Do you feel that you are wasting a precious few minutes every time you start the computer? - For most people, there is a delay between powering up the computer and actually doing any work. You are waiting for all the start up programs to load. And you are waiting and waiting.

One solution is to eliminate all the unnecessary programs that load when you start the computer. Many people (myself included) are reluctant to do that because we know that there will be a need for these programs some time soon. The rationale is to wait for a few minutes and everything will be loaded and available.

Now there is an alternative that provides an excellent compromise. Chris Pirillo is offering a discount on WinPatrol this week. Chris is recommending this program as security protection from malware installing itself on the computer. Granted that WinPatrol indeed does that but it also allows the computer user to make the start up process more efficient.

WinPatrol offers a Delayed Start feature: “Increase the speed of your computer startup by delaying programs not needed immediately”. This is a happy compromise. Not all the programs are necessary initially at startup. And for those people who are reluctant to eliminate start up programs, those applications will load eventually, on a schedule that you determine. So, eventually, all those familiar and necessary programs will be available. However, it means that there is less waiting after powering up the computer and you can begin actual work (or play) that much quicker. It is a clever idea from the WinPatrol people - some additional speed for the computer as well as security. Kudos to WinPatrol!

Catherine Forsythe