In the past few weeks, I have seen extensive advertising for FinallyFast. Essentially, they promise you a free way to scan your system for virus and trojans, as well as system flaws and hacks that will make your PC go faster. So being the ignorant fool cleaver person I am, I tried.

What I got was less than fast.

So they have you run this 9MB scan file, and then run the scan. The scan, on my WinXP machine, took about 30 minutes. And then it took another 10 min minutes to go through and show me all the errors that allegedly are there. And this is where the screwy part started.

After now wasting about an hour of my time, it tells me I need the Fast Error Remover, software that costs $30.

So what have I learned: First, when the say free, it’s not always all the way free. Second, if you think it is too good to be true, it probably is. And third, if you have tried to use FinallyFast, you got screwed.

FinallyFast

One of the major annoyances in Windows XP that I skip (because I always remember to disable it) is the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. In case you really don’t know, every 60 days the wizard goes through and moves icons you haven’t use in a while into a folder on the destkop. A.) I can clean up my desktop myself and B.) the wizard is so damn annoying. Let’s disable it.

1.) Right-click on an open area of the desktop and click on properties.
2.) in the Properties window, go to the Desktop tab, then click on Customize Desktop towards the bottom.
3.) Uncheck the box next to Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard every 60 days. Then hit OK.

That’s all there is to it- disabling the Desktop Cleanup is easy. (Because you can clean your own desltop. right?)

You know me- I love free software. Today’s pick is BurnAware Free. Just like previously mentioned ImgBurn, BurnAware is the down to earth burning software that just does what you need it to.

BurnAware Free is ideal for users with basic disc burning needs as backup, creating data, audio, video discs and burning disc images. Free, easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to save your files to disc quickly, provides more flexible interface to help you complete your burning tasks much faster.

BurnAware allows you to burn Data Discs, Audio CD’s. and DVD and Blu-Ray Videos. And, of course, you can use BurnAware to burn your favorite ISO file. I’ll quick mention this is a handy program to have if you are looking to get a Blu-Ray burner (this is the only one I’ve seen with Blu-Ray support- very cool).

BurnAware Free is Windows Only Software and is free. Give a try- it’s not like you’re losing anything.

BurnAware Free [via Lifehacker]

MAC OS X ONLY – One of the many advantages of Mac OS X is the dock which shows you every application that is running. That’s great, but what if you don’t want a certain application to ever show up- you’re out of luck- or are you? This is all made possible with DockDodger.

With Dock Doger, removing the Dock icon is as easy as Drag and Drop. Simply drag in the application you want to Un-Dock and Dock Dodger takes care of the rest. When you re-launch that application, it will be sans Dock icon. Want the Dock icon back? Just re-drag the application into Dock Dodger and everything’s back to normal.

Now, that said, this is kinda dangerous. Not only do you have the potential to damage your program, depending on the application whose icon you’re trying Un-Dock, you may get some strange behavior or find some features inaccessible (such as the menu!). Use at your own risk.

But if that stupid preview icon is driving you nutso, this is the way to go. DockDodger is Donationware, meaning it’s free, but they would like a donation, if possible. Dodge on!

Dock Dodger

Good Morning, everyone. It’s a big week where I’m at with school starting this week. Others have some time to go, and are cringing over this very statement. That said, let’s get right into Manic Monday.

• Intel cuts electric cords with wireless power system. No more extension cables!!
• Dell’s Eee-killer to ship with Ubuntu preinstalled. Take that, Microsoft.
• Speaking of which, one-third of new computers are being downgraded to Vista.
• On to other news, Kevin Rose has new Apple rumors. Oh boy….
• Meanwhile, iPhone 2.0.2 came out this week, hard on the heals of 2.0.1.
• And GeekBrief has found a way to get Copy and Paste on the iPhone, well kinda.
• Meanwhile, A Judge has cleared that Copyright Owners Must Consider ‘Fair Use’ Before Sending Takedown Notice. Yea, sure.
• And the IOC wants Olympic traffic off of Pirate Bay. Good luck with that.
• China Blocked iTunes After Tibet Album Goes on Sale. Good Grief…
• Western Digital is working on 20,000 RPM Raptor. 1TB anyone?
• And the Compact Disc turned 26 this week. And it still won’t die.

And that’s this week’s Manic Monday. Someone wanted to know the status of Manic Monday (i.e.: Is it staying?). After a full year of Manic Mondays (I started it on this Monday last year) it is most definitely staying. Enjoy!

So all this week I’ve been telling you what to get stuff, but I havn’t told you how you should get it. There are plenty of ways to save money as a student- College or High School.

First things first- If you’re buying an Apple product (computer or software) the only place you can save money is through the Apple store. Some discounts are lame (like saving $9 on iLife) but more expsensive software, like Final Cut Pro, you can save $600.

Next, make sure you shop around and have done your Homework. Two popular sites for education saving are Academic Superstore and JourneyEd. On both of these site, you can buy Dreamweaver CS3 for $199- that’s half of what it’s usually costs.

Another place you should go is your software publisher. Some people, like Adobe, don’t save you a whole ton on money through their site, where as Microsoft has whole page dedicated to it, and can get you a really good deal.

And the last thing: Check your school’s store- often they can get you the same deal without shipping or tax, and even face to face service. NDSU’s bookstore even has Macs for sale right in their store (drooling time!)

Now, when using all of these stores, you may have to have proof that you go to school there, so make sure your school ID is ready whenever you are ordering. Now go out there and SAVE!

Thanks to TUAW for help with this article.

Yesterday I talked about what your new computer needs for college. Today, I’m talking gadgets for those of you with a slightly smaller wallet- or if you already have a computer.

Now, before you stop reading and think it’s all dorm room stuff- I don’t have one- so if you don’t have one I’m thinking of you too. The gadgets I’m showing off today range in price from just $25 up to $200- easily affordable for those on a budget.

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Ahhh the college laptop conundrum. Throughout the summer, people have been asking me what is the best kind of laptop and if they need something special. Today, I’m laying it down in plain English.

So what should my computer have?
• 2.53GHz (Desktop) or 1.6GHz (Laptop) Processor or higher
• Windows XP or Vista
• 1GB of RAM (2GB recommended)
• 80GB Hard Drive
• Wireless b/g (Laptop Only)
• 10/100 Network Card
• DirectX 9 Graphics
• CD-RW/DVD Drive

What if I’m on a Mac? Same specs as above, except for:
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• Mac OS X 10.3 or Higher

And as a side note- everyone thinks you need a brand new computer for college. The reality? A computer that has been made in the last two years is more sufficient for the average first year student. Of course, you should check with your school and see if your school (or your Major) requires something special.

As I’ve mentioned before, I will be a Freshman and North Dakota State University. Which means this is the first time I’ve had to buy textbooks. So, of course, I want to save money. That’s when I found BigWords.

BigWords is a textbook search enigune, if you will. They search all the top online retailers and will help you find the textbooks you need for way less than what your college bookstore wants. For example, My book on Java for my Computer Science class is normally over $100. I paid only $65. And every book I needed was this way.

And searching for your book is easy. They allow to search by ISBN, which will give you the book you need.

So if you haven’t already bought your textbooks, you’d better jump on it! But if you can, give BigWords a try.

BigWords

As I sit here I realize I start school in a week and I have not done any Back To School related posts. So, this week is dubbed “Back To School Week”. Everything from Study Apps, Learning website and maybe a gadget or two. And don’t worry- I’ll still be here if something big breaks. Enjoy!