Show File Extensions in Windows
>> Monday, December 7, 2009
One of the most annoying things that Vista and Windows 7 does by default is hide file extensions (unless you have ultimate or professional). File extensions show you what type a file is, which is really important, especially when you have two files with the same name.
Here's a folder that has some photos in it. I saved the photo of the basket as .bmp so I could send it to someone. But since there's no extension, they're indistinguishable. How the hell am I supposed to tell the two apart?!?!
Now, when I go back, I can finally tell which one is the .bmp file and which is .jpg
Record Your Computer Sounds: How to Enable Stereo Mix
If you've ever held your microphone up to your speakers in order to record your computer's sound, then first off, I laugh in your face. Secondly, stop doing it the crude way. It's called stereo mix.
Stereo mix lets you capture the sound exactly as you hear it from your speakers. It's useful if you wanted to capture your computers sound, just as you would capture a screen shot with "print screen". You can use it as an input device in most applications that use voice like skype, AIM, MSN, etc. This captures all sound coming out of your computer such as music and windows sounds. You can use it to play music into a voice program.
This method may not work for everyone though, because not everyone's sound card has the feature. There's no way to tell unless you check. To enable stereo mix, click on sound options in the control panel.
If you do have any disabled devices, they should show up now as ghosty, faded icons. If you don't see stereo mix among them, then you don't have stereo mix. Too bad. If you do see it, right click and hit enable.
That's it. Now you can select stereo mix as a recording device in your programs. Usually you have to go to a setup screen and choose your input device. Stereo mix should be listed among them.
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Reduce Visual Effects and Animations in Windows 7 and Vista
As soon as you log into Windows 7, you're treated to a sleek, modern feel. All the animations ebb and flow, while fading eloquently into view. Well, that's great for about 20 minutes before it starts getting annoying. If you're like me, you would rather pass on the eye candy and just use the computer. Another reason to get rid of the visual effects is to help make an older computer run smoother. It's annoying and distracting to keep seeing your windows slowly fade in and out. I really like the look of Windows 7, don't get me wrong, but the animations have to go.
Let's put the windows search to use. Click on the start menu button and search for "advanced system settings". Then, click on view advanced system settings. (if you have search turned off like a moron, go to control panel> click on system, then on the left hand bar, click advanced system settings)
Once the menu slides into view, hit the advanced tab. next, click on settings under the performance section.
This window will list all of the visual effects that Windows employs. By default it is on "Let windows choose", but we want to change it so we remove the more annoying animations.
Let windows choose what's best for my computer: Right, I'm going to trust you to tell me what's best for me.
Adjust for best appearance: Turns all of the animations and effects on
Adjust for best performance: Party like it's 1996.
Custom: You can adjust individual items in a list
This part is really up to personal preference. For me, I just want to get rid of slow-ass animations, so anything that starts with "animate", "fade" or "slide" I'm getting rid of. I leave the rest of the options alone like enable aero peek, and transparent glass, since all of these add to the visual appearance of Windows and aren't animations.
Microphone Too Quiet? Adjust Microphone Boost
Microphone boost amplifies the signal of the microphone. Most of the time, when you plug in a microphone into the computer, the volume is not loud enough for most programs like voice chat or voice calling programs like Skype, AIM, or MSN. If people are telling you that they can't hear you, here's what you do:
Go into the control panel and go to sound
Click on the recording tab, and find the microphone you're looking for. You really should only have one mic, but if you have more than one, you have to figure out which one to adjust. If you have no clue, just blow into your mic and the little green volume bar on the right of the device will light up. Right click on the device and hit properties.
Next, you want to slide the microphone boost slider up. Usually, the available settings are +10 dB, +20 dB, and +30 dB. You should try going to +10 dB first, then test out if you're loud enough. If it's still to quiet, then go ahead and tune it higher. The microphone slider above the microphone boost adjusts the overall output of the microphone. If you find that +20dB is too quiet, and +30 dB is too loud, you can get it "just right" by leaving it at +30dB while having the microphone volume at 85%.
Change Default Control Panel View in Windows 7
Click on view on the top right drop down menu.
And then click on either large or small icons. There! back to normal.
Review of the Logitech G5 Mouse
>> Friday, December 4, 2009
If you're looking to buy a new mouse, especially one with a lot of features, chances are you are split between Logitech, Razers and Microsoft's Habu. I've been using this mouse for a good 2 years now and it has delivered on all aspects and I have never had a single problem with it.
First off, the feel of the mouse is very comfortable. A lot of my friends have Razer styled mice and I have to say, you have to have some kind of messed up hand to still call those comfortable. It seems to me that Logitech went out and got feedback from people, whereas Razer did their testing exclusively in a wind tunnel. Look, I know you want the mice to look cool, but my fingers do NOT curve upwards. I would rather keep my joints intact than have a stealth fighter mouse and leprosy.
When will mice designers realize we're not Michael Bay when we're looking to buy a mouse? I don't need a transformer; I need a functional mouse dammit. Seriously, why is their a wing on this mouse?
Really Microsoft? This one is too easy.
Aside from the shape of the mouse, the G5 also comes with detachable weights. That's right. You can adjust exactly how heavy or light you want your mouse to be. They have weights from 4.5g upwards to 10g I believe, and the even come in a nice steel case so you never lose them. The mouse is optical so it pretty much works on any surface and you will never get that jumpy mouse glitch like when you're using optical mice.
As for buttons, the mouse has just enough features without being crammed enough to resemble an f-22 cockpit (maybe that's part of the theme for that they were going for in the sidewinder). You can increase your sensitivity between 3 levels, and there's a tiny light to tell you which one you're on. The scroll wheel works well and just feels perfect without being too loose or too prominent. The one thing I don't like is the fact that it does not have a forward button, only a back.
As to the physical aspects of the mouse, the smooth, teflon like plastic soles on the bottom have held up well, despite 2 years of not using a mousepad. I'd like to mention as well that the cord is really sturdy and is wrapped in a really tough, black threaded material that has kept my cord from being tangled up and coiling together.
If you do intend to buy the G5, just make sure you don't install the proprietary drivers. They're really not worth the hassle in my opinion and despite programmable keys, there's not much more function you gain.
Read more...
If you do intend to buy the G5, just make sure you don't install the proprietary drivers. They're really not worth the hassle in my opinion and despite programmable keys, there's not much more function you gain.
How to Set the Recycle Bin to Skip and Immediately Delete Files
Also, does it really matter whether we call it the recycle bin? As I was writing this, I realized I called it the trashcan. Those bytes aren't being recycled. They're getting chucked away. It's not like my crappy AOL 7 program is going to one day get recycled and manifest itself into something crappier, though I'm not sure if anything can get any worse than AOL products. Anyways....
Select the radio button and hit apply.
Changing Windows 7 Taskbar to Look Like Vista
Windows 7 sure has a lot of great features, but you know what they say about old habits. Most of us are used to the thin taskbar that has been around since windows 95. Even though it looks cool when windows 7 first debuted with an icon only taskbar with stacking, in actual practice, it's not that handy. Function always trumps form, especially when you're considering an operating system, where users need to get things done quickly.
Here's how to get the thin taskbar back. Right click on an empty patch of your taskbar and click properties.
On the screen, click use small icons. Also, if you would rather the programs not collapse into each other, set the taskbar buttons value to "never combine".
Here's the finished taskbar.
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