Computers and Technology Links
This is the technology corner. I've been a tech and computer freek
since the early 1980's, when my dad first brought home a personal
computer. The Vic20, although now a relic and mostly a game machine,
could do some pretty cool things for its time. A part of me is still
surprised that Commodore didn't do better.
I dedicate a portion of this page to freeware. I am a freeware
junkie. Why pay for overpriced crappy software when there are so
many really great programs that are put out for free? Of course,
there are always exceptions. I used to frequent the freeware newsgroups
to see what cool new programs I could discover. It's always an adventure
to me.
As you can see, this page is changing. I'm reorganizing and breaking
this up into smaller, more manageable catergories. I will also be
adding descriptions to all these links, so you don't have to try
them blindly. More to come.
Looking for freeware? That's been moved
to its own page. How about Linux?
Also has its own page.
Also, if you are interested, I've been slowly adding places to
shop for geeky/tech/gadget stuff on the shopping
page.
Categories on this page:
Wireless
HTML, Web Design and Webmaster Tools
Website Promotion
Tech Support
Geeky stuff - Stuff that
doesn't fit into any other category
Hardware and Software Reviews
Hacking
Vintage Technology
Tech News
Web/Computer Security
Tweaking
Digital Cameras
Last updated 06/10/07
Newest items marked with a *
Wireless
Corrupted
Firmware Fix* - Sad to say, I've needed this advice. However,
it is good as gold, and I was able to get my Access Point
up and running again.
dd-wrt*
- This is one of those projects for the true geek. If you
have certain types of wireless router, you may download this
third-party firmware that mods the routers capabilities. Truly
amazing stuff can be done with enough brainpower. Check the
list to see if your
router is supported, and read the manual before doing
anything that will void your warranty.
Free Antennas*
- Want to boost your wireless capabilities without spending
a lot of money? This site gives schematics and instructions
for building your own antennas out of things like cake pans
and even cardstock and tinfoil. Really, any smooth metalic
surface will do. Very cool.
Hyper WAP* - Another
third-party firmware, this one only for the Linksys WAP54G.
Gives a power boost to your device while adding "a limited
set of features to the last Linksys firmware, extending its
possibilities but staying close to the official firmware."
Hyper WRT Thibor* -
From the site: "HyperWRT is a GPL firmware project for
the Linksys WRT54G/WRT54GL/WRT54GS and WRTSL54GS wireless
routers based on the latest stock Linksys firmware. The original
goal of the HyperWRT project was to add a set of features--such
as power boost--to the Linux-based Linksys firmware, extending
its possibilities but staying close to the official firmware.
Over time, it has continued to be updated with newer Linksys
firmware, and incorporated many more features typically found
in enterprise routing equipment. "
Linksys Info* -
Since I use several Linksys devices, it was only natural that
I would stumble upon this very informative community website.
Lots of smart people with probably too much time on their
hands (thank goodness!) volunteer their knowledge for the
common good.
Netstumbler* - For
both wardriving and checking out your own network, this is
a handy tool. It gives you all sorts of information about
all the wireless networks available to your machine.
OpenWRT* - Open Source firmware
written in modular form, so you can take the needed capabilities
and leave the rest. Made for many wireless routers, it is
basically a small, fast Linux distro that can give you the
router you want.
Seattle Wireless*
- Although this site is for a group of enthusiasts in Seattle,
there is a lot of useful do-it-yourself hacking information
for wireless networks, including hackinga access points and
building your own antenna.
Third
Party Firmware Comparison for WRT54G/GS* - As the name
says, this is a comparison of the major third party firmwares
for Linksys' often modded devices.
WiPeer* - Smart little
program that allows to wireless-enabled computers to share
files without needing any kind of wireless router or whatnot.
True peer to peer networking. Was a student project.
Wireless.Gumph.org*
- Not sure who is behind this site, but there is a lot of
great wireless information, including ways to custimize and
go beyond what you thought your wireless network could do.
Makes wireless fun again.
WRT Routers* - Site devoted
to the highly custimizable WRT series of Linksys routers,
which can use all sorts of third-party firmwares.
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HTML,
Web Design and Webmaster Tools Add
Free Stats Anybrowser
Bitty Browser
Captology Check
Domain - This site has one purpose, to let you look up domains.
Very simple interface, but it does the job. Useful. Color
Schemer Online - If you want to find that perfect color
for a web page and done know your RGB or hex values, use this
little time-saver. Cool
Text Logo Creater CSS
ZenGarden CSS
Zengarden Resources Dave's
Site HTML Tutorials DreamWeaver
Depot Dubster's
Dreamweaver Section Evolt
- Serious help for webmasters for professional site development.
Free Programming
Resources FreeSQL.org
HTML Goodies
IRT.org - Nonprofit online
developer site. Has lots of articles, FAQ's and more for all
the current web technologies. Aims to promote the usability
of the web and generally make the web a better place for all.
Just Phukit Link
Market Markup Validation
Service Meyerweb
CSS Work Open
Source Content Management - This site has a bunch of Content
Management Software installed so you can try it out, see which
one you like the best. Nice concept. Poll
Host Research
Based Web Usibility Guide Rich
in Style Seven
Twenty-Four Site
Advisor - Hosted by McAfee, this site scours the web, looking
for annoying problems with web pages, so that you don't have
to. Can warn you of a number of potential problems with a site
you might visit. Also useful for those who want to see how their
site is viewed by others. Stanford
Web Credibility Research Taming
the Beast Templates
Box TxtBox
UseIt.com W3
Schools - Largest web developer site on the web. Lots of
stuff here. Web
Host Ratings Webmaster
Toolkit - Great collection of useful for managing a website.
Has an htaccess generator, a link checker, Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) and much more. Great resource. WebMonkey
Authoring Web Page
Design for Designers Web
Pages that Suck The
Web Standards Project Wikipedia
CSS page World Wide Web
Consortium |
Website
Promotion 100
Key Words Ad Land
Pro free classifieds Backlink
Checker EZasMagic
Tools and Resources - Collection of tools to make the life
of a webmaster. Keyword
Popularity Checker Nichebot
Top 25 Web
Virtual Promote
Webmaster
tools and resources We
Build Pages free Search Engine Optimization tools |
Tech
Support and Troubleshooting
Abbreviationz
Annoyances.org -
Microsoft have been cursed for years as a result of the strange
decisions, controlling practices and "features"
(aka "bugs") in their Windows software. This site
aims to help the user get around these roadblocks and annoyances.
Very useful place.
Answers That Work
Bay Wolf Support Site*
- Noncommercial site, done by one man, dedicated to helping
those who have Dell Inspiron and Latitude notebooks. A great
deal of helpful information here. Useful to me, since my laptop
is an Inspiron.
Benchmark
HQ* - Russian site (has English portion, too) that deals
primarily with understanding the workings of your hardware.
My favorite portion is the list of (mostly) freeware software
tools.
Black Viper
Bleeping Computer
- Community that aims to provide peer computer support. For
beginners and more advanced users, too.
Boot Disk.com
Burn World
CD Freaks
Computer Gripes
Digital Media Guide
Dll Files
Doug's Windows Tweaks and
Tips - The name says it all. Tons of info, even spanning
back to Windows 95 and 98.
DNS Stuff.com
Domain Tools
Drivers Collection
- Huge collection of drivers and firmware for a wide variety
of hardware. Really a good source. Gives a complete description
of the file you want to download.
Driver Guide - My
former favorite driver site. Has a good selection, but has
a lot of awkward navagation and now requires membership (I
started using it when it did not). Ah, well. Still a good
resource.
The Elder Geek
Error Forum - As
the name implies, this is a Windows-focused site that allows
regular users to post questions and equally regular users
to respond. Nice little community.
Gibson Research Corporation
Groupworks
Hard OCP
I am not a Geek
The Internet Tourbus
IT Vibe
Kadaitcha - Windows XP
Problem Troubleshooting Resources
Kelly's Korner
- XP fixes
Langalist
Linksys Info From
the site: "This site is a wealth of information to all
users of Linksys Products or anyone looking for some networking
help. It has been designed to enable users of Linksys devices
to post issues and questions and allow other users to helpfind
a solution with their products." The site is not owned
by or affiliated with Cisco or Linsys.
Mike's List
MVPs.org - Directory site
for a ton of people who are a part of Microsoft's Most Valuable
Professional program. Each of the subsites have tips, links,
downloads and more to help with you many aspects of Windows
computing.
My WAN IP - Does one
thing; tells you what your external IP address is.
Network Tools
No IP - This is a cool
idea for those with always on connections. Want to connect
to your home computer? Hosting a website, ftp site or game
hosting from your own home? This will help you keep in touch
with your home IP without having to remember the numbers,
just an easy-to-remember name you choose yourself. Dynamic
DNS at its best.
Old Versions
OpenDNS - Tired of your
ISP's slow DNS server? Don't even know what DNS is? Try this
free service and see what you think.
Optimize
Guides - are free, easy to read, comprehensive guides
for the Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating systems.
OS News
Outlook Express
Tips* - Ways to soup up and speed up your Outlook Express
installation, as well as how to back up and repair lost emails.
Paul Thurrott's Supersite
for Windows - Tons of information here. Guides, tips,
reviews and showcases of everything Windows/Microsoft.
PC Hell
PC
Interfaces 101
Port Forward - Site
that helps anyone set up their routers and understand port
forwarding.
Ramesh's Site - Quoted
from the site: "This site contains registry fixes, scripts,
Troubleshooting Guides and freeware utilities to resolve problems
in Windows XP. The resources available in this site should
help you learn, diagnose and troubleshoot the common problems
you face in Windows XP. Additionally, there is a section for
Internet Explorer, addressing the Frequently Asked Questions
in IE." Very useful site.
Scott Finnie's Site
Secrets
of Computer Espionage
Shavlik - This company
offers patch management for Windows, without the Windows Genuine
Advantage garbage. Currently, they have a year-long free trial.
Smart Computing
- A library of computer help, tips and reviews.
Tech Letters
Tech Recipes -
Simple hints and tips for doing a lot of little things, getting
the most out of your computer or consumer technology.
Tech Support Alert
Tom's Networking
Ultimate Boot CD
Ultimate Comuter Acronym
Archive
Webopedia
Webstrider computer
page
What is my IP?
The Windows
and Macintosh Debate
Windows Secrets.com
Windows Secrets
Winfind - Specialized search of 15 different expert sources
to get the info you need.
Windows XP &
2000 Support Center - An unofficial support site for XP
and 2000, run by James A. Eshelman. Seems to be very extensive
and comprehensive. I found this while looking for a slow shut
down problem I was having, but there are many other topics
that will also be of interest to anyone having Windows problems.
Whois Source
World of Windows Networking
Xeniac gadget news
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Geeky
stuff Flame
Warriors Home Forfor
Gadgets Hack a Day
Think Geek
Cool Hunting - This
site gives a daily dose of technology and culture to those who
seek it. Gadget lovers and followers of pop culture will enjoy
this site very much. |
Hardware
and Software Reviews AnandTech
- "Your source for hardware analysis and news." They
are pretty thorough and unbiased in their reviews. Great resource.
Bios Magazine -
British site that has news, reviews, opinions, white papers,
and even links, gadgets and movies of the day. Bit
Tech - Independent hardware review and PC mod site. Based
in the UK. Build Easy
PC - Practical information for building your own PC, from
the components to choose, to software installation, to troubleshooting.
Cool Tools The
Guru of 3D - With an emphasis (but not a limit) on high
performance video cards, this site gives you hardware reviews,
how-to articles, and even game reviews. And the reviews are
many, many pages long, with lots of detail. Hardcoreware
- They do in-depth analysis on PC hardware, mostly components
and accessories. Nice thing is, they don't pander to hardware
companies. Hardware
Analysis - Lots of hardware news, reviews and even do-it-yourself
projects. Mostly computer oriented, but home theater is also
featured. Hardware
Central - Hardware reviews and price comparisons. Seems
to be a lot of system reviews, as opposed to components.
Hardware Secrets
- From their site: "Hardware Secrets, a US based website,
was created in 1999 to produce and distribute technical PC hardware
knowledge on the Internet. It is structured and written to the
entry level PC enthusiasts. The primary editorial goal is to
address the lack of refined technical information on the Internet."
My Super PC - This guy
tells you how he builds his own "super" computer and
what components he used. In so doing, he is also telling you
how to build your own, including how to find parts and troubleshooting.
Overclockers
Tom's Hardware
Storage Review
XS Reviews -
Based in the UK, this site reviews hardware and games. |
Hacking
Astalavista
Security Library Government
Security Hack
in the Box Hacking
Tutorials Infosec
Writers Knowledge
is Power Progenic
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Vintage
Technology The C64
Portal - A portal for finding all things relating to the
Commodore 64, including information, emulators, utilities and
more. Centsible Software
- This site focuses specificall on selling software for Amigas
and Commodore computers. It would surprise most people to know
there is still a big demand for these vintage programs.
Commodore
Computer History Dan's
20th Century Abandonware High
Voltage SID Collection - Collection of music written for
the SID chip found in the old Commodore 64's. Old
Computers The OldSkool
PC - Vintage computer info, emulators, old gamining info,
old PC music and more. Old
Software - As the name says, this site is all about the
old software. In fact, it sells this old stuff to the people
who hang on to their old hardware. Pretty cool stuff.
The Space Race
World Wide Web History Center*
- To quote the site, this is a "non-profit educational
organization to make public the history of the World Wide Web
and preserve it for posterity." |
Tech
News Arcane
Denial Betanews
- Originally, this site was about programs that were evolving
from beta to new versions, or something (it was several years
ago that I first discovered this site). Now, it appears to still
have software news, but its main purpose appears to be another
news aggregate for the tech world. ComputerWorld
- Looking like a ZDNET or CNET clone, this site offers a large
dose of news, opinion and technical information. Daily
Rotation Digg
Eweek.com Information
Week - Large tech news site with a business emphasis (and
what site like this doesn't) that is also the home for Fred
Langa's columns. Inquirer.net
PC
World Recommended
(blog) The
Register Techdirt
Techfocus Techgage
- Tech site with hardware reviews, news reports and interest
pieces. Has some great articles unique to the site. Technorati
Tech Spot Tech
World Wired - Just
like the magazine, the website is devoted to tech news and opinion.
Tends to be a little trendy, but very interesting. |
Web/Computer
Security
Spyware Info
Hacker Whacker
Protect
Privacy on a Home PC Privacy
and Spying Privacy.net
Counter Exploitation
Merjin.org Government
Security ID Zap
Spamhaus Bug
me Not Johnny.Ihackstuff.com
Spyware Warrior
Hushmail Artisolve
Free Anonymizer Mailinator
Scumware Spyware
and Adware Removal Help Online
Malware Scan Protecting
Your Privacy & Security Spam
Primer Symantic
Security Response Junkware
definitions Spyware
research File
Research Center Googlewatch
Gmail is
too Creepy Pookmail
Spyware Guide
Winpatrol Robware
- computer forensic software AntiOnline
Viruslist.com
Spyware Warrior
Aunty Spam Internet
Patrol Anonymizer
Proxify Coalition
Against Unsolicited Commercial Email TOR,
anonymous internet software IE
Spyad Morgud
PC Security Microsoft
Shared Computer Toolkit Stop
Badware The Cloak
(free anonymous web surfing) Peacefire
(electronic anticensorship) (In)Secure
Mag Password
Calculator - Handy little web utility that allows you to
check how secure any given password (based on parameters you
set, not by entering the password itself) really is. Password
Recovery Speeds - How long will your password stand up?
Calculated results of how long various lengths and types of
passwords will hold up against brute force attacks. Protecting
Your Search Privacy: A Flowchart To Tracks You Leave Behind
- Article on just what you leave behind when you search on the
web, who are the worst offenders and what you can do about it.
End Junk - Free and pay
email service that gives you the edge in the fight against spam,
without installing any software. It forwards email to your real
account and identifies the source of any spam. Offers antivirus
protection, too. MailEater.com
- This site provides free disposable email addresses for you
to use when you don't want to give out your "real"
email account. Spam
Poison - Traps automatic spambots scanning the web by feeding
them tons of fake emails, poisoning their list. Pretty interesting
idea.
The Anonymous Email
- Free service with pay features that allows you to send and
receive emails completely anonymously.
Scroogle* - Get Google
search engine results without giving up your privacy. Scroogle
scrapes away the tracking techniques used by Google and still
gives you the good search results. These guys are advocates
of privacy and are doing their part to make the web a better
place. |
Tweaking
Antenna
on the Cheap (Chip)* - The original Pringles can antenna,
made for your wireless pleasure. For under $7, you too can make
your own zoom antenna. Broadband
Reports - Great site with a lot of tools and tips (and even
a forum) that lets you tweak and improve your broadband connection.
Most famous for their speed tests. Good stuff.
JoeJoe.org* - Site focused
on Windows XP and Vista, with guides, tweaks and hacks. Also,
downloads. Lots of downloads, including skins and visual mods
for the aforementioned operating systems. Longhorn
Reloaded* - There are a dedicated group of guys over at
JoeJoe.org who dislike what happened after Longhorn became Vista.
They are busy taking the original longhorn distribution and
playing with and modding it, with some interesting results.
We shall see how Microsoft reacts, but for now, a very interesting
project. OpenDNS -
Rather than rely on your ISP's DNS service, give this one a
try. It is fast and does not add any advertisements to your
browsing experience, unless you hit a URL that doesn't exist.
Optimize
Guides - Focused primarily on Windows XP but much is applicable
to the other Windows, this site is a large compendium of information
and links. Also has a lot of freeware links, too.
OZ Cable Guy* - This
Australian one-man site has a wealth of information about networking
with a variety of Windows versions, as well as reviews and how-to's.
Very nice. Petri.co.il
(free MCSE info) Practically
Networked
Speed Guide
Speakeasy Speed
Test - Want to make sure you are getting the internet speeds
you are paying for. Give this test a whirl, see what you really
get.
Turn
off Unneeded XP Services
Tweak3d - This site focuses
both on tweaking software and hardware, offers guides, reveiws
and even a forum for that extra-hard tweak. |
Digital
Cameras Camcorder
Info* - Focuses on reviews, comparisons, buying guides,
prices and news of all the major brands of camcorders. Digital
Cameras HQ - This site has several guides on how to buy
a digital camera and allows you to look and compare models by
feature or price. Digital
Photography Review - Nice site that gives a fairly comprehensive
look at the cameras and the technology available today. Great
resource when looking for a new camera. |
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