The 15 best Raspberry Pi projects and uses:-

15 best Raspberry Pi projects and uses:

1. Turn your Raspberry Pi into a Wireless Access Point

Nothing highlights the versatility of a Raspberry Pi quite like this project (other than the Gameboy below). With an USB Wi-Fi dongle, a microSD card and the Rapsberry Pi itself, you increase the reach of your wireless signal.

Guy Eastwood has created the excellent Pi-Point website, which takes you through everything you need to know about this project. Follow the link and you'll find detailed documentation and free downloadable images to help you.

2. Raspberry Pi projects: Make a Gameboy

No, seriously. This is a legitimate and doable project for the more advanced user. In terms of the actual coding, it isn't the most challenging; you're essentially installing an emulator on your Raspberry Pi. The actual hard work comes in the form of soldering the different pieces together.

Travis Brown, over at XodusTech has produced a detailed log of how he brought back to life his Gameboy using a Raspberry Pi.

The best thing about creating a Pi-Pocket (as he calls it) is that you're not limited to playing only Gameboy games on it; the Pi-Pocket is also capable of playing NES, Sega Master System, Game Gear games as well as popular Linux-based titles such as Doom and Duke Nukem.

3. Raspberry Pi projects: Home Arcade Box 

While it isn't powerful enough to run many modern games, some enterprising tech-heads have twigged that the Pi is just about perfect on which to play emulators. Emulators, for those of you not in the know, are programs that allow you to play titles from older, outdated consoles such as the SNES, the Sega Genesis and even the original PlayStation on PC using freely available ROMs.  

While you can run most of these emulators from the standard Raspbian OS, the guys over at RetroPie have dedicated a huge amount of time to building a custom disk image that will do almost all the work for you, and allow you to select and start your chosen emulator with nothing more than a USB gamepad.

The legal catch is that you need to own a physical copy of the games, or it's piracy. So that means on no account should you use this as an opportunity to play all those SNES games that your mum wouldn't buy you back in 1991. 

4. Raspberry Pi projects: Media centre for your TV

Setting up a Raspberry Pi as your home media centre might be the perfect project. By hooking it up to your TV via HDMI, you can get all your media in your living room without having to fork out for Apple TV. Specific operating systems such as RasPlex and RaspbMC (based on the Plex and XBMC frameworks respectively) have even been built in order to make it as easy as possible to get you started. 

These systems can access remote media stored in other locations - provided you're connected to Wi-Fi - and are controllable through remote apps on your smartphone; they can even directly access services such as Netflix and Hulu to stream content to you. It combines all the functionality of a bulky, expensive media setup in a tiny form factor at a ridiculously affordable price, and we can't get enough of it. We've even written a tutorial on how to turn your Raspberry Pi into a home media centre.

5. Raspberry Pi projects: Wirelessly control your stereo

Advances in audio technology are making it increasingly easy to take your tunes with you everywhere you go. For aspiring audiophiles on a budget, the Raspberry Pi can help you realise your Hi-Fi dreams with a minimum of fuss, using it as a music server in a similar way to the media centres described above. 

By using the RuneAudio disk image, you can connect your Raspberry Pi to your home audio setup and use it to control all of your music, whether it's stored locally, on one of your devices, or on a remote storage drive. You can search and organise your library and play tracks through your browser or smartphone, and the Pi will direct it all through your big shiny speakers. For truly superlative audio quality, you can even send the signal through a USB digital-to-analog converter for HD sound. If that tickles your fancy, have a go yourself with our guide on how to use a Raspberry Pi to control your hi-fi.

6. Raspberry Pi projects: Build a download hub 

What with the internet being an almost limitless repository of digital content, it seems like we spend a frustrating amount of our lives waiting for downloads to complete. A great way to get round this can be to route them all through a Raspberry Pi and into an external storage device. 

Rather than clogging up your main computer with piles of files that have to fight with your everyday tasks for disk space and processor speed, using a Pi as a dedicated hub for all your torrents, streams and other downloads leaves you free to get on with your life while you're waiting for the entire box set of The Walking Dead to finish. An added bonus is that if any malware or viruses happen to hitch a ride with your content, you can safely scrub them clean without the risk of infecting your main computer. 

7. Raspberry Pi projects: Create a dedicated Minecraft machine

Minecraft is one of the biggest success stories of the indie games world, and was bought from the original creators by Microsoft in 2014. The sandbox construction SIM is essentially an infinite digital LEGO set, and is naturally hugely popular with kids. However, its simplistic, blocky graphics also mean it's ridiculously easy to run, and the latest versions of the default Raspbian OS come with a custom-optimised copy of the game preinstalled. 

If you have children who play Minecraft and you're tired of constantly having them monopolising your tablet or computer, a Raspberry Pi can be an inexpensive, durable machine that they can use for schoolwork, movies, and all the digital digging they can handle. All you need is a cheap monitor, mouse and keyboard, and you can even easily confiscate it if they're using it too much. 

8. Raspberry Pi projects: Build a case

One of the reasons the Raspberry Pi is so cheap is that it's shipped with nothing but the bare essentials: no keyboard, no cables, and no case. However, all that exposed circuitry can look worryingly fragile, and it's a scary thought that your new machine could break at any time. 

You can buy cases for your Raspberry Pi in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. But a fun, simple starter project can be to build one yourself. The beauty of the Pi is that it's small enough to fit into just about anything.

With some judicious modification, you could make a case out of an old tobacco tin, or a hollowed-out book. There's numerous guides online forconstructing your own Raspberry Pi case.

9. Raspberry Pi projects: Write your own game

Raspberry Pi is the perfect platform for novice programmers. The Raspbian OS even has built-in programs preinstalled to make getting involved with coding as easy as possible.

One of the best projects for dipping your toes in the waters of programming is creating your own game – it's quick, straightforward, and at the end of it you'll have a functional result that you can show off to friends and family. For a complete guide, read our tutorial on how to write your own Raspberry Pi game.

10. Raspberry Pi projects: Create your own cloud server

With an always-on internet connection and an external hard drive, you can create your own free cloud storage server.

If you want to unshackle yourself from the limitations of cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive, then Raspberry Pi is a good low-cost option. A quick Google search will bring up plenty of tutorials on how this can be achieved. The website, Lifehacker, has one of the easier to follow tutorials on how to set this up.

11. Raspberry Pi projects: Make a phone

Smartphones are getting increasingly similar, so if you’re bored of the choice between Android, iPhone and Windows Phone, why not make a PiPhone? It isn't a project for the faint of heart - but it should be cheap, with one owner putting together his own PiPhone for around $160.

Thanks to its versatility and host of connections, turning the Raspberry Pi into your next phone doesn’t require too much tinkering. All you need to buy is a compatible touchscreen, battery pack and GSM device to go with your Pi,  and you’ll have all the hardware you need. Creating software for the new phone to run on isn’t easy, but there are already several tutorials around to help.

A great project to learn about electronics and coding, or to make you appreciate your current smartphone more, making a PiPhone is one of the most sophisticated, rewarding uses for your Raspberry Pi. 

12. Raspberry Pi projects: Make your own PiRate radio station

If you fancy yourself as the next Zane Lowe, or just want to learn about the mechanics of broadcasting – why not use your Raspberry Pi?  A relatively simple hack will allow you to make your own pirate radio station, and take over the FM airwaves.

Unlike other hacks, you won’t even need any additional bits of hardware to make your own PiRate radio station: the Pi already has a GPIO 4 connector capable of transmitting FM radio. It only has a range of 10cm, but using a plain wire extends it to something closer to 50m – more than enough for tuning in indoors, or in the car.

13. Raspberry Pi projects: Build a smart beer fridge

Nothing says party like your own personal beer fridge, but it's always hard to tell just how long you need to leave your beverages before they're ice-cold and ready to drink. Fear not, this Beer/Wine Fridge of Awesomeness from Jamie Bailey has everything you need to ensure your party goes off without a hitch.

Building your own Fridge of Awesomeness requires an odd set of tools alongside your Raspberry Pi 2, including a Wii balance board to detect the number of bottles in the fridge, a door sensor to detect if the fridge is open or closed, a temperature sensor to let you know when bottles are ready to drink and a dashboard utility to handle all the information. Oh and, of course, a beer fridge of your own...

14) Raspberry Pi projects: Make a PiCam & CCTV Security 

Connected IP cameras such as the Netatmo Welcome, Netgear Arlo andGoogle Nest Cam make it easy to monitor your home over the internet, but they're rather pricey. If you want to experience all the benefits of the Internet of Things for a fraction of the price, why not use a Raspberry Pi 2 to make your own IP camera system?

All you'll need is £50, along some free time to configure Raspbian – the micro-computer's open source OS – and you'll be remotely checking your home in no time. Sound good? This tutorial from the Expert Reviews team will show you how it’s done.

15) Raspberry Pi projects: Make a talking toy

The original Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone is an iconic, if vaguely sinister, children’s toy (what exactly does it have to smile about?). When a new version of the toy was brought out to coincide with the release of Toy Story 3, one tech-savvy individual made it his weekend project to grant new 

to the grinning phone.

Using a Wi-Fi-enabled Raspberry Pi B+, UK-based web developer Grant Gibson made a “Talking Chatter Smartphone” able to give current weather information and play radio. A tutorial is available on his website, including details about the electronics used, as well as the full Python script.

If turning a toy from the 1960s into Frankenstein’s monster doesn’t appeal, there are plenty of other toys that would make excellent hosts for a Raspberry Pi. Imagine a Furby that’s able to read you the day’s headlines. (Shudder)

Top Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs

Top Best Antivirus Software for Windows PCs 

AV-Test is one of the leading antivirus testing firms and it has released its February antivirus ratings for the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs. The test has assessed about 27 anti-malware software suits on the basis of protection, usability, and performance.
The results of the tests aren’t surprising as Microsoft is once again at the bottom. So, if you’re using Microsoft’s built-in security solution, you need to reconsider your choices.

Best antivirus for Windows 7 are :

Bit defender's antivirus is the number one security solution available and it secured the maximum of 6 points on all fronts. McAfee is the runner-up, followed by Kaspersky at the third place.

Microsoft, QuickHeal and Comodo are the worst reviewed antivirus solutions and Avira is the best rated free antivirus product.

Take a look at the complete list below:

Best antivirus for Windows 8.1:

Here, Bitdefender has topped the charts once again, followed by Kaspersky, Qihoo 360 and Avira.

Take a look at the complete list below:

Which antivirus protection you are using? Tell us in the comments below.

How to manually enable tablet mode in Windows 10

How to manually enable tablet mode in Windows 10.

Tablet mode is a new feature that should automatically activate (if you want it to) when you detach a tablet from its base or dock. The Start menu then goes full screen as do Windows Store apps and Settings.

Continuum is Microsoft's fancy new way of switching between tablet and desktop mode in Windows 10 as and when the need arises, but what if you want to play around with tablet mode on your desktop PC? Well, no worries, as is often the case there's a manual way to do it so long as you know where to look.

Here's where to find it.

Tablet mode will basically go full screen full time, removing windowed apps and turning the Start menu into the Start screen. To turn it on or off, follow these easy steps.

If you want to do it the short, quick way, there should be a toggle by default in the Action Center in the bottom right hand corner of the desktop. Just click it on or off when you want to go into and out of tablet mode.

The other, more long winded way to find it is:

• Click or tap the Start button
• Open the Settings application
• Click or tap on "System"
• In the pane on the left of the screen scroll all the way to the bottom until you see "Tablet Mode"
• Ensure the toggle is set to either on or off to your preference.

Simple. But the great thing is it gives everyone a chance to play around with tablet mode without the need to install it on a tablet.

Remember, in tablet mode, the desktop won’t be available though you will be able to still access the desktop folder through File Explorer. Otherwise you can use your computer and all its applications as you normally would.

The advantage to tablet mode will obviously be that it’s far more appropriate to touchscreens because of all the big targets it provides for our fat fingers. The one big caveat for most people may still be the fact that you’re dealing with the Start screen as the primary interface, though it does retain enough desktop elements that it will hopefully not be too confusing for most users.

Make Windows 8 Faster than Ever applies to 8.1

Make Windows 8 Faster than Ever applies to 8.1 

1.Customize Windows appearance and Disable Animation
Windows default shadows and Animation reduces system performance, by choosing the appropriate look and feel you can drastically increase windows 8 performance, follow these steps-

Press Win + R key together and you will get RUN dialog box.
Type sysdm.cpl and hit OK.

You’ll get System Properties dialog Box now click on Advanced tab and again Click on Settings under Performance option.

• Now 
• Uncheck Following Options –
• Animate controls and elements inside windows
• Animate Windows when minimizing and maximizing
• Animation in the Taskbar
• Fade or slide menus into view
• Fade or slide ToolTips into view
• Fade out menu items after clicking
• Save taskbar thumbnail previews
• Show shadows under mouse pointer
• Show shadows under windows
• Show translucent selection rectangle
• Slide open combo boxes
• Smooth -scroll list boxes

Make it looks like the image at the right-hand side, after unchecking these options click on Apply then OK. This tips has major contribution to make windows 8 faster.



2:- Disk Cleanup & Junk Removal

Open My Computer and Right Click on C drive and go to properties from there click on Disk Cleanup.
it may take time depending on the amount of junk files into your computer, once the scan is complete select every option and click on OK to delete them.
After this download and install CCleaner and run it once, it will find junk from other areas of your computer and delete them within few clicks.

3:- . Adjust Power Options

Windows 8 can be optimized by adjusting the power options, if you don’t care of little extra power consumption by your laptop or desktop then adjust it for higher Performance, to do so –

Open control panel and go to Power options from there select High Performance.

windows 8 power options


4. Change Folder and Search Options
By default windows 8, 8.1 have the folder and search options which you may not be using, disabling such option improves windows performance up to optimum level. Follow these steps – 

• Open File Explorer and Go to View option, from there click on Options.
• Now Click on Change folder and search options and you will get Folder Options dialog box.
• Click on View Tab there and unchecked the following options –
  Display file size information in folder tips
• Hide empty drives in the Computer folder
• Hide extensions for known file types
• Show encrypted or compressed NTFS files in color
• Show pop-up description for folder and desktop items.
• After un-checking the unnecessary options hit Apply and OK.

 
5. Stop Unnecessary Windows Services to Start Automatically.
Windows 8 & 8.1 has many such services which start automatically even you don’t need them to run, they keeps running in the background which consumes system resources and make your computer slow, so it is always a good practice to strict such services to start automatically, below are the steps to do this –

• Press Win +R key together to open Run dialog box.
• Type services.msc and hit OK, and you will get the list of services.
• Now mark these services to run Manually by Right Click on service name > Properties > Startup Type and Select Manual and Hit Apply and OK, Services to be marked as Manual are –
  Diagnostic Policy Service
• Diagnostic Tracking Service
• Offline Files
• Performance Logs and Alerts
• Print Spooler (If you don’t use printer otherwise leave it Automatic)
• Program Compatibility Assistance
• Secondary Logon
• Windows Error Reporting Service
• Windows Image Acquisition.

limiting above windows services results in faster access to the required windows services.
6. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
When you boot into the computer there are many programs which start itself with windows startup and keeps running until you manually close them, it is advised to disable startup programs in order to fast boot up of Windows.

Press clrl+shift+esc keys together and it will open task manager, now go to Startup tab.
Find the Unnecessary Programs and Right Click > Disable you can disable all startup programs.
7.Optimizing Registry and Tweaks.

Whenever you Uninstall a Program it gets deleted from Program Files and many other directories, but few registry key remains as it is into the Registry of Windows computer.
You can find and delete such Registry entries using CCleaner, just open CCleaner go to Registry tab and scan for issues, it’ll find all the unused registry keys now select all and click on Fix select issue in order to delete them.
You can enable, disable and optimize various windows feature by applying few registry tweaks, like
Auto kill not responding tasks, Faster access to Start Menu, Wait to kill a program and more registry tweaks, if you guys don’t want to play with registry then just download the file below and open it, it will ask for confirmation then allow it.
After applying registry tweaks, you will notice an increase in windows 8, 8.1 performance.

8. Disable Windows default Sound Notifications
Windows plays sound notification for various system events like error, media connect or disconnect, and during various prompt, these sounds also causes slow system performance, if you don’t care of such notification sounds you can disable them all.
Open Control Panel by Pressing Win+X key and Click on Control Panel.
Go to Sound Options and it’ll open Sound dialog box, now click on Sounds tab.
Under the Sound Scheme, select No Sounds.
Now hit Apply and OK.


9. Few more useful tips.

Directly land to the desktop whenever start the windows. Right Click on Taskbar > Properties > Navigation tab and Check the option When i sign in or close all the apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start.
Regularly update your windows to install latest security and performance features.
Uninstall the programs you don’t use.
Use a steady image instead of slide as desktop background.
Update windows drivers to the latest version.
Install a good Antivirus like Kaspersky Total Security.
So all points listed above are the ultimate tips to make windows 8 faster than ever, which also applies to Windows 8.1, after performing all steps you have to restart the computer, once restarted you will get blazing speed of your windows 8 computer, if your computer gives continuous errors, too laggy, can’t install a program, viruses, trojans, and annoys you lot then try to Reinstall Windows 8.

10. Disk defragmentation.
Whenever you use a program it asks for the block of  memory from computer, and computer allocates memory blocks in chunks, after closing the program these block gets free and available for another program, the free memory blocks are long and contiguous, by the time and with use these long and contiguous memory become fragmented into smaller and smaller piece, that makes such memory blocks unavailable for further program execution.
Defragmentation is process of cleaning such fragmented memory block, and it is easy to do since windows provide inbuilt tool, to perform defragmentation –
Open Computer and Right click on C drive then go to Properties.
Go to Tool tab and click on Optimize.
A new window will pop up, select C drive and click on Optimize.
The defragmentation process may take time depending on the number of fragmented memory blocks.
Alternatively you can perform this task using a more advanced tool by iobit called Smart Defrag.