Will with our new work laptops running 64-bit software sometimes the old 32-bit software doesn’t work as expected.  In this case it was effecting my screen capture program I typically use, Faststone.  So this is another alternative that works just as well (some features are actually better) This is also free software to use and download

PicPick Website

PicPick 2.2.1 Download

I needed a way to install Linux quickly and easily on a USB drive and make it bootable.  I found this software which makes it really easy you just choose the distro, pick what drive you want to install it into and let it rip.  This makes testing Linux even easier then using live CD’s.  You can also choose which distro you would like to install or you can choose your own ISO image to install.

Website

Download here

Ever needed to connect to a computer for a second to show something really quick but were having trouble walking anyone in your family through the screens.  I typically use VNC to connect and manage the computer but the biggest problem with VNC is that you need to go to the router tables and bounce the correct ports to the correct computer.  If you know anyone i my family that is almost impossible to explain.  That is where this tool comes in handy.

This is great you just have them go to the ShowMyPC website click the first file to download, have them open the file accept any firewall changes and have them share out the PC.  Then take the password and put it into your copy as view remote PC and you are in.  It is not the fastest or prettiest connection to remote machine but easy to get going and gets a long discussion over quickly.  And it is free.  I have also attached the file to this post.

ShowMyPC Download

Wow this site may have eliminated the reason for my blog.  This is a site that lets you select the applications you want to install and then downloads all the installers into a single install for easy multiple application setup.  The best part is this is basically all the software that I use to run my computer!  Looks like they are still in a private beta but I was able to get in and test it out, amazing and huge time saver when setting up a family computer which inevitably happens way too often!

Web Site: Volery

UPDATE: now the site is called NiNite

Well looks like Windows is all about getting their software into college students hands for a very reasonable price or for free.  This is their latest reach out to students DreamSpark.  After supplying your .edu address and confirming it you can download any of the software that they have here and use is for free!  This is great and is inline with the Student offering for Windows 7 or for Office 2007

Well I have never been a big fan of Windows explorer, but at the same time never really found a reason to change what it uses by default.  Well I have started using Q-Dir to manage my file directory contents and I find it extremely easy and time saving.  I guess I just got used to opening two explorer windows and dragging across the windows but this seems to be so much easier!  And using the Hotkey tool I found the other day it makes it as easy as a replacement for explorer as ever!

Qdir Website

I was looking for a way to assign a hotkey to Q-Dir for file management as I will never use it unless it is as easy as running Windows-E.  Well I ran across this program which is awesome it allows you to assign any hotkeys you want with the Windows button.  It has a very easy to use graphical interface to assign the buttons and you can assign anything.  So far I have it setup to run Q-Dir, Firefox, Outlook, and Command Prompt (cygwin) in a single hotkey.  It is a huge time saver and picks up where Launchy is lacking.

Qliner Hotkeys Website

Download Hotkeys 2.0.1

This is a pretty amazing site and has a bunch of good content and links.  This is great for finding fonts, images, CMS tools, and just great links for web designers.  This can save a lot of time.

ForWebDesigners.com

This is just like the Windows Office for $59 only it is for Windows 7.  All you need is a valid .edu address.  I knew there was a reason that I went to grad school.

Microsoft 741

I have started using Paint.Net a lot lately to do a lot of my website graphics as it seems to be the easiest to use.  Although the only real issue I was having was figuring out to crop an image with rounded corners for headers and whatnot.  After searching around the web for a while I found an answer.  Below are the steps to create a rounded corner cropping of an image.

• Open the image and add a new layer
• In the new layer draw a rectangle with rounded corners and solid fill (this will be your finished image size)
• Use the Magic Wand to select your new solid rectangle
• Then go to Edit->Invert Selection
• Then delete the inverted selection
• Then delete the new layer

Not the most intuitive way to do it but very effective none the less.  Click here to see a more detailed description with screen-shots if you need more explanation.