Id like to recommend some very handy software. I’ve used it a few times on new computers and find it incredibly useful.

PC Decrapifier can be downloaded and run from standalone, ie; no install required. (you can use it as a portable app from your memory stick). When it is run on a new machine, you will see all the software that your machine has been littered with my its manufactuer. Most (if not all in my opinion) can be removed/uninstalled.

Why remove all of it you may ask?

• The “features” the manufacturers install additional software for is unnecessary as it is bundled as part of windows anyway (firewall for example, media player, volume control, etc.)
• A lot of the “free” software is usually only valid for 60 days or something, at which point, your asked to pay for it. This is mostly common to Microsoft Office and anti virus products.
• A lot of the software that is installed, is usually replaceable with as good as free software (Open Office instead of Microsoft Office, AVG instead of Symantec or McCafee)

Anyway, I recommend anyone buying themselves a new PC/laptop to give it a try on the new machine. And if your not happy with the results, you can always do a System Restore or use the laptops recovery disc to put it back all bloated as it was in the first place.

I’ve decided to add a new section to my site.

The Tips and Tricks is a page that I’ll be adding any little tips and tricks I come up with from day-to-day. Mostly I suspect they’ll end up being IT related, and even then only benefit selec people. However, as I reckon I’m probably someone who keeps getting ideas but never making a note of them to benefit others, I’m hoping these will prove useful somewhere.

Enjoy

I was wondering if anyone would make a program featuring the Philipino prison inamtes from a previous posting, apparently Channel 4 has. I’ll have to find it to watch… Here’s a clip, looks brilliant…