Microsoft is pulling the plug on Windows XP. That’s not news, as it’s been in the works for some time. What is news is that you can still get XP. Wired gives you a couple of ways to get XP even though it’s dead, including downgrading your Vista installation.
Yesterday I talked about backup options for your laptop, but knowing how you backup is only half the battle. It’s also important to know what to backup, especially if you are running Windows. It’s pretty obvious that you will backup your documents, photos and music which will usually be stored in the folders of the same name on your computer. Keep a check for any folders installed by programs. For example, WIndows Live Writer creates a folder in My Documents where it stores all your blog posts.
Another key location is the desktop. Many of us drag files there temporarily and use it as a workspace, so it’s a key place for backing up.
One of the things I learned the hard way is that Windows hides your files by default. The first thing I do with a new laptop or PC is open a folder, go to the tools menu and open folder options. Under the view tab, there’s a list of functions. I check ’show hidden files and folders’ so I can see everything that’s in a folder. The reason for this is that when I’m ready to backup, there are a couple of hidden files that have important data.
All your customized settings are hidden in two folders - local settings and application data, but you don’t see these unless you enable hidden file viewing. Once you’ve done that you can copy the application data folder to your backup medium. This is useful for restoring data such as your FTP settings (re-entering them by hand can be a pain if you manage a lot of sites), your browser extensions and your email folders. Backing these up can save you a lot of time and trouble.
The next release of Windows will be all about the touch. You’ll be able to handle all functions from the multitouch screen that will be the major feature of the new release. This will be a move away from the keyboard and mouse that most of us are useful. Bill Gates broke the news at the All Things Digital conference in San Diego.
While it all sounds technologically whizzy, my first thought was this: will upgrading to Windows 7 mean that I have to get a whole new PC with a touch screen? Guess I’ll have to wait and see how compatibility issues will be handled.
If you’re stuck with Internet Explorer but want the functionality that we smug Firefox users take for granted, then check out Get Firefox’s Best Features in IE. This Lifehacker post tells you how to get IE to remember your tabs, have inline spell check and a host of other useful features
While you’re on the site, you might as well give Windows a boost, with Superior Alternatives to Crappy Windows Software. Gina Trapani is speaking my language here, and I’ve used several of the alternatives she suggested. There are a few new ones, though, so check them out and ban the bloat.
bitRipper is a Windows freeware application that provides one-click conversions from DVDs to AVI or Mpeg video files. No complicated technical questions about bitrates, resolutions, or formats - just click on “Start Ripping” and let it do its thing. Of course there are advanced settings if you feel the need to customize things.
The main benefit of this app is its simplicity. bitRipper handles the decryption and encoding of DVD video quickly and easily with its very simple one-click process. And can be used with almost no technical knowledge other than selecting the right track, video codec and output format. The on-the-fly encryption and encoding means bitRipper also works very quickly.
There is one drawback: bitRipper only supports AVI and Mpeg formats so if you want to rip a DVD for your iPod you’ll still have to use a program like HandBrake.
[via FreewareGenius]
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