program

As per our recent conversations on .DLL Hell (Dynamic Link Libraries), I've dedicated the following Feature Article review and Visitor Feedback sections to further enhance the discussion. If you like reading about the true workings of a computer ... with respect to software and the operating system (I.E. Windows), you'll definitely enjoy this edition of the Gazette, written in Simple English. There's lots of great learning stuff in this article, so stay tuned! -- Have you ever experienced an application or game that ran sluggish -- and wished there was something that you could do to "make it ... (view more)

Update 02 / 23 / 2005: Registry Mechanic 4.0 has just been released. Click here to read the newest review of Registry Mechanic 4.0 (including screenshots), or continue below to read Jake Ludington's review of Registry Mechanic version 2.0. -- The ... most common cause for system instability, crashes, and performance degradation is a poorly configured or un-optimized Windows Registry. Maintaining the Windows Registry using WinGuide's Registry Mechanic can avoid erratic system behavior, while improving overall PC performance. Let's start with the basics: What is the Windows Registry? The Windows ... (view more)

I was asked to provide an unbiased review of a program called WinBackup v1.63 by Li Utilities. OK -- I'm up for the challenge. WinBackup: Installation Installing WinBackup on my Windows XP was simple. After executing the setup file and specifying ... where I wanted the program files installed to, WinBackup completed the installation without asking any further questions. WinBackup: Intuitive Interface Since I'm a self-proclaimed 'Pro user', I decided to shut off the WinBackup Wizard after only viewing the first 3 screens. At this point, I chose to dive into the program blindly, in order to get a ... (view more)

Yesterday's feature article was about file recovery after a hard drive crash. File recovery after hard drive crash? In a nutshell, I outlined some steps one might take in order to recover files from a corrupt hard drive. I also asked Infopackets ... Readers if they knew of any good freeware or commercial file recovery software which could undelete / recover lost data. Here are some of the responses I received: Haukur B. and Pippe both recommended a program called "PC Inspector File Recovery". From the web site: " PC Inspector File Recovery is a data recovery program with support ... (view more)

Last week, Infopackets Reader Ray M. asked if I knew of any freeware Piano programs he could download to his computer. Freeware Piano program? I personally didn't know of any (I haven't played Piano since I was a kid!), and suggested some picks I ... found on Google. I also asked Infopackets Readers to send me their favorite freeware picks, and here are the responses I received: Lisa C., and a number of other users highly recommended a program called "Aldo's Pianito". From the web site: " Pianito MicroStudio is an easy and funny piano synthesizer [plus] drum machine sequencer with ... (view more)

... Continued . Reminder: What is Adware and Spyware? Spyware is software which silently records a users' Internet activity, and then reports the data to a central computer (which is also connected to the Internet). After data is collected from ... millions of online users, statistical forecasts are made for the purpose of targeted online marketing (IE: which search engine queries are used, buying habits based on pages visited, etc). On the other hand, Adware is software which sends advertisements (usually PopUps) to your computer -- even if you're not connected to the Internet. Quite often, ... (view more)

Recall -- Last week, my mother asked me if there was a safe alternative to using Real One Player. She writes: " My church offers previously-recorded sermons in the .RM format, and I use Real One Player to play these files. Regrettably, the free ... version of Real One Player comes bundled with adware, and now my computer has advertisements and 'suggestions' popping up on my desktop! Is there a freeware alternative to Real One Player? " Unfortunately, I didn't know the answer ... so, I asked Infopackets Readers for help. Below are some of the suggestions I received. Jeff 'the pianist' ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Frank C. asks: " I have recently upgraded to [a full install of MS Office] and [subsequently] also installed Microsoft Outlook. I have always used Outlook Express for receiving and sending emails, but now Outlook is receiving some ... of my mails ... [while] at other times, the mail comes or goes through Outlook Express. [I would like to only use Outlook Express as my default email client]. What do I do?" My Response: I have also chosen to install the "full installation" of Microsoft Office and have also noticed what Frank is referring to. By default, a full ... (view more)

You've probably seen me mention PopUp Stopper Pro in the Gazette Newsletter before, but I have never done in an depth review on its features -- especially the Privacy Control that is offered. So, here goes! What is Panicware PopUp Stopper ... Professional? PopUp Stopper Pro is a program which eliminates unwanted web browser PopUp advertisements. PopUp Stopper Pro can also remove both Windows and Personal History Items, thereby providing the user with greater privacy control. Panicware PopUp Stopper: PopUp Blocking features Supports all major web browsers: AOL, MSN, Internet Explorer, Netscape, ... (view more)