Monthly Disk November 2008

Freeware



Backups

JaBack - Ver: 8.07

JaBack is backup software with advanced automation features. The backup file is in standard zip format which allows you to restore data using any zip utility. After backup, You can ftp or email the backup file.

Synchronise, copy, and zip tasks are also included to satisfy all your backup and archiving needs. Schedule tasks by the second or minute, or on a hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. In addition, the chaining feature can run tasks in sequence or conditionally depending on exit codes. It supports dynamic variables to achieve advanced automated tasks. Schedules can be synchronised to allow or prevent overlapping schedules.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Burners

ImgBurn - Ver: 2.4.1

ImgBurn is a lightweight CD/DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-ray burning application that has several modes, each for performing a different task:

  • Read - read a disc to an image file;
  • Build - creates an image file from files on your computer or network (you also can write the files directly to a disc);
  • Write - write an image file to a disc;
  • Verify - ensure that a disc is 100% readable (you can also have ImgBurn compare it against a given image file to ensure the actual data is correct);
  • Discovery - used in combination with DVDInfoPro, you can check the quality of the burns your drive is producing.
This version adds a long list of new features, changes, and fixes, including support for burning APE/FLAC/WV files with an embedded CUE sheet, more accurate audio-duration calculations, and a "New Project" option in the File menu.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Totally Free Burner - Ver: 4.0

Burn Audio CD using mp3, wma, ogg and wav files.
Burn VideoCD from Mpeg1 VCD files.
Burn Data CD/DVD ISO9960 and Joliet (Multisession).
Burn Data CD/DVD UDF.
Burn Video DVD from existing DVD files.
Burn CD/DVD from BIN/ISO image directly

Features :-

  • Support all current hardware interfaces (IDE/SCSI/USB/1394/SATA)
  • Burn Multi-Session or Disc-at-Once mode to ALL supported media formats
  • Support UDF/ISO9660/Joliet Bridged file systems (any combination)
  • Support UNICODE for multi-byte languages
  • On-the-fly burning for all image types (no staging to hard drive first)
  • Create Bootable data discs or images
  • Auto-verification of data images
  • Automatic selection of burn modes for Disc-at-Once operations (no special device knowledge required)

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Desktop

AMP Font Viewer - Ver: 3.82

This program is an easy to use but powerful font manager, which allows a quick overview of both installed and non installed fonts.

It can install and uninstall fonts, and organise them in categories. Some of its features are:

  • Supports TrueType and OpenType fonts.
  • Supports Type1 fonts.
  • Installation of fonts from a folder (one by one or from a list).
  • Installation of fonts temporally (until the program is closed).
  • Deletion of installed fonts.
  • List of all installed fonts with several display options.
  • List of the fonts from a folder with several display options.
  • Several options for organizing fonts in categories and managing them.
  • It can print a list of all or some of the installed fonts with an example of each font.
  • Scratchpad area for testing the look of any font (installed or from a folder).

Minimum requirements: Windows all

FileBox eXtender - Ver: 2.0.2 (32-bit version)

FileBox eXtender is a brilliant tool that saves you tons of time by making navigating to folders within dialog boxes a breeze.

The tool adds two buttons to file-open and file-save dialog boxes that show your favourites and recent folders. The program also makes many unsizable Windows dialog boxes resizable. It also optionally sets the view in the dialogs to "Details," and adds another button that lets you roll up the dialog so only the Menu bar is displayed.

Tip: FileBox eXtender works best if you check its Keys & Menus tab's Add folders from Windows… option.

NOTE: This software comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. This is the 32-bit version. If your 64-bit PC is running 64-bit Vista, please download the 64-bit version instead.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

IntelliType Keyboard Software - Ver: 6.30.191.0

IntelliType Pro software enables you to customise the unique features of your Microsoft® keyboard to fit your needs.

With IntelliType Pro software, you can reassign many of the keys to open a program, file, or Web page, or to perform commands, such as Find, Show Desktop, or other application-specific functions.

You can disable keys you sometimes press accidentally, like CAPS LOCK, and modify keyboard settings, such as updated horizontal scrolling and zoom slider performance. IntelliType Pro software even offers extended application support, as well as biometrics support for advanced identity management.

If you have a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you will need to have Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

MyColours - Ver: 1.0

MyColours is a software program that includes everything you need to change everything about your Windows experience.

MyColours changes your Windows GUI, your icons, your wallpaper, and adds gadgets to your desktop. It doesn't modify any system files and enables users to easily switch between themes and back to default Windows. MyColours comes with the Diamond theme which can make Windows XP look virtually identical to Vista and gives Windows Vista users a more polished desktop experience.

MyColours is freeware. Additional MyColours themes are available. Some are free; others are paid.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

PNotes - Ver: 4.0.112

Managing your day-to-day life is not an easy job to do. There are so many things to concern for - housekeeping, shopping, children... And what about cousin's birthday you always forget? Or important phone numbers?

Undoubtedly your working place is covered with dusty yellow (or blue, or pink) sticky notes. If so - PNotes is right for you. Throw the physical stickies away and replace them with virtual ones on your desktop.

PNotes (Pinned Notes or Portable Notes, use what you prefer) is written entirely in C and Windows API (with Pelles C for Windows IDE) - so it is fast and light-weight. It has flexible settings - both for the program in whole and for individual note. Skins, fonts, colours, alarms, transparency level - all-in-one. Any portion of note's text can be formatted separately.

There is a variety of skins for PNotes and, moreover, you can create your own one if download PNSkinCreator - a small utility for creation PNotes skins. Notes can also be skinless, that allows stretching them to any reasonable size. Scheduling is also important feature of PNotes. It is possible to schedule each note to remind you about significant events by three different ways - alarm you once, every day at specified time or pester you every specified interval. You may also dock notes to any side of screen (all together or each one separately) and get as result a kind of panel.

One more PNotes feature - ability to join notes into groups by your choice. You can create, modify, delete and relocate groups by simple click or drag-and-drop. Changing group for each note performed by dragging it onto appropriate group.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Rainbow Folders - Ver: 1.02

Easy to use and yet very powerful program which allows you to change colour of the icon representing chosen folder to any colour you like.

This can dramatically increase your computer usage speed. You can also protect folders from being deleted by mistake, unshare them and even add a custom hint.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

SlowMousion - Ver: 1.1

SlowMousion is a (very) small application that slows down mouse cursor's speed when pressing and holding down a key or button.

This provides you more sensitive mouse movements when drawing shapes, dragging something or anything you are doing with mouse.

Features :-

  • Easy to enable and disable
  • Easy to change hotkey
  • Start with windows ability
  • Multilanguage

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista

Taskix - Ver: 1.5

Taskix, a tiny, free utility, turns on and off to enable dragging taskbar items around each other, and even move around items if you've enabled taskbar grouping.

Auto-starting the application with Windows is a one-click affair, and it used only 800KB of RAM on my XP system, so it's hardly a performance hit.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista

Digital Imaging

Fullscreen Photo Viewer - Ver: 1.8

Fullscreen Photo Viewer is a program designed for high-quality viewing of high-resolution pictures on the computer screen.

It renders the image using advanced scaling algorithm to fit the resolution of your monitor.

Since it doesn't require any additional files/registry entries to run, it is perfect for including with Photo CDs or DVD's. It can be given a path to the directory containing images as its parameter.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

FxFoto - Ver: 6.0.070

FxFoto provides a single tool for automatically organising, editing, enhancing, annotating, e-mailing, printing, uploading, and archiving your digital photos.

An animated navigator displays photo thumbnails of all your pictures by topic, and photos can be organised and searched with user-specified keywords.

FxFoto Standard Edition is freeware and includes red-eye correction, lighting and image enhancement, blemish removal, feathered rectangular or oval cropping, photo frames, text effects, and a powerful clone brush. FxFoto Standard edits and saves standard photo and image files.

The Deluxe Edition upgrade also creates and saves animated slide shows, collages, and scrapbook layouts using advanced creative effects, cropping shapes and stitched multi-photo panoramas, all with the same download. The Media Edition upgrade also saves Flash, MPEG, MP4, and PDF formats.

Version 6.0.070 can now save text and frame annotations for future editing and can print photos directly from their folders.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Imagic Free Browser - Ver: 4.0

A stripped-down version of the full Imagic 4.0 photo management utility, this program lets you rapidly catalogue your photo collection, then quickly search for photos using database features.

Not content to function merely as an organiser, this version of Imagic also permits users to tweak and touch up photos using a variety of features: Most people will use the enhancement wizard that steps you through the process. Imagic can also make nondestructive modifications to RAW image files, letting you massage your photos into high quality artworks without changing anything about the original file, preserving all the raw data. And the program is able to stitch together photos into panoramic images automatically, sorting and excluding photos that don't match the adjoining image.

Another interesting feature in Imagic Free Browser is its ability to generate prints and build galleries you can upload to a Web site. The program lets you pull together selections of your collection and automatically generates Web based albums, dynamic slideshows, or compressed images suitable for e-mail. Another wizard helps you optimise the size and proportions of images for printing.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista

PhotoFiltre - Ver: 6.3.1

PhotoFiltre is a complete image editing and effects package, that will amaze you with features that come with the package.

It comes with many features that rival some commercial packages, as well as additional add-on that can be downloaded from the web site.

PhotoFiltre offers all the standard editing features (selection, clone brush, paint brush etc.) as well as a large selection of image effects, photo masks, image adjustments, thumbnail browser and much more. The program also supports batch processing to apply filters, sizing, adjustments and transformations to a large number of images at once.

PhotoFiltre comes with modern, well designed interface and is well suited for everything from simple resizing to advanced photo editing.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Email

JDVoiceMail - Ver: 2.53

JDVoiceMail is an easy to use application that lets you record and send voice mail messages, using your default email program (Outlook, Outlook Express etc.).

It creates compressed .wav files using DSP True Speech, GSM 6.10 or LAME codecs, and can achieve file sizes of about 30kb (using a 30 second message as an example).

The receiver does not need to install any software and can listen to the message with Windows Media Player or any other audio player. The interface is straightforward and easy to use with standard playback controls. The audio message can be automatically attached to a new email message or saved to disk.

Other features include a customisable subject line and body text, a photo address book, as well a codec selection and recording controls.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista/ Generic Microphone

Open Contacts - Ver: 5.3.4.614

Open Contacts is an advanced address book program for managing contact information of individuals and organisations with relationships.

Distributed as freeware, the program was designed for people who need more beyond legacy address book programs in order to improve dynamic interactions with contacts.

Main Features:

  • Unlimited data fields to store any contact info. Along with predefined fields, you may add unlimited data fields grouped by section.
  • Manage relationships between individuals, organizations and departments.
  • Comprehensive Categories. You may click on a category to view contacts of the category, or right click to list contacts of subcategories recursively.
  • Search through any data field, and search birthday of people.
  • Interact with Windows applications of telephony, Skype, emailing or Web/File browsing etc.
  • Map service with Google Maps. You may use either single line address or multi-line address.
  • Print contact info and labels on papers of different sizes.
  • Import from MS Outlook, Outlook Express (WAB), Eudora, Netscape/Mozilla Thunderbird, XML (xCard), CSV, LDIF, Vista and vCard.
  • Export to indented text, CSV, Excel, vCard, XML (xCard), HTML, hCard and XFN (XHTML Friends Network).
  • Portable. You may bring your address book database and the program in an external device such as a USB flash disk, and run the program on any Windows PC.
  • LAN supports for multiple users in Local Area Network, using true Client/Server architecture.
Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

POP Peeper - Ver: 3.3.1

POP Peeper is an e-mail notifier that supports POP3, IMAP with Idle (AOL, AIM, FastMail, etc), SMTP, Hotmail, MSN, LiveMail, Yahoo, GMail, Mail.com, MyWay, Excite, Lycos.com, RediffMail, Juno, and NetZero.

Other features include portability, password protection, an address book, viewing in HTML (or rich/plain text for security), open/send attachments, separate polling intervals for each account. Many options are available to indicate new mail has arrived such as sound alerts (configurable for each account), flashing scroll lock, skinnable pop-up notifier, and a customized screensaver.

An SSL plug-in is available for download which allows you to retrieve e-mail from POP3 and IMAP servers that accept secure connections such as Gmail. With IMAP's Idle command, you will be notified of new e-mail as soon as it arrives in your inbox.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Games

15 Classic Slide Puzzle - Ver: 2.8

If you had the 15 slide puzzle in childhood you won't fail to play with this software. For some it will be an exciting discovery. The puzzle consists of a box with 15 numbered tiles that can be slid around to be arranged from 1 to 15.

The program implements a shuffling algorithm that performs scrambling by random moving; therefore the puzzle is always solvable. Besides, it is possible to turn on simple sound effects and use different colour schemes.

In the late 19th century this puzzle drove the entire world crazy. When Sam Loyd introduced the game to the public in 1878 he used a trick to arouse interest for it - he offered a thousand dollars to the one who could solve it. The puzzle consisted of a little box with 15 numbered square pieces that could be slid around to be arranged in rows from 1 in the upper left corner to 15 last on the bottom row.
But then only the last two tiles 14 and 15 were scrambled which made the puzzle mathematically unsolvable and made people rack their brains in vain.

This 15 Classic Slide Puzzle game is more humanistic. There is always a solution. The software implements a shuffling algorithm that performs scrambling by random moving, not by random placing. So you can enjoy the game having in mind that "there is always a light at the end of the tunnel".

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Block War - Ver: 2.0 Silver Edition

A challenging platform game. Play solo, with a friend, or against a friend.

You may also create and share custom Block War 2 maps at www.blockwargame.com. The people who manage to beat the game in this challenging adventure may also appear on the high scores.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

Mario Forever - Ver: 4.0

Super Mario Forever is really a classic Mario remake. Once again you strap on your wrench and hardhat and guide the chubby plumber through many skillfully made levels.

The diversity of the levels is very impressive. You will have to get through levels ranging from underwater caverns to levels filled with hot lava.

Version 4 includes toolbar in Mario Forever installation which is compatible with latest Firefox release 3.0 and added new options where search is more precise.

NOTE: The installation program will install the Mario Forever toolbar whether you want it or not. If you don't want it, you can remove it using the Add/Remove applet or the Unstaller program of your choice.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Home/Office

College Alarm Clock - Ver: 1.06

College Alarm Clock 1.06 is a personal Alarm Clock for your PC. Features a 7-Day Format so that you can wake up earlier/later on different days of the week.

Save/Load your weekly schedule to your hard drive. It will play any media file stored on your PC or LAN. You must have a player installed for each media file you wish to play (Winamp for MP3's or CD's, media player for avi's, Real Player for .rm's) Created by a college student for college students in other words, freeware.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

EMDB - Ver: 0.66

EMDB (Eric`s Movie Database) allows you to organise and catalog your DVD collection.

All you have to do is enter the title (or part of it) and the program will import detailed movie information and a cover image from the online IMDB database.

You can add personal ratings, customise the details and also track loaned DVD's. EMDB offers a search feature as well as export to text or HTML file and a customisable print option.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista

FCharts SE - Ver: 1.5.96R

FCharts SE is a free stock charting software program which will import price data from a wide range of sources, displaying it as OHLC, Candlestick and Line charts.

It has a number of built-in indicators (MACD, RSI, Exponential and Standard Moving Averages and more), or you can write your own with the inbuilt formula language and display them as standalone charts or overlays.

You can also draw trend lines with a few clicks of the mouse and print your charts in full colour or black and white.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

GnuCash - Ver: 2.2.6

GnuCash is personal and small-business financial-accounting software, freely licensed under the GNU GPL.

It uses a cheque-book like register GUI to enter and track bank accounts, stocks, income and expenses. GnuCash is designed to be simple and easy to use but still based on formal accounting principles.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Personal Chequebook Advantage - Ver: 1.27

Personal Chequebook Advantage works just like a chequebook register. It was developed as an alternative to other freeware that just didn't quite cut it.

Also, many people do not write cheques any more and the chequebook register has become cumbersome having to handwrite all transactions. Personal Chequebook Advantage is user-friendly and designed to quickly add transactions into your register. It also helps you balance your register with your bank statement. No more adding up what hasn't been cleared. The Register screen shows you the uncleared bank balance. As a plus, the application keeps track of spending habits by setting categories to each transaction.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

TV - Ver: 2.2

Now you can watch 300+ LIVE worldwide TV channels on your PC. TV is an extremely easy to use application and anyone can find their stations on TV.

Music, News, Educational, Sports & Shopping channels are sorted in a very easy to find way, together with TV in English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese & Arabic sections.

You may also browse world TV by regions or by country name.
The intuitive & user friendly interface will give you a pure Plug n' Play Experience. All you have to do is easily find your desired station, click on the station's name, then sit back & relax…TV emulates the regular Television set on your PC, by using the broadband Internet connection.

NOTE: This version is free to use, however you can purchase a "Pro" version with more features for $25.00 @ the authors' site.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

WTD Freeware Timer Alarm - Ver: 1.0 1.0.0

The WTD Freeware Timer Alarm application may be useful to persons that want to measure time, or do activities, or read with a timer help. For example you might want to study for one hour.

Here are some key features of "WTD Freeware Timer Alarm":

Buttons
  • Click on any spot and drag to move.
  • Press the - button to minimise.
  • Press the * button to send the hide the application and make it work on the background, then press the clock icon on the system tray bar to restore.
  • Press the X button to close.
Timer
  • Press start to activate the timer, stop to stop it and reset to reset it.
  • This timer isn't very accurate and may lose up to 1/10 of a second (10 ms) in total, as we saw in our testings.
Alarm
  • In order to set the alarm function, just type the minutes in the corresponding field. It will auto start.
  • Press 'Is on' once to stop it. The alarm uses the system beeper therefore you must have the sound volume at a high level in order to hear it.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Internet

AceFTP Freeware - Ver: 3.80.3

AceFTP Freeware transfers files over the Internet.

Its drag-and-drop interface, designed in a Windows XP fashion, lets you transfer files quickly and efficiently and lets you navigate with ease among folders, Web sites, and your computer. This software has high upload and download speeds and enables you to perform multiple file transfers simultaneously.

NOTE: It is suggested that you read the EULA carefully during the install.

Minimum requirements: Windows NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Digsby - Ver: Build 15142

Digsby helps you manage all your IM, email, and social network accounts from one easy-to-use application.

Digsby lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Facebook Chat, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.

It provides notifications when new emails arrive and lets you perform actions such as "Mark as Read" or "Report Spam" without having to go to your in box while also keeping you up-to-date on what's happening on your social networks with popup notifications and a newsfeed of recent events for Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

NOTE: The installer will try to change your home page. Read the boxes with care.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

Download Accelerator Plus - Ver: 8.7.0.5

Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) - the popular download manager with over 160 million users worldwide.

DAP leverages patented technology, easy management of downloads and rich features and includes an upgraded download window for faster downloads with ease and simplicity, improved management window, ability to upload and send large files, the SpeedBit Video Accelerator expansions.

Available in 10 languages.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Wireshark - Ver: 1.03

Same developers, same code, different name. The Ethereal network protocol analyzer has changed its name to Wireshark. Wireshark's powerful features make it the tool of choice for network troubleshooting, protocol development, and education worldwide.

Wireshark was written by an international group of networking experts, and is an example of the power of open source. It runs on Windows, Linux, UNIX, and other platforms.

Wireshark is used by network professionals around the world for analysis, troubleshooting, software and protocol development and education.

The program has all of the standard features you would expect in a protocol analyzer, and several features not seen in any other product. Its open source license allows talented experts in the networking community to add enhancements.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Java Remote Desktop - Ver: 0.2.0030

Java Remote Desktop (jrdesktop) is an open source software for viewing and/or controlling a remote PC.

Besides the screenshots, keyboard and mouse events transfer, jrdesktop includes many additional features (like: file transfer, data compression).

jrdesktop uses RMI with SSL/TLS to establish a secured connection between the viewer and the server. jrdesktop is intended to run across different platforms (based on JVM).

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista/ Java Runtime Environment

Multi Media

Alcohol 52% - Ver: 1.9.7.6221

There are no limitations on this version, other than the ability to create only 6 virtual drives. Our retail version still supports 31 virtual drives.

Remember you can not run Alcohol 52% if you have Alcohol 120% installed on the same drive.

Emulation software allowing users to play CDs DVD's without the need for the physical disc. Notebook users and PC Game players would benefit the most from Alcohol 52% Supports 25 plus languages Can handle up to 6 virtual CD DVD-ROM drives, all at once. The reading speed of a virtual CD-ROM is 200X.

This means you can play a CD from the virtual CD-ROM with 200X reading speed. Supports normal CD DVD and CD RAW sub-channel reading methods: RAW reading method enables to emulate all CDs.

CD formats supported: CD-DA, CD+G, CD-ROM, CD-XA, Video CD, Photo CD, Mixed Mode, Multi-session CD DVD formats supported: DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio Support for all current (ATAPI SCSI) drives: CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW Full support for IEEE-1394 (Firewire) and USB protocols.

NOTE: The Alcohol Soft Toolbar is bundled with this program. To prevent it's installation, please remove the tick from the relevant box.

Minimum requirements: Windows NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

CD Recovery Toolbox - Ver: 1.1

CD Recovery Toolbox tool was developed for recovering damaged files from different disk types: CD, DVD,HD DVD, Blu-Ray, etc.

You can use it to restore information lost as a result of some mechanical damage of the disk (scratches, chips, different spots on the surface) or as a result of incorrect recording. Thus, the program can recover data that was considered lost.

It should mentioned that there can be some information on the disk that cannot be recovered. Not all of the files and folders can be found - that depends on the degree and location of the damage. Therefore, the CD Recovery Toolbox Free tool finds the possible maximum amount of information. After that, it shows a list of all files and folders available for recovery.

Now the user can select the files and folders to be recovered. Those specific objects will be recovered while the others will be ignored. The program recovers the maximum amount of information in the damaged file. This reduces the risk of data loss considerably.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Cddoc - Ver: 0.36

This utility perform some benchmarks on your optical driver such as compact disc driver, digital versatile disc driver, etc, and logs some useful information about this drive.

Results can be viewed after run directly or as log file in your favourite text viewer and or editor. Application is still under development.

NOTE: Make sure you have inserted a disc CD/DVD drive before starting the application.

Floola - Ver: 3.3

Lightweight and full-featured, Floola is a comprehensive replacement for Apple's iTunes software, capable of performing virtually all of the functions of the official management utility.

The program, with versions available for Windows, Linux, and the Mac OS, can even run from a thumbdrive or the iPod itself--it doesn't require any installation.

In addition to being able to move music, photos, and videos to the player, Floola can also manage podcast downloads; create and upload playlists; convert video files to an iPod-compatible format, and can upload Web videos from sites such as YouTube to the iPod just by entering the URL. The program supports both lyrics and album art, as well, and can also play back media stored on the iPod through the connected computer on which it's running. Floola can also manage media files on other devices that use iTunes, such as some models of Motorola cell phones and the iPhone.

Although Floola's not the only free alternative iPod manager application available, this open-source alternative to iTunes, with its Spartan user interface, provides an easy, installation-free way to handle virtually all common tasks that you'd need to do with iTunes.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Webshots Desktop - Ver: 3.0.0.7245

The Webshots Desktop is a free photo- and video-management application that combines tools for managing and sharing your own personal photos and videos with wallpaper and screensaver functionality.

The latest version lets you easily organise and upload all your photos and videos right from your desktop, including drag-and-drop functionality from Windows to your Webshots albums.

You can also download the optional Webshots Toolbar for Internet Explorer. The Toolbar lets you search Webshots or the web from your browser window, upload photos, access your member homepage with one click, and for fun, you can highlight any word on the web and search its photo and video results.

As a member of Webshots, you can upload your photos and videos for free, share them with family and friends though albums and slideshows, and create high-quality custom and personalised prints, photobooks and gifts at the Webshots store.

Minimum requirements: Windows Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Security

Cypherix LE (Formerly Cryptainer LE) - Ver: 7.2.3.0

Cypherix LE is a freeware utility from Cypherix. It is a 128 bit disk encryption software that is a "miniature" version of Cypherix PE and Cypherix.

It creates encrypted containers (vaults) of up to 25 MB each to store any type of data. You can encrypt files and folders by simply dragging and dropping them into this vault. Additionally, it lets you create secure e-mail files that you can send to anyone.

Cypherix LE includes a 'Mobile' feature, which allows it to encrypt all media (including, USB, CD ROM etc). It works on all 32 bit versions of Windows.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

SUPERAntiSpyware - Ver: 4.21.1004

SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss. SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones.

Quick, Complete and Custom Scanning of Hard Drives, Removable Drives, Memory, Registry, Individual Folders and More! Includes Trusting Items and Excluding Folders for complete customisation of scanning!

Detect and Remove Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers, Parasites, Rootkits and many other types of threats.

Light on System Resources and won't slow down your computer like many other anti-spyware products. Won't conflict with your existing anti-spyware or anti-virus solution.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

ZoneAlarm Free - Ver: 8.0.020.0

ZoneAlarm is an easy-to-use firewall that blocks hackers and other unknown threats.

Features:-
  • Intrusion Blocking systematically identifies hackers and blocks access attempts.
  • Stealth Mode automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet.
  • Automatic Program Configuration provides safety and simplicity by automatically configuring programs. Automatically decides whether to allow or deny Internet access to individual programs.
  • Expert Controls give savvy users precise control over security settings.

Minimum requirements: Window 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Utilities

Active Hard Disk Monitor - Ver: 1.2

Disk utility that checks and monitors the status of your hard drives to help prevent data loss. The system is based on the Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.).

This software monitors hard disk parameters such as Temperature, Head Flying Height and Spin-Up Time and notifies a user when a critical condition occurs. Disk Monitor also displays hard disk information, current S.M.A.R.T. attributes and the overall status of the hard disk's health.

Advanced disk scan allows you to detect bad sectors on a disk surface. The software can be launched automatically at Windows startup and monitor the system in the background. An icon in the System Tray can display the temperature for selected HDD's.

Note that the download here is for the Free version. The Pro version enables you to remotely view the status of your hard drives - ideal for monitoring server-based drives.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista

Camtech Checksums - Ver: 1.0

Camtech Checksums is a free utility for verifying the integrity of files. A checksum is a value which is computed to allow you to check the validity of a file.

All files have a unique checksum and if you change even one byte in a file, and then run it through the program again, the result will be different. This is used as a way to verify whether a file has been altered.

Camtech Checksums offers two different types of check sums. CRC32 is an 8 character string and MD5 is a 32 character string. Some downloads include the checksum so you can check the file to be sure it hasn't been altered.

You can also generate your own checksums for later use or for sending to someone. That way when they receive it they can check it to make sure it hasn't been corrupted.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Comodo Registry Cleaner - Ver: 1.0.12.16

The Comodo Registry Cleaner was designed to be a tool developed to fix errors and optimise the performance of the Windows registry.

This tool is very careful with the registry and never deletes a registry entry if this could harm your system. For safety reasons, COMODO Registry Cleaner makes automatic backup before cleaning the registry entries.

Comodo Registry Cleaner removes items from the Windows Registry which are no longer in use or are unwanted on the system. Such items may include information left by software that has otherwise been removed from the computer. It is possible that these persistent items may interfere with performance or have other negative impacts.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

CS Fire Monitor - Ver: 3.0.1

CS Fire Monitor is a comprehensive monitoring tool for Windows. It has an extensive range of live monitoring screens that capture data from many areas within a PC and since the application has its own inbuilt database it is also capable of producing a number of reports which can be saved in a variety of ways.

In addition, the Remote Viewer allows the user to access other PCs on the same LAN or over the Internet to extract key information. The application is highly configurable and incorporates several methods of monitoring the same information so that each user can choose the most appropriate method to meet their needs.

The author accepts donations for his software via PayPal.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

DriveSpacio - Ver: 0.1.2

See all your drive's information (file system, size, free, allocated, cluster size, etc) at glance. Graphical representation of folders and files sizes in two flavours: pie and bar charts.

Installer not intrusive: options are saved in plain xml files (though, installer has an option to add entries on the explorer contextual menus; this option needs to write a couple of entries in the registry. These entries are completely removable by the uninstaller).

More features will be added depending on users' feedback.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Error Messages for Windows - Ver: 2.9

Error Messages for Windows is a small utility that will allow you to look up MS Windows error code numbers and display a descriptive message explaining what the numeric code actually means.

If you have software programs that produce numeric error codes now you can find out what they really mean.

Error Messages for Windows also provides a facility to display and print all of the error codes and messages defined for your version of MS Windows.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner - Ver: 1.8

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner is a free registry repair software that allows you to safely clean and repair registry problems with a few simple mouse clicks. The Windows Registry is a crucial part of your PC's operation system.

Problems with the Windows Registry are a common cause of Windows crashes and error messages. Registry problems can occur for many reasons, including references left behind after uninstallation; incorrect removal of software; missing or corrupt hardware drivers; or orphaned start-up programs. This will significantly increase the Registry size and slow down your computer, because Windows will need more time to load, search, and read data from the Registry.

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner will scans your Windows registry for invalid or obsolete information and provide a list of the errors found. After fixing the invalid entries, your system will be more stable and run faster. For maximum safety, Eusing Free Registry Cleaner will make a backup of the repaired entries. You will be able to restore any changes made using the software by choosing Restore registry backup. Eusing Software products are free of spyware and adware.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

Free PC Audit - Ver: 1.1

Free PC Audit is a freeware system, hardware and software information tool.

It extracts details of all components of the PC, shows installed software with version and product key. Free PC Audit does not require installation and can be used as a portable application. It can be run from a removable storage device such as a CD-ROM drive, USB flash drive, flash card, or floppy disk.

This professional tool is designed to collect and present the maximum amount of information possible about computer's hardware and software which makes them suitable for users searching for driver updates, computer manufacturers, system integrators and technical experts as well.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

HotKeyz - Ver: 2.7.0.0

Hotkeyz is a shortcut utility with shortcut control for executing other files, launch them in a Normal, Minimized or Maximised State.

The Parameter option gives you parameter control when launching another application like Internet Explorer and surfing to a specific site as parameter. For example C:Program FilesInternet ExplorerIexplore.exe with the parameter www.skynergy.com. It also features launching your e-mail window when composing a new e-mail even if your e-mail program is not active or not focused.

Define shortcuts for Launching files, Minimising the current active window, showing Hotkeyz itself or hiding it. The Hotkeyz system tray icon will change colour to indicate a key press. The shortcuts work with the WIN, CTRL, ALT, SHIFT modifier keys and most other keyboard keys. You can even enable or disable unwanted Hotkeys without deleting them from the Key List.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

IObit SmartDefrag - Ver: 1.0

When you purchase your new PC, it seems like a speed demon. You wonder why it’s so fast. Does that new Core 2 Duo processor really make so much of a difference? Surely the new graphics card can’t make applications launch more quickly or your hard drive enable your system to boot more swiftly?

Well, yes, they do improve the speed of your system, but it’s the fact that you have installed Windows on a brand new hard drive that really makes the difference. You’d probably find, that after using your old PC for a year, that if you installed Windows from scratch, your system would be at least 25% quicker.

Part of the problem is down to the ongoing use of installing and removing software and moving files around your drive. The more you write/move files to and from your hard drive, the more your drive becomes fragmented. Parts of the files are located in different locations on your drive. When you drive then attempts to load an application or read a file, it takes a great deal longer as the drive has to access files from all over your drive, rather than from one continuous block.

The answer is to defragment your drive. This will move files in to one continuous block and rearrange the space so that it ends up located in one big block of space. It means your files and applications launch much more quickly.

The downside is that you have to defragment your drive and this can take ages. If you have a huge hard drive, you might need to leave the process running overnight.

IObit SmartDefrag is a free defragging tool and worth investigating. It’s also rather fast. However, remember that when you defragment your drive that it’s advisable not to be running applications at the same time.

This is the final official release version and is now out of beta.

NOTE: The installer of this program will try and install the Yahoo toolbar and make Yahoo your home page. If you do not want this, please remove the tick from the relevant box.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista

JDiskReport - Ver: 1.3.1

JDiskReport enables you to understand how much space the files and directories consume on your disk drives, and it helps you find obsolete files and folders.

The tool analyses your disk drives and collects several statistics which you can view as overview charts and details tables.

JDiskReport requires Java; get Java first, then download and install JDiskReport.

Minimum requirements: Windows all/ Java - see above

Minimem - Ver: 1.22

Does your PC slow to a crawl when you're running certain programs? Minimem can help you put memory hogs -and only memory hogs- in their place. Unlike most memory-freeing utilities, Minimem lets you select which programs to optimise and which to leave alone.

Some programs - notably Web browsers, and especially Firefox 2.0, for which Minimem was designed - "leak" memory as they stay open. Minimem was designed to stop the leaks by removing unneeded memory pages. In theory, it would also help with programs with very large memory footprints.

You can optimise any program Minimem detects, and you can set it to hide programs below a certain RAM footprint.

Of course, more physical RAM is the best solution for a memory shortage. But if your budget or your case design won't accommodate that, Minimem might boost your system response enough to make your problem applications bearable again.

NOTE: This program is donationware. It is free to try, but the author accepts and encourages donations towards further development.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista/ Microsoft .NET 2.0

Monitor Asset Manager - Ver: 2.0.0.698

Monitor Asset Manager is a Plug and Play monitor information utility that works under all 32-bit versions of Windows. It is fully multi-monitor-capable, and unlike similar reporting utilities queries the monitor directly rather than relying on potentially dubious information stored in the registry.

In addition to providing detailed information on monitor colour and timing characteristics, this compact utility (213kb) is the only program of its type to accomplish this under Windows NT 4.0, providing corporate IS managers with a simple tool to track monitor inventory by serial number.

Reports generated by Monitor Asset Manager also provide detailed technical information about the target display device and basic information about the system to which it is attached. Corporate licensed versions of this lightweight utility can be set to run periodically in the background where it can silently save reports in various formats - including SMS-compliant MIF file format - to designated locations at pre-specified intervals. An IS manager wishing to implement SMS-compliant asset management and inventory practices will find that Monitor Asset Manager is the perfect tool to compliment existing management capabilities.

Moreover, end users puzzled by the way Windows treats their monitors and high-definition display devices can gain insight into exactly what Plug-and-Play means: all the information provided by the display to the system is displayed in readable format, including DPMS and GTF support, colour chromaticity values, recommended resolutions and exact timing requirements, as well as device minimum requirements and maximum limits. The latest version also extracts and decodes EIA/CEA-861 extension data for consumer electronics devices like HDTV's.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Moo0 SystemMonitor - Ver: 1.18

Moo0 SystemMonitor let you watch over system resource usages of your PC.

Moo0 SystemMonitor currently supports 13 kinds of information including CPU, memory, network, and detailed HDD usages. Using Moo0 SystemMonitor, you may discover what is limiting your system performance in each occasion.

Version 1.18 supports Vista and added a function that let you easily configure whether this software starts together on system boot or not.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista

PC Inspector™ File Recovery - Ver: 4.x

This program is a data recovery program that supports the FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems. The current version 4.x replaces the previous version 3.x, which is now over 6 years old.

Here are some of the new features in PC Inspector™ File Recovery 4.x :-

  • Finds partitions automatically, even if the boot sector or FAT has been erased or damaged
  • Recovers files with the original time and date stamp
  • Supports the saving of recovered files on network drives
  • Recovers files, even when a header entry is no longer available. Competition products cannot recover such files. The "Special Recovery Function" supports the following disk formats:
  • ARJ AVI BMP CDR DOC DXF DBF XLS
  • EXE GIF HLP HTML HTM JPG LZH MID
  • MOV MP3 PDF PNG RTF TAR TIF WAV
  • ZIP
PC Inspector™ File Recovery 4.x cannot help if you have mechanical problems with the disk drive. If the hard disk is no longer recognised by the BIOS or is making unusual noises, you should contact the specialists, "Convar" - The Recovery Team.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

RAM Idle LE - Ver: 1.5.0

RAM Idle LE is a smart memory management program that will keep your computer running more efficiently, faster, and longer. The program intelligently manages the free RAM that is available to Windows, and prevents your computer from running progressively slower over time.

The program's System Info capability presents you with detailed information about your system. This data can be instrumental in determining if you have the system requirements to install new hardware or software.

Whether you're a business person who needs to make your computer run more efficiently, a student who enjoys playing a computer game from time to time without degrading the computer's performance when you resume your studying, or a home user who wants to avoid purchasing new hardware by giving your current system a performance tune-up, RAM Idle LE will help keep your computer running more efficiently.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Toolbar Uninstaller - Ver: 1.0.0.1

Get rid of unwanted toolbars quickly and easily with Toolbar Uninstaller.

Toolbar Uninstaller allows you to uninstall various unwanted toolbars. Many programs come bundled with a toolbar that gets installed automatically if you don't pay attention during the installation. Even freeware programs come bundled with toolbars. As time progresses, there are now more then 10.000 different toolbars and counting.

Minimum requirements: Windows 98/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista

UnZip Me - Ver: 2.0

UnZip Me is a simple to use utility for extracting and creating Zip files. Designed with the novice in mind, all one need do is locate the Zip or your files and UnZip Me does the rest.

It will extract or create the files, display where that file is and even open it for you. Have you ever unzipped a file only to forget where the files were extracted to and have to search your PC for them? UnZip Me solves that problem by keeping track for you. If you don't need or don't want to invest in a full featured zip program UnZip Me will take care of your unzipping and zipping needs.

Minimum requirements: Windows 9x/ Me/ NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista

Windows Vulnerability Scanner - Ver: 1.26

Protector Plus - Windows Vulnerability Scanner checks your system for Windows Vulnerabilities. It guides you to update with the right patch to make your system more secure.

This software is compatible with Windows XP (Home & Professional), Windows 2000 Server & Professional and Windows 2003. Once the Scan is completed, Protector Plus - Windows Vulnerability Scanner lists the vulnerabilities detected, their risk level and the download location of the patch.

It also creates the log file named Protector_Plus_Windows_Vulnerability_Scan.htm in the folder from where Protector Plus - Windows Vulnerability Scanner was executed.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ vista

Video

Any Video Converter - Ver: 2.62

Any Video Converter is an all-in-one video converting freeware with easy-to-use graphical interface, fast converting speed, and excellent video quality.

It can convert almost all video formats including DivX, XviD, MOV, RM, RMVB, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV, and AVI to MPEG-4 movie format for PSP or other portable video device, MP4 player, or Smartphones.

Version 2.62 adds Adds "Alternative MPlayer Binary" and "Alternative MEncoder Binary" options for user to select other preinstalled mplayer and mencoder .exe files as the alternative programs and supports opening DVD folder for the "Open DVD" button.

Minimum requirements: Windows NT/ 2000/ XP/ Vista