ESSENTIAL UTILS

Having recently used Format C: in an effort to fix some quite fundamental problems on my WinXP install I had a thought (or 3) regarding applications that I can't live without. I'm not talking about Microsoft Office or Paint Shop Pro, though they do go on by default, just about anyone with a PC uses Winzip, a virus checker too. No, what I'm talking about are the slightly more obscure programmes that you always install that make the machine feel like yours and make it work just so. Things that make you go Mmmm.

In an effort to give a fair crack of the whip to all sorts of programmes I polled the staff here on their personal choices. The results are interesting and include several programmes I personally have never heard of, so there is scope for all to learn something or try a new utility that might make your computing experience better. Without further ado the suggestions in alphabetical order are:

• Ad Muncher. It blocks all ads without annoying me, kindly replacing them with [munched] text.
  It operated 100 times more efficiently than the inbuilt filtering in my browser MyIE2, which often blocked legitimate pop-ups. TBL.
• Directory Opus. As you all know there comes a time when everyone must reformat c:, it may be due to upgrading an operating system or just a disk clean up due to numerous install and uninstalls. The first item I install after the operating system other than Winzip is Directory Opus. As you can see below from the screenshot it gives me the dual pane view I have grown accustom too. Joker

  

• Downloads Registry Entry. By default Internet Explorer only allows 2 simultaneous downloads. Fine on dial up, a pain in the proverbial's if you have broadband. This tiny 1kb file increases that number to 10. Seahorse
• DVD Profiler. We have a fairly large DVD collections ( especially with my home cinema setup). It's a pain to keep track of, but this programme allows you to add them to a data base on your Hard Drive and upload to a personal website ensuring backup and a little publicity. So if you were unfortunate enough to be burgled you have an online record of your loss rather than a memory test for the insurance company. Additional benefits include the ability to log any you lend or have ordered. Joker/Seahorse.
• Favorg. Harder to find than a big hard thing on the internet, so I have added a copy here. You know those little special Icons in you web browser favourites lists that disappear for no reason (they are deleted from Temporary Inter files folder in fact). Favorg downloads them and makes them permanent. I have placed a copy on the site here 496kb. Seahorse.
• Iconoid. Is a little util which saves desktop icon positions! Useful if you have no wish to have them all up in the top left corner. It also adds transparent backgrounds to Icon text for owners using something other than WinXP. the wiLik.
• Norton Ghost. Essential! If you get bored of reinstalling, then don't! Simply have it all setup on CD in the first place. the wiLik.
• Objectdock. A great looking application launcher/Taskbar replacement (depending on how you set it up) featuring smooth looking animation, and more recently animated icons. A no brainer to use and gorgeous to look at. Eye-candy at its best. Seahorse.
• Send to X. One of the elements of the original Windows Powertoys that is indispensable. It still works fine with WinXP and adds RIght Click a navigation requester with memory for copying or moving file using Windows Explorer. Seahorse.
• Taglines! I like having different Taglines for posting to newsgroups. I have used this programme which stores& sorts them and give a new Tagline every day without my intervention once setup. Works regardless of client.
• Treesize. A smart program that scans your logical drives (including removable media) and tells you the location of huge files or large folders. the wiLik.
• TweakUI. One of the most useful things I've found to come out of MS! Handy for turning auto-insert notification off among other things (I just HATE CD's starting automatically... and it's also how some copy protection works). Personally I use it to alter default paths for Documents etc, disabling 'Shortcut to' and so on. Seahorse/the wiLik.
• Window Washer 5. It cleans up a lot of trash, dodgy cookies etc. and does a good job. Put simply, it protects your privacy and improves your PCs performance. Glenfiddich