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Acorn Archimedes
by cheffrey
In the late 80s and early 90s, the race for market domination of home and business computing is always reported to have belonged to either Microsoft/IBM PCs, or to Apple. But over in the UK, the Acorn series of computers (universally referred to as Archimedes, no matter the model) tried to muscle in on the market. Launched in 1987, the ... first Acorn model was a foray into the world of 32-bit computing, very powerful for the time, and a series of steadily more powerful models was released over the next few years.
The Archimedes was targeted primarily at the education sector, as a replacement for those cute old BBC Micros and RM Nimbuses (pl. Nimbi?) that were pretty limited in scope, despite some rather impressive programmes available for them. Anyone of a certain age reading this will most likely remember them sitting in the corner of the classroom, or being barked at by maniacal headteachers in assembly to spend more at Tesco to harvest more 'Computers for Schools' vouchers. And at the time, the progress made between these generations of computers was massive.
The first model, the 300 (I think) had a whopping half a megabyte of RAM. By the early 1990s, most had 2, 4 or 8 MB, and could run some very useful programmes. Plotting graphs, using CAD for technology classes, even some fairly advanced music scoring programmes were all available for the education market, and it was a benchmark for the use of IT in schools. There was also the new-found freedom ofhard drives, either 40MB or 80MB, which sounds pathetic today , but was expansive back then. They were also network-friendly, allowing files (and homework) to be shared with ease. They were also very adaptable, and could be linked to projectors, videos, and even things like thermometers and light sensors for directly recording data for science classes.
As a home computer, it was the next step up from the 8-bit machines such as the BBC Micro or Commodore C64 that had gained in popularity in the 80s, though it was not as popular as the Amiga. As a games platform, it was surprisingly slick, with a wide range of titles receiving some great treatment. Lemmings and Elite were particularly excellent, and the underrated publishing house 4th Dimension created some exclusive classics for it (anyone out there remember Pandora's Box or Nevryon?!)
They were also incredibly robust, and the WIMP windows interface hardly ever crashed. I still have the A5000 that I salvaged from school the day they replaced them all with IBM machines safely tucked away, and I think it's only ever crashed twice. Not that it's been switched on in about ten years, mind. Still not throwing it away though, if only for the smug factor that it must have cost my old school about a thousand quid when they first bought it.
Nowadays, the Acorn computers are a niche market, populated only with slightly odd, typically bearded types like myself who have a nostalgic soft-spot for retro computers. The series fizzled out in 1997, when the RISC PC failed to take off, mainly due to the trans-Atlantic mega business of Apple and IBM. They also priced themselves out of the market. At launch, the A3000 retailed at about 800 pounds, which was a staggering sum considering it was the end of the 1980s and alienated much of the growing home-computer market. By the time they tried to catch up with PC-esque models, it was too late. The Arc tried but failed, which was a bit of a shame because for at least half a decade, they were genuinely useful and adaptable machines. And they never, ever, dumped you out with a BSOD.
If you're interested in owning one, you can find these on ebay pretty regularly for next to nothing. Getting them to work with modern TVs or monitors can be tricky/impossible, so see if you can get one with an original monitor if you want one. There's also the trouble of locating programmes that work for them now, as they were mostly stored on 3.5" floppy disks (or CD-ROM, if you were mega-rich and could afford a CD drive), which aren't the most robust of formats with the magnetic data easily corruptible. And if you're a complete masochist, you can try to get one of the several emulators to work on your PC, which is about as easy as trying to find a piece of hay in a giant stack of needles, and about twice as painful.
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CCleaner
by 1st2thebar
Since the Ccleaner software release in September 2003, the package has endured a remarkable number of updates, the latest being April 2011. They're all differentiated numerically, listed in chronological order, the latest being first that descends down to it's initial release, useful evidence of this is on the Piriform website (their ... manufacturers) and their affiliated partners. The Ccleaner's longevity in such a competitive freeware market has to be commended thanks to their initial brand of 'crap' as in 'Crap Cleaner.' A wise move from Piriform although it hasn't created an online client fall-out, that in other circles may've been classed as crass marketing without any opportunities to get lift-off. Eight years on, Ccleaner is now one of the most downloaded clean-up freeware applications, thanks to the myriad of updates Priform has encrypted in keeping this product viable to Window users. There is a simple reason for this?
Indeed, the encrypted script includes adware from a multitude of businesses - hence, the frequent updates. These are not deemed as 'spyware' but online businesses are incredibly suspicious if any consumer even touches on 'traffic enhancers' or question any add-ons that a download may contain. Of course, Ccleaner systematically engages in these sorts of shady dealings with marketers and huge online consortiums it'll be ludicrous if they didn't. Freeware could only exist via such practices. Collecting IP addresses (Internet Protocol) that's your online identity is vital for all online activity. By downloading the software - it is a passport for the technology to start weaving into different streams, sold on to other parties, without heed to the masses who download these freeware packages. The ironic matter is the Ccleaner application cleans up all your temporary files via legitimate software sources - and online data; albeit doesn't clean-up the add-on files that come with the Ccleaner (exe file) application. They embed themselves into the start-up folder; even after the cleaner prompts it has finished its duties.
It is safer *not* to have a freeware cleaner.
Every 'cleaner' freeware applications come with their own allegiance (business affiliated) tags - 'Ccleaner' is no different. The Ccleaner files do not exceed 3.5 MB in size, the reason, the smaller the file the less chance the user will cancel in mid-download flow. Due to the plethora of downloads from their affiliated sites the software boasts it is number one for freeware downloads; in the genre of 'cleaning disk space.' It doesn't mean it is number one as in the best on the freeware market. Seeing doesn't necessarily mean believing. Cleaning disk space is vital for an efficient PC, however, all the available applications are already installed on a five year old PC, so you do not need freeware software like Ccleaner. De-bugging cleaning files - defragging - clearing caches - cookies - temporary files - passwords - can be done safer without outside software sources.
The interface of Ccleaner.
Application designed, as the norm, from left to right - meaning all the utility details such as the CPU hard disk files - internet files i.e. temporary files - cookies etc are on the left - whilst the user interactive area is on the right. Tick the appropriate link tags so Ccleaner can clean or remove the selected files. On a simple prompt click your appropriate request and within seconds the application will filter until the end, unless the action is cancelled. You can also uninstall CPU programs via the Ccleaner application - although always check afterwards that no adware 'spider legs' are left, so check again, via your own CPU system that no 'spider legs' are apparent on files linked to the deleted programs. I check about three times. Ccleaner is notoriously keen on your system start-up, so check religiously that no data has been left by Piriform's odious adware scheme.
Version 3.06.1433 - this is the latest update (10-05-11) - Graphics that are overplayed and stylish on their interface gives the impression the application is kosher - often the cheapest bland graphic offering is the most genuine; don't be blinded by the bling. Other freeware software such as Yamp that do simple tasks like converting file formats and file compression. When, freeware gets overly complex such as the 3.04.1389 version of Ccleaner - whereby the application doesn't take onboard an applet to do menial tasks - it all takes place on-stage in the application. I ask questions? The 3.06.1433 version over-rides CPU start-ups and it embeds codes to your tool-bars. Some people wouldn't mind this - however, without reading the codecs I fear they're internet trackers. All masked via the branding of Yahoo. Google gets a re-birth on my system so it has been re-booted illegally without a prompt. Would you think that was acceptable? No, by clicking on that Ccleaner download button to try and safe-guard your own security from imminent cyber attacks - you're more prone to get them by downloading the freeware without deleting the program, promptly. If, you are a fan of this software and want to continue using it, check at least three times that all cookies are deleted; Ccleaner does cut corners. Deleted files miraculously reappear.
Piriform have all aspects covered, even the 'system restore' button from your PC is an example of how competitive the freeware market is. I strongly ill-advise going through this particular process via Ccleaner, if you must go through you're normal process to re-boot your system via a past date, to safe-guard yourself against freeware.
Message from the crash test dummy.
Thirty Five multiples of language choices is hardly a unique selling point for UK users either, nor does the registry cleaner will sweeten the bitter pill Ccleaner has devised to it's prey. For users who are destined to try out this application stay clear of the newer versions and opt for updates prior to Piriform's involvement with Google. It is less competitive and therefore just deals with tasks in-hand, albeit - delete after use. Profoundly the Ccleaner icon resembles similar traits to Mozilla's Firefox: a trust-worthy browser with a huge following. This isn't a coincidence; it is another trick to bring down your defences. Do not allow this freeware application to embed itself into your system; beware of unsolicited prompts involving the ALT- DEL keys. Windows will become more prone to crashing if this software resides in your start-up menu. Hope this has been of help. Thanks for reading.©1st2thebar2011
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TuneUp Utilities 2010 (PC)
by Lions
I decided to purchase Tuneup Utilities after becoming consistently frustrated with how slow my laptop was, being only a year or so old. I had read some good reviews of it being really able to speed things up and of older computers running much more quickly with Tuneup running. I am here to say that those rumors are 100% ... true.
.:What Does It Do?:.
Tuneup Utilities uses a variety of different features to help speed up your PC. First of all, you can have it run maintenance tasks whenever you like. These maintenance tasks include emptying your recycle bin, cleaning your registry, finding unused file paths, and more, and deleting them. This helps clear up more hard drive space. The first time I ran this maintenance, it deleted practically a full GB of completely worthless information. Now whenever I run it (every 3 days or so) it always manages to clear up around 100 MB or so. Not too shabby.
Another features it has is a system optimizer. This optimizer gives you the option to uninstall worthless software you never use. It also allows you to toggle some of the graphic effects of the operating system, which greatly speed up your computer too. For example, I'm running Vista, and whenever I drag my mouse around the desktop with the left click button held in, it makes rectangles. In XP, these rectangles would be outlined in a dashed line. In Vista, the ENTIRE rectangle is outlined in a blue transparent box. By turning features like that off, it speeds up your computer. One little thing like that may seem like much, but I actually had 9 features like that, all of which I disabled, and my computer is running much better.
.:Turbo Mode:.
Turbo Mode is one of the most popular features of Tuneup Utilities. Basically what Turbo Mode does is disable all advanced graphic effects (including your theme if you are using Windows Aero, it reverts to an old Windows 2000/XP look). It also temporarily disables all software running in the background other than the bar necessities like your antivirus. In conclusion, anything that isn't absolutely essential to make your computer run properly is disabled while in Turbo Mode. There is a HUGE difference in speed. Turbo Mode is great if there are some newer computer games you want to play but your computer isn't quite fast enough to run them. For example, World of Warcraft used to run a bit laggy on my laptop. After I started entering Turbo Mode right before I launched the game however, it now runs nearly flawlessly, and I only notice slight lag while in highly populated areas. What's so great about Turbo Mode though, is that it takes only a click of a button to enter and exit it. So if you're ready to play a game, you simply open up Tuneup Utilities, click the Turbo Mode button, wait a couple of seconds for the changes to appear, then go on your way and play the game. When you're finished, simply click the Turbo Mode button again and your system will go back to normal again.
.:Visual Effects:.
Tuneup Utilities also offers a couple of ways to mess around with your computer graphics. I haven't really used these as I find them a bit pointless, but I will mention some of them. One of the things you can do is change your Windows boot screen. You can also easily change the startup logo and the theme of the computer. Other changes you can make if you choose are things like changing the shortcuts of different programs or customizing colors on the taskbar, little things like that.
.:Recommendation:.
If you ever get annoyed with your computer and wonder how it could have been so fast when you bought it and now it's so slow, get this software ASAP. Seriously, this did wonders for me and I'm sure it can for your old computer to. Also, if you want to be able to play some newer games but can't afford an expensive gaming computer, you may want to look into this software just so you can try out the Turbo Mode. I don't know how the developers of this software did it but they seem to have made a patch for your slow dinosaur.
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