Wamp server makes setting up your own server easy!

Have you ever been asked to install SQL on a server? how about PHP? Or apache?

All of these are amazing technologies, all available free to everyone as the building blocks that turn any PC with Internet access into a fully-fledged web server.

Once you've got them on your computer, and arranged with your ISP a static IP address, you can do lots of things without even the basic knowledge of the technologies behind them!

http://www.wampserver.com/en/

PS. Concerted effort to keep this blog more up-to-date. Kinda forgot about it!

Ubuntu

So I had an old laptop kicking around and I thought I'd have a look and see what Linux is doing these days and I've been very suprised...

The 9.10 distribution of Ubuntu has not only removed all of the things that made it horrible to have a linux PC but it has also put it into a neat and stylish, easy to install package.

I was astonished when I had to do the minimum of setting up on my old (well ok, not that old, but getting on a bit) Samsung Q35, everything from my correct screen resolution to my wireless card drivers was set up for me, and the ability to add more packages has never been easier, with far more commercial companies offering linux software than before (I'm posting this in google chrome)

PS. how time flies! sorry it's been so long!

I might not recommend it as a mainstream desktop OS yet, but if you want to resurrect an old laptop to use for the internet or blogging, I can firmly recommend Ubuntu, even if you're not particularly tech-wise!

Play it again, PDFSAM

Admittedly, this application has a very specific use: Splitting And Merging (SAM) adobe PDF files. This is useful however when you'd like to remove a page from a document, or split a document up into smaller files for emailling. It's also useful for stitching them back together on the other end!

PDFSAM

ImgBurn Burns your discs

There is no finer program for copying and building cds and dvds than imgburn. I've used a few over the years, including clonecd (The company resposible for which has created my preferred image mounting software), and Nero (which, while great also costs money) and Imgburn presents the best and most flexible solution.

Typingweb makes you a better typist

Despite being a trained professional, my typing speed is woefully low. It's normally ok as I'm not doing it in front of anyone but it can be rather embarrasing to have to type in front of a superior typist. Thankfully http://www.typingweb.com is a full zero-hero typing course, it's online and it's free! aewsoem!

Dirsynch pro

Ever been frustrated by windows aborting in the middle of transferring loads of files?

Dirsynch pro is an excellent utility for copying files. You can also use it for backup and it doesn't flake out at what windows regards as a fatal copy error.

Multiple files you want to extract quickly?

Before I found this program, I had winzip and winrarinstalled, both with their little quirks and annoyances, and full of features I didn't want or need. Extractnow is a really good lightweight and simple unzipper that gets the job done well and quickly. just click and drag the files you want unzipped into the window and off you go. Works with .zip and .rar, and a whole bunch of others. It is, of course, free as the wind.