TweakVista 1.1 arrives
Make Windows..better!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Windows Vista has gotten a lot of bad press. A lot of it is unfair but as any Vista user can tell you, a lot of the bad press was avoidable.
Even the finest product can be marred by a handful of minor decisions that affect the overall experience.
In the case of Windows Vista, Stardock has identified these problem areas that Vista needs to resolve (either in a future SP or in Windows 7):
- We need an OS, not a nanny. Vista has too many nags, confirmations, and reminders.
- Vista is too much of a one-size fits all solution. As a result, there is a service or start up program for nearly every potentiality.
- Usable information about the network, hardware info, and basic settings changes are too spread out and need to be consolidated.
- System responsiveness and memory use. Vista seems to always have something running, scanning, or getting in the user's way when they're trying to use the computer.
Stardock's answer to this is TweakVista. TweakVista 1.0 established a foundation. It basically gave users a way to know what was running on their system and control it to a much finer degree than normally possible but in a way that was safer than most other solutions. It also allows users to modify the security settings without simply disabling them.
TweakVista 1.1 is merely the first step on the journey to let users start tweaking Vista themselves. Here's what's new:
- Snapshots. This is a basic feature that lets people mess with things in a lot safer way. It's more useful in many respects than "Microsoft System Restore" because what it does is pinpoint changes to what's loading on start up. The snapshot feature lets people pin-point apps that are causing problems and be easily eliminated.
- Process Exploration. Resource Page now has a services tab so that all those "svchost.exe" processes can be easily looked at to see what they're really doing.
- Service Explorer. It's not hard to look at services in Vista if you know what you're doing. TweakVista, however, lets users easily manage what services are running and includes a way for each service to be part of a web forum thread where users can discuss in depth each service and why they do or don't need it.
- Locked File Query. Ever have a file that you can't delete or modify because it's in use by some other program? Now you can find out which program is doing that and terminate it.
There are many other smaller new features in TweakVista 1.1. The main goal was to set the stage to begin going more in-depth to let users regain more control over their computer and do so safely.
In the long term, Stardock hopes Microsoft will integrate some of the fixes and tweaks we're making into the base OS. But in the meantime, you can take care of these things yourself in a secure, safe, and effective way with TweakVista.
Screenshots:
Download: www.tweakvista.net
SteveGosselin
Reply #2 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:26 AM
Useful!
Reply #2 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 1:26 AM
Locked File Query. Ever have a file that you can't delete or modify because it's in use by some other program? Now you can find out which program is doing that and terminate it.
Useful!
cavalierex
Reply #3 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 7:53 AM
I have to agree there. It happens more often than not, and there's not always a clear indication (e.g., in the form of an icon in the notification area of the task bar) what is running.
Other issues tied to system responsiveness: Why does it take so long to open the Control Panel? And forget about having it cascade out of the Start Bar. It takes too long to scan and list all the modules.
TweakVista is a great program. It really puts a lot of system information at your fingertips. But as safe as it may be, I always worry that such "treatments" are really addressing the "symptoms" and not the "etiology of the disease." I hope that Vista's SP1 will improve system performance (CPU/memory usage, file processing) a great deal. And I hope they will take to heart some of the loyal Vista users' complaints/critiques/suggestions and bright ideas and incorporate them into the base OS in upcoming patches.
Good job, Stardock, for taking charge.
Reply #3 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 7:53 AM
System responsiveness and memory use. Vista seems to always have something running, scanning, or getting in the user's way when they're trying to use the computer.
I have to agree there. It happens more often than not, and there's not always a clear indication (e.g., in the form of an icon in the notification area of the task bar) what is running.
Other issues tied to system responsiveness: Why does it take so long to open the Control Panel? And forget about having it cascade out of the Start Bar. It takes too long to scan and list all the modules.
In the long term, Stardock hopes Microsoft will integrate some of the fixes and tweaks we're making into the base OS. But in the meantime, you can take care of these things yourself in a secure, safe, and effective way with TweakVista.
TweakVista is a great program. It really puts a lot of system information at your fingertips. But as safe as it may be, I always worry that such "treatments" are really addressing the "symptoms" and not the "etiology of the disease." I hope that Vista's SP1 will improve system performance (CPU/memory usage, file processing) a great deal. And I hope they will take to heart some of the loyal Vista users' complaints/critiques/suggestions and bright ideas and incorporate them into the base OS in upcoming patches.
Good job, Stardock, for taking charge.
kwyjibo
Reply #4 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:48 PM
Reply #4 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:48 PM
Please post a changelog in an easily accessible location without having to download the application to get to it. I looked on the application's website. Adding it to the menu bar on the left is an ideal location.
kwyjibo
Reply #5 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:52 PM
Reply #5 Wednesday, February 13, 2008 9:52 PM
I saw someone else ask for a changelog (release notes) in the forum, but he was referred to this news post, which is not a changelog. It is an abstract bullet list of major features, not a comprehensive list of changes throughout each subversion. People look for such a thing to know which releases are important for them to get, to know if they ought to be purchasing it for a bug fix that has annoyed them. This applies to any software product.
Morpheous416
Reply #6 Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:33 PM
Reply #6 Thursday, February 14, 2008 2:33 PM
Brad,
I know you guys put a lot of effort behind this application. The UI looks good.. but, it's a tweaking program, and you really should offer it for free.
Why?
Process Explorer? Free with Vista.. just go into Windows Defender.
Snapshots? Also free...
Services? Free.. there's a service process in Vista's new Task Manager, and as always, NO ONE can beat the information that's been provided to all users for free over the years by BlackViper. Who has done a fantastic job of explaining bit by bit what a service does, uses, and requires.
Lock File Query..? Guys... also free. Just Google "file unlocker". Been free for a long time.
You guys are taking a collection of work by other people, putting it together in one program, then charging users $20 to use it. Even TweakVI has a cost, but the free version does tons of stuff to get Vista going. I've watched over the years, people's contributions to 'tweaking' from sites like TweakXP.. get "stolen", or (cough) borrowed by others, put into programs that suddenly go from free, to a cost.
Not cool.
Nice UI... but tweaking an OS is free. Just takes a few minutes to search for what ya need.
(and for the record, yes, Vista's SP1 is a lot more stable)
I know you guys put a lot of effort behind this application. The UI looks good.. but, it's a tweaking program, and you really should offer it for free.
Why?
Process Explorer? Free with Vista.. just go into Windows Defender.
Snapshots? Also free...
Services? Free.. there's a service process in Vista's new Task Manager, and as always, NO ONE can beat the information that's been provided to all users for free over the years by BlackViper. Who has done a fantastic job of explaining bit by bit what a service does, uses, and requires.
Lock File Query..? Guys... also free. Just Google "file unlocker". Been free for a long time.
You guys are taking a collection of work by other people, putting it together in one program, then charging users $20 to use it. Even TweakVI has a cost, but the free version does tons of stuff to get Vista going. I've watched over the years, people's contributions to 'tweaking' from sites like TweakXP.. get "stolen", or (cough) borrowed by others, put into programs that suddenly go from free, to a cost.
Not cool.
Nice UI... but tweaking an OS is free. Just takes a few minutes to search for what ya need.
(and for the record, yes, Vista's SP1 is a lot more stable)
ZubaZ
Reply #7 Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:35 PM
Reply #7 Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:35 PM
Many folks don't want to do the work finding all the free stuff; many of it from unkonwn sources.
One of the nice things about a free market is that SD can offer this at a cost, see how it does, and adjust accordingly.
One of the nice things about a free market is that SD can offer this at a cost, see how it does, and adjust accordingly.
kwyjibo
Reply #8 Friday, February 15, 2008 1:35 AM
Reply #8 Friday, February 15, 2008 1:35 AM
Morpheus: Calling this a collection of work by other people is harsh, if not slanderous. Stardock does not steal code. And placing several scattered features into a convenient location is a good thing. They DO offer a free version. If you'd rather use several different freeware programs, by all means. And no, I'm not affiliated with Stardock.
Morpheous416
Reply #9 Saturday, February 16, 2008 3:41 PM
I am almost apt to break out Webster's dictionary and go to town on this comment, but I'll get to the point.
Harsh? No... Stardock knows exactly what I meant when I commented on the program, thus they will not say anything.. if they do, it will be the same as always: "If you don't like it, don't buy it". I didn't say I didn't like it. Funny... twenty years of internet and computing, people still twist what's said in plain english to their own accord.
I know there's a 'free' version. What I said, "IT SHOULD BE FREE".. period. It's a tool, not a massive online strategy game that's going to take up the companies resources to keep active. Kinda like a side project of sorts..
Slanderous? Kwyjibo, you really need to start spending a bit of time with Wikipedia (err, well, maybe) or better yet, Webster's Dictionary. First of all, you don't know the definition of the words you've chosen to use.
Did I flat out say "Stardock, you are stealing other people's code!!"
No.
Zubaz,
Many of the folks I think you're talking about, wouldn't know what to do with a 'tweak' to begin with. The average computer user (believe me) still looks at the screen in fear. I spend my career time working with those and educating them on getting them to use their computers properly...
My point was clear, but I'll wipe more of the dust off of it.
Tweaking tips are free. Free advice, free knowledge sharing, and a free community discussion of what works and what doesn't. Stardock has taken that, put a UI on it, and charges $20. What I am clearly saying is,,,, just don't. Make it part of the contribution to those of us that do like to enhance our machines.
Point in case: I do buy Stardock's products. I 'upsell' them to everyone I know when they talk shop. When something goes wrong with the product, I tell them. It gets worked out.. when something new comes along, I check it out, and like everyone else, I state my opinion on it. And, just like those front page articles here that ask "whats wrong with Wincustomize?", they wouldn't post it, if they didn't want to hear it.
Reply #9 Saturday, February 16, 2008 3:41 PM
Morpheus: Calling this a collection of work by other people is harsh, if not slanderous. Stardock does not steal code. And placing several scattered features into a convenient location is a good thing. They DO offer a free version. If you'd rather use several different freeware programs, by all means. And no, I'm not affiliated with Stardock.
I am almost apt to break out Webster's dictionary and go to town on this comment, but I'll get to the point.
Harsh? No... Stardock knows exactly what I meant when I commented on the program, thus they will not say anything.. if they do, it will be the same as always: "If you don't like it, don't buy it". I didn't say I didn't like it. Funny... twenty years of internet and computing, people still twist what's said in plain english to their own accord.
I know there's a 'free' version. What I said, "IT SHOULD BE FREE".. period. It's a tool, not a massive online strategy game that's going to take up the companies resources to keep active. Kinda like a side project of sorts..
Slanderous? Kwyjibo, you really need to start spending a bit of time with Wikipedia (err, well, maybe) or better yet, Webster's Dictionary. First of all, you don't know the definition of the words you've chosen to use.
Did I flat out say "Stardock, you are stealing other people's code!!"
No.
Zubaz,
Many of the folks I think you're talking about, wouldn't know what to do with a 'tweak' to begin with. The average computer user (believe me) still looks at the screen in fear. I spend my career time working with those and educating them on getting them to use their computers properly...
My point was clear, but I'll wipe more of the dust off of it.
Tweaking tips are free. Free advice, free knowledge sharing, and a free community discussion of what works and what doesn't. Stardock has taken that, put a UI on it, and charges $20. What I am clearly saying is,,,, just don't. Make it part of the contribution to those of us that do like to enhance our machines.
Point in case: I do buy Stardock's products. I 'upsell' them to everyone I know when they talk shop. When something goes wrong with the product, I tell them. It gets worked out.. when something new comes along, I check it out, and like everyone else, I state my opinion on it. And, just like those front page articles here that ask "whats wrong with Wincustomize?", they wouldn't post it, if they didn't want to hear it.
MadDeez
Reply #10 Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:23 PM
Reply #10 Saturday, February 16, 2008 4:23 PM
well, i guess stardock should give all their apps away for free. maybe everyone would be satisfied if that were to happen. but then again, we'd all be paying for each skin we download and use if the apps were free. maybe neil jeff, alberto, and the rest of the developers shoudl just hang it up since it isn't meant to be that they actually make a few bucks from their work.
i really don't care if tweakvista 'borrows' from other people's code or whatever. stardock did the work of poutting everyhting in an easy-to-use gui. if that is the case, i don't mind paying 20 bucks for the interface. it saves me from having to edit the registry and whatever else needs to be done to tweak the os. i'm going to call uncle bill and tell him i want my money back since vista is an upgrade from xp. i should've gotten that for free.
don
t take my comments personally, morpheous. they are not meant to be directed solely at you or any other individual. i just disagree with your assessment and opinion, that's all. and you're correct, sp1 is very stable! have a great day, everyone.
ZubaZ
Reply #11 Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:31 AM
Reply #11 Sunday, February 17, 2008 12:31 AM
I don't understand how you can take issue with Stardock wanting to charge for service (in this case a tweak agggregator). Someone has to spend resources and should be compensated.
Even (what I consider the granddaddy of tweaks) X-Setup Pro by Xteq charges $20.
Can you or any user spend hours scouring the web to find and implement (and back up and restore) those tweaks . . sure. But the question is . . is it worth $20 to have a reputable company do it for you in an easy-to-use package. Me, I'll use it to safely make my changes and safely restore them if needed by a trusted source.
The fact is that no one makes anyone buy soemthing from Stardock. [Except me. I make my wife buy it for me.] You want to self-tweak. Knock yourself out. But the argument that Stardock should release this for free for the good of the community is crazy talk. They know their business better than you do.
Even (what I consider the granddaddy of tweaks) X-Setup Pro by Xteq charges $20.
Can you or any user spend hours scouring the web to find and implement (and back up and restore) those tweaks . . sure. But the question is . . is it worth $20 to have a reputable company do it for you in an easy-to-use package. Me, I'll use it to safely make my changes and safely restore them if needed by a trusted source.
The fact is that no one makes anyone buy soemthing from Stardock. [Except me. I make my wife buy it for me.] You want to self-tweak. Knock yourself out. But the argument that Stardock should release this for free for the good of the community is crazy talk. They know their business better than you do.
kwyjibo
Reply #12 Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:42 AM
"Work by other people". It's pretty black and white that you are claiming Stardock stole others' code. If Stardock codes a dock for Windows, it is not stolen from Mac OS because it is written from scratch. It is not others' work.
Reply #12 Sunday, February 17, 2008 4:42 AM
You guys are taking a collection of work by other people, putting it together in one program
"Work by other people". It's pretty black and white that you are claiming Stardock stole others' code. If Stardock codes a dock for Windows, it is not stolen from Mac OS because it is written from scratch. It is not others' work.
Morpheous416
Reply #13 Monday, February 18, 2008 3:33 AM
Reply #13 Monday, February 18, 2008 3:33 AM
Whiplash,
It's simply my opinion that this program, be free. You care to take more out of it and claim tears of pain stating I believe they all should be... get better sleep knowing you did. I pay for all my other Stardock products just like you do... and come this very next paycheck, will be updating to all of Vista's new goodies!
Zubaz,
Explaining an opinion to you, is like burning myself with a lighter and expecting something other than burnt skin. Pointless. Meaning, (and I'll state this clear so others don't take what they see as "black n white" and turn it into anything else).. that you of all people should see clearly what someone is saying. Stating an opinion, is that. An opinion... and since you brought it, up, X-Setup, also a fav of mine back in the day, was free. Once it went to $20, the program went in to my recycle bin.
Kwyjibo,
I'll give you the benefit of coming off sounding like you're new to this whole "computer" thing. Tweaking has been, and always will be a power users paradise. If you guys want to pay for the simplicity of a fancy UI, then cough up the dough. It's my opinion this program, and those that have taken steps before it, should be as well. However, ALL of those programs ARE collections of work done by others... from ALL over the place. I didn't say it was theft, and if that's the way you read this.... not my problem. I have personally seen tweaks from sites that have been up for years, services and explanations of said services from well founded sites.. all show up in these 'tweak' programs, because the tweaks are nothing new. Stardock just didn't sit down one day, and say "well, now that we know everything about Vista, it's time to put the one and only tweaking guide together in a program no one has ever done before".
Get a grip already, ... it's my opinion. If you want to keep coming back here every day to argue over it... gonna hear nothing but crickets.
Matches_Malone
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:27 PM
Reply #14 Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:27 PM
I agree with Morpheous. I went to download it as well, and when I seen the magic words 20 bucks...I coughed and choked on my cigar. It was a great idea to put all the tweaks into one wholesome package. However, I can see Morpheus point, to me it's not like the program is going to be updated on the regular as with such programs from Stardock i.e., iconpackager 3.2 [which definately needs a beta update], windowblinds, and so forth. Any program in my opinion which involves tweaking or hacking your system should have no dollar cost. And for those who wish to read more into this and want to post comments such as, 'Well then windowblinds should be free then since it involves hacking your system. I do have a retort to that I'm just going to wait and see who says that first...lol.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, February 12, 2008 6:18 PM
Extremely helpful application.