How to Burn DVDs for Free
So, I recently started making back-ups of some of my favorite DVD’s. I really haven’t been big on burning DVD’s prior because I always wanted to support my favorite directors and actors. Alot of folks ask me how-to burn, so here are some instructions and programs that will get you started, and almost always burn successfully.
These are all free-ware from my understanding.
1. Download & Install DVD Shrink.
2. Download & Install ImgBurn.
3. Download & Install DVD Decrypter.
First, Insert the DVD you wish to make a back-up of.
Next, Create a New folder, where ever you want the movie to be saved. It’s important to ensure you have enough Hard Drive space. I usually leave atleast 7 Gigs on my drive.
Next open up DVD Shrink and and choose to open the DISC.
This process takes about two minutes, you will notice it running quickly through the movie frames.
After its complete, you will want to hit the back-up button.
After you choose a location. DVD shrink will start copying the files to your PC. It’s important to ensure that you have enough hard drive space when you do this process!
After the back-up is complete, you should have a directory full of files.
I then open up ImgBurn, and select ‘Create Image File from Files/Folders’
You then want to select your Source (all the files that you just created using DVDShrink), and your destination. (I always use the same directory, that I created for the Movie). Once you have those set. Click on the Build Button.
If ImgBurn prompts you, I know mine prompts me twice, and I always just click yes through both of them. Yea I know, I’m one of those Lazy ‘yes’ clickers.
When this is all complete, you will see a single .iso file sitting inside your Movie File Directory.
At this point, you are able to use this single file as a back-up. I usually just copy this .iso to my back-up hard drive, delete all the DVD Shrink files, and call it a back-up. However, for this tutorials sake, I will continue on…
Continue on by opening DVD Decrypter. I know there are different processes that allow you to burn with just DVD Shrink/ImgBurn, but I found that DVD Decrypter is much more solid, and havent had a DVD mess up since I started using it.
Once DVD Decrypter is open, Select your source, destination, then click the Decrypt Button. (I generally use speed x8 because my burner isn’t top of the line)
Once this process is complete, your DVD will eject, and you are well on your way. Be sure to label that DVD!!! Hope this helped someone out!
SmitFraud
After the fourth computer I cleaned this year, I decided to do more research and make a post about SmitFraud for my reference, and all the people that are infected.
What is SmitFraud?
SmitFraud has been identified as a malicious process. SmitFraud is used by rogue software developers to trick users into purchasing various fraudulent software security products from affiliate developers.
Also referred to as W32/SmitFraud.A, this malicious process is categorized as spyware. It is often installed on MS Windows-based machines through a number of adware processes present on MS Windows-based computers. These adware processes can stealthily be dropped along with the installation of codecs with malicious code such as PCodec, BrainCodec, or VideoKeyCodec. Afterwards, SmitFraud is installed without the consent or knowledge of its users.
SmitFraud generates various fake error messages such as a Blue Screen of Death on the background of a Windows-based machine. This can trick users into purchasing various fake software products that are advertised by the error messages as tools that can eliminate security problems already present in the machine. If a user opts to download and automatically install such fake software security programs like Spyware Quake, Spylocked, SpySheriff, Spydawn, and SpyAxe among others, a fake full system scan is initialized.
Afterwards, the user is presented with fake messages instructing him or her to pay for the full version of the currently installed rogue security product in order to remove the malicious processes present in the machine. There are other varies of signs that you will notice with this infection. Such as not being able to see your C:\ drive in my computer, or your clock will change to military time, and display a VIRUS ALERT inside your time clock area.
SmitFraud can be removed by downloading the following tools:
1. SmitRem - this is a software utility that was designed by NoahdFear to purge malicious programs such as SpySheriff, Spyaxe, WinHound, and PSGuard among others from MS Windows-based machines.
2. SmitFraudFix - this is an application developed to properly delete malicious processes and registry entries dropped by SmitFraud.
3. RogueRemover - this is a software application designed to un-install rogue security software programs.
After downloading the applications above and installing each program, users should restart their machines in Safe Mode. This can be done by keying in msconfig in the Run edit box and pressing Ok.
Afterwards, make the necessary selection that will allow you to reboot your computer in Safe Mode. Click on Ok at this point.Next, navigate the Windows Explorer browser to the SmitRem installation folder. Search for the RunThis.bat file. Execute the file by double-clicking on it in order to initialize the SmitRem removal process.
At this point, executing the SmitFraudFix tool will provide you with the options of initially scanning for malicious processes associated with SmitFraud and removing such security risks will allow you to completely remove SmitFraud and all its processes.
Finally, running the RogueRemover program will purge your machine from all fake security software applications currently installed on your computer.
10 Sites for Icon Inspiration
After bookmarking yet another Icon Inspiration site today, I decided that it would be a nifty idea to list what I have bookmarked. Some of the set’s are doubled up throughout the 10 sites. I still feel that it will be very useful for people seeking idea’s or just seeking a quick fix. There are Free and Commercial Icon’s included in the links below. I tried to keep them mostly free, but you know how the system works! Feel free to leave comments with your sets or others that you feel are top of the line.
1. IconShock.com
2. VistaIcons.com
3. Smashing Magazine - 35 Really Incredible Icon Sets
4. Smashing Magazine - 20 Free & Fresh Icon Sets
5. StockIcons.com
6. dezinerfolio.com - 50 supercool icon sets
7. noupe.com
8. famfamfam.com
9. dryicons.com
10. ganato.com
The Quest for Inspirado (Design Inspirations)
I’ve been seeing a lot of Inspirational type posts lately. I figured I would Merge a few together, add some and work off my own site now. haha, 88 sites that inspire the designer, tenacious D style. 
http://www.artzmania.com/
http://www.logopond.com/
http://kuler.adobe.com/
http://thefwa.com/
http://csszengarden.com/
http://jpgmag.com/
http://netdiver.net/
http://mostinspired.com/
http://colourlovers.com/
http://smashingmagazine.com/
http://pagesonline.it/
http://thebestdesigns.com/
http://iconbuffet.com/
http://threadless.com/
http://deviantart.com/
http://www.desktopography.net/
http://www.theadgenerator.org/
http://www.faveup.com/
http://www.newwebpick.com/
http://styleboost.com/
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/gallery/
http://www.cpluv.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dailypoetics/sets/72057594104389710/
http://bannerblog.com.au/
http://www.pdf-mags.com/
http://www.csselite.com/
http://designiskinky.com/
http://adsoftheworld.com/
http://portfoliobase.com/
http://webcreme.com/
http://designflood.com/
http://www.startdrawing.org/home/
http://cssremix.com/
http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/best_spots/index.jsp
http://maxtango.com/
http://www.serifpublishing.com/
http://www.archinect.com/gallery
http://www.designmeltdown.com/
http://www.dark-i.com/
http://www.istockphoto.com/design_spotlight.php?refnum=freelanceswitch
http://www.ventillate.ca/
http://dfckr.com/archives/2006/11/21/flickr_as_a_source_of_inspirat/
http://www.phirebrush.com/
http://www.urbanfonts.com/
http://www.textureking.com/
http://www.veer.com/ideas/wallpaper/2005/
http://www.iconbase.com/
http://www.moreinspiration.com/
http://www.screenalicious.com/
http://feed.stashmedia.tv/
http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/
http://www.mojizu.com/
http://brusheezy.com/brushes
http://www.iconfactory.com/freeware
http://www.bestrejectedadvertising.com/
http://depthcore.com/
http://www.rasterized.org/
http://www.designflavr.com/
http://www.bamagazine.com/
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/category/monday-inspiration/
http://www.youthedesigner.com/
http://psdtuts.com/category/inspiration/
http://abduzeedo.com/tags/inspiration
http://www.mostinspired.com/
http://logolounge.com/
http://outlawdesignblog.com/2008/46-inspiring-digital-paintings/
http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/articles/32-amazing-inspirational-pieces-of-graphic-artwork
http://designyoutrust.com/
http://design.alltop.com/
http://typesites.com/
http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/
http://justcreativedesign.com/
http://www.qbn.com/
http://www.formfiftyfive.com/
http://muse.drewwilson.com/
http://designarchives.aiga.org/
http://www.fawnt.com/
http://www.carbonmade.com/portfolios
http://coroflot.com/
http://www.behance.net/
http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/flickr-groups-for-designers/
http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/offline-inspiration/
http://www.fubiz.net/blog/
http://www.inspirationfolder.com/
http://weheartit.com/
http://www.aisleone.net/
http://coolboom.net/
http://vi.sualize.us/
Q&A: Lost Task Manager Tabs
Question: On a computer which runs XP Pro SP2, the old Ctrl+Alt+Del three-finger salute, used to bring up a Task Manager screen that had several tabs. I could see the programs that are running, the tasks, a graph of the CPU load, and more.
Several months ago this suddenly changed. Now a window with no tabs opens and the only thing displayed is a list of current running programs and the options to end task, switch task, and new task. The window doesn’t even have a close option, although it can be closed from the tray icon. I can find no way to get back to the multi-tab format and have no idea of what caused the change. Are you familiar with this and how I can get back to where I started?
Answer: For whatever reason, Microsoft equipped Task Manager with a “tiny footprint” mode. In this mode only one tab shows and there’s no title bar, menu, or tabs. To enter tiny footprint mode you double-click in the border area between the window’s frame and the actual data area. And to return to the regular display you do the same.
