FONTMATRIX
This has been removed from the Ubuntu repositories and is reported to be dysfunctional.

Although I am clued up on IT pretty well, I've always struggled somewhat with networking and firewall detailed comprehension, or perhaps it's more about taking the necessary time to understand.

I have to run a business and at the end of the day I have to choose all of my various suppliers, free or commercial, that includes the software that runs on my computers. I've tried to go 100% with Linux several times, but driver and other issues stopped me from progressing. I also work in an MS Office workflow and LibreOffice is not good enough yet for me unfortunately. Also WINE does not work with my version of Office.

Anyway, what I'm getting to is that I review several review sites and the security software that I choose is via a calculation I do based on the freely available test result of 4 review sites: AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, MRG Effitas and SE Labs. Windows Defender has improved tremendously over the past year or two, but my commercial choice is one that does slightly better across all these test sites. I delegate my knowledge to them, teams of very experienced professionals who are hopefully protecting my machines, including at the network / firewall level, since I don't have all the time and experience that they do.

I'm not knocking your good point MC, just making my point that yes, WD and WDF is great, but for especially for a roving business laptop, I choose a commercial solution which gets consistently high marks on independent test sites and has what I understand to be a smarter firewall than WDF. I'm sure those tests that you referred to were spot-on, but products move on I'd be interested to see a similar test done today. For home or small office based computing WD, WDF + uBlock Origin and an occasional scan with the free Emsisoft and / or Malwarebytes scanners are enough for 99% of users in my view.

By the way, I'd forgotten in my previous post that another favourite firewall od mine was the PC Tools one and which I used at one point in conjunction with Threatfire, a great combo! Sadly swallowed up by bigger fish and no longer available, although I'm sure their technology lives on within new products.

many thanks

It`s a pity the .pdf test report is no longer available from AV Comparatives. The commercial program you enthuse about so much failed in 5 separate areas and actually reduces your security compared to Windows firewall from the moment it is activated. The problem is folks believe the hype on the vendor`s website and end up buying the product. The same applies to so called registry cleaners that provide no useful function other than to generate profits for the vendors and cause multiple installations of Windows to need reinstalling. :)

ZoneAlarm does have program control.

https://www.zonealarm.com/learning-center/application-control/

This is actually a good example of why it is necessary to have a proper understanding of security apps before deciding to dump the perfectly good set of default applications provided with Windows. If you don't even know what a particular third party program offers how can you possibly configure it correctly and decide it is better than the Windows default?

Overall from the set of circumstances you describe you would be far better off using Linux as I do for all my business and personal needs. MC - Site Manager

To send files anywhere from phone to PC and vice versa, use PC to Mobile transfer Transfer app. Just install one PC software called FTP Manager Lite. You can send file directly from your PC to anywhere, on mobile, FTP account. Best app in Play store. No need of USB cable. Very easy to connect.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=deskshare.com.pctomobiletransfer&hl=en_IN
https://www.deskshare.com/ftp-manager-free.aspx

Back in 2014 AV Comparatives was commissioned to conduct an independent test of firewalls and the Windows firewall outperformed everything. In fact most of the third party apps actually reduced the level of security once installed. This is one reason why the number of third party firewalls has declined. They are no longer necessary. Those that do exist do so mostly as a platform to sell other products rather than perform any useful function. MC – Site Manager. The .pdf report of this test is no longer available on their site but this is a copy of the conclusion from it.

Conclusion
Of twelve Internet security suites tested, only five provided full protection in public networks.
Another two allowed Remote Desktop connections to be made using IP addresses; whilst this does not
affect users with Home editions of Windows, it could represent a significant security risk to business
users with Professional, Business or Enterprise versions of Windows. One further suite can provide full
protection if it is manually configured (and the PC restarted after connecting to the network), but
this can only be done by advanced users with an understanding of TCP/IP networking. For the average
user, the suite’s firewall effectively allows all forms of access in public networks. The remaining four
allow both file sharing and Remote Desktop access in public networks, even in cases where the LAN
has been registered as public in the suite’s own settings.
Six out of the seven manufacturers whose suites fail to provide complete protection make a
standalone antivirus program without firewall, which can usually be purchased more cheaply than the
corresponding full Internet security suite. However, most manufacturers claim in their advertising
that the more expensive suite will protect the user’s computer better than the simple antivirus
program. This test indicates that half of the security vendors are actually charging more money for a
product that may provide significantly less security in some situations, and that users would do better
to buy the simple antivirus program and rely on Windows Firewall to prevent unauthorised intrusion.
We note that a number of major vendors are nowadays not including their own firewalls in their
security suites, but relying on Windows Firewall instead, as this provides suitable protection and is
easy to configure.
In the case of the four standalone firewalls, all allowed both file sharing and Remote Desktop access
in public networks, even in cases where the network has been set to Public/Untrusted in the program
itself. We would suggest that enthusiasts who use such programs should consider whether the
advanced features provided in these programs make up for the lack of basic protection in public
networks.

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COPY PAST HERE SITE ......................c­­­­­­­a­­­­­­­s­­­­­­­h­­­­­­­p­­­­­­­r­­­­­­­o­­­­­­­f­­­­­­­i­­­­­­­t­­­­­­­1­­­­­­­.­­­­­­­c­­­­­­­o­­­­­­­m

I was wondering the same thing, if it was a Windows tablet would the old games be usable with a touchscreen? Maybe someone here has experience with it and will chime in.

Is your tablet running a version of Windows?

If you want to create a uTorrent search URL from scratch for a torrent website not listed here or anywhere else you can find, you can do it like this.
Open Internet Explorer 11, and go to the torrent website whose search URL you wish to add to uTorrent.
Search for something, anything.
Hit F12 for Developer Tools and go to the Network tab.
There you will see a couple lines of information at the top left under Name/Path.
The first line is the search format URL you need for uTorrent and the second line is the search result URL you used to generate that information.
The search format URL is shown with the part after the slash being on top of the part before the slash. Just combine the two into a proper URL and add them to uTorrent and you will see the next time you search for something using that torrent website, it will work.

Ultradefrag is still available at sourceforge.net and version 7.1.1 has a stable release from October 2018, but future development of version 8 does appear to be commercial:

In 2018 the UltraDefrag project has been transferred to Green Gate Systems, LLC.

This is very slow indeed. Took 7 hours for a full drfrag, and now in Full Optimisation and after 7 hours only 68% optimised.
Defender and Super Antispyware real-time protection are turned OFF.
Trash and temp files deleted before starting.
Is there something I have missed?

You're welcome, I'm glad you like it.
I did the same thing with the arrow keys. :)

That's odd. I'm getting 404 errors in all the browsers on my system. I don't know what's going on, but I've removed the references to Vimeo in the article.

I couldn't get it to work on any Vimeo video even the ones featured on their site. I tried on both Opera and Chrome

Article has fatal problem created by Microsoft for what my experience is on all Windows7 SP1 that I have checked. If you read into WOW64 you will find the use of setup16.exe in the code. For this file to operate it requires initialization file setup16.lst which is not found in the directory containing setup16.exe. This file setup16.exe is in many of the registry keys for working in the x86 environment. On my PC where I found WOW64 and scanned into the file there is setup16.exe. Therfore WOW64 is doomed to failure. In all my encounters with Microsoft support there is no recognition of any such file even though setup16.exe needs it. In decompiling setup16.exe the blank form for setup16.lst is found. If anyone has this *.lst file it is worth a fortune.

Not that I'm aware of. At the moment, it's either have enough space on your disk drive or the disk drive and a USB flash drive can be used for updates.

Only fresh installations of Windows 10 version 1903 (due out in spring) and devices that will have Windows 10 version 1903 and up preinstalled will have reserved storage automatically enabled.

Is there an alternative method to storing the updates on an external drive?

I installed the tools and editor to try them out. When I use either the tools or the editor, the software opens my web browser to PDFill's website. I uninstalled it immediately. I realize this is freeware and I wouldn't mind a nag screen, but hijacking my browser goes too far. I would not recommend this unless a user simply cannot find another free tool to do the job.

If you are looking for an online password manager, take a look "Intuitive Password" password manager.

Repeating Windows Key + R . (one period), or repeating Windows Key + R .. (two periods), only allows one instance of File Explorer. With both (one and two periods), the most you can open up are two instances of File Explorer.

However, repeating Windows Key + E always opens up a new instance of File Explorer, probably as many instances as you press the shortcut keys. Through View > Options in File Explorer, it can be set whether opening it to Quick Access or This PC. My choice is Quick Access.

I like shortcut keys that are easy to remember, like Windows Key + E, which means Windows E-xplorer, now known as File E-xplorer. :)

I find Win-E the quickest way to get into Windows Explorer, where I prefer to start at "This PC".

Thanks for the new shortcut, I usually Windows Key + R .. (two periods). One period is more specific.

I tend to use the Search Bar and the Run box interchangably. The thing I like about the ssearch bar is it will offer up several options if they are available.

I'm also fond of the Windows Key + X menu. :)

Amen!

And just to address the whole FreeFileSync issue, here is a quote from their FAQ page:
[ https://freefilesync.org/faq.php ]

➤ " Is FreeFileSync still showing an advertisement in its installer?
No, FreeFileSync is completely ad-free! Before version 10, FreeFileSync had shown a single advertisement during installation to help fund the project. Beginning with FreeFileSync 10, the project is now fully relying on donations from users to finance its ongoing expenses in software development and support."

PrivateFirewall still outperforms most of the other Free options out there. Even without "Zero Day" features.
As for ver 7.0.30.3. It is still freely available at a number of sites: Would recommend the TomsGuide site.
https://downloads.tomsguide.com/PrivateFirewall,0301-33843.html

Thanks for your feedback. :)

We have readers with a wide range of experience and interest here at Gizmo's. Advanced users, many of us who know enough to get around, those who are new to computers, and people who have less time, experience or interest in computers.
I would find things that are interesting to everyone all the time if I figure out how. :) :) :)

I think the article's usefulness depends in part on how you use your computer or if you want tricks or tips so that it's faster and easier.
In the mouse/keyboard spectrum I lean towards the keyboard because it's so much faster and easier, not just for the more technical commands, but for things most of us probably do every day.
I use the Run box to open or run all kind of things, everything from the Word to Calculator to my email program to the Font folder. I use it to open Notepad, Wordpad, Services, change the Mouse speed and pointers and so on. I use it to open the User folder because Windows has the habit of periodically hiding the App Data folder.
There's a browse button using the Start menu access to find things as well.
It's much easier to for me to navigate that way than using a mouse and going through the Start menu. If it's not on the taskbar or the desktop (which I access using the Windows Key + D) then I usually use the run command.
The Windows Key + X is another way to access some Windows functions, like the command prompt.
 

There are some terms that need to be memorized, but most aren't that far off the names of what you want to use. For example, Control Panel is control. Calculator is calc. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Hi Rhiannon,
Thanks for your research on finding those gems which are really useful! Such as the recent "How to reinstall Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 and keep your data and programs intact." That was WONDERFUL!

This particular one, however, would be more accurately titled "15 Ways to Show Your Friends That You Are a True Geek." The article contains examples of 15 obscure commands, which the author expects readers to memorize. This is supposed to be the quick and easy way to use your computer.

Ok. Do whatever you're comfortable with. Password manager, no password manager, go with whatever works for you.  :)

I don't want to create a Bitwarden account, it turns me off.
I don't want anything that can possibly be between me, my data/info, and the site I visit.

The Sonny Bono Act fixed a period of 95 years for anything placed under copyright from 1923 to 1977, after which the measure isn’t fixed, but based on when an author perishes.

These people appear to have ceased trading. The firewall is still available via some third party download sites but will have limited functionality without Privacyware servers although basic filtering will be unaffected. MC - Site Manager.

https://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Firewall/Privatefirewall.shtml

Works great most of the time, but why the blue and white checks other than to make it unusable. Put it on a white background.

Just thought I'd inform everyone that Privacyware site no longer exists. Bummer... This firewall is still available at Softpedia but is version 7.0.30.2 NOT 7.0.30.3 . If you install this firewall you will find out that the zero day protection and alot of other features no longer work because they are dependent on Privacywares server which no longer exists.

I want to donate so badly, but alas, the liberal policies prevent that. So as the left likes to chant, I'm going to resist... until common sense prevails. Kinda betting your prediction "In the end it may even result in the site shutting down." will come to pass first though. Just ask geekomatic.

Great resources and great volunteers doing an excellent / unbiased job make this site a valuable resource to folks looking for solutions to all sorts of computing needs. Just because its free does not mean its inferior! In fact I've found for many solutions the free stuff is often better than a paid alternative. The one element here as opposed to other free sites is the great evaluations of the products and product categories. Its been a go to site for me for many years and I hope for many more years. Keep up the good work.

Still an oasis of sanity in the cesspool known as the web 2018. Thank you gizmo!
Hope you rhiannon and all had a great Christmas, Happy 2019, donation coming in the NY.

Thank you and all of the editors for everything you've been offering us. :-)

Four weeks ago I needed a downloader quickly and based on this article decided to give ClipGrab a try. It worked (almost) flawlessly for four weeks. Just now upon starting it obviously installed an update. Besides ByteFence (BOOO!) which is easy enough to un-check is requested to stop my antimalware service.
https://www.getintopces.com
https://www.pokemonuraniumdownload.com
https://www.happybirthdaysmeme.com
https://iproductkeys.com
https://ifantasynamegenerator.com
https://www.fileshipposoftwares.com/

Thank you. I've updated the article to be more accurate and precise. :)

That was mentioned in the above post. I'm sorry it didn't work on your Frankencat picture. :)

It is a limitation. They say they are working on ways to increase the output. There are other background removal sites, but I haven't found one that works as well as I would like. Some say they will do a better job if you pay them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Nice idea, output looks pretty good, but a limit of 500 x 500 pixels on the outputted layer is quite limiting, sadly.

A worthy find. Thanks for this. Certainly simplifies trimming of my joke images that bit more! Happy Holidays / Christmas etc.

nice article and very good explaination thanks for explaining

can anyone recommend a Windows calculator that can be invoked by pressing NumLock?

For years I used the marvelous EldoS AnyCalc, which had that feature, but now I can't get it to run under Windows 10, so I'm looking for a replacement.

Let's check free resource to learn JavaScript online: http://www.javascriptinstitute.org/javascript-tutorial/