Computer geeks like me are not contented with software that resolves the computer problem just like that, and ignorance about our own computer system and tech terminologies make us feel ashamed. In almost every way, we want to dig out as many detailed information about our machines and master it ourselves. We even try not to rely on existing antivirus software and dare to solve the problem ourselves. So if you are one of us, you’d love to have these little and very useful system utilities meant for your Windows-based computer.

Continue Reading »

Last February 4, I was glad when I heard Microsoft announcing the finalization of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 in their website. They released the documentation of the service pack in Microsoft Download Center describing the service pack’s overview, notable changes, and installation instructions, along with the new features to be encountered when on the looming Windows Vista SP1 release.

Of course, the news got me excited as I am a Vista lover myself despite the odds that were brought about by its original package. I am certain that many patient Vista users are hopeful that the service pack would deliver solutions to the major issues of the operating system and improve further significantly its overall performance. I once posted in this blog how I love Windows Vista but I also pointed out some gray areas that I wished to be improved. The service pack most likely would address them.

Continue Reading »

I’ve never been a fan of open source programs until recently because I grew up in the world of proprietary Windows-based applications. Curious and incredulous, I surfed the Web to take a sneak peak of the beauty of these “free-to-use” programs, though I knew it isn’t new, I was surprised how robust they are.

The open source program that awed me is called Paint.NET, a raster graphics editing program for Windows, developed under .NET Framework using C# and C++ languages. When I saw the program running on my screen for the first time, I doubted if the program is really free – and it really is.

Paint.NET program has a familiar user interface. The toolbox looks similar to that of Photoshop. The whole program looks actually like a downsized Adobe Photoshop version. It supports layers as well, transparency, blending, plug-in and has dozens of in-built image effects to choose from. The program is amazingly fast and lightweight. Paint.NET can be downloaded here for only 1.6 MB disk space.

Continue Reading »