HIBERFIL.SYS and PAGEFILE.SYS space hogs:

Removing and/or reducing HIBERFIL.SYS and PAGEFILE.SYS space hogs:
When checking space on hard drives using WinDirStat or SpaceSniffer you may find VERY LARGE hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys showing up taking up HUGE amounts of space.

- i limited pagefilesys from 2000 to 4000 (only on certain machines)

- i turned off hibernation using admin elevated cmd line

- I use system explorer, running always, to have display of CPU and Memory usage in the task bar

    - http://systemexplorer.net/ It’s FREE and awesome

PAGEFILE:

Go to Control Panel >System>Advanced System Settings>Performance Settings>Advanced>Virtual Memory. Set it to "custom size" and select a size (in MB). Change drive location of Pagefile to use both physical drives, less on the OS drive for better performance:
http://superuser.com/questions/237813/how-can-i-move-the-page-file-to-another-physical-disk-location

- Open “Command prompt” which you find in All Programs>Accessories (run as admin)
type : powercfg -h offthen hit Enter. DONE.

- Excerpt: (If you don't do anything that demands loads of RAM, since you have 12gb RAM, you could set it to a small amount (4gb or so) or even disable it, depending on what you do or what applications you run. Worst case, you disable it, and launch several apps or games, and get an "out of memory" error. Just increase it and reboot.)

- Exploring options of changing drive location of Pagefile to use both physical drives, less on the OS drive for better performance:
ALL about Optimizing Virtual Memory:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff382717.aspx

MORE about virtual memory and pagefilesys:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/132201-virtual-memory-paging-file-change.html

HIBERNATION

TURN OFF Hibernation completely, removing Hiberfil.sys after startup:

Keep Hibernation ON but make it HALF the size:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/15101-63-pagefile-hiberfil-gigantic-filling

excerpt:

I case you want the hibernate function but not want it that back you can trim it to half the size

First turn it off

powercfg /h off

(you might want to reboot here)

the turn it on with half the size (in percent)

powercfg /h /size 50

Unfortunately you cannot go under 50%

The page file size can be reduced by opening System Properties, by right click-ing my computer, select properties. Select Advanced system settings, in the windows called System Properties select Advanced, and click Settings to get Performance Options and select Advanced again. Observe the current size of the page file and click Change... . Default this is 1.5 times the size for large amounts of memory. I set this to custom size of 2000 Initial and Maximum 4000

Windows duplicate file finding programs

NEEDS MORE INFO & CONCLUSION

http://www.howtogeek.com/200962/how-to-find-and-remove-duplicate-files-on-windows/

excerpt:

Duplicate Files Finder

http://doubles.sourceforge.net/

Duplicate Files Finder is another barebones-yet-functional open-source application with a no-frills interface. It actually has a different approach from other applications. It looks for files that have the exact same size and only then compares them to see if they’re duplicates of each other.

This means you won’t get the almost-but-not-quite-exact matching features other applications provide. However, it also means that Duplicate File Finder should be even faster at scanning through a larger set of files. if you only care about files that are completely identical and not just almost identical, you can save time with Duplicate File Finder. It doesn’t have the prettiest interface, but it definitely works.

---------------------
DoubleKiller:
http://lifehacker.com/290825/find-and-remove-duplicate-files-with-doublekiller

Clone Tools:

Clone Tools is a program that can find duplicate folders. It can also find similar but not identical folders and then lets you merge them or purge all duplicates from one of them.Clone Tools

others:
clonespy - http://www.clonespy.com/

EasyDuplicateFinder: (might be bait and switch pay scheme)
http://lifehacker.com/290824/consolidate-your-data-with-the-easy-duplicate-finder

Compare & Synchronize Folders/Files - Free and pay programs

Revisiting the best software to install that will compare folders and files and allow for easy merging and syncing. Currently investigating Open Source options so i can install on all PC's and laptops as needed and keep things clean and organized.

I am most likely sticking with:
FolderMatch:
I have loved and used FolderMatch with much success, but it is pay and it periodically wants or requires you to pay for an upgrade. Doesn't cost too much to purchase($25) and upgrade($12). This program seems to be the most visually friendly and easy to understand so far. Been in this biz forever.
http://www.foldermatch.com/

they have a page listing competitor software which is a good list to investigate:
http://www.foldermatch.com/fmcompetitors.htm

Beyond Compare: Free trial, but costs about $30. Very nice and powerful. PRO version also.
http://www.scootersoftware.com/features.php?zz=gallery

WinMerge:
Open Source. "Differencing and merging tool for Windows. WinMerge can compare both folders and files, presenting differences in a visual text format that is easy to understand and handle." check site for last stable version. (winmerge 2.14.0)
http://lifehacker.com/290657/compare-and-merge-files-and-folders-with-winmerge/all

FreeFileSync:Open Source. Cross platform
Some comments mention being cautious of bundled apps on install. Not sure if true.
http://lifehacker.com/5335995/freefilesync-offers-robust-file-syncing-with-easy-to-use-interface

Others mentioned in articles and forums:
- FileSync
- TreeComp
- WinDiff
- kdiff3 - http://kdiff3.sourceforge.net/
- PureSync
- windows synctoy

Powercfg command - Laptop Battery Report and much more

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4569-power-efficiency-diagnostics-report.html
excerpt below:
The Power Efficiency Diagnostics will analyze your system for common energy efficiency and battery life problems, and report any errors, warnings, and informational details found.
This tutorial will show you how to run a power efficiency diagnostics report of your computer in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
warning:
You should run this report when your computer is idle and with no open programs or documents for the best results.

Here's How:
1. Open an elevated command prompt in Windows 7 or Windows 8.
(right click on cmd, run as admin)
2. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will take 60 seconds to run by default. When done it will give you a quick report of any problems found and place a detailed Energy_Report.html file on your desktop.
powercfg -energy -output %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Energy_Report.html

You could also change the command to be able to use your own location for where you want the Energy_Report.html file to be placed (outputted) at.

powercfg -energy -output "C:\Energy_Report.html"


other links:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/PowerCfgTheHiddenEnergyAndBatteryToolForWindowsYoureNotUsing.aspx

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/67440-powercfg-flashes-sec-then-gone-help.html

Color Names - Color map with meaningful names

Very helpful site for choosing color, figuring out color names, etc

 Rgb, cmyk, hex values.Hues. RGB Chart & Multi Tool. Color search. Color wheel. Color scheme

http://www.procato.com/rgb+index/

difference between responsive vs. adaptive web design

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/web-designer/what-is-the-difference-between-responsive-vs-adaptive-web-design/

What is the difference between responsive vs. adaptive web design?

By Ryan Boudreaux in Web Designer, July 15, 2013, 5:00 AM PST

• Email Alert
• RSS

Ryan Boudreaux clears up some of the confusion about what is meant by responsive vs. adaptive web design. While similar in their goal, the approaches are different. 

One of the hottest issues in web developer circles this year is accessibility of websites on various devices other than the standard desktop or laptop screens. While the subject is not new, it has taken on a relatively new approach with respect to how to deal with the opportunities ahead.

With mobile devices, tablets, and similar gadgets gaining ground faster than most can keep up, it behooves organizational stakeholders to address the issues encompassing user interactions and acceptance of their websites on the latest diminutive gizmos. Oh, and don't forget other devices acquiring web-enabled screens such as refrigerators, washing machine,s and other everyday appliances.

Users who access your websites through their mobile devices or other display screens really do not care what method you use, just as long as that they can effectively navigate your website on whatever device they happen to be using. For that reason, the two methods described in this article have been devised for web developers to meet the challenge, and while responsive (RWD) and adaptive (AWD) design methods are both addressing the issue for rendering websites on mobile devices, there are subtle differences between them that I will attempt to explain.

RWD

The phrase Responsive Web Design was coined several years ago by Ethan Marcotte and first introduced in his A List Apart article, "Responsive Web Design" and later, his book, A Book Apart - Responsive Web Design. Marcotte's key points of RWD are listed below. In my post on the subject, "How to get started with Responsive Web Design," I described how a responsive website design starts with the primary task of incorporating CSS3, media queries, the @media rule, and fluid grids that use percentages to create a flexible foundation. These key points, as well as the use of EMs, flexible images, flexible videos, and fluid type, allow the responsive website to adapt its layout to the viewing device, user agent, and environment.

The distilled definition of a responsive web design is that it will fluidly change and respond to fit any screen or device size.

AWD

The phrase Adaptive Web Design was coined by Aaron Gustafson, who wrote the book of the same title. It essentially utilizes many of the components of progressive enhancement (PE) as a way to define the set of design methods that focus on the user and not the browser. Using apredefined set of layout sizes based on device screen size along with CSS and JavaScript, the AWD approach adapts to the detected device. A recent post, "Understanding progressive enhancement techniques in web design" described the layers that make up the adaptive approach.

The three layers of Progressive Enhancement:

• Content layer = rich semantic HTML markup
• Presentation layer = CSS and styling
• Client-side scripting layer = JavaScript or jQuery behaviors

In a recent podcast interview, Aaron describes how the term was selected; he wanted to disambiguate his book from the Filament Group's book, "Designing with Progressive Enhancement". Aaron goes on to mention in the podcast:

"So, we were trying to think of, you know, what exactly does all of this stuff really mean, and it was about creating rich, adaptable experiences that tailor themselves to the particular device that you were working with. So, the way that I view progressive enhancement is very much analogous to adaptive web design. It's essentially the same concept."

The condensed definition of an adaptive design is that it will change to fit a predetermined set of screen and device sizes.

Comparisons and distinctions

The biggest similarity between the two methods is that they both allow websites to be viewed in mobile devices and various screen sizes, ultimately providing visitors with a better mobile user experience. Where the two methods differ is in their delivery of the responsive/adaptive structures: RWD relying on flexible and fluid grids, and AWD relying on predefined screen sizes. One of the main distinctions between the two is that RWD might take more code and implementation strategies with the fluid grids, CSS, and flexible foundations, while AWD has a streamlined, layered approach, which utilizes scripting to assist with adapting to various devices and screen sizes.

Some would argue that the terms used invite confusion, in particular, responsive, and might not accurately reflect what is actually occurring when a website changes its design according to the particular mobile device being used. Paul Gordon argues this point in his blog post, "Adaptive or Responsive Design."

If you are interested in reviewing live examples of known web sites that utilize the methods described in this piece, check out this list of 70 Examples of Modern Responsive Web Designfrom Splashnology Web Design and Development (both AWD and RWD are represented).

One of the websites on the list includes Abberdein, which utilizes RWD in its WordPressWhiteboard framework, and includes several  features in the code such as div column widths set as a percentage (%). It also utilizes the Less Framework CSS grid system, which  contains four layouts and three sets of typography presets, all based on a single grid.

An example of a website that utilizes AWD would be the Screaming Frog, a search engine marketing agency, which utilizes @media query  and @media screen properties in its CSS to set breakpoints at set pixel widths depending on the device recognized in the browser window.

Windows 7-Customize Open & Save Dialog boxes, favorites, etc

Info about changing the links that show up in the "Common  File Dialog Box" when opening programs. Trying to find the best way to add custom links or favorites to make browsing for common file locations easier.

"File Dialog", "Filebox eXtender", etc


excerpt below from original article HERE:

Common File Dialog Box - Customize Places Bar

How to Customize Default Places Bar in Windows Common Open File Dialog Boxes

   Information

This will show you how to customize the list of items displayed in the Places Bar in the Windows XP stylecommon open file dialog box (ex: Save As, Open) for all users in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You can specify from 1 to 5 items to be displayed in the Places Bar.

   Note

The valid items you may display in the Places Bar are:

1) Shortcuts (full path) to a local folder -- (ex. C:\Windows)
NOTE: Do not include full path in quotes.

2) Shortcuts (full path) to remote folders -- (\\server\share)

3) FTP folders 

4) web folders 

5) Shell Commands for locations (SEE BELOW for MORE)

6) Common Shell folders -- (examples)

• MyComputerFolder
• MyDocuments
• MyFavorites
• MyMusic
• MyPictures
• MyNetworkPlaces
• MyFavorites
• CommonDocuments
• CommonMusic
• CommonPictures
• Desktop
• Printers
• ProgramFiles
• Recent
• shell:desktop
• shell:documentsLibrary
• shell:MusicLibrary
• shell:PicturesLibrary
• shell:VideosLibrary
• shell:MyComputerFolder

EXAMPLE: Default and Custom Places Bar Items in Common Open File Dialog Box
NOTE: These will be the smaller Windows XP (ex: Browse type) common dialog box style windows that have shortcut icons (places) instead of the normal Navigation Pane that has a folder tree.

 OPTION ONE 

Customize Places Bar using the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied. 

2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components,Windows Explorer (Vista and Windows 7) or File Explorer (Windows 8), and Common Open File Dialog. (see screenshot below)

 

3. In the right pane of Common Open File Dialog, double click/tap on Items displayed in Places Bar to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4. To Restore Default Items Displayed in the Places Bar

A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Customize Items to be Displayed in the Places Bar

A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)

B) Under Options, you can type in up to 5 separate items (locations) for Places to display. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: See the NOTE box at the top of the tutorial for more on valid items you may display in the Places Bar.

6. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

Shell commands below from HERE:

Shell Command	Path of Folder it Opens
shell:AddNewProgramsFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Get Programs
shell:Administrative Tools	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools
shell:AppData	hidden C:\Users\(User-Name)\AppData\Roaming
shell:AppUpdatesFolder	Installed Updates
shell:Cache	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files
shell:CD Burning	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Burn\Burn
shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features
shell:Common Administrative Tools	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools
shell:Common AppData	hidden C:\ProgramData
shell:Common Desktop	C:\Users\Public\Desktop
shell:Common Documents	C:\Users\Public\Documents
shell:CommonDownloads	C:\Users\Public\Downloads
shell:CommonMusic	C:\Users\Public\Music
shell:CommonPictures	C:\Users\Public\Pictures
shell:Common Programs	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
shell:CommonRingtones	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones
shell:Common Start Menu	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
shell:Common Startup	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
shell:Common Templates	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
shell:CommonVideo	C:\Users\Public\Videos
shell:ConflictFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Conflicts
shell:ConnectionsFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network Connections
shell:Contacts	C:\Users\User-Name\Contacts
shell:ControlPanelFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items
shell:Cookies	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies
shell:Cookies\Low	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low
shell:CredentialManager	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials
shell:CryptoKeys	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Crypto
shell:default Gadgets	C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets
shell:desktop	C:\Users\User-Name\Desktop
shell:device Metadata Store	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceMetadataStore
shell:documentsLibrary	Libraries\Documents
shell:downloads	C:\Users\User-Name\Downloads
shell:dpapiKeys	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Protect
shell:Favorites	C:\Users\User-Name\Favorites
shell:Fonts	C:\Windows\Fonts
shell:Gadgets	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets
shell:Games	Games
shell:GameTasks	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
shell:History	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History
Shell:HomeGroupFolder	Homegroup
shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\ImplicitAppShortcuts
shell:InternetFolder	32-bit Internet Explorer.
shell:Links	C:\Users\User-Name\Links
shell:Libraries	Libraries
shell:Local AppData	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Local
shell:LocalAppDataLow	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\LocalLow
shell:MusicLibrary	Libraries\Music
shell:My Music	C:\Users\User-Name\Music
shell:My Pictures	C:\Users\User-Name\Pictures
shell:My Video	C:\Users\User-Name\Videos
shell:MyComputerFolder	Computer
shell:NetHood	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Network Shortcuts
shell:NetworkPlacesFolder	Network
shell:Personal	C:\Users\User-Name\Documents
shell:PicturesLibrary	Libraries\Pictures
shell:PrintersFolder	All Control Panel Items\Printers
shell:PrintHood	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Printer Shortcuts
shell:Profile	C:\Users\User-Name
shell:ProgramFiles	C:\Program Files
shell:ProgramFilesCommon	C:\Program Files\Common Files
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX64	C:\Program Files\Common Files (in 64-bit Windows only)
shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86	C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files (in 64-bit Windows only)
shell:ProgramFilesX64	C:\Program Files (in 64-bit Windows only)
shell:ProgramFilesX86	C:\Program Files (x86) (in 64-bit Windows only)
shell:Programs	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
shell:Public	C:\Public
shell:PublicGameTasks	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\GameExplorer
Shell:PublicLibraries	C:\Users\Public\Libraries
shell:PublicSuggestedLocations	C:\Users\Public\Library\PublicSuggestedLocations
shell:Quick Launch	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch
shell:Recent	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent
shell:RecycleBinFolder	Recycle Bin
shell:ResourceDir	C:\Windows\Resources
shell:Ringtones	hidden C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Ringtones
shell:SampleMusic	C:\Users\Public\Music\Sample Music
shell:SamplePictures	C:\Users\Public\Pictures\Sample Pictures
shell:SampleVideos	C:\Users\Public\Videos\Sample Videos
shell:SavedGames	C:\Users\User-Name\Saved Games
shell:Searches	C:\Users\User-Name\Searches
shell:SearchHomeFolder	search-ms:
shell:SendTo	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
shell:Start Menu	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu
shell:Startup	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
shell:SyncCenterFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center
shell:SyncResultsFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Sync Results
shell:SyncSetupFolder	Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Sync Center\Sync Setup
shell:System	C:\Windows\System32
shell:SystemCertificates	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SystemCertificates
shell:SystemX86	C:\Windows\SysWOW64
shell:Templates	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates
shell:User Pinned	hidden C:\Users\User-Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned
shell:UserProfiles	C:\Users
shell:UsersFilesFolder	C:\Users\User-Name
shell:UsersLibrariesFolder	Libraries
shell:VideosLibrary	Libraries\Videos
shell:Windows	C:\Windows

Additional Links:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/make-full-use-of-favorite-links.htm

Add Your Own Folders to Favorites in Windows 7

When you open Explorer in Windows 7 you’ll see a list of Favorites in the Navigation Pane. Microsoft has already put some there, but today we show you how to remove them and add your own favorite folders including Search Connectors.

Remove Favorites

By default Microsoft has included some favorite locations for you that you may not want. The default locations are Desktop, Downloads, Recent Places, and Recorded TV if you’ve set up Live TV in Windows Media Center.

To delete the locations from Favorites, simply right-click on the location and select Remove from the context menu.

Add Favorites

Adding you favorite locations that you visit often is easy. While your in the folder you want to add, right-click on Favorites and select Add current location to Favorites.

You can also drag a folder over to Favorites to link it there as well.

In this example we removed all of the default locations and added four locations…a FLAC folder from a home server, My Documents, My Videos, and our Dropbox folder.

If you want to get the default locations back just right-click Favorites and select Restore favorite links. It won’t delete the locations you added, but will just restore the originals.

Search Connectors

You can’t add Internet Explorer Favorites or files to your favorites in Windows Explorer. However, you can add Search Connectors which allow you to search a favorite website and view it in Windows Explorer. This is a neat trick we covered in a previous article.

This should help make navigating through your favorite locations a bit easier and allow you to add Search Connectors as well. Make sure to check out our links below that will help better understand Search Connectors and why they might come in handy.