Recommended Tools and Software

In this day and age, there are many things people need to keep their computer systems safe, secure, and optimized. In this article, we will go over a few very useful programs and tools you may want to look into if you do not already use them. [As well as a few fun programs that come in handy]

Note: All of the software in this article can be found online for free! Simply click on the image to go to the download page for the program, and more information about it.

ANTI-VIRUS

Avast Anti-Virus

Avast is a free anti-virus software suite that is noted as one of the best on the internet today. 

Avast puts all of their effort towards virus research, and online distribution. Avast comes with an active scanning system that monitors your downloads, internet browsing, e-mail attachments, and other key places for virus intrusion. It is one of the least system heavy virus protection programs out there, and gets the job done efficiently. 

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is the latest [free] Virus Protection released from Microsoft. It is completely free, and is also very gentle on system resources. It does a great job with virus protection, and will find about anything. The main difference between Security Essentials and Avast is that Security Essentials does not have an active shield constantly monitoring certain aspects. It will usually catch incoming viruses through a web browser if you go to the wrong site on accident, or something of that nature, but it is always good to run a quick-scan with this scanner at least once a week. It is extremely fast though, and you will find next to no lag in your system while it is scanning.

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CLEANUP

CCleaner

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization tool with a good amount of very useful features. If you're not familiar with the term "freeware", it means that it is completely free to use!

CCleaner can be used for a number of thing, but as it's title suggests, it's main intended purpose when it was created, was to cleanup your system; and it does it amazingly well. It can do an analysis to show you how much space it will free up. When you click analyze, it searches through temporary files, and unneeded files in Windows, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.
It also can scan intelligently for cookies, and will leave them on your system, so when deleting your temporary internet files you will still be logged into the sites you had left yourself logged into [ie. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc.]

Another useful tool that it has is the Registry Cleanup tool. Fear not, those of you whom think this tool would tinker with your registry. It does not make any changes, it merely gets rid of unused file extensions, and other unused entries. [Sometimes when you uninstall a program, it leaves file extension types, and other unneeded junk in your registry.]

CCleaner also has a tool to uninstall programs [much like the Control Panel's add/remove programs, only this one tends to load faster], and also a tool to look through, and disable unwanted startup programs. If you're tired of seeing a certain program boot up each time you start your computer, and believe it is making it start up slower.

The company that makes this cleanup tool is known as Piriform, and they have a great number of other useful, and interesting tools. This tool in particular is great if your computer is running slow, or if you just feel you need to free up some unnecessary clutter.

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File Reovery

Recuva

Accidentally deleted a file you really needed? Something important you think you may have lost due to self error? Fear no more! Recuva is a file recovery system from Piriform that can recover files that have been permanently deleted, or emptied from the recycle bin. While this may scare a lot of you, fear not; there are tools out there as well that can be used to make multiple passes over these deleted files, so this program cannot pick them up [CCleaner has one known as drive wiper, but there are also tools out there that can be used when deleting individual files].

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Networking

Hamachi

[Also known as LogMeIn Hamahi²]

Hamachi is a very useful networking tool, used for setting up what would normally be a local network over the internet. If you install it and join a network, you can share files, network drives, etc. You can even have LAN parties with your friends; playing your favorite games together, without having to meet up and drag around your computer! It is as if you are on a local network, only there is no actual set up required. You simply install the software, set up your username, connect to the network you or a friend has created using the software, and you're in.

Hamahi uses some of the leading encryption and authentication in the industry, and is extremely secure, so you can rest easy, knowing that your information is safe.

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Visual Effects

Object Dock

Tired of having so many desktop icons? Here's the solution!

Object Dock is small dock much like that on a Macintosh Operating System. It can stay at the bottom, top, right, or left side of your screen, and holds icons that when clicked will launch. [Much like the new taskbar in Windows 7]. You can customize it's appearance in many different ways, and can set it to autohide, or animate  it; making it to where when you hover over it with your cursor, the icons zoom, or shake.

Rainmeter

Ever get tired of the normal computer look? Do you want your operating system to look like something out of a movie, and impress your friends and family? Well, with this tool, you're halfway there!

Rainmeter is a customizable tool that puts many useful and amazing looking tools on your desktop in the form of "Skins". It can be customized virtually any way you want, so long as you have the time to set it up [and learn how to use it if it is your first time]. You can set up clocks, weather, media player information, launcher buttons for your programs, system & network performance monitors, and many more useful tools! The default skins that come with it alone are impressive, but you can also design your own if you are decently skilled at programming. If you aren't, then there are tons of user created skins on the net for this amazing software! The possibilities are endless.

Here are a few screenshots of what Rain Meter looks like, and some different skins that are out there.

[The names they are labeled are not the skin names, simply the name given to the examples. I did not personally make any of these layouts, I simply discovered them for the purpose of showing what this software is capable of.]

Tron Light Cycle [Custom Skin]

Cat

Adventure Time

L'Arc~En~Ciel Themed

Blue  [This is one of the most basic skins that comes with the software, so you could easily set up something to this effect]

If you are having difficulty getting the hang of setting up the program, and would like a basic walk-through on how to set it up, change skins, etc, feel free to leave a comment on this post, and one will be posted here [or you can check on the site as well for more in-depth explanations].

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Instant Messaging

Pidgin

Pidgin, originally an open source freeware program designed for Linux based Operating Systems such as Ubuntu, has become much bigger, expanding to Windows as well. Pidgin is particularly special, because it allows you to sign into all of your Instant Messengers [AIM, Yahoo, Windows Live, GTalk, etc.] on one client. It uses less system resources then almost every instant messaging client out there, and saves you the hassle of having to log into and have multiple messengers running.

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Video Playback

KMPlayer

KMPlayer is a video, audio, and even image playback program that supports virtually every codec and file-type you can imagine; even a few you couldn't. It is one of the least system heavy players out there, and has excellent playback quality, also allowing you to change contrast, brightness, flip the video, resize it, and do just about anything you want with the playback.

Do You Know Who Is Working On Your Computer?

There are so many “computer companies” and now chain stores that offer IT Services. How do you know that the technician is competent to work on your system? How do you know the computer course you just signed up for has a competent instructor? This article is to help you, the consumer, know what some necessary certifications are and how they impact you and your computer.

The most basic certification for computer repair is the COMPTIA A+. This certification requires the candidate (technician) take two in depth exams. These exams cover hardware and all of the components inside your computer, basic operating systems and optional customer service. When the candidate has passed both exams they receive a certificate and wallet card showing they are certified. Please do not assume every computer repair shop or chain store technician is certified. I went into one of the chain stores where the manager did not know me. I questioned him as to if his computer repair technicians were A+ certified, and he replied, “No, any kid can replace a power supply”. When asked how their technician would know if it was the power supply causing the problem, he responded, "Who decides that?" Then shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Make sure you ask. Ask to see the technician’s A+ certification wallet card. Any technician that goes through the expense and the grueling exams will happily pull out their card.

The next on the certification list for PC troubleshooting is the MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional). This requires one exam that is based on an operating system in great detail. This exam is administered by Microsoft and again, the individual after passing the exam gets a certificate and wallet card. The MCP is really a base exam to build higher certifications on. This is the base exam for the Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST). To obtain the Certified Desktop Support Technician there is a second exam specialized for Certified Desktop Support Technician in addition to the MCP exam. The Certified Desktop Support Technician is the IT technician that would receive your computer related phone calls, chats or emails. Larger organizations require their Help Desk Technicians to have this certification. You, the consumer, have to rely on the company to decide to have their Help Desk Technicians be certified or not. One way to tell if they are or aren’t certified is if when they speak to you they seem to be reading from a “script” of steps to take and you ask a question “outside” their script they are lost for an answer and seem to sidestep your question.

The last certification that would impact the average consumer would be the Certified Master Instructor. If you sign up for an IT course at one of the growing Computer Training Centers, ask if the instructor you have is a Certified Master Instructor. To receive this certification the instructor must have taught for two years and have passed all of the expert exams (not basic) offered for each application. There are many “Learning Centers” that do not have Master Instructors or only have one to qualify to be a Learning Center. This does not mean your instructor is a Master Instructor. Again, a Master Instructor receives a certificate and wallet card. Make sure you ask! This is important so you know the instructor that is teaching you is fully competent in what they are teaching and that they also know how the applications interact with each other and the operating system.

Another good way to go learning about a company, is to see if they are listed on the Better Business Bureau.
There you can see their rating, and information on the business, including contact info, complaints, etc.

There are many other certifications available besides the ones mentioned in this article. These certifications are more for businesses. The ones mentioned in this article are important to the everyday consumer. What this all comes down to is for you, the consumer, to know what you are getting. I do not know of one certified individual that went through any of the certification processes I mentioned that would not happily pull out their wallet card to show you their certifications if you asked. I have a wallet full and I know I wouldn’t mind. Be sure to always ask!

© Dawn Scardella

Technology and Privacy

These days, privacy is becoming an ever growing topic with newer technology such as Geotagging, and web services like foursquare. What does it all mean, and how does it effect you?

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Geotagging

Geotagging is a new technology that surfaced with the development of Smartphones, the iTouch, and other similar technology. It uses your wifi-signal, 3G, or 4G connection to pinpoint your location, or bring up a list of nearby places for you to choose from. What is the danger of this? In some cases, it could be used to know your whereabouts. For example, if you were to have previously Geotagged your home, and later announce via Geotag that you are at a restaurant, robbers utilizing the internet could know that you're not home, and now is the chance to break into your house. That paired along with today's Social Networking sites, such as Twitter, and Facebook, people can know everything you're doing in some cases. Geotagging works through sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and a number of others.

Twitter

Twitter is a social networking site used to update your status; telling people what you are doing, posting interesting links, pictures, videos, and can be used for a number of things. Geotagging started on Twitter a few years ago, and now you can [even from a laptop or desktop computer] Share the location from which you are tweeting. Of course, if you are "tweeting" from a computer, unless you're at a local business or location that is listed, you may have to list yourself in a broader ranged area, such as the city you are in. The danger of Twitter, is that telling what you are doing every moment can be used to an advantage against you [as previously noted]. Other than that, it can be a great tool for meeting people, having fun conversations, and learning fun, interesting new things!

Facebook

Facebook, originally developed as a project site, which turned into website for college students to meet, communicate, plan for events, and socialize, as most college students spent a fair amount of time on the computer typing reports and studying. It later became public to anyone who wanted to join, and is now one of the largest social networking sites in existence. Facebook has a utility called Places that you can use to Geotag yourself at any location, but it doesn't tag your updates. Wherever you update your facebook from is for the most part anonymous [unless you choose to tell people where you are].

FourSquare

Foursquare is a game of sorts [which can only be updated from mobile devices such as smartphones, iTouches, etc] that allows the user to tag their location, competing with other users for the title of Mayor of a location, and gaining Acheivements. To become a mayor of a spot, you must tag yourself each time you visit that spot, until you are the most frequently tagged person in that location. You can also upload photos along with your "Check In" to tell others that you have been there.

Geotagging on Smartphones, iTouches, and other devices

Downloading the apps for Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter on your Mobile Device are the most common ways to get your location Geotagged, although when using the applications, it will ask you the first time you use it, if you would like the application to use your location. If you simply press "Deny" or "No", Geotagging will be disabled for that application. Always check the settings on your device when you start using it for the first time, however, to be on the safe side.

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Social Networking

Social networking is the new most popular thing. Most people nowadays have a facebook. A great deal of people also use Twitter, and multiple other sites as well to tell people what they are doing and communicate with others. While social networking is a great thing to most, there are some who avoid it altogether in dislike of the fact that personal information can be viewed by virtually anyone. The truth about Facebook, and other social networking sites, is no matter what, people can view your "Profile" that you make. What they can see on it, however, can be controlled by you. Make sure to set your privacy settings to something you're comfortable with.

Facebook Post Privacy

On Facebook, you can control who sees your posts as well. You can exclude certain people from seeing it, and you can also make it visible to everyone. It all depends on what you prefer.

Tweet Protecting

If you want to be able to monitor who follows you, and who is allowed to see your tweets on Twitter, you can use the "Tweet Protection" settings, to make your twitter account private. Only followers that you choose will be allowed to see your tweets.

Basically, one of the number one rules of privacy on the internet is: If you don't want other people to know about it, don't post it.