Tip of the Day: Increase Swap File Size To Improve System Performance
If you have a free disk space of 40GB or more you can try setting up your maximum and minimum swap memory to 1769MB or more. This will improve your system performance dramatically.
My Recommended OTB (Out of the Box) Experience
I gathered this set of programs for my mother’s new computer.
You might need this also if you’re planning to give your mother’s
computer a new look and feel. This short guide will surely save
her from future headaches.
Requirements:
1. Recommended OS - Windows XP
2. My set of recommended freewares
3. Your mother’s permission. 
Before I dump things I make it a habit to install security
programs first and do the other stuff later on.
First, I am going to install a “free” reliable antivirus that is light
and has an easy update function. My pick would be Grisoft’s
Free AVG. Next is, I am going to pair it with a free and reliable
firewall, in this case I would pick Zone labs Free ZoneAlarm.
We all know that a computer can only be called “secured” if
there’s two or more antispyware installed. For my mother’s pc
I’m going to install and set all of this security features to
automatically scan and check for updates.
1. Lavasoft’s Ad aware
2. Spybot Search & Destroy
3. a-squared (optional)
Now as for my security finale, I am going to disable some known
vulnerable spyware entry points by the use of a program called
Secure-IT.
Along with the security programs are programs she would surely
loved!
Web browser - Mozilla Firefox
Audio Player - Foobar2000
Disk Cleaner - Crap Cleaner
I’ll set this to run when the computer starts and to automatically
check for updates
Media Player - Media Player Classic
I’ll use this instead of the more popular but unstable Windows
Media Player.
Instant Messenger - Yahoo Messenger
I prefer this messenger because of its popularity and security.
If you noticed, all of this programs can be easily installed and
managed. I tried to avoid those with complicated features that
will confuse my mother.
Tip of The Day: Disable Windows Built-In Internet Games
Disable Windows built-in internet games like multiplayer Spades, Backgammon, Hearts, Checkers, and Reversi. You can save at about 8.5mb of space once this unused games are removed.
Here’s how you do it:
1. go to your windows control-panel
2. open Add or Removed programs
3. open Add/Remove Windows Components
4. select Accessories and Utilities then click the details button
5. select Games then click the details button again.
6. untick Internet Games then click the ok button.
