Two apps added to the File section:

 FMT [121k] + Format floppies to 360kb, 720kb, 1.2mb ,1.44mb, 1.68mb and 1.72mb. With seven special bootsectors.

 Delpart [123k] + Delete NTFS partitions that defy FDISK.

The Computer TakeBack Campaign promotes clean design and brand owner responsibility for discarded computers and electronics.

eWeek has a roundup of Windows XP handhelds, including the OQO, Tiqit, Vulcan Mini-PC, and Sony's PCG-U101. Only the Sony is actually for sale at the moment... the other three have been delayed (OQO made Wired's 2002 Vaporware list) for quite some time.

Keyring for Palm OS is an open source app which lets you securely store secret information on your PalmOS handheld. It offers secure triple-DES encryption, a random password generator, export to MemoPad, and support for a number of languages.

Knoppix 3.3 was released yesterday. Among the new features is the ability to easily create a persistent home directory on a floppy, memory stick, etc. with optional AES encryption.

ShowText has been added to the Text page. Only 6k in size, it displays all ASCII text in a given binary file. This can be especially useful in scanning for cheat codes, dependencies, etc.

Computer First Aid Using Knoppix is an excellent guide for those new to Linux; it provides a clear, well-written tutorial on using Knoppix for basic recovery tasks. (Warning: one potential danger of Knoppix is becoming addicted to Frozen-Bubble.) You may find yourself spending more and more time enjoying Knoppix, and wanting to experiment with other distros (there are customized versions of Linux for virtually every conceivable purpose); if so, be sure to check out this extensive list of common and customized linux distros.

A new section on the file page for finding duplicate files has been added. DupeLocater has been joined by CloneSpy and DoubleKiller. All three received the Green Award, though DoubleKiller has an option to store settings in the registry (and easily remove them as well). Since the default behavior is *not* to use the registry, it is deserving of the Green Award designation.

While we're on the subject, just a few quick words on why the Green Award was created: I run an onsite computer consulting and repair business on Maui, and when working on client computers, follow strictly the dictum "first, do no harm". The software I install and use on their machines must not create, modify, or delete files or registry entries without my consent. At the very least, I do not want to leave behind a trail of clutter on their hard drives, nor do I wish to introduce new problems by installing software which overwrites key system files.

Hence, I had to create a database of applications which fit these aims. Tiny apps were sought, for two primary reasons: 1. the floppy drive is often the easiest or only option for access, and 2. dialup is slow, which is to say, the apps must be fast to download over any available connection (cell phone, land line, etc). This website is the result of these efforts.

Ben Jones has crafted a small collection of tiny apps, including several with assembler source code. The smallest is a mere 50 bytes! There is also a quick intro to OS/2 which has some interesting links.

The Intelligent Stick USB drive is truly tiny - 31.0mm(L) x 18.0mm(W) x 2.8mm(H) - and light (3g). It comes in capacities ranging from 8MB - 512MB, and requires no drivers under Windows Me/2000/XP, Mac OS 9/X, and Linux Kernel 2.4.0 and above (Windows 98 and 98SE drivers are available for download). The 128MB model (which I use and highly recommend) can be found on eBay for $30 - $40 and the 512MB model is available at ComputerGeeks for $121.

Drive imaging and cloning tools like Ghost are increasingly popular (if you use Ghost, be sure to see the Radified Guide to Norton Ghost by Symantec - A Tutorial on How to Create and Restore Ghost Images). But did you know that you can image and restore your hard drive with Knoppix via remote ssh server, Windows/Samba file share or another hard drive? Very handy.

Knoppix has spawned a host of customized versions, ranging from the tiny to secure. If you haven't given this Debian-based live CD a try, now may be the time. (Note: the official Knoppix page is currently closed due to proposed software patent legislation in Europe.)

WiNc and Pocket WiNc are similar to NetStumbler and Mini Stumbler, but provide wider hardware support. They also store personalized profiles, simplify setting up ad hoc connections, and work with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g standards. For a few more days, you can get WiNc and/or Pocket WiNc free (normally $20) on this page at pcmag.com.

Freeware DOS utilities by Mike Wiering has a number of interesting little apps. PC-Santa (who sent in the link) used "Beat" (8k) to turn his 286 laptop into a metronome. EDMEM (5k) also looks interesting: "view, save and even edit the PC's memory. You can usually see most of the contents of the last program that has been run."

Free online computer books:

O'Reilly Open Books Project - Books published by O'Reilly & Associates with various forms of "open" copyright. Ranging from The Cathedral and the Bazaar to Learning Debian/GNU Linux.

Internet Public Library's Computer section - Massive collection. Subcategories include: Computer Hardware, Computer Science, Computer Software, Cyberculture, Internet, Platforms, Programming, System Administration, Computers & Internet News, History of Computers & Internet

Free Tech Books - Currently offers links to 130 tech books in the following categories: Programming Languages, Scripting Languages, Operating Systems, Computer Science, Miscellaneous.

Roberto Alsina's guide to turning a P75 with 800MB of disk space and 16MB of RAM into a modern workstation capable of performing: Graphical web navigation, E-mail, MP3 audio, GNUTella and MPEG video reproduction.

Raw HTTP viewing:

Rex Swain's HTTP Viewer - Free web-based app

Sam Spade for Windows - Freeware app that also offers nslookup, dig, ping, traceroute, whois, ip block checks, smtp port probing, port scanning, automagic header analysis, usenet cancel checking, and more.

HttpRevealer - Java-based shareware (you decide the cost).

Ethereal - Very robust network protocol analyzer. Can of course be used to view HTTP.

Added Google AdSense bar to the program, links, and blog pages. Any and all feedback appreciated.

Jargon's Driver Museum offers an "archive of drivers and hardware utilities maintained by Jarno Niemela. The purpose of this archive is to collect device drivers for devices no longer supported by their manufacturers. If it's old, it's drivers belong here."

BenchmarkHQ has an excellent collection of benchmarking and diagnostic tools. The RAM section mentions ctSPD, which returns detailed information on installed DIMMs.