The configuration of Tab Timer is pretty straightforward. All that needs to be done is to select a date, time, frequency and website in the program’s interface. Each website that has been configured this way will then be opened automatically at the exact point in time.

Date and time can be added using the built in calendar. The frequency in which the websites are opened can be switched from once – which is the default option – to daily or weekly. Tab Timer is an interesting extension for Firefox that is compatible with Firefox 1.5 to 3.0. It is possible to force compatibility with Firefox 3.x.

Depending on your computer setup and usage you might want to run the schedule less often, maybe once a month or every other week instead. The applications that I’m using are: Autoruns, Process Explorer, CurrPorts, MyUninstaller, Eraser, Disk Cleaner and Defraggler.

If you want to add more security to the schedule you could add an anti-virus application and one against spyware to the mix and run them as well. I usually do not do this however. The schedule is selected for the greatest efficiency. I begin by analyzing the current situation, remove programs and files that I no longer need in the second step, defragment the hard drives and finally erase the free space on the drives so that these deleted files can’t be recovered anymore.

The Schedule:

• Autoruns
• CurrPorts
• Process Explorer
• MyUninstaller
• Disk Cleaner
• Defraggler
• Eraser

Autoruns:

I’m using Autoruns to check the startup items of my operating systems. It happens more than once that applications automatically add themselves to the autostart without me noticing it immediately. The check usually does not take longer than a few seconds. I disable any new entry and lookup entries that I do not know about.

CurrPorts:

CurrPorts is a small application that displays the currently open ports on your system. If I spot something suspicious here I look it up at a search engine. You can basically see which programs have currently an Internet connection.

Process Explorer:

I check the currently running processes and services with Process Explorer. If I spot anything that is currently running that should not I investigate it. It if should not be running I try to configure the application that way or remove the application if I do not need it at all.

MyUninstaller:

I tend to install many programs throughout the week to test them before I write an article about them. Instead of uninstalling those applications right away I do that during my weekly schedule instead.

My Uninstaller has the advantage that it can remove multiple applications at once. It is much faster than the Microsoft build in uninstaller as well.

Disk Cleaner:

Disk Cleaner is like CCleaner. It removes temporary files, caches, urls and histories from your system. Those files are only temporarily needed and have to go once a week. Most of my applications are configured to keep those information only for the session. (Like Firefox for instance)

Defraggler:

Now that all the temporary and no longer needed files are removed I can start the defragmentation process. This usually takes a bit longer because of my two hard drives. An alternative to Defraggler is the excellent Disk Defrag from Auslogics.

Defragmenting the disks speeds up my system and prepares the hard drives for the next program that I’m going to use: Eraser.

Eraser:

Now that all files are in place I can use Eraser to overwrite the free space of my hard drives so that recovery programs like Recuva can no longer recover files that I have deleted before.

Do you run a similar schedule ? Am I missing a program or application that I should add to the schedule, let me know !

With the advent of online radio, a whole host of recording software has emerged too. You can find both free and paid programs depending on personal choice and if you are willing to pay for it. However, one major drawback with a lot of these options is that you cannot schedule recordings with them. This means that if you are not at your computer while a show is playing, you will not be able to listen to it later. This is especially important if you enjoy listening to concert recordings.

If you are on Windows, there is a way to overcome this disadvantage. Minezone posted a very detailed account of how to schedule recordings in online radio using a bunch of free tools. His main preferences are wget and Mplayer.

The instructions are pretty easy to follow. At first glance, the command line options might give you Windows users a fright but you get used to it soon enough. Besides, most of the hard stuff can be copied and pasted directly. Another plus is that the recording can be done in the background. In addition, you can schedule multiple recordings for the same time.

I don’t know how many of y’all will use this on a regular basis. I think it’s a good idea to keep this in mind. After all, you never know when you might need it.

I have to admit that these steps appear a bit complicated. If you know of any other program that does the same job, drop me a line.

No matter what you choose to add you can select an executable that should be started, a working directory and parameters if you need them. It is possible to start the software minimized, wait seconds before or after executing, choose to run the software once a day, before or after a given time, a certain weekday or days and add messages before and after execution.

It is furthermore possible to shutdown, reboot, logoff or power off the computer after the application has been executed and finished its task.

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