TechBite by Steve Bass: Newsletter #15

Generally, I tell you only about tried and true utilities -- the ones I call keepers -- and that I regularly use. I was thinking, though, that as so many of you are power users, you might be interested in two that are new (to me, at least): Lexmark's Toolbar and Stardock's Fences. I just started playing with them and I'm curious to hear what you think.

As you start looking over the descriptions of all these freebies, my guess is you'll find some intriguing and start downloading them right away; I'm just as sure you'll look over the others and run the other way, wondering why in the world I'd even bother mentioning them. That's the cool thing about these little programs -- they're free and if they don't fit your style, they're easy to uninstall with Revo Uninstaller.

Save Files Where You Want Them Saved

My buddy Alex sent a message and immediately started kvetching. Nothing unusual, of course, but this gripe caught my eye: "I keep a lot of files on my desktop when blogging. But Windows always defaults to My Documents. So when I want to save something, or open something, I have to click on Desktop. Irritating."   

Alex did some digging and found two tools that have been around awhile.

The first is exclusively for XP users: Microsoft's TweakUI gives you an assortment of ways to change XP's interface, including the Open and Save dialogs. Go to the PowerToys Web site or just download TweakUI. I've been using TweakUI for so long, I forgot it was an add-on, and just assumed that it was part of the operating system.

Vista users can grab a copy of TweakIV, which also lets you change the location of system and user folders.

Both of the Tweak programs above might offer more than you want. If so, you'll prefer PlacesBar Tweaker, another tool that lets you change the location of System folders -- My Documents, My Pictures, the  Desktop -- to specific folders, or even drives.

Find Files and Folders Fast

Now that you've had a taste of file fiddling, you'll really like FileBox Extender, a utility that offers an even better way to deal with Open and Save dialogs.

Install FileBox Extender and you'll have two new and handy icons on the top of every Open and Save dialog box. One icon lists folders you often use and the other displays recently used files.

The value should become obvious if you think about the time you spend navigating to the same folder when you save or open files.

FileBoxis a masterpiece of design. Use the folder icon to add specific folders, reorder them in the list, and even assign keyboard hotkeys to open listed folders. Ditto for files using the files icon. You can keep FileBox Extender nice and simple -- by, say, having just a handful of folders. Or make it comprehensive with submenus and separators, change the location of icons on the menu bar, add folders on the fly, exclude programs, use FileBox's roll-up or pin-up features, and otherwise spend an hour fiddling and experimenting. It could be a time waster, sure, but it's one with productivity in mind. (Ha!) FileBox Extender works happily with XP and Vista.

          FileBox Extender handles all my file and folder favorites

 

Save Money With Selective Printing

Lexmark's Toolbar gives me an easy, but not always perfect, way to print Web pages. It lets me ignore images so they don't print, or print in only black and white. I can also schedule a print job (a tool I don't have much use for, but somebody might). Most of the time Lexmark does as it's told. Super complicated pages that are loaded with images and text, and other scripted nonsense, sometimes throws Lexmark for a loop -- every so often text doesn't come out in the right spot, for instance -- so I use it mostly on simple sites. BTW, there's also a Firefox version . 

 

The downside is it's another toolbar to clog up your browser's real estate. So far, I think it's a worthwhile edition to my tool collection; that may change as I keep using it. Your thoughts?

 

Use the Lexmark Toolbar to choose the most economical way to print a Web page

 

Organize Your Desktop Icons with Fences

Remember the last time I told you to keep your Desktop icons to a minimum? And that it'd save you from straining your system's resources, and that if I visit your office, I'd expect to see a neat Desktop? (I'll also be checking for clean fingernails and a fresh hankie, so don't disappoint me.)

 

The thing is I don't always follow my own advice. [Oh, really. Who would have thunk! -- Editor.] However, I just discovered Stardock's Fences, a tool to organize and keep your icons rounded up in flexible boxes. Each can be configured by size and transparency, and the name and location can be changed. I like it -- it disciplines me to keep things organized.

 

Look at a larger version of my fenced Desktop

This one's easy. [Don't believe him. --Editor.] Just use your arrow keys to move around and press the space bar to activate the robot's magnetic charm. Your goal, BTW, is to get Magneboy to the checkerboard, which will set in motion the device that brings you to the next level.

While Steve Bass is looking for more free tools, you can be sending him your still flawless e-mails at feedback

Steve Bass is still on the PC World masthead and is publisher and Content Chief at TechBite.com. He's also the author of "PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer," available on Amazon. What, you haven't purchased a copy today?