Help:Box
This is aggregation of information on how to make a computer not suck.
Tips posted under the Functionality sections are at least confirmed as non-harmful. Any annoying side effects they have should be listed.
Text in quotes, or in monospace, should be understood as typing instructions. Please use them without the quotes. Inputs that require quotes should have them escaped (learn what this means, if you do not know already).
Contents
Getting A Computer
Operating System
Components
Windows Functionality
Fuck You, Microsoft!
Remove Default Bandwidth Throttling
Source: http://alpha69.spawnpoint.com/post.php?pid=617
Platform: Only confirmed for Windows XP
It seems Microsoft automatically reserves a portion (20%) of your bandiwdth for its own use. Who knows what for? To remove this restriction and reclaim your own use of the Tubes:
- Start > Run > "gpedit.msc"
- Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > QoS Packet Scheduler
- Double-click Limit Reservable Bandwidth
- Enable this property, "0" in the number field, and hit Apply
Mac Functionality
Scripts and Tweaking
There are ways to disable Spotlight and Dashboard, if you find those particular features of Mac OS X annoying.
The Terminal command "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu\ Extras/user.menu/Contents/Resources/CGSession -suspend;" will return you to your login screen without logging you out. This is particularly useful if you want to selectively lock your computer (without, say, setting the screensaver to password lock); all you have to do it find a way to bind the command to a hotkey...
Applications
Quicksilver is an excellent launcher utility; it is from the time before Mac OS X had Spotlight, and is still arguably better than Spotlight. The module/plugins Abracadabra (enable mouse gestures), Disk Image Support (enable mounting/unmounting), Extra Scripts (enable System operations e.g. Restart/Shut Down) are recommended.
Caffeine allows you to prevent your Mac from going to sleep. Ever. Even if the lid is closed.
Colloquy is a free IRC client.
PandoraBoy allows Pandora to be run as a stand-alone application. It supports global hotkeys and is therefore ironically more mature than the similar app PandoraMan.
UnRarX is for the one file compression format that Mac OS X doesn't natively support.
VLC is a media viewer that isn't lame.
