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Chris' Top 10 Help Sites     

Discover where Chris Pirillo turns to when he needs computer help.
By Roger Chang and Greg Melton Print Printer-friendly format
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Where Chris goes when he needs computer help
 

help websitesIf you call us for help when PC problems arise, where on Earth does Chris Pirillo turn to when he needs help? That's right, Chris needs help from time to time too. Did you think he suddenly woke one morning and discovered he was a walking encyclopedia of tech knowledge?

We managed to track down the man some refer to as the Lockergnome a few days back and interrogated him until he revealed his list of the top 10 computer-related help sites.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present you with Chris' top 10 help sites:

  • Warp2Search
    This site contains up-to-date news on tech products, software, cool Web happenings, and most importantly driver revisions. This is the perfect site for those struggling to keep on top of the ever-changing world of technology, especially as it relates to hardware drivers for that certain gizmo that just doesn't work right.
  • Active Network
    This site is the "The Most Activated PC and Windows resource." The name says it all. This is one of the best resource and info sites for the PC and Windows. It's a must for any true Windows fan or just the average user.
  • Windows Support Center
    If you've got a beef with Windows and need answers that the Microsoft site is too obtuse to provide, then visit this site. Once here, you'll find registry patches, driver updates, and the all-important Windows FAQs. Fiddle around with Windows' more advanced settings only if you feel comfortable with them. This is a great site that all Windows users should know about.
  • Shell Extension City
    If you've ever wanted to "configure your system wickedly," then this is the place for you. This site features tons of hacks that let you tweak Windows interface settings. You'll also find links, message boards, and Windows hacking information. Advanced warning: This site is for those who know or at least think they know their way around Windows. This is definitely recommended for advanced users.
  • MajorGeeks.com
    This has to be the Swiss army knife of help sites. Don't let the ugly olive-green color fool you, as almost every portion of the site is packed with something you can use. You'll find benchmarks, tools, utilities, and tweaks.
  • Windows Guides Network
    Similar to the Windows Support Center, this is another fantastic Windows-related site. If you need a guide to a particular Windows functionality, then this is it. It has registry guides, security guides, scripting guides, driver guides, and of course software guide.
  • PC911
    Are you worried about viruses, spyware, or system crashes? PC911 is the ultimate PC emergency site. It has helpful info on the latest viruses, security alerts, and of course those ubiquitous helpful downloads.
  • Scot's Newsletter
    Scot Finnie, a former Windows Magazine writer, has turned his years of experience into a bimonthly newsletter. From PC help to do-it-yourself networking, Scot's newsletter is a great source for PC and Windows information.
  • Pocket PC Thoughts
    If you're a Pocket PC fan, a Pocket PC owner, or thinking about getting a Pocket PC, then you need to visit this site. It dishes out daily news, opinions, and information on the Pocket PC.
  • LabMice.net
    For anyone running Windows 2000 or XP, this is your site. You'll find Windows information tailored for the NT crowd.

Posted October 23, 2002

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Here's another batch of links from TechTV:

 


Leo and Patrick's Favorite Free Utilities

    


Warm up your clicking finger. Here are the top free software downloads to make your machine scream.

 

By Leo Laporte, Patrick Norton, and Dave Roos

 
   

 

 

   Video Highlight

 

Favorite Free Utilities

 

 



 

Patrick and Leo -- Call-A-ThonWhy are you reading this ridiculous intro paragraph? In the seconds you've wasted perusing these meaningless sentences, you could have been downloading the greatest list of free PC and Mac utilities this puny world has ever seen. Scroll, my confused friend, scroll!

And don't miss Patrick and Leo's loving tribute to these invaluable programs on Thursday's episode of "The Screen Savers" (why are you still reading? I said scroll!)

Leo's five favorite free Windows utilities

  1. Stuffit Expander -- WinZip is still the best for making ZIP files, but for unpacking them you can't beat this free alternative.
  2. Webshots Desktop -- Everyone needs a little nature now and then. Download hundreds of free desktops and rotate them on your screen.
  3. Windows Power Toys -- TweakUI is a must-have utility for customizing your system. There are other helpful tools here, too. All free from Microsoft.
  4. PGP -- The best way to protect your data is to encrypt it. PGP is back, and free. Once the open-source Gnu Privacy Guard gets easier to use I'll recommend that instead.
  5. AVG Antivirus -- You have to have an antivirus program. This one is free and Grisoft keeps it up to date.

Leo's five favorite free Mac OS X utilities

  1. Launchbar -- Run, do not walk, to download this must-have launcher for the Mac. Access any file within a couple of keystrokes. This is a shareware program, but you can use it free for up to seven different items, which is enough for most people.
  2. Konfabulator -- A very cool widget factory that makes it possible for anyone to write their own useful little desktop utilities. It's shareware, but it works fine even if you don't pay the measley $25.
  3. Locator -- Find files fast with Locator. Did I mention it's free?
  4. Weatherpop -- Put the weather in your toolbar (where it belongs). It's free, but you'll end up paying $8 for the advanced features.
  5. Fink -- A whole world of free UNIX software awaits you with Fink. Download and install the command line version, or use the free GUI Fink Commander. It's the easiest way to find and install UNIX programs on OS X.

 

 

Patrick's Picks

  • Mozilla.org -- Mozilla is my browser of choice on the PC. Camino, a Mozilla variation, is what I mostly use on the Mac. OK, I keep Internet Explorer around for those really gnarly sites with ASP scripting that won't run on anything but IE. But this browser is more convenient, feels faster, and offers better security.
  • Smoothwall.org and IPCop.org -- Smoothwall and IPCop cost nothing, and turn an old PC into a firewall/router/DHCP server. How's that for saving moolah?
  • SiSoft Sandra -- Want to know something about your system? SiSoft Sandra's a tad more in-depth than Belarc. Very, very cool, even though many features aren't enabled in the free version. The free version, for example, could tell me my motherboard model, processor, and memory type, but I would have to pay for the feature that detects my ACM/ACPI compatibility.
  • Winamp and Musicmatch -- My favorite stand-alone MP3 player and my favorite free MP3 encoder (up to 320 Kbps!).
  • IMovie 3 -- Got OS X? Wanna make movies? This program absolutely kicks it, and may well be what pulls me onto the Mac and OS X full-time!
  • Nero Burning ROM 5.5 -- OK, it's not free. But Ahead Software's Nero Burning ROM 5.5 is great CD-R/DVD burning software. With a free 30-day trial, it's worth your time.