File Formats - List of File Types (Extensions)

Name: Don't get in a *.tiz
Category: File Formats
Operating System: Windows
Difficulty: NA

Have you ever downloaded a file or seen a file on your computer and wondered what sort of file it is. I have many people ask me questions like:
what is a rar file?
what do I do with an ace file?
what program do I use to open an mpeg file?
etc. etc.

Well I certainly can't list all the file extensions here on my blog because there are literally thousands. I am going to list the most common file extensions for you to search through. However you might have one that is not on my list so what I will do for you is give you 4 links that will help you find the file extension you are looking for. This will hopefully help you work out what type of file you have and how you can use it.

File Extension Lists
Wikipedia file extension list - Great list with thousands of common and uncommon formats
Whatis File Extension List - Fantastic site, search by alphabetical lists of file types. Thousands of file types
UKT Support - Another alphabetical list of file types

Hopefully with my list and these three links you will find what you are looking for.

Common File Extensions (source fileinfo.net)

Text Files

.doc	Microsoft Word Document
.log	Log File
.msg	Mail Message
.rtf	Rich Text Format
.txt	Text File
.wpd	WordPerfect Document
.wps	Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Data Files

.123	Lotus 1-2-3 Spreadsheet
.csv	Comma Separated Values File
.dat	Data File
.db	Database File
.dll	Dynamic Link Library
.mdb	Microsoft Access Database
.pps	PowerPoint Slide Show
.ppt	PowerPoint Presentation
.sql	Structured Query Language Data
.wks	Microsoft Works Spreadsheet
.xls	Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
.xml	XML File

Image Files

.mng	Multiple Network Graphic
.pct	Picture File

Raster Image Files

.bmp	Bitmap Image
.gif	Graphical Interchange Format File
.jpeg	JPEG Image File
.jpg	JPEG Image File
.png	Portable Network Graphic
.psd	Photoshop Document
.psp	Paint Shop Pro Image File
.tif	Tagged Image File Format

Vector Image Files

.ai	Adobe Illustrator File
.drw	Drawing File
.dxf	Drawing Exchange Format
.eps	Encapsulated PostScript
.ps	PostScript File
.svg	Scalable Vector Graphics

3D Image Files

.3dm	Rhino 3D Model
.3dmf	QuickDraw 3D Metafile

Page Layout Files

.indd	Adobe InDesign File
.pdf	Portable Document Format File
.qxd	QuarkXpress Document
.qxp	QuarkXpress 6 Project File

Audio Files

.aac	Advanced Audio Coding File
.aif	Audio Interchange File Format
.iff	Interchange File Format
.m3u	Media Playlist File
.mid	MIDI File
.midi	MIDI File
.mp3	MP3 Audio File
.mpa	MPEG Audio File
.ra	Real Audio File
.ram	Real Audio Media
.wav	Windows WAVE Sound File
.wma	Windows Media Audio File

Video Files

.3gp	3GPP Multimedia File
.asf	Advanced Systems Format File
.asx	Microsoft ASF Redirector File
.avi	Audio Video Interleave File
.mov	Apple QuickTime Movie
.mp4	MPEG-4 Video File
.mpg	MPEG Video File
.qt	Apple QuickTime Movie
.rm	Real Media File
.swf	Macromedia Flash Movie
.wmv	Windows Media Video File

Web Files

.asp	Active Server Page
.css	Cascading Style Sheet
.htm	Hypertext Markup Language File
.html	Hypertext Markup Language File
.js	JavaScript File
.jsp	Java Server Page
.php	Hypertext Preprocessor File
.xhtml	Extensible Hypertext Markup Language File

Font Files

.fnt	Font File
.fon	Generic Font File
.otf	OpenType Font
.ttf	TrueType Font

Plugin Files

.8bi	Photoshop Plug-in
.plugin	Mac OS X Application Plug-in
.xll	Excel Add-In File

System Files

.cab	Windows Cabinet File
.cpl	Windows Control Panel
.dmp	Windows Memory Dump
.drv	Device Driver
.ini	Initialization File
.key	Security Key
.sys	System File

Settings Files

.cfg	Configuration File
.msi	Windows Installer File
.reg	Registration Information

Executable Files

.app	Mac OS X Application
.bat	DOS Batch File
.cgi	Common Gateway Interface Script
.com	Command File
.exe	Executable File
.pif	Program Information File
.vb	VBScript File
.ws	Windows Script

Compressed Files

.gz	Gnu Zipped File
.pkg	Mac OS X Installer Package
.rar	WinRAR Compressed Archive
.sea	Self-Extracting Archive
.sit	Stuffit Archive
.sitx	Stuffit X Archive
.zip	Zipped File

Encoded Files

.bin	Macbinary II Encoded File
.hqx	BinHex 4.0 Encoded File
.mim	Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message
.uue	Uuencoded File

Developer Files

.c	C/C++ Source Code File
.cpp	C++ Source Code File
.java	Java Source Code File
.pl	Perl Script

Backup Files

.bak	Backup File
.gho	Norton Ghost Backup File
.old	Backup File
.ori	Original File
.tmp	Temporary File

Disk Files

.dmg	Mac OS X Disk Image
.iso	Disc Image File
.vcd	Virtual CD

Game Files

.gam	Saved Game File
.nes	Nintendo (NES) ROM File
.rom	Game ROM
.sav	Saved Game

Misc Files

.lnk	File Shortcut
.torrent	BitTorrent File
.yps	Yahoo! Messenger Data File

Speed Up Vista - Video Tutorial

Name: Performance Baby!
Category: Speed up Windows Vista
Operating System: These instructions are for Vista
Difficulty: You could get your grandma to do this for you!

What is this about...?
This great Vista video tutorial will help you speed up Vista by using the Performance tool in Windows Vista. This tool is also in Windows XP and is a great way of speeding up performance on these two operating systems. This is really great for people with low RAM, but will not make a really huge difference.

This video will show you which graphical "features" to turn off to help your computer performance. The best part about this tool is that you can turn off as many of as few as you like, but the more you turn off the better performance you will get. When I first used this tool on Windows XP I found that I could turn everything except one option off (use visual styles on Windows and buttons) and I didn't even notice a difference in graphics!

What should I expect if I turn these "features" off...?
If you have over 2GB of RAM there is a good chance you wont even notice a difference, but on slower computers you should notice a slightly faster startup time and will get a slightly better response time out of Windows!

Should I be careful of anything...?
This is the best part you can safely turn all of these options off and Windows will still run without any problems. Play around with the options until you find the settings you are happy with!

How do I do this...?
Simple...watch the video!

Disable Autorun

Name: Autorun... my computer is lucky to be crawling!
Category: Removing useless "features"
Operating System: These instructions are for XP other Operating Systems instructions click here
Difficulty: Moderate computer knowledge and nerves of steel

What is autorun...?
Autorun was another fantastic idea from Microsoft. This was the actual conversation about it at Microsoft headquarters*
MS employee 1: Lets make peoples lives easier by making Cd's run automatically when they insert the disk. MS employee 2: Great Idea

Well even though it was a great idea there are two fatal problems with this "feature"
a) spyware and viruses on a CD just might use this "feature" to autorun without your knowledge or permission
b) it's really really annoying

*this may be completely made up

How do I stop/get rid of it...?
There are 3 different ways of doing this:

1. Hold the shift key when you put a CD in your drive

2. This will remove autorun in most cases (and it also allows you to choose)

• Open My Computer.
• Right-click the desired CD-ROM and select Properties from the menu.
• Select the AutoPlay tab.
• Select each item from the pulldown list and for the Action to perform, select "Take no action" to disable autorun, or pick the appropriate action to take if enabling autorun.
• Select OK.

3. To be rid of it completely you need to edit the registry. This should not be done if you don't have some decent computer knowledge, but if you follow these steps carefully it does work.

a) In Windows Click Start, then Click Run

b) Type regedit -- Click OK

c) Click (one after the other) > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > Cdrom>

d) Double click "Autorun" the value is set to 1 by default, change it to zero.

e) Click OK ---> Now restart, that's it!

Is that it...?
Yes autorun should now be disabled and you should be safe again from another great "feature."

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Tips for buying a new computer

Today I thought I would take a slightly different tack and tackle one of those questions that friends, family and people I hardly know are always asking me... What should I be looking for when buying a new computer.

With computers bigger is almost certainly better and this doesn't mean the size of the computer it means the components. A bigger hard drive will give you more space for your files, more memory will help with computer performance, a faster processor will make tasks take less time and so it goes on.

So what should I be looking for from my components...?

Hard drive

• If you download large video, music and other junk (like me) then space will eventually run out so if this is you then get a big hard drive. Currently 500Gb should serve you well.
• If you use your computer for word processing, email and not much else then hard drive space won't really be an issue for you. However still choose enough space to get you through to your next computer. 1-200Gb should be fine in this situation.

Memory (RAM)

Windows is a memory hog so this is an area that has become a little grey (especially after the release of Windows Vista). I now recommend that people try and get a computer with at least 2GB of RAM. I know you can add more later, but 2GB will last you for a few years at least.

Processor

Processors have gone through another change as well recently with the new dual core (and even quad core) offerings from Intel and AMD. The core2duo is wowing everyone at the moment and with good reason, it is one impressive processor. Basically a dual core processor means what it says - two processors in one. This leads to an improvement in multitasking and eventually, when the programs are made for it, an improvement in program speed. I am currently recommending the best processor that comes within my clients budget. In other words get the best you can afford, but make sure it is a core2duo (for the moment anyway!)

Optical Drive (DVD, CD, Blu Ray)

Currently dual layer DVD writers are cheap and this is what you should expect for your money. They have large storage space and provide great quality backups. The new generation of data storage is upon us though and Blu Ray and HD-DVD are becoming more and more common. However, at the moment Blu Ray and HD-DVD are not worth the price unless you really really need them. I am advising people to stick with a good dual layer DVD writer for now as it will do everything most "normal" people need.

Other storage media

I get asked on a daily basis "do I still need a floppy drive?" The short answer is no. They our outdated and I would be surprised if you can still find a computer with one in it for sale in a showroom. Get a good USB flash disk instead.

Graphics Cards

Now becoming essential even for Windows these are often overlooked. If you are a serious gamer then get a serious card. Otherwise just get a standard graphics card. I usually say that 128mb will be fine for most people and 512+mb for gamers.


Other Stuff that most people overlook (the boring stuff)

Motherboards - These can make a difference in regards to speed, upgradability and even stability. You can find great information about motherboards by searching the product name and number on google. If people are having problems with the model you should find it with google.

Sound Cards - These are usually integrated into motherboards and most people just want basic sound so this works out fine.

Modems - I remember my old dad had this huge clunky modem in his office that would connect magically to the world at speeds of about 2 kb/s and I though it was amazing! However, in the day of braodband and cable internet built in 56k modems are now basically useless, but if you need one it might even come as standard.

Ethernet and wireless - Most computers will come with an Ethernet port and it will have a speed rating. If you don't know what that means then it shouldn't bother you. Get a wireless card if you need it and think about it even if you don't. They are cheap and you might decide to go wireless at some point. New laptops should have wireless built in and if it doesn't walk away from the salesman in disgust!

Well that about covers it. I really hope this little guide helps you in what can be a daunting task of buying a new computer. If it did feel free to leave me a comment.

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How to find your IP address

Name: IP address...? I've just learnt my home address.
Category: The Internet
Operating System: Any
Difficulty: My great grandma can do this with her eyes shut

A quick tip today. If you want to know your IP address for gaming or other reasons it is a very simple process.

(click to enlarge)
1. Goto http://www.whatismyip.com/ and it will tell you your IP address.

Easy...? You bet