How to create a special folder like My Documents in XP

How can you create a folder like My Documents — one that will appear as a system folder in XP?
Here’s how to create a custom folder in My Computer, one that can’t be deleted or renamed.

Step 1
In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID. Create a new key with a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID). The GUID is a 128-bit identifier that is usually generated by Windows. This can
be a random number that is used to uniquely identify COM objects. Create a key using this random GUID:
{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCFABCD1DE12345}

Step 2
Set the value of the “(Default)” setting for this key to the name of the folder, say “My Personal Data”. Create a new sub-key under the main key and call it “Default Icon”. That is, create a key called:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCFABCD1DE12345}\DefaultIcon
Set the value of “(DefaultIcon)”to the filename and path of the icon file you want to use for the folder, for example, “C:\Topsec.ico”, without the quotes. If you don’t specify a path to an icon file, Windows will use its default folder icon instead.

Step 3
Create another sub-key under the main key called “InprocServer32”, that is, create the key called
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCFABCD1DE12345}\InprocServer32 Set the “(default)” setting here to “shell32.dll”. Create another string value called ThreadingModel and set its value to “Apartment”. There’s one more: create another sub-key called HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCFABCD1DE12345}\Shell\OpenMyFolder\Command
Set the “(Default)” value here to the command that should be executed when the folder is clicked. In this case, it would be “explorer /root,c:\My Personal Data”.

Step 4
There’s more keys to be created:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCF-ABCD1DE12345}\ShellEx\
PropertySheetHandlers\{FD4DF9EO-E3DE-11CE-BFCF-ABCD1DE12345} and
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCFABCD1DE12345}\ShellFolder. Under this
key, create a new binary value called “Attributes” with the value “00 00 00 00”.

Step 5
To place the folder in My Computer, add the original key to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\Namespace\
So the key value will be
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MyComputer\Namespace\{FD4DF9E0-E3DE-11CE-BFCF-ABCD1DE12345}

Now go to My Computer, and you’ll see a new custom folder!

ref: Internet

Popularity: 4% [?]

Way to access web sites that require registration without registering!!

You know how frustrating it is when you come across sites that require you to register even to browse through them. And what about downloading stuff? Sure, many sites don’t require you to register, but think of sites like Adobe.com. There you are, intending to download the Adobe CS3 trial from Adobe’s Web site. Go ahead, register! Spend five boring minutes! And all for nothing in return, and we’re not even talking about un-checking all the newsletter subscription boxes.

Worse are sites that show up on Google and you find you need to subscribe. There are some
questionable sites where you just don’t want to give away personal information. Or even make up stuff because your imagination just isn’t working as you’re waiting to see the page! You’re probably now just as
frustrated with this site.              

Bugmenot.com offers respite. Just type in a Web site address in the text box at Bugmenot.com, and you’ll see a list of usernames and passwords, along with the success rates for each of them. You can actually use these and login to the site you want to go to, and voila—no need to register!

Bugmenot has accounts for about 1,50,000 sites. You too can do your bit for bugmenot.com by registering using a non-personalised username and password and added it to the site for someone else to use. Bugmenot also provides instant, disposable e-mail addresses when one requires an instant address to receive at least one mail from a site (read registration responses). This keeps spammers  at bay. E-mails gotten from Bugmenot stay for 24 hours. Just think of a name and address and send it to Bugmenot. For example, pcsplace @ bugmenot.com.

To access this account, you just type in the address you gave, and click “Read e-mail” at http//email.bugmenot.com! Incredibly useful, Isn’t it?

Happy surfing without any bugging..!!

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Popularity: 11% [?]

Linux Desktop Environments

If you are a windows user like me who hasn’t experimented with many free Linux distros available, This one is for you. In this post let’s take a look at some of the most popular Linux Desktop Environments that sit on top of the Operating System (OS).

A Desktop Environment (DE) typically provides a GUI: windows, icons, folders, toolbars, and abilities like dragging and dropping of files from one folder to another. Any DE will therefore include a window manager, file manager, taskbar, and more.

 GNOME

The GNU Network Object Model Environment, or GNOME, is an international open source effort to build the simplest and most intuitive GUI for a DE. It’s one of the few DEs that have consistently matched their production timelines, releasing a new version every six months. This version focuses on document security, and incorporates privacy features that enable you to digitally sign or authenticate files using Seahorse, an application created for the purpose. That apart, this version also focuses on managing laptop batteries efficiently, and increases the stability and responsiveness of the OS.

GNOME’s popularity in the open source world is due to its exhaustive set of developer guidelines— known as Human Interface Guidelines—to be followed when creating an application for the environment. The guidelines ensure applications don’t look too different from each other, and that some basic options like closing, minimising, and re-sizing, among others, are placed in the same location across all applications.

GNOME’s design keeps novices in mind. The DE does not have a lot customisation options, and contains menus with an exhaustive set of explanation notes. The main reason most Windows converts should stick to this DE is because it provides a well-documented FAQ section, and a very active online community that will answer any newbie’s questions.

 KDE

The K Desktop Environment, or KDE, is another DE that runs on Unix and Linux distros. KDE believes in the manifesto that all components used to build the DE, and the applications that come bundled with it, have to be free and open source in the truest sense of the word, with no restrictions whatsoever on the user. The major difference from GNOME lies in the fact that KDE is not entirely geared towards the novice. It allows for complete customisation, which might intimidate; having said that, there are a good set of applications that allow you to start using a KDE-based distro as soon as you install it.
Applications like KOffice, Amarok, and Konqueror are some of the more popular KDE applications. KDE allows you to mimic OSes such as Mac OS X, so if you’re the type who likes to have complete control over each and every aspect of his OS, this is the platform you might want to use. The most popular distributions
on this platform include Fedora though it’s not the default environment  and  Knoppix.

Xfce

Unlike GNOME or KDE, Xfce is a lightweight DE designed to work with computers that have both older
and newer hardware. It is very user-friendly, and incorporates a minimal set of customisable options. The filesystem hides system and configuration files from view so they can’t be tampered with by the novice. In comparison to GNOME or KDE, Xfce is regarded the most responsive DE. It uses its own file manager, called Thunar. One advantage of using Xfce is its install size, all of 50 MB to be exact. Popular distros that use Xfce as their default DE include Xubuntu, SLAX, and dyne:bolic.

There are other DEs not as popular as the three above, but worth a mention:

MEZZO

A proof-of-concept DE based on the “Laws of Interface Design.” It aims at presenting all information collectively, in one place, thereby completely debunking popular concepts such as the Desktop being
a folder, and the menu system having nested folders.

Project Looking Glass

A DE written entirely in Java, Project Looking Glass aims at creating a 3D Desktop Environment that can run on computers with low-end hardware. One of the most notable features is the creation of “reversible windows”: you can write notes or leave comments on the back of any window!

So if you want to make a switch from Windows to Linux choose the best Desktop environment from the above  and make your desktop more cooler..!!

ref: various sites

Popularity: 14% [?]

Factory Original Memory Upgrades Keep Computers Running Smoothly

Day by day the way we use the computer is varying. More number of applications are being used which will also involve programs which will consume a lot of memory. So in order to meet the requirements more memory is being added to them. These upgrading procedures can turn into disaster if your memory is not the exact match of the original one installed in the factory.

 Memory Deal is helping customers avoid the pitfalls of upgrading computer memory with a first-of-its-kind online service that guarantees all memory modules purchased are an exact match of those originally installed at the factory. That should be music to the ears of any IT manager stung by an expensive and problematic memory upgrade.

Adding Computer RAM is today the simplest and most cost-effective way of upgrading one computer, several machines or an entire network. Doubling the memory of most computers can often be done for less than $100 per machine, staving off for another year or so the need to purchase the newest computer models.

But adding memory can lead to problems if the wrong kind of RAM or size of memory module is used, and there are numerous options. These problems can be compounded, and become very expensive, when purchasing memory upgrades for entire IT departments, government offices, schools and corporate offices - Memory Deal’s target markets.

These RAM’s will differ from one company to other. But memory deal’s new service eliminates the potential risks of memory upgrades by insuring that “levels of RAM modules remain the same as computer makers Apple, Dell, HP, IBM and Sun installed at the factory when the computer systems were first built.

Even it is very easy to Add IMAC Memory using this as it automates the process making it very simple to upgrade memory. Memory Deal specializes in supporting the same identical level of ram that was installed by Apple at the factory. It promises the best RAM expansion promoting the highest quality ram installations online for Macs.

Generally when you go to retailers they will recommend compatible memory upgrades, but only by using the same exact memory as that originally installed can optimal performance be assured. Memory Deal is the “first and only online store offering customers genuine factory original memory modules for each and every memory upgrade.”

When mega-computer maker Dell builds a computer, it uses a particular brand, size and level of RAM module for a reason. By making sure it provides customers with the very same RAM module, Memory Deal can rightfully claim to be striving for the very same quality assurance Dell intended when it built the computer.

Mine is a DDR PC2700 Memory 1GB and If I want to upgrade it, I will definitely opt Memory Deal as it is a new online memory product provider with a single unique focus - to provide customers the exact same RAM modules computer OEMs install at the factory.

Popularity: 15% [?]

Use Google talk to chat with Yahoo! and MSN buddies.

With loads of buddies all over the planet, all of us have been forced to use either multiple messengers or unified clients like Pidgin to keep in touch with everyone. However, with the introduction of Google Talk, and its subsequent jump in popularity. you can chat using Google Talk right from your browser, when you access your GMail account.

Now google Talk users can chat with their yahoo and MSN and icq buddies by using a simple software. It is called as PSI. It can be downloaded from http://psi-im.org , and GoogleTalk, which can be downloaded from http://talk.google.com.  Install these two chat clients and proceed to the next step.

Launch Psi and in the “Add Account” window (which will launch if you are using Psi for the first time), enter Google Talk as the Name and do not check the box next to Register new account. Click Add. Alternatively if you have already been using Psi, you can right-click on
the Psi icon in the System Tray, go to Psi and select Account Setup. The Account Properties window will show up and here you should enter your full Gmail address including “@gmail.com” into the Jabber ID field. Tick the “Automatically connect on Startup” and “Automatically reconnect if disconnected” boxes.

Click on the Connection tab. Check Use SSL encryption (to server). The Port field will automatically change to 5223, which is normal. Check the “Ignore SSL warnings”, “Allow Plaintext Login”, “Send Keep-alive packets (for NAT timeouts)” and “Manually Specify Server Host/Port:” boxes. Enter “talk.google.com” in the Host field and leave the port as 5223. If you have trouble connecting, use port 443 instead.

To get online, just right-click on your account name in the main window, go to status Online.Now right click on the account name again and click Service Discovery.
You now need to find a Jabber transport server that will help communicate between Google Talk and non-Google Talk chat applications. A good place to start this search is The XMPP Federation at https://www.xmpp.net/ servers and Open Jabber Servers at http://www.jabber.org/user/publicservers. shtml. We used the server jwchat.org (or you can use talkonaut.com), since it had transport servers for AIM, ICQ, Yahoo as well as MSN. Enter this name into the Address field (initially containing the name gmail.com) and click on Browse.

You will see a list of transport services being populated in the box below. To set up your IM account, right-click on one of these servers and select Register. Enter your user name and password for the service selected and click Register. Psi will ask you to confirm all of
your newly transported contacts in your Google Talk account. After this is done, they’ll all be automatically available through your Google Talk account. You will even be able to add buddies from that service, right from your Google Talk client. To confirm this, open  Google Talk and you will find all the contacts from the other service inside Google Talk buddies list. To add a friend from another service, just make sure that you follow the format screenname@transport_ server_name.dns_name—if the Yahoo ID of your buddy is testacc@ yahoo.com, and jwchat.org is the transport server, you should add the contact from within GoogleTalk as testacc@yahoo.jwchat.org. There have been reported cases of
unreliability of quite a few transport servers, but we found that two mentioned above are quite stable. You should also know that when you use a transport client, you trust your information to a third party server, which you may not like if you are very particular
about your privacy.

Popularity: 20% [?]