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Author Topic: Useful Computer Utilities  (Read 2202 times)

SolarShado

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Useful Computer Utilities
« on: May 28, 2010, 06:55:57 pm »

So, I've tinkered with computers for years, and, like most I imagine, I've accumulated a number of odd, but useful, programs. Just odds and ends, a bit like the contents of your kitchen "Junk Drawer," bits and pieces that, taken individually, may or may not be useful, but with some knowledge and creativity can solve a wide variety of problems.

Here's some of my most used utilities/UI tweaks (on my main PC running Win7):
(attempts at prioritization failed, so this is no particular order)

1. Cygwin -- an assortment of Linux programs using a compatibility layer to run on Windows, this is a large toolbox several other items on this list are included in this

2. Send To -> Notepad -- open any file in notepad with a quick couple keystrokes

3. bash (Cygwin) -- why use CMD.EXE when bash does so much more? granted, as of Vista, CMD's much nicer, but bash sill beats it IMO

3. Pidgin -- multi-protocol IM client, works with Gtalk, AIM, MSN, even IRC. open-source. loads faster and uses less RAM than 2 or 3 individual programs

4. perl (Cygwin) -- perl... the ultimate (IMO) glue language. you'd probably be surprised at how much you can do with a perl "one-liner"

5. 7zip -- best compression program I've ever found, it can read every archive format I've come across (even ISOs!), and has some nice shell integration (right-click menu options to extract/compress etc.)

6. VirtualClone Drive -- small, effective ISO mounter

7. file (Cygwin) -- uses "Magic Numbers" to determine file type, for when filename extensions fail. it can also usually determine the codec used for a media file

8. MMConvert -- general purpose media converter. with the right codecs installed, it can convert just about any video or audio to another format

9. BitTorrent -- because I'm a shameless pirate

So, what utilities would you be lost without?

Let's leave out firewall/anti-virus software, they're more like a diver's O2 tank than his underwater camera.
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xtank5

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2010, 05:58:38 pm »

1. Defraggler  -- I prefer it to the built in defragmenter on Vista because it gives me a status report and a status bar so I can roughly tell when it will finish.

2. Notepad++ -- It supports multiple languages and tabs so I like it for making programs with Python.

3. AutoHotkey -- I like it because I use it to control VLC with keystrokes.  I also have used it to make some short but time-saving macros.

4. BitZip -- I prefer it for torrents.  It helped me find and get the DF torrent when it came out in April.

5. Rainmeter -- I love this program.  I used it to replace Windows Sidebar because this was way more customizable and lightweight.  I currently use it to monitor system resources and read my twitter feed.  I made my own theme based off of the Enigma theme.

I used to use AlZip but then I downloaded an update and it turned out that now i was shareware and it kept pestering me about buying the full version.  So then I got 7Zip. :D
By the way; you have 3 twice.
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Hyperturtle

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2010, 07:05:19 pm »

Telnet
Putty
In windows a good disk defragmenter
Any method of blocking Flash (I admit that some sites are unusuable without it)
Any method of blocking ads (don't browse without blocking!  I loaded up a few sites with ad blocker turned off and couldn't believe people live that way)
An OS emulator (like the free vmware server)
Autopager in firefox can be nice

Granted I wouldn't be lost without the OS emulator but I would probably just stop using the internet if I had to endure flash and ads all of the time.
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Mishy

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2010, 07:22:49 pm »

Erm..

I use CCleaner and defraggler.
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Sensei

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2010, 07:25:03 pm »

NoScript (Firefox plugin)- Can identify which site a script or file comes from and block or allow things from that site. Great for preventing viruses that aren't trojans and you will never see an ad again.

Irfanview- An image browser and editor for all the really weird filetypes. Can convert whatevers into somesuches and make JPGs that don't over-compress.

DXTBMP- Not too flexible, but great for editing game textures. Supports all DDS compression types and converts them, as well as allowing you to easily modify the alpha channel by drawing it and saving it as a BMP.
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Eagleon

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2010, 08:04:13 pm »

For windows, WinDirStat. Gives you a visual of how your disk space is distributed bwtween folders and individual files in a logical way. I recommend this to anyone who is running low on space, or who just doesn't know where their disk-space has disappeared to. There's at least one linux alternative, Disk Usage Analyzer, but it isn't as pretty IMO.
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Duke 2.0

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2010, 08:17:43 pm »

 Unlocker allows me to get rid of files that decided they don't want to be deleted.

 YOU BE DELETED.
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Aklyon

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2010, 08:26:29 pm »

I use Auslogics Disk Defrag, mostly because it still has the neat little animated grid thing that ye olde Windows had. Found out that Defraggler does the same thing better without losing the graphic.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2010, 02:03:48 pm by Aklyon »
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Sensei

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2010, 09:05:56 pm »

Unlocker allows me to get rid of files that decided they don't want to be deleted.

 YOU BE DELETED.
Can't a batch script do as much?
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calrogman

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2010, 09:07:21 pm »

In no particular order:

Spoiler: Huge list (click to show/hide)

Yay for coreutils!
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Nilocy

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2010, 09:11:23 pm »

CCleaner is handy, get rid of windows/web browser temp files.

First time i used it, cleared up nearly 3GB of temp files. I'm a terrible cleaner.
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Duke 2.0

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2010, 09:26:29 pm »

Unlocker allows me to get rid of files that decided they don't want to be deleted.

 YOU BE DELETED.
Can't a batch script do as much?
Just right click, select unlocker and it's dead. No need to do that.
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Nolor

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2010, 09:48:16 pm »

For windows, WinDirStat. Gives you a visual of how your disk space is distributed bwtween folders and individual files in a logical way. I recommend this to anyone who is running low on space, or who just doesn't know where their disk-space has disappeared to. There's at least one linux alternative, Disk Usage Analyzer, but it isn't as pretty IMO.
Quoting this because of how ridiculously useful it is. It makes managing disk space so much easier. It lets you instantly see what's taking up your space and delete it.
The standard Windows file browser is woefully inadequate when dealing with masses of files like this:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Clicking on any of the boxes will bring up specifics (filename, size). Incredibly handy!
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Itnetlolor

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2010, 10:15:42 pm »

I'd have to say about 3/4 of what has been mentioned for similar reasons.

DaemonTools is what I usually use for mounting ISOs for any reason.

zchris13

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Re: Useful Computer Utilities
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2010, 11:17:17 pm »

I usually use a mouse, keyboard and monitor with my computer. *twizzles moustache
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