WinPatrol Update 24.1 – Delayed Start

The end of last year I was pleased to provide an update to our WinPatrol patrol.  This long awaited update was WinPatrol 2012 version 24.0. I’m sure it’s no surprise if I tell you that software updates can sometimes introduce new problems.

I’ve been known to tell readers it’s best to wait 7-10 days even before accepting updates to Windows. Occasionally, I’ll post an exception to security updates but only if there is a real danger. My advice for WinPatrol updates is the same as any software.  If never hurts to wait.

Some WinPatrol users have reported problems with our Delayed Start function.  Given the popularity of this feature it was given immediate attention and has been fixed in our current release along with a few minor issues.

Delayed Start is a feature that separates WinPatrol from other popular security and utility programs. It follows one of WinPatrol’s primary goals to “Start the computer as quickly as possible”.

Using WinPatrol’s Delayed Start lets you hold off launching programs you may want running in the background but they aren’t needed immediately. That allows Windows to load quicker and make it possible for important tasks like Internet connecting to be available when you really need them.

Moving a Startup program to the Delayed Start is easy. Just select a program or multiple programs on Windows Auto Startup list and right-click for the move to Delayed Start menu item.

Once an item is on the Delayed Start list you can change multiple custom launch options including how long to wait before a program is launched.

 

If you haven’t used the Delay Startup function it may be a great time to check it out.  Either way I recommend installing the newest version of WinPatrol 2012.    Click to Update to WinPatrol 2012 version 24.1

Kinect for Windows Opens Opportunities

I’ve been a programmer for over 30 years and I’ve had the honor and privilege to work on many fun projects.  For the last ten years most of my work has been on WinPatrol which has been very rewarding but not necessarily fun.

When the Kinect sensor was released for XBox it almost made me want an XBox for our playroom. Unfortunately, we had enough invested in the Nintendo Wii including the Beatles Rock Band and Wii Fit which gets used the most. On February 1st, Microsoft will begin selling a Kinect Sensor for Windows.

 
Click for More Info and pricing

Now comes the hard part, The possibilities are endless when it comes to the type of application I could create that uses the Kinect. I suspect there will be a wide variety of programs that will use the Kinect Sensor. I doubt a Kinect interface for WinPatrol is needed but hopefully I’ll come up with an idea that generates as much usefulness.

I’m not an artist but I probably won’t be creating a game. Most likely I’ll create way to interface the Kinect with other programs. I already have some experience controlling external programs so I just need to find the right combination of actions and results.  If you have any needs or ideas leave a comment.