party utility softwares to erase the CD or DVD. In this post we shall discuss how this can be done in Windows 7 without the need for any third party software.

How to Erase a Rewritable CD / DVD Disc in Windows 7

1. Open My Computer and choose the CD/DVD burner in which you have loaded the rewritable CD/DVD. Now right click and that drive and select the ‘Erase this disc’ this option.

Additional Windows 7 Tip: Windows 7: How to Burn an ISO Image File using Native Support

2. Now the this Windows 7 will ask for your confirmation to erase the rewritable disc and start the disc erasing process

The rewritable CD/DVD disc will be erased in a couple of minutes. That’s it now reuse the rewritable disc for your data needs.

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Extract Audio From FLV Video File as MP3 File

Shivaranjan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:35:15 +0000

FLV to MP3 is a free tool which allows you to extract audio from FLV video file as MP3 output. The tool is pretty straightforward to use, just drag and drop the FLV file and this tool will extract the audio of the video file as MP3 file.

The extracted file is saved to the same location from where it is located. There are no options for changing the output MP3 parameters, we suggest that the author of this program add these features to make this program more feature rich.

Download FLV to MP3

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Backup or Copy a Windows XP User Profile to a Different Location using Profile Copier

Shivaranjan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:30:34 +0000

Windows XP users should backup or copy their user profiles once in a while so that it can be restored in the event the profile gets corrupted. Profile Copier is a free tool using which you can backup your Windows XP user profile to a different location.

To backup a Windows XP user profile just enter the user name and select your backup location, if you would like to backup your lotus notes folder use the ‘Include Lotus Notes 6.x folder’ option to include that as well. Now the using the ‘Start’ button you can start the user profile backup process and it will completed based on the size of the user profile. This tool does not require any installation hence can be carried in a portable drive.

Download Profile Copier

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Split / Cut MP3 Audio files using Split MP3

Shivaranjan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:33:14 +0000

Split MP3 is a free simple tool using you can split MP3 audio files and extract selective parts from a MP3 file. This tool can output the files in MP3, WAV, AAC, WMA, FLAC, M4A or AC3 format, if you wish to adjust the bitrate of the output file you adjust that parameter also. These tools are very useful for selectively extracting the certain parts of a mp3 song for use as ringtones in mobile phones.

Additional MP3 Splitting Tool: Cut / Split MP3 Files using Free MP3 Cutter Plus

To cut a part of a MP3 file load the file and using the ‘Mark Start’ and ‘Mark End’ options make your selection. Now preview the part that you selected using the ‘Play Selected’ option to preview what you have selected and if you are happy with it use the ‘Direct save’ option to out the file as MP3 or use the ‘Convert Save’ to customize your output file format and bitrates.

Download Split MP3

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How to Run Applications, Programs, Commands and Scripts under Windows System Account User Name ‘System’

Shivaranjan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:30:53 +0000

If you want to run applications, programs, commands or scripts under the Windows system account name then you should use the free tool Run As System. Let us say for example when we launch Calculator program it runs under the user who has triggered the program. In this case we can see that the calculator program calc.exe is running under the user name ‘Shiva Test’

If you have an requirement to run the program calc.exe or for that matter any software or program under the Windows system user account ‘System’ we can use the Run As System free tool to accomplish that, run this tool point the location of the application or program and hit the OK button the program will be run under the windows system account user name ‘System’.

In this case we see that when the calc.exe i.e. Windows calculator program is launched using the Run As System it runs under the user name ‘System’ which is the Windows system user account. This is tool runs on all versions of Windows and does not need any installation hence can be used as portable application.

Download Run As System

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Convert PDF files to Microsoft Word Document (Doc File) using Free PDF to Word Converter

Shivaranjan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:11:13 +0000

Adobe PDF file format is a very popular file format that is used widely many times are in a scenario wherein we have to convert a PDF file to Microsoft Word file. Free PDF to Word Converter is a free software tool that can convert Adobe PDF files to Microsoft word document (.doc) files.

To convert a PDF file to Microsoft Word doc file just select the PDF file and then select the output directory and start the conversion process to begin the conversion.

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The program can extract text, images, shapes from PDF file to Word Doc file and preserve the layout. It can convert all the pages, or any pages range of the PDF file. If you would like to selectively extract certain pages then mention those page numbers and this tool will extract those pages alone.

Additional Tip: How to Compress PDF Files to Reduce File Size and also How to Convert PDF Files Between Different PDF Versions/Specifications

You can also control the default output font during the conversion, say if you prefer to use Arial font then you can select the output font to Arial. To use program you don’t need Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF so this software can be used on those computers which don’t have Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF reader installed. The PDF files from version 1.0 – 1.6 are supported by this program. This tool works with all versions of Windows, we tested it on Windows 7.

Download Free PDF to Word Converter

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Cut / Split, Join / Merge and Extract Clips from AVI Video Files using AviSplit (AVI Video joiner and splitter)

Shivaranjan — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:55:59 +0000

We all have lots of AVI video files with us and many times we have a need wherein we need to cut / split or join / merge avi files, AviSplit is a free software using this we can do all these tasks. AviSplit can also extract video clips from avi files based on the user selection.

Splitting of AVI Video file using AviSplit:

To split an avi file into smaller parts, open the file in AviSplit and then choose the number of parts and provide a base name, the avi files would then be split into smaller parts.

Joining or Merging of AVI Video file using AviSplit:

To join or merge multiple AVI files add all the files that you intend to combine and then select the output file name and start the merging process. All the files that you added will be merged and a single AVI video file will be the output.

Extracting video clips from AVI files using AviSplit:

To extract video clips from the AVI video files open the file in AviSplit and then select the start and end position of your video file. If you wish you can also preview the video clip that you have selected, once you have made your decision then use the start the conversion process and the video clip will be extracted.

AviSplit does the conversion process pretty fast and the output files are delivered with lossless quality. This tool would be pretty useful for those who have large number of AVI video files.

Download AviSplit

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Microsoft Outlook: Find Out Time in Email Sender’s Time Zone

Shivaranjan — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:29:42 +0000

If you are working with a client or people who are in different time zones then we might want to know their current time in their location, one such use would be if we would like to greet the email sender.

Sender’s Time Zone is free add-in for Microsoft Outlook using which will display the local time of the email sender, difference from your time zone and the amount of time that as passed after the sender sent the email.

This tool does not require any configuration, just install it and when you open an email message you will be able to see the sender’s current time as well as your time zone difference, that is the number of hours ahead or behind. You will see at a glance when the e-mail was really sent, regardless of where the sender’s office is located, whether it be East or West coast (EST, EDT, CST, CDT, PST or PDT), Europe (GMT, WET, CET, EET) or Asia in addition to standard Outlook time stamp.

Download Microsoft Outlook Sender’s Time Zone Add-in

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Tweak, Optimize, Speedup and Manage Windows 7 Settings Quickly using EnhanceMySe7en

Shivaranjan — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:26:50 +0000

EnhanceMySe7en is a free tool using which you can tweak, optimize, speedup and manage various aspects of Windows 7.

Features of Windows 7 Tweaker: EnhanceMySe7en

1. Displays System Info: The system info provides detailed information about Windows version, build number, serial number, installation date, processor name / speed, amount of RAM used and etc.

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2. Windows Process Management: Each process that is running in Windows 7 listed and you can find out the location from which the process is running, change the priority of the process and also kill the process.

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3. Disk Cleaner: The disk cleaner function allows you to remove the junk files from the computer.

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4. Disk Defragmentation: This tool allows you to defragment hard disk drives using the built in basic utility.

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5. Enable / Disable Windows 7 Security aspects: The following can be enabled and disabled: registry editor, command prompt, task manager, mmc snap-ins, control panel, autoplay, folder options, security tab, cd/dvd burn feature, windows calendar, windows mail, windows update and etc.

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6. Clean Windows 7 Registry: Scan for invalid registry entries in Windows 7 and remove them to make the computer faster.

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7. Enable or Disable various performance related features: The performance parameters like superfetch, readyboost, windows time service, printer spool service, tablet pc input, aero UI, data execution prevention and etc can be set.

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8. Start-Up Management – Disable unnecessary software increasing performance.

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9. Registry Defragmenter – Rebuilds and re-indexes your registry to reduce application response time and registry access time

10. Optimization – Optimize settings for maximum speed and stability.

11. Network – Optimize your Internet connection speed.

If you are using Windows 7 then this tools is a must have as it offers many features which are pretty useful.

Download EnhanceMySe7en

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