Archive for January, 2008
RSI-Shield is available free for a 60 day trial and costs $37.74 to buy. It requires Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server. If you work on the computer for a long time, this program might be for you. It gives you respite from repetitive strain injury and does this by affording you micro, medium and rest breaks. Featured in this software are break reinforcement, intelligent break system, animated exercises, statistic and macro technology. The other features are auto mouse click, multi user and non disciplined user modes and a non intrusive counter.
With a host of features, not only does this app remind you to take regular breaks but it also offers the necessary tools to avoid RSI. It questions you about your computer habits and then based on this makes a break schedule. The interface is intuitive and user friendly. The mouse and keyboard get disabled when you take a break. Break intervals and duration can be adjusted.
With the helpful exercises upper body strain and eye strain is reduced. Instructions are given in a step by step manner. Instead of the mouse you can use the keyboard using this software. It requires a lot of memory, 16 MB in fact. However if you believe in the adage “Health is Wealth” perhaps you should check out this offering.
January 27th, 2008
Adobe Illustrator CS is the design software to have if you are into artistic design. This software is available free for a 30 day trial. If you want to buy it, it will set you back by $599. It requires Windows XP or Vista to run on.
Whatever medium you have in mind, you can create sophisticated vector artwork with this software. With great new color controls and drawing tools that are industry standard there is no limit to the artistic freedom that this software offers. If you have other Adobe apps, this one can be well integrated with them.
Adobe Illustrator sets the standard for vector based design and illustration. With this new offering, Adobe has moved its illustrator software from being a print only application to one that gives web output.
The new interface is panel based. You can easily minimize and maximize the panels. So the palettes do not come in the way of your workspace. Color grouping has been introduced in the CS3. With the Live Color function existing colors can easily be altered. Flash shares a hot key for defining symbols and the graphic engine is shared making crossover and importing easy.
Also included in CS3 are a vector erasing tool, better cropping and much more. There is a high price, learning curve and system requirements. This is offset by the power of this software. If you are a professional digital illustrator, you must possess this one.
January 25th, 2008
ZoneAlarm Firewall is a free download available from http://www.download.com. It has no limitations. It requires Windows 2000/XP/Vista. In todays world, DSL and cable connections to the internet are prone to hacker interest. To handle this situation you need a reliable firewall. This is exactly what ZoneAlarm Firewall is – a free utility that is extremely good at protecting your computer from hackers.
ZoneAlarm consists of four security services. These are – a firewall, an internet lock, an application control and zones. The firewall is like a sentry at the door. Only traffic understood and initiated by you is allowed into your computer. The internet lock protects your computer when it is unattended. All computer activity on the computer is monitored by Zones, and alerts are given when an application that is new makes an effort to access the internet.
This firewall is easy to use, yet very effective. The firewall is configured via a simple wizard, meaning even novices can configure it. You can easily update as well as maintain settings using the slick interface and easy slider controls. The new addition – “Game Mode” works well for gamers. This firewall is fantastic at guarding against both internal and external threats. If you are an individual or non profit body, ZoneAlarm comes free except government entities and educational institutions. This software is a must on your PC.
January 20th, 2008
LogMeIn Free is a great download available from http://www.download.com. It is available free with no limitations. It requires Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista.
Now you can access files remotely, free! LogMeIn is secure and user friendly. This solution works with a remote control and your home and work PC are yours wherever you may be as long as you have an internet connection handy. Even though LogMeIn is web based, it offers layers of security – 256 bit SSL encryption, RSA SecureID and dual authentication.
This latest version has an improved interface. It works free for multiple remote PC’s. If you need more the cost is 5 computers for $20/month or $200 per year. This application runs in your web browser. With Firefox, you need to install a plugin that opens a new window with an emulator of the remote PC.
You should have only a few tabs open so that your browsing is quicker. You have some standard options with the control window. Ctrl-Alt-Del kills the connection. There is tabbed access for adjustment in the connection settings.
If you want to be able to transfer files and synchronization, you need to upgrade, although for small files you can probably find ways around the restriction. With this functionality and price, LogMeIn is a fantastic program. Well Recommended.
January 20th, 2008
BigOven 1.8.977 is available from vendor LakeFront Software (http://www.lakefrontsoftware.com). It is free to try for 30 days and if you want to buy it, it will set you back by $29.95. It requires Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista.
If you want a new world of recipes to be unvieled and also you want to organize and share these recipes, BigOven is the right software for you. With just a single click you can access more than 160,000 recipes online. You can choose and import recipes easily, put them on a shopping list through “drag” and “drop” functions and print a grocery list in just a matter of seconds.
Also you can point and click to get recipes from text files as well as websites. Dieters rejoice! easy nutritional information is available with this software. Spice up your recipe look with photos.
Easy scheduling of dishes for weekdays is possible. There is a nifty edit screen. Linking each ingredient to a separate database entry is possible. You need to register the program to use the Web function. Basically, every function necessary in a recipe database is included in BigOven with a good, functional interface.
January 16th, 2008
Here is another great free software with no limitations. The latest version of Trillian requires Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista to run on. It supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger and IRC. It is skinnable and fully featured. Many standard features like file transfers, chat rooms, group chats and audio chat are supported. In addition it supports numerous other features.
This latest release is a maintainence release. It is meant to resolve a bug that on Yahoo Messenger. Trillian has been called the king of chat clients and the latest version is out to prove just that. The interface is completely redone. There is tabbed chatting, a new feature for instant lookup as well as enhanced messaging.
This software functions as a hub for all chat traffic. It does this by importing passwords, client preferences, buddy lists into itself. It is simple to install and setup. All email accounts that are supported can be checked in one click. Detailed event logs are available for viewing. In addition there is SMS as well as voice messaging support. Sometimes you might get disconnected with your AIM, but that is due to an error on AOL’s side.
With so many features it is surprising that Trillian is free. If you want to chat with multiple clients in one interface then this software is for you.
January 13th, 2008
If you like free software and are into image editing, you might like to try GIMPshop 2.2.8. It requires Windows 98/2000/XP and is available as a free download without any limitations.
This software is a redone GNU Image Manipulation program which is open source and free. It has been created in a manner that Adobe Photoshop users will find familiar and comfortable.
GIMPshop has a long list of features and is highly customizable. The menu structure in GIMPshop is very similar to Photoshop’s and the program terminology is similar as well. Photoshop plugins are not supported by GIMPshop, however all it’s own plugins are available.
Many Photoshop tutorials are applicable to GIMPshop. One issue with this software is that the BackgroundWindow plugin is unstable. GIMPshop loads faster than the older version and also processes images quicker. In addition it has refined tools, a cleaner layout and better preloaded plugins.
This software does almost all of what Photoshop does for free. It is definitely worth the download and comes recommended.
January 12th, 2008
Nobody likes that time of the year, when you have to pay taxes. Hard work round the year is followed by heavy taxation and complicated paperwork around it. Now there is a way to lessen a part of the pain of taxation. The way is a new taxation software called H&R Block TaxCut Basic.
This software is free with a paid upgrade on offer. It requires Windows 2000/XP/Vista. With this software preparing federal tax returns free is a snap. This software takes you through tax returns in a simplified manner. You can import last years tax data from TaxCut, Microsoft Money, TurboTax and Quicken. You can file your returns online and get refunds as quick as in one or two weeks with this software.
This software takes away the boredom and drudgery from tax returns. The design of this software is clean and tab based. There is a great advice column on the right that you can use when in doubt. Not only is this application calming, it is also very powerful.
There are comprehensive sections on different areas of taxation. Purchasing is organized and you can also fill in the correct state filing forms. You can use the upper right corner for a running tally of federal and state refunds as well as use a planning tab for the coming years taxation.
With such powerful features and even the ability to file a tax deadline extension and the fact that this app is free, this software is highly recommended.
January 8th, 2008
If you are looking to design web pages, without spending too much, perhaps you should take a look at SiteSpinner 2.7c.You can try out this software for free for 15 days and if you like it, the price is $49. The system requirements for this software are Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP.
SiteSpinner incorporates many functionalities into one nifty package. If you are a beginner it will work for you, yet as you grow more adept at web creation, you will find this software has powerful features.
With industry standards and precision drag and drop, you can alter graphic and text placements as you please. In addition there are great layout enhancements like the ability to “center” a website.
Included in SiteSpinner are a Form Editor with which navigation menus can easily be created. There are also great templates which you can use to get started. Publishing web pages is a snap with the built in FTP.
It is always useful to know the basics of web design without getting into the HTML. This software aims at getting you started on the wonderful world of web design. It does not have advanced design features but gets your web design idea off the ground fast specially if you are a beginner.
January 6th, 2008
One Click Plug-in for WordPress 1 is a nifty utility for your favorite blogging software that is free as well. It promises to completely revamp how you see WordPress. You no longer need to put in much effort to install a plugin or a theme. A simple click is enough.
If you are an admin, non techie, or have a firewall that limits you or are just the regular WordPress user who has use for plugins and theme installation, this application is a wonder worker.
After installing this plugin, you can add other plugins through the Dashboard tab that is now available. With the Firefox extension, context menu functionality is available.
Setup is simple if that is what worries you. Installation is just like installing any other WordPress plugin. After activation, you need to install the Firefox extension. Then you need to type the oneclick.php location on the server into the Firefox extension and you are set to go.
Although OneClick is a small piece of code it promises to change your workflow, optimizing work time and letting you handle your WordPress site quickly and easily. Definite recommendation for download to WordPress webmasters.
January 5th, 2008
For those who like freebies, here is an amazing software, that is also free! System requirements are Windows 2000/XP/Vista. For those social butterflies – and there is an online variety now as well, Flock is made for you.
This version builds upon the strengths of the older version of Flock. The older version made it’s mark with browsers who liked blogs, media and RSS feeds. This new Flock version allows you to monitor friends from a range of social sites like Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube.
There are great new additions to the new Flock. The sidebar now lets you see the change in status of your friends, addition of media and status changes in your friends profiles.
If you want access to videos and photos posted by your friends or want to share web content you can do so easily with Flock. All you need to do is drag and drop. Effortless communication with contacts regardless of service is now possible.
Although if you are looking for a regular browser, Flock does the job, where it excels is the social field. This version has many changes, including people services for Facebook and Twitter. In addition there are several memory leaks that have been fixed and enhancements implemented.
January 4th, 2008