PCSX2 1.0.0 (r5350) is here!!

The new version of the famous PS2 emulator is here!
For Win, Mac and Linux.

Changelog:

On Windows:

Core:

• Video timing adjustments
• microVU fixes for Metal Gear Solid 2 and others
• General speedups
• microVU speedup
• New GIF unit that mimics the real one better
• microVU elementary function bug fixed (affecting Valkyrie Profile 2, Radiata Stories and Star Ocean 3)
• Implemented Multi-Threaded VU! A new speed hack with almost 100% compatibility with games, using a third core to run the VU1 unit separately
• CDVD fixes (Time Crisis boots now)
• Added support for progressive scan timings
• Path 3 arbitration and timing refinements
• Added Finnish, Malaysian, Korean, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese and Polish translations

SPU2-X:

• Configurable output volume
• Fixes to reverb
• Various sound looping fixes
• Improved time stretcher
• Reverse phase audio quality improved

GSdx:

• Fixed RGB mode movie recording
• Texture cache change that fixes some black screening games
• Implemented NVidia FXAA 3.10, page up key activates it
• Better multithreading
• Arc the Lad bad fog fix
• Fixed shadows in software renderer
• Implementation of GSdx "Shadeboost" project (saturation, brightness, contrast settings)
• User configurable hacks in the GUI
• Fixed flickering in many FMVs
• Implementation of GSdx "Cutie" project (various extra CRC hacks)

Lilypad:

• Pad state getting stuck with savestates bug fixed

USBqemu:

• Revamped it a bit

On Linux:

OnePad changes:

• New dialog configuration panel
• Improved support of various pad (sixaxis)/mouse/wiimote
• Added support for more controllers
• Added support for pressure-sensitive buttons

GSdx:

• GSdx ported for Linux! Based on OpenGL 3.3 with some 4.x hardware independent extensions. Requires OpenGL 4.2 drivers and is still in experimental stages. Don't expect the hardware renderer to run properly, but the Software renderer should be fine.

• Added support for configuration and keyboard shortcuts from PCSX2

ZZogl:

• Added support for configuration and keyboard shortcuts from PCSX2
• Added a GLSL backend to replace CG. Like GSdx, it requires OpenGL 4.2 drivers. Only available with PCSX2 self-compilation.

PCSX2 GUI:

• Added thread timing information to see the CPU usage in the status bar
• Fix multiple frame/box letters sizing.

Download: http://pcsx2.net/download.html

Borderless Windows theme...

Theme applied!

Do you remember 3rd party themes on Windows?
If you forgot about them follow this link (second part):
http://www.lollercoasterlab.com/2011/09/customize-your-windows.html

Do you remember? You need to patch with Universal Theme Patcher and then put these files in the themes directory:  C:\Windows\Resources\Themes 
and then Personalize > apply the theme.

Now we install this theme with no-border (apparently), download it:
http://www.everplexmedia.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16

and put it in the Themes directory. Apply and enjoy.

The borders are present, but there is no line, so it's only "blur". A bad thing in this theme (imho) is the black skin applied on the taskbar... it's a bit strange, but... try it!

LeoCAD, cad with Lego bricks!

LeoCAD is a CAD program that can be used to create virtual LEGO models. It has an easy to use interface and currently features over 4000 different pieces created by the  LDraw community.
Yep, it's oooooold, but it's funny.

Let's try it!

There're a bunch of elements, that is good, but there're no grids and assembling is a bit difficult.
There are multiple views and the possibility to animate your scene!

Download for Windows and Linux:
http://www.leocad.org/trac

WinSplit: a windows tiling manager for Windows

If you are looking for a good windows manager... try WinSplit!

Features:

• Automated window handling (resize, move, reorganize, close tasks)
• Shape - process association
• Global hotkeys and clickable virtual numpad
• Automatic startup
• Automatic update
• Moving a window with mouse (drag'n'go)
• Hotkey configure
• Layout configure
• Fusion between 2 windows
• Minimize/Restore by hotkey
• Mosaic mode

Download: http://winsplit-revolution.com/download

Windows 8 : go to desktop after login

There are a few ways to load the Desktop after the login (or simply the boot) of Windows 8.

Do you remember Start8? No? Check 

In the new version it adds a very useful feature:


New in v0.87, July 2012

• - Automatically load your Windows desktop on login (vs the start screen)

Good! Download: http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

Another way is using Task Scheduler.
Start Task Scheduler (Control Panel > Computer Management > click Task Scheduler in the left sidebar) and in the right sidebar click "Create Basic Task" or "Create Task".

The "Basic task" wizard is more easy (but less configurable), you can select it.

In the first tab write a name like "Boot 2 Desktop" and a description if you want. Click Next.
In the trigger tab select "When I log on". Click Next.
In the action tab select "Start a program", click Next and in the Program/Script textbox write "explorer" without quotes.
Click Next and click Finish.

Et voilà.

The only problem is that a Library window appears.
PS: after the login, the Metro Start Screen appears and after a few seconds the Desktop appears.
You can delay this action in the "Delay" setting in the task settings.
This trick works in the 8400 build.

D-Fend Reloaded: play and organize old DOS games on Windows

If you have the newer Windows versions but you want to play old Dos games the only good way is to use DosBox to emulate a complete (old) computer.
D-Fend Reloaded is a graphical environment for DosBox and it helps you to organize your games.

Features?

• Games can be installed from zip files without any configuration..
• D-Fend Reloaded may be installed in a portable operation mode (for USB-Sticks etc.).
• Besides DOSBox you can also use ScummVM as emulator.
• Also Windows-based games can be managed in D-Fend Reloaded.
• With the integrated Bochs-FAT-Image-Creator you may create floppy and harddisk images to be used with DOSBox directly from the D-Fend Reloaded GUI.
• D-Fend Reloaded can create images from CDs and floppy disks which can be used as drives in DOSBox.
• Screenshots
• Update checker...

More: http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/Features.html

You can download it here:
http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/index.html

PS: There are some packages like Adventure package, action games package etc...

In action with a good old classic... Alone in the dark:

How to schedule a shutdown on Windows

Sometimes could be useful shutdown Windows at certain time... there are many ways:

Command method:

Open a command prompt as administrator and write:

 shutdown -s -t SECONDS

where SECONDS are the time in seconds to the shutdown (remember 3600 seconds = 1 hour)

 shutdown -a 

to reset and delete the countdown.
When you set/delete the shutdown a pop-up notification notices you.
The -f option to force programs to close is useless in this case because if -t is set with a value >0 -f is implied.

Task scheduler:
Press Win and search for "schedule task" to start Task Scheduler. You can create a new task to shutdown the pc at a certain time. Use basic task wizard.

Other softwares:
There are tons of tools for this task... I suggest you Simple Shutdown Scheduler

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sshutdown/

Remember: with the Command method you can shutdown remote pcs too!

TweetDeck, a good Twitter client

TweetDeck is a good Twitter client with the possibility to manage all the Twitter operations and your multiple accounts.

You can add columns to customize your UI selecting the things that interest you:

An useful function is notify new tweets with a popup or a sound.

I'm using it and it's very good, simply and with a clean interface.

Download: http://www.tweetdeck.com/

F.lux: manage your lighting

F.lux is a simply tool to automatically manage display lighting during the day depending to the hour.

You can set the color temperature (3400K to 6500K) for the daytime and for the night and how much time use for the transition.

Useful to save your eyes!


PS: if you need perfect colors (for graphic works) you can temporary switch off the program. ;-)


Download: http://stereopsis.com/flux/

HFSExplorer, reading Mac OSx file systems

This multiplatform software is very usefull and easy to use to read HFS (Mac OS Standard), HFS+ (Mac OS Extended), HFSX (Mac OS Extended with case sensitive file names) and open .dmg disk images.

It works on Xp too.

Download: http://catacombae.org/hfsx.html  (you need a Java RE installation)

Customize OSX with CrystalClear

I don't know, this pseudo-glass is not bad... but uhm... too glass? There is a good effects choice...
If you are bored from the usual gray ... why not try it?

Download: http://www.marsthemes.com/crystalclear/

How to use other file systems on Windows!

If you need to write or simply to read ext2/ext3/ext4 file systems on your Windows just try EXT2Fsd.

- Unzip
- Read Readme.txt
- Run Setup.bat for the auto setup


Download: http://www.ext2fsd.com/

Vice, C64 on your pc and...

Nostalgia time?
Install a C64 emulator on your PC! Continue >>>>>

All about file types, how to change icons...

... and more.

Default Programs Editor (DPE) is a very good utility to change some things in Windows.
Blame on you Microsoft, because you don't include these basic things out of the box. Shame on you!

DPE includes:

• Customization of File Type settings (Context menu, icons, description...)
• Customization of the Autoplay settings
• Customization of the Default Programs settings

Autoplay and Default Programs settings can easily changed with Windows options, but we are interested in the File Type settings...

Context menu: you can edit voices of the contextual menu for every file type
Icon: finally I can select an icon (on WXp you can do this without 3d-party tools) for the file type
Description: ok, not so usefull, but you can change it.

Changing icons for file types... my choice:

Download DPE:  http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

How to convert images to Icons

You can use this tool to convert images to icons and using them in your OS.
The Windows icons max size is 256x256 (Windows Vista) but this tool converts your image in a icon that contains various size (for small icons, etc... like .ico format).

I suggest you to use PNG images that support transparency.

Run the software and a little box appears, right-click on it to show options...
Select the "Choose formats" and set the options to configure the max icon size.
Drag and drop your image in the box and the icon will be created (in the original image path)

Download:
http://www.pngfactory.net/customxp/logitheque-41-2-telecharger-ToYcon.html

Your temperatures in the taskbar

I tried several softwares, but Open Hardware Monitor is ok for me.
I used HWMonitor, but for some reasons that I don't know it shows me only the mobo temps.

So I downloaded OHM to keep an eye on fans and temperatures (summer is coming...) and it works like a charm.

You can active a gadget on your desktop or put values (like cpu temp, cpu fan etc...) in your traybar.

Obviously to do this, the program must be in the background.
This does not pose any problem or slow down, just select the options on "Options":
- Start minimized
- Run on windows startup


Right click on the value in the traybar to change color or show other options.


Download: http://openhardwaremonitor.org/

How to enlarge Windows Aero Preview thumbnails

350 px, the preview can use all the space depending of the window

If you think that your preview thumbnails in the taskbar are too small you can choose to change their dimension without a 3rd-party software or admin rights.

Windows Manager for Android!

After the iOS WM ... an Android windows manager, but this is free!

It seems a sort of Windows Metro Snap.

Take a look and try it : http://www.onskreen.com/cornerstone/

Windows gadgets, how can I lock them?

I miss the ability to lock gadgets on desktop.
With "lock" I mean avoiding that the bar appears, move them by mistake, etc ...

It's only a mockup

Another little good thing to add in the next Windows? (If gadgets will survive)

Windows 7: something is missing

In Vista and Seven some utilities are missing.
Remember that you could change file types icons, set open options or simply un-associate file types?
Obviously on Windows Vista and Seven you can't do this without digging on the system registry.
So the only solution is download and use some 3rd-party programs.

Unassoc:
With this tool you can remove the file types you desire.
[Download]

You can also use the "assoc" command in DOS, like:
assoc .txt=   (to delete the txt file association)

Types:
With this tool you can edit file types (icon, behavior, etc...)
[Download]


Useful.
I don't know why Microsoft decided to remove these options, but I don't like that there aren't some tools/utilities out-of-the-box.