6 Windows tools you don’t need to replace
Posted on June 30, 2008 - Filed Under Windows Vista, Windows XP | 3 Comments
If, like me, you’re a bit of a download junkie it’s easy to get into the habit of replacing every bundled Windows application with a freeware alternative. With time however I’ve come to the conclusion that in many cases the benefits of doing this are negligible and it’s possibly more beneficial to reduce the number of third party software running on your computer.
Connect to Wi-Fi ad-hoc networks automatically with Windows Vista
Posted on June 26, 2008 - Filed Under Computer Tips, Windows Vista | 18 Comments
I recently moved to a new apartment, and lost my small network switch I used for connecting my two laptops and my EEE PC together. All of these devices have a WiFi adapter so I figured I would just set up an Ad-Hoc WiFi network instead of using cables.
This would also mean I could share the Internet connection from my main work laptop and allow me to sit outside in the garden with my sub-notebook and work in the fresh air.
6 useful Windows Vista sidebar gadgets
Posted on June 23, 2008 - Filed Under Windows Vista | 8 Comments
I think it is fair to say that the Windows Vista Sidebar was never as fully embraced as Microsoft hoped, yet with time it has slowly matured and built up a significant number of gadgets and resources.
They key complaint with Widgets is the system resources drain. I don’t so much find it an issue during normal computer usage, but it does add noticeable loading delay to logging in for the first time.
How to enable Administrator account in Vista
Posted on June 3, 2008 - Filed Under Windows Vista | 54 Comments
Need to logon as Administrator in Vista? Well first you need to enable the Administrator account! Annoying right? By default, Vista’s secure computing initiative decided that it would be best to disable the Administrator account in Vista so that malicious programs cannot run and take over your computer.
Actually, it’s a good security measure, it’s just annoying if you need to logon to the Administrator account. Luckily, it’s not very hard to enable the admin account in Vista, so here are the steps you need to take in order to get the Administrator account as an option on the Vista logon screen.
Add Wikipedia, Google to Vista start menu instant search
Posted on May 24, 2008 - Filed Under Windows Vista | 13 Comments
Looking to customize Vista Instant Search? If you’re using Window Vista, you may be finally using the built-in search option that you see in the Start Menu. For one thing, it actually FINDS what you are looking for and it doesn’t take a century. Also, it’s conveniently located in the Start Menu itself, so you can access it quickly with one click of the mouse or via the Windows keyboard shortcut.
Watch YouTube videos, Netflix movies and listen to songs from Last.fm in Vista Media Center
Posted on May 22, 2008 - Filed Under Windows Vista | 1 Comment
Windows Vista Media Center is an excellent media server for your home entertainment needs. You can connect it up to your TV and watch movies, videos, stream music, record TV shows onto your computer, link up your Xbox 360 and do lots of other stuff. It’s pretty neat actually.
However, the best part of Windows Media Center are the plugins! Using plugins, you can do all sorts of other cool stuff like convert your dvr-ms format recordings into other formats or access your Outlook email on Windows Media Center. There are a couple of plugins that I would suggest that really are great if you have Vista Media Center at home.