Messages

926

General Software Discussion / Re: Is 'TK8 Backup Professional' recommendable?

« on: March 23, 2009, 03:44 AM »

Hi Folks,

Thanks, that would make Backup4all Prof, SuperFlexible and TK8 (tomorrow) especially interesting from the savings perspective.  Comparisons, strengths and weaknesses, would be welcome, especially the lacks in TK8 (considering it is less known, and the discount is big, the price is a few Starbucks items, and only a one day tomorrow discount).

SuperFlexible and Macrium Reflect added above, also the Titan special.  And I added a bunch more to the freeware above (trying to only include those with some real value, although a couple might be too much ease-of-use without strength I tried to cull out nothing programs and those expired that never went far.).

The same "fully and strongly" question might apply to DSynchronize, especially as I am impressed with Dmitrio's DTaskMaster and both are fully freeware.  Anybody use it for backup ?

Shalom,
Steven Avery

927

Found Deals and Discounts / TK8 Backup Professional - Bits Du Jour on Tuesday 03/24/2009

« on: March 23, 2009, 02:19 AM »

Hi Folks,

As discussed in this thread, which is a good place to discuss product comparisons.

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=14800.0
Is 'TK8 Backup Professional' recommendable?

Shalom,
Steven

928

General Software Discussion / Re: Is 'TK8 Backup Professional' recommendable?

« on: March 22, 2009, 08:24 PM »

Thanks, Josh.

Here are the DonationCoder discounts on backup software.

Backup 4 All Professional - 30%
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=8775.0

Super Flexible File Synchronizer - 30%
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=8409.0
Standard $35, Prof, $60 (before discount)
(I had omitted this above because of the Synch orientation, users can indicate whether if functions fully and strongly as a pure backup software.)

Genie's has expired.

Shalom,
Steven

929

General Software Discussion / Re: Is 'TK8 Backup Professional' recommendable?

« on: March 22, 2009, 08:03 PM »

Hi Folks,

This special is back - on Tuesday 3/24/2009

http://www.bitsdujou...backup-professional/
TK8 Backup Professional - No More Excuses -- BACKUP YOUR DATA!

There was one DonationCoder discussion that looked reasonably well on this program.

https://www.donation...opic=14486.msg127468
In search of ideal backup utility - 08/2008

Placing it up there with the high tier of solid personal backup programs:
(There is a second-tier of commercial-ware of less substance.)

  The Big 5

Backup4All Lite $20, Standard $40, Pro $50  (DC 30% on Pro)
Genie Home $50 Pro $70
Syncback SE $30 Pro $50 (and free earlier version)
EMC Retrospect Express HD $50 and for Windows 7.6 $120 (formerly Dantz)
Super Flexible File Synchronizer - Standard $35, Prof, $60 (before DC discount) -- (added 3/23)

  Of note as Imaging programs that also have standard file backup as well.
 
Macrium Reflect - $40
Paragon Drive Backup - $40 (not on Express free)

  Any reports as to how robust as a file backup (not image, which we know is their main point) tool ?

  Also loooking uphill, is the EMC Retrospect Express strong enough ?  It might make the most sense for somebody working with background both at home and corporate, getting the feel of it as a home program.  Dantz always had a good rep, except for the price point position problem .  I think this Express thing is pretty new.

All this is one area where a lot of folks might prefer a paid program and they tend to be mildly pricey (the reason I am including $ and why the Bits Special is especially interesting).  There are also a few more that might be in the same tier, or close. (e.g. NTI Backup $70, Fileback PC $55, FileStream TurboBackup $50, Second Copy $30, AIS Backup $38) . Those received some positive notices, there are a dozen or three more of mild interest.

Note this little Retrospect $40 thing .. is the demo the full program on 30-day ? Dunno.
http://my.smithmicro...etrospect/trial.html
Strange.  They gonna push the price up for you if you take the demo ?? Amazing with all the marketeers.

And some freewares that might be of interest.

Comodo, Karen's Replicator, Cobian, Idlebackup, JaBack, Amanda and Backup PC (open source, network-oriented)
Added 3/23/09
DataSafe (Sofgem), RKopie, FBackup (Softland), BackupTime (Cezeo), Toucan (PortableApps)

Worthy of mention is DSynchronize (even though Sync oriented) from Dmitrios of DtaskManager, he also has HDHacker for backing up or mucking up (or fixing or viewing) the MBR and book sectors.

SyncBack Freeware V3.2.19.0 (current version 5.4)
http://www.2brightsp...nloads.html#freeware

Drive Backup 9.0 Express - Paragon free version
http://www.paragon-s...com/home/db-express/

Feel free to add or subtract from these lists.

Not getting involved in Image and Clone and Sync and Versioning stuff here.  Oh, Backup4All Lite and Macriium and  Ez-BackItUp are four that made it to Giveaway of the Day.

Notice that Genie has a real problem mentioned in Wilders.
http://www.wildersse...ghlight=genie+backup
Genie backup manager Home
This is a definite deal-breaker for Genie, if I read that properly and it is still true.  To spend a bunch extra to backup open files is really nonsense, essentially if the backup can be done -- it should be in the basic product.  Charging extra for imaging and cloning, fine, its a different function. Conceivably for registry and boot record type stuff, since you don't need that on a normal backup (especially if you view a crash as the providential call to reinstall the OS).  Not for open files.

(3/23 addition - problem resolved version

Shalom,
Steven Avery

PS
Moved out of the top section to a footnote, multi-branded software without a forum or much in the way of user-developer anything, even making it to GAOTD under multi-names.

Titan Backup
East-tec  - essentially the same software.

Titan Backup 1.5 free and then 2.5 (current) at half-price.
http://www.askvg.com...kup-absolutely-free/
[Giveaway] Get FULL License of Titan Backup Absolutely FREE - Tweaking with Vishal

And East-tec is in one of the Brit mags this month, didn't check which one, version, etc, saw it tonight. Bladed Thoth of GiveawayoftheDay reviews indicates that it is a Titan clone, same #s and everything. These East-tecs and Titans may still have 4Gig file limits, maybe a zip thing.

Same type of situation with the next.
These apparently related and mediocre programs may have all made it to GAOTD.

Backup Expert Oct 9th 07 - http://www.giveawayo...y.com/backup-expert/ - $29.95
DoubleSafety 4.1 Oct 29th 07 -GAOTD - $39.95
Document Backup

930

General Software Discussion / CleanMem - possible dual-mode test

« on: March 21, 2009, 07:56 PM »

Hi Folks,

sounds like bull (or incorrect testing) to me - I haven't done very intensive RE of the APIs ... stuff could work slightly differently - I very much doubt that there's any substantial difference ...  I might just end up doing some more intensive RE of the issue, since I like getting to the bottom of things.

-f0dder

  So it doesn't look like you are in a position to talk of 'bull' -- since Shane is so far the only one who specifically talks about comparing the effect of the two functions on the page file.  It is always possible for a programmer to err, yet you acknowledge the functions are not operationally identical, a key point. So if Shane erred it would have to be demonstrated and would likely have been simply his own technical difficulty (e.g. "incorrect testing") nothing deceptive or shamistic.  And so far we are not in any position to say he erred.

  Later in the thread (maybe pg. 12) Shane considered the idea of giving the option of calling either of the two functions.  That would help seeing whether there was in fact a practical difference.  Although understandably .. in the environment of that thread .. I do not think he implemented the option.  He may well do so if asked from a programmer really interested in checking, which could save some time.

  Here is one simple thought, from a programmer .. not a PC or XP or low-level programmer, though.

  Possible advantages -- unused RAM is not wasted -- since it is *immediately* available for usage.  Where XP seems to trip up is that at the moment that you hit enter .. XP says .. oops, I need some RAM pronto .. do this, do that, do the other .. and your keystrokes are waiting. You go out for morning herb tea or Teccino or coffee. Perhaps with this background work the new action springs into play immediately, or quicker.  More a timing and prep-chef type of thing.

  From an esthetic point of view, I agree it is ugly to want to go in there and push around existing programs, especially since the operating system is, overall, well designed for memory management. (One reason I have a few megs ready to install into this puter.) On the thread referenced -- 'Bear' indicated that he felt his 'Magic Jack' program was not too happy with being pushed around, yet an exclusion list was added to the program so this is far from a dealbreaker.  If only a couple of programs object.

   On the other hand, consider the process tamer programs -- those are written precisely because the operating system has some lacks in how it handles priorities. (On the IBM mini-computers you rarely have to bother, background and batch tasks are automatically put much lower than interactive .. yet sometimes.. you do a smidgen.)  With Process Tamer I specifically raised the priority of my bookmark programs for very similar reasons, how they seem to go to sleep on a new keystroke after a wait .. and a higher priority does something (perhaps makes XP reluctant to page out ?). Priority management in XP may be weaker than memory management, and more amenable to our adjustments, however what we are wondering is if there may be a careful memory tweak that helps some of the people some of the time.  Since so much RAM stuff is counter-productive, and some is marketing sham of the 'registry cleaning' style, it is awkward if one or two programs actually do help and the techniques were found by little nobodies.

Shalom,
Steven

931

General Software Discussion / ClearMem and EmptyWorkingSet

« on: March 21, 2009, 07:04 PM »

Hi Folks,

... Remarks: You can also use the SetProcessWorkingSetSize function to do what EmptyWorkingSet does if you pass it -1 for the minimum and maximum sizes.

-f0dder

And Shane's assertion, stated very clearly, is that he found from experience that the functions do not function identically.

http://www.download2...eaner-t107323p9.html
Shane

"I did try the SetProcessWorkingSetSize -1 trick when I first started playing around with cleanmem and my other programs, it did work but I noticed the pagefile would grow a little, so I dumped it. When I tested with emptyworkingset the page file didnt budge."

Notice that in post 87 in the thread (I'm going through the 13 pages, the ugliness of some of the posts reminds me of one reason I appreciate DonationCoder) -- Shane looks at SweepRam with the differences noted, including the function called.

As for restarting leaking apps, that is good advice either way.  The question is whether CleanMem may be a good interim help on some systems.  Especially if you have 3 or 5 leakies.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

932

General Software Discussion / CleanMem and EmptyWorkingSet

« on: March 21, 2009, 04:07 PM »

Hi Folks,

SetProcessWorkingSetSize

-f0dder

Just so we first have our facts in order.

Shane of CleanMem discusses the distinction between two functions.

http://www.pcwintech.com/node/145
EmptyWorkingSet
SetProcessWorkingSetSize

And says that CleanMem uses Empty, not Set.

Whether it is silliness nonetheless or not, I dunno. (I know that Microsoft does not always use every tool properly and to fullest advantate -- I even remember IBM once sorting in some super-duper clunky way, it happens.) However the fact that the critics don't seem to read the available discussions about how the program works, easily web-available and already pointed to in this thread -- runs towards my having simpatico with the program, to give it a trial.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

933

General Software Discussion / Re: Rambooster. Junk?

« on: March 20, 2009, 09:11 PM »

Hi Folks,

Understood Josh.  Two different software items were being referenced, Clearmem being a dinosaur from Microsoft.  Will be interested in your thoughts on newer stuff, especially Cleanmem

Shalom,
Steven

934

General Software Discussion / Re: Rambooster. Junk?

« on: March 20, 2009, 06:51 PM »

Hi Folks,

Clearmem and memory utilities like that claim big performance increase yet all they do is force windows to page all data to disk (the swap file).

-Josh

Above I included two urls where there is real discussion of the API involved, how it is used by .Net and its history and place in XP.  One thing is very clear -- CleanMem  (Shane) says very specifically that this paging technique (by taking memory) is not the technique he uses and he does explain how CleanMem works.  (Whether it is worthwhile or not.)

Josh, please permit me to say this straight -- you undercut your own claim of shamware if you make a sham assertion or two.

(Note: I have never used CleanMem, although I may give it a wing. I simply believe that we need to be very careful in our assertions and accusations. I also appreciate that CleanMem is free and than Shane was willing to mix it up with the detractors in the discussion forums.)

There are actually three problems with the assertions above.

1) "big performance increase" - not the claim, ok simply a bit of hyperbole
2) "force memory to page all data to disk" - used in some programs, not CleanMem
3) "a tool left over from the OLD NT Day"

(2) is the critical technical issue.  And (3) is interesting historically.  On the threads above Shane even conjectures that Microsoft may have beefed up the memory API-call for .Net and specifically indicates that he is unsure how well it would work on NT.

http://groups.google...msg/7e79ca6e5f3c3b44
Message from discussion -- CleanMem Memory Cleaner

"I wonder if MS beefed up the API with .Net and maybe why it works so well now. So far I have only seen what cleanmem does on Xp and above, not on nt or 2000. "

Incidentally, I am not going into whether Minimem or SweepRam or one or two others use the page-file technique, Shane's API-call method, or something else or a hybrid.  Shane was the one willing to mix it up in discussion so his program understandably becomes the focus.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

935

General Software Discussion / Rambooster. Junk? - the good, the bad and the optimized

« on: March 20, 2009, 05:58 AM »

Hi Folks,

Thanks f0dder for the Firefox closing tip.  It would seem that proper closing should close all fine (I think even killing harshly in Task Manager .. DTaskManager here .. should do so - experts ?) and a reboot becomes not necessary. 

And I will add that if you have a good bookmark system (e.g. Linkman) you are more likely to bite the bullet and not reopen the "saved session" windows.  And note that the Session Manager extension with 3.0 now gives you the ability to see the individual windows and tabs if you want to remember that way.  We tend to think what we have open is so important .. usually just start clean is best.

======

Now for the memory programs and tweaks ins and outs, the good, the bad and the optimized.

siouxdax, I am no expert on PC memory usage (nor how to keep Firefox from taking and hogging) however I read up on this lately.  Generally these programs cannot do much for XP memory management, yet CleanMem made a case for his methodology that is reasonably interesting (below).  And other programs give their own little special reasons.

Oh .. first ..  can you purchase more memory ?  You do not mention your current size. (I am just in the process of upgrading from 1gb and made sure a work puter was upgraded).. likely it is good to have 2 Gigs .. or more up to 4Gb (to get about 3.5 usable for programs) .. on an XP system.  If you only have 512 or even 1 Gb, that would be the first big improvement, far more important than the time and effort of tweak-city.  Second might be to check whether there are any pagefile tweaks, although on that the techies will comment.  Note that Outertech (Linkman) has a Cacheman XP tweaking program, Linkman shows they are very good programmers, note that while they are very responsive they do not have a web-forum.

Also you can search and ask in the mozillaZine forums (and other places) about memory usage in Firefox. e.g. The Raymond page below mentions a  config.trim_on_minimize setting.  There is probably a lot on mozillaZine.

Then we go to the controversial RAM programs.  There is a freeware program originally developed for Firefox.

Minimem
http://minimem.kerkia.net/

Raymond mentions this
http://www.raymond.c...program-at-interval/

(Note: bypass the google ad plague, imho google ad sites that are behind good software should block the ads to scamware and can do so with a little time and effort with google and checking. I have been trying to help mozillaZine and Noscript clean up their sites in this way.)

And freewaregenius

http://www.freewareg...-programs-on-demand/
Minimem: reduce the memory footprint of individual programs on demand
(more google scamware-ad plague)

Interesting, although not compelling.

Now, note that Gizmo is reasonably pro for a few programs and mentions Rambooster 2. That is different than your Rambooster.net.  CNet reviews say that Rambooster.net is a Chinese ripoff of Rambooster 2 that doesn't work.  And the web site inspires no confidence, looking like the cookie-cutter spamware sites.  Similarly Fileforum and CNet have a 2003-2004 date, indication it is abandonware, sell-anyway-ware (even the source code for the gullible newbie programmer).

http://www.techsuppo...memory-optimizer.htm
Best Free Memory Optimizer -
An easy-read article and notes at bottom, CleanMem begin the "Best".

Similarly Freeware Genius, who actually liked another called SweepRam.

On the other hand, Lifehacker, quoting Mark Russinovich, says ferget about all this.

http://lifehacker.co...mance-tweaking-myths
LifeHacker: Debunking Common Windows Performance Tweaking Myths
Clean, Defrag and Boost Your RAM With SnakeOil Memory Optimizer

DonationCoder posters tend to be similarly aghast.

https://www.donation...ndex.php?topic=14332
LifeHacker: Debunking Common Windows Performance Tweaking Myths

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=14487.0
CleanMem - apparently a memory optimizer with a difference...

For balance, Shane from CleanMem gives his explanation/response here:

http://www.pcwintech.com/node/145
CleanMem v.1.3.0

And watch this discussion

http://groups.google...68faf4ec63f?lnk=raot
alt.comp.freeware - CleanMem Memory Cleaner   

Here I emphasize CleanMem because the developer, Shane, seems to be more ready to mix-it-up in explanation and discussion.  

In summary.

1) Close the program in the most precise way occasionally and reopen clean.
2) More memory on the system if possible.
3) Firefox tweaks
4) Pagefile or other tweaks. Consider the Outertech shareware trial for simplicity.
5) CleanMem or Minimem or other .. and report back to us

While I would like to hear if #5 really helped, probably if you do some of the earlier numbers it is not necessary.

Incidentally, for my rebooting I like Karenware's ShowStopper, rarely does it have a problem getting closed and to a restart and I simply keep an icon on the Start tab which I call Karenware Force Reboot (her program makes it trivial to set up such an icon, now I simply want to add a cordial Eudora close first, in case downloading is in process).

Shalom,
Steven Avery

PS.
To be bypassed.
Firefox Ultimate Optimizer
http://www.ghacks.ne...-ultimate-optimizer/

936

General Software Discussion / Log files - additions to top post

« on: March 19, 2009, 11:53 AM »

Hi Folks,

Some additions and changes on the big post above, especially the mention of :

ADDITIONS TO FIRST POST

Windows Defender - Microsoft
Autorun Manager (OSAM - Online Solutions Autorun Manager)
JV16 - Macecraft
A-Spy - Xiaoyu Zhang
WinStartup - RJL Software
Windows XP Startup Tracker v3.8 - Doug Knox (2003)
Greatis (Regrun) Database
Pacman's Portal Startup Tips Webpage and more info

=========================

LOG FILES USED FOR ANALYSIS
 
One security usage of a startup program is to give a list that can be analyzed by others to help find concerns and problems.  The most heavily used log is:

Hijackthis combined with StartupList - as explained above, sold by Merijn to Trend Micro
TrendMicro HijackThis Overview
http://www.trendsecu...ity_tools/hijackthis
Piriform has a simple post explaining
http://forum.pirifor....php?showtopic=10965
And above I reference the pages of Wilders and Mirijn that link to many forums that do HijackThis analysis. It is possible that Trend Micro will be a dead-end, which often happens when software is picked up by the larger companies. Note: "the HijackThis WhiteList. HJT "Hides" some Known legit entries."

WinPatrol Hijack log - (free and pro)
"The WinPatrol Hijack log includes all but about two items that HijackThis includes but we adds about a dozen more items which people have requested.  The log format is designed to make it easier for forum helpers but I have heard it’s compatible with some of the automated hijack readers." - note from BillP (his blog is highly recommended).
Here is a recent blog post that shows the log and discusses other features.
http://billpstudios....winpatrol-again.html
Top Ten Reasons to Try WinPatrol Again - 12/04/2008

RunScanner - "Save to text log file"
Most recent Wilder's thread
http://www.wildersse...highlight=runscanner         
Runscanner 1.8.0.0 released  (02/2009)

Autoruns for Windows v9.39
http://technet.micro...ernals/bb963902.aspx

Silent Runners
Good description here on Byte forum post.
http://bytes.com/top...ams-dealing-autoruns
The purpose of Silent Runners is to identify the programs that start up with Windows. The original author of Silent Runners is Andrew Aronoff (although many have contributed to development of the script). According to Silent Runners website- "Silent Runners is not an anti-virus, an anti-trojan, or a spyware scanner. It only pinpoints how programs start up i.e. it does not scan the system to identify every trace of malware. The text file it creates can be removed for study or stored as a benchmark". The script changes absolutely nothing on your system other than adding its report file. It has no option to change anything and no such option will ever be added. (continues with urls)

AutoStart Viewer (ASViewer)- DiamondCS
http://www.diamondcs...ilities/asviewer.php
"- Save/Print functions allow you to take snapshots "

One simple way to see the tone and usage of some of these logs (in addition to the lists mentioned above about forums that are HijackThis friendly) is simply to put "RunScanner log" "Autoruns log" and such into Google. e.g You will find threads at "PC Help Forums" and "Geeks to Go" and "WhattheTech" and others.  Just be aware that many of these forums (not all) are weak in the ads they have. It is sad to see ads for negative software (e.g. scamware or even potentially rogueware) on sites that are meant to help the user .. one of the excellent aspects of DonationCoder ! (Have I made my donation today ?)

==============================================================

Those are the ones most likely to be received on the forums, although I have little familiarity with the actual usage today.  

Also of note, considering the excellent rep of Nir Sofer.

NirSoft - StartupRun (2004)
"Save the list of startup items into a text or HTML files" - Byte forum post

There are other logs (the Byte post also mentions one or two more Startup logs of less interest):
Wilder mentions:
"Spybot S&D, Ad-aware, plus the new generation of Anti-Rootkit detection logs (gmer, rkunhooker, etc.) and other similar product logs."  -- however those mentioned above seem to be "Startup" specialists.  (I'm also looking at "RemoveAny" where there is a log email capability, however the way it is currently set up may encourage a newbie to be too aggressive in removal and it does not think in terms of programs at startup.  This is true of a few of the log file programs, they are process or .dll techie-oriented, not startup program oriented.

One thing worth noting.  WinPatrol is the only real active program (StartupList and StartupRun are not real active) in this whole group that first approaches the issue as "Startup Programs" and then is drilling down to a report-log as a complementary feature as well.  Most of the others begin more from the techie level of logging everything that happens.  The multi-aspect of WinPatrol makes it a fan favorite.

========================================

THE FOUR OF THE THREAD - CHAMELEON, WINPATROL, STARTED, STARTUP MANAGER

Thank you Evgeni for contributing.  I think Evgeni's Chameleon and WinPatrol and Outertech's StartEd are three of the more active and vibrant products around, all with free/lite and paid versions.  And all discussions with the developers, or feedback from their blogs and support, are very welcome.

Personally I think a startup manager is one utility that deserves a paid version if the features match your needs well.

(Metaproduct's Startup Organizer is also mentioned above, it is a fine product, still developed, solid. I do not see that the developers are quite as active and visible, although 2.9 is Feb 2009 with a service relaease March 2009.  However this was 3+ years from 2.8. What it does it does well, in my experience.  Here are the screenshots, complete although small. http://www.metaprodu...izer-Screenshots.htm .  The plus of SO is that it combines the Explorer interface with easy changes with some configuration flexibility with decent warnings (similar to Scotty).  Are they as up on hidden spots as Scot ? Dunno. Waiting for someone to do a comparison review !)

There are real interface and emphasis differences. And I can see working with two (WinPatrol + one more) instead of one and folks will have different needs.  e.g. WinPatrol simply does not have that easy-to-see Explorer type review of all startup functions.  Those who value that highly will gravitate to one of the other softwares.

WinPatrol is strong on security issues among the startup managers, a big plus to many, myself included. Yet some work with more dedicated HIPS and registry protection programs and may find WinPatrol redundant.  (And some reject post-facto protection for real-time protection .. note that this is one area where WinPatrol Plus is stronger than free. Although how real-time is a Wilder's type of discussion.) And the tabbed interface of WinPatrol is quite different than the Explorer-style of many programs.  As an example of the WinPatrol security emphasis, in addition to the log above, WinPatrol has a tab for the Windows Scheduler .. early in the day Bill Pytlovany noted that a crafty malware could use that for startup. Bill clearly thinks from a defense and security perspective, which is neat.

A current Wilder's thread on WinPatrol:
http://www.wildersse...thread.php?p=1426907
Winpatrol .. Tips Please!

On any security-oriented product it is suggested to do a search within Wilder's - good stuff, although you can end up a bit perplexed about the abundance of HIPS and sandbox and malware and firewall and browser protection and other programs (even putting aside the ugly morass of 'anti-virus' heuristic analysis).  Also I think sandboxes and virtual machines can get pretty ugly at times, well-intentioned as they are.  

One thing I like about startup analysis -- fairly easy to understand.  Even if a program tells you 'late' (ie. a trojan installed and did something bad) at least you likely will know it and can decide between removal attempts, restore attempts such as system restore or registry restore or the ultimate cleanup -- OS reinstallation followed by increased protection and caution. Hopefully this is rare, or never.  (Yes there are very sophisticated attempts that might hide, such as rootkit stuff.  This is one reason why the security folks are putting more emphasis into things like browser and registry protection and watching OS files, I recently added MJ Registry Watcher.) Keep in mind that all of this is largely because Windows remains a kludge-style operating system in terms of non-protection of OpSys functions. So we balance the advantages (easy software functionality) with the problems.

ADDED 3/20/09 - Autoruns and RunScanner - used for logs, plus expanded comments

Shalom,
Steven Avery

937

General Software Discussion / Re: Someone MUST make a new PowerMarks program.

« on: March 17, 2009, 01:23 PM »

Hi Folks,

Completely understood.

Even today .. (shhh.. don't let Thomas from Linkman hear ) there are times I am almost tempted to do something in Powermarks.  It took about a week of having them both loaded to get fully comfortable. 

And we had some semi-vigorous discussions about response time questions (e.g. which were sometimes unacceptable when restarting in Powermarks until I put it on high in ProcessTamer .. it seems that when a program falls asleep, Powermarks or Linkman or whatever, swapped out to disk, new keystroke recognition can be quite slow .. one reason I have memory on order.  There are a lot of variables so imho benchmarks don't mean very much which is what I was discussing with Linkman) . Suffice to say that both Powermarks and Linkman are fully fine in general on response time, Linkman says they assembler optimized on searches, Powermarks gives that feel as well even if in C+ or some other language (I dunno).  And some, or most, of the competition is not excellent on speed when talking about the large databases.

Once you get use to Linkman though, with the new changes and the extras and the responsiveness, you really simply bid a fond adieu to Powermarks .. they paved the way, it was a uniquely well-designed and implemented software .. little appreciated -- except here (an example of the practicle savvy of the Donationcoder crew). And Linkman has very fully taken up the challenge of moving on.

In my case I only dabbled with alternatives .. I didn't want to spend time unless I heard that a program had excellent keyword implementation and fine handling of large databases, and of course I wanted an import.  The issue came to a head with the desire to really use Firefox 3.0 and not wanting to kludge along with script alternatives (apologies if that is a little harsh on Autohotkey implementations).  At first I wanted to like Power Favorites (which might be ok for some) but hit some snags, and then focused on Linkman.  They surprised me very nicely, once I gave the program a full chance.

On auto-complete, I think Linkman has recently added versatility as well, responding to the diverse ideas here.  I am not so familiar with the ins and outs.  Note that Linkman has a buffer pop-up with the last 10 or so entries and I use that quite a bit.

Shalom,
Steven

938

General Software Discussion / Linkman and Powermarks features

« on: March 17, 2009, 03:21 AM »

Hi m9833,

It takes a smidgen of effort to make Linkman more Powermarks like, and then you have to push yourself a bit, however it is worth it.  You will find that the advantages will balance any disadvantages and that you are moving forward, especially in having new features as the latest updates show.  Now to your 3 concerns.

1. No Automatic Suggestions while entering Tags. Here PowerMarks always used to suggest previously entered Tags, as one typed.

Not sure how that works for you.  I always pick up the metadata anyway, with both programs, and then add keywords particular to the moment.  Rarely do I add exactly the same as the previous entry so there may be a Powermarks feature I never used.  On the cases when I do want to dup the previous entry I use the clipboard. (Usually that is in the name fields for alphabetizing, since I use Linkman as a PIM, as I did Powermarks, in the future I plan to do similar alphabetizing-sorting with the user-defined fields that are Linkman-specific as well.)

Note: They have been enhancing the printing as well, which is a very big plus over Powermarks, where my print function was usually the screen capture program. In this function alphabetizing is helpful, since the sorts match the query sorts (new feature).

2. Folder structure. 
Here your comparison is not with Powermarks but with a program I will have to look at, so I will pass on commenting much.  The ability to have a folder structure in Linkman may have some advantages, and perhaps that can be changed structurally as you suggest for pizazz. However the Powermarks "no-folder-at-all" structure can be reasonably emulated in Linkman, the key issue in comparison.  We can't fault Linkman for both having folders and letting us hide and unuse the folders !  Especially if we are trying to enhance the folder concepts.

3. Duplicate deletion
Your points about dups are well-taken.  However Linkman just made the major enhancement on this, which I discuss above.  They still don't radically prevent dups on the data-manipulation level, (they can still be made in imports, their deliberate design decision, understandable yet worthy of more discussion) however they definitely now properly move you into edit mode when you go to "add" (update) an existing URL, as long as you have the no dups configuration option checked.  This was the major Linkman lack, now fixed.  The only awkwardness is that they did not "Replace" the word "Replace" with "Edit" or "Update" -- however once you understand how it works, that is more cosmetically semantical than a problem.  Oh, yeah, Linkman may have one more click involved.  We can ask them to make eliminating that click a configuration option "Always bring up existing URL" as a sub-configuration under the no-dups checkmark.

The big difference I see is that I frequently had to dup-text (cut-and-paste) on Powermarks the name line to see the entry, the same words in the keyword-tag section.  To be sure it showed up in search.  With Linkman you can specify that the name field is part of the keyword search anyway, no dup necessary.  Now granted I was using the "Keyword Search" on Powermarks, not the "Exact String Search" and Linkman just added the "word search" function as a default configuration option, so I may have to check this a bit if the goal is accurate comparison.  Linkman is more flexible with wildcard-style characters and boolean, how much this is used will vary a lot.

Why would anyone deliberately want to allow dups ?  Well, you would have to ask around.  If you want to use Linkman as a PIM, I can give an example.  While in googlebooks every page can easily be a new link, this is not the case on archive.org.  So if you wanted to make a bunch of easily-read notes (in the name field) for a book, ("p. 20 about Messianic expectations, p. 75 about the Johannnine Comma") you could have the same link 5 times.  Not the most elegant, and I don't do that, but one possibility.  There are probably others. I agree with the no-dup philosophy for me personally, however Linkman may have a number of customers who like the dup-option.

=================================================

It might be good to list the 5 or more significant advantages, and the differences between, Powermarks and Linkman.  It is no knock on Powermarks that Linkman is able to be competitive, Powermarks has been truly fantastic for years. If the fellow from Kaylon had kept at it it would have been neat.  He never really gave us much visibility and moved in other directions.

Understand I am no slouch when it comes to using programs others consider dated.  Eudora is my email of choice, and I have looked at Thunderbird, the Bat! and the kitchen sink.  If it wasn't for Linkman I would be using Powermarks and would have tried hard to have gotten those AutoHotkey kludges working !

Shalom,
Steven

939

General Software Discussion / Google front-ends and toolbars - limit search domains

« on: March 16, 2009, 08:43 AM »

Hi Folks,

One thing that I would like from Google searches that I do not have is not too complicated.  A front-end that is designed to digest my multi-search needs.

e.g. Let's say I am searching on some new software, I would like to be able to limit the search to a number of domains, like DonationCoder, Lifehackers, Wilders, Snapfiles, MajorGeeks, Fileforum, Freewaregenius and maybe another 5 or 10 other domains.  (And often a review or discussion in one of those will link to other good discussions.) Afaik, there is no direct way to do that in Google (you can ask for one domain) however a front-end could conceivably do this. Even if it adds a couple of seconds, no problemo, a really focused search.  Remember and name my lists, let me add a new domain quickly when needed, and fly.

There are probably many other similar "front-end" enhancements that could come to mind (the built-in Boolean in Google is quite powerful but even that might sometimes use a front-end, or even "save-searches" options).  This one about domains I will use as an example.  (Note: All this does not mean that I will not also do the "full search" .. that is how you find new gems, yet often you want to cut right to the quick.)

============================

Sidenote: I got an email today from the very well-respected xplorer² where he specifically mentions a toolbar.

"google beater!! Naturally it will make your internet searches more convenient but that's not all. It will help you make sense of the search results with keyword highlighting and in-page searches. And it is also giving you access to all your online e-mail accounts (hotmail, yahoo, gmail etc) with a single click!"

However I am not sure if there is much there of great help, look forward to giving it a try.

============================

Oh, one other point.  The biggest lack in my browser searches is the inability to have two or three "Find"s active at one time, each one with their own button, able to move back and forth without a retyping.  It would be a natural Firefox extension -- yet does not seem to exist, I asked over in that realm once.  Anybody have any thoughts ?  I really like the Firefox-Linkman-Powermarks incremental-letter search (any duplicate of that on Opera or Chrome ?) sitting down in the bar at bottom in Firefox, never needing a ctrl-f.  Excellent, simple design.  However there is plenty of room there, why not two or three "Find" fields ?

============================

Feel free to break out these last two sections into their own thread, if they are of solid interest.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

940

General Software Discussion / Re: Win Patrol Plus (Bits Du Jour- Fri) Chameleon Startup Manager, Startup Organizer

« on: March 15, 2009, 10:13 AM »

Hi Folks,

Thanks, Evgeni.

I made the change above, I had Evgeni from Ukraine (oops).

Also Comodo System Cleaner was added above, since they have a startup module and definitely are a solid company for free utilities these days.  Also added Iobit's Advanced System Care Free.

Overall, I think this software category is an excellent example of why suites and utility packages are often less effective than a dedicated program.  WinPatrol Plus really shines on the security issues, Chameleon really is very strong on interface and configuration options.  I'm planing on trying to determine whether I consider the two as overlapping yet complementary.  Also Chameleon and StartEd can use a direct comparison, with the configuration flexibility pluses of Chameleon very much in mind.  I'm beginning to think that WinPatrol Plus is virtually a must-have for the variety and depth and strength of the security protections (more on that planned later).

Shalom,
Steven Avery

941

General Software Discussion / Re: Microsoft's Turn-off mode in IE8 not enough, says Opera.

« on: March 15, 2009, 09:38 AM »

Hi Folks,

The concept of "bundling" as an anti-trust scheme has a long and dishonorable history in realms such as trying to prevent the usage of non-OEM automotive replacement parts by the car manufacturers.  The pressures take various forms, such as pressuring the dealers or manufacturers, warranty stuff, this and that.  Microsoft has been an expert in such abuse.

Now probably a 100% libertarian does not think the government should be involved in anti-trust. While I respect that view, to me it does seem to be one legitimate government function.

The simple fact is that the USA fell down on the job of preventing abusive bundling by Microsoft while Europe did a good job (some may say too aggressively).

Opera is simply using the proper forums, with bite, for trying to bring real change.  I will not fault them for using the only forum that really can change the situation.  (Even if governments and courts tend to come up with mediocre solutions.) As for their competition with Firefox and others, that is a problem for them either way, Firefox happens to be surprisingly successful with their open architecture (plug-ins and extensions) which will likely keep them way ahead of Opera.  Much like the general PC environment is way ahead of Apple, while Apple is nonetheless quite successful.  However all that is neither here nor there in the bundling equation. (My usage is Firefox #1 and Opera #2, Chrome and IE behind.)  Similarly I will not fault Chrome for chiming in .. clearly they learned a bunch about Microsoft machinations.

The really best change would be full browser and op-sys independence, where the IE browser is simply calling op-sys functions that other programs can call (or not) through the API.  An example is Eudora, which has the choice of their own viewer or the IE-viewer.  However that "viewer" should be a Windows op-sys function, called by IE or Firefox or Eudora, not an IE function.

(Eudora is an example of an excellent software product (from Qualcomm) that basically closed up development because of the bundling of the mediocre Outlook Express.)

Shalom,
Steven Avery
Queens, NY

942

General Software Discussion / Re: Someone MUST make a new PowerMarks program.

« on: March 15, 2009, 12:31 AM »

Hi Folks,

My thanks to Outertech for an incredible responsiveness and active user support.  (Another reason for those unsure with Powermarks to make the plunge, help the developers and move ahead.  You can always keep Powermarks up for finding and loading existing bookmarks for awhile, until you are fully Linkman comfortable.) My recent XP software experience has been enhanced by Outertech and BillP of WinPatrol, two companies that have really set and raised the bar on small company support (yes, there are probably many dozen others that are worthy of mention, including DC programs and coders., I mention those two because they work on programs in the sweet spot of my daily usage).

For now I want to point out - clarify - one very significant enhancement.

"When adding URLs you get the option to replace a URL if it already exists"

This means that you can "EDIT" an already existing URL (when you try to add it .. and often you do not even know if it exists in your link database or not before the add / re-add attempt).  If you have the checkbox for :

Tools --> Settings --> Receive URLs --> Prevent adding existing URLs
as checked.  ie. (No dup-key)

When the web page is already in front of you it will be faster to simply go to "Add" and then "Replace (Edit)" than to put in keywords to "Query" and then "Edit" .

A heavy user will use this option many times a day, the word "Replace" in that situation really means to us "Edit" or "Update". I mentioned it to Linkman recently and the improvement made the next update ! 

(Not the only one, especially they also bumped up the printer enhancements, a feature that helps bridge the gap between Bookmarks, Notes and PIM.  On Powermarks I was using the "Print Key" method, followed by the "scissor/pocket-razor cutup followup".  Not the most elegant :-).  And without much for sorting options.) 

I'm not sure how that adding stuff now works if you don't have the check-mark, it is likely unchanged from the former, since the idea is that you are asking for multiple urls for the same bookmark.  Personally I would recommend keeping it checked (no dups) although I can imagine some usage where a person goes the other way.

Notice above also the Query Options on search for whole words and autocomplete.  Apparently that was largely in response to the recent discussion on this thread within the last week or two, or correspondence some others here had with Linkman privately. (Oh, yeah, I had mentioned en passant one of the two, the 'word or string' search question.)  Likely all quite recent.  This is what is neat when you have some competent and responsive programmers who modify the program for the users rather than versa vica. 

And they fixed up the Powermarks date stuff (Powermarks uses unusual date formatting that needed translation) so I have to consider whether to back up my current file and try the reimport and how that would work after dups are eliminated. This goes along with fixing up a Powermarks "@" quirk in the PM data file, another reason for the reimport, that effected my Google books urls. I don't think they mentioned it in the enhancements list since it is a bit on the techie side and mostly unnoticed, but Thomas had mentioned to me that they had made the change.

Also they now have the option to remove the lines between lines on the query mode.  I asked for that to help when you try to go into a scrunch mode (more lines per page) .. something that is native to Powermarks :-) . "Show Treeview lines turns also Query Results lines on/off". Actually whether Linkman should default to lines off or on is a good question.

I've been a bit busy so I have only worked with the "Replace"  --> Update mode of the enhancements I mentioned here so far.  There is other stuff ... I am discussing mostly the stuff where I am quite familiar.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

943

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: WinPatrol Plus on Bits Du Jour - Friday 2/13/09

« on: March 13, 2009, 09:19 AM »

Hi Folks,

I agree, Cyberdiva.  Very few programs get the warnings-rollback right, or the delaying, or the configuration, especially a "choose at startup" option (I'm not sure how WinPatrol does on configs). These are the basics of quality in this genre. Any many probably miss this or that in the arcane startup sections, the other basic. (And the bad guys will look for the arcane.) Oh, and developer support, basic #5 . Oh, and the standard needs ... usability and interface and stability.  One note: WinPatrol seems to be the most HIPS/security conscious on any startup program.  Startup Organizer from Metaproducts was always very solid and strong for me in that realm, I am having a little problem right now with that in Chameleon and sent Evgeni a note. Win Patrol is probably #1 in security.

What is curious is that the firewalls have not really followed suit -- (if anyone knows a good firewall or HIPS program that incorporates full and strong startup protection, please indicate).  They have a lot of resources, yet seem to be not fully-dimensional.

Here is one question I am trying to check on the WinPatrol Bits Du Jour discount today.  There is a new WinPatrol coming out in a few days, WinPatrol 2009.  If there is going to be an upgrade fee then of course the discount today is much less of a great shakes.  Awaiting a callback, and I may post this on Iconico's Bits du Jour as well.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

944

General Software Discussion / Chameleon Startup Manager - freeware version

« on: March 12, 2009, 11:52 PM »

Hi Folks,

Welcome guys.  This is more an "overview" research thread .. the real work will be when someone takes the top five paid programs and a number of freewares and really does a neato review !  Overall, it is interesting what you find out about the topic and the software industry when you look at one utility closely. The good, the bad and the ugly and the elegant.

Good news from Chameleon.  They have a freebie version, hard to find on their website, yet downloadable here and there on the solid shareware and freeware sites.  So I wrote to them and got an excellent reply from Evgeni (also a good, quick separate reply on a minor technical issue).

======
CHAMELEON STARTUP MANAGER - Neo-Soft
======

Now available version 2.65:
http://www.neosoft-t...es/cstartup_free.zip

Limitations of the free version are:
- Definition of only one task
- Launch delay option for just one program
- 'Save' feature for only three configurations
- Startup profile selection at Windows startup is unavailable

====================================

None of these look like deal-breakers, all make sense as legit differences between a paid version and a free version (only three configuration is especially not a hindrance) .. thus Chameleon joins the free group (I am adding them above).

Since these programs are inexpensive (Evgeni does not mention support differences, we can ask him) I would still tend towards purchasing.  There is something really crisp about a straight purchase (with a DonationCoder or Bits Du Jour discount when possible) of an inexpensive and good utility software product.  And having the full, best product. Imho.

Although I have hesitations on Trialpay (discussed elsewhere) that can be mentioned here for this program as well.  (My hesitations on Trialpay are when they 'partner' with dubious software products, like in the "registry cleaning" world, causing me personally to hesitate to use them.  However many of their software partners are very solid, like Chameleon.)

Incidentally Snapfiles lists Neo-Soft as UK, while I think Ukraine is accurate.  Did the UK at the start confuse them ?

Oh, I removed a reference to Procleaner above (next to ccleaner and ncleaner) simply because I could not find real info about the software.  It has a MajorGeeks entry but no names attached or anything.  All entries above are meant to have 'personality' - to avoid possible adware and commecial-nonsense marketing-first products.  This one was a close call since it appeared to be freeware, however a product could exist mostly as a Google-marketing segue.  Real personality is necessary.

05/2009 - ProCleaner reference returns with additional ino.

Let me point out that I find Linkman (and formerly Powermarks) invaluable on a project like this.  Where I use my bookmarks as a PIM and go mostly straight from URLs to post.  By using "Startup" as a keyword I keep the info together, lots of little notes are in the "Name field" and I do a bit of clumping by alphabetizing.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

945

General Software Discussion / Re: Tool to monitor in background & report on memory needs and other tweaks

« on: March 12, 2009, 11:44 AM »

Hi Folks,

Thanks, guys. Microsoft has a performance wizard that is supposed to make this thing a little easier to shuttle on and off and analyze.  I know in mini-computer land performance management tends to be arcane and every help helps (on the Sys/36 it was "SMF") although granted it is nice if you can work with the raw data.  So far I haven't found any report analysis tools so it looks like you do it yourself.. e.g. you hopefully run the measurements on a couple of systems and compare the amount of paging and such.

f0dder .. Memory question on XP .. 32 bit .. do you find productive ways to fake out the system and use the ram about 3.5 ?  If so, how helpful is it ? ie. If you were using real memory intensive stuff .. And have you seen an article on it ?  Or are you talking about 8 gb on 64-bit OS like Vista ?

As for 1 Gigabtye, on a busy system, very marginal at best. With memory inexpensive it is hard to justify not going to 2 Gb or 4 Gb.  I just spent $50 to upgrade my home system from 1 Gb to 5 Gb, even if I only can use 3.5.

I even wondered .. gasp .. if Vista might have some advantages .. with the 64-bit and using 8 Gb.  Then I woke up.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

946

General Software Discussion / Freeware list - DonationCoder threads - refs and summary

« on: March 12, 2009, 04:01 AM »

Hi Folks,

I use Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor from http://www.mlin.net/ Thay are free, simple, do not use to much resources and I have never had any troubles on XP.

-bgd77 (March 11, 2009, 10:54 AM)

Very possibly the best of the current freeware, with mention also of WinPatrol Free and some more below .  Apparently no more active development or support, Michael Lin has moved in other directions the last few years. (This was on another DC thread.) When I tried it I found the two programs instead of one a bit awkward and preferred Startup Organizer.  

====================================

DONATIONCODER threads, for those who want to come up to speed.

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=13925.0
In need of a "system startup manager" 07/2008 - 1 pg.

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=12743.0
IDEA? simple startup manager with timer 03/2008 - 1 pg. (delay feature)

https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=12356.0
AnVir - Task manager. Startup manager. Speed up boot time and performance. - 1 pg.

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=7879.0
To manage the startup procedure 03/2007 - 1 pg (StartRight)

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=7882.0
Startup manager 03/2007 - 1 pg (mentions about 10 programs)

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=7301.0
Chameleon Startup Manager - discount - 2007-  3 pages - (discussion with Evgeni - developer)

https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=4420.0
Good programs for helping you manage what programs start with windows? 06/2007 3 pgs
(Good wide-ranging discussion)

Two of the Software Organizer mentions by Mouser
https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=5577.0
All MetaProducts Software - 30% Discount - 10/2006 1 pg.
https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=12052.0
February 2008 Discounts and Shareware Giveaway

https://www.donation...ndex.php?topic=686.0
startup/tasks manager? - 02/2006

========================================

FREEWARES

Generally the ones toward the top have more pizazz than the ones toward the bottom. There is a wide range here, from the simple to intermediate to the techie to helping with problems, an interesting assortment.  

Note that some may find programs that others miss, rather a critical issue if you are trying to be 100%.  (And their handling of 'services' will vary -- knowing that the distinction between services and applications can be gray.)  Looking around, some of these surprised me in various ways .. sleepers and unexpected authors of quality that have startup programs.  The first three are in both the free and paid sections.

WinPatrol Free (features compared to Plus) - Bill Pytlovany (BillP Studios, Scotia, NY, USA)
http://www.winpatrol...m/whyplus.html?index
The Plus difference is HIPS, malware detection.
Recommended unless you have this well handled by other programs.

Chameleon Startup Manager Free -  Evgeni Shmakov (Russia) - see next post below

StartEd Lite - Outertech - (Germany) Linkman developers  (StartEd Pro = $20)
http://www.outertech...age=product&id=9
"StartEd Lite, a special edition of StartEd without the backup feature, but completely free for private non-commercial use as well as for use in charity organizations and educational use."

=========

Windows Defender
(Microsoft Vista product available for XP)
http://www.microsoft...g=en&mg_id=10134

Startup Control Panel - CPL - Mike Lin (NJ, USA) - excellent rep ..  no updates for some years
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
Startup Monitor
http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml

RunAlyzer (from Spybot Search & Destroy - Patrick M. Kolla - PepiMK - Germany)
http://www.safer-net...runalyzer/index.html
Forums
http://forums.spybot...forumdisplay.php?f=8

Autoruns - Sysinternals - Mark Russinovich and Bryce Cogswell, (now Microsoft, small outfit in WA, USA)
http://technet.micro...ernals/bb963902.aspx
Forum
http://forum.sysinte...um_topics.asp?FID=16
In Gizmo's "Cleanup Kit"  (01/2009)
http://www.techsuppo...hant-cleanup-kit.htm
With recommendation to use the bleepingcomputer database (below)

Starter - Codestuff - (09/2006 last update) - ADDED: Updates May 2009
http://codestuff.tripod.com/
Forum (active in 2009)
http://codestuff.7.f...ceb3a589c39fa2593d7f

Runscanner - Geert Moernaut (Belgium) Freeware startup and hijack analyzer
http://www.runscanner.net/ % http://www.moernaut.com/

WhatInStartup (2009)
http://www.nirsoft.n..._run_in_startup.html

Autostart and Process Viewer (APV) -  Konrad Papala - (Poland)
http://www.konradp.c...-and-process-viewer/

ASViewer - Diamond CS - (Perth, Australia)
http://www.diamondcs...ilities/asviewer.php
(Autostart locations below in techie and articles section)

a-squared HiJackFree - Emsi (Austria) - (Pro==Biz or support $20) updated 05/2008
http://www.hijackfree.com/en/
Forum
http://forum.emsisof...spx?g=topics&f=3

StartRight - JoeJoe's (Jan 2007 Beta, active with ArsClip and other freeware)
http://www.joejoesof...showpage.php?cid=113

Startup Delayer - r2 Studios - Cliff Cawley - (Brisbane Australia)
http://www.r2.com.au...&show=startdelay

Auto Run Manager - Revo (Bulgaria) with the fine uninstaller "VS Revo Group"
http://www.revounins...startup_manager.html

OSAM - Online Solutions AutoRun Manager (Russia, v 4.0 released 09/2009)
http://www.online-so..._autorun_manager.php
Forum
http://forum.online-...ru/viewforum.php?f=3

StartupList - Merijn Bellekom (Holland) author of Hijack This - 2006
http://75.127.110.25...~merijn/programs.php
StartupListUI - (front-end by R2 of Long Beach, CA)
http://www.dslreport...security,1~mode=flat
(HijackThis in special security section below.)

Jockersoft Startup Delayer - (Italy - updated 09/2008) Donationware
http://www.jockersof...tupdelayer_index.php
Forum
http://www.jockersof....org/forum/index.php

Mischel Autostart Explorer (2002) - Magnus Mischel, (British company)
http://www.misec.net...s/autostartexplorer/
Forum (active support - 2009)
http://www.misec.net/forum/board/AExp

Startup Manager by Brad Stowers (2003) (Australia)
http://f2.org/archiv...ware/startupmgr.html

A-spy v.0.09 -  Xiaoyu Zhang (Denmark)           
http://vipmeister.com/dl/aspy/aspy.html

Quick Startup - GlarySoft (China) (from their utilities suite)
http://www.glarysoft.com/quick-startup/

Startup Guard - Acelogix - (India)
http://www.acelogix.com/freeware.html
Informs of new entries, not full manager, can be used in tandem with the freebies
here that do not have a warning feature, as mentioned by a DC poster.
And there is an Auto-Start Manager in the commercial Acelogix Utilities package "Ace Utilities"
Forum
http://www.acelogix....ms/viewforum.php?f=3

Mz StartUp Manager -  Michael Zacharias (Greece)
http://www.mztweak.com/MzStart.html
Mz Services Manager
http://www.mztweak.com/MzServices.html

XenCare Startup Blaster (2008) - main product Softlock
http://www.xencare.c..._startup_blaster.php
"Seattle, USA based software security solution provider .. offshore development site in Dhaka, Bangladesh."
Gives addy and phone # - forum is online and spammed (call and tell them !)

Startup Manager - Where's James  (pic is unimpressive, tho some niceties)
http://www.wheresjam....php?page=startupmgr
Startup Apps list
http://www.wheresjam...om/index.php?page=sa

st-m (Startup Manager) - Open Source - Glenn Van Loon - rereleased December 2008
http://startupmanager.org/
Forum
http://sourceforge.n....php?forum_id=462822

----
This last is quite unusual, first as Open Source and as Google ads lead to :
http://files.uberdow...up_manager/index.php
Startup Manager - Uber Downloads
And uber downloads is dubious.
That that may not be the st-m problem, simply a commercial venture taking advantage of open source. More research suggested, such as correspondence with Glenn and SourceForge.  Also loading for comparison, as the only open source in the group. (Followup: further research has not found any significant concern with uberdownloads nor any connection with Glenn.)

Windows XP Startup Tracker v3.8 - Updated 10/31/2003
http://www.dougknox....ls/xp_starttrack.htm
Doug Knox has a good tweaks and fixes website.  The program has not been updated from 5+ years yet still was mentioned respectfully in the Bytes post since it creates a log file.  (Discussed below.)

WinStartup v1.00 (2005)
http://www.rjlsoftwa...tartup/default.shtml

Startup Xpert - Enplase Research - (Ukraine) - screen pic looks too simple
http://enplase.com/p...ert+description.html
Five other titles on Giveaway of the Day
http://www.giveawayo...esearch-corporation/

Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2
http://www2.ashampoo...uct_2_0117___USD.htm

Startup Manager by Ali Keshavarz (Iran) (2007)
http://www.vcldevelo.../startup_manager.htm
Startup Manager Snapshots
http://www.vcldevelo...er.serverheaven.net/

Startup Inspector (2007) - William Yang (London, England)
http://www.windowsst...startupinspector.php
Startup Monitor
http://www.windowsst...m/startupmonitor.php
Startup Inspector
Snapfiles reviews -- database is insufficient, program is sound.  This is a Pacman's Portal database however the last entry given is 2007.  And note that the "Forum" link is busted.  This program is mentioned positively in the Byte forum post below without these caveats.

StartupRun v1.22 - Nir Sofer (USA) (2004) - replaced by WhatinStartup above (2009)
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html

================================

Top Task/Process Managers Freeware with Startup module

System Explorer (Czech Republic)
http://systemexplorer.mistergroup.org/

Anvir Task Manager Free (Russia)
http://www.anvir.com...-windows-startup.htm (features of free and Pro)
Startup Guard
http://www.anvir.com...new-startup-item.htm
Windows Startup, Startup Manager, Windows XP Startup, Startup Programs
http://www.anvir.com...rtup-programs-xp.htm
To receive stronger Anvir:  http://dottech.org/headline/7292
dotTech Exclusive: Free AnVir Task Manager!

===================================================

Cleaners (and Utility Suites) with startup managers or helps.

ccleaner - http://www.ccleaner.com/                   Piriform (USA)
Forum
http://forum.pirifor...9eb5&showforum=4

nCleaner - http://www.nkprods.com/ncleaner/        Boghiu Andrei (Romania)
Forum
http://www.nkprods.c.../index.php?board=3.0

Comodo System Cleaner
http://system-cleaner.comodo.com/
Forum
http://forums.comodo...vacy_cleaner-b124.0/
(Apparently this module was on, off, and is back on again.)

Advanced SystemCare Free v3 - Iobit
http://www.iobit.com...dwindowscareper.html
Forum
http://forums.iobit....forumdisplay.php?f=8
(Some concerns that Iobit is becoming more commercial-oriented.)

ProCleaner Freeware System Optimizer & Privacy Tool
http://procleaner.net/procleaner/
Not much info, 2007 launched and last update, carried by Major Geeks, have dll library
Company "Emergency Soft" sells History Killer, actively updated in 2009, and other softwares and recent webforum.

Note that Major Geeks warns that ccleaner simply uses msconfig, which would make it a limited tool.  The lighter programs in general may miss entries that are in less likely places.  Even Mike Lin's program was said to miss the (usually unused) windows.ini file.  This is one reason why you might want to go heavier weight and why a comparison can be very helpful -- startup programs are here and there and under the rug.

================================================

TECH AUTO-START

http://freeware.wiki...rt_and_other_listers
Autostart and other listers

http://www.diamondcs...tostartlocations.php
Diamond CS - Autostart Locations

=====

Freeware HIPS with some STARTUP Guard

http://www.dcmembers...cle/watcher/misc.htm
Tiny Watcher - (see the Startup Review) 2006 - Olivier Lombart
Leans towards techie oriented.

=====

SECURITY-ANALYSIS

Hijack This - Trend Micro current version
http://www.trendsecu...ity_tools/hijackthis
Many Forums

===

Greatis Software - Russian Federation (USA Phone # listed)
SpyHolesLists - RegRun
http://www.greatis.c...ity/spyholeslist.htm
Forum
http://www.greatissoftware.com/forums/

Regrun's Startup Monitor and Startup Optimizer are part of their:
RegRun Security Suite (various editions)
http://www.greatis.c.../security/detail.htm

====

SystemScan Guide
http://www.suspectfi...systemscan_guide.php

Silent Runners
http://www.silentrunners.org/

====

FreeFixer - Kephyr Software - Roger Karlsson
Based on Startup locations analysis and makes a log with large whitelist component.
http://www.freefixer.com/ - nice manual and blog info
Helper Forums
http://www.freefixer...al.html#helperforums
Google Forum
http://groups.google...oup/freefixer-forum/
Google is apparently the active forum, rather than SecurityWonks.
http://www.securityw...board/Itemid,26.html
Wilders - FreeFixer
http://www.wildersse...wthread.php?t=197385

Keep in mind that such log programs as this one or HijackThis do not look at the actual files, size, hash #s or anything, only the names, so counterfeit names are not caught. For that you need to catch them with HIPS, or perhaps when they try to install themselves with a startup manager.  (Although clearly a simple cross-reference that the program is actually running and functioning sensibly can be very helpful and a prima facie case for security for that entry.)  And if you are walking into an existing puter cold the situation is a bit different.  In fact this caveat exists more-or-less for startup analysis in general.

WEBFORUMS

http://75.127.110.25/~merijn/forums.php
Merijn (HijackThis)
Lists 38 forums that help with HijackThis logs, which are often startup malware issues
(Note: HijackThis was sold to TrendMicro in 03/2007)

Similarly Wilders recommends "SpywareInfo, Bleeping Computer, Geeks to Go, Gladiator Security, Malware Removal, WhattheTech (formerly TomCoyote)"
http://www.wildersse...owthread.php?t=42148

===========================================================================

Returning to general Startup Programs

FREE vs. PURCHASE

The paid niche still stands strong, imho, with the StartEd program also worthy of careful consideration, since Linkman is a good recommendation.  

WinPatrol Plus (shortly WinPatrol 2009)
Chameleon Startup Manager
Startup Organizer - Metaproducts

Would be the three paid I would most recommend for comparison.

StartEd Pro is in consideration as well, based on knowing that Linkman is a very fine program. However I do not see that it gives an immediate warning about added programs.  

Similarly:

The Ultimate Troubleshooter - $30
http://www.answersth.../TUT_information.htm
Is involved in the task lists and related issues and have a good rep.

The PC Mag - Startup Cop Pro (SCP) has gotten a bunch of discussion too, since those who have a PC Mag magazine software subscription get it in their bundle.  However it seems to have stumbled a bit.

There may be a couple of gems in the other dozen or more paid programs.  Absolute Startup Manager, Arrange Startup (avoid-Avanquest related), Innovative Startup Firewall, Startup Guru, Startup Juggler, Startpro, Startup Genie and others.  However few of these have been noted as feature-rich and competitive to date, a couple had nice pics and explanations.  Special caution on the Google ads .. they can lead to rogueware products like Regcure. Or they may lead to a mediocre product for some $.  

Also some quality software might have a startup manager in their commercial product.  
eg. Regrun was mentioned above, since they also have a free startup program.
Here is one that many like.

jv16 PowerTools 2009 - Macecraft - (Finland and USA office)
http://www.macecraft.com/

======

The paid-for program should have most or all of these features.

1) Good interface - Usability - Stability

2) Alerts and rollback on Startup Changes

3) Multiple Configuration, preferably with an option to allow choosing config at startup

4) Startup Delay capabilities

5) Complete analysis of startup places, including the arcane

6) Direct interface with startup-file database

7) Developer Support (and web-forum or email forum community/support is excellent)
    With ongoing enhancements.

=======================================================================

SOLID REVIEW ARTICLES (Jonathan, Gizmo, Lifehacker)

Returning to the main crew:

Oh, Jonathan looked at three ( Mike Lin's, WinPatrol and Starter from Codestuff ) at:
http://jonathanstool...l-your-startups.html - 02/2007
#11 Control Your Startups

And Gizmo looked most at WinPatrol, Mike Lin's, Codestuff Starter, Autorun and StartupRun from Nir Sofer.
And a bunch of good comments.
http://www.techsuppo...-startup-manager.htm
Gizmo - Best Free Startup Manager - 7/21/2008

And Lifehacker had many good comments.
http://lifehacker.co...-up-your-pcs-startup
The Complete Guide to Speeding Up Your PC's Startup - Gina Trapani - 11/2008

====

GENERAL STARTUP TECH

http://forums.majorg...wthread.php?t=149804
Major Geeks - How to deal with startup processes - do not use MSconfig - 01/2008

http://www.softwaret...ions/howtoremove.php
How to Remove Startup Applications - By Pacman's Portal

http://www.pacs-port.../startup_content.php
Pacman's Portal Start Up Tips

http://www2.whidbey....m/djdenham/index.htm
Resource Management

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270035/
How to disable programs that run when you start Windows XP Home Edition or Windows Vista

http://www.smartcomp...%2F13s02%2F13s02.asp
Manage Your Startup Programs - Quicken Your PC’s Pace From Start To Finish (2006)

=================================

WHY A HIGH-CLASS TOOL IS BEST

http://gladiator-ant....php?showtopic=24610
A Collection of Autostart Locations
Tony Klein 2005-last updated 2008

Recommend this be at least skimmed. You will learn a lot about why most of the programs are insufficient as startup tools.  It would be an interesting test to see how well these are covered by various HIPS and Startup programs.

Note: Tony Klein also is involved in the program and malware lists at:
http://www.systemlookup.com/lists.php
SystemLookup - Browse by List

And here is a similarly comprehensive list developed from the "Silent Runners" script labours.

Silent Runners - Launch Points
http://www.silentrun...sr_launchpoints.html
"Here are the registry keys, INI-file sections, files and folders that are checked by Silent Runners and the Operating Systems (O/S's) to which they apply"

http://www.systemloo...com/lists.php?list=2
Startup List  
This is related to the sysinfo.org Paul Collins (Pac-man) lists mentioned below.

And here is a discussion in 2003 about these locations involving Merijn of StartupList and with a graph that can be compared to the later Tony Klein "Collection"
http://www.dslreport...2~days=9999~start=80
Startup Reprised - but not completed...
(AutoStart Explorer, AutoRuns, Autostart Viewer also in the graph.)

=======================================================================

AND STARTUP DATABASES THAT APPEAR TO BE CURRENT AND ACTIVE

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php
"Paul Collins (aka Pacman), a British engineer, runs this site and maintains its more than 10,000 startup items."
Mentioned many places .. quote from Manage article above.
Startup Applications List - Pacman's Portal - Paul Collins (formerly hosted on now-defunct Castlecops)
Forum
http://forums.spybot...orumdisplay.php?f=56
http://forums.spybot...owthread.php?t=46841 03/19/09
"Just thought I'd let you know that throughout 2009 and in the foreseeable future I'm going to be personally verifying many of the Y, U, N & ? entries in the startup list.  As far as I'm aware, most of the others lists that have sprung up out there since I started aren't doing this." - Paul Collins

http://www.bleepingc...mputer.com/startups/
BleepingComputer.com -> Startup Programs Database
Forum (active)
http://www.bleepingc.../forums/forum85.html

http://www.greatis.com/appdata/
Greatis (Regrun) - Application database

=======================================================================

Note: some additions made through 3/13/09 AM .. later will use added posts.

Shalom,
Steven

947

General Software Discussion / Tool to monitor in background & report on memory needs and other tweaks

« on: March 12, 2009, 02:45 AM »

Hi Folks,

We know of various programs like Process Tamer and Process Lasso adjust settings.  (Process Tamer is a great.)

What I really want now is a utility that just tells me how bad is the need for new memory (or other possible upgrades or tweaks might come to play).  e.g. At work I noted that a heavily used XP system only had 512 KB.  Oops. That was a no-brainer and we quickly bumped it up to 2 Gigabytes. (Yes, we could consider 4 Gb in some situations, with most addressable.)  The user was quite happy.  (The network guy is less aware of this stuff.)

Yet some cases might be less clear.  Example: a 1 Gigabyte XP-system that does not have the heavyweight memory usage programs (in my case Firefox, Eudora, Linkman).  Perhaps an upgrade to 2-Gb would be a big improvement, perhaps not.

So a utility that looks historically at things like Page File usage might indicate whether there was lots of need, especially for more memory. If there is a lot of swapping .. upgrade the memory.

Looking around, I don't see a utility quite in that alley.

The newish freeware CS Fire Monitor from PCWinTech :

http://www.pcwintech.com/node/146
CS Fire Monitor - System Monitoring Tool v.3.0.1

Is an example of a reporting tool that might be close, yet it looks like it does not specially focus on memory and upgrade questions, although it includes memory analysis.  More importantly, it looks to be more of a snapshot than an historical reporting tool.  (Although I have not yet loaded it, it was one of the more interesting analysis tools that have little mention so far here on DC so feel free to comment.)

What I want is something that I can load on a system, stick in the startup folder, and come back a week later and meanwhile be totally unobtrusive.  And will give good, helpful info when I get back there.

Any suggestions ?

Shalom,
Steven Avery

948

General Software Discussion / Re: Win Patrol Plus (Bits Du Jour- Fri) Chameleon Startup Manager, Startup Organizer

« on: March 11, 2009, 10:44 AM »

Hi Folks,

Right superboyac. I do not think about this in terms of speed, although it is true that when 20 programs try to load at once you can get log-jam city.  Yawn, take a break, hope there is no clash.

The idea is more for :

a) visibility - what really is loading, and where is it coming from. And which users is a program loading for, and maybe I want to change this and that.

b) security - why did that program go into a startup place, is that authorized ?  And .. oops .. an alert .. now such-and-such has changed, do I agree ?

c) multiple configurations
(rather than handle that through the clunkiness of additional "Users")

d) loading order - for some this may come to play

And speed --> (e). 
Which is especially the usage of easy-setup startup delays 

I think Chameleon is a lot stronger than Startup Organizer on the multiple configurations (the option of a prompt at the beginning of loading .. which config do you want?) .. that is from memory, I don't remember that feature on SO.

Maybe laters I will try to do more in at least listing the features at issue. Off to work.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

949

General Software Discussion / Win Patrol Plus (Bits Du Jour- Fri) Chameleon Startup Manager, Startup Organizer

« on: March 11, 2009, 10:29 AM »

Hi Folks,

WinPatrol Plus discount on Friday - I placed this on the found sales and discounts.  However here we could compare these three products and any others that are of similar quality.  Let's mostly pass by the freebies, especially those that are not actively developed and supported or products that are not as hefty and stable, even if good products.

WinPatrol Plus on Bits Du Jour - Friday  2/13/09 - $14.95
http://www.bitsdujou...ware/winpatrol-plus/

Personally I think a good startup manager is one of the utilities that are worth a small investment -- over freeware.
(WinPatrol also has a decent free version, possibly the best of the freeware alternatives.)  A good startup organizer gives a firewall visibility type of help, may have some HIPS (Win Patrol Plus may have the most) and it can help with the startup issues like multiple startup configurations and startup delays -- and also just plain visibility, what starts where, programs and services.  Two of these three products add more extra features, although many of us may handle those through other software like a task manager or a HIPS program.  A good solid alarm (this new program will start up next time .. allow or rollback) is almost indispensable. In my experience the firewall products have not been strong on this protection .. although theoretically they should have such a user help.

The three that I like most are:

Startup Organizer - Metaproducts ($25 .. formerly DC discount 02/2008)
http://www.metaprodu...tartup_Organizer.htm
Support Forum - Mild activity
http://www.metaprodu...orums_Post.asp?id=14

Chameleon Startup Manager ($24.95 - 40% DC Discount = $15 ) No forum
http://www.neosoft-t...-startup-manager.htm
Free, Standard and Pro versions.

WinPatrol Plus - BillP Studios - no forum, nice blog and FAQ
http://www.winpatrol.com/
Free and Pro versions

In my limited experience:

Startup Organizer is the simplest, is well-organized and easy to understand and is very reliable.

Chameleon has more features.  Note some design similarity to SO.

Win Patrol Plus also is feature-rich - perhaps with a wider variety and stronger malware awareness

There are another couple of dozen alternatives and some reasonable freeware. For most uses I recommend having one of the above. ...   I started with Startup Organizer years ago so I tend to be sympathetic, yet the other two may have passed it by some.  All three have gotten almost uniformly good mention on DonationCoder.  The techies may have a preference for programs like Autoruns with the Sysinternals heritage, however the emphasis here I hope to be more simplicity and clarity and moderate-tech usability .

Your thoughts ?  
Anybody ready to write up a start-up shoot-out ?

Shalom,
Steven Avery

950

Found Deals and Discounts / WinPatrol Plus on Bits Du Jour - Friday 2/13/09

« on: March 11, 2009, 10:17 AM »

Hi Folks,

Definitely a quality software.

WinPatrol Plus on Bits Du Jour - Friday  2/13/09 - $14.95  (why not $15 )
http://www.bitsdujou...ware/winpatrol-plus/

Personally I think a good startup manager is one of the utilities that are worth a small investment over freeware.
WinPatrol has a decent free version.

The three that I like most are:

Startup Organizer - Metaproducts ($25 .. formerly DC discount 02/2008)
http://www.metaprodu...tartup_Organizer.htm
Support Forum - Mild activity
http://www.metaprodu...orums_Post.asp?id=14

Chameleon Startup Manager ($24.95 - 40% DC Discount = $15 ) No forum
http://www.neosoft-t...-startup-manager.htm

WinPatrol Plus - BillP Studios - no forum, nice blog and FAQ
http://www.winpatrol.com/

In my limited experience:

Startup Organizer is the simplest, is well-organized and easy to understand and is very reliable.
Chameleon has more features.  Note some design similarity to SO.
Win Patrol Plus also is feature-rich - perhaps with a wider variety and stronger malware awareness

There are another couple of dozen alternatives and some reasonable freeware, for most uses I recommend having one of the above.

Perhaps a separate thread in the discussion forum focusing mostly on the three.  I started with Startup Organizer years ago, so I tend to be sympathetic, yet the other two may have passed it by some.

Look for the thread in the General Discussion Forum. I'll bring this whole post over, more or less.

Shalom,
Steven Avery