Windows Tools, Help & Guides

Excel 2010, did not come with too may new features. It’s hard to come up with  ideas on how to improve something that is already a great product, I’m sure. But there was one new thing I’ve found quite useful: Sparklines.

Sparklines – What’s that ?

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Every time you create a new workbook in Excel, you get a document containing three blank sheets. Do you ever use more than one ? Or, do you always use more than three ? In this Quick-Tip I’ll show you how to set Excel to create new workbooks containing the number of sheets you require, whether it’s one or ten.

Here’s How

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Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with	System
4.5 out of 5	(11 votes, average: 4.45 out of 5)

PRODUCT: Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 PRO VERSION REVIEWED: 5.1.1.0 PROS: Lots of tools to help you tweak your PC and get it running faster. License is good for 3 PCs. CONS: Pricey for a PC repair tool unless you’re using it on two or three of your computers. VERDICT: I don’t use many automated third-party tools to maintain my PC so I always look down a little on one-stop PC tuning solutions; however, I’d say this product is up there with TuneUp and is useful for system maintenance. PRICE: $49.95. DOWNLOAD: Get BoostSpeed 5 SE (Special Edition) Free here (Updated Oct 27, 2011) PURCHASE: Auslogics BoostSpeed 5 PRO ($49.95 USD aff)

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Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with	System
4+ out of 5	(14 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)

PROS: All-In-One Ripper and Converter. Converts Both DVD and BlueRay to any format needed. Very good Image Crop Functionality. Watermark and image adjustment features. CONS: Ripping seems a bit slow. Though it runs on 64bit platform, there’s no native 64bit support, which would be preferable. Added Subtitles are embedded into the movie instead of saved as a separate file. VERDICT: A truly great All in One Product, that deliver what it promise, and then some. PRICE: $45.49 VERSION REVIEWED: DOWNLOAD: Aimersoft Blue-Ray Ripper CONTEST: After reading the review, head on over to the Aimersoft Blu-Ray Roulette Game for the chance to win a free copy!

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Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with	System
4+ out of 5	(6 votes, average: 4.83 out of 5)

PROS: One Click Action, Rip directly to ISO, remove copy protection and burn ISO to DVD (or Blu-Ray). CONS: It does take a lot CPU power while working, but that’s about it. No Heads up when the program is finished. No Downsizing possibilities. VERDICT: A simple, yet powerful application. It’s a “One Click Action” program which is very easy to use. Insert your movie, Click RUN and wait. PRICE: Absolutely FREE VERSION REVIEWED: 2.0 Build on 20110802 DOWNLOAD: BDlot DVD ISO Master

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Windows Guides’ Rating	User Rating	Compatible with	System
4 out of 5	(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

PROS: This free tool helps you identify “cold” spots in your home/office. Easy to use and does not require a location-aware PC setup.CONS: You have to sign up with your email address to get to the download but you can unsubscribe any time. You’ll need to use a laptop to take readings throughout your home. VERDICT: If you’re a geek and you want a map of wi-fi signal strength in your home, this application will do exactly that. PRICE: Free VERSION REVIEWED: 1.1.2 DOWNLOAD: HeatMapper

HeatMapper Installation

To download HeatMapper, go here, enter an email address (that works), and open your email to download HeatMapper:

Double click the installer and follow the instructions:

When prompted, click Install:

HeatMapper Features

When you start HeatMapper, you’ll be asked if you have a map. I got a map from the survey of our home that we had done prior to purchase. If you don’t have access to a map, I recommend you make one (it doesn’t have to be completely accurate) so you know where to click when you walk around your home.

Here’s the map I used for my first level. It’s very simple and something that you can create in Paint in a  minute or two:

Once you’ve loaded your map, you’ll be asked to walk around your home and to click the map in your current location. This will draw the path you take and record the signal at each checkpoint. Here’s my first level (click to enlarge):

Here’s my second level (good coverage):

Once you’ve completed your walk around the home, you’ll have a map of the signal strength throughout your home (plus a list of all dominant hotspots in your home.)

Download HeatMapper

Download HeatMapper

Note: You’ll need to enter a valid email address and can unsubscribe after you receive the first email.