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Power Downloader quickly scrubs his system memory

Power Downloader uses several types of software throughout his day including word processors, mapping programs, database apps, and even a few games during break time to let off some steam. In his endless hunt for top-notch applications, Power also ends up using a few programs that aren't all they were cracked up to be. With all the software Power sifts through, it should come as no surprise that some apps even have memory leaks that end up slowing down his system to a crawl. As a software superhero, a slow system simply will not suffice.… Read more

RAMBooster: Take back your computer's RAM!

CNET Editor Tom Merritt has a goal. He needs to squeeze more usable RAM from his memory. Good thing there are RAM-releasing apps like Free Ram Optimizer XP and RAMBooster to unblock clogged space.

In this Insider Secrets video, Tom explains the ins and outs of RAM, and how RAMBooster can work its magic to relinquish trapped memory.

Dont' forget to check out other great Insider Secrets videos on CNET Download.com, as well, including iTunes tricks and tweaking search in Avant browser.

PE is good for SEO

No, I'm not talking about running laps or playing dodgeball...although a dodgeball challenge of white-hat vs. black-hat SEOers is certainly something to get the adrenaline pumping. The PE here is progressive enhancement, the better looking sibling of graceful degradation.

Progressive enhancement and graceful degradation are common topics in design and accessibility circles, but these are just as important to SEO as well. These techniques are often used along with advanced technologies like JavaScript, Ajax and Flash, but are even applicable to basics like application of CSS.

Let's start with some basics...using neither of these means that … Read more

Back-to-school SEO

It's that time of year again when the kids head back to school and the air begins to hint at the coming of fall. I'm sure the first few days of school are spent doing a little refresh to get all the kids back up to speed after the summer months.

Of course SEOs don't get summer breaks and the learning doesn't ever really stop or even slow down. But that doesn't mean that a little SEO refresher every now and again isn't useful or is any less valuable.

Here are 10 important elements … Read more

Auslogics Disk Defrag: First Look

A sluggish computer can mean a lot of things--it could be malware, or overstuffed memory, or even disorganized disk space. If you haven't defragmented your drive lately, try the free Auslogics Disk Defrag as a first attempt to speed up your PC.

First Look videos (collect them all) are a great way to get familiar with programs like Auslogics Disk Defrag before you install them. Check it out below, and pick up an easily remembered analogy for how defragmenting works.

Killer Download: Get the most out of XP

Though we have several machines here at Download.com running Windows Vista for testing purposes, I have to admit that I haven't yet made the switch at my workspace. Maybe it's because with Windows XP, I like the way things are set up; I like the look; and I can rest assured that all my favorite downloads are going to work without fail. I'm not saying Vista won't support my programs--and I'm sure I'll make the switch at some point--but for now I'm sticking with XP.

Even though XP is my choice for now, as a major-league software nerd, I still try to find ways to improve upon a good thing. Rather than leaving well-enough alone, I continually search CNET Downloads to see what programs I can find to make my OS run even more smoothly. A few downloads I've come across trim down existing applications, clean out system flaws, and keep the whole XP operating system running at optimal speed.… Read more

Avenue A/Razorfish announces SiLC search engine optimization tool

I got a chance to sit down with William Flaiz, VP of SEO and Web Analytics at Avenue A/Razorfish today at ad:tech Chicago to talk about its new search engine optimization technology. For those of you who don't know, Avenue A/Razorfish builds Web sites and designs digital marketing programs and has done work for a ton of companies including XM Satellite Radio and Dell. Their parent company, aQuantive, was recently acquired by Microsoft, so Avenue A/Razorfish will soon be part of the Microsoft family, as soon as that deal closes.

Today, Avenue A/Razorfish is … Read more

Digg Bait and Switch

Getting onto the front page of Digg.com is a lofty goal for many SEOs. They know that hundreds of links will ensue -- from blogs, Digg mirrors, individuals' del.icio.us bookmarks, etc.

Search marketer Alan Rimm-Kaufman's first successful Digg bait, conducted last month, was centered around a 120 foot long water balloon. Indeed Alan made it onto the Digg homepage, receiving 22,694 visits in the first 4 hours after being dugg, and 33,072 visits in the first 24 hours. With the Digg effect, the traffic spikes dramatically -- to the point that it often brings … Read more

Power Downloader scans for system red flags

Power Downloader knows that regular maintenance for his PC is crucial to his continued success as an Internet superhero. If his computer is not in top working condition when on the tail of some infamous spammer, it can mean the difference between life and death. While the stakes might be higher for Power Downloader, he also knows that everyone should perform routine maintenance if they want their computer to continue working properly.

Though there are several programs available to fix specific problems, Power Downloader decided that a one-program solution might be the most convenient way to keep his system in tip-top shape. After some quick research at Download.com, Power found Advanced WindowsCare Personal edition.… Read more