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If you have Windows, here's a list of great, free software programs - all of which are free of spyware and adware - that I like to use, and others that I don't use, but are great too.
Install one of the download accelerators below first, to speed up the following downloads, and prevent having to download again after losing your Internet connection.
Please Note: The following lists of software are hidden from sighted visitors and keyword searches with Javascript. If you prefer viewing them without having to click on the links to show them, or want to do a keyword search, or print this page, either disable Javascript in your browser, or view them without Javascript.
If your Mozilla-based browser or Thunderbird e-mail program won't use your download manager to download a file, try getting it to work with FlashGot.
WellGet (awarded Editor's Choice by SixFiles.com - integrates with Internet Explorer)
LeechGet (5 stars by WebUser.co.uk, 4 stars by Softpedia.com - integrates with Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Suite - no longer updated, Firefox and Opera browsers)
To get LeechGet to work with an alternative browser, download the Mozilla / Netscape / Opera plugin as well.
Free Download Manager (4 stars, 3 cows - integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla Suite - no longer updated, Netscape and Opera browsers)
Download Accelerator Manager (4 stars, 3 cows - integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla Suite - no longer updated, Netscape, Opera, MSN Explorer, Avant Browser, Maxthon and other browsers)
Star Downloader (4 stars, 3 cows - integrates with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla Suite - no longer updated, Netscape and Opera browsers)
Download Express (3 stars, 3 cows, 5 stars by SnapFiles.com - integrates with Internet Explorer and Firefox)
Then use the following optimizers to speed up your computer and keep it from slowing down in the future. Better yet, switch to Mac OS or GNU/Linux and you'll have no need for these programs.
DIRMS and Buzzsaw - DIRMS plugin for BartPE or better yet Ultimate Boot CD for Windows - (possibly the very best defragmenters for Windows NT4, 2000 and XP, partly because Buzzsaw defragments in the background on-the-fly, that is, as files fragment - free for personal use - the author claims they do a better job than Diskeeper, O & O Defrag, PerfectDisk and Windows' defragmenter)
Note: DIRMS and Buzzsaw won't run in Windows 95, 98 or Me, or in GNU/Linux.
Note: You can prevent most system and application file fragmentation if you put 1)the virtual memory file (called a swap file - WIN386.swp - in Windows 95, 98 and Me, and a page or paging file - pagefile.sys - in Windows 2000 and XP), 2)temporary Internet files, 3)e-mail and 4)downloads on a partition or hard drive separate from Windows, set the memory file's minimum and maximum size limits to the same size, and put your applications and documents on a third partition or hard drive to prevent fragmentation and limit file corruption.
Defragment your hard drive once a week to extend its life, minimize errors and if you have an older, slower hard drive, improve performance.
WARNING: Using a defragmenter before securely erasing private data, moves that data to other locations, making them easier to recover. If you have sensitive data, use one of these erasers / wipers / shredders first!
ATTENTION: DIRMS and Buzzsaw come in a service/GUI version that includes an installer (DirMS-S and Buzzsaw-S - DIRMS also comes in a command line version, DirMS-CL). The service/GUI version currently requires either an ethernet connection or the Microsoft Loopback Adapter, to work. (see the DIRMS and Buzzsaw forums to learn more)
If you choose to use the Microsoft Loopback Adapter, you'll need to enable ''Client for Microsoft Networks'' and ''File and Printer Sharing'' in the Loopback connection for DIRMS and Buzzsaw to recognize your machine and for the Register button to appear, and .
WARNING: Enabling ''Client for Microsoft Networks'' and ''File and Printer Sharing'' on a computer not connected to a network, unnecessarily opens two security holes through which the computer can be attacked.
DIRMS and Buzzsaw also come in three versions: free unregistered, free registered and commercial. The free unregistered versions have limited functionality: they don't defrag most system files. The free registered versions have full functionality and must be re-registered (for free) on the DIRMS web site every 30 days (click on the Evaluate button). And the commercial versions have full functionality and don't require re-registration.
I extract the executable, nonservice / nonGUI DirMS-CL file to my C drive, without creating a folder. If you prefer using the service/GUI version, just click on the setup files to install them where you like.
I load Windows in Safe Mode so that system files, as well as nonsystem files, can be defragmented, and to avoid problems that can occur when defragmenting in regular mode (press the F5 button repeatedly when starting or restarting your computer);
I log in and click Start;
click Run;
type cmd and press Enter or Return;
in the window that pops up (it has a black background), it says C:\Documents and Settings\ACCOUNT NAME>, so...
I type cd \ to get the main C prompt and press Enter or Return. (If you see the C:\> prompt by itself with no text after it, you can skip this part)
type dirms c to defragment C drive and press Enter or Return;
and when it's done defragmenting,
I type dirms c compact, not to compact the files, but to minimize the space between the files, and press Enter or Return;
then type exit and press Enter or Return, or click the X, to close the window.
Note: I don't use the -q (quick) command because the quick defragmentation isn't as thorough.
WARNING: Going online in the default Windows account, which unfortunately is the administrator account, isn't safe. I strongly recommend being safe and urge you to create a Limited User account, secure Windows and do your usual daily work - especially going online - in your Limited User account.
The service/GUI version of Buzzsaw doesn't require administrator rights because as the author says, it runs as a service with SYSTEM permissions. So it'll work just fine in a Limited User account.
ATTENTION: The service/GUI version currently requires an ethernet connection or a Microsoft Loopback Adapter. However, the author said he plans on making a version available that won't require one of them. Neither of them is required with the earlier command line version, but since that version requires administrator access, I strongly recommend using the service/GUI version instead in a Limited User account when online to keep your computer and data secure.
If in spite of the risk you want to use the earlier command line version of Buzzsaw in your default administrator account (not recommended!), here's what I used to do when I had it.
I start Buzzsaw;
double-click on Buzzsaw's tray icon;
wait a while until the letter for my hard drive(s) appear(s) under Available Drives (ex.: C);
click on the drive(s) I want defragmented;
click the right arrow button (-->) to move my hard drive(s) to the Watching Drives list.; and...
click the X to close the window (this doesn't stop Buzzsaw).
I recommend defragmenting your hard drive with DIRMS first.
Then always run Buzzsaw in the background (right-click the Buzzsaw file and create a shortcut, then put the shortcut in the Startup folder to run it every time).
And run DIRMS once a week, to keep your computer running as fast as possible, and to minimize errors.
If you need more information about or help with DIRMS or Buzzsaw, check out the Help guides and the Forums.
If you surf the Internet a lot, unnecessary files build up very quickly. Run an eraser daily to remove them securely and keep your computer from slowing down.
If you have or have had private, sensitive data on your hard drive, be sure to also use an eraser to securely erase old, private files, remnants of private files you've deleted, and ever-growing index.dat files. skip
Over time, Windows' registry accumulates outdated and unnecessary data that slows down your computer. Run a registry cleaner / system optimizer often to clean it.
WARNING: Using a registry cleaner may corrupt and disable Windows. Always back up your registry before cleaning it, just in case. To be even safer, create a disk image with one of the following software, in case the registry backup fails to restore a working registry.
Note: Windows Experts recommend avoiding registry cleaners and occasionally doing a clean install of Windows instead.
GoodSync File Synchronizer (synchronizes RoboForm passcards or any other files between a computer and a USB key or between two computers - recommended for RoboForm2Go, formerly Pass2Go, users)
Google Toolbar (a very effective popup blocker and search engine for those who choose to keep using Internet Explorer in spite of the security and privacy risks that still come with using it)
HDD Health or HDDlife (alerts you when your hard drive is getting close to crashing) If you want to make sure you don't lose your files, get what may be the best hard drive monitor and data recovery software (or not): Steve Gibson's SpinRite 6.0 (under $100 US).
RoboForm2Go (formerly Pass2Go) (stores RoboForm passcards and other private data on an encrypted USB key or dongle, a secure thumb drive with AES - the strongest encryption available - pull out your USB key and no traces of Pass2Go are left on your computer)
Picasa (for organizing, editing and sharing your digital photos)
Privoxy (a great ad blocker - if you're not afraid to configure it - if you're familiar with technical web design, try Proxomitron)
RoboForm (a very convenient username and password manager with automatic form entry - it's secure, too: form entries are saved in strongly encrypted files)
Skype (for calling other people on their computers or phones - review)
Sleepy (Use this program if you have trouble pulling yourself away from your computer at night.)
If you're tempted to bypass Sleepy by changing the system clock before Sleepy shuts down your computer, I recommend buying the newest version, which locks the clock. I also recommend setting a password you can't remember and not saving it.
Need some help getting your computer fixed? Check out the following support sites reviewed and rated by Ian ''Gizmo'' Richards at TechSupportAlert.com. skip
Did you make Windows, GNU/Linux or Mac OS X sufficiently secure before using it? And are you using security software to minimize the risks to your computer and your privacy? If not, but you'd like to learn more, check out my Security & Privacy page.
Need to find out what your kids have been up to online? Or your spouse? Get one of the following online history viewers. skip
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I never had any problems with my former host, QualityHostOnline.com. I only changed hosts because they discontinued the very inexpensive package I had.
Because there's more to life than one's self, status or material things.
(for those dealing with real-life issues and who enjoy participating in stimulating discussions on issues and ideas, crave the thrill of geographic, mental and spiritual exploration and discovery and value local and global community, belonging and old and new friendships)
Sold, recycled, donated and discarded computers, PDAs and cell phones can contain recoverable private data even after a delete, format or reset. How to securely erase your data.
Was Jesus just a man who married Mary Magdalene? Has the church been hiding information from us for years about
Jesus? Don't decide too quickly. Examine the evidence first.
Think conclusive cases can't be made for the Bible and Jesus as the God/Man Messiah? You'd be surprised. The overwhelming mountain of factual, historical evidence is too compelling, too convincing to be ignored.
''We are living in very interesting times. Too many people are confused about what the Bible says about the future, and a lot of that has to do with confusion about Israel.'' Learn more.
If an angel or a loved one who has died appears or speaks to you, don't automatically assume it's a good angel or your loved one. Here's why.
Don't automatically assume the growing fascination with Harry Potter, witches, wicca and the occult is harmless either. Explore these controversial topics.
Don't automatically assume that New Age / New Spirituality concepts and the alternative / holistic therapies and media influenced by them are harmless. Learn more.