Category: Operating systems
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More God modes
I recently wrote about the so-called God mode in Windows 7. As it turns out, there are as many as seventeen of them. In addition to the “full” God mode, you also have the following: Function Code Monster Control Panel {ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} Enter a default location {00C6D95F-329C-409a-81D7-C46C66EA7F33} Use biometric devices with Windows {0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428} Select a…
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Windows 7 GodMode
A nifty little way of getting a more finegrained level of control over Windows 7, is using the so-called GodMode option. By creating a folder, and giving it a specific name, you will get access to loads of options: Click on the image to view the full size To enable GodMode, you need to do…
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Why the iPad is a bad idea for consumers
In my last post, I covered why I am not going to get the iPad. Those reasons were my reasons, based on my needs and wants. I’m not expecting everyone to have the same needs and wants as me, so here are a few more reasons not to spring for it. No free software Now,…
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Automatically unlocking the default Gnome-Keyring
One of the things that really annoy me about Linux is the fact that every time I start my computer, I have to enter a separate password to unlock the Gnome-Keyring, so as to log on to my wireless network. While I appreciate the need for a keyring, I really think it should be unlocked…
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Clearing or Resetting the Gnome-Keyring
A few weeks ago, I needed to change the password for the Gnome-Keyring, as I wanted to lend my computer to a friend. This can be done using either the command line or through the GUI, the latter being the one I prefer for its simplicity. Here’s how: Navigate to Places > Home Press…
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Windows 7 Download tool is back
Microsoft recently released, then withdrew a piece of software called Windows 7 download tool. Originally released under GPLv2, it was withdrawn as some of the code included had licensing problems, and as such could not be released under GPLv2. Having fixed this problem, they have now re-released it, as free (as in freedom and…
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Microsoft Internet Ballot screen candidates
After a long run of anti-trust suits, Microsoft has finally come to an agreement with the EU about how to solve the internet browser problem. The problem is that Microsoft delivers Windows bundled with Internet Explorer, which competing software developers claim is a breach of anti-trust laws. The solution? When a fresh install of Microsoft…
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A better way to see trends
An old joke says that there are three kinds of lies; black lies, white lies and the internal polling data of political parties. The latter example is typically statistics, and while statistics can be presented in such a way as to prove almost anything, raw, unprocessed statistics are a great tool. One of my…
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Set default CapsLock, NumLock and ScrollLock state
Lately, I’ve been annoyed that a few of the computers I’ve set up have had NumLock on after each and every boot. The problem lies somewhere in the installation scripts, I’m sure, but as I have no power over those scripts, all I can do, is fix the problem whenever I spot it. Open…
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Free eBook: Troubleshooting Windows 7
Working in IT, I often have people ask me about issues they are having with their computer. Now, while I’m happy to help out, I often find that the problems I solve for them are problems they could have solved themselves. Mitch Tulloch, a Microsoft MVP and lead author of the just-published Windows 7 Resource…
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Outlook 2007: "Cannot open the Outlook window"
I recently had a user drop by and ask me about an odd error he was seeing when starting Microsoft Outlook. The error looked like this: Looking about on the internet, I couldn’t find a lot of help, and enlisted the assistance of a friend of mine. After some trial and error, we…