How to Migrate From Windows to Linux

As most people do,when I started using Linux, I created separate partitions for Linux and used Lilo or Grub to boot either into either Windows or Linux, according to the different job requirements.

I normally used my laptop PC during the day in a company that used Windows applications in a Windows based LAN and therefore I normally had to boot in Windows during the day to work with my colleagues whereas at home I would boot mainly into Linux. This approach has a few disadvantages as follows:

• My work e-mails were in Microsoft Outlook and I had to boot under Windows to access them.
• I used KMail (and later Mozilla Thunderbird) for my personal e-mails and I had to boot under Linux to access them.
• I could access Window folders from Linux and copy data from Windows, but I could not access any Linux directory from Windows.

I reached the conclusion that there should have been a better way to use my PC and I looked for a solution that would allow to access both Linux and Windows applications without rebooting.

I investigated some of the available products. I found that the wine or CodeWeavers Crossover supported most common Windows applications, but some other ones would not work. VMWare looked interesting, but I preferred to use until recently Win4Lin (originally developed by Netraverse to support only Windows 95, 98 or ME and later upgraded by Virtual Bridges to support also Windows 2000 and Windows XP) but this product is no longer upgraded and supported,

I had to find a replacement and finally decided to install Virtual BOx, a virtualization platform originally developed by Sun Micro Systems and later supported by Oracle, after its acquisition of Sun.

Some good advantages that I found in Virtual Box are the following:

• VirtualBox 3 is a desktop virtual machine application using a "Type 2" hypervisor that requires a compatible host operating system (Linux, Windows, Macintosh, or OpenSolaris) and computer hardware based on x86 or AMD64/Intel64 to function
• The installation of Virtual Box is pretty straightforward, but there are a few issues that I will describe later.
• You can easily install many different Operating systems and the performance is pretty good. You can read a list of the supported Operating Systems at virtualbox.org/
• Creating a VM is fast and easy, thanks to a VM creation wizard that takes you step-by-step through creating your guest VM.

Installing Virtual Box
Virtual Box can be downloaded from virtualbox.org, but I did not have to download it because the software is included with my Linux distribution (OpenSuSE 11.3).

You will find plenty of documentation at theVirtualBox.org Technical Documentation page.

The installation is pretty easy, but you must remember to manually add the users who will access Virtual Box to the special user group vboxusers. This can easily be done in OpenSuSe by using the security and users option of Yast.

Using Windows under Virtual Box
I installed under Virtual Box only Windows XP because my main purpose was to create an integrated Desktop environment where I could easily access both Linux and Windows applications

One important requirement for a good integration is to have the possibility to access from Windows also Linux directories because this allows to transfer data between the two environments.

Unfortunately this is not very simple to achieve. Virtual Box allows to declare Shared Folders which can be accessed from both Linux (host operating system) and Windows (guest operating systems). I declared my Linux home directory as a shared folder, but when I started Windows the shared folder was not visible in the explorer. This issue and its solution will be better explained in a separate point.

The main advantages of installing Windows under virtual box are the following:

• The Virtual Box Windows installation is surely much better integrated with Linux than a native Windows installation and you will have at your disposal the power of Linux and Windows applications without any need to reboot.
• Windows under Virtual Box offers greater virus protection than a stand-alone Windows installation. You can easily save your Windows directory as a tar archive and many viruses will not have any effect
• There is no Windows boot sector and therefore boot sector or other boot time viruses are ineffective.
• Virtual Box installs Windows files in subdirectories of the host Linux filesystem and therefore FAT32 or VFAT related viruses are ineffective.
• Executable files and macro viruses can still attack, but will not affect the Linux system unless you transfer to the host filesystem an infected file. To reduce the risks, you might decide to declare a directory as a shared folders only when necessary

Virtual box Limitations and Peculiarities
Virtual box does not support copy and paste between the Linux and Windows environments.

When you click the mouse in the Windows screen, the system captures the mouse in Windows and it will not move outside of the Windows screen. To use the mouse outside, you need to press a key to n-capture it.

Solution of the Shared Folder access problem
I introduced the problem before and I found it very annoying because it is a serious limitation to the integration between Linux and Windows. I was able to find a solution in the Ubuntu Forums. I summarize the steps needed to solve the problem below:

1. Start up Virtual box and then start up Windows xp
2. Go to the top panel of the Virtual Box and click Devices-->Install Guest Editions
3. Download and install the Guest Editions. This will cause a Windows reboot.
4. Set up your shared folders in virtual box. For example declare share folder home/documents
5. Start up Windows, go to Start-->Run, enter cmd and press
6. once in the dos console, type net use t: \vboxsvr\documents. Notice that you should put in only the last folder name on the end of the command; for example if you selected a folder under home/mario1/documents the command would be net use t: \vboxsvr\documents
7. If you look in the Windows explorer, you will see the new t drive as a shared folder and you will be able to access its content.

Removing the original Window partition
One negative point of having both an original Windows partition and the guest Windows installation is the waste of space (for instance I had MS Office applications installed on both partitions). This setup could offer better security, in case of problems to either the Windows or Linux installation, but, at some point, I decided that I could use better the disk space and work without double booting with Linux and Windows under Windows.

To avoid losing useful data, I performed following activities:

• I identified the Outlook mail boxes by using the Windows Find option with "*.pst" and copied them to the Windows environment.
• I identified the Outlook Express maild boxes by using the Windows Find option with "*.dbx" and copied them to the Windows environment.
• I identified my Eudora mail boxes (used for my personal mail) by using the Windows Find option with "*.mbx" and copied them to the Windows environment.
• I found the 'Favorites' folders used by Internet Explorer and I copied it and its sub-folders to the Windows environment.
• I copied the 'My Documents' folder and all other folders that I used in my Windows environment

Making the above copies in the Virtual Box environment is relatively easy, because Linux can access the mnt directory. You can mount the original Windows partition in the Linux /mnt directory by using a ommand such as:

$sudo mount /dev/sdb3 /media/windows -t vfat -o umask=000

Once the partition is mounted, you can declare mnt as a shared folder and access it in the Virtual Box Windows session..

Once I was satisfied that all important data existed in the Windows environment, I decided to reformat the Windows partition and copy my Linux /home directory, that was included in the main root hierarchy, to a separate partition. This activity is described in detail below.

Using the freed partition for Linux, A good description of how to move /home to a different partition can be found in a good tutorial by Daniel Robbins at IBM DeveloperWorks

The main steps are as following:

• Create a filesystem in the new partition by using a command such as mkfs /dev/???
• Mount the new filesystem in /mnt with a command such as mount /dev/??? /mnt/newhome
• Drop to single user mode (init 1)
• Change to the current home directory and enter a copy command such as cp -ax * /mnt/newhome. The ax option causes cp to copy in recursive mode by preserving all file attributes.
• Rename the old /home to /home.old by using the command mv /home /home.old and mount the new one with mount /dev/??? /home.
• When you are sure that everything works correctly, you can remove the /home.old directory.

Conclusions
I believe that the approach described above allows an optimal use of both Linux and Windows resources.
It is often difficult to use only Linux, because often people need to work in Windows based LANs, interact with other Windows users or just because one is too lazy to learn new applications instead of those normally used in a Windows environment.
A double boot system is inconvenient to use. An integrated solution like that described above allows a much more satisfactory usage of your computer resources and time.

Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade to Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the next generation operating system produced by Microsoft and scheduled for release in January 30, 2007. An interesting fact here is that it has been five years since the release of its predecessor, Windows XP, making it the longest time span between major releases of Windows. The main goal that developers wanted to achieve with this product was to create an environment that adapts to the user, instead of the opposite. With Windows Vista, Microsoft has introduced a new level of desktop experience by making the system more secure, reliable and easier to manage.

Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features. Some of the most significant ones are the updated graphical user interface and visual style named Windows Aero, the improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and completely redesigned networking technology, as well as audio, print, and display sub-systems.

This article puts the focus on the top ten reasons for upgrading to Window Vista, mostly the new features that you can't find in the XP.

1. Higher Level of Safety and Security

There are a number of reasons making the switch, but according to Microsoft's Windows chief Jim Allchin the main reasons is Safety and Security. In fact, the priority of the Redmond based company was to have a system that is more secure and that was the most important aspect in terms of developing the system and thus the Vista has been engineered to be the most secure version of Windows ever.

With this product, you can enjoy a PC safe from malicious software, also known as mallware. The effects of mallware can range from small annoyances like the display of unwanted advertising when you view websites, to significant problems that can result in decreased PC performance, and even theft involving your personal information. To address the evolving nature of such threats, Microsoft's security efforts are built around complementary technologies that together provide you with layered, in-depth protection. In keeping with Microsoft's layered approach to security protection, Windows Vista includes new features that help prevent malware from being installed on your machine, help mitigate damage that malware can cause if it does infect your PC, and remove malware that has already been installed.

The anti-mallware features implemented in this OS are Windows Firewall, Windows Update, User Account Control, Internet Explorer 7 Protected Mode, Windows Defender(for protection from spyware and potentially unwanted software). You can combine them with other software like the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, Windows Live Safety Center, and Windows OneCare Live, or with antivirus applications available from one of Microsoft's partner companies.

Windows Vista includes advances that help protect users against phishing, a technique used by online scam artists to illegally obtain a user's valuable personal information, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and other account data. With the Phishing Filter, Internet Explorer 7 warns users about suspected phishing sites or redirects users to a warning page in the case of a known phishing site. Another new feature is the Security bar right next to the Address Bar of IE7, that helps you quickly find out which site is authentic and which isn't.

Another new technology worth mentioning is the "InfoCard". It organizes and manages your personal information so when you visit a website that supports "InfoCard", you will have the option of submitting an "InfoCard" instead of entering all your data all over again. They are more secure because the personal information in the "InfoCard" is encrypted and stored on your PC.

2. Improved Responsiveness

Every user is mad when a PC is being inconsistent. One day all your applications load up and run quickly and smoothly and on the other day the computer slows down and the applications take longer to launch. Well, that is not the case with Windows Vista. Windows Vista includes a number of innovative technologies that help ensure that you can launch applications quickly when you start your machine, and that these applications will continue to be responsive throughout the day. This because the new operating system uses memory more efficiently, improving performance by providing new scheduling mechanisms for time-critical work.
Part of those new technologies are the Windows SuperFetch, Low-Priority I/O, Automatic disk defragmentation.

The Windows SuperFetch is a new memory management technology that helps make the computer consistently more responsive to user applications. Unlike the old scheme, now when the system is idle (not being used by the user for some period of time) background applications take this opportunity to execute actions such as indexing, virus scans, or system management functions. Another feature of the SuperFetch scheme is that it increases the responsiveness by tracking which applications are used most often on a given machine and preloading these applications into memory.

The Low-priority I/O concept allows background processes to run with lower-priority access to the hard drive than user applications. This is a different approach from the XP where the applications had to compete to access the hard drive. In that way, a real multi-tasking is achieved and you can run several applications and you can run several applications at the same time without decreasing the overall system responsiveness.

3. Improved Performance

Windows Vista is designed to take the most out of the latest hardware to improve system performance. Technologies like Windows ReadyBoost increase performance without the need for you to add RAM. Windows Vista also takes advantage of Windows ReadyDrive technology to improve reliability, battery life, and performance. Also, state-of-the-art self-tuning and diagnostics make it much easier for users and IT administrators to manage performance effectively.

The ReadyBoost is a truly revolutionary approach that will easily improve the way a PC performs. Like we all know, the RAM memmory is the key to the smooth operation of a system. But the RAM is expensive and you have to install it if you have free RAM slots available on your Mother Board. With ReadyBoost you can connect a USB Flash chip with the latest of them having 4GB of space and Windows Vista will use it as RAM. The USB device serves as additional memory cache--memory that the computer can access much more quickly than it can access data on the hard drive.

4. Reliability

The improvements in terms of reliability allows users of Vista to work with greater confidence and productivity. With this new OS, you will be less often disrupted by crashes, hangs, and restarts. Windows Vista was engineered with reliability in mind. Hangs and crashes have been tracked since the earliest Windows Vista beta release, and reliability problems have been treated as bugs that need to be repaired.

We all know that with previous versions of Windows, a reboot was required each time you install a new application or uninstall an existing one. Well that's no longer the case here, because of the new technology. In the past, the reboots were due to the fact that when an installer needed to replace a file in use by a running process, a reboot was required to complete the installation. Now, the applications can install the new version of a file on the disk even if the old one is in use, through the use of side-by-side compliant dynamic link libraries (DLLs). The next time you start the application, the newer version of the file will be loaded.

5. Enhanced Accessibility

The Vista's built-in accessibility settings and applications make it easier for users to see, hear and use their PC. They are particularly helpful to people with visual difficulties, full or partial hearing loss, pain in their hands or arms, dexterity issues, or reasoning and cognitive issues.

You can interact with your computer by voice, without using the mouse or the keyboard, while preserving your level of productivity. With the speech recognition, you can dictate documents and emails in mainstream applications, use voice commands to manage applications and the operating system, and even fill out forms on the Web. It was built using the very latest speech technologies from Microsoft and provides an unparalleled recognition accuracy that improves with each use as it adapts to your speaking style and vocabulary.

Another new feature is the Windows Resource Protection that protects critical system settings, files, and folders from changes by any source except a trusted installer.

6. The New User Interface, better organization and ease of use

The interface of Windows Vista is remarkable, both visually exciting and intuitive to use. There are several new capabilities that really stand out here - users are able to see the content of each file (text, picture, movie) without having to open them, users can also find applications in a much quicker manner, navigate efficiently among open windows, and traverse wizards and dialog boxes with more confidence and certainty. The whole user experience is more stable as a whole and you won't see any dialog boxes being drawn in front of you, flicker free, no hesitation or latency.

With all these new features, it is interesting to know where exactly does Microsoft's product stand when compared to Mac OS X Tiger. Some say that there are lots of similarities between MAC OS X and Windows Vista. Like the Control Panel in Microsoft's product, which provides access to critical system settings, so too does the Macintosh's System Preferences applet. Apple also has a built-in glass interface and the minimized icons on the taskbar show a live preview. Only difference being that the MAC came one year earlier. But still, that does not mean that Microsoft's programmers are playing catch up here. The whole controversy about who copied from whom is pointless, since it's normal for companies to look at each others products, because this increases the product quality.

7. The Windows Aero Interface

Aero is the top of the line Vista interface, but is only supported by the latest hardware. Aero features windows that are truly translucent with a glass effect that allows you to more easily focus on the content of a window, while providing better context for the surrounding elements on your desktop. The taskbar here is also new, allowing you to see the contents of the windows that are currently open or minimized to the taskbar.

With Aero, the whole desktop performs in a smoother way. You won't see no redraw artifacts, latency, or "tearing" effects that sometimes appear on existing computers. This interface is also more reliable as it reduces graphics driver-related system crashes and blue screens.

On the downside, you really need an up-to-date PC configuration to enjoy it. The Video card must support Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) and have at least 256MB of memory. Also 1 GB of dual-channel configured system memory (RAM) is required.

8. Easier Search and Organization

The information is getting digital. We are living in a digital world so it is vital to be able to find information in the fastest possible way. Windows Vista helps you do that. It can find a file for you, using just about anything you can think of the file, the type of file, when it was created, or even what it contains.

The new tool that makes the trick is the Instant Search. This feature is available almost anywhere you are in Windows Vista and enables you to type a filename, a property, or even text contained within a file, and it returns pinpointed results. On top of that, it is conceptual, it sorts the results based on your current activity--whether it's searching Control Panel applets, looking for music files in Media Player, or looking for applications in the Start Menu.

9. Improvements in the Networking Technology

With Windows Vista networking is easier to set up, easier to use, and more secure and reliable. The Network Center is where you can check your connection status, see your network visually, or troubleshoot a connection problem. The whole information is summarized in what Microsoft has called Network Map so you can graphically see which connection is down and then use Network Diagnostics to help determine the cause of the problem and find possible solutions.

With Vista, you can connect to all types of networks, local wireless networks, corporate networks through a virtual private network (VPN) or a remote access service (RAS), or dial-up--all in one easy-to-find place.

10. Windows Movie Maker and Windows DVD Maker

Windows Vista versions of Movie and DVD Maker applications allow you to import, edit, and manage digital home videos and they also support the new HD format. The Movie Maker helps you create and manage video files and movies. Windows Movie Maker gives you maximum choice and control over the quality and size of your video files when you are encoding. It has a wide set of effects, titles and transitions that you can apply. Once you are done making the movie, you can use the Windows DVD Maker application that comes with Windows Vista to transfer your videos to a DVD format.

Vinyl Replacement Windows - A Basic Guide For Installation

New vinyl replacement windows can offer many energy efficient features with virtually no maintenance. A popular upgrade, homeowners can cut heating bills and enjoy smooth easy opening windows while increasing the value of their home. Once measured correctly, replacement windows can then be installed relatively quickly and easily.

Many features are available in new windows and can be purchased custom to fit your openings. Installing them requires very few tools, many of which you may already have. The list should include;

o Utility knife
o Flat bar
o Broad chisel
o Hammer
o Screw gun
o Caulk gun
o Putty knife
o Level
o Step ladder or extension ladder
o Safety glasses

A short list of materials should include;

o Shims
o Interior and exterior caulk
o Drop cloth
o Batt insulation or window and door expansion foam

Prepare a work area to remove the old windows by removing furniture and any window treatments around the old window. Be sure to lay a drop cloth or plastic down to work on, the old window sashes can be very dirty. Begin by removing the old trim around the perimeter of the window. This can be accomplished with a broad chisel or flat bar and hammer. Sometimes the trim has been caulked or painted in and it may be necessary to score the edge with a utility knife before removing. Carefully work the molding out and save the pieces for reinstallation. A common method is "walking" the trim out. Start at an edge and slowly pry a little at a time down the length of the board. With the trim removed the lower window sash can now be removed. Older windows were often fitted with a pulley and rope system. Cut the rope close to the window with your utility knife, letting the weight drop in the void. There should be enough rope to grab when you remove the pulley system later.

To remove the top sash, the parting bead, sometimes called a check stop must be removed. This stop runs between the two sashes. It can be pried out with a dull chisel or flat bar without concern, as it will be discarded. Often the bead will not come entirely out leaving some in the groove it rests in, that's fine as long as the remaining wood is flush with the jamb. Sometimes a small piece of wood is nailed under the window to keep it up in place (making it a single hung window) or there may be more counter weights (double hung). Remove either of these by prying the wood stop out with a flat bar or cut the counter weight rope as before. Care should be taken during this step as there is nothing holding the upper sash in place when stops are removed or the rope cut.

With both sashes removed, check the opening for any obstructions. The wheels that the counter weight rope rested on should be removed and discarded, along with any nails or debris. If possible, pull the weights out and stuff the void with batt insulation. Inspect the outside molding called blind stops. It should be in good shape and continue all the way around the window frame to the sill. This is what your new window will rest on to keep it from falling out. Vacuum the area and remove all the old window sashes, counter weights, parting bead and pulley system from the area, saving the inside window trim.

Unwrap the new window and put any hardware that came with the window and the expansion strip to the side. It should be noted that some units come with a header expander. This article does not include installing the header expander and if included should not be necessary if window is correctly measured and the exterior stops are continuous.

Locate the predrilled screw holes in the side jambs. Normally there are two or three per side, large windows may have holes in the top also. Cut the batt insulation to fit in the window well, approximately 1" thick and place it in the well. Making sure the window sashes are locked, lift the window and place bottom edge in the well. Then push the top of the window into place against the blind stops for a dry run. If the window is extremely tight, it may be best to not push it all the way in; it can be very difficult to take back out. This is where careful measuring pays off. Remove the window and set to the side. Generously caulk all the way around the inside surface of the blind stops. Install the window the same way as done in the dry run. Make sure the unit is centered in the opening and pressed against the blind stops. Now check for level by resting the level on the jamb not the window sash. Window sashes float in guides in the jamb and can give incorrect readings. Shims can be used for adjustments between the unit and the window opening. Use the screws that came with the unit and drive the top ones in first again check for level. Do not overdrive the screws. The lower screws can now be driven and checked for level one last time.

After screws are set, unlock the window and check the operation of the sashes. They should move easily up and down and then lock without much effort. If not, fine tune the screws and shims to adjust for correct operation. If you have tall windows, there may be adjusting posts on the sides to keep the jamb from bowing. Even if the jambs aren't bowing now, adjust these out so they can keep the jambs from moving in the future.

Window and door formulas of expansion foam are great way to fill any gaps and ensure an airtight seal. Care must be taken to lock the window when using expansion foam products and keep them locked and shut during the curing process. After 12 hours, the window can be opened and operated. Do not install trim before curing is complete as any excess foam needs to an escape route to expand. If the installer chooses batt insulation, it can be stuffed in any gaps with a putty knife. It is important not to stuff too much in, as it will bow the jambs and decrease R value.

The trim saved from the tear out phase can now be reinstalled. If new trim is chosen, it will need to be mitered and cut to size. Nail the trim tight to the new window. Caulk between the new window and trim, then between the trim and casings to provide an air tight seal. After the caulk dries, paint can be applied to complete the interior work.

The expansion strip, sometimes called a filler strip should now be cut to size and installed on the outside. This flexible vinyl strip is normally included to compensate for the pitch of the existing window sill and the lower exterior edge of the vinyl window. This strip may need to be cut with a utility knife to match the opening both in length and height. The correct sized filler can now be snapped in a groove at the bottom of the window unit. The installed strip should be tight as possible to the exterior sill and sides of the window opening.

What to Look For When Going Replacement Window Shopping

Shopping for a replacement window today provides homeowners with many options. From choosing the window's interior and exterior colors, hardware designs and panel configuration, shoppers can customize windows to their liking. Some of the most popular types of windows to replace include double hung, casement, bay/bow, picture/combination, gliding/sliding, specialty and awning styles. In addition to customizing windows, buyers also have the ability to purchase specialized window glass designed to be more energy efficient. The latest advances in window technology have yielded windows featuring High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass. This glass is up to 56% more energy efficient in summer and up to 46% more in winter; compared to traditional double paned glass. These windows also allow for easier cleaning, as their coating reduces water spots. Additional benefits associated with SmartSun glass include the ability to block about 83% of UV rays and reduce outside noise.
Insect screen advancements and upgrades are found when purchasing a replacement window. While traditional aluminum and glass fiber screens are still available, new TruScene insect screens are composed with stainless steel mesh and measure one-third of the diameter found in traditional screens. TruScene insect screens are lightweight, high transparency screens that allow about 50% more clarity than traditional screens. If looking for the clearest, almost invisible screen on the market, a TruScene insect screen may suit your needs.
Many different types of windows are available to serve as a replacement window. Double hung windows are traditional-looking windows with upper and lower windows that open. These windows are perfect for people looking for increased ventilation in their homes. Double hung windows also have the ability to tilt, which allows for easy cleaning.
Casement windows are some of the most energy-efficient windows available. They have a ventilating style and are very easy to open. With a few cranks of the handle, the casement windows open. This makes them the perfect window choice for hard to reach or high areas. Casement windows are optimal for installing in children's rooms, handicapped people's homes and elderly residences since these require minimal effort and are the easiest windows to operate.
One of the most popular types of replacement window to purchase is bay/bow windows. A bay window consists of three window panels and is very angular in design. Bow windows, on the other hand, can have four or more window panels. This allows the window's appearance to resemble an arch and be more fluid in design. Both types of windows allow rooms to look larger and are the perfect choice for room additions.
If looking for a truly customizable window, try a picture window. These types of windows frame both the inside and outside of a house. Picture windows can be a mix and match combination of windows in order to achieve a desired look. The most popular types of picture windows come in casement and picture window combinations, double hung and picture window combinations, and gliding and picture window combinations. For shoppers interested in a sliding windows but not requiring a gliding and picture window combination unit, sliding/gliding windows are sold to homeowners looking for large, glass windows. Instead of opening up and down, these windows slide back and forth on tracks.
Sometimes, hard to find windows can be difficult to replace. Even more difficult is purchasing a specialty replacement window with energy efficient glass. Fortunately, specialty replacement windows in shapes of triangles, hexagons, circles, trapezoids and pentagons are available. These come in 13 differently-shaped designs and are manufactured in five different exterior colors.
The next time you are searching for a replacement window, don't settle for substandard materials. Purchase an energy-efficient window with TruScene insect screens and make the investment in your home's future. Your dwelling will benefit from the cosmetic improvements and your home's atmosphere will receive increased light and improved screen clarity.

Andy West is a writer on a variety of topics, including home improvement. From bay windows to double hung windows, you have many choices when choosing a replacement window.

Timber Windows - Tips For Homeowners

For homeowners considering replacement windows, UK timber windows should be at the top of the list for many reasons. Here are a few general tips about purchasing and installing timber frame windows.
Tip #1 - Timber Replacement Windows are Worth the Expense
Although it's possible for timber windows and doors to cost up to 3 times the price of PVC windows and doors, homeowners should bear in mind that the cost of replacing their home's should be equal to about 5% of the prnperty's market value. So, if your property is worth about £125,000, you should plan on paying about £6250 for your wooden windows. If this seems excessive, consider that this investment is highly likely to increase the value of your property in an amount much greater than the amount you spend on timber frame windows.
Also, if you choose a less expensive type of window, such as those made from PVC, it's possible that these will cause your property to lose value. An article by Naomi Cleaver in the Daily Telegraph on 1 Feb 2005 states that prospective home buyers often substantially reduce the amount of their offer, sometimes by thousands of pounds, on a home that has PVC windows. This is so because many buyers think that the "ghastly" PVC windows will need to be replaced straightaway.
Tip #2 - Check out the Guarantee
Any reputable UK timber window contractor should offer you a written guarantee. The guarantee assumes that the homeowner will properly maintain the windows. In the case of windows that come pre-finished from the factory, here are some typical guarantees:
Against fungal infestation and rot - 30 years
On double glazed windows - 10 years
On hardware - 10 years
On paint finishes - 8 years
On stain finishes - 5 years
In addition, the contractor may offer a workmanship guarantee that can range from 5 to 10 years.
Tip #3 - Choose Quality Materials
For your replacement sash or casement vindows to be durable, they need to be made from quality wood and finished with a long-lasting paint or stain. For window construction, multi-layer timber is the best material because it holds up well in harsh environments. Also, it resists warping and twisting better than single-layer timber. The finish on your replacement windows should also be multi-layer that begins with a preservative coating and continues with primer and at least 2 coats of micro porous paint. You can expect this factory finish to last from 5 to 8 years, after which you will need to reapply paint or stain. Since it takes less than 30 minutes to paint or stain a window, the job isn't very time consuming. Also, when you purchase your windows, inquire whether the installing contractor has a maintenance package.
If properly chosen, installed and maintained, quality UK timber windows will last for decades and perhaps even for centuries.

Morris Streak has been installing timber and sash windows for the last 20 years. He is focused exclusively on the sash windows and timber window market. Since that time, he has shown hundreds of homeowners how to properly install sash and timber windows in their homes. By eliminating salesmen and installers, the owner of a typical 3 bedroom, 2 bath home can save thousands of dollars in costs, while at the same time ensuring that each window is done correctly.
Morris is also a dedicated member of Premier Windows Ltd - The goal is to provide the highest quality windows and workmanship in order to truly enhance the aesthetic of your home. To achieve this, we install only the best, most secure and energy efficient windows and doors. Premier Windows Ltd. specialises in sash and timber windows and to be more specific, Premier deals best in double glazed sash windows, sash window repair, sliding sash windows,sash windows,timber sash windows, wood sash windows,timber windows, timber frame windows, timber replacement windnws,timber windows and doors, timber windows uk

Reducing Heat Losses Through Energy Efficient Window Coverings

If your windows are ancient and aren't doing a passable job of keeping the warm air inside your house in cold weather (or keeping it out in warm weather), it might be time to consider having new, energy saving windows put in. But new windows, especially good quality energy saving ones, can be very expensive. As a result, their payback period can be quite long. For the amount of cash you would pay to redo the windows in a single big room, you can get almost the same energy efficiency with some basic weather stripping and by using energy efficient window coverings to eliminate heat transfer between your home and the out of doors.

Let's first look at how windows help keep the cold out in winter, and the hot air out in summer. Windows block heat transfer in three ways: convection, conduction, and radiation.

Windows eliminate or reduce the convection airflow between the inside and outside, blocking heat from passing through the window along with the airflow. A leaky window, or one with cracked glass or broken putty, allows air through these gaps, so heat gets out in winter, and heat leaks in during the summer.

Even a very thin sheet of glass has some insulating properties, but if the glass is double-glazed and the space between the panes is an inert gas such as argon, the panes provide extra insulating value, which reduces heat transfer through conduction. Conduction is what causes the metal handles of a pot to heat up when you boil water in the pot; so you can guess that a metal window frame, if not properly built, can conduct a lot of heat. While you can't easily add extra glass sheets to a window, there are other techniques to create additional still air spaces between the window glass and the room, which will add insulation and reduce conduction losses.

Radiation, the third type of heat transfer, usually occurs when light in the infrared spectrum passes through windows, heating the air inside, or when heat inside the room radiates out through the glass. Home energy auditors sometimes take infrared photographs of a home to show where heat losses are most significant, and windows are typically one of the largest sources of heat escaping from houses in winter.

How does this knowledge about heat transfer through convection, conduction, and radiation help you cut energy losses through your windows?

The first problem to address is convection. If your windows have cracked panes, get them repaired. If you still have the old wood-framed windows with putty holding the glass in, inspect the pane for any peeling or missing putty. It's fairly easy to pull old putty out with a putty knife and put a fresh layer of putty on in its place. If the wood of the window itself is broken, or if the glass is hard to get out for replacing, you may not be able to put off getting new windows, but if you can cut the small air leaks, you'll have gone a long way towards minimizing energy losses and should feel some relief in your utility bills.

You may be surprised to learn how much heat can travel out of a home in cold weather through the wood trim around a window. Just wait for a really cold day, put all the exhaust fans on in your house( kitchen range vent, bathroom exhaust fans, etc.), and run your hand along the edges of window and exterior door trim on the inside of rooms. Anywhere you feel cold air coming in, you have a draft that should be sealed. It won't hurt to run a thin bead of clear or white caulking around window and door frames to cut this convection heat transfer.

The last thing to try to reduce convection heat transfers is to use tape-on or Zip-Loc type energy saving window kits to seal any windows that are particularly drafty, or windows that really need replacing but that can't be replaced because of your budget (or because you are renting the place). These kits are a great way to rapidly reduce your heating losses in winter: the kits normally come with several sheets of three by five foot transparent plastic, and a roll of double sided tape. (If you have a large number of windows to cover you can purchase a 48" roll of the plastic and buy the tape separately.) You measure and cut plastic rectangles slightly wider than the window, run the tape around the window frame, peel off the protective tape from the double sided tape, then set the cut plastic over the window, sealing along the tape line. Blow dry the plastic for five minutes, and it shrinks to form a tight, flat extra pane of 'glass' that is hardly unnoticeable. This plastic can hold its taut shape for months, although you may find it needs an occasional short blow dryer blast to pull up the odd wrinkle in the plastic.

The next heat loss you'll want to address is conduction - heat being conducted through the solid materials of the window. In terms of energy efficient window coverings, your goal here isn't actually to avoid this conduction - you can't usually change the materials the window was made of - but to add barrier layers between the window and the room to slow the conduction down. The plastic window insulation kits stop convection heat loss by eliminating drafts into the room, but they also eliminate conduction, by providing a layer of trapped air between the window and the room. A curtain can perform the same task: when closed, the curtain traps a small amount of air between the curtain and the window, so that on a cold day the air behind the curtain naturally gets cold but the room itself stays cozy.

When you install curtains on windows to reduce conduction heat loss, it's important to think about convection currents inside the living area. Hot air rises, and cold air falls, so if you install curtains you should make sure the air currents are stopped, preferably at both the top and bottom of the curtain. Otherwise, in winter, the cold window will cool the air between the window and the window covering, and that colder air will fall to the floor, pulling warm air from above the window covering down in front of the window in a continuous cycle. In summer, the flow runs the other way, with the air between the curtain and the window warming from sunlight, rising out the top opening, and drawing cool room air up towards the glass where it gets heated.

You should block these air flows by having the curtains flush against the wall at the top and bottom, or by having the bottom touch the floor and by closing in the curtain rod area at the top.

If you have cloth blinds that cover the window, you can use Velcro tabs along the sides of the blinds that you then press into Velcro tape along the window frame; this completely seals the air space between the window and the blind, providing an above average insulation layer. Cloth blinds as well as curtains can use a similar technique but with magnetic tape in the fabric, and metal on the framing, so that the cloth sticks to the walls on either side of and below the opening.

Another way you can try to add an insulation barrier to conduction through the window is to buy cellular blinds, which are made in a cellular or honeycomb cross section, or other blinds that incorporate a hollow space within the blind. Cellular blinds when fully pulled up use almost no space and the cells fold shut; when extended, they can add insulating value to a window from R-2 (for single-cell thickness) to R-5 (for double-cell).

Window blinds can help address the final type of heat transfer, radiation, by preventing heat from radiating through the glass (into the room from sunshine in summer, and towards the outside from the indoor radiant heat in cold weather). The most effective blinds use light, reflective colors on the outside, so that sunlight in summer is more or less completely reflected away from the room. Good window blinds can reflect sufficient solar energy away from a room to reduce heat gain by as much as 45%, but they do very little to the R-value of the window, so have little effect in winter.

Roller shades, which have a wind-up axle and can be pulled up or down (we used to call these blinds when I was young) are a great radiation reflector, and also provide superior insulating value to reduce convection air flows around the window that lead to conduction losses through the glass or window frame. Roller shades, because they are placed so close to the glass, do well at reducing convection currents, especially if their side edges and bottom are attached to the window frame (side tracks are used to accomplish this). Loose-sided shades can reduce heat transfer by up to 28%, while attached-edge shades reduce it up to 45%. Shades that can be reversed, with one side dark and the other light, are even better, because you can use the light side to reflect the heat where you want it (keep it out in hot weather, inside during winter).

Awnings and overhangs are a good way to cut direct light from entering a home and heating it up in summer. Because the solar angle is lower in the winter, such window coverings only block the sunlight you don't want, allowing the lower-angled winter sun in to help heat your home.

Storm windows - which were added to many older homes - can be up to 50% more energy efficient than single-pane windows, provided the storms are properly sealed against air leakage. So if you have old wooden-framed storms sitting around in your basement or garage, you should put them on each fall and take them down once winter has passed. If you have aluminum framed storms you can typically leave them up year round; just don't forget to slide the glass sash shut when autumn comes.

Windows form such a small percentage of the surface area of a house, yet they are one of the biggest potential sources of energy waste in a house being heated or air conditioned. So you should strive to do anything you can to restrict heat transfer through convection, conduction, and radiation. Just remember to set aside a portion of the money you save on reduced utility bills, so you can replace any old, energy wasting windows with brand new, energy efficient ones when the time comes.

Windows Registry Repair Software Download

When it comes to cleaning the registry in your computer, it is best to have something simple and straightforward that will just get the job done. The registry on your PC is a fairly straightforward affair, so the Windows registry repair software that you download should be just as simple. This is something that every computer user needs to do in order to keep their system in optimum condition. Getting a top quality registry cleaner software can help speed up your PC quickly.
The versions of cleaners that there are are going to be constantly updated because everything about your system is being updated as well. There are technical aspects of a PC that the average user does not know about simply because it is not something they have to think about all the time. The good thing is, you don't necessarily need to in order to use these registry cleaner software.
It is their job to know these sorts of things which is why the best ones will be simple and straightforward. The more bells and whistles that one has, the more likely they will be straying from the job at hand and not doing it correctly. This is a very important aspect of your system so you want something that is dedicated to the task at hand. If it is not, it will be going into other things that other programs and applications are better suited to handle.
The registry in your PC dictates what your computer does, how it does it and how often it is done. After some time, your system can become sluggish and crash a lot if you do not take steps in keeping it maintained. This is where a registry cleaner comes in because it is just another form of routine maintenance that your system needs.
There are a few different functions that are involved with cleaning your registry and sometimes you will need to use all of those options. Sometimes though you will not, so it is good to have the choice of opting out of these functions when you don't need them. A good program will give you that option because they are more concerned with cleaning up your PC than they are about anything else.
If you have never used something like this before, you may be surprised at the difference it makes in how quickly your system operates. What you thought was normal behavior, you will now see as sluggish and time consuming once you have your PC in optimum health. It is one of those things where you didn't know you needed it until you used it.
The biggest job for you may be in finding the right cleaner for you. There are many of them out there and they all make a very good sales pitch in order to get your business. You have to look past all of that though so you can see what they have to offer that you need. They will try to sell you options that you may want, but first thing's first.
Take your time with this process of choosing. You want something that is both capable and trustworthy. Reading consumer reviews about different products is always a good way to get a clear picture of a product. I personally managed to clean up my computer by downloading high quality registry cleaner software and would highly recommend it.

Do you want to download the top Windows Registry Repair Software Download? Austin Porter managed to fix all his PC's errors by downloading a top Registry Cleaner! Get a FREE PC scan at his website http://www.review-best.com/registry-cleaner-download.htm and clean your PC in 2 minutes now!