How To Find Out Who's Connected To Your Computer

Would you like to know if somebody is connected to your computer? There is a dos command called "netstat" that can help you find that out.  Before you do it be sure you close your browser, email client, chat, or any software that connects to the internet.  Here's how to do it:

1. Go to run and type cmd
2. The command prompt will open, type "netstat -ano" (without the quotation) . You may also use "netstat -ano 10" so that it continuously refresh the screen every ten seconds.  To close it just press CTRL + C.
3. Look closely for those that has an "established" state.  If you see something that is connected despite that you already closed the programs that connect to the internet chance is somebody is snooping on your computer. Take note of the PID of that program.
4. To stop that programs open the Task Manager by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL simultaneously on your keyboard.
5. Click the "Process" tab. If you do not see the PID you may click "View" and click "Select Columns" click on PID (Process Identifier) and click OK.
6. Look for the PID of the program you just found from the command prompt. Click on that program and click "End Process".

Alternatively, you may use CurrPorts from Nirsoft to monitor the list of all currently opened TCP/IP and UDP ports on your computer.

Gimp an Alternative to Photoshop

Have you heard of Gimp?  Some people may not have heard of it yet. However, if you are asked about Photoshop the response will be definitely “yes” especially for those people who are into graphics design.

Photoshop is a well known graphics editing program in the graphics industry.   It is widely use by graphics designers worldwide. But, did you know that there is another software that is comparable to Photoshop called Gimp?  Gimp is an open source graphics editing program that is capable of what Photoshop can do.  You can edit photos, render some effects and save your file in the standard graphics format such as .BMP, .JPG, .PNG, .TIF or .XCF its native format. Furthermore, Gimp is capable of creating animated images in .GIF and .MPEG format.

For those people who are into graphics design Gimp is worth to try.  It is tailored to run on different platforms such as windows, linux and mac.  Since this is an open source software it can be freely downloaded from its website which you can find at www.gimp.org . 

How To Edit Startup

You'll find the startup in the System Configuration. When you turn on your computer, windows is loading some programs that you installed on your computer. However, not all of those programs are necessary when it is starting up. Thus, it takes some time before you see your desktop. You can choose the necessary programs by editing the startup.  Disabling the unnecessary programs doesn't mean that you won't be able to use it anymore.  Here's how to edit the start up:

1. Open the command prompt (this is the black screen) type msconfig. 
2. When the System Configuration window comes out. Click the Startup tab.
3. You can now start unchecking the unnecessary programs.
4. Click Apply and Ok.
5. You'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

If this is the first time that you are going to edit the startup it's better to make a research first on the internet about the programs installed on your computer.  Usually what is needed on the startup are windows operating system, anti virus, anti spyware and firewall (if you're not using the windows built in firewall). There are some hardware drivers that may also be needed on the startup like a pointing device and finger print scanner. Usually yahoo messenger, skype, real player and adobe may not be necessary at start up unless you want it readily available on the system tray when you turn on your computer. Leaving only those programs required at startup will help your computer speed up the loading of windows.

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How To Share A File On The Internet

There are times that we'd like to collaborate with other colleagues from a remote location or on the other part of the globe on a single file. Google docs has the solution for that.  You can share excel files, word documents,  powerpoint presentations, drawings and forms.  The screen shot above is an example on how to share an excel file on the internet. Here's how to do it:

1. Open your Gmail account and click Documents.
2. Google docs will open up, click Upload.
3. Click Start Upload. 
4. Once you're done uploading your file, click the file that you'd like to share.
5. Click the Share drop down list (you'll find this on the upper right of your screen) and click Share.
6. The Share Settings will come out. Choose the permission you'd like to apply by clicking Change. Type the email address that you'd like to share with your file. Once you're done you may click Share and Save.
7. Your colleagues will receive an email and all they have to do is click the link to open the shared file.

USB System Lock

If you're not satisfied with the securities provided by Windows perhaps you might be interested on this software called USB System Lock. This is an open source application which can be downloaded for free. The installer is very small with a size of less than 1 MB.

The installation procedure is straightforward and takes only about a couple of minutes. During the installation you will need to insert the flash drive that you are going to use to open your computer.  It then transfer the key to the flash drive. If you re-start your computer Windows is going to ask for your Windows password (as usual) and after that the USB System Lock will look for the key on the registered flash drive. If you don't have the right key it will display a message to insert the right key. You won't be able to use your computer until you insert the right key.

The way this software works is very much like the key to the door lock. You just have to be extra careful not to lose your flash drive otherwise you might end up re-installing your operating system. However, it has this feature wherein you can create a duplicate key on another flash drive. It's a good idea to have a duplicate key. Just keep it in a safe place.

There is one thing I notice about this software and that is it conflicts with the USB dongle modem.

Virtual PC Vs. Virtual Box

If you're just testing some settings before you actually do it on a real machine or you simply want to save some money instead of buying a real machine perhaps you might find it's worth checking these two interesting pieces of software - Virtual PC and Virtual Box. Let's talk about their features one by one.

1. Installer Size- Virtual Box has a much bigger installer size about double the size of Virtual PC.
2. Creating of Virtual Machine - Both of them has almost exactly the same way of creating virtual machines. Although you won't find the exact instructions with the other but the process of creating virtual machine is the same with one another. You can also install the Operating System either through a CD/DVD or through an "iso" file saved on another storage medium.
3. Memory - The default value varies depending on the Operating System you are going to install.  Although you can adjust the value depending on your requirements.
4. Networking - When it comes to setting the network adapter for your virtual network, Virtual PC is much easier compared to Virtual Box once you're done you will be able to see the entire network right away. However, it will take a little more time trouble shooting your virtual network on Virtual Box.
5. Switching - When it comes to switching from one machine to another Virtual Box has a bit shorter way you just have to press the right CTRL key.  However, on Virtual PC you need to press right ALT + Left Arrow or Right Arrow keys.
6. Shared folder - On Virtual PC the shared folder will be available only after you install the Virtual Machine Additions.  On Virtual Box you have to install the Guest Additions.
7. Language - On Virtual Box there is an option there where the user can change the default language on the other hand on Virtual PC the instructions is written only in English.
8. Graphical User Interface - The users will definitely like more the GUI of Virtual Box than Virtual PC.

One good thing about this virtual software is, if you don't need the virtual machine anymore you can simply delete it - no uninstallation needed.  The only disadvantage is it requires more memory. Don't be surprise if your PC slows down when you run the virtual machines.

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