Top 8 ways to speed up your computer - Speed and Secure part 1
Hello,
When you first purchase a computer, even after the first few programs are installed it remains blazingly fast! However after a few years of use your computer operation will slow down - imagine a partial blockage in a hosepipe that cannot be seen. It’s such a gradual process that you hardly notice, but the more you use that hosepipe the more blocked it will get. This analogy could be taken further and you might consider the hosepipe’s connection to water which is not clean an added cause for blockage (= pirate programs? / viruses / adware etc) or leaving the hosepipe outside for ages and not being wound up (= no maintenance / housekeeping), but as I don’t do analogies…
So here are the top 8 ways to counteract everything that slows down a computer for FREE! Applicable to Windows XP or windows Vista, ignore this if you don’t know what it means.
- Defragment Your Hard Drive(s)
If you don’t do this your hard disk(s) become fragmented by general use and when you new programmes are installed. When you install a program the file is generally placed on one part of the computer but after a while bits and pieces of data are spread across the hard disk. By using Windows ‘Disk Defragmenter’ the software moves all the bits of data into roughly one place. You can get to the file by clicking:- Start
- All Programs
- Accessories
- Disk Defragmenter
- Once the programme has fully loaded click on the top drive and work your way down.
- Disk Cleanup
Disk cleanup performs ‘housekeeping’. When you load most programmes, often bits of data that may have been used while the programme was running are left behind. Those programs don’t generally bother deleting those, which can slow the computer down. You can easily and safely delete those bits of data by clicking:- Start
- All Programs
- Accessories
- Disk Cleanup
- If it comes up with a list of boxes make sure all are ticked.
- Uninstall Unused Software
Uninstalling unused software speeds up the computer by freeing up space on the hard drive, cutting down on all the ‘data sludge’ that it has to wade through for normal use. To do this click the following:- Start
- control Panel
- Add or Remove Programs
- Scroll threw the list and find the programs that you wish to remove
- Click ‘Add/Remove’ or ‘Remove’
- If it asks you to confirm removal click ‘Yes’ or ‘Confirm’
- Run Windows Update
Windows update is a update service offered by Windows (surprise surprise). The updates
are generally security related but they can also include patches for added
stability. To run the update simply click:- Windows Update
And then complete the following
- Windows XP
Start
Control Panel
Automatic Updates
Check the circle next to ‘Automatic (recommended)’ - Windows Vista
Start
Control Panel
On the left is ‘Change Settings’ - Check ‘Automatic (recommended)’
- Windows Update
- Disable Indexing Services
Windows Indexing Services is a service that categorises all the files and folders on your hard drives. The problem with this is that it also slows down the computer considerably. To disable it click the following:- My Computer
- Right Click ‘Local Disk (C:)’
- Click Properties
- Uncheck ‘Allow Indexing Service’
- Stop Unwanted Start-up Programs
When you start up the computer and other programs automatically start that you don’t necessary want at that time. Another problem is that it also slows the computer down. To remove the programs from start up (this does not remove the programs permanently) click:- XP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
-
Vista - C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
-
(Note - this directory is hidden by default)Delete the programs you don’t want in loading when the computer starts up.
- Extra Ram
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and your RAM helps to process all the information that goes through the computer. Broadly speaking the more RAM you have, the faster your computer. Unfortunately it does cost but prices are relatively cheap.
I use a website called ‘Crucial’ and they have a nifty little tool to help you sort things out.- Crucial - Homepage
- Crucial System Scanner
- Error-Checking
Error Checking can help diagnose and even correct a wide range of hard drive errors. It helps stability, speed and may even fix a few errors. To do it click:- Open ‘My Computer’
- Right click on one of the Hard Drives (usually C:)
- Click ‘Properties’
- Click the ‘Tools’ Tab
- Click ‘Check Now’
- Click both the boxes
- Click Start
- Restart thee computer if asked.
Notes:
- You may want to bookmark this page for future reference,
- Firefox: press Ctrl-d to bookmark or ‘Bookmark this page’ in ‘Bookmarks’.
- Internet Explorer: Press Ctrl-D or ‘Add to Favourites’ in ‘Favourites’.
- If you liked this article share it, click the ‘Share This’ button below!
- Before we continue it is highly recommended that you back up your computer.
- I cannot be held responsible for any problems that may be incurred while carrying out these suggested actions, however I may offer remote diagnostic assistance to help fix any existing computer problems.
I recommend you do this twice in a row and then repeat once a month. Hopefully after that your computer should be blazingly fast. If not, or if you want more speed try the links below. Also I don’t recommend that you use any software apart from the software that comes with Windows.
Do you have a tip that speeds up your computer or do you just want to give us a comment, try the guest box below! 
Which Superpower Would You Have?
Which Superpower would you have?
So, if you could chose a superpower, any superpower, which one would you chose? I did a bit of research and asked a few questions and here are the results!
My Question: “If you could chose a superpower, which one would you have?”
Other People Replied:
Jesuslard: Make my opponent have a case of explosive diarrhoea.
It’s amazing how distracted folks are when they’ve got a bunch of …. in their pants.
lady avacado of dumbarton: I want to click my heels 3 times and be able to transport anywhere in the world. Hawaii here I come…
Remlysandlin: Teleportation! It would save me! I’ve been told many times that I’m going to be late to my own wedding…and sometimes, my own funeral! lol.
jitterbug: The best would be immortality and x-ray vision. In that order.
Melissa H: Invisible…….you’d never know I was there.
☻☺☻☺☻☺☻☺: The power to moprh, because if I morph into another hero I could get their powers or then I could drain peoples power.
What do you think? If you had a super power which one would you have? Tell Us In The Guest box Below!
Source:
Happy Birthday To Me
Hello,
Just wanted to say that today being the 7th of August is my birthday and that at the time of 9:31PM I was born.
I shall turn 14!
Help Cure Cancer
Do Your bit To Cure Cancer
You can help to cure many types of cancer and other horrible diseases by simply running a program called ‘Folding@Home’ on your computer or PS3. Installing this program lets your computer (or PS3) help Stanford University work on the cures.
To join on a PC, go to Folding@Home and download the program.
To join on your PS3, simply go to “Folding@Home” under network and run it.
How does it work?
Almost everything in the body is controlled by Proteins. Proteins are formed by a process called “folding”, based on information found in DNA. When these proteins malfunction (fold improperly), physical results can be devastating.
To understand protein folding, researchers at Stanford need to run complex calculations which would even take a supercomputer 30 years to complete. However, by using the power of computers and PS3s around the world, the calculations can be done much faster. When you install the program, it automatically lets your computer work on these calculations for Stanford whenever you’re not using it. It can also be run on a PS3, which are often faster than many computers.
Amazing eh!
Links:
The Top 13 Wordpress Plugins!
Here’s a list of the top 13 wordpress plugins
Admittedly this post is slightly biased because these are my 13 wordpress plugins, but I’ve spent so many hours on so many sites trying to find those that are worthwhile and work well. The plugins combine and enhance SEO, website optimization and website speed. I can quote from experience that they have worked for me and should work for you, but affectiveness may depend on the following:
- Website Hardware - My website is on a shared server with a company called MidPhase.com They do have some very good specs and you should be able to perform the plugins with out much hassle.
- Website Genre - The style or topic of your website may influence the plugins you require. I.E. you might not want a ’special comment’ plugin when you have no need to enter comments.
So here are the plugins I recommend to you (in alphabetical order).
- Akismet - Akismet checks your comments against the Akismet web service to see if they look like spam. This is a great spam filter.
- All-in-one Bookmarking Button - Adds the SocialMarker.com bookmarking button at the bottom of every post.
- All in One SEO Pack - Out-of-the-box SEO for your Wordpress blog.
- Enforce
www.Preference - Provides 301 redirects to queries with /index.php and enforces your use or non-use of www. - FeedBurner FeedSmith - Originally authored by Steve Smith, this plugin detects all ways to access your original WordPress feeds and redirects them to your FeedBurner feed, so you can track every subscriber.
- Google XML Sitemaps - This plugin will generate a sitemaps.org compatible sitemap of your WordPress blog which is supported by Ask.com, Google, MSN Search and YAHOO.
- GZippy - GZippy re-enables gzip compression under WordPress 2.5.
- Subscribe To Comments - Allows readers to receive notifications of new comments that are posted to an entry.
- Ultimate Google Analytics - Enable Google Analytics on your blog. Has options to also track external links, mailto links and links to downloads on your own site.
- Wordpress Automatic Upgrade - Wordpress Automatic Upgrade allows a user to automatically upgrade the wordpress installation to the latest provided by wordpress.org Uses the 5 steps provided in the wordpress upgrade instructions.
- WordPress Database Backup - On demand backup of your WordPress database.
- wp-cache - Very fast cache module. Is composed of several modules, this plugin can configure and manage the whole system. Once enabled, go to “Options” and select “WP-Cache”.
- Yet Another Related Posts Plugin - Returns a list of the related entries based on keyword matches, limited by a certain relatedness threshold. New and improved, version 2.0!
Have I missed any good wordpress plugins? Tell me via The Guestbox!
The New Ipod Touch Software Update 2.0!
The New ipod Touch Firmware Is Finally Here!
After a wait, the New ipod Touch firmware update has arrived. The update costs $9.95 (£5.99) and here are a list of features that are available.
The App Store
The App Store is the applications store, a place where you can purchase other little pieces of software. This is the main part of the software update. Some of these apps are very impressive by using all of the ipod Touch’s features including accelerometer, touch screen, great picture quality and excellent sound quality.
MobileMe:
The iPhone 2.0 Software Update for iPod touch includes support for MobileMe, a new service that automatically keeps all your information up to date on every device you use. Changes to your email, contacts, and calendar are pushed to the MobileMe “cloud,” which then pushes them to your Mac, PC, or WiFi-connected iPod touch.
Other New Features
Push Email with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync: Email, contacts and calendar can now be pushed instantly to your iPod touch.
Contacts Search: Find people faster by tapping a name, address, or other data into a new search field.
Multiple Calendars: Have a calendar for work, a calendar for home, and more.
Scientific Calculator: Rotate to landscape view for solving complex science, maths and programming problems.
Improved Mail Attachment Viewing: View more types of attachments, including iWork and PowerPoint files. Also save photos emailed to you in your library.
New Mail Management Features: Delete and move groups of email messages, reply from a different account and send with BCC.
January Software Update: With this update, you also get the earlier software updates from January.
New Mail Management Features: Delete and move groups of email messages, reply from a different account, and send with BCC.
Sources:
All in all a great new update that revitalises the ipod Touch with some super cool features that have been eagerly anticipated.
Do You have a comment, thought or a suggestion? Post it into the guestbox below! If you enjoyed reading this article, digg me by clicking the button ‘Bookmark’ below.
Google Maps Vs Live Search Maps
Google Maps Vs Live Search Maps
My review of the latest online web mapping software
Google Maps was the first to release the satellite imagery. It remains the most popular, with loads of features and user friendly interface.
Pros:
- The display is Clean, uncluttered and simple.
- The Satellite imagery is higher quality than some of the competitors.
- Drag and drop maps.
- Easy Pan and zoom features.
- Natural Search Feature I.E. “Pizza Near Springville, Salt Lake City, Utah”.
- Lots of features and hacks.
Cons:
- Lots of data usage if used by mobile.
- Rather plain & boring interface.
Features:
- Transit - Find destination using only public transport and Your legs (not much though).
- Driving Directions - Find quick and easy directions to go to… anywhere. It incorporates Step-by-step driving directions, Multiple stops, Check live traffic conditions (select cities), Drag ‘n drop points to customize your route and use Street view to see where your going.
- Street View - Perhaps the coolest feature in Google Maps - View street level photographs (select cities), Take virtual walks; pan, rotate and zoom, Explore cityscapes landmarks, points
of interest and Find shops, restaurants, parks, hotels and more. - Add A Location - Add businesses, landmarks, and points of interest.
- Explore a Place - View local photos, YouTube videos and wikipedia articles, Discover popular searches and places of interest, Browse user-created maps or design your own.
- Create a Map - Mark your favourite places on your map, Draw lines and shapes to highlight paths and areas, Add your own text, photos, and videos, Share your map with friends and family.
- Add Content - Overlay information such as weather & photos, Select from a variety of interactive maps and tools, Save information to your own map.
- Find Businesses - Find businesses near a location or zip code, Get addresses, phone numbers, and directions, Read Reviews and write your own, Add your business to the map.
Live Search Maps is created by the people who made windows/ Their maps search feature is big competition to Google with many good features and excellent design, have a look!
Pros:
- Excellent high quality imagery.
- Good design and interface.
- Many very Cool Features.
- Easy to Use
Cons:
- Bad Searching tools - many simple searches result in ‘Not Found’
- Same Old Imagery.
Features:
- Bird’s Eye View - Their bird’s eye view is one of the best features I’ve ever come across giving crisp clear imagery.
- ClearFlow - The tool took five years for Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence team to develop. ClearFlow provides real-time traffic data to help drivers avoid traffic congestion. Clearflow anticipates traffic patterns, while taking into account sporting/arena events, time of day and weather conditions, and then reflects the back ups and their consequential spill over onto city streets.
- Terrain - details are also available in 3D mode.
- Point Of Interest - A tool similar to Google Map’s version.
- Drawing on maps - A nifty little feature which enables people to draw on the map.
- Find Me - A location finder that can locate the user’s location
Overview
Both products feature many cool, useful and clever features. With technologies developing so fast, I’m sure there will be faster and better tools coming out soon!
Do You Have Any Ideas not covered here? Post them in the guest box below!
Sources:
Notes:
Unfortunately some of the features mentioned will work only in certain US cities.
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