MBMACK'S COMPUTER PAGE!!! wiki

HELLO!

Dont forget to check the links in my sidebar! I will add more periodically. I just added a few more on 07/08/2008.

My name is Mark Mcmullan and I am located in Birmingham, Alabama, more specifically in the Gardendale/Fultondale area and I've been here since 2002

(see map)(I actually grew up in north Alabama around Killen). There are some helpful links on this site, be sure and check them out. You might find a tip that helps you fix your computer yourself. I also welcome your comments. You may have to click on the "allow or enable scripts" link at the bottom to see everything on this page.

This is my Air National Guard Unit here in Birmingham (Click on the picture to read more about it). I am a Jet Engine Mechanic working full-time as an Air Guard Technician on KC135R aircraft. I transfered to this unit from The Guard Unit in Nashville Tennessee in 1998. I was there for about 10 years and before that I was active duty Air Force for 5 years. I have had a rewarding career in the Military. We at the 117th travel all over the world to perform the mission we are assigned and do it with pride. Go to the Air National Guard web site to learn more about a career in the Air National Guard. Don't forget, they have a good educational program. Click here and here to learn more about my airplane. Sorry for sounding lika a commercial.

Check These Links Out!

Clif Notes is a very good place to go for freeware. He, or someone he trusts, reviews each one and tells about it. He also has a newsletter. This site has really helped me out lately. Clif has done a lot of research and has compiled a very good list of freeware and links to other sites.
Get tons of info from Information Week.
PC Pitstop: A very good place to check your system out. There is an internet speed test here too.
Trend micro, panda, and etrust will scan your computer for viruses on line. (etrust requres Internet Explorer 4 or higher). You can do a quick check without installing anything, or You can get a second opinion so to speak.
DriverGuide: For drivers of all kinds (free registration required). I have gotten lots of drivers from here over the years. There are more driver links in my sidebar.
ModemSite: Modem problems? go here for help!
Google: Computer problems? Search for answers here first. For instance, search google for the error message and there is a good chance you will find a way to fix it.
- Google Cheat Sheet and Google Cheat Sheet will help you get the most out of your search
Is a good FREE image host. (That's where most of my images are.)
Tigerdirect: Good prices on computer parts.
Newegg: another good site for computer parts.
Pricewatch is yet another site for the best price on computer parts and lots of other stuff.
I found this cool upload and download speedtest, check it out! I think dslreports is more accurate though.

There are more good links in the sidebar.

FOSSwiki. I just found this wiki with just about all the good freeware programs in one location. I decided to put it here instead of the sidebar. Each link takes you to a page with a brief explanation and a link to the site. A lot of effort was put into this I assure you.
Decrapify your computer with this nice little program. It gets rid (it prompts you first) of most of the "crap" that comes pre-installed on new computers.

Here is what's on my computer

Below are some items that I use. I am not affiliated with them in any way and I make no promises, but they all work for me and have for some time. I am a firm believer in freeware. Why spend alot of money using expensive programs that add alot of junk to your computer? The following programs are lean and very capable of keeping your system clean and safe from danger. Keep in mind, no program can assure that you will never get attacked, but these will do as good or better then the expensive programs that are out there. There is almost always a comparable freeware solution to almost any software. I have added, and will add, a few other programs that I use that have nothing to do with security but are just handy.

I use AVG, it's a FREE anti-virus program which is as good or better then the non free ones.
Here are two other FREE anti-virus programs, avast and Antivir. I use them on some of my computers.
I use Spybot Search and destroy along with Adaware and spywareblaster to get rid of spyware. It's best to use all three in case one leaves something and be sure to keep all your programs up-dated. Spywareblaster prevents spyware as the other two prevent and scan for spyware and then facilitate the removal of it. These are all FREE.
I use Zone Alarm for my firewall. It's the FREE versioin not Zone Alarm Pro. Just be patient with this program, as in all firewalls it has to learn what you want to allow and not allow.
For registry cleaning I use ccleaner. It actually does more than just clean your registry, it has some nice utilities. It's also FREE. I have used this one also, Easycleaner , and it works quite well.
I use Winpatrol, here is what they say on their site. "As a MALWARE MONITOR, Winpatrol will alert you to any hijacking and critical changes made to your computer with or without your permission...As an ALL PURPOSE UTILITY Winpatrol allows you to explore deep into your system and helps you understand what programs are installed and why..."
I also use WordWeb, a comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary that can be used to look up words from within most programs. Just highlight the word and use ctrl/alt/w to instantly see the definition or the spelling of the highlighted word among other things.
My browser is Firefox there are so many extensions and themes available, you should try it.