Wireshark is great tool, a must have, for analyzing the network traffic.
An example capture is shown below from an http connection.
It has features like “Flow graph” (below), and many many other features, like reading other capture formats as well.
Wireshark, Tool for analyzing network traffic
Posted in Anvanced Tools, Network Monitoring, Recommended Free Tools, Security, Troubleshooting
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SyncToy, Tool to synchronize folders
SyncToy from Microsoft is free tool to synchronize 2 folders.
One can create several folder pairs.
This tool is usefull to synchronize USB drive, or encrypted virtual drive, with files on the normal hard drive (C:).
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Dexpot, Tool for virtual desktops on your screen
Instead of having one desktop on your screen, one could use Dexpot to use 2 or 4 desktops.
Configuration is rather straight forward.
Best part of the program is the support for hot keys. For example, ALT-1 could be short cut for desktop 1, ALT-2 for dekstop 2 etc.
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CutePDF Writer, Tool for printing into PDF file
CutePDF is great for creating PDF files from MS Office documents, or from complex web pages.
The usage is simple, just print and choose CutePDF as printer.
For the installation, one need to install 2 files, one for CutePDF, and one for PS2PDF converter. Both are available from the download page.
CutePDF can also be used for protecting original MS Word and Powerpoint files, since one can send PDF file instead of the original file.
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CamStudio, Tool for recording screen activity into video
CamStudio is a tool for recording your screen. One can record only a region or also full screen. Sound can be taken from microphone or from loud speakers (output).
It is possible to convert recorded file into SWF, to make it more suitable for demos.
(I’m still using older version 2.0)
Tip
Fix for sound recording in Vista.
If you get error message “WaveoutGetSelectControl() failed”, then one can try the fix explained in support pages.
Here are some instructions for enabling Stereo Mix (sometimes also called Wave Out Mix)recording:
1. Select “Sound” from the control panel.
2. Select the recording tab.
3. Right click on the background of the tab and choose “show disabled devices”.
4. Right click on Stereo Mix and click enable.
5. Make Stereo Mix as your Default
I followed these steps, and in Camstudio I selected “Record sound from Microphone”
Posted in Anvanced Tools, Audio and Video, Recommended Free Tools
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Truecrypt, Tool for accessing and keeping your files in secured storage
Truecrypt is a tool which can create a virtual encrypted disk of any size.
In Windows, a truecrypt file (*.tc) looks like a normal data file. But in fact, it is encrypted container file and can be mounted as a drive where files can be accessed normally. And ss soon as drive is unmounted, then one cannot access the files any more.
A truecrypt file can be copied onto USB, making it great for protecting files while travelling.
Another use for truecrypt is to use it for protecting your backups.
Screenshots are available.
Truecrypt is available also for Linux and Mac Os.
Advanced use
- Full disk encryption.
- Command line parameters.
Posted in Anvanced Tools, Recommended Free Tools, Security
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Disclib, Tool for creating catalog of DVDs
Disclib is tool for creating and maintaining catalog(s) of your CDs and DVDs. Data is stored in one single file, so it is easy to move and backup.
It also contains search function to find your files based on file name etc. (not the content, of course). This way it is faster to find your backups.
For a huge amount DVDs, the program becomes significantly slower to startup, but I guess it happens with many cataloging software (?). Luckily it is possible to use several separate catalogs to limit the volume.
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