I have used WinPatrol for many years.

WinPatrol is a security program and one of my favorite features is the ease with which I can disable (rather than remove) some auto start up programs. This gives me control over those programs (or elements of them) which do not have any normal way of disabling auto start. Re enabling is very easy.

I have the inexpensive Plus version of WinPatrol which gives access to extended info about exactly what each start up entry is, and whether you really need it or not. Once paid for, you never have to pay for upgrades. For many people, the free version will be sufficient. Compare features here.

For those interested in more technical aspects I quote from the WinPatrol website:

WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. It continues to be the most powerful system monitor for its small memory footprint.

WinPatrol’s easy tabbed interface allows you to explore deep inside your computer without having to be a computer expert.

Want an easy way of controlling what programs autostart with your PC? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Tip for people with the Firefox web browser.
2. BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it.
3. My experience with Windows 7 Beta

Perhaps, at times, you have been unable to find the uninstaller for a program?

At others, you may have discovered that not all parts of the application were uninstalled.

Or maybe the uninstall went badly.

It is of course extremely important to ensure that unwanted computer programs are uninstalled correctly.

Uninstallations which go badly can sometimes cause very serious problems.

We rely on our computers so much. It is essential therefore, to pay close attention to looking after them properly.

Over the years I have gained a great deal of computer experience, especially from the perspective of an end user. During this time, I have had a lot of experience with uninstalling software and the associated problems.

These days I use an exceptionally good, but free, software application to help me with my uninstalls.

Revo Uninstaller.

Rather than my trying to explain it all, I suggest that you head on over to the website and check it out yourself.

I will close in saying that I am very pleased with the performance of Revo Uninstaller. It is safe to install as it does not contain adware, spyware or other nasties. Revo Uninstaller has made my life much easier and saved me heaps of time.

Easy program uninstalling. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Tip for people with the Firefox web browser.
2. Defrag your computer – which is the best way?
3. Tips to stop your computer slowing you down.

I love to find ways of saving time and to get more done in less time.

Without stressing that is.

One key to better time management, efficiency and productivity is to use the right software, or other method, for time tracking.

Until recently I had been using a simple desktop stop watch, which had a number of limitations.

Recently I have been trialling a fantastic little time tracking software application (sometimes called time logging software) that is easy to use and that doesn’t require you to change your work process in order to use it.

It is called yaTimer.

Produced by NBD Tech Ltd, yaTimer is available today at a big discount. I will tell you how in a moment.

NBD Tech ltd was founded in 2006 by Nir Dobovizki who has a vision to create simple and useful software that adapts to your way of working.

In my experience, yaTimer does all it sets out to do and is a very well designed, easy to use, flexible program. It has loads of functionality.

I found out about yaTimer because I am subscribed to the daily and weekly alerts here:

Quality Discount Software

At the time of the offer (Mid August 2009) I was able to get yaTimer for USD $19 instead of the normal price of USD $39 for a 24 hour window. I was able to download the software for a free trial to start with and make sure that I liked it.

Because I am signed up to the weekly alerts list I was able to get advanced warning of the impending discount and trial the software for a few days prior to the 24 time window for the reduced price. I am so pleased with how the software makes my life easier that I have purchased it.

If prior to downloading/trialling a program you want to visit a software developer’s site, then there is a link on the offer details page. (PS: you can visit the yaTimer developer’s site here.)

Quality Discount Software is a great source of quality software which is temporarily discounted. It is well worth signing up to receive the alerts. Like me, you never know when something really useful will happen along.

If you want to get good useful software at a discount then make sure you grab something via Quality Discount Software.

Enjoy.

Time Tracking – Fast, Easy and Fun. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. How to get good quality useful discount software.
2. Hassle free time tracking and billing for freelancers.
3. Defrag your computer – which is the best way?

Avant is still an excellent browser with a variety of handy features. So if you want IE, but without some of the associated ‘hassle’, give Avant browser a whirl. It’s free, reliable and robust. It appears to be based on, or similar to, IE in some way.

Avant Browser

Another little known browser is Orca.

Orca Browser is similar to Firefox so if you are looking for an alternative to the latter, give it a try.

Orca Browser

Both Avant and Orca appear to be from the same developer.

Two useful browsers you may not have heard of. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. The most productive web browser.
2. Welcome to my blog ~ What is a Black Shaman?
3. Twittering – clarification of my policy.

One of two programs that I use is AxCrypt.

AxCrypt is free, though donations are appreciated.

I quote:

AxCrypt is the leading open source file encryption software for Windows. It integrates seamlessly with Windows to compress, encrypt, decrypt, store, send and work with individual files.

So far, we have received 1,379,210 registrations, it is tried and proven.

AxCrypt File Encryption for Windows and Xecrets Online Password Manager by Axantum Software AB

File encryption software – personal recommendation is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. How to get good quality useful discount software.
2. Does YOUR website builder software developer offer this level of support?
3. My experience with Windows 7 Beta

In the past I have written posts about this aspect. Today I want to highlight an excellent article on learning code by David Pierce:

Learn To Code At Any Level With Google Code University

Google Code University is an excellent resource for people who want to develop their skill sets.

PS: In case you think all this ‘Geeky’ stuff is boring, click on the link below: (Geeks have fun!)

Learn To Code At Any Level With Google Code University. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Learn How To Get Google Adwords Working With You, Not Against You
2. Will Social Media and The Internet Kill the University System?
3. Free University Courses & Lectures (via Podcast and MP3)

Because I use computers so much I need top quality applications that enable me to stay productive. Getting bogged down with computer maintenance or technical issues is not good.

Running a computer defrag (defragmentation) regularly is a smart thing to do.

Over the years I have tried a number of computer disk defragmentation programs, including Windows own built in method. I only found one program which met my exacting standards, despite trying many including Diskkeeper and O & O Defrag. That program is PerfectDisk which I have been using now since 2004.

My research indicated that Perfect Disk is the best Defragger and use has proved it.

We only use highly quality applications and have no time for second rate products/services. I spent enough time on research to ensure that what I obtained was the best for our needs. PerfectDisk was the clear winner by a long way.

We especially like the way the software does a high quality defrag while we are working – we therefore suffer no loss of productivity or valuable billable time. The time spent researching to get things right from the start paid off.

Benefit from the time and effort I spent in getting making the right choice – check out the PerfectDisk website and see for yourself. There is a free trial available.

Defrag your computer – which is the best way? is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Tips to stop your computer slowing you down.
2. BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it.
3. Time Tracking – Fast, Easy and Fun.

Can’t copy DVD’s to your PC?

Want to make high quality movies from any part of your PC’s screen? Then keep reading…

Make production quality videos from hard-to-record sources, including:

• ANY Video Web Site, using ANY streaming protocol
• DVD’s
• Webcam sites
• Powerpoint Presentations
• Skype Video calls
• Video Chat sessions
• And more!

Here is the solution.

I am a customer of this company and am very pleased with my choice. I hope you enjoy using their products too.

Here is another of their products, which is apparently the best streaming video and audio/MP3 downloader on the planet.

Here’s why (I quote from their site):

• It’s Easy: Just click “Start Recording”, then play your media, and an exact digital copy is downloaded to your hard disk.
• It’s Powerful: Replay Media Catcher supports more streaming protocols than any other stream downloading software.
• It’s Convenient: Replay Media Catcher automatically names and tags your video and MP3 files. No more cryptic file names.

You can learn heaps about recording online video here:
Learn how to record streaming video and audio.

Make High Quality Video from ANYTHING Playing on Your PC. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Playing video games ‘improves brainpower of older people’.
2. How to get good quality useful discount software.
3. Video – Perfectly Preserved Byzantine Ship

Mind Mapping

A Mind Map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. You can find out more at this Wikipedia Mind Map article.

Mind Maps are useful for brainstorming, visual thinking, project management, creating a concept map and problem solving to name just a few applications.

I have been using mind mapping software for years to produce my mind maps and the practice has made a major difference in both my personal and business life.

For some years I have been using Mindet’s MindManager mindmap desktop software, however I am now gravitating towards web based online mindmaps.

Mindjet do have an online version however at USD $120 per user per year it seems a bit pricey compared with some of the others out there. Additionally, I prefer some of the features and ease of use available on my two other selections (which as far as I know are unavailable on MindManager). The last straw was that when I tried to sign up for the MindManager online free trial there was some kind of problem (unrelated to me or my computer system) – in my view it was just not good enough, especially when added to the rest of the decision matrix. I needed to check their application at my convenience; not when they had finished their maintenance or fixed whatever was preventing me from testing their application. All that said, and despite my ‘little rant’, MindManager is an excellent application. It is very worthy of your consideration. MindManger is in some respects an industry/business ‘gold standard’ mind mapping software application.

Moving on now to what my research indicated as being the best two online mind mapping applications….

Mindomo. Mindomo is a very slick application indeed. It almost feels like it is on your desktop, despite being web based. And yes, they do have a free desktop version. The developers strike me as an extremely clever bunch of people. Sharing mind maps is very easy with this web based mind mapping application and recipients do not need to download a viewer.

Mindmeister

Mindmeister is another excellent mind map online application. Enabling real time collaboration, it is very cool indeed!

Both Mindomo and Mindmeister can import and export maps from/to MindManager.

Currently, I am using both Mindomo and Mindmeister, which are very reasonably priced, and better value than Mindjet’s MindManger Web version.

Mindmaps can be published online for all to see. If you check out this article I wrote: Online shopping case study: Fox Creek Leather and click on the Leather belt shopping – Research link you will see how I have used a Mindmeister mind map in a public setting and published it.

Have fun!

Mind Mapping Software – why you need it and which to choose. is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. Time Management Software – Get more done with this free resource.
2. How to get free licensed software.
3. How to get good quality useful discount software.

Windows 7

I decided to install it on my spare Dell notebook computer. (I keep a spare computer because it means that I would have limited downtime if my main computer suffered a major failure. Because my data is backed up regularly and I am a user of cloud computing on the web for some important stuff such as email, calendar, tasks and so on, I can be operational again very quickly in the event of a computer disaster. If I had to rush out and buy a new PC, or wait for a technician this would not be the case.)

Here are some key points about installing Windows 7 Beta as well as some information about my experience.

• Only 2.5 million serial numbers will be issued so if you want to try Windows 7 Beta and have it ‘last’ until August 2009 when the Beta will expire, then get downloading as soon as possible. Otherwise you will only get a 30 day trial and will only be able to extend the trial period to 120 days by a method which appears in a ComputerWorld article I will refer you to.
• Once the Beta period expires you will either have to revert to another edition of Windows (Vista or XP) or purchase Windows 7. Bear in mind that you will NOT be able to upgrade your Beta install to the full Windows 7 version once you have purchased it.
• The download is over 2GB.
• You will need to burn the downloaded .iso file to a DVD. Active@ ISO Burner is a freeware application that will allow you to burn an ISO image file to CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-RW, DVD-RW, DL DVD+RW, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc. (Active ISO Burner is very easy to use). Note: the downloaded file may look like a Zip file. Do not attempt to unzip it – just burn it to DVD using the software above and it will be recognised as an .iso file.
• Get Windows 7 Beta from here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/default.aspx
• Do not get Windows 7 Beta from Torrents or similar – get it from the official site above.
• Do not use the Beta on your main home or business PC. Microsoft warn against this and also comment whilst the Beta is good quality, they will not support it if something goes awry. You are on your own. Before you complain….how much did you pay for it? Nothing.
• Get key information from the excellent ComputerWorld resource here. This is a very good article – do read it, however I suggest you get on with obtaining your serial number as soon as possible.
• The installer runs from within Windows (i.e Windows has to be running) and you need Vista patched to at least SP1. I chose an upgrade option which failed right at the end, despite my having started off with a clean and new copy of my Vista installation. I tried again, but this time went for the complete new install option for Windows 7 Beta, which was successful.
• Computing has long been an interest of mine since the 1981 when I learnt BASIC programming. I like the shiny new toy aspect of Windows 7, however by running it on my spare PC it means I can get used to it before I use it in my daily work. I can also test websites (I am a web developer and webmaster) in Internet Explorer 8 and software applications.
• Enjoy!

Addendum: Since writing the post I have discovered that the 2.5 million limit on serial numbers has been temporarily lifted – until January 24th.

Addendum: January 24th 2009

Two interesting articles –

What scares me about Windows 7

Why I can’t get enough of Windows 7

Addendum: February 11th 2009

Gizmodo’s guide:

Windows 7: The Complete Guide

My experience with Windows 7 Beta is a post from: Black Shaman Blog

Related posts:

1. BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it.
2. Are you worried about losing the data on your PC?
3. Tip for people with the Firefox web browser.