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Welcome to Clif Notes Newsletter

August 10, 2008

 

  

Hi Everyone.

Thanks for reading my newsletter. Each week, I will have freeware reviews, tips, tricks, news, and lots of cool websites for you to check out.

I hope you enjoy this week's letter. Be sure to write me for advice or yell at me for messing up.

Email me

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visiting this newsletter!

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REVIEWS

 

GParted - free open source partition manager

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink Disk Tools

 

Gparted is a great solution for people (mainly geeks) to resize and manage their hard disk partitions. I recently downloaded the Live CD version of this program then I used the IsoBurner program to burn the boot CD. After a test run, it booted up quickly with only a setting or two that needed set.

 

Read the description below to find out more.

 

See also:

AlternativeDiskPartitionCloningTools

Easus (rip-off of Partition Magic)

 

click to expand picture

Quote from the website

GParted is the Gnome Partition Editor application. Before attempting to use it, here is some basic background information.

 

A hard disk is usually subdivided into one or more partitions. These partitions are normally not re-sizable (making one smaller and the adjacent one larger). The purpose of GParted is to allow the individual to take a hard disk and change the partition organization therein, while preserving the partition contents.

 

GParted is an industrial-strength package for creating, destroying, resizing, moving, checking and copying partitions, and the file systems on them. This is useful for creating space for new operating systems, reorganizing disk usage, copying data residing on hard disks and mirroring one partition with another (disk imaging).

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/index.php

 


 

Zoundry Raven - portable blog post editor

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink HTML Editors

 

I recently saw a review of this blog post editor at Download Squad. I downloaded it and installed as a portable application. The installer actually allows this as an option, but I'd still like to do that myself.

 

I like some of the features, others, not so much. It's easy to add images you have on your PC, but I really had problems adding images that are already hosted online. I also didn't like the font attributes dialog. You have to click a button just to bring those up.

 

The best feature is the fact that it's portable. If that's all that draws you to it, I'll have to recommend PortableFirefox with the addon called ScribeFire. If you don't need a portable blog editing tool, WindowsLiveWriter is also very easy to set up and use.

 

I used the Zoundry Raven editor to create the post here below.

 

Essentials.jpgZoundry Raven™ is our next generation WYSIWYG blog editor that makes posting to your blogs easier and faster. It's as easy to use as a word processor, plus we include simple tools to add links, tags, photos, music and video files, and more.

Features
Tabbed WYSIWYG Editing
We hide powerful XHTML editing behind our intuitive UI so you can be sure that what you create is what others will see online.

Multiple Blogs Made Easy
Do you have multiple blogs for different audiences? We make it easy to write and publish to separate blogs all with one editor.

Improved Content Management
With our powerful indexer, you can browse all of your previous posts across all of your blogs by tags, links, or images.

Portable Application
Install Raven as a Portable Application on your flash/thumb drive. We'll stay out of your Windows registry and let you take your Blogging on the road.

 

http://www.zoundryraven.com/

 


 

Malware Bytes Anti-Malware - good anti-spyware and trojan scanner

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink Adware & Spyware Removal

 

A friend here in Celina called me in for a PC rescue. He has two teenage boys and they have a computer that they use for school and games. Naturally, it gets infected occasionally despite taking normal precautions.

 

The infection was the wildly popular trojan "fake alert", which pops up at websites and fools you into installing it because it claims your computer is "infected". It's ironic that most computers only become infected after they install this rogue anti-malware application. A good sign that you've been caught by this one is that you will have an application called AntiSpyware 2008 installed on your PC.

 

The first thing I did was to run a HiJackThis scan and post it in Temerc's security forum. Tom, the admin there, recommended the Malware Bytes scanner and remover as the first scan and removal program. When dealing with infections, I always consult an expert. Tom may not claim to be an expert but he has years of experience fighting malware. I recommend that you follow the same steps and consult an expert when you get into trouble.

 

He followed up with a couple of other scans, but Malware Bytes cleared up the majority of the infection and I'm even using it on my PC now. I was also pleased to discover that another friend of mine, StevenBurn, is hosting the Malware Bytes updates on his free website. Now, that is a huge vote of confidence.

 

The Malware Bytes Anti-Malware app is free, but in case you need live protection, they also have a paid version. I think it works great in the free version but I won't try to stop you from buying the full version. Especially if you have teenagers.

 

click to expand picture

Quote from the website

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is considered to be the next step in the detection and removal of malware. We compiled a number of new technologies that are designed to quickly detect, destroy, and prevent malware. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware can detect and remove malware that even the most well-known Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware applications on the market today cannot. Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware monitors every process and stops malicious processes before they even start. The Realtime Protection Module uses our advanced heuristic scanning technology which monitors your system to keep it safe and secure. In addition, we have implemented a threats center which will allow you to keep up to date with the latest malware threats.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

 


 

Switch Audio File Converter

review by bluepwrdup, Jun 2006 permalink Audio Encoders and Converters

 

Notes from Clif

Bluepwrdup wrote me about this neat little audio converter and I asked him to tell me about it. He did an excellent job, as you can see below.

 

From bluepwrdup

Hey Clif,

 

Here's the info on Switch. Anyone who is into preparing audio projects on a professional level will find this program indispensable. I have several other free sound editing programs that I'll share at a later date.

 

Switch v 1.05 Audio File Converter

Free limited edition or purchase Switch Plus

 

Switch is a program for Windows that lets you convert audio files from one format to another. All major audio file formats can be loaded and converted using this program. NCH Swift Sound is providing this free in hopes that you will like it so much you will upgrade to Switch Plus, which supports additional encode-to formats. No need to upgrade, the free edition does the job.

 

Features

 

This is an extremely easy to use program, but it does come with some drawbacks. First, it does not convert to .wma audio format. If you have .wma files and you want to keep this format DO NOT overwrite, convert changes to another directory folder. Secondly, the program is unable to differentiate artist album info. To avoid album ( sub-folders ) info from being wiped out, convert each sub-folder individually. Other than these two flaws the program works rather well for preparing different audio projects.

 

No bundling of adware/crapware/spyware detected.

 

System Requirements

 

 

 

Homepage for downloading Switch Audio File Converter

 

 

Additional Information

 

Personally, I prefer ogg ( vorbis ) high quality compressed audio format. What is ogg you ask ? For a detailed explanation go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorbis

 

Many directshow players such as Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, Core Media Player, Zoom Player, RadLight, foobar2000 and Zinf do not support ogg ( vorbis ) audio files. RealPlayer plugins allow playback and Winamp now plays Ogg Vorbis files. To get around this minor problem install this ( free ) codec Illiminable filter and you will beable to listen to ( ogg ) on your favorite player that currently does not support ( ogg ).

Go here for further information : http://vorbis.com/setup_windows/

Download filter from this page : http://www.illiminable.com/ogg/

 

Peace and carrots .... bluepwrdup

 


 

 

 

 

 

Old Newsletter

 

I like to look back and see what I was thinking about. Here's another letter from the wayback machine.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIPS AND FEEDBACK

 

What free software do you need?

Notes from ClifNotes, permalink Windows Tips

 

So what do you need? Write it down below and I'll see if I can find it. If you know the answer to someone else's question, add your answer there.

 

 

Previous What Do You Need comments

 

Search all the comments


 

Free Tools To Keep Your Software Up To Date

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink System Information

 

Here are some good free options to help you scan your PC and find which software needs to be updated.

 

Quote from the Techie Buzz website

Though it is not easy to keep your applications updated all the time, there are several tools / utilities which will show you how which softwares are outdated and provide you with a option to download and install the latest version of the software.

 

Here is a list of 7 utilities/tools that will help you keep your softwares and applications updated with ease.


http://techie-buzz.com/utilites/7-free-tools-to-keep-your-windows-pc-softwares-up-to-date.html

 


 

 

 

Internet Fixes Weekend Windup

tips from Gary at InternetFixes, Windows Tips

 

From Clif:

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!".

 

Sign up for Gary's newsletter?

Weekend Windups are now available online

http://www.internetfixes.com/weekend_windup/

 

Internet Fixes Weekend Windup

 

Visit My New FAQ Section Of The Website! This Takes The Place Of The Old Forum And Login Section Of The Website!

http://www.internetfixes.com/fixes/index.php

 

============================

Check Out The New Tips Package!

http://www.internetfixes.com/xp_printable_pdf_files.htm

 

============================

Post Your Your Computer Related Questions!

http://www.internetfixes.com/fixes/index.php

 

============================

The Following are links from the past weeks Newsletter.

============================

1. Running Scheduled Tasks in Windows XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#1

 

============================

2. Using The Advanced Options in Scheduled Tasks.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#2

 

============================

3. Add a Map Drive Button to the XP Toolbar.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#3

 

============================

4. Turning AutoComplete Addresses On or Off in Outlook Express 6.0.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#4

 

============================

5. Prevent a User From Running or Stopping a Scheduled Process in Windows XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#5

 

============================

6. Install or Remove a Font in Windows XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#6

 

============================

7. You Can Drag And Delete Files when the Recycle Bin is Hidden in XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#7

 

============================

DONATIONS AND THE TIPS PACKAGES KEEP THIS LARGE WEBSITE ALIVE!! I would rather put another tip in this space.

Things always slow down in the summer and I would imagine allot of my reader's are putting much more in the gas tank.

http://www.internetfixes.com/main_paypal.htm

 

============================

Visit My New FAQ Section Of The Website. This Takes The Place Of The Old Forum And Login Section Of The Website!

http://www.internetfixes.com/fixes/index.php

 

============================

8. Use Ctrl+Alt+Del Without Pushing All the Buttons in Windows XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#8

 

============================

9. Change the XP Start Menu Style.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#9

 

============================

10. Using a XP Folder Type as a Template.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#10

 

============================

11. Skip the Recycle Bin Confirmation Message in XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#11

 

============================

12. Vista’s Startup Repair Tool Will Automatically Diagnose And Fix Startup Problems.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#12

 

============================

13. Run As An Administrator In Vista.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#13

 

============================

14. Create A System Restore Point in Vista.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#14

 

============================

15. Change Windows Mail Preview Pane View In Vista.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm#15

 

============================

Kids And Computers

http://www.internetfixes.com/blog/

 

============================

150 WINDOWS XP RUN COMMANDS!

http://www.internetfixes.com/xp_run_commands.htm

 

============================

Click The Link Below To Join My News Letter.

 

The Form At The Link Below Covers Wednesdays News Letter.

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter.htm

 

============================

Vista Run Commands.

http://www.internetfixes.com/vista_run_commands.htm

 

============================

Download 1000 Of My Tips!

Over 600 Windows XP Tips!

Added 100 Vista Tips To The Download!

http://www.internetfixes.com/main_paypal.htm

 

============================

Function Keys F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 F11 F12

 

http://www.internetfixes.com/definitions/IF01424.htm

 

 

============================

Using Password Phrases For Better Security.

http://www.internetfixes.com/readers_questions/IF02088.htm

 

============================

Post Your Your Computer Related Questions!

http://www.internetfixes.com/fixes/index.php

 

To Expedite The Answer I Send You Please Check Your Event Viewer And Include Any Errors It May Be Recording.

http://www.internetfixes.com/xp_event_log/index.htm

 

==============================

TIPS WITH FULL GRAPHICS! ALL ONE LOCATION!

http://www.internetfixes.com/tips_with_full_graphics.htm

 

============================

Hardware And Software Vendor Phone List, A-K

 

http://www.internetfixes.com/IF01051.htm

 

Hardware And Software Vendor Phone List, L-P

 

http://www.internetfixes.com/IF01052.htm

 

Hardware And Software Vendor Phone List, Q-Z

 

http://www.internetfixes.com/IF01053.htm

 

Computer Motherboard And Chipset Drivers.

 

http://www.internetfixes.com/IF01057.htm

 

============================

Newsletters From Past Weeks!

============================

Newsletter_04_15_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_04_15_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_04_23_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_04_23_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_04_30_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_04_30_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_05_07_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_05_07_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_05_14_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_05_14_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_06_06_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_06_06_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_06_12_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_06_12_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_06_18_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_06_18_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_06_25_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_06_25_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_07_02_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_07_02_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_07_09_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_07_09_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_07_16_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_07_16_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_07_24_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_07_24_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_07_30_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_07_30_08.htm

 

============================

Newsletter_08_07_08

http://www.internetfixes.com/newsletter_08_07_08.htm

 

*******************************

FIVE VERY POPULAR TITLES!!

*******************************

IF01766 Easy enable real Administrator Account in Windows Vista Home Premium

http://www.internetfixes.com/administrator_account_vista_home/index.htm

 

==============================

IF01767 Keep User Account Control active, but get rid of annoying popups in Vista.

http://www.internetfixes.com/keep_vista_account_control/index.htm

 

==============================

IF01768 Transfer User Accounts, System Settings from XP to Vista.

http://www.internetfixes.com/transfer_user_accounts/index.htm

 

==============================

IF02011 Map a Network Printer In Windows XP.

http://www.internetfixes.com/network_printer/index.htm

 

==============================

IF02006 Using The Windows XP Event Viewer Log.

http://www.internetfixes.com/xp_event_log/index.htm

 

 

============================

 

 


 

 

Comments last week

Thanks to everyone who commented on the articles last week. You gave me more ideas and some good advice.

 

FEEDBACK

Kid Protect your PC using Windows SteadyState

The Lupo PenSuite of portable applications

VJPEG - quick and unique image viewer •

Mini-Putt - addictive putt-putt golf online •

Xpy - disable undesired XP settings and services •

 

REVIEW

How to set up OpenDNS to surf faster and safer

Goog-411 - another Google great •

 

COOL

CommandWindows.com - great techie resource •

App-Stick.com - directory of portable freeware •

PicReflect.com and WaterEffect.net - add reflections to images online •

BookMooch.com - exchange books for new reading material •

Giọt Mưa Thu - studying Vietnamese Music •


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COOL WEBSITES

 

WriteToMyBlog.com - online blog post and HTML editor

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink Web Service

 

I found a very nice online HTML editor that was recommended by CyberNirvana. Thanks Zia!

 

 

http://writetomyblog.com/

 


 

Google Street View is very nice, now a marriage proposal?

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink Web Service

 

I saw my first good example of Google's Street View this week. I was pretty blown away by the way you can pan left, right, up, down, and move around on the streets. I saw it because of this unique marriage proposal that was made by a Google employee. See below

 

Try it by zooming in and out, drag the screen to pan around 360 degrees.

 


View Larger Map

 

Quote from the website

Google decided to take some new Street View images at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. This time they must have let the employees know, as there are many Googlers lining the street. They must have given advance warning, because some people came prepared.

 

One Googler named Michael Weiss-Malik, a member of the Google Geo team that does Google Maps/Earth, actually decided to make a wedding proposal in Street View. He put up a sign which you can see here.

 

http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2008/08/marriage_proposal_in_street_view.html

 


 

England's Child Singing Star

Posted by ClifNotes, Aug 2008, permalink Cool Videos

 

BillWebb wrote me with this cool video tip. Thanks Bill!

 

 

http://www.tagtele.com/videos/voir/7383/1/

 


 

CoolSites Newsletter this week

 

Here are a 6 links (out of dozens) from Mark's CoolSites Newsletter. Be sure to visit his site and see the rest of his links this week.

 

August 8 2008 COOLSITES Newsletter #177 by Mark Donaldson

• 100 Exceptional Free Paper Models and Toys: http://www.creativecloseup.com/100-exceptional-free-paper-models-and-toys

• 280 Slides - Create & Share Presentations Online: http://280slides.com/

• Antique Clipart - Free Public Domain Clipart: http://antiqueclipart.com/

• Ubiquitous Player 0.999.1 Beta Media Player: http://ubiquitous-player.blogspot.com/

• Chess Opening Software. Free Chess Download: http://www.chesspositiontrainer.com/

• Copy File Name is a small program that will enable you to right click any file and select 'Copy File Name' from the context menu: http://www.bullzip.com/products/cfn/info.php

 

Quote from the website

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.


http://luem42.googlepages.com/coolsites.html

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW NEWS

 

SnapFiles.com - new and updated freeware

Source - http://snapfiles.com/freeware

 

 


 

 

News from Sarah in Tampa

Source - http://sarahintampa.com

 

 


 

Security news from Malware Advisor

blog by TeMerc Internet Countermeasures, source

Infected? Go to http://temerc.com for help

 

 


 

A view from CyberNirvana

 

CyberNirvana: Zia's blog about the web and web technology.

http://zia.blogspot.com/

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Frapper - you people live all over the world!

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.

 

Get Firefox!


 

Chatting at FreewareWiki

permalink

 

Now you can chat with anyone visiting a website by using Meebo. To see who's gabbing at this website, click here.

 

 

 

 

Find out more about Meebo.com


 

 

 

 

 

 

Write your own review

 

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.


 

 

Have fun and surf safely.

 

Clif

http://clifnotes.net & http://freewarewiki.pbwiki.com

Devoted to promoting Freeware and Free Information

 

 

 

 


 

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