Computers and Gadgets

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animated cartoon computer

Recommended Free Software

Some free utilities I think you shouldn't be without

Ad-aware
multi-trackware (spyware) detection & removal utility from Lavasoft
Adobe : Reader
for reading pdf (portable document format) files
AVG Free Edition
free anti-virus
dBpowerAMP Music Converter
audio file conversion from wav to mp3 and much more
EditPad Lite
excellent, general purpose text editor from Just Great Software
gimp
the GNU Image Manipulation Program
Google Earth
incredible global satellite exploring
Google Toolbar
easier Google web searches direct from the browser toolbar
Open Office
free office software including word processor and spreadsheet
Picasa
edit, find, organise and exchange photos
TweakUI
for changing hidden and hard to find windows settings
Xteq  X-Setup
similar to TweakUI
ZoneAlarm
a personal firewall to protect your computer whilst online

 

I also recommend buying Norton AntiVirus - essential virus protection from Symantec.

 

signature from danasoft.com

 

Computer Shopping Web Sites

Froogle or Kelkoo or Price Runner
price comparisons
Amazon
sometimes keenly priced - don't order if not in stock
CMS Computers
electronic and related products
CPC catalogue
systems, keyboards, mice, memory, drives, monitors, motherboards, network ...
dabs
excellent site for buying all things computer related
Ink 'n' Things
good prices for ink cartridges
Maplin Electronics
sound, vision, computer, hobby, electronics
Misco
good price, service and delivery for computer shopping
Novatech
good site for your shopping shortlist
PSA Spare Parts
for when you can fix it yourself
Scan Computers
computer hardware and software
Watch Battery (UK) Ltd.
"Batteries without the overcharging"

 

Useful Magazines

Personal Computer World
my recommendation for best all-round computing magazine - from V3.co.uk
Futurenet.com
publishing - magazines including:
TechRadar
"deep into technology" : digital-home news
Games Radar
UK games website (multi-platform)
PC Format
performance gear and gaming
PC Plus
PC articles and advice
T3
"the worlds best gadget magazine"

 

Useful Computer Web Sites

ActiveWindows
activated Windows resources
Add Me
search engine submission, optimisation and traffic
Advanced Horizons Windows Xp
information and tips.
Annoyances.org
how to get rid of Windows annoyances
AS/400 Online Library
V4R5 publications for the IBM midrange
The BIOS Web from Matrix Technologies'
BIOS information, upgrades, security, h/w, s/w, programs & source
CNet
reviews, shopping, tech news & downloads
Computer Hope
free computer help for everyone
DriverGuide
get the latest drivers for your printer, soundcard, cd, modem etc.
FreeFind
let your visitors search your website
FreeSticky
index of free changing web site content to add to your site.
Hodgy.net
great links including Technical Support,  Reference,  Web Tools and  Software
HTML Help 
from the Web Design Group including authoring reference, tools, FAQ & design
Microsoft KnowledgeBase
solutions to problems by Bill G.
Microsoft Office Downloads
Word, Excel etc. add-ons.
Microsoft Windows Update
apply all those security fixes regularly
Norton AntiVirus Centre
anti virus from Symantec
Search Engine Watch
tips about internet search engines & submission
SuperSite for Windows
the future of windows ... today. From Paul Thurrott
PC Guide 
hardware, build, system care, trouble shooting, repair and links
The Register
news from the information technology industry
Tucows
shareware & freeware downloads
Web pages that suck
learn usability and good web design by looking at bad design
Webtools for webmasters
tools from BraveNet including SMS
WinXpFix.com
Windows XP news, fixes, tips & downloads
ZDnet
where technology means business

 

Personal Computer

my deskmy desk

Dell Dimension 9150 Pentium D 3.0 GHz
dual core CPU, 800MHz front side bus, 2Mb level 2 cache
 
 
2Gb DDR2 dual channel N-ECC 533MHz DIMM
RAM (2x1024Mb)
250Gb serial ATA mirrored (RAID 1)
hard disk drives (2) with intel 82801 SATA RAID on-board controller
Dell 1905FP TCO99 UltraSharp 19" flat panel
LCD monitor (1280x1024 TFT active matrix, 20ms response, 170° view)
Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 920 19"
CRT monitor (now NEC)
Philips DVD8701
DVD+-RW rewriter
TSSTcorp (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology) TS-H352C
DVD-ROM optical drive
MSI nVidia GeForce NX8800GT-T2D512E-OC PCI Express x16
graphics card (GPU)
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme
sound card and Dell 5650 5.1 speaker system
 
 
Intel PRO/1000 PL
on-board network adapter (wired gigabit ethernet LAN)
Netgear DG834G 4-port ADSL
wireless router/firewall
Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc
on-board modem
Epson GT-7000 USB flatbed
scanner
Hewlett Packard Deskjet 930C
printer
Genius Slim 320
webcam (VideoCAM Slim USB2 Black)
TEAC 13 in 1
internal flash memory card reader and 1.44 Mb floppy disk drive
Sanmax 6 in 1
external flash memory card reader
innoDV : DV1000 LE
IEEE1394 firewire card and various USB2 hubs
SigmaTel
infra red transceiver (USB-IrDA)
Twinhan DTV USB-Ter VisionPlus
Freeview digital television receiver DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestial)
Logitech USB G9 Laser
mouse
Dell Enhanced USB Multimedia
keyboard
Windows XP Professional
operating system software

 

My last computer was a Mesh which I cannot recommend. Other old gadgets include Nokia 6100 'phone and Palm M505 handheld

My Internet Service Provider is PlusNet Broadband (previously Demon  DialUp), but I'd recommend Zen Internet.

 

HTC Tytn Pocket PC 'phone

HTC Tytn

My latest 'phone is also a handheld computer which functions mainly as my contacts organiser and calendar.

See my HTC Tytn support, lnks, applications, hacks and tweaks.

 

Favourite PC Games

AMG All Game Guide