8 tips for tuning Windows Vista performance for authoring in Madcap Flare/Blaze

This works on notebooks and desktops, and will prepare your system for authoring in Madcap Flare/Blaze on a leaner, faster system. We will assume no disk or RAM upgrades.

If have a build machine dedicated to building documentation, pay attention to tips 2 and 3.

1. Turn off GDI+ Mode in Flare (Flare 4 and up).
2. Run disk defrag once a month or as and when necessary.
   Flare stores lots of topics and graphics on your drive. Your disk drive is the database. If you optimize disk performance, you optimize build times. Vista automates this, but you can always do this manually to be sure.
3. Run a ‘check disk’ in Windows once a month as and when necessary.
   You don’t want to risk losing topics in a corrupted disk sector, after a sudden power breakdown or a weakening battery.
4. Install service packs and Windows driver updates.
5. Disable Aero interface.
   Use Windows Classic appearance. This lengthens battery life on notebooks.
6. Disable all warning and interface sounds.
7. Disable all gadgets and sidebars.
8. Disable all window animations.