Handy Software and Services
Manage Windows shortcuts, transfer huge files, trade trash for treasure--and how many petals are around the rose?
I'm not avoiding you. I'm just spending much of my time inside, cloistered in my air-conditioned office and avoiding the monsoon-like weather here in southern California. But coolness is good for geeks, because I was able to find a handful of cool tools and useful sites for you to enjoy.
Shortcut Key Explorer is a slick, free tool from RJL Software that helps you manage all the shortcuts you've created to launch applications. The program searches for existing shortcuts, lists them, and then gives you quick access to modify a shortcut.
Chances are good, though, that some of you aren't aware of shortcut keys. The idea is that Microsoft Windows lets you can assign keystrokes and launch apps without having to use the Start menu. For instance, I have Ctrl-Alt-W set for Word and Ctrl-Alt-E for Eudora. Get up to speed on shortcuts by reading a Microsoft tutorial.
My PC's file structure is incredibly complex. Some stuff is buried what seems like 3000 folders deep.
A reader told me about FastFolder, a cool little freebie that resides in your system tray. Click it and open any folder you need to access often. It takes just a few minutes to enter your favorite folder locations; you also can have FastFolder open a system window, Windows Explorer, or any browser you prefer.
But I also got a dissenting opinion. Ray S. from San Francisco writes: "This utility is decent, but I find that using Windows' mapping of drives is much more useful because, once mapped, you can access them from within applications too--like saving Word or Excel files to buried folders."
But why don't you make up your own mind? FastFolder is a free download. And you can learn how to map a drive by reading a Microsoft tutorial.
Sending a big file to a friend doesn't have to be a pain. In my section of the July
In the magazine article I was restricted to talking about products that store files on a remote server. Since I like alternatives, and I'm pretty sure you do too, I thought you might want to hear about three other file-sharing products: FolderShare, Pando, and Transferbigfiles:
You might remember my write-up on La La a couple months ago. No? Don't sweat it, it's archived online.
After it hit the Net, I got tons of e-mail (well, maybe not tons, but a lot) asking for other trading sites to try. Can do. Here are a few swapping services you might want to try (nope, not the illegal kind). I haven't tried them, though, so let me know what you think.
The best help I can offer is to tell you the solution is in the name of the puzzle, the number has to be even (though it could be zero), and the math is really simple.
Lots of people are talking about it. Apparently, Bill Gates tried it and wasn't successful.
- FolderShare has been my favorite for a couple of years. It's a mature product--no bugs, no cost, and easy to use. Read what I had to say about it in "" (halfway down the page). You can for free from us.
- gives you a way to send entire folders, but you'll need to download an app to do it.
- is an online service that has the advantage of letting you password-protect the files you send.
- , like La La, charges $1 for each DVD you trade; you provide the postage.
- goes one better by adding books to the list of items you can borrow.
- (where do they dream up these names?) is a borrow/lend site, and at first glance, actually looks easy and painless to use.
- lets you swap CDs, DVDs and games using SwitchBucs--but it sounds too complicated for me.
Steve Bass
