Task Manager

The Windows task manager.
Some people aren't even aware of it's existance.
It's mainy used for starting/stopping procceses, services, veiwing your networking status, performance and the users logged onto the computer.

It's especially useful for killing crashed programs or a quick way of exiting multiple aplications in a short space of time.

It's easily accessible either by hitting "Crtl", "Shift" and "Esc" in sequence or "Ctrl", "Alt" and "Delete" and navigating to "Task Manager".

Don't kill important procceses such as "explorer.exe" etc as this causes your taskbar proccess to close.

Windows 7 - Is it worth £200?

I have been using windows 7 for a long time now, a few months after it was first released. The main reason for upgrading was because I was one of thoses statistics that was unfortunate enough to use Microsoft Windows Vista.

There aren't alot of perks in using Windows 7, the only main things I can pick out is the new taskbar and the awesome aero theme. It also makes a few things easier such as creating and connecting to networks, task managment and task scheduling.

Personally I think XP would be a better alternative to Vista since 7 has alot of compatability issues especially with anti-virus software st the moment (Maybe becuase it's still relativly new.)

If your running Vista at the moment...WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! UPGRADE OR DOWNGRADE NOW!

Mozilla Thunderbird - Email Client -

This is now my favorite email client.
It's free, fast, efficient and Oh so easy to use.
I found this a formidable competitor for Microsoft Outlook 2007 with which took me a while to figure out how to set up my domain email account (spent ages re-typing my ingoing and outgoing etc.) and downloading a hotmail connector whereas Thunderbird did everything for me, all it required was the email address and the password. I seriously recommend this program.

Windows 7 - Godmode -

I discovered this accidently whilst surfing the net and found it quite interesting.

This basically gives you a new Folder that includes Every setting in the book from system control panels to drive partitioning.

Simply create a new folder and name it "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}" (without the quotes) and hit enter. The icon will then change to
resemble a control panel and will contain many many options.


It's said "Godmode" works on Microsoft Windows Vista although only the 32-bit edition as the 64-bit edition simply crashes. (I haven't tested this myself so do so at your own risk)

Backtrack 4; Booting from USB Drive

Backtrack 4 is basically a Linux operating system but with one difference: It's primary function is to hack into Wi-Fi WEP keys, Bluetooth devices etc.
(To be used for educational purposes or security testing software ONLY)

I found the easiest way to use it was to boot directly from a USB pen drive rather than go through all the bother of partitioning drives and unnecessary "Konsole" commands.

Step 1 - Requirements -

You will need a Pen drive with a minimum of 2GB Capacity and a copy of Backtrack 4 (.iso) Image Version , a copy of Unetbootin and of course a PC or Mac.

Step 2 - Formatting the USB pendrive -

Once you USB Pen drive is plugged into an available USB port, select the drive from "My Computer", right click it and select format (Format to FAT32).

Step 3 - Unetbootin - Creating your bootable USB drive -

Open Unetbootin, browse and select the disc image location and drive. Select OK and wait (this process may take up to several minutes (Dont worry if it lags or gets stuck on 85%, this is normal, just continue to wait.)

Step 4 - Booting Backtrack from your USB Drive

Once finished restart your PC with your USB plugged in. When possible got to your boot options in the BIOS (Normally by hitting F12) and select the correct drive. You will now be confronted with a booting options screen for Backtrack. Select Default. Backtrack will now load all the files.
Once finished type in "startx" (without the quotes) and the Backtrack GUI will appear.

Have fun!

For more information go to the Backtrack site

PC Vs. Mac, Which one to buy...?

This is a topic that has been debated almost endlessly,
Unfortunatly things haven't changed between either company; Mac's are still overpriced and PC's Operating systems are still reliably unstable.
Mac's Operating systems are VERY stable and almost never crash though you pay a shocking price for minimal hardware, some argue that Macs cheap O.S. makes up for it but I disagee: It would take a minimum of 5 years for a Mac to pay for itself. So the only advice I can offer is it all depends what your using it for:
-If you only want to check your emails from time to time or watch the odd movie then don't bother forking out for a Mac unless of course its a cheap Mac, by a PC and run either Windows XP or Windows 7 (the most stable and reliable O.S.'s)
-If you looking for something to support multiple memory intensive applications with vulnerable data then by all means by a Mac although this will cost you as a Mac with more than 2GB RAM and 160GB HD it's going to cost you something in the vicinity of £1,175 although for that money you will get an excellent Graphics card and reliable software.
Then again for that money you could get a quad-core, 1000TB, 18.4 Inch awesome PC.

So finally, if your torn between PC's cheap hardware and Macs incredible software then I suggest you by a decent PC and run "Hackintosh" (Designed to run Mac's software on a PC)
It may not run as smoothly as actually buying a Mac due to obvious compatability issues but it certainly is cheaper. Click here for more information on "Hackintosh"