Your geek buddies are all in cyberspace. The place to start is http://www.techsupportalert.com/linux where you'll find "How to Replace XP with Linux" which is kind of dated but still good tips, and "Using Windows 7 and Linux on the same computer" which tells about dual booting. Plus one that helps you decide which distro to try first. The best Linux intro article is "Is Moving From Windows to Linux The Right Choice For You?"
(http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/moving-windows-linux-right-choice-you.htm)
which is really hard to find!
There's a lot of tutorials on YouTube which show you how to install different distros.
Places like linuxquestions.org and the forums for the distro you've installed are good for resolving problems. ubuntuforums.org is also the mother lode for other Debian based distros like Elementary, Zorin, and Mint. Forums are good if you need to converse back and forth with the neckbeards. Just about every problem I've had has been addressed and solved before, so you just need to search for the right thing. I see people asking questions on Quora or Yahoo answers but you can't get a conversation going that way.
Don't buy books. They are obsolete, take up space, and cost money. I'm 68, and my tired brain has figured out some things, but mostly I look on the net.
Just try it (run off a flash drive until you get the feel of it) and you'll see that the learning curve is not like when you first started using a computer. You already know how to do that.
Wifi dongles are a big sticking point for Linux. Most just plug in and work (check mfrs. website for compatibility). The driver is part of the Linux kernel.
The others, sometimes you can install Windows XP drivers using a package called ndiswrapper. Best to search forums at your Linux distro or your dongle maker.
All my PCs were Windows machines and now dual boot. Over the years I've reduced the Windows partitions to the bare minimum... just in case I need it or sell it. Hey, I paid for it. Mostly I run Mint because it looks like a clean version of XP.
I also have CRS Syndrome, which means Can't Remember Stuff. I don't do well remembering long commands and their switches and syntax.
Linux has a GUI for just about anything you want to do, but it also has terminal commands to do the same thing, but usually more powerful and faster. I can type "sudo apt-get install" faster than I can open up a software chooser program and find the app I want, but if I don't remember the name I have to use that app store. I can click the "windows" button and type in a program name and it loads right up, but if I forget the name I have to rummage through the menus to find it. That's why I like Mint; it has a menu tree like XP or Windows 7, but is much better organized without all the useless extra stuff.
I wish they had put these fonts all in one folder instead of each one in its individual folder. But hey, free.
Fonts are one of my weaknesses, and after getting these 30 free ones I went through and uninstalled a few ....dozen....that I'll never use again. They take up time and HDD space.
And it also bears mentioning that of course these fonts also work in Linux.
I wonder how much it cost them to come up with the name. First thought I had was "swayback nag". I uploaded a 5 MB powerpoint, but then it hung halfway through Swaying (Swayifying?). A different PDF worked but looked pretty nasty. But thanks for trying, Microsoft.
Funny thing, they have a nicely done tutorial; they put it on Google's YouTube.
I might try again, using the web to Sway(tm) a presentation written in LibreOffice. Topic: "Why Linux is better than Windows."
The GUI version for Linux is called zenmap. Real nerds will of course want the command line version (nmap), but that leaves me out because I'm a grandpa. And I run Linux, because I don't have time to maintain Windows.
OK, you go to "visualize the public collection" (http://publicdomain.nypl.org/pd-visualization/) and it should load (finally) a huge thumbnail of all the thousands of scans. You can sort by genre, collection, or color. Pick one and you get a bigger thumbnail, all the info on it, and several resolution download selections. The "all download options" might have 6 different sizes. "Larger" is 2560 pixels, plenty big for me even after zooming in, and it's 6 or 8 megabytes.
Photoshop and Nik are way overkill for us weekend shutterbugs. Plus, Adobe refuses to port Photoshop to Linux.
Digikam is the free alternative. You can also do a lot of stuff in Gimp.
Zorin 11 came out on Feb. 3, and it's based on the old Ubuntu LTS (has Linux kernel 4.2.0). Okay, that won't mean much for noobs, but it does lag quite a bit, even more than Mint. It's pretty, and does look like Windows (or Mac, if that's how you roll) but there are more cutting edge beginner distros, like Ubuntu MATE. I put it on my dad's PC (he's 94); it works like a charm. Things are easier to find in a menu, so you don't have to clutter up your desktop with shortcuts.
It's #11 on the distrowatch list, so it's pretty popular.
I've used CCleaner for years and never had a problem. Just remember that when you get rid of all your cookies and thumbnails that you'll slow your system down as it rebuilds all that stuff. It's like throwing out the contents of your refrigerator - sometimes it's so bad it all has to go, but then you have to replenish it.
I see that there's a Mac version. Same idea, but no registry to worry about. No Linux version, but Bleachbit works great for that. I just ran it, and deleted a GB on my Kubuntu system, of older system files, logs, language packs. It didn't run any faster, but without a registry to get mucked up, Linux and Mac don't bog down unless you fill up the hard drive.
I have no problems with Ubuntu Unity, but trying Ubuntu MATE, it looks like it's more noob friendly. I think I could recommend it to any Windows user and they'd get to know it easily. Kubuntu is a nice alternative if you like that look.
But wait a month or two. Cosmetic stuff I don't even notice, but some bugs need to be sorted out. Kind of like buying a car the first month they come out. Of course I don't mind helping out by getting the new version and torturing it. But I can always boot into Mint 17.3 when all else fails. The new Mint won't be out until June, after Ubuntu gets cleaned up for them.
I've used Hugin and it's got a lot of tweaks and adjustments (corrects for lens distortion, color balance, vignetting, HDR mismatch). It's the only open source free-standing stitching app, and is cross-platform (Linux, FreeBSD, Mac, Windows).
I also used the Pandora plugin for Gimp. But it doesn't do vertical stitching, so for a vertical pan of a cathedral in France I turned the pictures 90 degrees then stitched them. I've had to do some manual matching as it's tough to see where lines match up on ornate architecture.
Maybe one of G'Mic's eight sharpening filters can do this job. It has 300 filters and I haven't tried them all. Maybe you could do a review if you can find a category to put it in. There's a plugin for Gimp, a standalone program, and an online version.
Get a set of torx bits from Harbor Freight for a couple bucks. Take the lid off the HDD and get the magnets out. I reuse the cases for different things, and pull parts off the boards.
PCs that are less than 10 years old and working can be repurposed by installing Linux on them, wiping all the data off. Give it to a kid, Freecycle, school, Salvation Army.
Several times I've used Rescatux (Tux is the Linux mascot). It's a smaller download and doesn't have an antivirus that I know of, but has hard disk utilities, some of the usual fixes like a Windows password remover, and a rudimentary Linux operating system. It includes SuperGrub2 which fixes dual boots that Windows has screwed up so you can't boot Linux.
On UBCD, GParted is just a partition editor; the virus scanner and file manager are separate programs.
The only reason I could see for ReactOS is if you have an old piece of gear that will only run Windows. A medical or scientific gadget perhaps. I had a milling machine that ran on a 386 for years and the driver only worked on Windows 3. (it's long gone.)
Before I'd go through the hassle of ReactOS, I'd see if my PC or gadget will run with Linux. Mint Cinnamon has been my favorite for years because I'm just used to the old XP menus, but Mint's is much cleaner. For old PCs, I like Puppy, Bodhi, or Lubuntu 32 bit. I'm talking 12 years old or more.
Linux has drivers for many of the gear that isn't supported in Windows 7 or newer. A lot of old programs will run on Linux using the Wine program.
Those topo maps are about 50 years old. Don't use them for navigating roads. But they are interesting to see what was around mid last century. The topography hasn't changed so much.
Rescatux is another good one. It's a much smaller download, but fewer utilities. I use it to diagnose hard drives and memory, and erase Windows passwords, but mainly to get back my grub. Search for supergrubdisk
I tried this years ago and now I see it's become more polished. It's more bloated than gedit or any other simple test editor, but has more capabilities, and simpler than LibreOffice ... but a few less capabilities. And some extras that might be a good fit for the journal writer. So, take your pick.
I haven't figured out how to zoom in, though, and on most themes I can't read the text. So I stick with the plain color.
It installs in a minute on Linux; I have Mint and just used the Ubuntu directions. Add the repository by opening a terminal and pasting this in:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install focuswriter
I'm a retired vacuum tube engineer, been using Linux for about 6 years now.. There's over a hundred distros of Linux, so finding the best one for you could take a while. Just start with an easy one. Mint, Ubuntu MATE, ZorinOS, Elementary, Solus are my top recommendations. If you have an older PC (ten years), Lubuntu. Go to distrowatch.com and hit the search button up top, and put "beginners" or "old computers" in the search box. See what you like.
As for Pixel, well, that's OK for a Raspberry Pi. And maybe for a machine you use to program the Pi. But you can't install it on a hard disk? I'd rather use Puppy, which gives you that option.
I just go to the "show all bookmarks" and then hit search. Results come up instantaneously. Maybe this Brain thing is an improvement; it takes a few keywords to get what I'm looking for. But not having Google watching over my shoulder is a big plus.
I tried some with LibreOffice, and they're mostly docx which opens up OK, but some type is a different size or font depending on what you have installed. So you may have to adjust to suit. I use Linux so I don't have a lot of Microsoft fonts, but Windows users should be OK.
It would be great to see this on your DAW page, and compare them. /best-free-music-software.htm
I got a bad taste of Magix software (nag/crippleware) from my Windows days so I prefer truly free stuff. But it does look interesting.
For a real trippy online sound generator, try mynoise (dot) net. Lots of things to try, most free (if he has the bandwidth). The Tibetan Choir is the coolest.
Thanks to Jupiter Broadcasting showing this, on this week's Linux Unplugged podcast.
In reply to "Australia".... Yes yes yes.......Security, boot time, compatibility with old hardware, choice among desktops, bloat, updating, spyware. .... these are all my reasons to run Linux.
Don't get mad, get even! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
Gizmo has a nice article called "Is Moving From Windows to Linux The Right Choice For You" which you'll have to search for, because they keep it hidden.
And there's plenty of MS Paint alternatives; it's a very popular category.
I used to use f.lux but now I can't figure how to get it installed on Linux. It's a windows program anyhow, you have to use Wine.
Iris works OK and it's native Linux but crippleware.
Redshift works OK too.
Your points are exactly why I had been hesitant to try Linux. Then I came upon a laptop that was "too slow" and tried Mint on it. I guess I got hooked then.
You can try Linux on a disk or flash drive to see how well it runs on any particular system, without changing anything. Try all your hardware, and try the "old" scanner and printer in your closet that won't run current Windows, you might be surprised that it works great on Linux. TV cards that last worked on XP, for instance. I recently recorded all my VHS and 8mm analog home videos using one.
I had very few problems collaborating with MSOffice users using LibreOffice, and sometimes I had to read old Office, Word Perfect or PDF files to "translate" them to the new Office format. I edited photos, drawings, electronic schematics, and videos. I ran electronic simulations and remotely controlled lab instruments. I designed, laid out and ordered printed circuit boards using Windows software running on Wine. All this on a 7 year old PC.
Finding software is as easy as going to the distro repository. Printer drivers are almost automatic... "find printer... Install... print test page?" And the updating on Mint is the way all updating should be, polite and informative, and you're in control.
The only thing I can't address is gaming. If you're into the latest high performance games you'd have to see what was available. There's thousands of them for Linux, I hear.
Q4OS looks appealing, especially for business use. The multiple desktops are nice and would give users a personal touch, and the long support time is good. I always go to distrowatch to shop for distros.
http://free-online-ocr.com/ is one I like better because it can convert to rtf. I'm still looking for one that converts to an open format, like odf, instead of Microsoft proprietary DOCX.
I use YouTube mp3 Downloader in Firefox and it asks for a donation on the plugin page, but there's no ads or porno popups. It works fast, and downloads the mp3 of a 4 minute song in a few seconds.
I agree, but instead of "Use windows 7 as long as possible" I say Use Windows 7 as long as necessary" ... which is up until about 3 years ago for me, when I noticed I hadn't needed Windows for ANYthing, having used only cross-platform apps and dual-booting for years. .
Linux packages are available, and install easily of course, and it runs well on my Mint. Worth a look to see if you like the combination of utilities in a nice looking app.
"....you can even build your own workstation using low cost motherboards, extremely fast processors, massive amounts of RAM and up to 8 GPUs. Imagine building your own super computer for incredible real time performance!" Yeah, I can dream. Me, I just use OpenShot on my 6 year old eMachines running Ubuntu MATE.
I use a FireFox plugin called ... drum roll.... YouTube mp3 Downloader, which shows up as a button on the Youtube page below the movie. Hit it, and you get a choice of 5 speed/quality/sizes. I use the 192K but probably smaller ones would work in the car or for low quality audio.
The complete 42 minutes of the New World symphony is 59 MB at 192K . I downloaded it before so I wasn't curious enough to do it again but give it a try and tell us what you got. It downloads as fast as any remote file (a few minutes I suppose). Don't know how they do it.
Nice that Media Human has a Linux package, but I don't need a separate app. But I will check out their other apps.
I've used "sound converter" (not very original, but good description) to convert music. Go to the Ubuntu Software center and hit "sound and video" and search for converter. If you want a album sorter, there's plenty of those like DeaDBeef, Amarok etc.
Thanks for reminding me to whitelist you (you're one of the good guys) and for the link to Iridium.
It would help if some YouTubers would have some dead time at the end of their videos. Some have the most important or interesting parts right at the end!
Thanks for the reply. I have encountered another problem.
I installed Vuze and followed the steps, after that, my download speed was about 20kb/s, which was previously 3.5-5kb/s.
every time i restsrt the computer, i test the listening ports again, but the TCP fails so i have to keep changing the listening ports each time. what should i do about this?
Also i could not get a static ip address because i dont have the numbers for the DNS servers.
My apologies for my delayed reply.
Thanks very much Steve, I managed to overcome these problems thanks to your help.
I finally managed to download a movie from VUZE, but it is a large movie and still needs to seed, but i am in urgent need to watch that movie. so i want to move it into my external hard disc, but it says that another program is using the file.
How can i stop the file from seeding in Vuze's user interface?
Avast is the best free antivirus nowadays. I have it on multiple computers for more than 2 years, and had NO problems with viruses at ALL. I work as a PC support, and install Avast Free Antivirus to my clients too.
That link is 3 years old. I highly doubt those figures hold now.
I finally bit the bullet and moved all my accounts From TBird into GMail. No more backing up TBird databases when I re-image my machine from a good backup.
"Most folks who use PCs are professionals"
Nonsense. That might've been the case 20 years ago, but not today. Now PCs are just another appliance. We no longer have to type archaic codes into a terminal program to get our 300 baud modems to connect. Now grandma can fire up her laptop and talk to her grandkids on the other side of the planet, in real time, all with the very basic of training.
While these apps might not be yours nor my cup of tea, lots of people enjoy them, and can be up and running with them with minimal fuss. They're not intended to be used by business, and thinking otherwise is silly.
"Why can't they make a real operating system anymore?"
"Anymore?" LOL. I used to be a Microsoft hater years ago, and I started with DOS 3.3. The first versions of Windows were a joke, and serious business users were installing OS/2. Today's Windows is for the most part, solid and stable, and ubiquitous, and gets better with each iteration. The Linux revolution simply didn't materialize, and while it's a superb OS, it's never going to overtake Windows overall. I see no "arrogant and stubborn focus" on the Windows Store by MS. It's simply another revenue stream, and it's trivially easy to not see any evidence of it on your desktop. It's certainly not "diluting" my environment.
I don't go to the Windows Store for my development tools - no professional does - but I don't begrudge anyone who finds it useful . Enjoy your PC for what you need it for, but to belittle it is pedantically elitist.
Since this has to be activated by January 24, does anyone know what happens with freebies like this if you reimage/reformat your PC, and have to reinstall it at a later date?
I'm thinking that you'd be out of luck, but that's just a guess.
Well, I ran Firefox in safe mode with the same results. Did a complete uninstall/reinstall, with no plug-ins or add-is, and again, the same failing results.
Tried the portable version of Pale Moon (thanks Aninnymous), and it passes. Weird.
I'm betting that most Firefox users here are running the 64 bit version? My Windows 7 is only 32 bit.
UPDATE: After a bit of searching, it turns out that Avast AV's Web Shield was responsible for the failure messages. Turning off Web Shield resulted in a Pass test result.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Love this site.
Ran this for a couple of years, and finally removed it yesterday. While it's great at finding all sorts of trackers, I got to the point where I had just too many sites that just wouldn't work right. Missing content, videos that wouldn't play, etc., that worked fine after disabling Privacy Badger. Great effort by the EFF in creating this, but just be aware that if you have issues with a site, disabling the app for that site or page should be among the first things you should try.
It doesn't look like the free version can hold a candle to Notepad++ feature-wise. Not much in the way of features compared to its bigger brother either, based on the following:
https://www.emeditor.com/text-editor-features/history/emeditor-free/
You seem to be under the impression that portable applications don't write to the registry. That's patently false. *Any* application can read and write to the registry. Further, when using portables, you typically lose features such as context menu entries that for some programs, are worth the price of admission.
I'm fully cognizant of what a "true portable application" is and isn't. I don't need to Google a guide. Simply correcting your statement, based on many years of software development.
But I see by the posting date you've already edited your initial entry.
Hello, and thanks for a great tip!
I downloaded this today from their homepage ( a newer version than the one on portableapps?), made it portable during installation (very easy even for me...), and it works great both on my PC and my stick.
Thanks again
VH
Best System Info Utilities had two recommendations that are not right
Gizmo's favorite SIW is not free but $10
PC Wizard is a serious trap that floods your pc with crap.
Without a backup partition I would have been dead in the water.
Thank for the Reply Gizmo with regards to SIW. I'll look at the new location for a copy that actually installs without problems. Thank you.
As for PC Wizard, I find the bundled software overwhelemed my pc. I could not find a costomized install setting. There seem to be on work around the PC Wizared bundeled tool bards or adware and other stuff.
If anyone knows has a work around I would like to hear about that.
I've had my own experiences with OC and I think much depends on where you download it from. I've downloaded AxCrypt from sourceforge.net and not had a problem with it wanting to install other crap. I've used it for quite a while and like it very much and my scanners haven't picked up any issues with it (one of which is Malwarebytes as mentioned). That said, I suspect if a person downloaded it from cnet, through yahoo, etc - they'd probably pick up the crap mentioned by others here during the install.
True, like yourself I remember when the internet was free, I ran stuff for free myself and gave my own time without reward to help others, sadly the lunatics now run the asylum.
I'm searching a way, that works on XP, Vista, 7 and 8, to open a specific folder with the navigation pane only showing/permitting to browse the subfolders of that folder. In other words, I want all folders and hard drives to be hidden, except the one I open and its subfolders.
Users of the excellent Backup Maker may be interested to know that, after several requests, Ascomp.de have added an English language forum at https://www.ascomp.de/forum/ (NB If the page appears in German, click on 'Deutsch' on the bottom left of the page and select the English option). Great!
It appears that the new free version of RoboForm - v8 - allows an unlimited number of passwords rather than the old 10. However, it does not allow syncing across several devices. There is a good article about it here www.infopackets.com/news/10120/explained-roboform-8-free-or-not-yes-few-caveats.
Has anyone here tried it and does this change alter the above rating?
It appears that the new free version of RoboForm - v8 - allows an unlimited number of passwords rather than the old 10. However, it does not allow syncing across several devices. There is a good article about it here www.infopackets.com/news/10120/explained-roboform-8-free-or-not-yes-few-caveats.
Has anyone here tried it and does this change alter the above rating?
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Try Linux on your "old" PC. You might not want to get a new one.
Your geek buddies are all in cyberspace. The place to start is http://www.techsupportalert.com/linux where you'll find "How to Replace XP with Linux" which is kind of dated but still good tips, and "Using Windows 7 and Linux on the same computer" which tells about dual booting. Plus one that helps you decide which distro to try first. The best Linux intro article is "Is Moving From Windows to Linux The Right Choice For You?"
(http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/moving-windows-linux-right-choice-you.htm)
which is really hard to find!
There's a lot of tutorials on YouTube which show you how to install different distros.
Places like linuxquestions.org and the forums for the distro you've installed are good for resolving problems. ubuntuforums.org is also the mother lode for other Debian based distros like Elementary, Zorin, and Mint. Forums are good if you need to converse back and forth with the neckbeards. Just about every problem I've had has been addressed and solved before, so you just need to search for the right thing. I see people asking questions on Quora or Yahoo answers but you can't get a conversation going that way.
Don't buy books. They are obsolete, take up space, and cost money. I'm 68, and my tired brain has figured out some things, but mostly I look on the net.
Just try it (run off a flash drive until you get the feel of it) and you'll see that the learning curve is not like when you first started using a computer. You already know how to do that.
Wifi dongles are a big sticking point for Linux. Most just plug in and work (check mfrs. website for compatibility). The driver is part of the Linux kernel.
The others, sometimes you can install Windows XP drivers using a package called ndiswrapper. Best to search forums at your Linux distro or your dongle maker.
All my PCs were Windows machines and now dual boot. Over the years I've reduced the Windows partitions to the bare minimum... just in case I need it or sell it. Hey, I paid for it. Mostly I run Mint because it looks like a clean version of XP.
I also have CRS Syndrome, which means Can't Remember Stuff. I don't do well remembering long commands and their switches and syntax.
Linux has a GUI for just about anything you want to do, but it also has terminal commands to do the same thing, but usually more powerful and faster. I can type "sudo apt-get install" faster than I can open up a software chooser program and find the app I want, but if I don't remember the name I have to use that app store. I can click the "windows" button and type in a program name and it loads right up, but if I forget the name I have to rummage through the menus to find it. That's why I like Mint; it has a menu tree like XP or Windows 7, but is much better organized without all the useless extra stuff.
I have a lawn full of those, and they're maple leaves, not oak. That's what is on the Canadian flag.
On Ubuntu, it's in the System Settings --> Connectivity.
On Linux Mint, System Settings --> Networking.
No extra software required.
Scribus runs great on Linux, and is included in some distros and just about all distro repositories.
I wish they had put these fonts all in one folder instead of each one in its individual folder. But hey, free.
Fonts are one of my weaknesses, and after getting these 30 free ones I went through and uninstalled a few ....dozen....that I'll never use again. They take up time and HDD space.
And it also bears mentioning that of course these fonts also work in Linux.
And anybody who steals your laptop would not think of turning this feature off.
I wonder how much it cost them to come up with the name. First thought I had was "swayback nag". I uploaded a 5 MB powerpoint, but then it hung halfway through Swaying (Swayifying?). A different PDF worked but looked pretty nasty. But thanks for trying, Microsoft.
Funny thing, they have a nicely done tutorial; they put it on Google's YouTube.
I might try again, using the web to Sway(tm) a presentation written in LibreOffice. Topic: "Why Linux is better than Windows."
The GUI version for Linux is called zenmap. Real nerds will of course want the command line version (nmap), but that leaves me out because I'm a grandpa. And I run Linux, because I don't have time to maintain Windows.
Copy is another Dropbox clone. I have almost a terabyte there, free due to referrals. Both have Linux file manager integration, very nice.
My big problem is uploading speed on my cable internet. Keeping backups on an internal HDD is a lot easier and faster.
I downloaded humungous sized ones for free. You can order prints though.
OK, you go to "visualize the public collection" (http://publicdomain.nypl.org/pd-visualization/) and it should load (finally) a huge thumbnail of all the thousands of scans. You can sort by genre, collection, or color. Pick one and you get a bigger thumbnail, all the info on it, and several resolution download selections. The "all download options" might have 6 different sizes. "Larger" is 2560 pixels, plenty big for me even after zooming in, and it's 6 or 8 megabytes.
I'm currently running the KDE desktop, and kinda like it. It's also available on Windows.
Some other Linux desktops also have versions for Windows, I'm told.
Photoshop and Nik are way overkill for us weekend shutterbugs. Plus, Adobe refuses to port Photoshop to Linux.
Digikam is the free alternative. You can also do a lot of stuff in Gimp.
Yeah, I don't like da funk either.
A close second is NOT running Windows.
Looks like Gnome 3 desktop on Linux. Not too many people like it, but to each their own.
Zorin 11 came out on Feb. 3, and it's based on the old Ubuntu LTS (has Linux kernel 4.2.0). Okay, that won't mean much for noobs, but it does lag quite a bit, even more than Mint. It's pretty, and does look like Windows (or Mac, if that's how you roll) but there are more cutting edge beginner distros, like Ubuntu MATE. I put it on my dad's PC (he's 94); it works like a charm. Things are easier to find in a menu, so you don't have to clutter up your desktop with shortcuts.
It's #11 on the distrowatch list, so it's pretty popular.
I've used CCleaner for years and never had a problem. Just remember that when you get rid of all your cookies and thumbnails that you'll slow your system down as it rebuilds all that stuff. It's like throwing out the contents of your refrigerator - sometimes it's so bad it all has to go, but then you have to replenish it.
I see that there's a Mac version. Same idea, but no registry to worry about. No Linux version, but Bleachbit works great for that. I just ran it, and deleted a GB on my Kubuntu system, of older system files, logs, language packs. It didn't run any faster, but without a registry to get mucked up, Linux and Mac don't bog down unless you fill up the hard drive.
I have no problems with Ubuntu Unity, but trying Ubuntu MATE, it looks like it's more noob friendly. I think I could recommend it to any Windows user and they'd get to know it easily. Kubuntu is a nice alternative if you like that look.
But wait a month or two. Cosmetic stuff I don't even notice, but some bugs need to be sorted out. Kind of like buying a car the first month they come out. Of course I don't mind helping out by getting the new version and torturing it. But I can always boot into Mint 17.3 when all else fails. The new Mint won't be out until June, after Ubuntu gets cleaned up for them.
You can thank Linux for this software. LMMS started as Linux MultiMedia Studio.
Don't be amazed that it's open source, powerful, free, and malware-free; Linux software is like that.
You can open, edit, and print PDF files in LibreOffice. Then export back to PDF if need be.
It will take me an hour just to read the Terms and Conditions, and translate from Lawyerese to English.
Proprietary, and Facebook. Two strikes.
Photo B&C is 30 day shareware.
I'm thinking there must be a way of doing the same thing in Gimp. The G'Mic filter set has a selective desaturation that I think does it.
I like that none are Google, because they know too much about me already.
On my phone, I use Here maps because I can use it offline. I downloaded maps for Europe and used them without using expensive wireless data.
I've used both f.lux and redshift on my Linux PCs and laptop to adjust the color temperature in the daytime, which I find too bluish usually.
MuseScore. Runs on Linux.
I've used Hugin and it's got a lot of tweaks and adjustments (corrects for lens distortion, color balance, vignetting, HDR mismatch). It's the only open source free-standing stitching app, and is cross-platform (Linux, FreeBSD, Mac, Windows).
I also used the Pandora plugin for Gimp. But it doesn't do vertical stitching, so for a vertical pan of a cathedral in France I turned the pictures 90 degrees then stitched them. I've had to do some manual matching as it's tough to see where lines match up on ornate architecture.
Maybe one of G'Mic's eight sharpening filters can do this job. It has 300 filters and I haven't tried them all. Maybe you could do a review if you can find a category to put it in. There's a plugin for Gimp, a standalone program, and an online version.
Get a set of torx bits from Harbor Freight for a couple bucks. Take the lid off the HDD and get the magnets out. I reuse the cases for different things, and pull parts off the boards.
PCs that are less than 10 years old and working can be repurposed by installing Linux on them, wiping all the data off. Give it to a kid, Freecycle, school, Salvation Army.
Several times I've used Rescatux (Tux is the Linux mascot). It's a smaller download and doesn't have an antivirus that I know of, but has hard disk utilities, some of the usual fixes like a Windows password remover, and a rudimentary Linux operating system. It includes SuperGrub2 which fixes dual boots that Windows has screwed up so you can't boot Linux.
On UBCD, GParted is just a partition editor; the virus scanner and file manager are separate programs.
The only reason I could see for ReactOS is if you have an old piece of gear that will only run Windows. A medical or scientific gadget perhaps. I had a milling machine that ran on a 386 for years and the driver only worked on Windows 3. (it's long gone.)
Before I'd go through the hassle of ReactOS, I'd see if my PC or gadget will run with Linux. Mint Cinnamon has been my favorite for years because I'm just used to the old XP menus, but Mint's is much cleaner. For old PCs, I like Puppy, Bodhi, or Lubuntu 32 bit. I'm talking 12 years old or more.
Linux has drivers for many of the gear that isn't supported in Windows 7 or newer. A lot of old programs will run on Linux using the Wine program.
Free Democratic propaganda? No thanks.
I get the headlines from the NYT for free, but GMail clips it off right about at the editorials, fortunately.
Those topo maps are about 50 years old. Don't use them for navigating roads. But they are interesting to see what was around mid last century. The topography hasn't changed so much.
So beginning next year it will have ads, and I have to give my address to Microsoft.
No thanks, AisleRiot runs fine on my Linuxes and has dozens of game versions.
Rescatux is another good one. It's a much smaller download, but fewer utilities. I use it to diagnose hard drives and memory, and erase Windows passwords, but mainly to get back my grub. Search for supergrubdisk
Runs natively and installs easily on Linux.
I tried this years ago and now I see it's become more polished. It's more bloated than gedit or any other simple test editor, but has more capabilities, and simpler than LibreOffice ... but a few less capabilities. And some extras that might be a good fit for the journal writer. So, take your pick.
I haven't figured out how to zoom in, though, and on most themes I can't read the text. So I stick with the plain color.
It installs in a minute on Linux; I have Mint and just used the Ubuntu directions. Add the repository by opening a terminal and pasting this in:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gottcode/gcppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install focuswriter
I'm a retired vacuum tube engineer, been using Linux for about 6 years now.. There's over a hundred distros of Linux, so finding the best one for you could take a while. Just start with an easy one. Mint, Ubuntu MATE, ZorinOS, Elementary, Solus are my top recommendations. If you have an older PC (ten years), Lubuntu. Go to distrowatch.com and hit the search button up top, and put "beginners" or "old computers" in the search box. See what you like.
As for Pixel, well, that's OK for a Raspberry Pi. And maybe for a machine you use to program the Pi. But you can't install it on a hard disk? I'd rather use Puppy, which gives you that option.
Tomboy does it for me. It came with my Ubuntu, works on Windows too they say.
I just go to the "show all bookmarks" and then hit search. Results come up instantaneously. Maybe this Brain thing is an improvement; it takes a few keywords to get what I'm looking for. But not having Google watching over my shoulder is a big plus.
I tried some with LibreOffice, and they're mostly docx which opens up OK, but some type is a different size or font depending on what you have installed. So you may have to adjust to suit. I use Linux so I don't have a lot of Microsoft fonts, but Windows users should be OK.
And it works on Linux!
Flight Gear is the open source alternative.
It would be great to see this on your DAW page, and compare them. /best-free-music-software.htm
I got a bad taste of Magix software (nag/crippleware) from my Windows days so I prefer truly free stuff. But it does look interesting.
For a real trippy online sound generator, try mynoise (dot) net. Lots of things to try, most free (if he has the bandwidth). The Tibetan Choir is the coolest.
Thanks to Jupiter Broadcasting showing this, on this week's Linux Unplugged podcast.
In reply to "Australia".... Yes yes yes.......Security, boot time, compatibility with old hardware, choice among desktops, bloat, updating, spyware. .... these are all my reasons to run Linux.
Don't get mad, get even! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
Gizmo has a nice article called "Is Moving From Windows to Linux The Right Choice For You" which you'll have to search for, because they keep it hidden.
And there's plenty of MS Paint alternatives; it's a very popular category.
I used to use f.lux but now I can't figure how to get it installed on Linux. It's a windows program anyhow, you have to use Wine.
Iris works OK and it's native Linux but crippleware.
Redshift works OK too.
Your points are exactly why I had been hesitant to try Linux. Then I came upon a laptop that was "too slow" and tried Mint on it. I guess I got hooked then.
You can try Linux on a disk or flash drive to see how well it runs on any particular system, without changing anything. Try all your hardware, and try the "old" scanner and printer in your closet that won't run current Windows, you might be surprised that it works great on Linux. TV cards that last worked on XP, for instance. I recently recorded all my VHS and 8mm analog home videos using one.
I had very few problems collaborating with MSOffice users using LibreOffice, and sometimes I had to read old Office, Word Perfect or PDF files to "translate" them to the new Office format. I edited photos, drawings, electronic schematics, and videos. I ran electronic simulations and remotely controlled lab instruments. I designed, laid out and ordered printed circuit boards using Windows software running on Wine. All this on a 7 year old PC.
Finding software is as easy as going to the distro repository. Printer drivers are almost automatic... "find printer... Install... print test page?" And the updating on Mint is the way all updating should be, polite and informative, and you're in control.
The only thing I can't address is gaming. If you're into the latest high performance games you'd have to see what was available. There's thousands of them for Linux, I hear.
Q4OS looks appealing, especially for business use. The multiple desktops are nice and would give users a personal touch, and the long support time is good. I always go to distrowatch to shop for distros.
http://free-online-ocr.com/ is one I like better because it can convert to rtf. I'm still looking for one that converts to an open format, like odf, instead of Microsoft proprietary DOCX.
I use YouTube mp3 Downloader in Firefox and it asks for a donation on the plugin page, but there's no ads or porno popups. It works fast, and downloads the mp3 of a 4 minute song in a few seconds.
I agree, but instead of "Use windows 7 as long as possible" I say Use Windows 7 as long as necessary" ... which is up until about 3 years ago for me, when I noticed I hadn't needed Windows for ANYthing, having used only cross-platform apps and dual-booting for years. .
Linux packages are available, and install easily of course, and it runs well on my Mint. Worth a look to see if you like the combination of utilities in a nice looking app.
I use the XSane app which has OCR built in to the scanner driver. It connects to old scanners that won't work on newer Windows.
It also runs on Linux!
"....you can even build your own workstation using low cost motherboards, extremely fast processors, massive amounts of RAM and up to 8 GPUs. Imagine building your own super computer for incredible real time performance!" Yeah, I can dream. Me, I just use OpenShot on my 6 year old eMachines running Ubuntu MATE.
I use a FireFox plugin called ... drum roll.... YouTube mp3 Downloader, which shows up as a button on the Youtube page below the movie. Hit it, and you get a choice of 5 speed/quality/sizes. I use the 192K but probably smaller ones would work in the car or for low quality audio.
The complete 42 minutes of the New World symphony is 59 MB at 192K . I downloaded it before so I wasn't curious enough to do it again but give it a try and tell us what you got. It downloads as fast as any remote file (a few minutes I suppose). Don't know how they do it.
Nice that Media Human has a Linux package, but I don't need a separate app. But I will check out their other apps.
Why are you not running Linux?
I've used "sound converter" (not very original, but good description) to convert music. Go to the Ubuntu Software center and hit "sound and video" and search for converter. If you want a album sorter, there's plenty of those like DeaDBeef, Amarok etc.
Or, you could use Linux instead of Windows 10. Plug in, detect, print.....
Thanks for reminding me to whitelist you (you're one of the good guys) and for the link to Iridium.
It would help if some YouTubers would have some dead time at the end of their videos. Some have the most important or interesting parts right at the end!
Hello
I have a windows Xp computer
i followed all the steps, but i have an external modem
do i still need to get a static IP address?
thankyou
hi steve,
i really have no idea whether my modem has a firewall or not, but i have created exceptions for vuze in windows firewall.
i decided to re install vuze and do everything all over again.
my results on the NAT test for TCP and UDP after changing the port as stated were OK!
But even after creating an exception for port 49001 (UDP),and testing, the NAT test failed
It said that transport was unavailable.
Please help me solve my problems
Thanks in advance
VBR
Hi again steve
Thanks for the reply. I have encountered another problem.
I installed Vuze and followed the steps, after that, my download speed was about 20kb/s, which was previously 3.5-5kb/s.
every time i restsrt the computer, i test the listening ports again, but the TCP fails so i have to keep changing the listening ports each time. what should i do about this?
Also i could not get a static ip address because i dont have the numbers for the DNS servers.
Thanks
VBR
Hello Steve,
My apologies for my delayed reply.
Thanks very much Steve, I managed to overcome these problems thanks to your help.
I finally managed to download a movie from VUZE, but it is a large movie and still needs to seed, but i am in urgent need to watch that movie. so i want to move it into my external hard disc, but it says that another program is using the file.
How can i stop the file from seeding in Vuze's user interface?
Thanks,
VBR
Excellent nugget of info. Thanks!
Some great Tips and Tricks...Thank You
Avast is the best free antivirus nowadays. I have it on multiple computers for more than 2 years, and had NO problems with viruses at ALL. I work as a PC support, and install Avast Free Antivirus to my clients too.
That link is 3 years old. I highly doubt those figures hold now.
I finally bit the bullet and moved all my accounts From TBird into GMail. No more backing up TBird databases when I re-image my machine from a good backup.
"Most folks who use PCs are professionals"
Nonsense. That might've been the case 20 years ago, but not today. Now PCs are just another appliance. We no longer have to type archaic codes into a terminal program to get our 300 baud modems to connect. Now grandma can fire up her laptop and talk to her grandkids on the other side of the planet, in real time, all with the very basic of training.
While these apps might not be yours nor my cup of tea, lots of people enjoy them, and can be up and running with them with minimal fuss. They're not intended to be used by business, and thinking otherwise is silly.
"Why can't they make a real operating system anymore?"
"Anymore?" LOL. I used to be a Microsoft hater years ago, and I started with DOS 3.3. The first versions of Windows were a joke, and serious business users were installing OS/2. Today's Windows is for the most part, solid and stable, and ubiquitous, and gets better with each iteration. The Linux revolution simply didn't materialize, and while it's a superb OS, it's never going to overtake Windows overall. I see no "arrogant and stubborn focus" on the Windows Store by MS. It's simply another revenue stream, and it's trivially easy to not see any evidence of it on your desktop. It's certainly not "diluting" my environment.
I don't go to the Windows Store for my development tools - no professional does - but I don't begrudge anyone who finds it useful . Enjoy your PC for what you need it for, but to belittle it is pedantically elitist.
Since this has to be activated by January 24, does anyone know what happens with freebies like this if you reimage/reformat your PC, and have to reinstall it at a later date?
I'm thinking that you'd be out of luck, but that's just a guess.
Does the same with 32 bit Windows 7.
Anyone compared this to Google's Image Search? I used Tineye a year or so back, and at that time it didn't seem to compare.
Hmm.. My Firefox (latest version 36.0.1) showing as NOT safe. Windows 7 32 bit. Anyone have any ideas?
Well, I ran Firefox in safe mode with the same results. Did a complete uninstall/reinstall, with no plug-ins or add-is, and again, the same failing results.
Tried the portable version of Pale Moon (thanks Aninnymous), and it passes. Weird.
I'm betting that most Firefox users here are running the 64 bit version? My Windows 7 is only 32 bit.
UPDATE: After a bit of searching, it turns out that Avast AV's Web Shield was responsible for the failure messages. Turning off Web Shield resulted in a Pass test result.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Love this site.
Ran this for a couple of years, and finally removed it yesterday. While it's great at finding all sorts of trackers, I got to the point where I had just too many sites that just wouldn't work right. Missing content, videos that wouldn't play, etc., that worked fine after disabling Privacy Badger. Great effort by the EFF in creating this, but just be aware that if you have issues with a site, disabling the app for that site or page should be among the first things you should try.
"Supported OS: Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/Server 2012/Server 2008."
Nice, but I don't believe you can save your progress. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
Odd. The website mentions it's free on several places on their page.
It doesn't look like the free version can hold a candle to Notepad++ feature-wise. Not much in the way of features compared to its bigger brother either, based on the following:
https://www.emeditor.com/text-editor-features/history/emeditor-free/
There's always DuckDuckGo. Image search there, so far, works great.
You seem to be under the impression that portable applications don't write to the registry. That's patently false. *Any* application can read and write to the registry. Further, when using portables, you typically lose features such as context menu entries that for some programs, are worth the price of admission.
I'm fully cognizant of what a "true portable application" is and isn't. I don't need to Google a guide. Simply correcting your statement, based on many years of software development.
But I see by the posting date you've already edited your initial entry.
Wow. Although we've never met, I feel like I'm losing a good friend.
All the best in your future endeavours, sir.
You might want to mention that this app requires Java, if not already installed.
Pass...
Hello, and thanks for a great tip!
I downloaded this today from their homepage ( a newer version than the one on portableapps?), made it portable during installation (very easy even for me...), and it works great both on my PC and my stick.
Thanks again
VH
Best System Info Utilities had two recommendations that are not right
Gizmo's favorite SIW is not free but $10
PC Wizard is a serious trap that floods your pc with crap.
Without a backup partition I would have been dead in the water.
Thank for the Reply Gizmo with regards to SIW. I'll look at the new location for a copy that actually installs without problems. Thank you.
As for PC Wizard, I find the bundled software overwhelemed my pc. I could not find a costomized install setting. There seem to be on work around the PC Wizared bundeled tool bards or adware and other stuff.
If anyone knows has a work around I would like to hear about that.
Venice
I take my comments back on PC-Wizard. I must have hit the wrong download link on that sight and that led me to CNet which screwed my pc up.
After finding the right pcwizard link I downloded the 5.1mb file and it installed and I was able to uncheck any extra software options.
i like
I've had my own experiences with OC and I think much depends on where you download it from. I've downloaded AxCrypt from sourceforge.net and not had a problem with it wanting to install other crap. I've used it for quite a while and like it very much and my scanners haven't picked up any issues with it (one of which is Malwarebytes as mentioned). That said, I suspect if a person downloaded it from cnet, through yahoo, etc - they'd probably pick up the crap mentioned by others here during the install.
True, like yourself I remember when the internet was free, I ran stuff for free myself and gave my own time without reward to help others, sadly the lunatics now run the asylum.
how to make my font
;p
Hi,
I'm searching a way, that works on XP, Vista, 7 and 8, to open a specific folder with the navigation pane only showing/permitting to browse the subfolders of that folder. In other words, I want all folders and hard drives to be hidden, except the one I open and its subfolders.
Is there a file manager that can do this ?
Thanks !
You constantly show these programs, but it is nearly impossible to find the link and this particular "freeware" has no link at all.
Microsoft itself does not provide Windows 7 downloads
Users of the excellent Backup Maker may be interested to know that, after several requests, Ascomp.de have added an English language forum at https://www.ascomp.de/forum/ (NB If the page appears in German, click on 'Deutsch' on the bottom left of the page and select the English option). Great!
It appears that the new free version of RoboForm - v8 - allows an unlimited number of passwords rather than the old 10. However, it does not allow syncing across several devices. There is a good article about it here www.infopackets.com/news/10120/explained-roboform-8-free-or-not-yes-few-caveats.
Has anyone here tried it and does this change alter the above rating?
It appears that the new free version of RoboForm - v8 - allows an unlimited number of passwords rather than the old 10. However, it does not allow syncing across several devices. There is a good article about it here www.infopackets.com/news/10120/explained-roboform-8-free-or-not-yes-few-caveats.
Has anyone here tried it and does this change alter the above rating?
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