Friedbeef’s Tech

Hidden files are good for organizing files, and helping to ensure critical files don’t get accidentally deleted. 

Hiding them as a security measure however, is pretty much useless.  A few simple clicks in Windows is all one needs to view everything which you’ve hidden on your system.

Free Hide Folder is a free tool which helps you REALLY hide everything, make it invisible, and secure it.  You’ll even need to run the program and enter a password before you’re be able to even view those files.

What I also liked about it was that you could back up the hidden key (Not the data just the key) so you can restore the data easily if something happens with your system.

I wish you could drag and drop files into the program though rather than having to browse from the program itself, but aside from that it’s a beautiful piece of freeware.

• Please leave a comment... (4)

If you use Adsense to monetize your sites, you may be frustrated with the fact that adsense reports tend to be fairly simple and does not allow you lots of flexibility with charts and graphs, so you can best visualize your information. 

Graphsense is a Firefox extension which graphs your Adsense reports so you can have an easier time analyzing it.  Once you install it, just display an ‘advanced report’ in your Google adsense, and you’ll get a visual look at all kinds of measures like income, CTR, impressions, clicks etc. with the option of multiple chart formats. 

Tip: Graphsense is only able to graph the data you pull up in your report.  Hence, you have to make sure you’re looking at enough data points or you’ll hit an error.  For example, you cannot pull up a 1 day report and ask Graphsense to come up with a weekly graph.

What other adsense tools do you use?  Tell us in the comments!

• Please leave a comment... (2)

Want to make the most of your fonts?  Here’s how…

1. How to identify any font

Seen font which you’d like to use but don’t know what it is?  Answer a series of questions from Identifont and it will help you find out what it is and get your hands on it. 

2. How to determine which the most common fonts are

It’s common knowledge that if you use a set of fonts that a user doesn’t have installed on their own system - your user will be looking at another font, which may or may not be aesthetically pleasing.  

How sure can you be that the font you specify will be present on the end user’s machine?  Codestyle has an ongoing survey which tracks the most commonly used fonts for every platform so you can best make that decision. 

3. How to preview every font on your system without installing anything

Want to take stock of what fonts you already own?  Web based STC fontBrowser scans your system, and with its user friendly interface allows you to preview all your fonts directly from your browser.

4. How to compare fonts side by side

If you’re going to make tight decisions about which fonts to use, sometimes it’s better to have all the choices displayed next to each other.  Most sites only allow you to preview one font at a time - Typetester allows you to do 3 side by side.

5. How to make your own font from handwriting

The whole idea of using a ‘handwriting font’ revolves around adding that personal touch.  Well if that’s the case, you can’t get more personal that actually using your own handwriting as the font itself.  Fontifier is a service which can translate your handwriting into workable fonts.  Note that it isn’t free (USD$9), but considering the prices of competing products, it’s a good place to start.

6. How to find and download good fonts for free

Free font sites are a dime a dozen.  1001fonts may not have the largest collection out there (Although it’s still pretty extensive) but what I liked about it was the usability of the whole site.  Sections on top rated, and most popular fonts, as well as different categories allows anyone to quickly pick up something they like.  

7. How to manage fonts on your computer

Previewing and even using fonts is one thing… efficient management of fonts is something else altogether.  AMP Font Viewer gives you complete control over your fonts.  Here are some of my favourite features.

• Installation of fonts from a folder (one by one or from a list)
• Deletion of installed fonts
• Organize fonts in categories and manage them
• You can print a list (or selection) of installed fonts with an example of each font.

What is your favourite font?  Tell us in the comments!

• Please leave a comment... (10)