help for the mentally challenged - ME

[Vortex]

Hi shankle,

You have some options to save money. Here is my list.

To keep clean the registry, you can use Sandboxie to install some applications in an isolated environment. Virtualization is another solution if you have a powerful computer.

Studying and analyzing the registry with a tool like regshot, you can keep track of modifications in the registry database. This utily has also the ability to show the modifications in the file system.

Use Avira to protect your system. It has both the free and paid versions.

DropMyRights is a very good tool to run browsers, email clients and other applications as non-administrator. Even if your account is a member of the Administrators group, DropMyRights will run IE or Firefox ( or any other application ) with the privileges of a normal user. Naturaly, you have the choice to access the internet under a restricted user account.

Having a good knowledge of how the OS functions will help you to avoid some 3rd party tools to secure your computer.

[shankle]

Hi Vortex,
Thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly check them out.

1: I use Sandboxie. It's a very nice program.
2: I tried virtualization but can't remember why I gave up on it. I think it's because I am triple booting and found a very nice way
to control the MBR with a free Program called "Easybcd"   by Neosmart.
3: I will have to look into "regshot". Could be very useful.
4: I am Using ESET SS and it has served me well for years. If Avira  does all that ESET does and is free then I must change.
5: DropMyRights, I will definitely check out.

[dedndave]

also - i use a program called mbrWiz to backup/restore the mbr
i have been looking for a similar one to do the same with the boot sectors

EDIT:
i also use this program to access OEM recovery partitions by changing the partition ID byte (or "type")
very handy

[hutch--]

Jack,

I think what you are after is the perfect Apple MAC, a computer that does what you think. Glad I don't have to write the software for it.  :bg

[shankle]

To Dedndave,
I will check out mbdwiz but I think "Easybcd" will solve any mbr problem.

To Hutch,
Remember the old vcr debate? The good versus the bad one.
IMHO Apple Mac should go the way of the bad one.
If somebody gave me one I would either sell it or give it away.
I don't think the Apple talks or can be like the one "Scottie" had yet.

[dedndave]

not an apple fan here, either
my younger brother uses them for accounting and seems to like them
i guess they are widely used for publishing, as well
my older brother still likes his amiga's
(he still has an altair with 8" floppies that boots up on an OS called "MS Basic" - lol - he used to work for altair)
i guess, by comparison, the apple doesn't look so bad
from what i understand, it costs bucks to write software for apples
that makes it useless for me, as i am not going to spend money
everytime the manufacturer decides to update the OS
it's a shame, too - 68K family asm is fun

[TmX]

from what i understand, it costs bucks to write software for apples

You mean the Xcode?
AFAIK it's already bundled for free with Mac OS Leopard, but not installed by default.

[dedndave]

oh - well - i played with older macs - they had zero-zip-nada for free
to my way of thinking, every OS should come with an assembler and a debugger (optional installation, of course)
i think all the versions of DOS came with link, exe2bin, and debug (nothing to generate OBJ's though - lol)
(i think i still have masm 3.0 and basic compiler 1.0)

[Mark Jones]

Maybe programmers in the future will need a digital signature. Without it, the OS will refuse to run the code.

It's heading that way.

[dedndave]

yah - it seems "big brother is watching" is taking on a whole new meaning
they already invade our privacy as it is
thing is - they will be stealing each other's sigs
i know one thing for sure - if i can't write code to run on my own computer - linux here i come
i ain't gonna be paying for a sig, either - lol

[shankle]

To Dedndave,
Your last statement says it all.
I'm already half way there.
If they push hard enough, I totally gone.
But they will  say, who cares,  just another non "C" programmer.
Again I'm mentally challenged and for the past 30 or so years I have never been able to understand
the thinking of an individual that programs in a high level language. Yes I have heard all the arguments
and I say nuts. If you want to do something do it in the best way you can and that's not a high level language.
I guess that statement will crucify me.  But so be it. It's been on of my major pet peeves.
This will be my last post about this, so people won't be to annoyed with me.

[BlackVortex]

I love Windows because I can do what I want with it. I'm more powerful than the programs running, I can manipulate/exploit them in all possible ways.

But when I boot linux I feel like a nubcake. It's too esoteric (and boooring). Windows is like open hunting season !

[Vortex]

Hi shankle,

As an additional system maintenance task, you have also the option to run imageX.exe from BartPE to backup your windows installation :

Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008

Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD

ImageX is a file based imaging tool and it's a member of WAIK