101 Reasons to read this blog

1. It spells tools in an interesting way.
2. It uses Frank Herbert's quote in the banner
3. It uses soothing colors

okayyy, lets just cut to the chase ...

101. It gives the best 101 lists link (see below)


http://fresh-perspectives.net/2007/11/best-101-lists.html

40 opensource windows tools

Well, i haven't had time to research tools on my own in a long time, but here is something i liked and thought of passing along. Enjoy this awesome collection ...
Source: http://www.teknobites.com/2007/09/08/40-free-windows-apps-for-you/

PDF Tricks

Some nice PDF tricks on none other than life hacker ...

Make custom PDF notepaper
Convert files to PDF online
Annotate PDF's with Skim
Password protect PDF's
Merge PDF files
Edit PDF's with PDF Tools
Speed up your PDF reader
Manage your PDF library in iTunes
Convert that whiteboard to PDF
Create a PDF from any document

Learn all of that here

Source: http://lifehacker.com/software/lifehacker-top-10/top-10-pdf-tricks-289583.php

Productivity tools

If you live on the web then these tools will add color and purpose to your life. Web is a wonderful thing, ain't it?
http://mashable.com/2007/07/20/online-productivity-god/

Best System Admin Tools

This is an outstanding collection of tools that you must check out.

http://www.tlbox.com/system_administrators/

I don't take credit for it, but it still feels like I am back with a bang :)

101 Freebies for PC

This one sums up the best of the free web these days. This is a must visit page for all who actively troll the internet. You almost 'need' to know about these freebies.

Source: http://www.pcworld.com/printable/article/id,130045/printable.html

TinyApps

Its all about the tools, ain't it.
Well, here are plenty of tiny tools to help you...
http://www.tinyapps.org/

Not all of 'em are free or the best for the purpose... but they are darn useful and crafty. You'll be surprised to see how these small utlities (13kbs or some) have the same functionality as their multi-MB counterparts.

If you are a starter in this field, check out as many as these tools to understand your PC and the network. Enjoy!

Plethora of Free Windows Tools

If you ever have to search for a tool to accomplish a task, make sure to go through the following link to see if a free AND trusted tool is available. Kudos to the developers of all these programs for the free offering ...

Enjoy!

Link to the freeware: http://www.winaddons.com/top-300-freeware-software/

Your Web Operating System

And we thought that OS on the web is not even in the pipe. Long time ago, we all heard about the GoogleOS, which was rumored to be the beginning of Web 3.0 i.e. fully functional web operating system. Just to refresh, WebOS is a virtual operating system that runs in your web browser. (franticindustries) Believe it or not, there are about a dozen emerging WebOS'es and its open for everyone to test. I previewed DesktopTwo; it was pretty impressive.

There is a whole list and reviews of the upcoming WebOS'es at FranticIndustries.com page. I must say that the reviews are excellent and its the first of such efforts i have seen on the web. Check it out and enjoy the latest revolution.

Source: Here

Online file conversion

Time and time again, we find ourselves looking for a free tool for file type conversion. Be it word to pdf, wav to mp3, mpg to avi, flv to wmv etc, we go on the web to download a tool and try several of those. So, here is a solution ... its the Zamzar free online file conversion service. Check their list of conversion types, its really comprehensive.

Source: Zamzar.com

Related Links
1. Media Converter
2. SUPER
3. MediaCoder

Portable USB Apps

One day we will carry a whole operating system on our USB Flash Drive. Until then, lets utilize what we've got.... there are many applications that have been hacked (for the better) for portable use. The PStart app is a must on those as it gives the list of the apps on ur usb drive. The links are as follows,

1. Hear-Hear's List
2. PortableApps.com
3. InfoBox
4. Lifehackers's list (thumbs up)
   

Enjoy!

Two words ladies and gentlemen - Gina Trapani

She has done it again

just check the screenshot below and tell me if you'd like it done..

Here is how to do it

SSH host on Windows machines

File sharing is one of the most potent functions in a network. FTP, Netbios and other means are widely used and they work great. The only problem is that they are not secure enough. I have used this OpenSSH server on windows for a long time for file sharing and today when i am installing this on a different pc, i thought i would share it here as well.

Complete instructions at http://pigtail.net/LRP/printsrv/cygwin-sshd.html

Basically, you install Cygwin and choose the ssh option in it. While you are there, check the other options as well. You may very well fall in love with this.

Source: PigTail

YouTube + other embedded video downloads?

Can we? If its the "can we" in moral terms, then probably not... but u r talking about the technology solutions, you bet.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
another reason to switch to FF if you haven't already.

Vista Theme on XP

This is one of the neatest theme on WinXP -- the Vista theme..
I luved it... here is how you can install this on your PC

Download from this website

http://vistaxp-v2-vs.en.softonic.com/ie/45452

You also need to hack UXTheme.dll, here is how
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=140707

Edit
Try the following if you go with the patch and it doesn't work... this solution is a bit manual, but guaranteed to work

sometimes the multi-patcher will not work and you will have to patch it manually. the best way to do this is to grab the appropriate uxtheme file from here: http://www.anti-tgtsoft.com/repository/uxtheme/

and download a copy of replacer: http://www3.telus.net/_/replacer/

extract the contents of replacer to an empty folder. run replacer.cmd and drag in the original uxtheme.dll, then drag in the modified uxtheme.dll that you downloaded, and let it replace the file. reboot when prompted.
(thanks to user "speed" from neowin)

Remote support -- thank you

Being a comp. geek isn't an easy life style, especially if you also have the itch to solve problems. Sometimes, you just wish you had total control on the device that you are troubleshooting or atleast see what your friend/user at the other end is seeing. Its not very often that supply meets demand or the demand meets supply, but we've got a good case here. Our demand is for a free tool to control or see the remote machine. Here are two which are free, atleast currently.

1. LogMeIn.com
http://www.logmein.com
This one lets you control the machine. Control of a device gets very sensitive when it comes to its security, so here is a whitepaper for this technology; decide it for yourself. Check page 7 & 8 for some visual explanation. It does use SSL/TLS.

2. SkyFexFree.com
http://skyfexfree.com/
This one lets you see the live screen

Free Windows Apps under 2mb

They are free and they are small. Above all, they are nifty tools for everyday use.
Give 'em a go . The alarm clock, cleanup tools, , password repository, burning iso to disc tools etc

Link: http://revision3.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234

How to be a geek

well, don't get carried away by the title. If you feel hesitant being among the elite or atleast average tech. people, here is a guide that will get you to. This is the mother of all tutorials for the relevant stuff.... i simply loved it.

Interesting fact: Tutorials compiled by a female... hmmm

Some of my favorites

-Tech support with UltraVNC SingleClick
-Improve your web site with Google Analytics
-Mastering Wget
-The art of asking
-Intro to CygWin

Its all here

Source: LifeHacker.com

Windows Command Line Guru

Browsing to programs and utilities in windows shell (explorer) takes several clicks and a lot of wasted seconds...whereas running those utlities from Start-->Run is quite convenient.
Well, you probably know how to get to the command prompt, calculator and may be even internet explorer from Start-->Run. Here is a guide that can get you to other places quicker.

Authors Page: http://home.iitk.ac.in/~sansor/commands.html

Some of my favorites

regedit - For Registry Editors
control folders - Folder Properties (where u get "view hidden files" option)
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
notepad - google it :D
rsop.msc - Try it for yourself (especially if u r on a domain)
services.msc - Services management
eventvwr - Event Viewer

The Dude Network Monitor

Notes: You will simply love this tool if you've ever wished that you get the breakdown of your network with a click of a button. This is sheer brilliance. If you run in as a windows admin account, you will have significant control on all devices it finds..

Author Notes: The Dude network monitor is a new application by MikroTik which can dramatically improve the way you manage your network enviroment. It will automatically scan all devices within specified subnets, draw and layout a map of your networks, monitor services of your devices and alert you in case some service has problems. Supports SNMP, ICMP, DNS and TCP monitoring for devices that support it

Download Link