This is a handy command line that will check, auto repair and optimize all tables in all MySQL databases.

mysqlcheck -u root -p –check –auto-repair –optimize –all-databases

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Boost Firefox Startup with SpeedyFox

On July 21, 2010, in Software, by Steve Looi

When you have been using FireFox for a long period of time, you will notice it slows down considerably. It will take longer time to load during start up. The problem is mostly due to fragmentation of its SQLITE database.

SpeedyFox is a free software that will defrag and optimize the FireFox database.

Click here to visit SpeedyFox site.

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Hushmail provides secure free email address for everyone. It allows you to send and receive confidential email between you and the intended recipients by encrypting the email message, so that you won’t need to worry about your email being intercepted and view by any person.

Every secure free Hushmail account include these features:

  • Spam filtering
  • Virus scanning
  • File storage and sharing with other Hushmail users
  • Unlimited contacts
  • POP3 access to external email accounts
  • Easy encrypted communication with contacts at any email address using Hustmail Express
  • Hush Messenger for secure instant messaging
  • Email notification
  • Read receipts, auto-responders, drafts, and templates
  • Digital signatures for email and attachments
  • End-to-end encryption for email and files
  • Full OpenPGP support with 2048 bit encryption
  • Encryption toolkit
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Managing Multiple PuTTY Instances in Tabs

On April 13, 2009, in Security, Software, by Steve Looi

PuTTY is a free Telnet and SSH client for Win32 and Unix platforms. It lacks the tabbing feature, which is one of the most important missing feature of PuTTY that many users are complaining. When you create multiple PuTTY connection instances, each instance will be opened in a separate window.

PuTTY Connection Manager is a free PuTTY Client Add-on for Windows platforms which provide a solution for managing multiple PuTTY instances by creating a tab for each PuTTY instance within the program window.

According to the features listed in the PuTTY Connection Manager web site, they include:

  • Tabs and dockable windows for PuTTY instances.
  • Fully compatible with PuTTY configuration (using registry).
  • Easily customizable to optimize workspace (fullscreen, minimze to tray, add/remove toolbar, etc.).
  • Automatic login feature regardless to protocol restrictions (user keyboard simulation).
  • Post-login commands (execute any shell command when logged).
  • Connection Manager : Manage a large number of connections with specific configuration (auto-login, specific PuTTY Session, post-command, etc.).
  • Quick connect toolbar to quickly launch a PuTTY connection.
  • Import/Export whole connections informations to XML format (generate your configuration automatically from another tool and import it, or export your configuration for backup purpose).
  • Encrypted configuration database option available to store connections informations safely (external library supporting AES algorithm used with key sizes of 128, 192 and 256 bits, please refer for the legal status of encryption software in your country).
  • Standalone executable, no setup required.
  • Localizable : English (default) and French available (only when using setup version, standalone is english only).

The PuTTY Connection Manager requires Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and PuTTY in order to run.

In the PuTTY Connection Manager, access the Tools > Options. In the Options window, select PuTTY and browse or type the location of the PuTTY Client program in your PC.

Visit PuTTY Connection Manager homepage to download the software.

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Agent Ransack is a free Windows tool for finding files and content of files on your hard drive fast and efficiently.

Agent Ransack displays the results of the text it finds when searching the contents of files so that you can quickly browse the results within the program without having to open each file separately.

I installed the software in Windows XP and Vista. I find the searching speed is much faster than the Search feature that comes with the operating system.

Download Agent Ransack at:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

 

Upgraded to WordPress 2.7.1

On April 5, 2009, in WordPress Plugins, by Steve Looi

This site was upgraded to WordPress 2.7.1 without any problem. It took me about 15 minutes to complete the entire upgrade process, which included downloading the latest source file and backup the existing files.

I noticed the admin layout was different from the previous version 2.6 that I had. It took me a while to familiarize with the new layout.

Several plugins had newer version. I upgraded them with the upgrade automatically feature. Everything is working as it is suppose to be. What a relieve!

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My favourite Firefox Add-ons

On December 19, 2008, in Software, Tech Tips, by Steve Looi

This is my list of Firefox add-ons must-haves. They make my daily work to be more productive and surfing the web more interesting.

Colorzilla
Firebug
Firefox Throttle
Fireshot
FlashGot
iMacros
MeasureIt
Pearl Crescent Page Saver Basic
SeoQuake
Yet Another Window Resizer

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Word slow to open .docx files

On November 27, 2008, in Tech Tips, by Steve Looi

I received a Word 2007 .docx file from someone, but the file took more than 30 seconds to open. I suspect there is something in the document that is corrupted.

Here’re the steps that I did to fix the problem.

1. Create a new blank document.
2. Select all the content in the problematic document.
3. Copy and paste in the new document.
4. Save the new document under a new file name.
5. Close and re-open the newly created file.

The file now opens almost immediately.

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If you own a Dell Inspiron notebook, you might be facing the LCD panel bightness issue when the system is running on battery power. Even though you have set the brightness to maximum in the operating system, the LCD panel seems to be not bright enough.

You might not have notice that there is a brightness setting in the BIOS.

1. Restart your computer.

2. Press F2 to enter the BIOS configuration menu.

3. Expand the Video tree menu on the left column and select Brightness from the sub-menu.

4. Move the bar to a higher value to increase the brightness. The default value is 3.

5. Save and exit the BIOS.

Now, your LCD panel should be brighter. However, the battery power will be drained much faster if the LCD panel brightness is increased.

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hMailServer is a free e-mail server for Microsoft Windows. It supports all the common e-mail protocols such as, SMTP, POP3 and IMAP.

If you are on a tight budget to purchase a commercial mail server, this is a good choice of having a reliable mail server that cost virtually nothing, except your effort you put to configure it.

I wrote this installation guide based on my experience in setting up a workable system.

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