Earlier in the week, I posted a lengthy article explaining why “deleting” a file does not actually get rid of it from your computer. In it, I stated that the only true way to delete a file permanently that you either don’t want, or think could be a problem if the wrong hands got a hold of it, is by using a Secure File Erasing tool. So let me present to you one such tool that I particularly like.
Eraser, by the Eraser Project, is a tool that needs little introduction, being as its very name explains its purpose better than any description could. But to give it a basic description, it’s a secure file-erasing tool that the developers describe as “an advanced security tool for Windows which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive”. Here is the list of all of its features according to the developer:
- It works with Windows XP (with Service Pack 3), Windows Server 2003 (with Service Pack 2), Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 can still be used with version 5.7!
- It works with any drive that works with Windows
- Secure drive erasure methods are supported out of the box
- Erases files, folders and their previously deleted counterparts
- Works with an extremely customisable Scheduler
To explain the last one – Eraser allows you to “schedule” an Erasing task to perform when YOU want it to, as well as the usual “erase this now” options.
Also, Eraser can securely erase files already in your Recycle Bin using a single right-click on the Bin. And it also has “Free Space Erasing” options, which will clean all the unused space on any of your drives, ensuring files that are still on the drive despite being “deleted” are gone for good. Now THAT’S peace of mind!
Eraser is available in two flavours – a Full Installer, for placing directly onto your computer, and a Portable Edition that you could install and run directly from a Memory Stick or other removable media, though the portable edition is a little old compared to the full installer (still works wonders, though). The best part is since Eraser is free, open source software, it’s free to download and will never cost you a single penny to use – a rare find these days. The open-source nature also makes it something you can trust.
Eraser homepage (Find out more about, and get Eraser)
Portable Edition
Recently I’ve been addicted to a little Flash Game I discovered while searching the net, and I thought I’d share it. The game is called Super Mario Bros. Crossover, and it’s a non-profit Fan Game that aims to answer the very question I asked in the title: What would the first Super Mario Bros. game have been like if OTHER Nintendo characters had been the star?
SMB Crossover takes the original Super Mario Bros. game and twists it up a little. As well as Mario, you can play every level with other famous Nintendo characters like Mega Man, Samus (from Metroid), Link, Simon (from Castlevania) and many more, each of which offers a unique play style. According to the developer, SMB Crossover “exists as a tribute to classic video games and celebrates the games and characters that many of us grew up playing. It gives attention to our gaming roots and serves as a reminder that games do not have to be complicated to be fun. It is not intended to inhibit the copyright holders of the original games it is based on in any way.”
The game faithfully recreates the original Super Mario Bros. completely and accurately, with only small changes here and there to adapt for the new characters’ styles. However, larger changes are also available in the form of unlockable cheats, which become available when you complete the game once; and options such as removing the timer. The game also has a difficulty select at the start, and there’s five difficulty levels – Medium, which faithfully recreates the original game; Super Easy and Easy, which slow down the action and give fewer and easier enemies, for those new to Mario games; Hard, which gives the same harder challenge you’d get after completing the original Super Mario Bros. once (otherwise known as the Star Levels); and Extreme which gives the hardest challenge of all. There’s lots of options too, and there’s even unlockable cheats if you complete the game once. The best thing about SMB Crossover though is that it’s constantly updated, and the developer is keen to hear people’s ideas, some of which may actually end up into future versions of the game.
SMB Crossover in my opinion wins a thumbs-up from me simply because it’s a novel idea that has actually turned out to work amazingly well; and the nostalgia value and the nods to gaming history just make it a treat for retroheads; while the challenge of playing Mario with someone like Mega Man has enough humour value to entertain any Nintendo fan. I implore everyone to try this game at least once!
Play the latest version: http://supermariobroscrossover.com/
When you have no use for a particular file any more and you either want to save hard drive space or stop prying eyes from seeing it, it’s common behaviour to delete it from your computer. Like any good computer, Windows makes “deleting” a file very easy – just press Delete, or right-click and choose Delete, and it will put it in the Recycle Bin so you can decide whether or not you REALLY wanted it gone. Empty the Recycle Bin or press Delete again while it’s inside, and the file disappears from your computer.
You’ve probably thought that once you’ve deleted a file, it’s gone for good and you can forget about it, right? Wrong! Read the rest of this entry »
I’m Techie Jinji, the owner of Technically Motivated, and I’d like to formerly welcome you as one of the first visitors to my brand new site. Since you’re probably wondering what such an empty site could be good for right now, let me explain what Technically Motivated is going to be all about.
Technically Motivated is a brand new blog focused on Computers and Technology. The aim of Technically Motivated is to create a wide variety of articles discussing various technological advances around the world: from new and updated software; to useful utilities that anyone will find useful; to new hardware like smartphones – if it’s Tech, I hope to cover it. Along the way I’ll also be looking out for special stuff you might like to know about too, such as freebies. My aim is simply to make every article a useful and/or entertaining read to everybody who visits the site; and I hope you’ll bookmark and keep visiting to see what new stuff comes up.
But I want to make sure everything is what you, the visitors, would find useful and interesting. So here at Technically Motivated, every article will have an open commenting system where you can say just how useful – or not – you found something we talked about, as well as bring up any interesting side notes. And we also have a Forum for more general discussions and to give ideas for future articles.
Now I have only just started setting up this site, which is why it’s so empty right now – bear with me while I get everything up to working order. But I hope you’ll visit again soon!