Resources
I get most of my components from hardware supplier dabs.com.
Treat your Microsoft dependency by downloading and using OpenOffice.org, a free MS Office-compatible suite of programs for wordprocessing, speadsheets, drawing and presentations. This is an “open source” project, and despite its non-commercial nature, the software is very capable and highly reliable. It has a database facility, but I use MySQLВ (back-end) with PHP (front-end) for my business records, both of which are also open source and therefore highly reliable freeware.
Wordpress is primarily blogging software but I used it as a framework for this site, and other non-blogs, even so. It’s open source and based on PHP and MySQL like my records system. It has many, many more facilities than I use here, but as it’s free, that doesn’t really matter.
Open source projects tend to start on Linux, the open source operating system, and are only later ported to Windows, so software that is very Windows-specific is rarely if ever open source. There’s a list of recommended non-open-source freeware here. One category missing from that list is anti-virus protection. I use AVG Free Edition.
For device drivers the first resort is always the manufacturer’s website. Failing that, try DriverGuide.com. You have to register, but it’s free. (To avoid spam, use disposable email addresses such as Hotmail when registering on websites like this.) For help with Windows problems, try the Microsoft Technical Database and/or Google’s Microsoft-related search facility. (I don’t feel good taking money from people for things they could do themselves, but if you really feel you need help, I’m very happy to offer it!)
My ISP is Plusnet. They have great ratings at www.adslguide.org.uk www.uk-broadband-service-providers.com is a guide to UK broadband service providers including 512 kbps broadband providers, 1Mb broadband providers and faster. Also includes a comprehensive broadband directory covering all broadband related topics.
I’m taking part in climate change research and you can too! Sign up with ClimatePrediction.net, download the software, and your PC can be calculating climatic scenarios in the background while you type away, surf the web, or whatever. I’ve been running it for a few months now and there’s no effect on my PC’s performance whatsoever. Help us convince those damn Yanks to take global warming seriously: click on ClimatePrediction.net now!