diff --git a/Scripts/MD5.ps1 b/Scripts/MD5.ps1
index 0c2e939a..6beec805 100755
--- a/Scripts/MD5.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/MD5.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$File = "")
+param($File = "")
+
+if ($File -eq "" ) {
+	$File = read-host "Enter path to file"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($File -eq "" ) {
-		$File = read-host "Enter path to file"
-	}
 	$Result = get-filehash $File -algorithm MD5
 	write-output "MD5 hash is" $Result.Hash
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/SHA1.ps1 b/Scripts/SHA1.ps1
index 2b09352b..08256fbd 100755
--- a/Scripts/SHA1.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/SHA1.ps1
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$File = "")
+param($File = "")
+
+if ($File -eq "" ) {
+	$File = read-host "Enter the filename"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($File -eq "" ) {
-		$File = read-host "Enter file"
-	}
-
 	$Result = get-filehash $File -algorithm SHA1
 	write-output "SHA1 hash is" $Result.Hash
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/SHA256.ps1 b/Scripts/SHA256.ps1
index a252abbc..3648f82d 100755
--- a/Scripts/SHA256.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/SHA256.ps1
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$File = "")
+param($File = "")
+
+if ($File -eq "" ) {
+	$File = read-host "Enter the filename"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($File -eq "" ) {
-		$File = read-host "Enter file"
-	}
-
 	$Result = get-filehash $File -algorithm SHA256
 	write-output "SHA256 hash is:" $Result.Hash
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/alert.ps1 b/Scripts/alert.ps1
index 63f8ca1a..dbb28bd6 100755
--- a/Scripts/alert.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/alert.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Message)
+param($Message = "")
+
 if ($Message -eq "" ) {
 	$URL = read-host "Enter alert message"
 }
diff --git a/Scripts/check-symlinks.ps1 b/Scripts/check-symlinks.ps1
index 659b2894..e969e274 100755
--- a/Scripts/check-symlinks.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/check-symlinks.ps1
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 
 param($DirTree = "")
 
-try {
-	if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
-		$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
-	}
+if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
+	$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
+}
 
+try {
 	write-progress "Checking symlinks in $DirTree..."
 	[int]$SymlinksTotal = [int]$SymlinksBroken = 0
 	Get-ChildItem $DirTree -recurse  | Where { $_.Attributes -match "ReparsePoint" } | ForEach-Object {
diff --git a/Scripts/check-xml-file.ps1 b/Scripts/check-xml-file.ps1
index d20656ca..2a7525eb 100755
--- a/Scripts/check-xml-file.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/check-xml-file.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($File = "")
 
+if ($File -eq "" ) {
+	$File = read-host "Enter path to XML file"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($File -eq "" ) {
-		$File = read-host "Enter path to XML file"
-	}
 	$XmlFile = Get-Item $File
 	
 	$script:ErrorCount = 0
diff --git a/Scripts/close-program.ps1 b/Scripts/close-program.ps1
index 004da5f9..3ec5618b 100755
--- a/Scripts/close-program.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/close-program.ps1
@@ -8,15 +8,15 @@
 
 param($FullProgramName = "", $ProgramName = "", $ProgramAliasName = "")
 
-try {
-	if ($ProgramName -eq "") {
-		get-process | where-object {$_.mainWindowTitle} | format-table Id, Name, mainWindowtitle -AutoSize
-		$ProgramName = read-host "Enter program name"
-	}
-	if ($FullProgramName -eq "") {
-		$FullProgramName = $ProgramName
-	}
+if ($ProgramName -eq "") {
+	get-process | where-object {$_.mainWindowTitle} | format-table Id, Name, mainWindowtitle -AutoSize
+	$ProgramName = read-host "Enter program name"
+}
+if ($FullProgramName -eq "") {
+	$FullProgramName = $ProgramName
+}
 
+try {
 	$Processes = get-process -name $ProgramName -errorAction 'silentlycontinue'
 	if ($Processes.Count -ne 0) {
 		foreach ($Process in $Processes) {
diff --git a/Scripts/configure-git.ps1 b/Scripts/configure-git.ps1
index 87604ee7..cfd10317 100755
--- a/Scripts/configure-git.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/configure-git.ps1
@@ -8,6 +8,16 @@
 
 param($FullName = "", $EmailAddress = "", $FavoriteEditor = "")
 
+if ($FullName -eq "") {
+	$FullName       = read-host "Enter your full name"
+}
+if ($EmailAddress -eq "") {
+	$EmailAddress   = read-host "Enter your e-mail address"
+}
+if ($FavoriteEditor -eq "") {
+	$FavoriteEditor = read-host "Enter your favorite text editor (emacs,nano,vi,vim,...)"
+}
+
 try {
 	& git --version
 } catch {
@@ -16,15 +26,6 @@ try {
 }
 
 try {
-	if ($FullName -eq "") {
-		$FullName       = read-host "Enter your full name"
-	}
-	if ($EmailAddress -eq "") {
-		$EmailAddress   = read-host "Enter your e-mail address"
-	}
-	if ($FavoriteEditor -eq "") {
-		$FavoriteEditor = read-host "Enter your favorite text editor (emacs,nano,vi,vim,...)"
-	}
 	& git config --global user.name $FullName
 	& git config --global user.email $EmailAddress
 	& git config --global core.editor $FavoriteEditor
diff --git a/Scripts/create-symlink.ps1 b/Scripts/create-symlink.ps1
index db365c81..844c6854 100755
--- a/Scripts/create-symlink.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/create-symlink.ps1
@@ -8,14 +8,14 @@
 
 param($Symlink = "", $Target = "")
 
-try {
-	if ($Symlink -eq "" ) {
-		$Symlink = read-host "Enter filename of symlink"
-	}
-	if ($Target -eq "" ) {
-		$Target = read-host "Enter path to target"
-	}
+if ($Symlink -eq "" ) {
+	$Symlink = read-host "Enter filename of symlink"
+}
+if ($Target -eq "" ) {
+	$Target = read-host "Enter path to target"
+}
 
+try {
 	new-item -path "$Symlink" -itemType SymbolicLink -Value "$Target"
 
 	write-host -foregroundColor green "Done."
diff --git a/Scripts/csv-to-text.ps1 b/Scripts/csv-to-text.ps1
index 40989a99..167e916d 100755
--- a/Scripts/csv-to-text.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/csv-to-text.ps1
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 
 param([String]$Path)
 
-try {
-	if ($Path -eq "" ) {
-		$Path = read-host "Enter path to CSV file"
-	}
+if ($Path -eq "" ) {
+	$Path = read-host "Enter path to CSV file"
+}
 
+try {
 	$Table = Import-CSV -path "$Path" -header A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H
 
 	foreach($Row in $Table) {
diff --git a/Scripts/download.ps1 b/Scripts/download.ps1
index bf0d1be7..d6af9f40 100755
--- a/Scripts/download.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/download.ps1
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 
 param($URL = "")
 
+if ($URL -eq "" ) {
+	$URL = read-host "Enter URL to download"
+}
+
 try {
 	& wget --version
 } catch {
@@ -16,10 +20,6 @@ try {
 }
 
 try {
-	if ($URL -eq "" ) {
-		$URL = read-host "Enter URL to download"
-	}
-
 	wget --mirror --convert-links --adjust-extension --page-requisites --no-parent $URL --directory-prefix . --no-verbose
 
 	write-host -foregroundColor green "Done."
diff --git a/Scripts/generate-qrcode.ps1 b/Scripts/generate-qrcode.ps1
index e689543d..490ec627 100755
--- a/Scripts/generate-qrcode.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/generate-qrcode.ps1
@@ -8,13 +8,14 @@
 
 param($Text = "", $ImageSize = "")
 
+if ($Text -eq "") {
+	$Text = read-input "Enter text or URL"
+}
+if ($ImageSize -eq "") {
+	$ImageSize = read-input "Enter image size (e.g. 500x500)"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "") {
-		$Text = read-input "Enter text or URL"
-	}
-	if ($ImageSize -eq "") {
-		$ImageSize = read-input "Enter image size (e.g. 500x500)"
-	}
 	$ECC = "M" # can be L, M, Q, H
 	$QuietZone = 1
 	$ForegroundColor = "000000"
diff --git a/Scripts/inspect-exe.ps1 b/Scripts/inspect-exe.ps1
index 2c49b1a9..b699ee98 100755
--- a/Scripts/inspect-exe.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/inspect-exe.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$PathToExe)
+param($PathToExe = "")
+
+if ($PathToExe -eq "" ) {
+	$PathToExe = read-host "Enter path to executable file"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($PathToExe -eq "" ) {
-		$PathToExe = read-host "Enter path to executable file"
-	}
 	get-childitem $PathToExe | % {$_.VersionInfo} | Select *
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/list-anagrams.ps1 b/Scripts/list-anagrams.ps1
index 6c3660ac..c976febb 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-anagrams.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-anagrams.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Word, [int]$Columns = 8)
+param($Word = "", [int]$Columns = 8)
 
 function GetPermutations {
     [cmdletbinding()]
diff --git a/Scripts/list-empty-dirs.ps1 b/Scripts/list-empty-dirs.ps1
index d2b46dd2..f6b136f8 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-empty-dirs.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-empty-dirs.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($DirTree = "")
 
+if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
+	$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
-		$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
-	}
 	write-progress "Listing empty directories in $DirTree..."
 	[int]$Count = 0
 	Get-ChildItem $DirTree -recurse | Where {$_.PSIsContainer -eq $true} | Where {$_.GetFileSystemInfos().Count -eq 0} | ForEach-Object {
diff --git a/Scripts/list-empty-files.ps1 b/Scripts/list-empty-files.ps1
index 58262ce7..59560a08 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-empty-files.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-empty-files.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($DirTree = "")
 
+if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
+	$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($DirTree -eq "" ) {
-		$DirTree = read-host "Enter the path to the directory tree"
-	}
 	[int]$Count = 0
 	write-progress "Listing empty files in $DirTree ..."
 	get-childItem $DirTree -recurse | where {$_.PSIsContainer -eq $false} | where {$_.Length -eq 0} | foreach-object {
diff --git a/Scripts/list-files.ps1 b/Scripts/list-files.ps1
index 804ade58..5a00de52 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-files.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-files.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Folder)
+param($Folder = "")
+
+if ($Folder -eq "" ) {
+	$Folder = read-host "Enter path to folder"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($Folder -eq "" ) {
-		[string]$Folder = read-host "Enter path to folder"
-	}
 	Get-ChildItem -path $Folder -recurse | select FullName
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/list-formatted.ps1 b/Scripts/list-formatted.ps1
index 6b7d1dde..ea5f1208 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-formatted.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-formatted.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Dir = "")
+param($Dir = "")
 
 function ListDirectory { param([string]$Path)
 	$Items = get-childItem -path $Path
diff --git a/Scripts/list-fritzbox-calls.ps1 b/Scripts/list-fritzbox-calls.ps1
index e2c72537..cc178321 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-fritzbox-calls.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-fritzbox-calls.ps1
@@ -8,13 +8,15 @@
 
 #Requires -Version 3
 
-param([string]$Username = "", [string]$Password = "")
+param($Username = "", $Password = "")
+
 if ($Username -eq "") {
 	$Username = read-host "Enter username for FRITZ!Box"
 }
 if ($Password -eq "") {
 	$Password = read-host "Enter password for FRITZ!Box"
 }
+
 write-progress "Contacting FRITZ!Box ..."
 $FQDN = "fritz.box"
 
diff --git a/Scripts/list-fritzbox-devices.ps1 b/Scripts/list-fritzbox-devices.ps1
index 635bd7e0..e60af547 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-fritzbox-devices.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-fritzbox-devices.ps1
@@ -8,13 +8,15 @@
 
 #Requires -Version 3
 
-param([string]$Username = "", [string]$Password = "")
+param($Username = "", $Password = "")
+
 if ($Username -eq "") {
 	$Username = read-host "Enter username for FRITZ!Box"
 }
 if ($Password -eq "") {
 	$Password = read-host "Enter password for FRITZ!Box"
 }
+
 write-progress "Contacting FRITZ!Box ..."
 [string]$HostURL = "https://fritz.box:49443"
 [string]$SOAPAction="urn:dslforum-org:service:Hosts:1#X_AVM-DE_GetHostListPath"
diff --git a/Scripts/list-news.ps1 b/Scripts/list-news.ps1
index b654c0c1..5487093e 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-news.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-news.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$RSS_URL = "https://yahoo.com/news/rss/world")
+param($RSS_URL = "https://yahoo.com/news/rss/world")
 
 try {
 	[xml]$Content = (invoke-webRequest -URI $RSS_URL).Content
diff --git a/Scripts/list-unused-files.ps1 b/Scripts/list-unused-files.ps1
index d5181fae..f79d2e68 100755
--- a/Scripts/list-unused-files.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/list-unused-files.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$DirTree, [int]$NumberOfDaysUnused)
+param($DirTree = "", [int]$NumberOfDaysUnused = 99)
 
 write-host "Listing files in $DirTree with last access time older than $NumberOfDaysUnused days"
 
diff --git a/Scripts/locate-city.ps1 b/Scripts/locate-city.ps1
index 35045201..d0eca5a6 100755
--- a/Scripts/locate-city.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/locate-city.ps1
@@ -6,10 +6,12 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$City)
+param($City = "")
+
 if ($City -eq "" ) {
-	$City = read-host "Enter the city"
+	$City = read-host "Enter the city name"
 }
+
 $PathToRepo = "$PSScriptRoot/.."
  
 try {
diff --git a/Scripts/locate-ipaddress.ps1 b/Scripts/locate-ipaddress.ps1
index 4030164e..76e6fdea 100755
--- a/Scripts/locate-ipaddress.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/locate-ipaddress.ps1
@@ -7,10 +7,12 @@
 #>
 
 param($IPaddr = "")
+
+if ($IPaddr -eq "" ) {
+	$IPaddr = read-host "Enter IP address to locate"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($IPaddr -eq "" ) {
-		$IPaddr = read-host "Enter IP address to locate"
-	}
 	$result = Invoke-RestMethod -Method Get -Uri "http://ip-api.com/json/$IPaddr"
 	write-output $result
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/locate-zip-code.ps1 b/Scripts/locate-zip-code.ps1
index ee427579..ec8848b5 100755
--- a/Scripts/locate-zip-code.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/locate-zip-code.ps1
@@ -6,18 +6,18 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$CountryCode = "", [string]$ZipCode = "")
-$PathToRepo = "$PSScriptRoot/.."
+param($CountryCode = "", $ZipCode = "")
+
+if ($CountryCode -eq "" ) {
+	$CountryCode = read-host "Enter the country code"
+}
+if ($ZipCode -eq "" ) {
+	$ZipCode = read-host "Enter the zip code"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($CountryCode -eq "" ) {
-		$CountryCode = read-host "Enter the country code"
-	}
-	if ($ZipCode -eq "" ) {
-		$ZipCode = read-host "Enter the zip code"
-	}
-
 	write-progress "Reading zip-codes.csv..."
+	$PathToRepo = "$PSScriptRoot/.."
 	$Table = import-csv "$PathToRepo/Data/zip-codes.csv"
 
 	$FoundOne = 0
diff --git a/Scripts/new-email.ps1 b/Scripts/new-email.ps1
index 7f4f7afa..7d44f9d3 100755
--- a/Scripts/new-email.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/new-email.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$EmailAddress = "")
+param($EmailAddress = "")
+
+if ($EmailAddress -eq "" ) {
+	$EmailAddress = "markus@fleschutz.de"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($EmailAddress -eq "" ) {
-		$EmailAddress = "markus@fleschutz.de"
-	}
 	$URL="mailto:$EmailAddress"
 	Start-Process $URL
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/open-browser.ps1 b/Scripts/open-browser.ps1
index 4c6ad5c1..cfd10520 100755
--- a/Scripts/open-browser.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/open-browser.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$URL = "")
+param($URL = "")
+
+if ($URL -eq "" ) {
+	$URL = "http://www.fleschutz.de"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($URL -eq "" ) {
-		$URL = "http://www.fleschutz.de"
-	}
 	Start-Process $URL
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/play-m3u.ps1 b/Scripts/play-m3u.ps1
index ae842a6a..1ab613d6 100644
--- a/Scripts/play-m3u.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/play-m3u.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($Filename = "")
 
+if ($Filename -eq "" ) {
+	$Filename = read-host "Enter the M3U playlist filename"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($Filename -eq "" ) {
-		$Filename = read-host "Enter the M3U playlist filename"
-	}
 	$Lines = get-content $Filename
 
 	add-type -assemblyName presentationCore
diff --git a/Scripts/play-mp3.ps1 b/Scripts/play-mp3.ps1
index 608d77fa..048681df 100755
--- a/Scripts/play-mp3.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/play-mp3.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($Filename = "")
 
+if ($Filename -eq "" ) {
+	$Filename = read-host "Enter the MP3 filename"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($Filename -eq "" ) {
-		$Filename = read-host "Enter the MP3 filename"
-	}
 	add-type -assemblyName presentationCore
 	$MediaPlayer = new-object system.windows.media.mediaplayer
 	$MediaPlayer.open("$Filename")
diff --git a/Scripts/query-smart-data.ps1 b/Scripts/query-smart-data.ps1
index 83108862..205ef60b 100755
--- a/Scripts/query-smart-data.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/query-smart-data.ps1
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 #Requires -RunAsAdministrator
 
-param([string]$Directory = "")
+param($Directory = "")
 
 
 function CheckIfInstalled {
diff --git a/Scripts/reboot-fritzbox.ps1 b/Scripts/reboot-fritzbox.ps1
index bb378eba..1dc59fe0 100755
--- a/Scripts/reboot-fritzbox.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/reboot-fritzbox.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$USERNAME = "", [string]$PASSWORD = "")
+param($USERNAME = "", $PASSWORD = "")
 if ($USERNAME -eq "") {
 	$USERNAME = read-host "Enter username for FRITZ!Box"
 }
diff --git a/Scripts/search-files.ps1 b/Scripts/search-files.ps1
index b8c3a19d..e649fda6 100755
--- a/Scripts/search-files.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/search-files.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Pattern = "", [string]$Path = "")
+param($Pattern = "", $Path = "")
 
 function ListScripts { param([string]$Pattern, [string]$Path)
 	$List = Select-String -Path $Path -Pattern "$Pattern" 
diff --git a/Scripts/send-tcp.ps1 b/Scripts/send-tcp.ps1
index db07c097..f155582d 100755
--- a/Scripts/send-tcp.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/send-tcp.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$TargetIP = "", [int]$TargetPort = 0, [string]$Message = "")
+param($TargetIP = "", [int]$TargetPort = 0, $Message = "")
 
 try {
 	if ($TargetIP -eq "" ) {
diff --git a/Scripts/send-udp.ps1 b/Scripts/send-udp.ps1
index 795170f3..ac4c7013 100755
--- a/Scripts/send-udp.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/send-udp.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$TargetIP = "", [int]$TargetPort = 0, [string]$Message = "")
+param($TargetIP = "", [int]$TargetPort = 0, $Message = "")
 
 try {
 	if ($TargetIP -eq "" ) {
diff --git a/Scripts/set-timer.ps1 b/Scripts/set-timer.ps1
index d46a4d84..5c1c3e3f 100755
--- a/Scripts/set-timer.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/set-timer.ps1
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 
 param([int]$Seconds = 0)
 
-try {
-	if ($Seconds -eq 0 ) {
-		[int]$Seconds = read-host "Enter number of seconds"
-	}
+if ($Seconds -eq 0 ) {
+	[int]$Seconds = read-host "Enter number of seconds"
+}
 
+try {
 	for ($i = $Seconds; $i -gt 0; $i--) {
 		clear-host
 		./write-big "T-$i seconds"
diff --git a/Scripts/set-wallpaper.ps1 b/Scripts/set-wallpaper.ps1
index 123ea3f0..aa0bd1c9 100755
--- a/Scripts/set-wallpaper.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/set-wallpaper.ps1
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$ImageFile = "", [string]$Style = "Fit")
+param($ImageFile = "", $Style = "Fit")
 
 function SetWallPaper {
 	param([string]$Image, [ValidateSet('Fill', 'Fit', 'Stretch', 'Tile', 'Center', 'Span')][string]$Style)
diff --git a/Scripts/simulate-presence.ps1 b/Scripts/simulate-presence.ps1
index 02d83010..e9ffe29d 100755
--- a/Scripts/simulate-presence.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/simulate-presence.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($IPaddress = "")
 
+if ($IPaddress -eq "" ) {
+	$IPaddress = read-host "Enter IP address of Shelly1 device"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($IPaddress -eq "" ) {
-		$IPaddress = read-host "Enter IP address of Shelly1 device"
-	}
 	for ([int]$i = 0; $i -lt 1000; $i++) {
 		& ./switch-shelly1.ps1 $IPaddress on 0
 		start-sleep -s 10
diff --git a/Scripts/smart-data2csv.ps1 b/Scripts/smart-data2csv.ps1
index addde45e..7c7cf256 100755
--- a/Scripts/smart-data2csv.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/smart-data2csv.ps1
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Directory = "")
+param($Directory = "")
 
 function WriteCsvHeader { param([PSCustomObject]$File) 
 	foreach($Entry in $File.ata_smart_attributes.table) {
diff --git a/Scripts/speak-epub.ps1 b/Scripts/speak-epub.ps1
index 2f3f52a1..56caeb9e 100755
--- a/Scripts/speak-epub.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/speak-epub.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Filename = "")
+param($Filename = "")
 
 function Speak { param([string]$Text)
 	write-output "$Text"
diff --git a/Scripts/speak-file.ps1 b/Scripts/speak-file.ps1
index fd4d4645..8591218c 100755
--- a/Scripts/speak-file.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/speak-file.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$File = "")
+param($File = "")
+
+if ($File -eq "") {
+	$File = read-host "Enter path to text file"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($File -eq "") {
-		$File = read-host "Enter path to text file"
-	}
 	$Text = Get-Content $File
 
 	$Voice = new-object -ComObject SAPI.SPVoice
diff --git a/Scripts/speak-german.ps1 b/Scripts/speak-german.ps1
index f4ed1808..c89f85af 100755
--- a/Scripts/speak-german.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/speak-german.ps1
@@ -8,15 +8,16 @@
 
 param($Text = "")
 
+if ($Text -eq "") {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to speak"
+}
+
 try {
 	$Voice = new-object -ComObject SAPI.SPVoice
 	$Voices = $Voice.GetVoices()
 	foreach ($OtherVoice in $Voices) {
 		$Description = $OtherVoice.GetDescription()
 		if ($Description -like "*- German*") {
-			if ($Text -eq "") {
-				$Text = read-host "Enter the text to speak"
-			}
 			write-progress "$Text"
 			$Voice.Voice = $OtherVoice
 			[void]$Voice.Speak($Text)
diff --git a/Scripts/speak-text.ps1 b/Scripts/speak-text.ps1
index ad49ec19..7f5bc234 100755
--- a/Scripts/speak-text.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/speak-text.ps1
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
+
+if ($Text -eq "") {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to speak"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "") {
-		$Text = read-host "Enter the text to speak"
-	}
-
 	$Voice = new-object -ComObject SAPI.SPVoice
 	$Result = $Voice.Speak($Text)
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/switch-branch.ps1 b/Scripts/switch-branch.ps1
index bfe77c25..7f0cf3f2 100755
--- a/Scripts/switch-branch.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/switch-branch.ps1
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 
 param($Branch = "")
 
+if ($Branch -eq "") {
+	$Branch = read-host "Enter branch name to switch to"
+}
+
 try {
 	& git --version
 } catch {
@@ -16,10 +20,6 @@ try {
 }
 
 try {
-	if ($Branch -eq "") {
-		$Branch = read-host "Enter branch name to switch to"
-	}
-
 	& git switch --recurse-submodules $Branch
 	if ($lastExitCode -ne "0") { throw "'git switch --recurse-submodules $Branch' failed" }
 
diff --git a/Scripts/take-screenshot.ps1 b/Scripts/take-screenshot.ps1
index 2cbff017..8f5f8b16 100755
--- a/Scripts/take-screenshot.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/take-screenshot.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Directory = "")
+param($Directory = "")
 
 function TakeScreenshot { param([string]$FilePath)
 	Add-Type -Assembly System.Windows.Forms            
diff --git a/Scripts/take-screenshots.ps1 b/Scripts/take-screenshots.ps1
index 046edb71..37899330 100755
--- a/Scripts/take-screenshots.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/take-screenshots.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Directory = "", [int]$Interval = 60)
+param($Directory = "", [int]$Interval = 60)
 
 function TakeScreenshot { param([string]$FilePath)
 	Add-Type -Assembly System.Windows.Forms            
diff --git a/Scripts/translate-file.ps1 b/Scripts/translate-file.ps1
index 061f8495..fbde0bfa 100755
--- a/Scripts/translate-file.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/translate-file.ps1
@@ -8,18 +8,18 @@
 
 param($File = "", $SourceLanguage = "", $TargetLanguage = "")
 
+if ($File -eq "" ) {
+	$File = read-host "Enter path to file"
+}
+if ($SourceLanguage -eq "" ) {
+	$SourceLanguage = read-host "Enter language of this file"
+}
+if ($TargetLanguage -eq "" ) {
+	$TargetLanguage = read-host "Enter language to translate to"
+}
+
 try {
 	$PathToRepo = "$PSScriptRoot/.."
-	
-	if ($File -eq "" ) {
-		$File = read-host "Enter path to file"
-	}
-	if ($SourceLanguage -eq "" ) {
-		$SourceLanguage = read-host "Enter language of this file"
-	}
-	if ($TargetLanguage -eq "" ) {
-		$TargetLanguage = read-host "Enter language to translate to"
-	}
 
 	Start-Process -FilePath "$PathToRepo/Data/trans" -ArgumentList "-i $File -s $SourceLanguage -t $TargetLanguage -e google -brief" -NoNewWindow -Wait
 	exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/update-repos.ps1 b/Scripts/update-repos.ps1
index 95fc2f0a..748ad4a7 100755
--- a/Scripts/update-repos.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/update-repos.ps1
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 
 param($Directory = "")
 
+if ($Directory -eq "") {
+	$Directory = "$PWD"
+}
+
 try {
 	& git --version
 } catch {
@@ -16,9 +20,6 @@ try {
 }
 
 try {
-	if ($Directory -eq "") {
-		$Directory = "$PWD"
-	}
 	$Files = get-childItem -path $Directory
 	foreach ($File in $Files) {
 		if ($File.Mode -like "d*") {
diff --git a/Scripts/visualize-dir-tree.ps1 b/Scripts/visualize-dir-tree.ps1
index bd3f8a75..e45068e0 100755
--- a/Scripts/visualize-dir-tree.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/visualize-dir-tree.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$DirTree = "")
+param($DirTree = "")
 
 function VisualizeDirectory { param([string]$Directory, [int]$Depth)
 	$Depth++
diff --git a/Scripts/wakeup.ps1 b/Scripts/wakeup.ps1
index a5a1f283..d7fcca72 100755
--- a/Scripts/wakeup.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/wakeup.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$MACaddress = "", [string]$IPaddress = "")
+param($MACaddress = "", $IPaddress = "")
 
 function Send-WOL { param([string]$mac, [string]$ip="255.255.255.255", [int]$port=9) 
 	$broadcast = [Net.IPAddress]::Parse($ip) 
diff --git a/Scripts/write-big.ps1 b/Scripts/write-big.ps1
index 6fd1618d..21b872d5 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-big.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-big.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
 
 Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
 
diff --git a/Scripts/write-blue.ps1 b/Scripts/write-blue.ps1
index b905379f..28139645 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-blue.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-blue.ps1
@@ -8,10 +8,11 @@
 
 param($Text = "")
 
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
+}
+
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[String]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
 	write-host -foregroundColor blue $Text
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-braille.ps1 b/Scripts/write-braille.ps1
index 01b791ff..0aab09f7 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-braille.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-braille.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
 
 function BrailleA { param([int]$Row)
 	switch($Row) {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-green.ps1 b/Scripts/write-green.ps1
index 61d0f5e6..e91b854c 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-green.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-green.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
+
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[string]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
 	write-host -foregroundColor green $Text
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-logbook.ps1 b/Scripts/write-logbook.ps1
index 3bd5186d..29a5e425 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-logbook.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-logbook.ps1
@@ -6,14 +6,15 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
+
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
+}
 
 try {
 	$Time = get-date -format "yyyy-MM-ddTHH:mm:ssZ" -asUTC
 	$User = $(whoami)
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[string]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
 	$Line = "$Time,$User,$Text"
 
 	$PathToRepo=(get-item $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path).directory.parent
diff --git a/Scripts/write-marquee.ps1 b/Scripts/write-marquee.ps1
index 20e36249..63eb3a46 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-marquee.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-marquee.ps1
@@ -6,10 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "", [int]$Speed = 60) # 60 ms pause
-if ($Text -eq "") {
-	$Text = "PowerShell is powerful! PowerShell is cross-platform! PowerShell is open-source! PowerShell is easy to learn! Powershell is fully documented"
-}
+param($Text = "PowerShell is powerful! PowerShell is cross-platform! PowerShell is open-source! PowerShell is easy to learn! Powershell is fully documented", [int]$Speed = 60) # 60 ms pause
 
 function StartMarquee { param([string]$text)
 	$Length = $text.Length
diff --git a/Scripts/write-morse-code.ps1 b/Scripts/write-morse-code.ps1
index 5dc47fb6..310bfb92 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-morse-code.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-morse-code.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "", [int]$OneTimeUnit = 100) # in milliseconds
+param($Text = "", [int]$OneTimeUnit = 100) # in milliseconds
 
 function gap { param([int]$Length)
 	for ([int]$i = 1; $i -lt $Length; $i++) {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-red.ps1 b/Scripts/write-red.ps1
index cd1ef16f..ebf965bf 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-red.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-red.ps1
@@ -6,15 +6,11 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
 
-try {
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[string]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
-	write-host -foregroundcolor red $Text
-	exit 0
-} catch {
-	write-error "ERROR: line $($_.InvocationInfo.ScriptLineNumber): $($Error[0])"
-	exit 1
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
 }
+
+write-host -foregroundcolor red $Text
+exit 0
diff --git a/Scripts/write-rot13.ps1 b/Scripts/write-rot13.ps1
index bab98e42..37650021 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-rot13.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-rot13.ps1
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
 
 function ROT13 { param([string]$Text)
 	$Text.ToCharArray() | ForEach-Object {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-typewriter.ps1 b/Scripts/write-typewriter.ps1
index 9181405a..be165dc6 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-typewriter.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-typewriter.ps1
@@ -6,11 +6,7 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "", [int]$Speed = 250) # in milliseconds
-
-if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-	$Text = "`nHello World`n-----------`nPowerShell is cross-platform`nPowerShell is open-source`nPowerShell is easy to learn`nPowerShell is fully documented`n`nThanks for watching`n`n:-)`n`n"
-}
+param($Text = "`nHello World`n-----------`nPowerShell is cross-platform`nPowerShell is open-source`nPowerShell is easy to learn`nPowerShell is fully documented`n`nThanks for watching`n`n:-)`n`n", [int]$Speed = 250) # in milliseconds
 
 try {
 	$Random = New-Object System.Random
diff --git a/Scripts/write-uppercase.ps1 b/Scripts/write-uppercase.ps1
index 7ef2bb65..28051e12 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-uppercase.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-uppercase.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
+
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[string]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
 	write-output $Text.ToUpper()
 	exit 0
 } catch {
diff --git a/Scripts/write-vertical.ps1 b/Scripts/write-vertical.ps1
index af0872c8..ca20b38f 100755
--- a/Scripts/write-vertical.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/write-vertical.ps1
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@
 .NOTES		Author:	Markus Fleschutz / License: CC0
 #>
 
-param([string]$Text = "")
+param($Text = "")
+
+if ($Text -eq "" ) {
+	$Text = read-host "Enter the text to write"
+}
 
 try {
-	if ($Text -eq "" ) {
-		[String]$Text = read-host "Enter text to write"
-	}
 	[char[]]$TextArray = $Text
 	foreach($Char in $TextArray) {
 		write-output $Char
diff --git a/Scripts/zip-dir.ps1 b/Scripts/zip-dir.ps1
index 3778fee0..68c59344 100755
--- a/Scripts/zip-dir.ps1
+++ b/Scripts/zip-dir.ps1
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 
 param($Directory = "")
 
-try {
-	if ($Directory -eq "" ) {
-		$Directory = read-host "Enter path to directory to zip"
-	}
+if ($Directory -eq "" ) {
+	$Directory = read-host "Enter the path to the directory to zip"
+}
 
+try {
 	compress-archive -path $Directory -destinationPath $Directory.zip
 
 	write-host -foregroundColor green "Done - created zip archive $($Directory).zip"