Useful Contacts
Over the years I have found and tested a lot of very useful software. Most of the software on this page is free, saving hundreds of pounds. If you find the software useful and want more in the future, I would ask you to make a small donation to the makers (see individual home pages for details).
Now a word of caution!
There are many sites on the Internet trying to get you to download and run their software. How do YOU know this is not a scam or a virus? Only install and run software that you know and trust, from a reputable manufacturer and virus test the files BEFORE you run or install them.
Best free anti-virus AVG Free http://free.grisoft.com/
Spy-ware and pop up removal (try the free version):
Tidying up all the temporary files created by Windows, Internet Explorer, Word, your Cookies and more CCleaner.
This will also clear up all your cookies (or you can select which ones to keep).
Improved memory manager which displays how much memory you have left
Free Ram XP Pro
Crucial memory scan to see what extra memory you could install and the price!
http://www.crucial.com/uk/
To obtain information about your PC's hardware, including what type of memory it uses and how many free slots are available CPU-Z
Do you have loads of photographs, would you like to put some together and make panoramic shots. Try AutoStitch it's magic and saves hours of fiddling with drawing packages.
Talking of photos - if you have a digital camera, you need PICASA.
This free program from GOOGLE lets you manage and edit all the photos on your PC. It will find photos you forgot about, let you create CDs, remove red eyes etc.Picas will even let you save loads of photos on their secure computer system (free registration required). Once uploaded the photos can be shared with friends, with the whole world or just viewed by YOU. It will even enable you to add a location to your photos - try it.
While we are talking about locations and maps there are may sites that will give you maps, aerial photographs and work out routes.
Google Earth
Google Maps
Live search Maps (from Microsoft) Very good Bird's Eye View in some areas.
BitTorrent
There are many BitTorrent clients, and search engines, with which one can download all sorts of "free" music, programs, books, DVDs - ANYTHING!
Be careful. check the files for viruses, before using them, and be aware of any copyright infringements. You could be breaking the law if you upload, or download copyrighted material.
I personally use µTorrent but there are plenty of other free ones - http://azureus.sourceforge.net/, http://bittyrant.cs.washington.edu/ etc.
If you intend to use torrents I would also recommend that you look at PeerGuardian, to protect your privacy.
Epson cartridges / SSC
There are many sites offering cheap ink jet cartridges for printers and you can also save money by refilling them yourselves or taking them to a refill shop.
My own colour printer is an old Epson and I find that the cheapest place for these cartridges is www.7dayshop.com.
My T026 and T027 cartridges are currently £1.99 and £1.69 (18/03/2008), but they have been as cheap as 99p each. 7dayshop also offer an excellent cleaning cartridge which saves loads of ink and really cleans the heads thoroughly.
A must for any Epson printer!
As is the excellent SSC utility http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml.
They also do a lot of photographic bits and pieces, batteries, chargers, scopes, PC extras etc.
SYNCTOY - from Microsoft
This is an amazing little program from Microsoft, it allows you to set up "folder pairs" and backup from one folder to the other. For instance I set up MyDocuments as one folder and "contribute" it to a folder on my external USB drive. I then synchronise the files to my external USB drive for safe keeping.
The first time you run it SyncToy takes a while and backs up every single file, but the next time you run it it will only backup the new files or the files that have changed.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy for more details.
Download from:
http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/synctoybeta.aspx
If you are unsure how to use these programs have a look at their websites or search GOOGLE for HOW DO I USE CCLEANER (for example)