Underground And Other Stuff

Here is a really cool “proof of concept” (as the author puts it) program: jpeg2css. The program literally does exactly as you would expect:It takes a black and white jpeg and returns an html copy of the image created with text and CSS

Labels: css, jpeg

A problem with maintaining shared computers (i.e. training machines) is it hard to keep the machines all in a predictable working condition. Many programs require more than mere ‘user’ level access meaning student logins may need ‘power user’ or even ‘administrator’ access. Of course, with increased access comes increased risk as students could potentially download and install malicious files.

A tool to help combat this is SteadyState. This free tool from Microsoft reverts a Windows installation back to a safe state after use. The most appealing feature states:

Windows Disk Protection – Help protect the Windows partition, which contains the Windows operating system and other programs, from being modified without administrator approval.Windows SteadyState allows you to set Windows Disk Protection to remove all changes upon restart, to remove changes at a certain date and time, or to not remove changes at all. If you choose to use Windows Disk Protection to remove changes, any changes made by shared users when they are logged on to the computer are removed when the computer is restarted.

Labels: computer sharing

When it comes to remote connection (either attended or unattended), there are several choices you have: Terminal Services (for Windows users), VNC, commercial services, etc. just to name a few. If you do not have something in place already, take a look at TeamViewer.

This free service (for non-commercial use) allows you to both share your computer desktop with others or take control of another computer. The benefits are obvious as you can show someone how to do something or actually do it for them. One great feature about TeamViewer, however, is that it does not require any software installation (for live connection, unattended access requires installation) in order to connect to a client. Additionally, like most other commercial products, firewalls do not present any problems so nobody has to worry about lingering security implications.

Labels: connection, team, VNC

While the syntax between XCopy and Robocopy is similar, those not comfortable with the command line may want to shy away from this tool due to the sheer number of options available. No worries, if this is the case then simply download the Robocopy GUI. This free tool takes all the functionality of the Robocopy command line tool and lets you build your instructions in a point and click interface. One of the nice features of Robocopy is the built in scheduling functionality, so you could actually schedule times to copy files straight from this tool.

Labels: robocopy, xcopy

Whenever you defrag your hard drive (using the tool which ships with Windows), you might notice there is a big green block which not movable. For the most part this green block is your Windows page file. Typically the way to make sure this gets defragged is to simply “delete it” by (steps abbreviated) removing the page file, defragging the hard drive and then re-setup the page file. Instead of this workaround, defrag the page file directly by using Sysinternals PageDefrag tool.

This free tool does just what you think, defrags your page file:

PageDefrag uses advanced techniques to provide you what commercial defragmenters cannot: the ability for you to see how fragmented your paging files and Registry hives are, and to defragment them. In addition, it defragments event log files and Windows 2000/XP hibernation files (where system memory is saved when you hibernate a laptop).

Labels: defrag, windows

Use AppSnap.

From AppSnap’s web site:

It automatically figures out the latest version, downloads the installer and then installs the software in one seamless step.

An interesting point the web site brings up is Windows does not have a package manager offered by most Linux distributions to automatically notify you of updates, so I imagine this is the application’s overall goal.

AppSnap, at the time of this writing covers 361 free programs: from 7-Zip to ZuluPad (check out the Applications link).

If you've ever asked for help with your Windows computer that won't boot anymore, you've probably been told to "Backup all your data and then reinstall"… but if you can't boot, how can you get to your data? That's the question we'll be answering today.

One of the easiest methods to access your data is to simply boot off an Ubuntu Live CD… and it's completely free (except for the cost of a blank cd).

continued -> http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/

Labels: linux, recovery, windows

If you do a lot of buy and selling online, you may or may not have a some sort of system in place to track all your orders. If not, a web site you should check out is TrackMyShipments. You can read about how the service works on their site. They currently support the 4 major carriers: UPS, Fedex, DHL and USPS.

A really cool function of the service is you can simply forward your shipment confirmation emails to an address they have set up and the email is automatically parsed for your account name, carrier and shipment number. This is a great time saver over the alternate way of manually entering the numbers (which you can do as well).

TrackMyShipments offers a free account which allows you to track up to 10 packages at one time, however if you want to track more you will need to sign up for their ‘Pro’ service which is currently $20 per year.

Labels: shipments, tracking, ups