Somewhere, I read that Seagate's Disc Wizard is a free tool that is really a branded version of the payware Acronis True Image. The Acronis software is one of the most popular ways to backup a PC. I see it recommended on many of the sites I visit.
I have a new hard drive that I want to use in my PC. I want to make a full backup of my current hard drive so that I can copy it onto my new hard drive. I wondered if Disc Wizard would do that for me.
I downloaded Disc Wizard and installed it. I created the required boot CD with it's own copy of Disc Wizard. Shortly after it booted, I was informed that Disc Wizard would only work if I had a Seagate Disc in my PC. The program abruptly quit and left me with a dark screen.
Am I disappointed? Sure, I was hoping for an easy fix. Does anyone out there have a nice free disk image program they'd like to recommend to me? If you do, be sure to comment below.
Disc Wizard isn't exactly like having Acronis True Image. However, if you only use Seagate disks, you'll be happy to have it.
I did find that Acronis sometimes offers a free license for older versions of True Image. The do this through partner deals with other web services. Here is the latest offer I've seen, thanks to the CoolSitesNewsletter. The offer is for True Image 8, which normally costs thirty to fifty US dollars.
Note: This offer will expire soon, as they all do. It also requires registration at the Acronis site.
Acronis True image is a popular hard-drive cloning/backup software with a high price tag, however you can get a re-branded version of True Image with the name DiscWizard as a free legal download from the Seagate website.
Years ago, I used a free PIM (personal information manager) called QeepIt. While I was at the author's site, I also found a free Windows Automation tool called RemoteKeys, but I had never tried it until very recently. The RemoteKeys interfaces look pretty old-school, but the number and quality of the automation features make up for the looks.
There is a very good tutorial included with this program to help you get started. Just look for the "Tour.exe" file and launch it. RemoteKeys is a small download and it's also portable. All you need to do is unzip it and run it.
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RemoteKeys can automate complex control systems, but also simple jobs like inserting text passages into Word and EMails, filling out (internet-) forms with recurring phrases etc. To do this simply click onto one of the 2500 buttons, which can be freely assigned and labeled. The macros can also be released by using the keyboard if prefered.
For those wishing to make full use of RemoteKeys, there are over 350 commands available, e.g. inserting the actual date into a text, opening program groups and ordering them on screen or even to automize Excel calculations. The buttons may be assigned with the help of the integrated macro recorder and an integrated timer can activate these buttons.
Additional features include an image memory and a clipboard history function. RemoteKeys is always at hand in the systemtray, can be individually configured (button-, form-, fontsizes and -colours), is network - able and requires no installation. (Engl./Ger./French with manuals)..
How many times have you typed in the word "the" and it ended up coming out as "teh". It's so common that it's actually become a slang word on the net. If you used a tool like AutoClip, you could make sure that "teh" was automatically fixed everytime you typed it.
There are many uses for a text replacement tool like AutoClip. One of my favorites is a quick way to sign emails. All I do is type "@ty" and it comes out like "Thank you very much for writing." and even puts in my name and website address.
Using AutoClip is very easy. Download it and put it into a folder somewhere. Run it and you'll see a new icon in your System Tray. Any time you want to create a new clip, just copy some text and right click on the AutoClip icon. Choose the "Add Clip" function and it'll ask you for the shorthand name of the clip. Once you've got it saved, it will automatically replace the shorthand name as soon as you type it.
Just make sure you don't use a shorthand name that you might type all the time. That's why I chose "@ty" as shorthand for "Thank you ...". I don't often use the @ key as the first letter in a word and never with letters right behind it.
Replaces text as you type with any formatted text, image or other clip.
Handy for instantly expanding your initials into your e-mail signature, with image and all.
Example: Place the clip you want to use on the clipboard by selecting text or an image, and press Ctrl-C. Rightclick the tray icon, select Add Clip, and input the shorthand. Rightclick the tray icon to Remove or List clips. F12=Add Clip. The clips are showed at the top of the tray menu, and clicking pastes the clip into the active control of the active window.
You can also make Scripts that send key presses for automation, using {Tab}{Enter}{Left}{PgUp} etc... !=alt, ^=ctrl, +=shift, #=windows.
Example: Start Notepad, write user{Tab}password, select the text, press Ctrl-C.
Rightclick the tray icon, select Add Script, and input the shorthand.
Rightclick the tray icon to Remove or List scripts. F11=Add Script.
The scripts are showed in the middle of the tray menu, and clicking sends the script into the active control of the active window.
AutoClip can also run external programs. Any exe-file placed together with AutoClip is run by typing the name of the exe-file, a colon, and the parameters to send. Example: calc:1+2*3
Did you ever need to post a large section of text but you weren't allowed to use that much space where you wanted to post it? The Firefox plugin (addon) called QuickPaste might be exactly what you need. Once installed, you can select any text in Firefox, right click on it, and instantly upload it to TinyPaste.com. A second later your TinyPaste URL will be shown in a little window that will allow you to copy the URL. Once you've got a URL to give out, you won't have to worry about the amount of text you need to show someone. Just paste your TinyPaste URL and they can go see it for themselves.
Have you ever wanted to send a article or long conversation over IM or post to twitter, only to have it be over the limit on size? What about a cool way to share data without the fuss? Thats what TinyPaste is! Its like TinyURL but for text!
I tried Screenshot Captor years ago. Even then I was impressed with all of it's features. The only screenshot tool that I've used that has more is a payware tool I use at work.
I typically have used FastStoneCapture for screenshots, but I've been using the newest version of Screenshot Captor more often as I've become more dependent on the extras it has.
Is it the best screen capture tool? Maybe not, but it's one of the best free capture tools I've used.
Note: This tool does require a free registration. Once you've registered, you'll be able to use any of the other free tools at DonationCoder.com without having to register again.
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Screenshot Captor is a program for taking screenshots on your computer. It's different from other screenshot utilis in several notable ways:
• Optimized for taking lots of screenshots with minimal intervention.
• Smart autonaming of files, and ability to embed textual comments in files.
• Good multi-monitor support.
• Highly configurable to make it work the way you want it to; stays out of your way in the system tray.
• Lots of capture modes: Multimon (multiple monitors), Desktop, Active Window, Region, Windows Object. Each mode has a hotkey for quick access.
• Unique Cool Effects, including automatic active window enhancement (see pictures below).
• Unsurpassed support for 3rd party user configurable tools, including file browsers and image editors; extend the program to do whatever you need by interfacing it with other programs.
• Slimline sidebar file browser provides full shell operations.
• Optional automatic image file versioning.
• Seamless integration with Unicode Image Maker tool.
• New: Automatically finds boundaries of non-rectangular/themed windows.
• New: Autoscroll capture for windows too big for screen.
In one of the past issues of my "What do you need" section, somebody asked me for a good personal info manager that uses only a plain text data base. It took me a few weeks to remember the name but I had used this PIM a long time ago. It's simple but simply great. The text only database will allow power users to add their own special tweaks to this system and it's also a portable app. You won't find many PIMs like this one any more.
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QeepIt is designed to organize ToDo-Lists very fast without clicking thousands of buttons. Forget paper and pen. It can be used in realtime during a telephon call. Set priorities by moving important notes to the top. A mask function allows the use as a small and handy data base application for addresses and any other stuff. Of course a powerfull search function included (engl./german/italian with manuals)..
1. QeepIt is FREEWARE
2. needs no installation (...simply start the exe-file for instant use)
3. writes nothing into your system (...that makes your system slow)
4. can be simply removed (...by deleting the program folder only)
5. has a small download size (no libs, fonts etc.)
6. comes with its own folder (not required to generate manually)
7. requires the msvbvm50.dll (normally present on each system)
I don't often use Windows themes. Usually, the plain old look of Windows is fine for me. Once in a while I see a theme that's striking and I'll try it out. I saw this installed on one of the laptops at work and I just had to have it.
The first thing I did was change the wallpaper they included. It's pretty lame.
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This is a special Windows XP Theme from Microsoft designed to look like its new Zune portable media player. This is an official skin for Windows XP that has a dark grey style and orange Start menu.
Twice now I've run into people who have recommended Billeo as a good password and billing manager. I've been a little cautious about recommending it. Below, Furqan Qureshi wrote up his mini-review of Billeo. He's happy with it but is that enough of an assurance for us to try it?
I did a little checking on it. I found that it's available at Download.com and a couple of the other software distributors. That's good. They usually check for bad software.
I checked on the details of how they save your passwords and credit card info and here's what their FAQs say.
Passwords:
All your passwords are stored on your own PC in your encrypted vault. They are encrypted using industry standard 128 Bit AES encryption. We do not have any access to them.
Card Wallet:
Your credit card and bill payment information is stored in your vault on your PC. They are encrypted using 128 Bit AES encryption.
I also checked to see if the Billeo toolbar (I don't like toolbars) collects information about you. They do collect information. They don't say what it is but they do say the following.
Privacy:
Billeo respects and protects the privacy of the individuals who use the Billeo Toolbar. We do not track any personally identifiable information.
It doesn't sound much riskier than using most of the Google services. Many people are liking the ease of use. Personally, I'd rather use AiRoboform or KeePass. If I did a large amount of online shopping, I would seriously consider using Billeo.
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Manage all of your online payments, receipts and passwords using one easy-to-use tool. Billeo helps you pay bills and shop online, making your online life easier and more secure.
CC and SubHash have been kind enough to write me with suggestions for good places to find Windows fonts. I don't tend to play around much with fonts but it is nice to know that there are plenty of free font resources out there. Below are the suggestions that were sent to me and a few more that I dug up myself.
Gary at Internet Fixes continues to amaze me with hundreds and thousands of tips for your PC. Whatever your operating system, or how you use it, a visit to Gary's site will soon have you saying "So that's how you do this!".
Two weeks ago, a caller to an online talk show complained about the limited political choices. After lamenting about having to vote for the "lesser of two evils," the caller said you could probably pick someone at random who'd be a better choice for President. A short time later, another caller said, "I've got this friend, Clif Notes who'd be perfect as president... sharp, level-headed, and a great decision maker!"
Things have exploded since then, thanks to the power of the Internet. People embraced the idea of picking a political outsider at random, and they began calling it the "Notes Factor." In more than half-a-dozen metro areas, signs are going up, all promoting Clif Notes for President.
In case you haven't guessed already, this isn't real. Anyone can put up their own name or the name of a friend at that site to get the same web page. The page is actually a slick advertisement for Watkins home medical products.
If you think I should or shouldn't run for president, just post a comment below.
• New. Daphne 1.37 Daphne is a small (system tray) application for killing, controlling, and debugging Windows processes: http://majorgeeks.com/Daphne_d5371.html
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COOLSITES is a list of safe, fun, useful, informative and just plain cool websites and programs that are FREE, FREE and FREE. All of the programs and websites I list are free. If I list anything that is so good but isn't free I will list the price with it.
Wow! Over 900 people and still growing! I invite all of you to record your locations on this map. You can include as little or as much information as you wish. I think you'll enjoy seeing yourself there.
Here's a small look at my frapper map.
Get Gmail! and Get Firefox!
You need a free 6 GB Gmail account to access many of the cool features at Google. After more than two years in beta testing Gmail is open to the public. Just go to http://gmail.com and sign up for an account.
I think Gmail works best in the awesome Firefox browser. It's free, easy to use, and it's way more secure than Internet Explorer. My favorite thing to do is to customize Firefox so that it does much more than IE ever could. You can select new button controls for your toolbars, install extensions to add new features, or change the look of your browser with themes - the way Firefox looks and works is under your control.
I get many of the reviews in the newsletter from the readers. You don't have to be a genius or computer guru. Just answer a few questions and send me a review. I'll probably put you in the newsletter.
What do you have to say?
Just tell me what article you are talking about and leave me your comment.
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