Whether you are a "newbie" or a "geek", technology can range from baffling and confusing to annoying and frustrating. Here you will find links to help you in your work and to make the computer more useful. Don't forget to check out our One Note resources and review, our review of Open Office, and our suggestions for Portable Apps you can copy to a portable drive and use anywhere.
Tweaking and Repairing  | Annoyances.Org - GREAT site that shows you work arounds and changes for all sorts of Windows and software "features" you could live without.
XTeq - a program that gives you far more access to Windows tweaking. Add icons for directories to the standard "Save" dialogue, move "My Documents" and "My Music" to a directory of your choice, make Explorer always open with a double pane view… VERY GOOD for "de-dumbing down" Windows.
TweakUI (Tweak User Interface) - made by Microsoft people, but unsupported, it allows you do alter many Windows settings to you liking.
PCPitstop - scans your harddrive and suggests changes, updates, etc… to make it run more securely and effectively, or to help your "tech support friend" before they come over to fix your computer…
Troubleshooting Windows XP - great tips from Kelly
Windows XP Tips - from ActiveWin.com
Dell DeCrapifier - a utility to remove preinstalled junk from Dell computers, and maybe many others
Forgot your Windows password? - password resetting and recovering techniques |
Security  | File Encryption
I have a folder for client documents that I wanted to keep secure. While I could just password protect each file… Lockbox 2.0 uses a Blowfish algorithm and will encrypt entire folders and subfolders with just a few clicks. Similarly, ShellCrypt from PCWorld will create self-extracting execute files by right-clicking on a file. You use one simple password for all files on your system, and the program will build a complex password on it to encrypt any files you choose.
Firewalls
Zone Alarm is a "firewall" program that protects your computer from hackers trying to get in. If you have an "always on" connection through DSL or Cable, this is a must, both to protect your own files and information, as well as to prevent your computer from being used to send other people viruses and worms and spam.
What is a firewall and do you need one?
Scan your PC for worms and trojans
Download ZoneAlarm version 6.1 |
Spyware
Antivirus
 | Antivirus software protects you against virus attachments in emails and programs, as well as protects your friends from receiving virus attachments in emails and programs if you get infected.
Norton AntiVirus was chosen best Antivirus software by PCMagazine, with strong protection and automatic updates. You can run Norton Online Scan for free, or download AVG antivirus, Trend Antivirus, or EZ Antivirus, three other good antivirus programs. |
Patches
 | Windows Update
If you use Windows, the second Tuesday of the month is "Patch Tuesday," and Microsoft releases key patches to repair the operating system. Caution: ONLY download the critical or high priority updates, as the other updates may not even be from Microsoft or endorsed by them.
Microsoft Office will also need updates from time to time for Word and Outlook, including the updated spam filters. |
Web Browsers and Tools
 | While Internet Explorer is bundled with Windows, not everyone chooses to use it. Some don't want to support a monopoly, some don't like the security flaws and Microsoft approach to programming, and some want tabbed browsing. There are several other good options out there.
However, one word of caution: Some exploits for Internet Explorer vulnerabilities don't require you to use it. In other words, you can use Firefox and still be vulnerable to Internet Explorer attacks if you leave Internet Explorer unpatched. Thus, switching to a new browser won't simply resolve all security issues.
Internet Explorer 6 - Microsoft's established browser
MSN Toolbar add-in - provides tabbed browsing for Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer 7 beta 2 - beta means "not done yet" so don't install it unless you know what you are doing…
Netscape 8 - longstanding IE competitor with email, chat, and more included
Mozilla - open source sibling of Netscape
Opera - basic competitor of IE, now free and without ads
Firefox 1.5 - with tabbed browsing and better security, recommended by experts as the best alternative to IE |
Utilities and More
 | File Syncing
As we find more ways to take our data with us, we find more ways for it to get out of sync - which has the newest version of an important file? The work laptop with the emailed copy? Your USB key? Or your home desktop system? Try File Folder Syncing - a utility from PCMagazine or SyncToy from Microsoft or Synchronize It!
Other Utilities
Cookies Manager helps you save, delete, and otherwise manage cookies, small bits of text from web sites you visit that get saved to your computer. While they are harmless for the most part, some see them as intrusions to privacy.
YouSendIt - upload your file to YouSendIt's servers, and email a link to a large file instead of clogging up your friend's mailbox.
Microsoft Office Word Redaction tool - Word saves your name, editing information, who else has edited the document… This tool removes all this information for you.
Desktop Sidebar is an RSS reader that can display news, stock quotes, weather… as well as shortcuts to your favorite programs, a Windows Media Player or iTunes interface, a file browser, a handy clock and calendar, shutdown and reboot buttons, Outlook information (Mail, Appointments, and Tasks)… and more. It sits on the desktop and can be configured to remain under other Windows or stay on top. Quite handy! One problem you might encounter… Desktop Sidebar makes a small change to your HTTP 1.1 settings in Internet Explorer, which can cause problems opening and replying to mail in some versions of Outlook Exchange. The newest beta (still in being tested) version, sidebarb94.exe corrects this.
Powertoys for Windows is another set of "extras" allowing you to view a slide show from images burned on a CD, magnify a portion of the screen, "send to" a folder with a right click option…
Ultimate Zip and 7-Zip are free programs to let you zip and unzip files from the web.
Tech Policies
Need to set up some computer use policies for your office? See these Sample Policies for Technology |
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