Don't tell me you're still paying for anti-virus software? If you're using Norton, I bet you've had trouble with it, too. But you're afraid to cut the cord, right? Avast is a totally free program with free updates that will save you money every year. You never pay a cent for anything with Avast. Another, similar, product is AVG (www.avg.com), but I haven't used it.
I've been using Avast for years now with no problems, and it has yet to cost me anything. Avast protects you from viruses in email, in programs or files you download, peer-to-peer and instant message viruses, rootkits and spyware. Free updates are automatic. Like other anti-virus software, Avast sits in your system tray (or "notification area " in the lower right corner of your screen) and shields you from viruses. It also can be used to scan your disks (including all hard drives) for viruses.
To get Avast, go to www.avast.com and click on "Free Software".
To switch from paid support to Avast, first: download (but do not install) Avast. You could save it on your desktop. Then click start, settings, control panel, add or remove programs. Then navigate to your antivirus software and remove it. This will probably require a reboot. Then install Avast (by double-clicking on it on your desktop). That's about it.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Put my desktop back the way it was (Icon restorer)
This little utility (called DeskSave) is priceless (and free) because it does what I often need it to do: it puts my icons back where I want them to be. It also restores my screen's resolution settings.
Why would you need this? If you have pesky folks or software that like to move your icons around where you don't want them. Of if you use your computer (especially a laptop) with, say, a projector or an external monitor, this can cause your screen resolution to get changed which frequently scrambles your icons around too.
Here's how it works. You run it once to save your screen layout. If your screen layout gets scrambled, you run it again and restore what you saved the first time. You can save multiple layouts in separate files.
Why would you need this? If you have pesky folks or software that like to move your icons around where you don't want them. Of if you use your computer (especially a laptop) with, say, a projector or an external monitor, this can cause your screen resolution to get changed which frequently scrambles your icons around too.
Here's how it works. You run it once to save your screen layout. If your screen layout gets scrambled, you run it again and restore what you saved the first time. You can save multiple layouts in separate files.
Control Two Computers with One Mouse and Keyboard
If you have only one computer, skip this--it won't do you any good. But if you have two computers located near each other, you'll want this free utility, called Synergy. The first time you drag your mouse cursor from one computer's screen to another computer's screen, you'll say "Wow!"
Here's how it works. You install Synergy on each computer, identifying one as the server (where the keyboard and mouse are) and the other as the client. You tell the software where the second screen is relative to the first (left, right, above, below, etc.). Run the software on each PC and now you can use just one mouse and keyboard.
The coolest feature may be the ability to cut and paste from one computer to another. Of course, your two computers need to be networked together. I've had trouble getting the client PC to recognize the right shift key (this is a known problem) but it only happens a little bit and the added convenience is really worth it. I've been using it for about a month and I'm hooked.
Here's how it works. You install Synergy on each computer, identifying one as the server (where the keyboard and mouse are) and the other as the client. You tell the software where the second screen is relative to the first (left, right, above, below, etc.). Run the software on each PC and now you can use just one mouse and keyboard.
The coolest feature may be the ability to cut and paste from one computer to another. Of course, your two computers need to be networked together. I've had trouble getting the client PC to recognize the right shift key (this is a known problem) but it only happens a little bit and the added convenience is really worth it. I've been using it for about a month and I'm hooked.
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