Tag-Archive for ◊ Top Software ◊

Best Free Vista Tweaks
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Author: admin
Introduction
This section is dedicated to software specifically targeting Windows Vista. These are mainly tools and utilities offering ways to make life with Vista easier, more effective or are providing extended possibilities for individual customization. Considering the variety of functionalities I am not trying to compare or rank them here but will offer a selection of what I found useful and valuable.
Discussion
Windows Vista SidebarVista Sidebar – With Windows Vista Microsoft introduced the Windows Sidebar. Even though I did not like it at first, after investing some time in configuring it and even develop some of my own Gadgets I wouldn’t want to live without it anymore. The Windows Sidebar is a metering and info platform, similar to Sysmetrix or Rainlendar. It displays a wide variety of information through so-called Gadgets. You can add, remove and arrange such Gadgets to your liking. Some basic Gadgets come with the Sidebar but there are hundreds more out there from many different authors. I found it worthwhile to browse through the immense collection that Microsoft is providing to the Sidebar users (see Download link). And if you are not too unfamiliar with XML, HTML and some image work you can easily modify each Gadget to your liking or create your own. You will find documenation about that there as well. All Gadgets are free. The downside of the Sidebar, more precisely each Gadget, is its footprint in your memory. If you have enough of the latter you probably don’t have to worry about that but it is useful to check when adding a new Gadget how much space it eats up. The Vista Sidebar works just as well with 64 bit Vista as it does with the 32 bit version.

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Category: Top Software  | Tags: , , , ,  | 11 Comments
Best Free Network Analysis Tools
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Author: admin
Introduction
Network analysis tools enable diagnosis of problems or allow exploration of all hardware on a computer network. They generally fall into three categories :

  • Packet Analyzers
  • Port Scanners
  • Hardware Scanners

Packet analyzers allow capture and display of individual messages being processed by your computers network card. Port scanners are designed to probe other computers or network devices on a network and report interesting information. Hardware scanners investigate what is on the network and report back what it finds. The key difference between what a port scanner does versus a hardware scanner is the area it is scanning.  Port scanners only focus on ports that are open and they sometimes attempt to see what is listening to that port on that device.  Hardware scanners on the other hand are more intelligent and look at the bigger picture of what the purpose of that device is and how it is interacting on the network. All of these tools are invaluable for those wanting to learn about networking or just want to investigate what is on their network and what each device is doing.
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Category: Top Software  | Tags: ,  | 7 Comments
Best Free Remote Access Software
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Author: admin
Introduction
Remote Access Software (RAS) allows a user to remotely administer another computer through a GUI (Graphical User Interface). RAS software usually falls into three categories: attended (someone must be present on the remote machine), unattended, and self-hosted RPC proxy servers (middleware for accessing firewall-protected networks). In this review, we are interested in the first and second categories.
Discussion
RAS software usually works by installing a program to act as a server on the host (remote) machine, and then running a client application on your local machine to handle the connection, authentication, and any encryption to the remote PC. One of the original RAS programs was AT&T’s “VNC” and many of the programs available today are derivations of that. more…
Category: Top Software  | Tags: ,  | 9 Comments
10 Firefox extensions you can’t live without
Monday, February 08th, 2010 | Author: admin

Whether you want to speed access to the Web sites you regularly visit, keep better tabs on your tabs, or protect your system from potentially dangerous active content, there’s a Firefox extension ready to help you out. Jack Wallen shares his list of favorite time-saving, browser-enhancing add-ons.

One of the nicest aspects of Firefox is the ability to add extensions. And there are plenty to choose from. Some do little more than alter the aesthetics. But you’ll find others out there that you can’t browse without. No matter what your purpose in browsing, there is a killer-app extension just waiting for you. Let’s take a look at my top 10 extensions.

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Category: Software Review, Top Software  | Tags: , , ,  | 7 Comments
Tips & Tricks: VLC Media Player
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Author: admin

VLC 0.9 has released to widespread acclaim. The media player of choice for many, has packed in a horde of new features and marked changes in the design and interface. There are only two issues we have with the new design, which we will put out of the way first. The playback bar has jazzed up buttons, which won’t appeal to those who went for the minimalist charm of VLC. They have also inverted the direction in which the scroll works with the media, you scroll down to go backward, and scroll up to go forward which is counterintuitive to everyone and irritating to the long term users. Now for the good stuff.

Take Snapshots Of The Video

Go to Tools > Preferences > Video. Under video snapshots, enter the directory, a prefix, check ‘sequential numbering’ and choose a format. The default is .png.

To take the snapshot while the video is playing, go to Video > Snapshot.

Alternatively, you can take a snapshot using the keyboard with the hotkey [Shift] + [S].

To use a button to take a snapshot, go to Tools > Advanced Controls. The snapshot button appears on the playback bar.
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Category: Software Review  | Tags: , ,  | 13 Comments
10 Tips for Choosing Best Tax Software
Sunday, January 10th, 2010 | Author: admin
Choosing tax software can be confusing. Is one tax software deluxe version the same as another tax software title’s deluxe? Not always. This list of tips for buying income tax preparation software will help you decide what tax software to buy.

1. Basic, Deluxe or Premium: What Tax Software Version Do You Need?

IRS Schedule A for recording miscellaneous tax deductions.

It can be confusing to decide which version of tax software will work for your tax preparation needs. To address this problem, some tax software now comes in only the highest version to be sure you have all the income tax preparation features you need. If you are considering a tax software title that is available in more than one version, read Which Tax Software Version Do I Need?.

When in doubt, buying the highest version costs more but ensures that you have all the features you will need to prepare your tax return.

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Category: Financial Software  | Tags: , , ,  | 37 Comments
Top 5 Anti-Spyware Products 2009
Monday, January 04th, 2010 | Author: admin
With today’s threats it is harder and harder to draw the line between spyware and viruses and browser hijacking and other threats. It seems like attacks generally blur the lines and use mutliple methods to spread and to compromise systems. Many anti-spyware products and functions have simply been absorbed into more comprehensive antimalware products. [p] Below is a list of the 5 best products aimed at detecting, blocking, and removing spyware from your PC.

Ad-Aware AE (Anniversary Edition)

2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of Ad-Aware. Lavasoft’s flagship product has been a reliable safeguard against spyware for a decade and the Anniversary Edition (AE) is the best version yet.

Category: Antivirus & Security, Top Software  | Tags: , , , , ,  | 9 Comments
Free Virus Removal Tools
Monday, January 04th, 2010 | Author: admin

Getting a virus on your system is frustrating to say the least, and can be hazardous to the health of your computer. Indeed, today’s malicious software can even steal your identity and wreck your hard-earned credit rating. To help fight back, here’s a list of free tools, tips, and tricks to get rid of viruses and keep them from getting back on your system.

Free Virus Removal Tools
Sure the antivirus vendors want to make money, but if you ever get the chance to meet one of their virus researchers, you’ll find their real motivation is to protect users. As corny as that may sound, it’s true. That’s why when stubborn or fast-spreading infectors are discovered, antivirus vendors release special tools to remove the malware – and give the tools away free. It’s no substitute for installed antivirus software, but if you’re already infected and in a pinch, it’s the next best thing to, well, installed antivirus software.

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Category: Antivirus & Security, PC Tips  | Tags: , , ,  | 19 Comments
Top 12 Free Email Programs for Windows
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | Author: admin
The best free email program for Windows? The single best email client that works for everybody? It does not exist. There are many, at least one of them perfect for you.
Of course, you will approach this list liberally and leisurely. You will peek at the descriptions, study the reviews, marvel at the screenshots, try a few free clients and inspect what email programs others prefer. Identifying your perfect free email program will be a lot of fun!PS: Looking for a free email program, do not forget the great free web-based email services.

1. Mozilla Thunderbird – Free Windows Email Program

Mozilla Thunderbird - Free Email Program
Mozilla Thunderbird is a fully featured, secure and very functional email client and RSS feed reader. It lets you handle mail efficiently and with style, and Mozilla Thunderbird filters away junk mail too.
Category: Top Software  | Tags: , ,  | 51 Comments
Top 10 Windows Antivirus
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | Author: admin
Antivirus software is must-have protection. This review picks the best antivirus software based on its virus detection abilities, features, and breadth of protection. Whether you’re seeking total system coverage or an ala carte solution, each of the following products provides superb virus protection for Windows-based PCs. Because every system is unique, evaluate several of Windows XP and Windows Vista antivirus scanners to find the software best suited for your PC and your level of experience.

1. Norton Internet Security 2009

Symantec’s antivirus products have historically always provided excellent detection and removal of malware. On the downside, that protection came at the price of often crippling system performance. That’s now a thing of the past. Performance overhauls are the hallmark of Norton Internet Security 2009, which features ‘pulse updates’ to deliver more frequent and thus smaller signature updates, whitelisting to streamline scan times, and a lighter, sleeker footprint that installs in mere minutes.

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Category: Antivirus & Security, Top Software  | Tags: , , ,  | One Comment
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