That 100MB monster file, the Registry, is the heart and soul of any Windows system. This code bursts with information that controls how your Windows appears and how it runs.

Software use registry to consolidtae configuration and other important data. As you setup new apps, a registry entry will be created. This entry will automatically be deleted when you uninstall the application. Unfortunately, it does not always work that way. Sometimes, misbehaved applications fail to remove their own registry entries. This entry becomes obsolete and it theoretically gums up the system. Continue Reading »
TweakNow RegCleaner Flushes out Your Pipes

Defraggler comes in the footsteps of other cool Piriform products (CCleaner and Recuva).

This results in a compact single EXE application, which can be copied to a thumbdrive and then used whenever you need it, without a complex installation process. This is a rarity in the face of bloatware that goes up to the gigabytes.  The defraggler EXE itself is less than 1MB! Last time I saw files that size was in the 90s!

Defraggler likes OSs released since Windows 2000, this goes for Windows 2000, 2003, XP and Vista. 64-bit support is no sweat!  Defraggler deftly manages both NTFS and FAT32 file systems. Continue Reading »
Slow Disc? Try Defraggler 1.09.138

The Asus eeePC was one of the first netbooks to introduce SSDs. For those unfamiliar with the acronym, the SSD is a solid state drive. It’s cutting edge technology. Not only are they faster than standard 7200RPM spindle drives- they’re virtually indestructible. You can hurl an SSD against the wall with the anger of a spurned woman on crack, and your data remains safe. The secret of its power lies in that it has no moving parts. Think of it as a very dense thumb drive.

There’s just one downside: SSDs currently cater to those with a lot of cash.

Prices won’t be going down anytime soon. Super Talent recently announced that it developed the world’s first 512GB SSD ready for consumers; the largest to ever be sold. Most come in 80GB variants.  This one, though, costs $1500. A screamer of a price if you ask me. Standard spindle drives of 1 terabyte costs only $300.

Wait a few more years and Im betting SSDs will breach the terabyte barrier at sub hundred dollar prices.

I love iTunes, but some folks just plain hate it. For the latter, there’s Foobar2000, an advanced audio player for the Windows platform (sorry Mac lovers!). Some of the basic features include ReplayGain support, low memory footprint and native support for several popular audio formats. Continue Reading »
Foobar: Music Zen for Audiophiles

… where it counts. INSIDE.

The engine is one delicate monster. It makes all that macho sound and spews out tons of torque. But did you know that there is a sheer delicacy among its moving parts? Throw one part out of whack and the whole thing goes kaboom. So does your wallet.

To date, I’ve discovered only two great things that really keeps the engine healthy: well-made oil like Helix and magnets.

Magnets???

Yep. The thing does wonders for the car. Continue Reading »
How To Keep Your Car Sparklin’ Clean

Two years ago, teslar released watches with chips that supposedly increase energy levels while buffering against the effects of EMF and other radio pollution. I bought it for the design, not the supposed health benefits (I still feel stressed near PCs notwithstanding the $2000 watch).

Now they have teslar bracelets buoyed by some very slick advertising. Hmmm… I do wonder how their sales are doing on those. The bracelets are ugly and have no utilitarian value. Plus, Im sure the emf protection doesn’t work.

Have you tried the teslar bracelet? I wouldn’t use it even if it were a gift!