Finding Duplicate Files

Someone in My Computer Headaches Yahoogroup asked how he could speed up the task of finding duplicate files in his voluminous collection of photos. We suggested this (FDFF):

Fast Duplicate File Finder Helps You Weed Out Extra Files--For Free 

By Preston Gralla, PCWorld  

Feb 20, 2010 

With photos, videos, and music files clogging up your hard disk, it's harder than ever to keep it clean, trim, and free of duplicates. Use freebie Fast Duplicate File Finder, though, and you'll be able to find duplicate files with ease, and keep your hard disk in tip-top shape.
True to its name, Fast Duplicate File Finder quickly finds duplicate files.
Fast Duplicate File Finder doesn't merely compare file names or file sizes; it does a file comparison at the binary level. This is particularly important when looking for music, video, and other media files, because you may have files with two different names, which are otherwise identical. It's got plenty of nice-to-have features, such as determining whether to delete duplicates or move them to the Recycle Bin or a custom folder; the ability to preview files before deleting them; and support for removable media such as USB drives.
Fast Duplicate File finder is simple to use, goes about its work quickly, and it's free. It's this simple: If you're looking to trim your hard disk by deleting duplicate files, it won't lead you wrong.

There is a PRO version available that is a more fully featured if you like the experience with the FREE version. With the FREE version we like the option it has for saving search results and projects so you can more quickly rerun checks for hard drive maintenance when necessary. This program also prevents system files and folders from showing up in the search fields as a safety net for disk corruption. I'm sure you will find several other SIMILAR dupe-finding utilities but it is very important to first find out that they won't include system files since there are a few of these files that really are duplicates of the originals. However, there is a purpose for that. If you delete those system file duplicates you might end up reinstalling Windows or having more serious problems. It also features two specialty searches: graphics and music. However, these functions are now limited in the free version. FDFF also shows a preview of image files it finds, and offers some helpful filters you can apply to make copying or deleting the newest or oldest copies, for instance, very simple.

Official Site - http://www.mindgems.com/products/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder-About.htm


Here are other freeware alternatives for finding duplicate photos:
http://www.komando.com/downloads/category.aspx?id=8786
http://lifehacker.com/5535510/clean-up-your-photo-collection-with-free-tools

Some of the best freeware suggestions can be found here:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-duplicate-file-detector.htm

How to Use Vidalia/TOR on Firefox & Google Chrome

Vidalia Bundle vs. Tor Bundle

What is the difference between the Vidalia Bundle and the Tor Bundle?

The Tor program by itself does the legwork of building circuits and passing data to/from the network. It has no GUI and acts based on settings in the torrc text file. Tor is available on its own in the "Expert Packages" section of the download page, as the only people using Tor on its own are likely bridge, relay, and exit operators who know what they're doing. It's not a "bundle" per se.

Vidalia is GUI program that interacts with Tor and makes its settings easier to handle, along with other nifty features such as viewing the network, logs, etc. The "Vidalia Bundle" on the download page is designed to be installed on a computer you'll be using Tor on regularly. That is, it isn't "portable", can't easily be carried with you on a USB key or CD, and doesn't come with an internet browser. The bundle includes Polipo, which makes funneling HTTP and SOCKS proxies into Tor easier and safer.

The "Tor Browser Bundle" is the same set of programs, together with a locked-down version of Firefox, that is designed to be completely portable. You don't have to install it, so it's easy to carry with you on a USB key or CD. Tor, Vidalia, Polipo, and the customized Firefox are all seamlessly started with a single button in this package. Some experts recommend using this bundle, instead of the Vidalia bundle, because it uses the Tor browser. Tor does not protect all of your computer's Internet traffic when you run it. Tor only protects your applications that are properly configured to send their Internet traffic through Tor. To avoid problems with Tor configuration, they strongly recommend using the Tor Browser Bundle. It is pre-configured to protect your privacy and anonymity on the web as long as you're browsing with the Tor Browser itself. Almost any other web browser configuration is likely to be unsafe to use with Tor. The Tor Browser will block browser plugins such as Flash, RealPlayer, Quicktime, and others because they can be manipulated into revealing your IP address. Similarly, they do not recommend installing additional addons or plugins into the Tor Browser, as these may bypass Tor or otherwise harm your anonymity and privacy. The lack of plugins means that Youtube videos are blocked by default, but Youtube does provide an experimental opt-in feature (enable it here) that works for some videos. Tor will encrypt your traffic to and within the Tor network, but the encryption of your traffic to the final destination website depends upon that website. To help ensure private encryption to websites, the Tor Browser Bundle includes HTTPS Everywhere to force the use of HTTPS encryption with major websites that support it. However, you should still watch the browser URL bar to ensure that websites you provide sensitive information to display a blue or green URL bar button, include https:// in the URL, and display the proper expected name for the website. The Tor Browser will warn you before automatically opening documents that are handled by external applications. DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING. Tor tries to prevent attackers from learning what destination websites you connect to. However, by default, it does not prevent somebody watching your Internet traffic from learning that you're using Tor. If this matters to you, you can reduce this risk by configuring Tor to use a Tor bridge relay rather than connecting directly to the public Tor network.

All of this information is available on the download pages and in the documentation. Do read through them.

Download Links

Stable Vidalia Bundle works with Windows 7, Vista, XP
http://www.net-security.org/software.php?id=253

Tor Browser Bundle (English) version 1.3.24, works with Windows 7, Vista, and XP
https://www.torproject.org/dist/torbrowser/tor-browser-1.3.24_en-US.exe



Tor - Anonymity Online
https://www.torproject.org/index.html.en
Protect your privacy. Defend yourself against network surveillance and traffic analysis.

Tor prevents anyone from learning your location or browsing habits.
Tor is for web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote logins, and more.
Tor is free and open source for Windows, Mac, Linux/Unix, and Android

Tor protects you by bouncing your communications around a distributed network of relays run by volunteers all around the world. It prevents somebody watching your Internet connection from learning what sites you visit, and prevents the sites you visit from learning your physical location. Tor works with many common existing applications, including web browsers, instant messaging clients, remote login, and other applications based on the TCP protocol. 

How to use Tor with Firefox

1. Download and install Tor. Make sure you get the bundle that includes Vidalia and Polipo:
https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html

2. Install Torbutton for Firefox (for Firefox below version 4):
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/torbutton/
Make sure you get it from the link above and not from the Tor bundle if yours includes Torbutton.

If you have Firefox 4, Torbutton will not install since it doesn't support Firefox 4. Skip Step 2. If you try to install the Vidalia Bundle that you downloaded in Step 1, it will try to install the Torbutton also but it will fail. That's OK. This will not be a problem with other versions of Firefox. Skip Step 2 also since Torbutton is already included in the Vidalia Bundle.

3. Restart Firefox.

4. Open up Vidalia and start Tor (or click Start>Vidalia Bundle>Vidalia). The Vidalia Control Panel should pop up. Just click "Start Tor". The green progress bar should start moving towards the right of the panel until Tor engages completely. Just click the HIDE button to hide the Vidalia Control Panel in your System Tray. If you want to access it again, all you have to do is doubleclick the green onion icon in System Tray and it should show up again.

5. In Firefox 3.X.X you should see the Torbutton at the bottom right corner (on the Status Bar) and it's probably labeled in red texts. Just click it to enable Tor which will turn its label to green. 

6. To find out what your new IP address is just go to http://ipchicken.com.

7. To stop using Tor, just click the Torbutton icon again which will turn its label to red. To completely stop Tor, go back to Vidalia (doubleclick the GREEN ONION icon in your System Tray) and click Stop Tor. OR rightclick the green onion icon in your System Tray and choose Exit.

The Tor Project are working on a version of their add-on for Firefox 4. 

Meantime you don't have to wait for Tor Project to release the final version of Torbutton for Firefox 4. You can still install the Vidalia Bundle in Firefox 4 without the Torbutton being installed. Instead, you can install the alpha version that includes Firefox 4 support from https://www.torproject.org/torbutton . 

So, first install the Vidalia Bundle and then the alpha version of the Torbutton (see link above).

Note: As this is an alpha version there may be bugs with the add-on. 
I've been using it and nothing catastrophic had happened so far. 

After you install it you will find an icon with an "X" on the left side of the Address or URL box in Firefox. Just click it to connect to TOR (you must first run Vidalia, of course) and the "X" should disappear. That should connect you to the Tor network. Go tohttp://ipchicken to know your new IP address.

That's it! Easy as eating pie!


How to Use Tor on Google Chrome

So far TOR or the Vidalia Bundle is only being used on Firefox since there is no version of the TorButton that supports Google Chrome.

Here is what I've done to make Tor work in Google Chrome:

1. Download and install the Stable Vidalia Bundle:

http://www.torproject.org/easy-download.html 

2. Install the extension Proxy Switchy. Do that by using Google Chrome and going to this site:

https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/caehdcpeofiiigpdhbabniblemipncjj 

While there, click the Install button. Proceed as instructed. 

3. Restart Google Chrome. 

4. You will notice that there is a new gray circular icon, that looks like a gray globe, on the right side of the Address or URL box in Chrome. Rightclick it and choose Options. Switchy! Options page should appear as a new tab in Google Chrome.

5. Enter the following settings in the appropriate fields:
In the Proxy Profiles tab, enter the following settings.
- Profile Name: Tor
Choose Manual Configuration.
- Under Manual Configuration:
SOCKS Host: localhost 
Port: 9050

Then click the Save button.

6. Go to the General tab.
Under "Quick Switch" click "Binary Switch" (a dot should appear on the circle preceeding "Binary Switch").
The 2 entry boxes should have the following settings:
- Profile 1: [Direct Connection]
- Profile 2: Tor 

Click the Save button.

7. To turn on the Tor/Vidalia connection, just click the globular icon. It should turn blue to signify it is enabled. To find out what your new IP address is, just go to http://ipchicken.com. To stop using Tor/Vidalia, just click the globular icon again to disable it (it should turn gray again).

You'll need to make sure the TOR software is actively running when you hit your Proxy Switchy! button in Chrome. To check if Chrome is actively using TOR for its browsing, rightclick the TOR button in your system tray (or, on a Mac, click the onion icon in your status bar) and open the bandwidth monitor tool. Browse to a site with some decently large images, and if TOR's bandwidth transfer moves up, you're browsing the web anonymously through TOR and Chrome.

This applies to both Firefox and Google Chrome:
To change IP address, just launch the Vidalia Control Panel by doubleclicking the green onion in your System Tray. Then click "Use a New Identity". To confirm your new IP address, just go back to IPCHICKEN and take note of your new IP address.

How to connect your computer to your HDTV

There are several ways of achieving this. You can take the wired method or take the wireless route. If you take the wired route you can use HDMI, VGA, or S-video cable, depending on what ports you have in your desktop/laptop and HDTV. You may also need to buy an adaptor connector such as DVI to HDMI adaptor again depending on the ports available in both your computer and your HDTV. An audio cable may also be needed if you are not using an HDMI cable. Watch all the videos before you embark on this project. These videos will show you some of your options:

I like this method:

I like this too:

Here is a review of the product used in the video above:

Here is a similar product to the above:

Command Line Tricks

The Windows command line is very useful if you know how to use it. Unfortunately, most people do not know how to use it or are scared of using it because they do not know enough of it. There's no better time to get your feet wet on how to use the Command Prompt than now. So are you all ready? 

Launch your command prompt. Here's how I do that in Vista. I simply hit the Windows key (on my keyboard) or click the Start menu and type "cmd" (no quotes) in the Start Search box, then hit the Enter key. The Command Prompt will usually open the C:\Users\(your username here) directory. If you type "cd.." (no quotes & those are two dots after "cd") your directory will revert to C:\Users\. If you enter "cd.." one more time, your directory will revert to C:\. If you enter "dir" (no quotes), Command Prompt will list the sub-directories and/or files in the current directory. The sub-directories have the "<DIR>" designation. The rest are just files. To shift to the subdirectories, just type "cd (name of the sub-directory here)" then hit Enter. For example, you can type this command:

cd Windows

When you hit Enter, your Command Prompt will shift you to the Windows directory. So that's your crash course on how to navigate through your file system using commands in Command Prompt. If you are using Windows 7 or other versions, the procedure is similar to the steps I described above. The difference may just lie on the way you get to your Command Prompt.


SOURCE: http://maketecheasier.com/simple-yet-useful-command-line-tricks-for-windows/2012/08/06#comment-32442

If you are familiar with using Command Prompt, see if you know some of these tricks:

1. Output to Your Clipboard

Type this command in your Command Prompt:

dir | clip

Note that there's a space after "dir" and before "clip". The straight line character is called a pipe. You can reach that by holding down the Shift key and hitting the backslash key (usually situated to the left of the Enter key on desktop keyboards or above the Enter key on laptops). If you use the above command, you will be outputting the contents of the current directory to your Clipboard. Try it! Then launch Notepad. Right-click Notepad then choose Paste from the menu. As you will see, the list of files and subdirectories in your current directory were copied to your Clipboard because you are able to paste its contents onto Notepad.

2. Output To A Text File

You can directly output the contents of a directory onto a text file using the Command Line. Here's how. First, type the "dir | clip" (no quotes) command on Command Prompt. Then type this:

dir > C:\crap.txt

After you hit the Enter key, launch your Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\. Look for the "crap.txt" file and open it. What you will see is a list of files and directories which are contained in the current directory in your Command Prompt. Simple enough for ya? Don’t forget to put quotation marks around the file path if you have spaces in the name! For example, if the name of your directory or sub-directory is "Lotsa crap" (which contains two words with a space in between them) and you need to include it in your Command Line command, you have to enclose the name with quotes. For example: c:\MISC\"lotsa crap.txt". Another example: c:\"Lotsa crap"\filelist.txt. In the first example, the text file name contains two words. In the 2nd example the name of the DIRECTORY "Lotsa Crap" contains two words. Clear as mud?

3. Show Your Command History

One quick way, both in Windows and Linux, to show ONLY your LAST COMMAND in your Command Prompt is to press the "Up arrow" key on your keyboard. But if you want Command Prompt to show you ALL the commands you had typed, you go with this command:
doskey /history

4. Run Several Different Commands At One Time

There are ways to execute multiple routines in one shot. For example let’s say that you want Command Prompt to show you your IP address and display the directory structure of your current directory. Try this command:

ipconfig && dir

The "&&" conjoins any two commands. The above command will look for your IP address and display the directory structure of your current directory.

You can even do this:

dir && ipconfig && doskey /history

The Best Part

Did you know that you can combine anything you learned here within the command line? Try typing this:

ipconfig && dir > C:\crap.txt

This will execute both commands and print their output into a file. 

If you know other tricks, don’t hesitate to share them with us!

Windows 8: Restoring the Start menu

I read that Microsoft, in their finite wisdom, had decided to remove a few of their core operating system features like the Start menu which had been part of their Windows OSes for decades. Instead of a Start button, Windows 8 uses a "hot corner" at the lower left. When that hotspot is touched or clicked, the interface switches from the traditional desktop UI to the tile-centric environment, or vice versa. At boot, Windows 8 presents a log on screen where the user must enter a Windows ID; at that point, the Start screen appears. This newly added startpage feels like a new interface that has nothing to do with the desktop. What tech experts are saying is MS is betting huge that touchscreens/monitors and touch-enabled devices will be the de facto standard in computing in the near future. That might be good news to owners of mobile devices but not to desktop PC owners who might still be using non-touchscreen monitors. Again Microsoft is neglecting the desktop in favor of a system that did not work on the desktop, which after all was Microsoft's core home market.

The controls for search are the same under Windows 8. You still press the Windows key and enter your search term afterwards. However, in Windows 8 no Start menu will open when you hit the Windows key. It switches to the startpage instead which gives you the option to use their newly added advanced filtering options not available in previous Windows versions.You do not have to work with the startpage if you do not want to. It is easy to bypass and it can for the most part be ignored completely without issues.

If this new development is not to your liking however don't despair. If you miss the Start menu, you can install a program like Start8 or Classic Shell (both free) and you have it again. It may look different but the functionality that you get is still there, and sometimes even better than before. These apps aren't attempting to get the original Start menu back, but provide a third-party replacement of their own. And if you want, you can even hack the Windows 8 startpage, for instance by making better use of the All Apps screen. If you install Start8 it takes you directly to the desktop when the operating system starts, and you can use it to search right from the desktop using the improved search functionality of the operating system. Start8 apes the new Metro shell.

Links:

Start8
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

Classic Shell
http://classicshell.sourceforge.net/

UPDATE:
Start8 still works in Windows 8 RTM. Start8 adds a Start button to the Windows desktop and optionally allows users to skip the Start screen at log on.

How to find good Keywords

While browsing online I stumbled upon an article about "keywords". What are they? And what do people use them for? Here is a good article about keywords that I found:

SOURCE: http://articlehack.com/how-to-find-good-keywords/ 

Here my aim is to make you aware of good keywords and teach you how to find good keywords for your website, PPC ad campaigns, article marketing etc..

What are good keywords?

Good keywords are the keywords that are: 

• Related to your website or business

• Have got a good search volume

• Less competition

All these factors may or may not come together. When they come together then that keyword is a good keyword and you get ranked for that keyword easily.
Which is the best keyword research tool? 

To find good keywords we need to have a best keyword tools. Even though this question is debatable, I personally have an answer. That is Google AdWords Keyword Tool . Some webmasters and SEO professionals says that Google Adwords keyword tool is more optimized for PPC. But in my opinion if you can use it in the way which I use it, then you can find the good keywords. Google keyword tool is free and once you created an account for free, you will get full benefits from them. 

Other free keyword tools: keyword discovery tool, wordtracker. 

How to use the keyword tool to find the Good keywords 

•  First go to Google AdWords Keyword Tool.

•  Type your general keyword (Which topic that you need to do keyword research on)

• then you will get a list of related keywords.

• Add filters to “monthly keyword search” less than 8000 and more than 1500. Because that keywords will have less competition.

• Change the option from Broad to Phrase.

• copy the keyword phrase along with ” ” and do a Google search for that keyword.

• A good keyword will have a search results less than 80k and more than 10k

Here is a video showing how to do Good keyword research.

Windows Password Recovery Bootdisk

SOURCE: http://www.rixler.com/windows-password-recovery-bootdisk.htm Windows Password Recovery Bootdisk is a program that allows to retrieve Windows password hashes stored in Windows Security Accounts Manager (SAM), if you have lost your password and cannot logon to your Windows account. The bootable disk (CD or USB flash) is created with a help of Windows Password Recovery Bootdisk Creator and allows to remove password for the specific user or recover password hashes. Using the retrieved hashes, you can instantly recover original users passwords with a help of Windows Password Recovery Service. Download

Overview

General solution to the problem of forgotten Windows passwords include the following steps:

Step 1: Create the bootable disk for the password hashes retrival using Windows Password Recovery Bootdisk Creator.

Step 2: Boot from your bootable disk on the computer where you have lost the password. Via the bootdisk interface you can reset users passwords, print password hashes on the screen or save them on the disk. The password removal feature available for registered users only.

Step 3: Submit the password hashes extracted from your system to the Windows Password Recovery Service to recover original Windows users passwords.

If you don't have CD or USB flash you can create bootable floppy disk using old version of the program. You can download it using this link.