The Techie Me

Google Toolbar 6 beta for IE

2009-02-25T00:26:00.000-08:00

I have been using an application called Launchy. What this application does is that, when you press the shortcut keys (Alt+Space), it launches a small search box. When you enter some text into this box, it searches for an application that matches the search string. And then you can choose which of the applications from the list you want to launch. However, I uninstalled that application today. That is because Google has come up with Google Toolbar 6 beta for Internet Explorer. On installing this, you get a small button on the taskbar called the Quick Search Bar or QSB.

On pressing Ctrl + Space (The default shortcut which can be changed to Ctrl twice, Alt + Space, Caps Lock or Windows Key) a search window opens up. Where you can enter any text and find an application installed on your computer. You can alternatively search for the term in google.

Download the toolbar here.

How to create a hidden folder.

2009-02-12T20:01:00.000-08:00

Forget folder locks. Here is a new way to create a folder which nobody else has knowledge about.

Step 1: Create a folder on the Desktop and rename it "My Documents".
Step 2: Open the folder and create a text file "Desktop.ini" inside it.
Step 4: Copy the following code into the file:


      [.ShellClassInfo]
      CLSID={450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}
      CLSID2={0AFACED1-E828-11D1-9187-B532F1E9575D}

Step 5: Right click on the REAL "My Documents" and "Send To Desktop (Create Shortcut)".
Step 6: Rename the shortcut as "target" and copy it to the FAKE "My Documents".

To know how to hide and unhide it

To hide it, in command prompt go to C:\Documents and Settings\\Desktop and type the following command attrib "My Documents" +s

To unhide it, in command prompt go to C:\Documents and Settings\\Desktop and type the following command attrib "My Documents" -s

Gmail Introduces Multiple Inbox

2009-02-11T19:31:00.001-08:00

Gmail has launched yet another useful (?) feature in Labs yesterday, the Multiple Inbox. This feature was developed by Octavian "Vivi" Costache, who is a Software Engineer in Google.

Although it is named Multiple Inbox feature, you actually would not be able to see Inbox from multiple accounts. This feature actually divides the screen into multiple panes, where you would be able to view the different items from your Gmail account. For example I have set mine to view the drafts, the actual Inbox and the starred mails. You can access this feature via the Gmail Lab, you would need to scroll down a bit and simply select Enable. Do not forget to save your settings though.

This feature would sure help reduce the pain of going through all the mails when all you want to do is to view mails from a particular Label. But I am still in doubt about the real usefulness of this feature as we can achieve the same feat just by clicking on the Label itself at the sidebar. Moreover, it's really more of a clutter itself when you have 3 panes open on your screen at the same time. But there might be some other use of this new feature.

One of the best Themes for Windows XP.

2009-02-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

Have a look at the following screenshots. It an Ubuntu theme I have installed for Windows XP.

The folder "Outlook Archive" that you can see is in the next screenshot is actually a preview of the window, when I take the mouse cursor over it. Not the window itself.

This theme also gives you an application allowing you to have 4 desktops and 3-D Cube rotation between them.

3-D Cube in Action

3-D Cube rotating.

Steps to Install:

Step 1: Download the Ubuntu Theme from here.

Step 2: Unzip it to say C:\Windows\Resources\Themes\Ubuntu

Step 3: Find the folder "Styler".

Step 4: Install Styler by running "Styler Installer.msi" which you can find inside the "Styler" folder.

Step 5: You can now find Styler running in your System Tray. Open it by double clicking on it.

Note: The "Human" theme in the right pane will only be visible after the next step.

Step 6: Drag and Drop C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Ubuntu\Visual Style\Human.msstyles to the right pane of Styler.Now the "Human" Theme become visible.

Step 7: Double Click on the Human theme.

Step 8: Run C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Ubuntu\Yod'm 3D\Yodm3D.exe

This is the application that provides 4 desktops and 3-D Cube rotation.

Step 9: Run C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes\Ubuntu\Window Previews\visual Task Tips.exe

This is the application that provides previews of windows when you move the cursor over the window in the Taskbar.

Done!

Nice Wallpaper

2009-02-09T01:03:00.001-08:00

I found this one when I was browsing the net. If you are the kind of person who likes a plain color as the background for your desktop, you might like this one.

Here is a screenshot:

To do this:

Step 1: Open MS Paint
Step 2: Goto Image ->Attributes
Step 3: Set Width as 2 pixels and Height as 1 pixel.
Step 4: Paint the two pixels with two different colors of your choice.
Step 5. Save and set as Desktop background.

Done!

Aero Type Windows Switcher for Windows XP (Alt - Tab)

2009-02-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

One of the most attractive features of Windows Vista is the Aero Window Switcher. But I work on XP a lot of the time. I began searching for a software that would simulate the same on my XP. I found this:

3DFlip which can be downloaded from here.

Here is a screenshot.

Wiki in Plain English

2009-02-04T01:20:00.001-08:00

This is a nice video explaining how wikis work and how they can be used.

174 Run commands for Windows XP

2009-02-03T21:43:00.001-08:00

Run Commands Listed below In Alphabetical Order.

All of the Run Command below Work in the Windows XP Operating System Some do Require that you have the application installed. To provoke the run dialogue box where you can enter the run commands Click start and then select Run or even faster hold down the Windows key and press ‘R’ then enter your command.

Program	Run Command
Accessibility Controls	access.cpl
Accessibility Wizard	accwiz
Add Hardware Wizard	hdwwiz.cpl
Add/Remove Programs	appwiz.cpl
Administrative Tools	control admintools
Adobe Acrobat ( if installed )	acrobat
Adobe Distiller ( if installed )	acrodist
Adobe ImageReady ( if installed )	imageready
Adobe Photoshop ( if installed )	photoshop
Automatic Updates	wuaucpl.cpl
B
Basic Media Player	mplay32
Bluetooth Transfer Wizard	fsquirt
C
Calculator	calc
Ccleaner ( if installed )	ccleaner
C: Drive	c:
Certificate Manager	cdrtmgr.msc
Character Map	charmap
Check Disk Utility	chkdsk
Clipboard Viewer	clipbrd
Command Prompt	cmd
Command Prompt	command
Component Services	dcomcnfg
Computer Management	compmgmt.msc
Compare Files	comp
Control Panel	control
Create a shared folder Wizard	shrpubw
D
Date and Time Properties	timedate.cpl
DDE Shares	ddeshare
Device Manager	devmgmt.msc
Direct X Control Panel ( if installed )	directx.cpl
Direct X Troubleshooter	dxdiag
Disk Cleanup Utility	cleanmgr
Disk Defragment	dfrg.msc
Disk Partition Manager	diskmgmt.msc
Display Properties	control desktop
Display Properties	desk.cpl
Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected )	control color
Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility	drwtsn32
Driver Verifier Utility	verifier
E
Ethereal ( if installed )	ethereal
Event Viewer	eventvwr.msc
F
Files and Settings Transfer Tool	migwiz
File Signature Verification Tool	sigverif
Findfast	findfast.cpl
Firefox	firefox
Folders Properties	control folders
Fonts	fonts
Fonts Folder	fonts
Free Cell Card Game	freecell
G
Game Controllers	joy.cpl
Group Policy Editor ( xp pro )	gpedit.msc
H
Hearts Card Game	mshearts
Help and Support	helpctr
Hyperterminal	hypertrm
Hotline Client	hotlineclient
I
Iexpress Wizard	iexpress
Indexing Service	ciadv.msc
Internet Connection Wizard	icwonn1
Internet Properties	inetcpl.cpl
Internet Setup Wizard	inetwiz
IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)	ipconfig /all
IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)	ipconfig /displaydns
IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)	ipconfig /flushdns
IP Configuration (Release All Connections)	ipconfig /release
IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)	ipconfig /renew
IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)	ipconfig /registerdns
IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)	ipconfig /showclassid
IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)	ipconfig /setclassid
J
Java Control Panel ( if installed )	jpicpl32.cpl
Java Control Panel ( if installed )	javaws
K
Keyboard Properties	control keyboard
L
Local Security Settings	secpol.msc
Local Users and Groups	lusrmgr.msc
Logs You Out of Windows	logoff
M
Malicious Software Removal Tool	mrt
Microsoft Access ( if installed )	access.cpl
Microsoft Chat	winchat
Microsoft Excel ( if installed )	excel
Microsoft Diskpart	diskpart
Microsoft Frontpage ( if installed )	frontpg
Microsoft Movie Maker	moviemk
Microsoft Management Console	mmc
Microsoft Narrator	narrator
Microsoft Paint	mspaint
Microsoft Powerpoint	powerpnt
Microsoft Word ( if installed )	winword
Microsoft Syncronization Tool	mobsync
Minesweeper Game	winmine
Mouse Properties	control mouse
Mouse Properties	main.cpl
MS-Dos Editor	edit
MS-Dos FTP	ftp
N
Nero ( if installed )	nero
Netmeeting	conf
Network Connections	control netconnections
Network Connections	ncpa.cpl
Network Setup Wizard	netsetup.cpl
Notepad	notepad
Nview Desktop Manager ( if installed )	nvtuicpl.cpl
O
Object Packager	packager
ODBC Data Source Administrator	odbccp32
ODBC Data Source Administrator	odbccp32.cpl
On Screen Keyboard	osk
Opens AC3 Filter ( if installed )	ac3filter.cpl
Outlook Express	msimn
P
Paint	pbrush
Password Properties	password.cpl
Performance Monitor	perfmon.msc
Performance Monitor	perfmon
Phone and Modem Options	telephon.cpl
Phone Dialer	dialer
Pinball Game	pinball
Power Configuration	powercfg.cpl
Printers and Faxes	control printers
Printers Folder	printers
Private Characters Editor	eudcedit
Q
Quicktime ( if installed )	quicktime.cpl
Quicktime Player ( if installed )	quicktimeplayer
R
Real Player ( if installed )	realplay
Regional Settings	intl.cpl
Registry Editor	regedit
Registry Editor	regedit32
Remote Access Phonebook	rasphone
Remote Desktop	mstsc
Removable Storage	ntmsmgr.msc
Removable Storage Operator Requests	ntmsoprq.msc
Resultant Set of Policy ( xp pro )	rsop.msc
S
Scanners and Cameras	sticpl.cpl
Scheduled Tasks	control schedtasks
Security Center	wscui.cpl
Services	services.msc
Shared Folders	fsmgmt.msc
Sharing Session	rtcshare
Shuts Down Windows	shutdown
Sounds Recorder	sndrec32
Sounds and Audio	mmsys.cpl
Spider Solitare Card Game	spider
SQL Client Configuration	clicongf
System Configuration Editor	sysedit
System Configuration Utility	msconfig
System File Checker Utility ( Scan Immediately )	sfc /scannow
System File Checker Utility ( Scan Once At Next Boot )	sfc /scanonce
System File Checker Utility ( Scan On Every Boot )	sfc /scanboot
System File Checker Utility ( Return to Default Settings)	sfc /revert
System File Checker Utility ( Purge File Cache )	sfc /purgecache
System File Checker Utility ( Set Cache Size to Size x )	sfc /cachesize=x
System Information	msinfo32
System Properties	sysdm.cpl
T
Task Manager	taskmgr
TCP Tester	tcptest
Telnet Client	telnet
Tweak UI ( if installed )	tweakui
U
User Account Management	nusrmgr.cpl
Utility Manager	utilman
V
Volume Serial Number for C:	label
Volume Control	sndvol32
W
Windows Address Book	wab
Windows Address Book Import Utility	wabmig
Windows Backup Utility ( if installed )	ntbackup
Windows Explorer	explorer
Windows Firewall	firewall.cpl
Windows Installer Details	msiexec
Windows Magnifier	magnify
Windows Management Infrastructure	wmimgmt.msc
Windows Media Player	wmplayer
Windows Messenger	msnsgs
Windows Picture Import Wizard (Need camera connected)	wiaacmgr
Windows System Security Tool	syskey
Windows Script host settings	wscript
Widnows Update Launches	wupdmgr
Windows Version ( shows your windows version )	winver
Windows XP Tour Wizard	tourstart
Wordpad	write
Z
Zoom Utility	igfxzoom

Minimize Outlook to Tray

2009-01-28T02:42:00.001-08:00

I like to keep the number of open windows to a minimum. Also, keeping Outlook open has become a rule for me now. However I would like to keep the window hidden. Or minimized to tray. Here is how to do it. Right click on the Outlook Icon in the tray:

Check the "Hide When Minimized" option.

Done!

Remote Desktop to Ubuntu from Windows

2009-01-26T05:36:00.000-08:00

I now have two systems. I have installed Ubuntu on one system and have Windows XP on another. The problem I was facing was that I have only one monitor/keyboard/mouse/speakers. So I needed a way how I could connect to one system from the other. The solution was of course remotedesktop. The problem was I wasn't able to find a Remote Desktop client to connect from windows to Ubuntu.

Here is how to do it:

First on your Ubuntu system, enable Remote Desktop:

Next find out the IP address using ifconfig command in the Terminal.

mine was 10.0.0.2

On your windows machine, download Real VNC from here.

Install Real VNC and run the client.

Notice that the IP address is followed by ":0".

Done!

Remove USB devices with two clicks.

2009-01-14T08:49:00.000-08:00

This is a very basic tip which I have seen that a lot of people don't use. To remove USB devices, I have seen that people do the following steps:
Step 1: Right click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the system tray.
Step 2: Choose "Safely Remove Hardware" option.
Step 3: Choose the device from the List.

Step 5: Click on "Stop".

Here is a much simpler way:
Step 1: Left Click on the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon.
Step 2: Left Click on the appropriate device you want to remove.

2 steps against 5. 'Aint it simple?

Taskbar as Sidebar.

2009-01-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

A while back I was searching for a nice sidebar for windows, and I found "Desktop Sidebar" which can be found here. However, since I run memory intensive programs on my Desktop, I ended up killing the process for the sidebar, more often than not. So the sidebar was almost never running.

I started thinking about what could be done. I was also trying out different positions for the taskbar. The regular one:

Then I pulled it out a bit:

Then I pulled it out a lot more. Then I put it on top:

Finally I settled on this one which has been there for quite some time now.

The taskbar now holds an amazing 33 windows. Even beyond that, it is much better. The window are at half the size. Here is another image:

This should hold a total of 33 * 2 = 66 windows. But my system became too slow after this.

Another advantage of this position is that the clock on the right bottom corner shows the date, the time and the day.

Mouse Gestures In GMAIL

2009-01-13T00:38:00.001-08:00

A feature that Gmail introduced some time ago is the Gmail Labs. I should probably be saying collection of features. I will take up the others in other posts. This one however concerns a Gmail Labs feature called mouse guestures. Here is how to enable it:

Step 1: Click on "Settings".
Step 2: Click on the "Labs" Tab.
Step 3: Find the feature called "Mouse guestures" and enable it.
Step 4: Save

When you are reading a mail, if you right click and move the mouse to the right, the next mail in your inbox (or sent mail or drafts or chats etc depending on where you were before reading this mail) opens.
Similarly left goes to the previous mail. If you drag your mouse upwards, you return to the Inbox (or sent mail or drafts or chats etc depending on where you were before reading this mail).

Cool Right?

Typing all the way…

2009-01-12T07:53:00.001-08:00

Most of us sit in front of the system and do a lot of useful work, it is really important to have a good typing skill. Most of us waste time finding the keys in the keyboard.

For any person who uses a computer, the necessary basic skill is to know touch typing – i.e. typing without seeing the keyboard.

I have some good tools for that… and guess what these are freeware, so no need to spend anything.

Stamina: This is a freeware typing tutor. It has nice typing lessons and makes lot of funny noise when you do a mistake. http://www.typingsoft.com/download.htm

Amphetype: This is more advanced version of the tutor, once you know all the keys properly, you need to practice. This software have many interesting novels in its database. So we can read the novel by typing it. http://code.google.com/p/amphetype/downloads/list

Typreracer: This is a web based typing tutor where you can race as you type. You can practice on your own, race with your friends, or race with others. It keeps track of your typing speed and shows you in a ranking list. http://play.typeracer.com/

Breadcrumbs In XP

2009-01-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

All those of you who have ever used Vista would have probably noticed breadcrumbs in the explorer. You can get the same breadcrumbs in XP too. Here is a screenshot:

Here is how to do it:

Download QTAddressBar from here .

Install the application and restart your comp. You're done.

Avafind

2008-11-12T02:45:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to find a file? Have you ended up locating the file manually before windows find locates it? Here is the solution to this AvaFind. You can find it here. This software helps you find files on your computer. You can use the shortcut keys Shift + Esc to access the software. Here is a screenshot of the application.

Command window here.

2008-10-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

There have been times when I have had to open command window by typing cmd in the Run window. Which opens the command prompt at C:\Documents and Settings\... Then I need to navigate to some other folder. There is a far easier way to do the same.

Step 1: Download the exe available here.
Step 2: Install the exe.
Step 3: Right click on the folder you want to open in command prompt and choose "Open Command Window Here" option.

That's it!