Fixing Windows 7 - Part 1

Preamble:

As this is the first part of this series, and of my software recommendations/reviews, I thought I'd explain how I plan to approach these. As you will come to discover if you keep reading this blog, I have a rather long form style. To put it bluntly, I'm long winded, verbose. Hopefully some of you will like this, but I don't expect everyone to. So for the reviews I thought I would cut to the chase, putting the name of the software, its purpose, and the highlights of features right at the top. I invite you to read the rest of the post, which will explain my recommendation, but if all you're looking for are the highlights, you'll be able to get them right away. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for how to improve the format.

Software: Free Commander (and other 3rd party file managers)

Function: File Manager

Replaces: Windows Explorer

Cost: Free

Why: If you dislike the Windows 7 file manager like I do, this allows you to go back to XP-style explorer, with more traditional (and useful) search functionality, dual-pane interface, and lots of other useful features.

*Update*: See below for some further comments after extended use of FreeCommander on Win7.

To begin with...

I originally "started" this blog over a year ago with a rather lengthy post on my frustration with the new "widescreen" display craze, but it turns out I tried to say too much at once and never really finished. So now I'm starting simpler, and actually, well, starting.

So I'm going to post my thoughts from time to time, on technology, philosophy, travel, photography, and anything else that seems worth sharing. Above all this will be a chronicle of opinion and editorial, as most blogs are. So if you like the way I think, I hope you'll want to keep reading.

Occasionally odd, often personal things will assert themselves - my strong views on toilet paper quality for example - who knows. I hope you'll enjoy the less technical side of me too, but if not there will always be tags to filter with.

And so, without further ado, the first post is born!