"Folder Guide" is a handy windows freeware to keep the most common folders you use at your fingertip.
Folder Guide is a free handy utility that provides fast access to your frequently used and favorite folders. It can operate as the part of your context menu in your Windows Explorer.
Two useful free software to complete my list of windows utilities :
Ditto is a very useful Open Source clipboard:
- history of text copies, images, screenshots
- enable hot keys, network sync, etc
SIW is a freeware which stands for "System Information for Windows"
- no installation required (can run on a USB key)
- hardware informations, temperature sensors, license keys, process, etc, etc.
When I'm using a WinXP desktop I'm searching for an equivalent "Linux experience". Here's what I find useful so far (a mix of freeware and Free Software).
1) Look and feel
I don't like WinXP theme. CristalXP.net have great themes, wallpaper, icons, etc. I use the Microsoft "Royale Noir" a nice dark and sober theme.
Also very handy is iColorFolder to manage folders icons and the ability to quickly set their color for a better visual organisation.
You may also be interested by a Virtual Desktops Manager or want to access the "contextual" command line window from a right click on a folder or maybe to customize completely you're right click menu.
2)Shell and processes
This was the weakest point of winXP for me. Microsoft now released Power Shell and I must admit I find it good (it is just a little long to start). There are also aliases for usual Linux command (ls, pwd, cd /, etc) but I think Power Shell commands are very neat and clear.
Also, if you want to see the running processes in a graphical way Process Explorer is a great tool to replace the Task manager.
3)Copy/Paste and Screenshots
WinXP doesn't keep an history of your cut and paste actions and this can result in a loss of data. Cliptray is a freeware which solve this problem.
Linux distros always come with handy screenshots utilities. Cliptray can also do it but I prefer to use irfanview (tuto).
4)Security
Microsoft OS is unfortunately a big target. Apart from an antivirus and a firewall I feel safer to use Firefox and this KeyScrambler extension against eventual data loggers for login/passwords.
5)Applications
Software are not a problem since I'm using either web services (gmail, google reader,etc) and/or multi platform software (Vim,Python,OOo,Firefox,etc).
Also to work with a Linux PC or server Putty and WinSCP are a must.
WinDirStat for windows is an excellent Free utility (GPL):
- visualize disk usage per folder of per file types
- click on a box (file or folder) for properties, edition commands, contextual explorer or command prompt
A really nice and useful tool to organize and know more about what's really on your Hard Drive.
http://windirstat.info/
