some more uber networking + security tools

http://www.openxtra.co.uk/freestuff/
http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/nmtf/nmtf-tools.html
http://www.net-snmp.org

Reinstalling Windows? Want lots and lots of info?

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

patching UXtheme.dll for Windows Styles

How to patch uxtheme.dll
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Universal-UXTheme-Patcher.shtml

make sure to reboot after.


then theres loads of websites you can get new "visual styles" on - here's one:
http://www.themexp.org/

here's another:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showforum=36

more FREE remote control software

ShowMyPc - it uses SSH + VNC

http://showmypc.com

Windows Update Alternatives

http://www.heise-security.co.uk/articles/80682
http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

and this one looks promising:
http://www.theatticnetwork.net/dakota.php

How to open ripped DVDs in mediacoder (for conversion)

http://forum.mediacoderhq.com/viewtopic.php?t=2898

an uber task manager

http://pendriveapps.com/2008/01/17/dtaskmanager/

Encrypted thumb-drive with autoplay

Check out a great guide here

just remember that truecrypt (the encryption program used) only works on systems on which you have administrator rights. So don't expect your encrypted thumb drive to work in internet cafés etc.

Get Camtasia Studio for free (this is LEGAL apparently)

http://pctutorials.at3host.com/camtasia.html

Some free command line utilities

One of them even does a "wake-on-lan" to a given mac address!! cool

Get them here

Command-Line Active Directory tools (free)

You can get them here

Learn, Create, Understand, Test, Use and Save Regular Expressions with RegexBuddy™

Available from http://www.regexbuddy.com/ today (11th Jan 2008) for €29.95 (euro)

Another Windows Installer creator

Nullsoft Scriptable Install System - get it here

Managing Terminal Services / Citrix Sessions Remotely

http://weblogs.asp.net/owscott/archive/2003/12/30/46776.aspx

Lots of mobile phone software +games ( info + downloads)

http://www.noeman.org/gsm/mobiles-softwares-solutions/

unable to map (net use) lpt1 in windows xp?

this may be a solution. of course if you're the domain admin you could always log in as yourself and just simply disable the lpt1 port in device manager. then you can map lpt1 no problem. This would be much simpler than creating a new group policy etc..

loads of Active Directory / Windows admin command line tools

to be found here

Even more free portable applications

http://www.dirk-loss.de/win-tools.htm

Watch installs to simplify software distribution

Here's some great free software for just that purpose!!

get installrite or installwatch here

One Click VNC installer

If you are constantly helping folks out and would like to be able to do it from home, there's now a one click VNC (open source remote control software) installer you can
get at http://www.vncscan.com/vs/oneclickVNC.htm

The Ultimate Windows Tweaker (not free) - X-Setup Pro

X-Setup Pro
List of features (from the webpage):

• Supports all Windows operating systems up to Windows Vista
• 1.900+ hidden functions can be controlled
• Easy to use
• Sophisticated search functions
• XML file format
• All recorded changes can be applied to other machines
• Undo changes on any OS with Restore Log
• Extendible with additional plugins
• With plugins for Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.
• Automatic Updates
• Loading a different user or computer registry.
• For use on a bootable CD and fixing an non-working computer (BartPE)
• Can be used from script files or other programs
• Runs on USB sticks and U3 smart drives
• Restore log distinguishs between user and system
• Supports Roaming Profiles
• SDK freely available

get it at
http://www.x-setup.net/

EXE packaging / install /setup routine creator (FREE for private use)

"Paquet Builder is a mix between a Zip, 7-Zip and Cab Self-Extracting archive maker, and an advanced software Setup routine generator."
get it here

Convert (almost) ANY video file to DVD

All of these pieces of software are free and they are damn good. I have tested this with a 700MB file that had video codec XVID MPEG-4 and MP3 audio but this should work with almost any video filetype imaginable. u could even create a DVD of just audio I think but I can't find any reason to do that.

1. Mediacoder
- add the file, press extension button, click video disc player, set to pal dvd or whatever, set aspect ratio. start. wait for convert (it will convert to MPEG2 vob compliant type file, this could take a while so have a cup of tea), it will put an .mpg file in same folder as original file. by the way mediacoder is very good at converting most video file types to most other video file types too. it has extensions for IPOD video, iphone, PSP, Mobile Phone, etc. etc. - It's class!!!!

2. DVDauthorgui
- on the right, Set DVD format to PAL (if you're in region 2), click add new title, set file type to MPEG with NAV packets and select the converted mpg file. it will make a VIDEO_TS + AUDIO_TS folder in seconds - burn the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders to DVD with ur favourite burner... a good free burner for this would be infrarecorder

TADA!!!!!

Of course u could use Nero to whack together a DVD but I doubt it would be half as compatible with all the different filetypes out there. Plus all the stuff I mentioned is free so u could install it at work or wherever without any worries about licensing. They can even be made portable and run directly from a memory stick but that's another story for another day.

[EDIT] THIS MIGHT BE EASIER LOL (JUST FOUND IT TODAY: http://www.dvdflick.net/ ) [/EDIT]

Cheap wireless for your xbox 360 or old xbox or PS3

This guide should work with any device that has an Ethernet (RJ-45) port. like the one on the left.



The guide is here:
http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2007/10/02/how-to-cheap-wireless-for-your-xbox-360/