Ezine 188 – ScreenToast

Ezine 188 – ScreenToast

ScreenToast – Recommended by Paul DeBrino

You cannot help but enjoy this free online screen recorder.  This is what ScreenToast offers:

  • Capture videos of your onscreen action with one click.
  • Record screencasts, for tutorials, demos, training, lectures or just for fun.
  • Share and stream videos online in Flash.
  • Embed them on blogs and webpages or send them by email.
  • No download needed.
  • Compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux.
  • Visit the site  http://www.screentoaster.com/

Windows 7 XP Mode – Do You Need It?  Can You Configure it?

Windows 7 boasts a free XP mode.  This sounds good, and the hype says it will be easy to use.  But Guy says it could cause frustration and installation could turn out to be a time-wasting marathon.  The first problem is that you only get XP Mode with Windows 7 Ultimate (OK it also works with Professional / Enterprise), my point is that Window 7 Home Premium does not support XP Mode.

I strongly recommend that you first download Microsoft’s free HAVdetectionTool to check that your processor supports hardware assisted virtualization (HAV).  If the tool indicates that your processor is up to the job, then you need to download two more files from Microsoft’s site, one for XP Mode and another for the Virtual Machine.  Make sure that you select the appropriate 64 / 32-bit version, and then get the installation sequence right.

Perhaps the very first question should be do you really need XP mode?  There are clues that the answer maybe, ‘no’.  For example, XP is no longer supported.  When anyone asks you such a question, the reflex is always to say YES I NEED IT.  However, if you sleep on it, an amazing thing happens, your brain discovers work-arounds and eventually you realize that you can manage without XP mode after all. Maybe the nostalgia for XP is not what it used to be!  The golden rule is that you have to discover this for yourself, a smart-Alec telling you what to do will only make you dig your heels in further!

Talking of old computers, take a walk down memory lane http://www.old-computers.com/museum/default.asp

Guy Recommends: SolarWinds Free Network Bandwidth MonitorFree Real-Time Bandwidth Monitor

This freeware monitor is great for checking whether your network’s load-balancing is performing as expected, for example, are two interfaces are getting about equal traffic?

It’s easy to install and straightforward to configure. You will soon be running tests to see how much network bandwidth your applications consume.

The GUI has a lovely balance between immediate network traffic data in the middle, combined with buttons to seek related data and configuration settings. Give this monitor a try, it’s free!

Download your free network bandwidth monitor

If you need more comprehensive network analysis software:
Download a free trial of NPM (Network Performance Monitor)

Guy Recommends: Tools4ever’s UMRAUMRA The User Management Resource Administrator

Tired of writing scripts? The User Management Resource Administrator solution by Tools4ever offers an alternative to time-consuming manual processes.

It features 100% auto provisioning, Helpdesk Delegation, Connectors to more than 130 systems/applications, Workflow Management, Self Service and many other benefits. Click on the link for more information onUMRA.

Will and Guy’s Humour

If you have a computer problem next week then beware of April Fools’ Day hoaxes.  Most people can take a good joke against themselves, but it becomes annoying if you try to cure something that isn’t broken.  However, forewarned is forearmed, watch out for mischievous pranks ranging from a dummy mouse, strange AutoCorrections, or unusual screen contrast settings, to the usual batch of false alarms for computer viruses on April 1st.  See will and Guy’s predictions for April Fools Day 2010.


Lots of useful utilities

E 200 Stuxnet  • Metro UI  •Review of Real-time Bandwidth Monitor  • Windows 8 Remote Desktop

E 199 Apps  •E 197 iPad   • E 188 Toast  •E 183 Utilities  •E 182 Ripper  •E 178 LoJack

E 165 Nifty Utilities   • E 125 Nifty Tools  • E 106 Tips  • E 99 Tips  • Virtualization Manager  • Ezines