101 software tips, tweaks and tricks

Index

Playing Video and audio

092.

 Install the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack
This little beauty will not only install the best video player for Windows available (Media Player Classic), but will also install almost every video and audio codec you'll ever require. The default installation should include enough options for everyone. Download it from here.

093.

 Install QuickTime Alternative
Split out from the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, QuickTime Alternative allows you to playback QuickTime files in both Media Player Classic and Web browsers, without having to install Apple's own player and the bloat therein. You can find it here If you use iTunes 8, you can download an add-on that will make QuickTime Alternative compatible with it here.

094.

 Install VLC
Equally required in every user's video toolkit is VLC. It's a video player that incorporates all the codecs within the player itself, rather than relying on externally installed ones. You can download it here.

095.

 Use a decent music player
Unless you are using the iTunes music store, there's really no need to use iTunes. Some excellent alternatives (depending on your needs) are Winamp, Foobar, 1by1 and AIMP.

096.

 Automatically tag your music files
Making sure you have accurate ID3 tags can be tough, especially if you have a large music collection. Thankfully a MusicBrainz enabled tagger can help ease the process for you. Comparing an online database against your collection, it attempts to cleverly tag your files with you barely lifting a finger. Those more into the manual side of things may wish to check out Mp3tag.

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Talkback 9 comments

    Ignore "tip" #7 Dean -- 26/09/08

    I didn't bother reading them all, but "tip" #7 (turn off UAC) is totally irresponsible. DO NOT TURN OFF UAC! Demand that your vendor fix their application to work correctly with UAC.

    I am a software developer, and on a daily basis, I see maybe 1 or 2 UAC dialog prompts. For a non-developer, you should practically *never* see the UAC prompt in day-to-day activities.

    But they don't apply to my PC Anonymous -- 27/09/08

    "Our insider secrets will help you master your PC and its most important applications"

    Where are the tips and tricks for Apple and Linux users? Barely any of these 101 tips and tricks apply to MY PC or the applications I use on it.

    Craig and Luis, not everyone in the world uses a Windows PC. Most, but not all. I was more than a little disappointed not to see these facts acknowledged.

    Hamish

    Good Work Anonymous -- 29/09/08

    There's some handy tips in there. Good Stuff.

    A safer alternative to turning off UAC would be using TweakUAC and selecting silent mode.

    party Anonymous -- 29/09/08 (in reply to #320112953)

    Wuz up

    #1 tip for a windows PC Anonymous -- 29/09/08

    I suggest that the number one tip to turn your Win PC into a fast, secure, reliable and productive machine is to install any one of the Linux flavors and remove your buggy, virus ridden, DRM controlled Win partition.

    Re Anonymous -- 30/09/08 (in reply to #320112989)

    I did that. Now life is good

    Another PrintScreen Shortcut Joel Potgieter -- 03/10/08

    You can also get a printscreen of only the window that has current focus [nto the whole screen] by using ALT-PrintSCRN. Also works for dialog boxes.

    Tip 51: Outlook - get rid of the large [emails] Anonymous -- 03/10/08

    If you want to keep the email but delete its (large) attachment, Open the email then go to Edit then Edit Message. Delete the attachment and re-save the email.

    Tip 048 Lookout Anonymous -- 13/07/09

    Nice article, there are really some good tips in there!
    But with one point I am not do not really agree with you...I wouldn�´t recommend Lookout, because it is an old an undeveloped tool! I think it would make more sense to work in Outlook with an modern, supported and developed tool, for example Lookeen( www.lookeen.net)! In my opinion this search tool is the best of all!

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