Optimizing Windows XP

May 4th, 2007


Microsoft’s newest Windows release, Vista, has been out for a few months now, but most users will still be using Windows XP for some time to come. For some this is due to financial considerations, but for most this is due to a distaste for Microsoft Vista.

XP was released more than five years ago, however there are still things to be learned about XP, which is why I’m happily reporting to you a great Windows XP Optimization Guide. I must admit that most of the information won’t come as anything new to experienced power users, but for beginning to intermediate users this guide will be a great help.

As the site explains it:


Clean Spyware and Viruses + Optimize Windows XP to improve home, work and gaming performance safely. Windows XP’s default configuration is far from optimized. This Free guide will help you improve your overall system performance without having to manually edit the Registry. I avoid using or recommending “all-in-one” Windows XP Tweak programs since many blindly adjust settings that have no affect on performance and can cause future problems.
Even if you are confident in your XP mastery and don’t feel the need to check out the XP Optimization Guide, you should still visit the site as it is home to a few other interesting guides such as XP Freeware, XP Myths, and XP Secrets.

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Firefox Facts (and Fictions)

April 25th, 2007


As a long time Firefox supporter, it has been great to see the project mature and gain popularity over the past few years, but it has also been horrible to watch fan boys and open source zealots make Firefox out to be something that it is not. There are numerous half truths and misconceptions surrounding Firefox, and unfortunately I don’t have the time to dispell them all. Luckily this site did all the work and research for me:

Firefox Myths

I hope all Firefox users will check this site out. It does us all a disservice when ignorant supporters misrepresent Firefox.

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Monster Freelancer Listings

April 19th, 2007


A lot of people, programmers and designers especially, make a living doing freelance work. By nature freelance work can be very lucrative, but also very difficult when work is sparse. We all know of the classic sites like Rent a Coder, but are there other sites for freelance workers?

Freelance Switch, a site devoted to freelancers of all types, recently featured an article entitled The Monster List of Freelancing Job Sites. This should be pretty self-explanatory so I’ll just get to the description from the site:

When it comes to freelancing, one of the biggest challenges can be finding work. Even the most successful of freelancers will experience a lean month here and there, so it pays to have as many sources of potential work as possible. That’s why we’ve compiled a monster list of job sites from around the net. There is sure to be a site in here that is listing a job tailor made for you!
If you are a freelancer, I’m sure you will find this source as helpful as I did. So go, check out the The Monster List of Freelancing Job Sites.

Internet TV that Actually Works

April 17th, 2007


Joost, as the title implies, is a new way of watching television over the Internet. While there have been attempts to create a viable means to watch television online, most of those attempts could be labeled shoddy at best. I am happy to say that Joost is simply an awesome project, and seems to be humanity’s best hope for a viable online distribution model.

Taken from the site:
What’s Joost?
Joost is a new way of watching TV on the internet. With Joost, you get all the things you love about TV, including a high-quality full-screen picture, hundreds of full-length shows and easy channel-flipping.

Inside the Box
You get great internet features too, such as search, chat and instant messaging, built right into the program - so you find shows quickly and talk to your friends while you watch. And with no schedules to worry about, you can watch whatever you want, whenever you like - as often as you want. Joost is completely free, and works with most modern PCs and Intel Mac-based computers with a broadband connection. Get Joost today!
Even in its infancy, Joost features content from major providers like MTV and Comedy Central. Considering it is still in beta, it stands to reason they are ahead of the curve in terms of content. My personal favorite feature is the ‘pause’, which basically allows you to close the program and when you restart it it will resume wherever you last left it.

Unfortunately Joost is only available to beta users for the moment, however you may add yourself to the beta waiting list (which actually works). I have a couple invitations left, so feel free to ask. More information can be found on Joost’s Homepage.

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Taskbar Sorting in Windows

April 10th, 2007


One of the more limiting features of most taskbars is the complete lack of interaction with them, outside of the standard click to minimize, click again to restore. I have yet to come across any system where the user could drag and drop the apps in the taskbar to any location they desired in the taskbar. Luckily for me, and any others who would enjoy this feature, I came across a great Windows app that does just that, known as Taskbar Shuffle

From the site’s description:
  • No hotkey, no extra steps, rearrange the programs on your Windows taskbar by simply… well, dragging and dropping them! Neat concept, huh?
  • No need to get all nervous when a program crashes or if you wanna reboot; you can reorder the programs/buttons on your taskbar exactly how you like.

Again the program is called Taskbar Shuffle, and can be downloaded directly here. Hope you enjoy.

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