Linux Server

I've got an old PC that I wanted to use as a home server, mainly to backup the documents on mine and my wife's laptops and PCs. I downloaded a copy of a low spec, low power linux OS called WattOS and thought that I could build a basic file server off of that.

Setting up WattOS was easy enough to do. Once installed, the desktop is easy to use and the apps installed are basic and low power, just as stated. Unfortunately I'm not a Linux guru and am still getting to grips with terminal commands. Most of the guides I could find to setting up Samba seemed too complicated to follow and I quickly lost interest. Lucky for me someone has come up with a web-based configuration app for Samba, called SWAT (Samba Web Administration Tool). It's a great idea and greatly simplifies the process of setting up Samba without the need to go near the terminal.

But the problem I found again was a lack of documentation explaining how to setup shares using SWAT. I tried the guide on the SWAT website but the shares were not appearing on my Windows XP laptop. I could see the server but as soon as I tried to connect I kept getting permission errors. I tried all sorts of solutions in forums that Google found for me, but in the end I've had to call it a day. As a Microsoft trained IT Technician I think I'm going to have to give in and get a copy of Windows Server to do what I want to do.

While I still believe firmly that Linux is the best way forward, and capable of everything Windows can do and more, a serious lack of documentation is holding it back.

Revo Uninstaller

I've used this software several times now and it has once again proved its usefulness today. My sister's laptop had a piece of software installed that appeared to have been deleted though not completely uninstalled. The uninstaller for the software was unable to run correctly due to the deleted files and she wasn't sure what to do. I suggested Revo Uninstaller and it completely removed all traces of the software from her registry, start menu, installed programs list and c: drive.

Another successful user story for Revo Uninstaller! If you ever need to make sure that you completely remove any software I recommend using this program. It appears to work far better than any other I've tried AND there's a completely free edition available to download (with slightly less features than its paid for brother).

You can download Revo Uninstaller here.

Reso - Resolution Changer

I recently discovered this excellent free little app that can automatically change screen resolutions for you. It can even create shortcuts for any program so that you can launch an application at a set resolution. Whilst I'm sure this is of limited appeal to most people, on this particular occasion I found this program to be a life saver.

My problem was that I was installing a piece of educational software in a school, that was written some years back when 800 x 600 resolution was the norm. I was trying to install it on Acer One netbooks for the pupils in the school to use but it just wouldn't run because the netbooks were 1024 widescreen resolution that was non-standard.

After much searching and nearly giving up I came across this gem of a program and it has solved the problem entirely. I was previously using Display Changer but for some reason this wouldn't work under Windows 7. I'm so glad I discovered Reso as it works perfectly!

If this is something that might be of use to you, you can download it here.