Computer Blogging

Paint.NET is free image editing and photo manipulation software designed to be used on computers that run Windows. It supports layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the MS Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple tool for photo and image editing. The programming language used to create Paint.NET is C#, with a small amount of C++ for installation and shell-integration related functionality.

Paint.NET can be used to enhance and clean up your photographs. Using the Clone Stamp tool, the power lines that criss-crossed in front of the Space Needle were carefully removed. Other operations were performed that had the effect of smoothing out the image without blurring it, adding some “bloom” (glow), and increasing the contrast.

Read the entire review at our computer help forum.

Asmw PC-Optimizer Pro in my opinion has a lot of handy tools for optimizing and fixing your PC. Just now they have it priced at $29.95 instead of the normal $74.80.

Here’s the developers description:
Asmw PC-Optimizer pro
is a collection of over 30 system-maintenance and optimization utility to tune up windows performance. Remove junk files and zero size files to save valuable disk space; Registry Cleaner, to prevent application crashes; backup and restore backup; popup killer; Startup Manager, to prevent spy applications from running behind your back; erase your navigation tracks to ensure your privacy, available more than 30 ready plug-ins for erasing the history of those applications and get free plug-in maker; find and fix or remove broken windows shortcuts; Uninstaller manager, to uninstall applications correctly; Tweak and customize almost over 110 undocumented settings in Windows 9x-Xp; Disk Analysis, for analyzing your hard disk; Secure shredder, to delete files permanently; Use Internet connection Booster, to Speed up your Internet connection by up to 300%; Scan Drive(S) For zero size (empty) folders; automatic memory recovery tool; Track and report on changes made to your Folders when installing programs; Powerful disk catalog; website address organizer; address book organizer; view and remove fonts; Securely encrypt decrypt files; One-step PC Maintenance Wizard; Schedule system maintenance to take place unattended; executable files and folder lock; menu guard; IP Spam Messages Blocker, system information and much more… Your computer will be stable and run applications more smoothly. It is fast, easy, safe, and powerful. Log file analyzer Tool, Live update, and rescue center.

Features:

OPTIMIZATIONS TOOLS

Internet Connection booster Tool
Windows Start Up Manager Tool
Ram Optimizer Tool
Windows XP Tweaks Tool
Windows 9x/me/2K Tweak Tool
System Information Tool
Fonts Utility Tool
Unnecessary DLL Tool

SYSTEM CLEANUP TOOLS

Clean Junk Files Tool
Cover Your Navigation Tracks Tool
Eliminate Popup windows Tool
Maintenance Wizard Tool

FIX PROBLEM TOOLS

Registry cleaner Tool
Find and Fix Invalid Shortcuts Tool
Fix Invalid uninstall Tool

SECURITY TOOLS

Encrypt and Decrypt Files Tool
Shred Files Tool
Registry backup and restore Tool
Exe Lock & Folder Lock Tool
Menu Guard Tool
Asmw Folder protection Tool
Restrict Programs

DISC TOOLS

Catalog Maker Tool
Split and Join Tool
Driver Statistics Tool
Find Empty Folders Tool
Folder Compare
Registry Editor Tool

Miscellaneous TOOLS

Log File Analyzer Tool
IP Spam Message blocker Tool
Website Book Organizer
Phone Book Organizer
Plug-ins Maker

You can read the full descriptions/Download a free trial here.

I was using both IE 7 RC1 and Firefox to sure the web the other day. For some reason I had both browsers open. I wanted to go to one of the pages that I was visiting in IE so that I could see it using one of the Firefox extensions that I had installed. I was shocked to find out that it loaded quite a bit faster using Firefox.

I had heard this before and although it could have been a number of issues as opposed to just IE vs Firefox, but I tried a few more times to see if it would repeat and each time, the page was faster in Firefox.

So that got me searching on why Firefox is faster. I found many articles and blog posts, and I think most were opinion or marketing based, but I did find an interesting blog post while I was searching that actually has made my surfing with Firefox faster.

Give it a try and let me know if it makes your searching faster.

Not using Firefox? Well there are many reasons why you should give it a try.

Trend Micro has announced the 2007 version of its Internet security suite. The release will incorporate the popular PC-cillin engine, anti-malware protection, and new features designed to counter rootkits, spyware, phishing, spam, hackers, viruses, WiFi attacks, smartphone threats, and identity-theft threats.

“The channel has become a bit of a price war,” said Carol Carpenter, VP Global Marketing, Consumer Segment, Trend Micro.

“We’ve determined that we want to deliver a stronger, differentiated value proposition. We’ve seen the threat landscape change from viruses to malware and crimeware. Consumer needs have changed and yes we have 50 percent of the Internet population covered, but there’s still a lot who aren’t covered.”

The latest 2007 Internet suite for consumers includes the PC-Cillan malware engine, a new virus engine, and has integrated the InterMute anti-spyware engine acquired by Trend Micro last year. It has a rootkit common module that Trend says is one of the highest rates of detection.

Trend Micro and their PC-Cillan product have been my favorite and the best performing, in my opinion, security and anti-virus solution on the market. Tired of having Anti-Virus software hog the performance from your PC. Give Trend Micro Internet Security Suite a try.

A $10 Circuit City® Gift Card is waiting for you! It’s yours just for trying the state-of-the-art protection of the PC SafetyPlus High-Speed Security Suite – your first month is only $1. If you cancel before the first month is over, you still get to keep the $10 gift card. Give it a try.

PC SafetyPlus includes the following:

Virus Protection from viruses and hackers when you surf online, open email attachments, send emails to others, or just use your computer day-to-day.

Spyware Protection prevents spyware software from collecting your personal information, altering the configuration of your computer, and even forcing you to visit Web sites against your will.

Personal Firewall alerts you to unauthorized actions with details of the attempted intrusion.

Identity Theft Protection from hackers! PC SafetyPlus will pay you up to $10,000 per Plan, per incident, if you suffer a covered financial loss from having your identity stolen either online or offline.

Identity Theft Resolution Services assures you with experts on hand to help you if you should ever find yourself the unfortunate victim of fraud.