ADTC (Computer)

If you're a regular Dvorak user, you may be frustrated that inputting Chinese pinyin can only be done using QWERTY layout. But it's actually very easy to use Dvorak layout to input Chinese pinyin. You only have to change a key in the registry, and restart (or log off), and you can instantly start inputting Chinese pinyin using the Dvorak layout! I found the simple instructions mirrored below at the following web pages (both belong to the same author).

I had only recently sent out an email to a few close people educating them about the dangers of rogue anti-virus. Moments ago, I almost became a victim to the same danger I was warning them about. Scam sites try to use popular computer usage behavior in order to bypass securities and install virus, trojans and spywares. And the attack upon my computer is yet another example that testifies to this. While attempting to visit a site which I had never visited before, I was presented with the following message: Looks like the authentic Firefox warning about a scam site? Well, it's not. I knew something was wrong because of the following:

Update:  The Setup installer of the latest Notepad2 will automatically replace the Windows Notepad using the registry hack described below. It will also install Notepad2 to C:\Program Files\Notepad2 or an appropriate folder. Original Post: This has been tested in Windows 7 64-bit edition, however should work in other versions and 32-bit editions as well. In the days of Windows 2000, it was easy to replace "notepad.exe" with your own custom version of Notepad, such as the light-weight but powerful Notepad2 . Simply find the file and overwrite. But with Windows XP and later versions, a new feature called "Windows File Protection" prevents you from doing so. However, you can now replace Notepad system-wide without even touching the original "notepad.exe" using a simple registry hack.

Update 2: An anonymous commentator has shown me a way to make Region 1 players (such as DVD-H1080R) region-free by first converting it to Region 3, then applying my region-free hack below. For details, click here or look for a comment by an Anonymous user dated 18 April 2011. Update: The instructions in the original post below did not make the DVD player region-free. Instead it only locked it to region 1. Many thanks to Anonymous who posted the first comment on this post, I now have alternate instructions. Note: If you have edited the numbers menu (see original post) , I suggest you return it to the original settings you had backed up. A modified numbers menu may prevent the instructions below from working properly.

Here's a great Flash presentation by Microsoft where you can learn about laptop computers and what to look for when you shop for them. You will learn about the basics in choosing a laptop such as the processor, RAM and the hard disk. Well, the presentation is bent towards Windows 7 and Microsoft's own laptop shopping site. But nevertheless, you can gain a lot of knowledge about computers if you're a newbie, or check your understanding if you're an expert. The narrator is humorous so you can have some good laughs as well. Enjoy! Note: At the end of the presentation, you will be re-directed to Microsoft's shopping website. Continue shopping, or click the Back button to return to the blog. Click here to see the presentation in its own website (utilizes full window space) 

Just today, Google changed the tab bar position of iGoogle Singapore version from top to the left. I love Google for their simplicity and neatness. But to have tabs on the left side is such a bad choice. What's worse is that this is forced upon the users, with no option to return them to the top. I only use iGoogle on my personal computer, in Firefox, therefore I found a solution that works for me. It's the Firefox Add-on called "iGoogle Tab Remover" and it works like a charm! To make use of its full functionality, you have to learn its various options and set them according to your preferences. However, you have to note that this add-on does not have a formal "Options" dialog, and its options should be accessed from iGoogle.

If you came across a situation when your computer is broken and you can't install or update .NET Framework, you need to get the .NET fx Cleanup Tool. This .NET Framework cleanup tool is designed to automatically perform a set of steps to remove selected versions of the .NET Framework from a computer.  It will remove files, directories, registry keys and values and Windows Installer product registration information for the .NET Framework.  The tool is intended primarily to return your system to a known (relatively clean) state in case you are encountering .NET Framework installation, uninstallation, repair or patching errors so that you can try to install again. More details and download here: Aaron Stebner's WebLog : .NET Framework Cleanup Tool User's Guide Alternate download here: Download .NET Framework Cleanup Tool 6.0.3790 - It will remove files, directories, registry keys and values and Windows Installer product registration information for the .NET Framework. - Sof...