‘Don’t Forget to Back-Up’ List

With my recent move to Windows 7 from XP on my laptop, I had to do a back-up and fresh install (the actual upgrade option is only for Vista). This means remembering all of the silly little stuff that’s not quite as important as your photos or music, but is nonetheless annoying to lose. Every time I’ve done a fresh install, there’s always something I forget. I couldn’t find a list on the web of things “not to forget” so thought I’d write my own.

It goes without saying that you should back-up everything (music, photos, documents etc) from the following locations:

  • My Documents (My Music, My Pictures etc)
  • Desktop
  • Root of the C: drive (I have some games there)
  • htdocs folder, mysql databases and user priviliges (if you’re an xampp user like me)

In addition, the following “little” items:

  • Downloaded fonts in C:\Windows\Fonts (because there’s nothing more annoying than having to re-download your faves from a million and one sites) by highlighting them and CTRL+Cing them to the back-up location
  • Browser bookmarks and offline mail (Mozbackup is good if you’re using Firefox and Thunderbird)
  • If you’re not using Mozbackup, you’ll need to make a back-up or add-on preferences etc too
  • Saved games (not that I’ve had chance to play any lately!)
  • A list of the programs you use (there’s always something I forget to reinstall)

Have I missed something? Add it below, then we’ll have a handy checklist of stuff not to forget :)

Posted on: June 7, 2010 · Category: Geek

No, I don’t want your shitty add-ons

What the hell is it with software companies thinking it’s OK to bombard you with additional junk packaged up with their programs already?

I finally got ’round to buying Windows 7 for my laptop (after finding it plain awesome on my AA1) so did the whole back-up files, etc and reinstall malarkey yesterday afternoon. This meant that I had to re-download Firefox, Thunderbird, etc. Nearly every piece of software I’ve wanted to install has tried to give me extra crap on top.

Downloaded Foxit and it tries to install a browser toolbar, do something with the Ask search engine, and spam me with bloody eBay shortcuts on my desktop (even after I’ve told it I don’t want them, it asks again!) Avast anti-virus now comes with Google Chrome (which I was planning on installing anyway, but that’s not the point) and then Adobe installs a Firefox plugin, download manager extension and tried to get me to add some McAfee shit on the download web page too.

I always customise every step of the installation process with EVERY application I install, so no fear of ending up with unnecessary bulk, but your average user isn’t going to bother with that. It’s no wonder people complain about their Windows boxes getting bogged down with bloat.

DO NOT WANT!

Posted on: May 16, 2010 · Category: Geek, WTF

Optimising Windows 7 for the AA1

I finally reached the end of my tether with Linpus on my netbook last week. Although it has the potential to be a nifty, quick operating system, it’s so restrictive that it makes the iPhone look good ;) Despite there being guides detailing how to unlock certain parts, remove unnecessary bloat etc, any power user soon gets itchy fingers trying to have things their way.

So, I considered my options… and decided to go with Windows 7. Ubuntu do a nice netbook remix but I’ve seen Win7 on Karl’s netbook and have been fairly impressed. Not wishing to just fangirl over another Windows OS without even trying it I got him to flatten Linpus and put it on a few days ago. Colour me impressed. Bearing in mind that the default spec of the AA1 is a single core 1.6GHz Intel Atom with 512MB RAM, it fairly nips along with the whole Aero kit and kaboodle turned on — transparency, special effects and everything.

With that said, a few small optimisations later and this thing is flying. I’d even say (without benchmarking, you must understand) that it’s faster than Linpus. So, what have I tweaked and what should you do?

  • Turn off Aero — it looks good but with only 512MB RAM you do notice the difference between having it on and off. No need to go back to Windows 95 effects though, the Win7 Basic theme is fast and still looks shiny. You can take this further by telling windows to Adjust for Best Performance in the control panel, but I like to customise each option.
  • Install Chrome — Chrome is a much faster browser than the rest on offer. It’s not my first choice normally but I ran Firefox under Linpus and it crippled the netbook.
  • Turn off the browser cache — as I have a relatively speedy connection, it’s faster to fetch images/etc from the server each time than wait for them to be written to the SSD. HOWEVER, this is not ideal for long term browsing because it kicks the arse out of web servers, and bandwidth limits. Karl has an alternate solution that makes use of portable Firefox and relocating your cache folder, I’ll get him to write it up.
  • Disable services — don’t do this if you don’t know what you’re doing (insert proper disclaimer here). I personally disable the Firewall (our router has one built in), Windows Search, Windows Updates, etc. You’ll find help with which services do what job elsewhere on the ‘net.
  • Use ReadyBoost — I’ve an 8GB SD card which I was using for extra space on Linpus, although I didn’t necessarily need it (I only use it for IRC and coding when Izz is asleep on my lap or on the boob anyway) so I have dedicated 2GB of it to ReadyBoost. I can’t tell yet if this has made any positive difference, but it can’t hurt, right?

With all that said, Windows 7 is definitely netbook friendly. Considering the trend of OSes and programs getting more bloated with each version, it’s odd to be running something so new and actually noticing a positive speed difference. I’m considering buying the cheapo XP upgrade version and popping it on the Dell, too.

Posted on: March 25, 2010 · Category: Geek

Common Myths About Microsoft Windows

As a web developer and general computer geek, I frequently find myself involved in discussions with other devs, designers and power-users over what operating system they’re using. I find myself in a minority, being a Microsft Windows user by choice. This isn’t inherently bad, especially given that the choice of one’s OS can be an incredibly personal one. It becomes frustrating, however, because of the tendency for some non-MS users to focus on common myths surrounding Windows as justification for their choice (simply liking another OS is apparently not enough…)

Despite lengthy searching, it appears that there are very few articles debunking these Windows myths, or in fact any attempt to share positive (albeit anecdotal) experiences relating to Microsoft’s offering of operating systems. So, it is with over 10 years experience managing and running Windows of varied versions that I share my thoughts, with hope that non-Windows users can find a way to justify their choice of operating system without resorting to inaccurate attacks.

Important note: I use the term “Windows computer” several times below. This is merely a convenience term; in fact, a standard PC can generally run any operating system (including Mac OS, commonly referred to as a “hackintosh”).

Myth #1: Windows BSODs/crashes all the time

Windows doesn’t just crash for the fun of it. Unfortunately, a multitude of dodgy 3rd party software, conflicting drivers or problematic hardware is normally the cause. These faults are easy to troubleshoot, but the average user prefers to blame the operating system. Given the huge array of hardware and software available to run (and running) on Windows it is no surprise this crops up quite frequently.

Myth #2: Windows computers always have more viruses

It is an undisputed fact that there are more viruses created for Microsoft operating systems than for any other (due to the popularity of the OS). This, however, does not mean that it is fact that you will automatically be affected by them (or, that non-Windows computers are immune!) Avoiding viruses is 99% common sense and 1% anti-virus. If a user finds it necessary to attach unknown media devices or download suspect files on to a Windows install running with full administrator privileges, it is almost inevitable that at some point they will bring a virus or piece of malware upon themselves.

Avoiding viruses isn’t hard:

  • Don’t download files from unfamiliar sources
  • Don’t open attachments in e-mails from people you don’t know or weren’t expecting an attachment from
  • Even better, open all e-mails as plain text to avoid malicious code attacks
  • Don’t plug in your mate’s USB stick unless you can guarantee it’s virus free
  • Run a decent anti-virus program (and no, the shit that PC World get paid to sell you isn’t decent; try Avast or AVG)
  • Create a user that doesn’t have administrator rights for day to day browsing and word processing

I personally ran Windows ME for several years with no anti-virus software. Safety isn’t rocket science.

Myth #3: Windows computers don’t last as long

The most annoying part about this misconception is that the age of a computer is absolutely irrelevant to the operating system running on it. Even so, there is no reason why a Windows computer can’t run for many, many years. Case in point: Karl’s Dell Inspiron 3800 was released in June 2000 and yet, with a hardware setup that can only be considered sub-standard by today’s standards, it still manages to run two operating systems (inc. Windows XP SP2).

Myth #4: You will be less productive on Windows / Windows is slower

Productivity and speed are tied into using the best tools and the best hardware for the job at hand. You wouldn’t give a racing driver a 20 year old Ford and expect it to perform at the same speed as a tuned up Formula 1 beast car. Likewise, comparing a 5 year old Windows computer to a brand new shiny Apple (or brand new PC running a Linux distribution) is always going to leave the computer running Windows looking like a poor runner-up. Identical spec machinery runs at identical speeds.

Myth #5: You have to format at least 2-3 times a year

Some Windows power-users choose to format their computer on a regular basis to free up hard drive space, and to give Windows a fresh slate to work from. I personally find that by not clogging up my computer with unnecessary applications (specifically “cleaner” apps that claim to make Windows run better/faster) and by occasionally removing software I no longer use, Windows retains the speed it has post-install.

It is, however, worth noting that a computer which has been infected by viruses or malware will very rarely run at its previous speed even after a full clean-up. I always recommend backing up your important files and doing a full format.

Myth #6: Windows will cost more in the long run due to software purchases

The number and variety of open source programs and utilities for Windows is absolutely huge. There is no reason to spend any money on software after purchasing Windows unless you specifically require programs that are only released commercially (and, in these circumstances, versions for an alternative OS cost just as much). For more information, check out my blog post on Free Software I Could Not Do Without.

Posted on: June 12, 2009 · Category: Geek

Your Operating System is a Tool

With all jobs, you find professionals with a preferred set of tools. A surgeon works best with a scalpal rather than a hammer; a carpenter with a plane rather than a bag of plaster mix. Sometimes, these tools come in different forms… a rubber mallet is still a hammer, but is better for jobs where a softer ‘hit’ is required; likewise, you wouldn’t eat your dinner with a garden fork.

Like hammers, forks, planes, an operating system is just a tool. Irrelevant of which one you pick, it’s purpose is to facilitate the use of programs and the completion of tasks. It manages your hardware and generally makes things work.

After some to-ing and fro-ing, weighing up my options, etc; I have decided that my tool of choice — my operating system of choice — is Windows XP. Linux may be the swiss army knife of the OS world but it’s no use if you have to spend 3 hours trying to get the blade out (make the damned menu work). It’s no use if it comes with pliers when you really could do with a pair of scissors (running Wine or a VM just to play an old game).

Fed up of feeling hemmed in, and out of control of my own operating system, I reformatted and reinstalled WinXP yesterday morning. I like to know what my OS is doing at any exact moment, and I don’t running Ubuntu. Sure, it’s giving up, but I don’t mind being a Microsoft bitch if it gives me my peace of mind back.

Posted on: February 28, 2009 · Category: Geek