Speed up IE for Windows

OK, first off you need to use regedt32 for this ... if you have never used this, or not sure then read up on it first, get used to it then try this ... you could muck up Windows if you don't know what you are doing ... you have been warned !!

• Close IE
• Goto regedit
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Internet Settings
• Create two DWORD values [Right click, New> DWORD Value] as follows
• MaxConnections Per1_0Server : Decimal value 10
• MaxConnections PerServer : Decimal value 10
• (if you already have these two DWORDs then increase the decimal value to 10 in each

Open IE and you should see a load page performace increase.

Why does this work?
Internet Explorer performance is greatly dependent in part on the number of simultaneous connections that can be made for a current page. By default, the value is 4. This means only a maximum of 4 simultaneous connectons will be made per server.

Top Gear is back .....................................

Just read an article which has the good news that Top Gear will air on BBC2 (UK channel) in Jan 08, with Richard Hammond back in his usual spot fully recovered after the terrible 300mph crash he had earlier in the year.
You just know its gonna be good...........................................................

Podcasts to help learn a new language

Learning a new language can take a lot of time, effort, dedication -- so here is a set of Podcasts which you can download and listen to on your mp3 player or PC ... learn while you walk :-)

New coke advert

This is a bit of fun ... new advert for Coke .... sort of the Donnie Darko film meets Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy ...... its hard to explain but excellent to watch (and the music is not too bad either)

Line Rider

Been playing this for what seems like forever. This is not the original, but it does take a great idea and adds an UNDO function

Probably the best online game in the world

Kind of like Pictionary but online and against LOADS of people
Its free, its fun, its a laugh and its here

Windows VISTA product overview demo

Its not clever, its not technical, its not thorough and neither does it have bells and whistles, but this little demo from Microsoft on Vista's main product enhancments is easy to watch, informative and
you can watch the bits of interest and ignore the rest.

Man creates a giant Google Maps marker

I don't understand the text -- but the pictures talk for themselves. HERE

How to run IE6 and IE7 on the same machine

I've been using IE7 since early betas and tended to have my main machine with IE6 and either a test machine (or virtual machine) with IE7 ..... simply because getting IE6 and IE7 working side by side is a pain ... if at all possible !!!!!
So, now IE7 is here I have put "that" on my main machine but still find sites which dont work correctly, and the prospect of cutting another VPC with XP, SP2 and IE6 was annoying .... guess what though, Microsoft have just done it for me HERE
Ok, its time bombed till April 1st 07, but its free - no extra license needed and all the work has been done. Should do nicely and give sites the chance to roll up to IE7 ready.

I've blogged similar things in the past, but there is so much free, good open source software out there that lists like these are a haven for some excellent utilities on just about every software need you may have....................

Dancing line art

What can you say, other than click here draw a picture and let it dance around the WEB.
Or, watch other peoples dance for your pleasure.

Random day out generator

Stuck for something to do in a place you don't really know (or know well but want to know better) then try the Random Dayout generator

Why Wikis Are Conquering The Enterprise

Wikis are an amazing collaboration tool because at their core, they are about as simple as can be. That simplicity means that people find them easy to use, just like e-mail and blogs. It has not taken long for the enterprise to hook into the idea and this article makes for a good read if your interested in that sort of thing.

Free academic podcasts

A list of free online academic lectures to download and listen to on your mp3 player ... either a good way to keep your mind sharp while travelling .... or another excuse to miss the real thing and just stay in bed. Some good topics though and remember, they are free

Flickr wallpaper submissions

From time to time I wander through Flichr and have a browse ... this caught my eye and is very nice. Lots of user submissions on their best computer screen wallpapers.

Mario meets Grand Theft Auto

LMAO .... very good Mario and Lugi in Vice city

Microsoft solutions available on VHDs

Microsoft are allowing you to download evaluation enterprise software which is pre-configured in a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) to run under Virtual Server 2005 R2.

Not everything needs a computer

Found this today ... apparently some things in life can still be done without a 'puter .... and this site helps.

These are printable forms for everyday tasks.

Very useful list of cheat sheets

Whether you are trying to bluff your way through a software product or want to remind yourself of some actions then here is a great list of cheatsheets for a load of software titles

IE7 download stats

Microsoft have release some stats to show the number of times that IE7 has been downloaded in the first few days since the product's release. Of course with the inclusion of IE7 as an update package it's hard to split the %age between intentional (manual) downloads and "update" downloads but this takes nothing away from the fact that IE7 is long overdue and widely welcomed, given the outdated IE6.

Mozzila has also release FireFox 2 in the last day or so and going by this graph their download numbers are impresive as well, though I can't quite figure out what the graph "actually" shows !!!!

iTunes copy protection 'cracked'

This is interesting, very interesting .... the technology for 3rd parties to "create" iTunes compatible devices and Apple may not have the power to stop them ....... need to do more digg'n into this, but the implications sound huge.

Yahoo time capsule project

Yahoo are running a time capsule project which, going by the blurb on the home page:

For 30 days, from October 10 until November 8, Yahoo! users worldwide can contribute photos, writings, videos, audio — even drawings — to this electronic anthropology project."

I blogged about the "Britain's biggest blog" (see below), but this seems much grander somehow.

IT Security community in the UK

A nice forum for those interested in IT security; those looking to enhance their secruity knowledge and those with generally more sence than money when it comes to IT security

Anatomically correct Second Life skin

Been playing Second Life for a wee while now and although I still dont understand what you are suppose to be doing I do fancy dressing the avatar in one of these though.   I don't think that Miss Kim (who created them) has posted the How To yet  :-(

Game exhibition in London Science Museum

The title says it all really ................ click here for more info

I need to find a work reason to go to London between those dates  :-)

But, there is a cool wee game on the site to keep you entertained even if you cannot go.

Firefox 2 RC 1

cnet video looking at Firefox 2 RC1

Vista RC2 is coming............

............ but going on this report in cnet this release has no new features but instead some new fit and finish additions .... yet its still not ready for GOLD release?

Look forward to see it for myself.

Online file sharing service

MYBloop -- free file sharing service, lots of images, videos, music etc.

Windows Vista Bitlocker

Blogged from Steve Lamb's TEchnet space

Bitlocker is the feature of Windows Vista that I'm asked about more than any other. There follows a list of links to an excellent series of resources covering BitLocker in technical detail. Before I get to the guides I'd also like to refer you to the BitLocker Team blog which is a great source of information in itself including details of the recent cosmetic changes to the interface in the BitLocker Makeover.

By far the most popular guide is the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption Step-by-Step Guide

Windows Vista Trusted Platform Module Services Step by Step Guide

BitLocker Executive Overview

A Technical review of BitLocker Drive Encryption

Best Practices for Trusted Platform Module Management

BitLocker and TPM Services – Glossary

Windows Vista BitLocker Client Platform Requirements

BitLocker Drive Encryption Frequently Asked Questions

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Value-Add Extensibility Options

Hardware requirements for BitLocker Drive Encryption

BitLocker Drive Encryption: Scenarios, User Experience, and Flow

BAES-CBC + Elephant diffuser A Disk Encryption Algorithm for Windows Vista

AnAppAday.com

Community driven blogg where the Software Jedi codes an app a day ... some very cool things on there .......

Body bag beanbag

Udderstuff is selling a beanbag in three sizes dead large, dead medium, and dead small. Each bean bag has a bright pink body shaped inner bag which contains the beans.

Or maybe you prefer the Ouija mouse mat or coat hanging noose .....

Then again, maybe not !!!!!

Britian's biggest blog

The National Trust is encouraging people to record a diary of their day on a website, as part of what is being called "Britain's biggest blog".

The blogs will then be stored by the British Library and at other locations.

The trust says it will create a "fascinating social history archive" of everyday life for future generations.

Runs October 17th

Wear your computer problems

Cool T-Shirts that show the world your computer problems

Use Office 2007 file formats in older Office applications

The Compatibility Pack is an addon for MS Office 2000 / XP / 2003 which will allow you to open, edit, save and create files using the robust file formats which are new to Office 2007

Easy animation techniques

Some ideas and techniques which make animation that little bit easier and more accessable.

70 Wild Miles - a beginning

It must have been one of those "anything goes" moments, but I said yes when asked if I wanted to compete in the 70 WIld Miles triathlon.

Held every year in Glencoe, a very beautiful part of Scotland, it consists of a 47 mile cycle, 10 mile canoe and a 13 mile run.... and all for a very good cause; CLIC Sargent (Caring for Children with Cancer) and cancer research in general.

So, where to begin and why blog it?

Well, blogging it seems like an ideal way to share the experience and perhaps give others some information on resources I find.  As for where to begin, I have no idea.

:-)

Seriously though, I need to talk to someone about a fitness program, need to learn how to canoe, learn about endurance races, find resources I can use and get training........ just as the Scottish autumn is closing in ... perfect timing !!!!!!!!!!!!

The 46 best-ever Freeware utils

These lists pop up all the time ... but it is always worth a read to see if there is something you may be missing.

A good list here and some fantastic products mentioned.

ipod resource

I've not had my iPod long, but finally joined the ranks and bought a 5G 60gb video which I have to say is pretty cool.  iLounge is a damn good resource for all things iPod and iPod like.

Horse Head Pillow

This made me laugh --- a pillow shaped like a horses head

Relive THAT moment from The GodFather or just simply have a wonderfull conversation piece

Windows Vista step-by-step guides for IT professionals

As Vista looms (RC1 has been around for a wee while now) the following documents are a must for those of us who will deply, migrate, support and play with the new OS from Microsoft.

Science experiments for you and the kids

Subject says it all

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/video/

Everything2.com

A Place to Read
E2 offers you and the entire Web world a huge amount of original writing of many kinds. You can find informative articles on just about anything you can imagine, but there is also humor, poetry, fiction, opinion, criticism, personal experiences and other things that are simply hard to categorize.

A Place to Write
You can become a member of the community and publish your own writing. Unlike some Web publishing venues, you retain all rights on what you share with us and the world.

A Place to Discuss and Socialize
E2 lets you interact with the highly diverse community of people who write the Everything2 content. You can give them feedback on their work and receive feedback on your own. You can message others or chat in real time. You can join groups of members that share your special interests.

Stream iTunes to your wireless devices

Streaming audio and video to your wireless devices just got a whole lot easier
http://www.skattertech.com/2006/04/stream-itunes-library-to-psp/

Collect - Organise - Share

Onfolio is the complete solution for collecting, organizing and sharing online content. Built into the browser, Onfolio is a convenient and familiar tool that will make your web research more efficient and organized

Hak.5 video blog episodes

Been a fan of these guys for a while now ... some interesting hacks, some cool projects and just generally a good watch. ipod versions are available as well as mediaplayer, and it is all free ... less you want to donate or buy from the shop.

Link to Hak.5 » Episodes

Some classic BBC information films

"Charlie says" look at these

Link to films

To start things off

Usual Hello World post to get this blog off the ground