General Meeting Review of September 16th
by David Robbins
Eric Johnston brought his experience and expertise to the September General Session. His presentation made us more aware of the perils of Internet browsing. The following subjects he spoke of were to show us how to protect ourselves from these dangers.
Eric brought two cd-rom disks, one with the Windows XP SP2 and the second has a number of freeware and shareware programs which will be available at the Resource Center of the CCOKC. These disks are free to members, just bring two jewel cases the carry them home in. You can see a list of the software on the second cd by clicking here.
An anti-virus program will find and repair or destroy files infected with a virus, Trojan-horse or worm. These programs are installed on your computer with the specific purpose of stealing personal information, to take control of, or destroy the general usefulness of your computer.
The firewall is to protect us from people trying to gain entrance to our computer. If they are successful, they can take control and do malicious things to our computer as well as use our computer to do harm to other computers. Also, firewalls can tell us what program is trying to gain access
to the Internet. This allows us to keep private information on our computer and not allow it to be passed on to the person sending out the virus, Trojan- horse or zombie.
Spyware is used to glean information about your cruising habits on the Internet. Companies can use spyware to follow where you go on the Internet and to develop a profile of your cruising habits. This information can be sold to advertising companies and used to aim advertising to the computer
related to the pages you visit on the Internet.
Descriptions of Utilities Disk from General Session September 2004
Note: This document is derived from information on websites and readme.txt
files. The website information may not necessarily be from the site of the program originator. This is provided for information only and not as a guide to determine whether you should use any of these programs.
602PC SUITE uses the same document formats (.DOC & .XLS) as Microsoft® Office and has the same look and feel. Maintain compatibility and save a fortune, Export to Adobe Acrobat® PDF (Portable Document Format) directly from any 602PC SUITE application. Convert documents, spreadsheets and digital photos to this widely accepted format for quick and easy online distribution.
This integrated solution for creating, editing and viewing documents & spreadsheets is compatible with Microsoft® Word (9x/2000/XP/2003) and Microsoft® Excel. You will be surprised that many features work in exactly the same way as Microsoft® Office.
602PC SUITE provides a complete solution for any digital photo enthusiast. Easily edit, restore, enhance, print, present and share your photos. Organize your photos into virtual albums and simply publish these albums to the web, a photo CD or e-mail.
Create documents and publish them online in the same way you save them on your hard drive. 602PC SUITE along with eDock Server will provide easy document sharing and access from anywhere using a standard web browser.
Affordable multi-user licensing starts at only three (3) users. Each multi-user license purchased for an organization allows installation on an employee's home computer! A simple, one-time software registration is required for the entire organization.
AdAware 6.181 is a spyware program that is being replaced by a newer version. AdAware SE is newly out and being updated quite often at this time.
Go to the website and click on the www.lavasoftusa.com and look for the menu on the left side. Click on “Add-ons” and this will show the available add-ons and explain their purpose. I strongly advise to down load and install the VX2 Cleaner if you are using AdAware.
Avast is an anti-virus program. avast! 4 Home Edition could be used only by home users who do NOT use their computer for profit. If you do not meet both conditions, you can download avast! 4 Professional Edition, try it for up to 60 and then purchase the valid license key.
BHODemon gives you a quick look at the BHOs installed on your PC, tells you whether a specific BHO is known to be safe or harmful, and gives you the ability to enable or disable individual BHOs with a single mouse click. Some BHOs are helpful, like the Google Toolbar, but others (especially those planted by viruses or spyware) can be malicious and harmful.
BelArcSytemadvisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, including Microsoft Hotfixes, and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server.
Bibjam73 study bible has 12,000 topics, parables, prophecies, topic search, maps and book mark. Also included are the Nave’s. Eastons, Mathew Henry Commentary, Torry’s and Hitchcock’s Bible names dictionary. Customize features with the ability to change font, colors, and use Microsoft Word. Web folder to add your favorite Bible, Music, Study, Software, News links and generate your topic list.
Bibpl (bibleplus) Rated by ZDNet! ZDNet calls Bible Plus an "outstanding achievement in transferring the King James Bible to electronic media." A lightning fast search engine powers the system. Easy to use. Create notes about any chapter. Great for quick and easy searches of the entire Bible (both Old and New Testaments). This is totally free Bible study software ... use in conjunction with more powerful Bible software. Runs in Windows 3.1/95/98/NT.
CDCheck is utility for prevention, detection and recovery of damaged files with emphasis on error detection. It can check each of your CD/DVD (or any other media) and indicate which files are corrupted. CDCheck reporting features tell you exactly where the problems are. Files on CDs, zip drives, USB keys etc. can be damaged in a number of ways, so the program helps you determine whether your data is safe before it's too late. The program also provides extremely fast binary compare for effectively checking that file transfers (burning, copying...) were accomplished successfully and alerts you of differences. Besides that, CDCheck supports creation and checking of MD5, CRC-32, SHA... hashes in SFV, MD5 and CRC file formats. This provides means to check backups for possible loss of information or verify file transfers where comparing is not possible (transfer over mail etc.). The program can be used with all local or removable media (CDs, DVDs, disk drives, floppy disks, ZIP drives, USB keys...) visible by the operating system (Windows Explorer) and also with audio CDs. In addition CDCheck also gives detailed information (manufacturer, type, capacity...) about inserted CD or DVD media.
You may evaluate this software for 30 days. After this period you must register this software within 14 days by purchasing the appropriate license. If you decide not to register it you must uninstall it within 14 days.
Personal users
If you think this software is useful and you can afford to buy a Personal license, please do that. This will help to cover development costs and you will be entitled to complete support for this product.
If you decide not to purchase a license, you can request Free license from CDCheck ONLINE! (you have to be registered user of CDCheck ONLINE!).Business users
This applies to profitable business entities, governmental entities and educational institutions. This applies to profitable business entities, governmental entities and educational institutions.http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/helplink.php?helpfn=overview
Cdkeyfinder141 (The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder) is a freeware utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. It has the options to copy the key to the clipboard, save it to a text file, or print it for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Office 97, and Office XP. This version is a quick update to make it work with Windows Server 2003.
Clnsysdr98only scans your system looking for all references to DLL files in your Windows system directory. Those DLL files in the system directory that have no programs calling on them can be moved out of the system directory, saving disk space and improving system performance.
Requirements: Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 or Windows 98
For experienced users only.
closeIE creates a button which can close multiple instances of IE. Very useful when those pop-ups run amok.
EZ Armor is award winning antivirus protection plus the security of an industrial strength firewall developed by a world leader in internet security software. Provides complete Internet protection for your home or home office PC’s. It protects email and other files by automatically removing viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. eTrust EZ Armor automatically downloads new virus protection updates on a daily schedule to keep the program up to date against the latest virus threats. It also includes advanced scanning that can detect new threats even before virus protection updates are available. 12 months of virus protection updates plus free 24 X 7 internet support.
EZClean2_0. eliminates “metadata” so recipients and third parties can’t see what was changed, deleted, or commented on, or who worked on the document in the process of creating the “final” version. Word™, Excel™, and PowerPoint™ often store your deletions and hide other potentially sensitive document information that savvy outside parties can retrieve. Detects, displays, and removes metadata from Microsoft Office documents. Alerts users when there is a problem, can be started manually or automatically, integrates with Outlook™ to scan e-mail attachments, Also works with server-based software including Clearswift’s MAILsweeper™
EasyOffice is an office suite compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe PDF files. It functions as a complete standalone office suite, but will coexist well with Microsoft Office. Includes: EasyWord (word processor-DOC, RTF, HTML, PDF files); Easyspreadsheet (XLS files); Easypresentation (PowerPoint-like presentations); EasyDictionary (full-reference dictionary); Easybookkeeper (accounting); EasyPad (Notepad replacement); Easy Contact Manager (hot lists, mass e-mails, form letters); EasySpeaker (reads out loud docs, e-mails); EasyZip (full-fledged zip/unzip program); Easyhelper; EasyImage; EasyDatabase (easy-to-learn yet powerful database); Easycalculator (emulates a desktop printing calculator, including thousands of features); EasyCalendar; & EasyBackup. Multilingual dictionaries.
Version 7.0 offers EasyMail integrated with EasyWord,EasyCalendar, EasyContactManager, EasyCRM, and EasyPDA
HDDErase is a DOS based command-line utility to securely erase all data on ATA disk drives in Intel architecture computers.
Inverse ver 3.6d 2004-Jun-03):
Memorizing Scripture verses is a laudable ambition, but a beginner can find it overwhelming. InVerse simplifies this, containing over 15,300+ verses preloaded in 2,800 of the best known Bible passages from 11 Bible translations. As your proficiency on a passage improves from Just Started to Good and then Mastered, you can categorize it for Less Frequent or Least Frequent recitation. Veterans at memorization benefit by being able to organize scores of passages between Learning, Learned, and Archive.
Inverse lets you choose whether to see just the reference (e.g. John 3:16 [Topic:Grace] NIV), a hint, or the passage being memorized. If you want a better sense of the meaning, a quick mouse click will show the context as it appears in the Bible, with verses that come before and/or after.
Inverse has a very simple, intuitive user interface. An extensive tutorial (100+ steps) is oriented to less experienced computer users. Early in the tutorial, each and every mouse click is described. Detailed Help is provided, including context sensitive help.
Freeware – no time or feature limits - no nags – no ads – no spyware.
Can limit to show only specific translations (KJV, NIV, NKJV, ETC.)
Minimal hardware/software/OS requirements: Win98/WinNt or later.
Small self-contained download (under 970k). Very quick and simple to download/install.
Native Win32 app runs very fast, even on older systems.
Palm-pda and Pocket-PC enabled with sync.
Kerio-pf-4.0.16-en.win is a firewall free for personal use.
Leaktest is a firewall testing program.
NoClone is shareware that searchs your computer for duplicate files and removes them to free memory and manage your files better. Internet users download files to their computers, duplicate files may exist and waste storage space. Especially using robot to download all files within the url, duplicate files often exist. Buying a larger hard drive can solve the problem but then you use up the hard drive, you write them to CDR. More and more space is required. Another way is to manage your files well, find out duplicate files and delete them. This is why NoClone can help to free memory.
Programmers can use NoClone to compare their source code files so that they won't be confuse by same file name and duplicate files.
File portions are usually file partially downloaded, NoClone can find those files with the completed version.
Simple fuzzy match tolerate files with little difference. File transmission errors over network can be ignored in this mode. Files downloaded by P2P program e.g. eMule/Kazaa may contain this kind of files.
Zero-size are usually the temporary files, you can remove them to manage your files better. NoClone compares large files and large number of files fast.
PopUpStopperFree edition is a basic pop up blocker from Panicware that is free for personal use only. This app runs in your systray, the small box usually in the lower right hand corner of your monitor, on the taskbar. The icon is a small white hand, which you right-click to access application settings. This app notifies you when a pop up is blocked, and keeps a privacy report for you. Bear in mind that Panicware sells a more advanced version of this app, so they will likely try to sell you an upgrade. This application supports Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
PrcView (ProcessDLLViewer same thing?) is a freeware process viewer utility that shows comprehensive information about running processes. This information includes such details as the creation time, version and full path for each DLL used by a selected process, a list of all threads, memory blocks and heaps. PrcVIew also allows you to kill and attach a debugger to a selected process. pv is a PrcView command line utility that allows automating common task like figuring out if particular process is running or killing a running process on scheduler. PrcView runs on both Windows 9x/Me and Windows NT/2000/XP platforms.
SpybotS&D12 can find and remove known spyware parasites on your computer and allow you to remove these parasites safely without damaging other programs or files on your computer.
Spywareblaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests. Blocks spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox. Restricts the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
StartupControlPanel gives effective, simple control over your start up group, the systems start up, registry startup and even lets you control the next boot if you need something. Sheer class in a free download applet with no restrictions, its pure freeware that's actually useful! Highly recommended if you know what you are doing. Built in deleted items section means you can put something back if you have problems. (slightly edited, bad grammar)
StartupMechanic keeps your PC running faster, cleaner, and error-free. Startup-Mechanic will scan your system for known data mining, advertising, and tracking components, and rid your system of these tracking components, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web. Startup-Mechanic will hunt down and remove junk and obsolete programs running, freeing up RAM and significantly increasing your system performance.
Other advanced features include automatic recycle bin storage of removed components, a viewer for backup archives that allows you to quickly and easily review components that have been removed and stored for future restoration, and boot protection of your PC from harmful trojans, adult-dialers, and other scumware.
Webwasher33 is a browser add-on that simplifies and accelerates the navigation on the Web. It runs as a local proxy server. The software filters extremely well all kinds of advertising on Web pages. WebWasher runs on PCs or on servers. Filtering is fully customizable. WebWasher goes beyond the traditional Internet filters that are designed to stop any surfing for unsuitable material. Instead, the software is billed as actually filtering out "unwanted material," including advertisements and banner images. Free for personal, home usage and for educational institutions.
Windows-XP-Prefetch-Clean-And-Control is a tool for flushing the Prefetch log and controlling the Prefetch Parameters. What Is Prefetch?? - Taken From Microsoft Website - "Windows XP monitors the files that are used when the computer starts and when you start applications. By monitoring these files, Windows XP can prefetch them. Prefetching data is the process whereby data that is expected to be requested is read ahead into the cache. Prefetching boot files and applications decreases the time needed to start Windows XP and start applications." This information is logged and stored on your hard drive taking up space and requiring a process to be kept running monitoring which applications are being run. This has a performance impact on your PC. Disabling the Prefetch function or at least only enabling it for the Boot Files will allow you to free up some system resources and preserve some disk space.
WinPatrolsetup gives you greater control over what can run on your machine. You can set it to display additional information about--and approve of--startup programs. You'll also be alerted when something tries to load an IE plug-in or set a cookie. And to get rid of a particularly nasty piece of spyware, you can use the "Delete File on Reboot" feature, so Windows will get rid of it before any other program can protect it or relaunch it. Scotty the Windows Watchdog barks if he spots trouble. Good boy!
ZoneAlarmDSL_CableONLY – A guide to compare the different levels of Zone Alarm. (copy and paste the following url - all three lines)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/comparison.
jsp;jsessionid=BRzD1USK9iMH1RnuDfb5n41qN40PNUtjk6ax3dHclzIwoD6nTQT0!-614233273!-1062696904!7551!7552!-1522043068!-1062696903!7551!7552?lid=ho_za
This section is for Power Toys:
- Alt-Tab Replacement, which adds a visual representation of each active window on your screen as you use the ALT+TAB key combination to switch tasks. This PowerToy is much slower than the usual ALT+TAB function, however, even on high-end hardware.
CD Slide Show Generator; gives you the option to add a slideshow application to a CD-ROM on which you've burned pictures and other images (using XP's shell CD-burning capabilities). The slideshow works in any Windows 9x (or later) version and provides efficient autorun functionality when you insert the CD-ROM in a PC.
Image Resizer; lets you right-click an image or group of images and resize them to other sizes more suitable for email or the Web.
Open Command Window Here; lets you right-click a folder in My Computer and choose a new "Open Command Window Here" option. The command line window you open points to the selected folder.
Power Calculator; is a full-featured graphing-calculator application.
Slide Show Wizard; walks you through the process of creating Web-based slideshows of your digital photographs.
Taskbar Magnifier; magnifies part of the screen from the taskbar.
Tweak UI; is a one-stop shop for accessing hidden system settings. TweakUI is a must-have for every XP user.
Virtual Desktop Manager; lets you manage up to four virtual desktops from the Windows taskbar.
Webcam Timershot; is a WebCam application that lets you take WebCam pictures at specified time intervals and upload them to a Web site or local folder.
Act30pkg Windows Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) version 3.0 for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 or later, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 contains the tools and documentation you need to design, deploy, and support applications on these platforms. Tools include the latest versions of the Microsoft Windows Application Compatibility Analyzer that simplifies application inventory and compatibility testing, the Windows Application Verifier that assists developers and testers in locating common compatibility issues during the development cycle, and the Compatibility Administrator that provides access to the necessary compatibility fixes to support legacy applications in Windows.
MSN Toolbar can block pop-up ads with Pop-up Guard, find search terms quickly with Keyword Highlight and Highlight Viewer, search the Internet from any Web page, and get access to your favorite MSN products, such as MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger, and My MSN, all directly from the toolbar.
This is a good site for more information about power toys. It refers to an older version, but the information isn’t different.
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_pt.asp