Best free desktop add-ons
A smarter way to run command line programs using a hotkey
Last month I described a technique that allowed you to use the StripMail text cleaning utility [1] more conveniently by creating a Windows hotkey that ran the program automatically.
The technique was to create a batch file that ran the program using command line parameters and then create a shortcut to the batch file with a hotkey assigned in the shortcut.
Subscriber Bill Gage has found a shorter way of doing it. Bill's technique can be used for conveniently running any program with command line parameters with or without an assigned hotkey.
It's just another example how there are many ways to do things in Windows. But hey, Bill's way is smarter than my way :>)
Here's what Bill wrote:
- Put <stripmail.exe> someplace permanent
- Create a shortcut to <stripmail.exe>
- Right click on shortcut and select <Properties> - In the <Target> field, add the "-d -x" switches - Click <OK>
- Put the shortcut somewhere handy (for me, it is in Quick Launch) Done!
Now I copy some text, hit the Quick Launch shortcut and paste. You could also assign a <Shortcut key> in the <Properties> box but I'm not a big fan of Hotkeys.
[1] http://www.dsoft.com.tr/stripmail/A solution to XP SP3 trashing your visual styles
I've had several subscribers write in about third-party visual theme problems after they installed Windows XP SP3. Here's a solution sent in by subscriber James L. Dalton:
"Gizmo, I managed to restore my visual styles after installing SP3 by downloading and installing a different version of uxtheme.dll. The one I used is 6.0.2900.2180, though other versions might work better for some users. The version I used is available here [1] along with detailed installation instructions. Here's what I did: First I unzipped a copy of the updated .dll on my desktop, booted into safe mode, browsed to the system32 folder where uxtheme.dll resides, and renamed it to uxtheme.dll.old. Then, leaving the folder window small enough that I could see my desktop and the updated uxtheme.dll, I dragged a copy to the system32 folder. When I was asked if I wanted to make the change, I answered yes, dragged the renamed uxtheme.dll.old to the desktop and rebooted. Once I was in Windows again I deleted the old file. On my PC everything is now back as it was before SP3."
As James notes you may have to try other versions of uxtheme.dll if 6.0.2900.2180 doesn't work. There's a good selection here [2] and a Google search will reveal even more.
Many of these DLLs are provide as RAR file archives rather than ZIP. You can unpack RAR files using the excellent free 7-Zip [3] unzipper.
[1] http://themes.belchfire.net/index.php?showtopic=9001[2] http://www.withinwindows.com/uxtheme-patches/
[3] http://www.7-zip.org/
Free personal task management software impresses
Task Coach is a full-featured task management package with the ability to create many levels of sub-tasks within tasks, and customizable color coded categories for different tasks.
Tasks can have priorities and due dates set, and you can very easily track the time spent working on any task by simply right clicking it and then selecting either Start or Stop Tracking Effort.
Time tracked in sub-tasks is totaled in the highest level task, and logged in individual sub-tasks. Entire trees of tasks and sub-tasks can be marked as completed or uncompleted.
Detailed descriptions, notes, budget and revenue tracking, file attachments and even date-based reminders are all supported.
While the authors list Task Coach as "Alpha state software" with cautions to backup data frequently, I've found Task Coach to be stable and reliable, as well as very easy to use.
Data is stored in XML format so it can be easily backed up and extracted if necessary. Task Coach will continue to log time even if you shut the program down, so if you need to conserve the memory it uses while working, you can start the application, start tracking time, and shut it down. Start the application again later and stop tracking time and you will have all the detail you need.
This review was prepared by Allan Marillier, the volunteer editor for this software category at our new freeware wiki. Allan's full review can be found here [2]. Freeware (GNU GPL), Windows 2000-Vista, 7.6MB
[1] http://www.taskcoach.org/[2] http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-project-time-keeping-utility.htm
Free utility lets you play old DOS games
Subscriber Mark Lynch writes "Hey Gizmo, I just love old DOS games, but it's often hard to get them to work on modern PCs. Recently I discovered this program called dosbox [1] that lets you play them all perfectly well. It's brilliant." For a free source of old games Mark suggests this site [2].
[1] http://www.dosbox.com/
[2] http://abandonia.com/
How to remove the arrow in shortcut icons
In Windows, shortcut icons have a little curly black arrow in the lower left hand corner. The arrow is there to indicate that the icon is a shortcut or pointer to a file or folder rather than the file or folder itself. That makes perfect sense to me but not to a lot of folks who seem hell-bent on removing the arrow. There are lots of techniques, but using the free Tweak UI program is possibly the easiest. Full instructions here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/arrow.htm
Make XP look like Vista
Want Vista's cool looks but prefer XP's zippier performance and better software compatibility? Then follow these tips to make XP look like Vista. Mind you, by the time you add all these cosmetic enhancements, your copy of XP may well run like Vista as well :>)
http://pcwizkid.blogspot.com/2008/01/customize-windows-xp-to-look-like-vista.html
Turn your laptop or PC into a serious alarm clock
There is no shortage of programs that will sound an alarm on your PC at a particular time. They may be fine for getting your attention while you are sitting in front of your PC, but they are generally useless for the much more demanding task of waking you up when you are sleeping. This free alarm clock utility called "Banshee Screamer", suggested by subscriber Cheryl Rainfield, has a simple but annoying alarm sound that will wake the soundest of sleepers. It's just an electronic sound, there are no Banshees here, but it works. If you want something more aggressive you can install whatever alarm sound you want. "Banshee Screamer" has the additional advantage over many computer alarms in that it looks like a traditional digital alarm clock which will be a comfort for novice computer users. There are many fancier alarm clocks around but "Banshee Screamer" has a compelling combination of simplicity and effectiveness.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Scheduling/Banshee-Screamer-Alarm.shtml
How to make your mouse scroll wheel work better
When you are working with several documents open in different windows you must have noticed how annoying it is to have to click on a window before you can scroll the contents of that window using your mouse scrolling button. KatMouse is a simple free utility that overcomes this by allowing scrolling in any window simply by hovering the cursor over the Window. It's simple, very useful and free. What more could you want? Freeware, Windows NT -> Vista, 224KB.
http://ehiti.de/katmouse/
Excellent free program minimizer
The ability to minimize a program to an icon in the system tray is a useful feature that saves valuable space on your task bar. Some programs have this feature built in but many don't. It is possible however, to minimize any program to a tray icon by using a third party utility. My top recommendation has long been TrayIt! [1] but subscriber Matt Hall recently wrote "Gizmo, a good alternative to TrayIt! is PowerMenu. It works slightly differently: first it gives the option to minimize to system tray on a context menu rather than by using the Ctrl key. Second it has additional options to keep the window always on top and also set priority and transparency. Like Trayit!, it doesn't need to be installed." Good suggestion Matt. Both programs work well, though TrayIt! seems to be an active project while PowerMenu hasn't been updated for some time. Also, some of the additional PowerMenu features only work for Windows NT and later.
[1] http://www.teamcti.com/trayit/trayit.htm Freeware, all Windows version, 66KB
[2] http://www.veridicus.com/tummy/programming/powermenu/ Freeware, all Windows , 49KB
Free utility preserves desktop icon layout
Ever installed a new program or changed your screen resolution only to discover your precious desktop icon layout has been scrambled? Restore Desktop 2.0 is a tiny little utility that allows you to easily reset you desktop back to your preferred layout. Just select the restore option from the right click context menu and all your icons will be instantly returned to where they belong. It will even restore your icons to their correct position relative to the screen edges when you change screen resolution. Freeware, Windows 98 and later, 78KB. NOTE: After I published this newsletter it looks like the developers have switched the link below [1] to a sales page for one of their shareware products. However I managed to find an alternative link [2] Click on the file size to download.
[1] http://www.softwarium.com/rdwin.html
[2] http://web.archive.org/web/20060127002359/www.softwarium.com/windownloads.html
Free world time clock impresses
Subscriber Scott Youngman writes "Gizmo, with a son now stationed in Japan and everyone wondering what time it is here or there, I've reinvestigated free "world clock" utilities. As you probably know, a world clock displays the time and date simultaneously in multiple time zones. The current generation of software also adjusts automatically for daylight savings time, and can optionally synchronize to an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server over the Web. After searching the web for available programs, I ended up with the latest version of Wim's clock [1] (now v3.1.26). It is now much easier to configure and use -- just install, pick the time zones to display, and set a few other options including time and date format."
One thing I like about this world clock is that it properly handles daylight saving time changes around the world - most clocks don't. I also like the fact that it is also small: only 134 Kb zipped. It is a simple program that accomplishes a focused task. Times are shown in a tool tip over the tray icon, or click the icon to open a small box listing the selected time zones. You can have it auto-start with Windows but unless you are a frequent user it may be better to set up as a desktop icon and start the program only when needed.
[1] http://www.wimsprograms.com/programs.html#wclock30
ICal calendar for Windows
Not really - it's a clone and a work in progress at that. But hey, it's free. Requires the Microsoft .NET framework to be installed. Freeware, 208KB.
http://www.monocalendar.com/
Free utility keeps track of project hours worked
Recently, subscriber Richard Steinitz wrote in asking, "Gizmo, is there some sort of program which can time your work? I have to do a job which is charged by the hour, and it is all on the computer. I'd like some little thingy that sits in the corner of my screen that I can start and stop as I work." Well, Richard was in luck as I'd just been researching this area and was able to suggest "Project Timer [1]." It's truly basic; not much more than a series of glorified stopwatches but it's simple to use and does exactly the task Richard wanted. If you bill out your time to multiple projects I suspect you'll find this little program to be very handy. Of course, it won't bill out your slack time to your paying clients; you need human creativity for that. ;>) Freeware, all Windows versions, 312KB
[1] http://pc.revivalteam.de/index.php?site=timer
Add process information to Windows Task Manager
Most users know that they can find out what programs are currently running on their PC by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Del and bringing up the Windows Task Manager. That's the simple bit; making sense of the processes listed can be tough going. The utility company Uniblue has just released a free program called Quick Access Infobar [1] that allows users to click on any process shown in the Windows Task Manager and get an explanation of what that process actually does along with an assessment of its security status. The information is displayed in your browser using data from Uniblue's online Process Library Database. I tried it out and it works well. The information provided is clear and useful though the online database has quite a few plugs for Uniblue's products. Also a number of processes related to some of the obscure utilities I use on my PC were not listed in the database. You can of course also access the Uniblue Process Library without installing Quick Access Infobar by simply surfing to the Uniblue site [2] or similar sites [3] and looking up the process. Still, many average users will appreciate the convenience of a single click lookup provided by Quick Access. Freeware, Windows 98 and later, 316KB.
[1] http://www.processlibrary.com/quickaccess/
[2] http://www.processlibrary.com/
[3] http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/index.html
One thousand free icons, free Favicon service
This is quite special; a free set of 1000 beautiful 16 by 16 icons. Every programmer and web developer should grab these little gems now [1]. Good too, for webmasters looking for favicons for their site. If you want to create your own favicon try the second link [2]. I used this service to create the "46" favicon now used at techsupportalert.com
[1] http://www.famfamfam.com/
[2] http://www.htmlkit.com/services/favicon/
Free programs that run from your USB flash drive
Nice list from SnapFiles [1] including quite a few five star rated utilities. If you want more, try the other two links [2], [3].
[1] http://www.snapfiles.com/features/ed_usb_software.html
[2] http://portableapps.com/
[3] http://www.portablefreeware.com/
Display Outlook calendar and folder tasks on desktop
Desktask is a free utility that extracts your calendar and to-do information from Outlook and displays it on your desktop where it's easy to see. The partly transparent display is very attractively done and covers information for the coming week. DeskTask doesn't require Outlook to be running. Highly recommended. While at the site check out another of their free products called Find Favorites, a neat little favorites search engine. Freeware, Outlook 2000 and later, 446KB
http://www.carthagosoft.net/desktask.htm
A free utility for customizing the Places Bar
Here's a simple utility that only performs one task but boy, is it useful.
The Places Bar is a productivity enhancement added to Windows ME and present in all Windows versions since. It's the left hand pane that appears in the standard Windows File/Open-Save dialog. If this doesn't ring a bell, try opening Internet Explorer and select File/Open/Browse. Once you see the Places Bar you'll recognize it immediately and realize that it's used by many different programs, not just IE.
Now by default the Places Bar contains shortcuts to History, My Documents, Desktop, My Computer and My Network Places. There is however, no option offered to customize these options to include your own favorite folders or places.
You can do this manually by editing the Windows Registry, using the Group Policy Editor or from TweakUI tools. However the easiest way is to use the free PlacesBar Constructor utility, which allows you to substitute folders of your choice for any of the default folders by using a simple click and point interface.
Using PlacesBar Constructor I've changed the default "History" folder to my "Program Files" folder, which I use more often. I've also changed "My Network Places" to the "My Webs" folder for the same reason.
These simple changes save me multiple clicks every time I open a document or save a file. Further, there is no performance penalty or other downside. That's why PlacesBar Constructor is such a gem.
Two notes: First, be aware that Microsoft Office documents have their own Places Bar. You can't change this with PlacesBar Constructor but you can change it from the Office Tools menu.
Second, it's useful to be able to change the Places Bar, but it would be even more useful to be able to change the Other Places folder in the Common Tasks pane in the normal Windows XP folder view. Alas, I've never been able to find a way of doing it.
If any one knows how, please write and I'll publish it. You'll get ever-lasting fame plus a free lifetime subscription to the Premium SE Edition of this newsletter ;>)
PlacesBar Constructor, freeware, Windows ME or later, 460KB.
http://www.boyarick.net/placesbar.html
How to print lots of documents easily
Subscriber Steve Duncan recently wrote "Gizmo I work at a school that has over 700 students that need individual reports printed. As you can imagine printing 700+ word documents takes ages. So I found this free program, Print Conductor that allows you to print large numbers of individual files, without opening each document. It even allows you to change settings on the printer before it runs the print job and even better you can save the list of documents that need printing and later on import the list back into the program. It prints Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word DOC, Microsoft Excel XLS, Autodesk AutoCAD DWG, and Microsoft PowerPoint PPT. It's also great for converting large numbers of documents to PDF using a virtual printer. Hope you find this of some use to your subscribers, it has changed a 2 day process for the schools admin down to a couple of hours." Great find Steve, I'm sure a lot of readers will be able to put this to good use. Freeware, 548KB.
http://www.print-conductor.com/
The best free system information utility
System Information Utilities are designed to tell you as much as possible about your system properties and settings. This includes hardware, operating system and installed software.
My long term favorite freebie has been the classic AIDA32 but it morphed into the commercial shareware product Everest [1] some time ago. A cut-down free "Home Edition" was available for non-commercial use for a while but it has now disappeared from the web site. You can however still find the old AIDA32 at some download sites [2] and it's still a good choice particularly for inventorying networked computer systems. It is however, starting to show its age.
A more current option is Belarc Advisor [3]. It's free for non-commercial use and while not quite as thorough as AIDA32, it has the advantage of being actively developed.
My current favorite is the SIW utility written by Gabriel Topala. It "displays detailed specs for motherboard, BIOS, CPU, devices, memory, video, disk drives, ports, printers, operating system, installed programs, processes, services, serial numbers (CD keys), users, open files, system uptime, network, network shares, as well as real-time monitors for CPU, memory, page file usage and network traffic. It also displays currently active network connections, passwords hidden behind asterisks, installed codecs, and more. "
That's impressive enough for a freebie but my favorite feature is the fact that the SIW does not need installing; all you need to do is run the executable. This means one less installed program on your PC as well the fact that you can run the program directly from a USB flash drive.
[1] http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en (5.5MB)
[2] http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html (2.9MB)
[3] http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html (830KB)
[4] http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html (1.2MB)
How to reduce desktop clutter - part 2
In issue 127 I described how you could use your Windows Quick Launch Bar to reduce your desktop clutter. In essence the technique involved creating several categorized folders in the QLB and moving desktop icons to these folders.
A number of readers wrote in to let me know an easier way of doing this was to use a freeware product called (appropriately enough) Free Launch Bar.
I tried it and it's excellent. What it does is allow you to easily create cascading menus within the taskbar using drag and drop.
It's so easy to use that you can concentrate on what you want to do rather than get tied down with the problem of how to do it. It also supports hotkeys, which you can assign to commonly used programs or shortcuts.
If you like the product, you might like to check out a more advanced version called True Launch Bar for $19.90 that adds additional features.
I liked Free Launch Bar a lot but there are lots of other ways to reduce desktop clutter apart from moving desktop icons to the task bar. Other options include using virtual desktops, docking desktop launch bars, enhancements to the Start Menu and enhancements to the task bar notification area, all of which allow you to achieve the same result. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and this is something I'll look at in future issues. Meantime play with Free Launch Bar, I think you'll like it.
Free Launch Bar, freeware, Windows 9x and later, 532KB.
http://www.freelaunchbar.com/