Monthly Disk October 2011

Freeware

Anti Virus

CaSIR - Ver: 4.0

What are CaSIs? CaSIs is short for Common and Stubborn Infectors. These are malicious programs (viruses, worms, Trojans, etc.) that are notoriously difficult to detect and to remove by regular anti-virus programs.

These programs often have the capability to disable your computer or your anti-virus programs.

If one of the those nasty infectors infected your computer you will not be able to install any of the well-known Anti virus software like Kaspersky, McAfee, Norton, AVG, Panda... (and about 135 other different AVs)! and please, don't try to use the Safe Mode to remove them manually because those infectors will disable the "Safe Mode"!

Once you are infected, NOTHING (no well-known anti-virus program) can rescue you anymore. You and your computer are doomed. But now there is a solution and it is called CaSIR.

CaSIR doesn't randomly search for CaSIs, but it goes directly to the areas that a specific CaSI infects and removes it from there, hence, it does its job in mere seconds!.

CaSIR has a generic and strong technique that allows it to do the following:-

• Removes the common restrictions made to your computer by those infectors which none of the AVs deal with.
  
• Removes the illegitimate services frequently used by those infectors.
  
• Recognises and instantly kills and deletes any running process that is disguising itself among the legitimate system services.
  
• Removes any scripts used by those infectors to autorun.
  
• Removes any autostarting registry entries related to the illegitimate services it detects.
  
• Deals with all your storage media (Fixed, floppy, removable...) and cleans them up all if need be.
  

This software can help users clean up their PC registry so that there will no longer be any spy keys, garbage activities or messages that are asking for already erased files.

CaSIR's signatures are fully updatable, once you download the software, all you need to do is to download the new definitions frequently and you're up-to-date and ready-to-go.

ClamWin Antivirus - Ver: 0.97.2

ClamWin Antivirus is antivirus software for Windows. It provides a graphical user interface to the Clam AntiVirus engine. ClamWin uses the GNU General Public License. ClamWin Antivirus comes with an installer and open source code at no cost.

It features: scanning scheduler, automatic virus database updates, standalone virus scanner, integration to MS Windows Explorer, and add-in to MS Outlook.

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will install the Ask toolbar and change your default search engine.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

OTL (OldTimer's List-It) - Ver: 3.2.26.5

OTL by OldTimer is a flexible, multipurpose, diagnostic, and malware removal tool. It's useful for identifying changes made to a system by spyware, malware and other unwanted programs.

It creates detailed reports of registry and file settings, and also includes advanced tools and scripting ability for manual removing malware.

OTL does not make any determination whether an entry is good or bad. For help diagnosing the logs generated, view the tutorial, or ask for free assistance.

Sometimes malware will block OTL.exe by name, or all executables. In that case try one of these alternatives.
OTL.com: http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.com
OTL.scr: http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.scr

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

RogueKiller - Ver: 5.2.8.0

RogueKiller is a tool written in C, which scans the processes running, and kill those who are malicious. This tool was developed after seeing that some rogues (eg Security Tools) blocked the execution of disinfection programs, and some programs (eg Rkill) appeared ineffective in killing the rogue process. So a tool was developed based on speed of execution, which is to clean up the process and requested clean the registry to make a sanitising faster and safer then with the usual tools.

User manual:-

• 1: Download the desktop RogueKiller (link above)
  
• 2: Quit all running programs
  
• 3: On Vista / Seven, right click -> run as administrator
  
• 4: Otherwise just throw RogueKiller.exe
  
• 5: When prompted, type 1 and validate
  
• 6: When the report opens (RKreport.txt is also located next to the executable), save and give to the person who is helping you
  
• 7: If the program has been blocked, do not hesitate to try several times. If it really does not (it could happen), rename it to winlogon.exe
  

Notes:

• ** If a registry key has been detected, if you are sure it is up to Rogue, go to Mode 2. If you do not get help. In all cases, the infection process have been killed, you can disinfect quietly with more generic tools (eg Malwarebytes)
  
• ** If you notice that your HOSTS file is corrupt (HOSTS Section of the report), boost mode 3 RogueKiller to restore a clean copy
  
• ** If you notice any unwanted proxy, raise RogueKiller Mode 4
  
• ** If you notice any unwanted DNS, restart RogueKiller mode 5
  
• ** If your shortcuts and folders on the desktop / start menu / etc have diparu, boost mode RogueKiller 6
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Audio

Free Audio Converter - Ver: 2.3.2

Free Audio Converter converts different audio file formats, including MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE. Each format is provided with a corresponding profile kit and a preset editor in order to make a personalised preset.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Backup

Allway Sync - Ver: 11.3.0

Allway Sync compares files in specified folders and copies the modified file to the counterpart folder, it synchronises folders.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Burner

Free Disc Burner - Ver: 3.0.6

Free Disc Burner writes any files, folders (data) to any disc as well as writes multi session discs (there is a possibility to write up files to the same disc), erases information from a disc, supports Blu-Ray.

Supported Media Types: BD-R / BD-RE (Blu-Ray), DVD-R Double Layer, DVD-R Dual Layer, DVD+R / DVD+RW, DVD-R / DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, CD-R / CD-RW.

Device Features:

• supports buffer protection technologies (BurnProof, JustLink, etc.);
  
• advanced speed detection;
  
• advanced file system detection anywhere on the disc;
  
• automatic selection of write modes;
  
• erase functionality.
  

Data Features:

• writes multi-session or disc-at-once to ALL supported media formats including Blu-Ray (BD-R and BD-RE);
  
• creates disc images on-the fly (no staging to hard drive is required);
  
• easy file/folder manipulation;
  
• imports existing data from any supported file system or from any session and appends or edits;
  
• supports UNICODE file and folder names for multi-byte.
  

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will install the Ask toolbar and change your home page.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Desktop

AquaSnap - Ver: 1.5.2

As reviewed by PC World:

"If you’re still using Windows XP or Windows Vista, you may have seen friends or coworkers snapping windows around with Windows 7’s newfangled hotkeys, and longed for the same functionality for your aging system. AquaSnap delivers this, and more.

AquaSnap essentially lets you snap windows into place either by dragging them around, or by using predefined hotkeys. When you use it with the mouse, you need only drag a window to one of the screen edges or corners. A large icon then appears, showing what would happen to the window once you let go of the mouse. Much like Aero Snap, touching the window against the screens left or right edges would make the window resize to occupy that half of the screen. But if you touch one of the corners, AquaSnap will resize the window to occupy that quarter of the screen--something Aero Snap doesn't do.

If accurate window snapping is all you need, you may want to try out another free utility called WinSplit Revolution. WSR supports fine-grained control over the position and size of each of your windows, as well as the hotkeys used to place them.

AquaSnap has a few more tricks up its sleeves, such as a feature called “AquaShake,” which is supposed to be an improved version of the Windows 7 Aero Shake. Aero Shake lets you grab a window’s title bar and “shake” it so that all other windows are minimised. AquaShake lets you do the same, but you can also use it to make the window semi-transparent and pin it so it stays always on top. In its default configuration, AquaShake was a bit too enthusiastic: I was innocently trying to move a window somewhere on my screen, when it decided I was “shaking” it and made it transparent. This may vary according to your input device and caffeine consumption. Fortunately, the sensitivity can be customised, to reduce the number of false positives.

One drawback is that while AquaSnap hooks onto Windows 7’s default hotkeys for moving windows (Win+arrow keys), it won’t let you use those keys for moving windows across multiple monitors, making AquaSnap’s hotkeys less functional than the ones built into Windows.

By default, Windows 7 uses Win+up to maximise a window. AquaSnap modifies this hotkey so that when you press it, the window just takes the upper half of the screen. To maximise the window, you’ll have to press Win+Enter or Win+numpad 5, at which time AquaSnap will indeed maximise the window, but will also snap it back onto your primary monitor if it happened to be on another screen. A true deal breaker for multi-monitor users.

If you don’t use multiple monitors, AquaSnap may make it easier for you to move windows around. Then again, WinSplit Revolution is also free, and is much more powerful. You may want to give each a try before settling on just one."

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7

Desk Topmost - Ver: 1.0.0.1

Desk Topmost is a small and handy tool that provides a handy alternative to the "Show Desktop" feature that comes with Windows. Instead of minimising all your active Windows, Desk Topmost floats your desktop transparently on the top of all other windows.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP Vista/ 7

Moo0 MultiDesktop - Ver: 1.12

Virtual desktops are a great idea if you find yourself with too much happening on your computer screen. These programs come in a variety of versions, from those designed for hard-core geeks to those meant for casual users who don't need a lot of options. Moo0 MultiDesktop falls into the latter category. This simple program lets users add three virtual desktops to their machine with just enough features to make them functional.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Outlook on the Desktop - Ver: 2.0.0

Have you ever wondered why it's such a pain in the butt to use calendaring programs on your computer? It's simple: they don't mimic their real life counterparts very well. People who use calendars to organise their daily lives have them visible in plain sight nearly all of the time. Yet, on the computer, you have to go through a myriad of windows and clicks before you can even see your calendar.

So to bridge the gap, I've come up with this little program that will place the Microsoft Outlook Calendar system right on your desktop. The calendar object gets pinned to your desktop and stays there all the time in plain sight so you can always see what's upcoming. Of course, the benefits don't stop there ... because it's the actual Microsoft Outlook calendar, you get all it's functionality, such as direct editing, drag and drop of files, etc. You have to see it to believe it.

Features:-

• Places fully functional Microsoft Outlook Calendar on your Desktop.
  
• The Outlook Calendar is pinned to your desktop so that no windows can get stuck behind it.
  
• The Calendar's position, size and opacity are all adjustable via a very intuitive GUI.
  
• A tray Icon (complete with the day of the month) is provided to to configure the app and perform other actions.
  
• Multiple-Monitor Support.
  
• Ability to switch between calendar, inbox, contacts, tasks and notes views.
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Digital Imaging

DupDetector - Ver: 3.3

DupDetector searches your image collection for duplicate and near duplicate images. It creates a data file by opening and reading image pixel data for each image in your collection.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7

SView5 - Ver: 3.50

SView5 is an image display, conversion and processing tool based on a rich C/C++ SDK with various capabilities, originally developed on Amiga computers and later ported to Windows, Linux and Embedded Systems.

The Windows frontend is both, a demonstration of the capabilities of the rich SDK and a standalone tool - based on VC++ 9 and .NET 3.5.

Requires: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7/.Net 3.5

Disk Tools

HDClone Free Edition - Ver: 4.0.7

HDClone copies the content of hard disks on a physical level from one disk to another hard disk. Depending on the sizes of the hard disks, a complete or abridged image of the source disk will be created.

The Free Edition of HDClone offers all necessary abilities to copy a complete hard disk onto another, larger hard disk. This can be utilised to migrate an existing installation to a new hard disk as well as for data rescue.

The Free Edition is real freeware without obligation to buy and is intended for the short-term usage at no cost. But in case of more frequent usage, we recommend using one of the higher editions since they offer higher performance in the first line but also support a wider range of hardware as well as additional options which are optimised for regular or professional usage.

HDClone Free Edition supports IDE/ATA and SATA/eSATA hard disks and is able to copy up to 300 MB/min.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

HDD Low Level Format Tool - Ver: 4.05

HDD Low Level Format Tool is a freeware utility for low-level hard disk drive formatting. This small program will erase, Low-Level Format and re-certify a SATA, IDE or SCSI hard disk drive. Will work with USB and FIREWIRE external drive enclosures.

Low-level formatting of Flash Cards is supported too. Low Level Format Tool will clear partitions, MBR, and every bit of user data

License terms:

• Free for personal use (speed is capped at 180 GB per hour which is 50 MB/s)
  
• Just $3.30 for personal use (no speed limit)
  
• $27.00 per seat for commercial or professional use
  
• Updates are free for life
  

Minimum requirements: Windows all

SeaTools - Ver: 1.2

SeaTools is a comprehensive, easy-to-use diagnostic tool that helps you quickly determine the condition of the disk drive in your external hard drive, desktop or laptop computer.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ vista/ 7

SSD Tweaker - Ver: 1.9.8

Event though the Internet provides us with numerous tips and tricks for SSD hard drives, it can still take us long hours of research for correctly setting up an SSD drive.

• Windows Indexing Service
  
• System Restore
  
• Windows Defrag
  
• Use Large System Cache
  
• Ntfs Memory Usage
  
• Disable 8.3 Filenames
  
• Disable Date Stamping
  
• Disable Boot Tracing
  
• Windows Prefetcher
  
• Windows Vista Superfetch
  
• Windows Services
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista + 64/ 7 + 64

Wise Disk Cleaner - Ver: 6.1

Have you ever been worried about a large number of temporary files and junk files creating by using computer everyday, what's more, over time these files take up more and more of your disk space and slow down your PC? Yes, Wise Disk Cleaner Free can help you to solve your problems. It is a software program for freeing up disk space by deleting junk files and temporary files.

Features:-

• With a fast and advanced disk scan algorithm, Wise Disk Cleaner scans the disk very quickly.
  
• Option to select any drive or just single click to scan all.
  
• Command line support.
  
• Scheduled task enabling.
  
• Very easy to use for novice users and pros alike.
  
• Wise disk cleaner will detect and clean all the junk files on your PC including Temporary File, IE History and other junk files.
  
• Unlimited Free technical support.
  

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will download Wise Registry Cleaner.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Email

NK2Edit - Ver: 1.90

Every time that you type an email address or name in the message window of MS-Outlook, it automatically offer you a list of users and email address that you can choose. This feature is known as 'AutoComplete' and Outlook automatically build this emails list according to user activity and save it into a file with .NK2 extension.

In some circumstances, you may need to repair or modify the values appeared in the AutoComplete list, or you may want to remove unwanted email addresses and/or to add new email addresses. MS-Outlook doesn't provide any ability to edit this AutoComplete list, so this is where NK2Edit software can help you.

Features:-

Easily modify or fix all information stored in the NK2 file, including the display name, the email address, the exchange string, the Drop-Down display name, and the search string.

Easily remove unwanted single quote characters from the display name and from the Drop-Down list.

Delete unwanted emails, as well as add new emails, by typing them manually, or by choosing them from the address book of Outlook.

Copy NK2 records from one NK2 file to another - simply by copy and paste !

Build a completely new NK2 file and add the desired emails into it, by typing them manually, by adding them from your address book, or by copying records from another NK2 file.

Extract data from corrupted NK2 files that Outlook cannot read anymore (When Outlook AutoComplete stopped working) and even repair them so Outlook will be able to read them again.

Export all data stored in the NK2 file into a special Unicode text file in a structure similar to .ini file of Windows. You can open it any text editor you like, make the changes you need, and then convert it back into NK2 file that Outlook can use.

Export the emails information stored inside NK2 file into HTML/Text/csv/xml file.

Export the emails information stored inside NK2 file directly into the contacts of Outlook.

Copy the selected NK2 records in tab-delimited format and then paste the information into Excel.

Change the order of the records in the NK2 file, which also affects the order they appear in the drop-down. You can also sort the list in alphabetical order of the Drop-Down display names. (However, be aware that Outlook change the order again when the user send emails)

Command-Line Support: Write simple scripts that can add, remove, or modify records inside the NK2 file, without displaying any user interface.

NK2Edit is a portable application that can be used from any computer with Windows operating system (Starting from Windows 2000) without need of any installation process, and without making changes in the Registry.

NK2 Control Centre - Allows you to watch to location and the status of all NK2 files in your organisation.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

OutlookAttachView - Ver: 1.72

OutlookAttachView scans all messages stored in your Outlook, and displays the list of all attached files that it finds. You can easily select one or more attachments and save all of them into the desired folder, as well as you can delete unwanted large attachments that take too much disk space in your mailbox. You can also save the list of attachments into xml/html/text/csv file.

Using OutlookAttachView

OutlookAttachView doesn't require any installation process or additional dll files. In order to start using it, simply run the executable file - OutlookAttachView.exe If you have only one profile in your Outlook, and this profile doesn't require any password, you can run OutlookAttachView even without starting Outlook, and it'll automatically scan the mailbox of your current Outlook profile. Otherwise, it's recommended to open Outlook in the right profile before starting OutlookAttachView.

After running it, OutlookAttachView starts to scan your Outlook messages and display the found attachments in the main window of OutlookAttachView. If you want to stop the scan process, simply choose the 'Stop' menu.

After the scanning process is finished, you can select one or more of your attached files, and copy them into the desired folder, by using the 'Copy Selected Files To' option. If have large attachments that you want to delete, you can use the 'Delete Selected Attachments' option. Be aware that when you use the delete option, only the attachment file is deleted. The message itself remains on your mailbox.

You can also use the 'Clean Selected Attachments' option to clean most of the attachment content, but without removing the attachment entry. If you use this option, you'll still see the attachment listed in your email message with small file size, but saving this attachment to a file will create a corrupted file.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

OutlookStatView - Ver: 1.35

OutlookStatView scans your Outlook mailbox, and displays general statistics about the users that you communicate with via emails.

For each user/email, the following information is displayed:-

• The number of outgoing messages that you sent to the user (separated by to/cc/bcc).
  
• The number of incoming message that the user sent to you.
  
• The total size of messages sent by the user.
  
• The email client software used by this user.
  
• The time range that you send/received emails with the specified user.
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Games

Driving Speed 2 - Ver: 2.0.11

Driving Speed 2 is a free high quality racing game for your PC. Choose from four high powered V8 muscle cars and race against up to 11 computer controlled opponents on two touring car circuits.

This game has photo-realistic graphics, realistic car physics and performance, high quality sound, and AI. Play against your friends over a LAN or Internet with 8 player multiplayer. Send your fastest lap records to the online world rankings where you can see your times against players from all around the world.

Driving Speed 2 also includes an optional Crawler search engine toolbar enhancement for your Internet Explorer and Firefox browser. New version includes enhanced graphics engine and improved support for Xbox 360 controllers.

NOTE : This program will download Driving Speed from CNet Download.com. The program will also try and install it's own toolbar

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Kurupira Crossword Puzzles - Ver: 1.0

Kurupira Crossword Puzzles includes thematic Crossword Puzzles to play and an editor to easily create your custom Crossword game and share your creation online. Get to know new quotes and authors, increase your vocabulary and improve Text Analysis skill.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7

Home/Office

AuctionSieve - Ver: 2.5.6

AuctionSieve helps you rapidly filter through the auctions in ebay searches or categories. Especially designed for collectors, the quick, easy to use interface helps you exclude the stuff you're not interested in and target items of real value.

Save an unlimited number of searches. Combine search results. Sort results instantly. Create an unlimited number of trash words for your searches just by highlighting what you don't want no typing involved. Sort auction results by catch words to help spot hidden bargains. Add to an unlimited Watchlist.

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will add it's own toolbar, change your home page and your search engine.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Blender - Ver: 2.59

3D modeling, animation, rendering, and also features a game engine Blender is an open source software rendering, animation, post-production, interactive creation, 3D modeling and playback.

Here are some key features of "Blender":-

• Revolutionary non-overlapping and non-blocking UI delivers unsurpassed workflow
  
• Flexible and fully configurable window layout with as many screen setups as you prefer
  
• Undo support on all levels
  
• Anti-aliased fonts with international translation support
  
• Any window space can be easily switched to any window type (curve editor, NLA, 3D view etc)
  
• Built-in text editor for annotations and editing Python scripts
  
• Graphical user interface for Python scripts
  
• Custom themes
  
• Consistent interface across all platforms
  
• Fast skeleton creation mode
  
• Interactive 3D paint for vertex weighting
  
• Fast envelope based skinning
  
• Automatic Skinning that really works (heat equilibrium based)
  
• Mirror editing (bone creation and weight painting)
  
• Double Quaternions reduce shrinking and other bone deformation errors
  
• Volume deformer uses a mesh cage to deform complex meshes with great results
  
• Bone layers and coloured groups for better rig organisation
  
• B-spline interpolated bones; forget about elbow twists
  
• Constraint stack for IK solver setup and other constraints
  
• PyConstraints; if you need something not yet implemented code it in python with real time feed back, no compiling needed
  
• Armature (skeleton) deformation with forward/inverse kinematics with pole target support
  
• Auto IK allows posing FK chains easily
  
• Non-linear animation editor for mixing individual actions created in Action editor
  
• Automated walkcycles along paths
  
• Animated constraint system
  
• Vertex key framing for morphing, with controlling sliders
  
• Edit and create new blendshapes from existing targets
  
• Character animation pose editor
  
• 'Ipo' system integrates both motion curve and traditional key-frame editing
  
• Audio playback, mixing and editing support for sound synchronisation
  
• Timeline offers fast access to many playback functions, autokey, help markers
  
• Python scripting access for custom and procedural animation effects
  
• Conformal and Angle Based unwrapping methods
  
• Interactive transform of UV maps by vertex pinning
  
• Proportional falloff editing of UV maps for smooth transformations
  
• Seam based unwrapping
  
• Cube, Cylinder, Sphere, View projections
  
• Catmull-Clark subdivition of UVs for less distortion
  
• Minimise stretch tool allows to reduce area distortion
  
• Multiple UV layers
  
• Particle system can be attached to any mesh object. Control methods include weight painting, textures, curve guides, wind and vortex effects. Particles can be deflected by moving geometry
  
• Hair strands can be created by a static particle system, supporting all particle control methods
  
• Fluid simulator with fully animated inflow, outflow, obstacle and fluid objects. Gravity and viscosity settings can also be animated. Supports vector blur and is integrated with the particle system
  
• Realtime soft body solver integrated in mesh, lattice, curve and text objects. Supports collision detection and particle field effects like Wind or Vortex, soft body's can also be baked for faster playback/rendering
  
• Game engine rigid body physics can be easily baked into animation curves
  
• Very fast inbuilt raytracer
  
• Oversampling, motion blur, post-production effects, fields, non-square pixels
  
• Tile-based and fully threaded
  
• Render layers and passes
  
• Render baking to UV maps and object to object baking (full render, ambient occlusion, normals, textures)
  
• Render engine tightly integrated with the node compositor
  
• Halo, lens flares and fog effects
  
• Vector motion-blur post-process effect (using node compositor)
  
• Realistic defocus (DOF) post-process effect (using node compositor)
  
• Edge rendering for toon shading
  
• Interactive preview rendering panel in any 3d view
  
• Ambient Occlusion
  
• Radiosity solver
  
• Integral support for the Yafray render engine
  
• Export scripts available for external renderers such as Renderman (RIB), Povray, Virtualight, lux render, Indigo, V-Ray
  
• Compositor tightly integrated and aligned with the rendering pipeline
  
• MultiLayer OpenEXR files allow to store and reuse raw renderlayer and passes data
  
• Complete list of composite node filters, convertors, colour and vector operators and mixers including Chroma Key, Blur, RGB Curves, Z Combine, Colour Ramp, Gamma Correct
  
• Preview panel to define the portion of interest. A composite then only happens on this part
  
• Threaded and memory efficient (up to 8 processors)
  
• Near realtime sequencer can edit hours of video
  
• Waveform and U/V scatter plots
  
• Open and write many audio & video file formats using ffmpeg
  
• Can render using frameserver-support directly into foreign applications
  
• Supports float images as well as regular 8 bits images
  
• Curves tool allows you to create a mapping from the float range to a displayable result (for HDR images)
  

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Calendar Magic - Ver: 17.9

Calendar Magic is a straight-forward application that will display various calendars.

Here are some key features of "Calendar Magic":-

• Full year and individual month Gregorian, Afghan, Armenian, Baha'i, Bangla, Chinese, Coptic, Egyptian, Ethiopic, French Revolutionary, Hebrew, Hindu Lunisolar (3 variants), Hindu Solar, Indian National, Islamic Civil, Julian, Revised Julian, Parsi Fasli, Parsi Kadmi, Parsi Shenshai, Persian (2 variants), Sikh Nanakshahi and Vietnamese calendars.
  
• A user option is provided to choose between displaying/ printing calendars showing each week starting on a Monday (in line with the ISO 8601 international standard), on a Sunday for North American users, or on a Saturday for Middle East users.
  
• Alternative Gregorian "planning calendars".
  
• A month-by-month, side-by-side comparison of any two of the 23 calendar systems listed above.
  
• The display remains synchronised as you change day, month and year values in either calendar system being viewed. Again, users may choose between displaying each month with weeks starting on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
  
• Date conversions among the 23 calendar systems listed above, plus conversions to Balinese Pawukon, Thai solar, old Hindu Solar, old Hindu Lunisolar and Mayan date formats. Julian day value, day of week and day of year information is also displayed.
  
• For Gregorian dates, many other facts are displayed, such as modified Julian day value, Lilian day value and Rata Die day value, and year related information including Roman numeral form, Dominical Letter(s), Dionysian Period, Julian Period, Golden Number, Solar Number, Roman Indiction and Epact.
  
• Various special days are also recognised (e.g. Halloween), as are modern Olympic years, Commonwealth Games years, European Athletics Championship years, and World Athletic Championship years.
  
• Lists of Western Christian festivals, Eastern Orthodox festivals, Hebrew festivals and Islamic festivals for any (Gregorian) year. In addition, Hindu festivals may be listed for any year in the range 2000 to 2043, Baha'i festivals from 1845 onwards, Buddhist and Chinese festivals from 1645 to 3000, and Sikh Nanakshahi festivals from 1999 onwards.
  
• Observed Days" for any year from 1990 for over 230 countries and dependencies worldwide.
  
• Date Detective" command button to tabulate the weekday on which a specified Gregorian date d/m occurs for each of the years in the specified range y1 to y2.
  
• In Which Months?" command button to list, for a given year, the months in which a specified day of the month falls on a specified weekday.
  
• The ability to create, display, update and delete reminders for events (birthdays, anniversaries, meetings etc.) for "this year", "next year" or "every year". When Calendar Magic is started up, both visual and audible warnings are given for "imminent" events (those occurring within the next seven days) for which reminders have been set. In addition, a calendar for any month, in this year or next year, may be displayed with day numbers highlighted in red for those days in the month for which reminders have been set. Left-clicking on any "red day" will cause the reminder(s) set for that day to be listed.
  
• Out-of-date reminders are also automatically purged by Calendar Magic and appended to a text file, purged.dat, for later reference, if needed.
  
• A multi-sheet "Quick Notes" facility for holding miscellaneous plain text items.
  
• An "alarm clock" facility for defining an alarm for a given time on a given date. A user may specify the duration of the alarm which may be repeated, after a specified "quiet" time, up to five more times.
  
• This is your life" information including day-of-the-week on which you were born, number of days you have lived, your Zodiac sign, some biorhythm data, and the day-of-the-week on which your next birthday falls. Your "Chinese age" and your date of birth in many other calendar systems are also displayed.
  
• Continuously updated display of date, time and Julian day.
  
• Number of days between any two dates in the Gregorian calendar (and number of working days).
  
• Calculation of the date n days, weeks, months or years before or after a specified Gregorian date, where n is a whole number.
  
• An analysis of the Gregorian 400-year cycle, after which the Gregorian calendar repeats itself.
  
• Special calendars for 1582 (the year when the Gregorian calendar began) and 1752 (the year when Great Britain and its colonies changed to the Gregorian calendar), with related information.
  
• Dates and times of equinoxes, solstices and Moon phases for any year from 1582 to 3000.
  
• Solar and lunar eclipse data for any year up to 3000.
  
• Sunrise and sunset information for any date up to the end of 2200 for 8000 locations across the world.
  
• Moonrise and moonset information for any date up to the end of 2200 for these 8000 locations across the world.
  
• Great circle" distances between any two of these 8000 locations across the world.
  
• Current local time and date in any of these 8000 locations, plus interpretation of time zone abbreviations.
  
• A Unit Converter for converting among 1704 units of measurement in 82 different categories including length, area, volume, mass, temperature, time, velocity, energy, power, pressure, computer storage etc.
  
• A Time Calculator for performing simple arithmetic on times.
  
• A Geometry Calculator for evaluating key attributes (area, perimeter, volume, surface area etc.) of various 2D and 3D geometric objects.
  
• A Factor Calculator for factorising numbers with up to 60 digits and for evaluating the HCFs and LCMs of lists of numbers.
  
• A stack based Scientific Calculator with a visible stack.
  
• An Expression Calculator for calculating the values of arithmetic expressions entered in normal (infix) form.
  
• A Pregnancy Calculator for calculating the due date of a pregnancy and other pregnancy related dates.
  
• Colour customisation of screen backgrounds, non-button text and button backgrounds.
  

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Finance Explorer - Ver: 5.2.2

Finance Explorer is personal finance software compatible with MS Money and Quicken downloads so you can download your transactions from almost any bank. Never have to type them in.

This software will enable you to download transactions. Finance Explorer includes an intuitive budget. Handles an unlimited number of accounts including checking, saving, investment, cash, credit card and loan. Monthly view of transactions as well as net worth view.

Download stock quotes from the web. Online tutorial and, to top it all off, a very user friendly interface.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

LEGO Digital Designer for Windows - Ver: 4.1.8

This is LEGO Digital Designer. The program that lets you build with LEGO bricks on your computer.

As far back as 1999, a group of visionary LEGO product developers and engineers started thinking about letting people design their own LEGO products. They imagined people of all ages, anywhere in the world, being able create any design they could dream up – using an intuitive, free tool for digital design.

The first milestone was achieved in July 2003, when version 1.0 of LEGO Digital Designer was released. In February 2004, an online 3D Gallery went live, allowing designers to share their ideas via the Internet. By 2005, thousands of LEGO Factory enthusiasts were designing, sharing and ordering their own custom models – and the one-millionth copy of LEGO Digital Designer was downloaded on 25 September that year.

Now LEGO Digital Designer is quite simply the best virtual building system out there – with its “Click-Stick” method of 3D modeling winning praise from children, parents, teachers and design enthusiasts everywhere. And, as the virtual design platform behind a growing number of LEGO products, LEGO Digital Designer is here to stay. A host of improvements and new features are already in development, including an improved user interface, new connectivity, more life-like building, technical compatibility and improved train building and animation. So stay tuned – with LEGO Digital Designer, the future is yours.

If you haven’t tried LEGO Digital Designer yourself, download a copy today!

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Solway's Expression Calculator - Ver: 1.2

Solway's Expression Calculator lets you easily perform complicated math calculations. Calculate expressions, for example; sqrt((2 + 3) / 4.56), this calculator enables you to see exactly what you are doing.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7

Internet

CyberGhost VPN Free - Ver: 4.7.18

As reviewed by PC World:-

"Worried that Web sites are snooping on you as you surf? Concerned that when you're at a public Hot Spot, such as at a café, a hacker can intercept everything you send and receive--including passwords and other personal information? Then you should give CyberGhost VPN Free a try. It creates a virtual private network (VPN) connection when you're on the Internet, so that you can be safe when you go online.

Install the program, then restart your computer, and run CyberGhost VPN F9ee. During setup, it's best to have CyberGhost VPN select your anonymisation server for you, unless you know how to do it yourself. For increased security, you can have CyberGhost VPN delete cookies and your browser history after you disconnect, although it does that only in Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Behind the scenes, CyberGhost VPN Free replaces your normal IP address with a CyberGhost IP address shared with many users. In addition, you're connected to anonymissation servers, which further protect you. Once you connect, you're anonymous online. Just use the Internet as you would normally. It's that simple.

That's not to say it's free of issues. First is that this free version of CyberGhost VPN will work for only six hours at a time or 1GB of downloads at a time, whichever comes first. You get disconnected after that, although you can then relaunch it again. If you want more uninterrupted time and a larger download amount, you'll have to subscribe to a premium version, which costs from 4 Euros to 10 Euros a month, depending on the download limit you want. That means that the free version is best suited for individual Internet sessions, such as when you take your laptop to a Hot Spot, rather than for all-day use.

In addition, you'll be connected using a foreign IP address, so you may notice some oddities. For example, my home page is Google.com, but when I clicked the home button on my browser, I was sent to the German version of Google. And when I tried to go to Google manually, by typing in google.com into my browser, I was sent to the German version of Google as well.

If you're willing to put up with a few quirks, you'll find CyberGhost VPN a great, free program for keeping you save online. And you can always pay if you want more time and bandwidth."

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Linkman Lite - Ver: 8.20

Integrating with the latest versions of Firefox, Internet Explorer, Chrome and Opera browsers, Linkman gives you the power to efficiently organise as many links as your needs dictate!

You can easily add links from all browser windows and let retrieve keywords and descriptions automatically. The user interface is highly customisable. You get the capability to import and synchronise from existing bookmark collections and export bookmarks in a variety of formats. Linkman Lite supports multiple versions of ten different Windows browsers.

What makes Linkman Lite special is the sheer speed that allows you to access your links. Just start typing a keyword and get results within a second, even with large databases. Linkman is also the only Windows bookmark manager which can load and save Internet Explorer Favourites in correct item order.

Features:-

• Supports keywords, ratings, comments, descriptions and user defined data
  
• Ability to handle large databases (even millions of links) without performance or stability issues
  
• Internet Explorer integration
  
• Firefox 3 integration
  
• Optional Desktop Toolbar for fastest browsing ever
  
• Optional Internet Explorer Toolbar (Separate download)
  
• Highly customisable. user interface
  
• Detects duplicate links, even if they differ in sub domains, ports or login data
  
• Query for URL's on the same domain or sub domain and display results in groups
  
• User defined rating system
  
• Synchronisation
  
• Extensive help file including Tutorial
  
• Retrieves keywords, descriptions from web pages
  
• Password protection
  
• Multiple import and export formats
  
• Direct Internet Explorer Favourites support (including correct item order)
  
• Firefox Bookmarks
  
• Google Chrome
  
• Powermarks
  
• SeaMonkey
  
• Opera Hotlist
  
• Html
  
• Separated Value files
  
• Link search in any data file
  
• Fully customisable. Html Link webpage generation
  
• Search and Replace
  
• Text and Status Query
  
• Printing support
  
• Sort feature with multiple sort orders and autosort
  
• Drop Basket for faster browsing and URL addition
  
• URL Path associated launch
  
• URL Launch History
  
• Fast Links for fast access to your favourite URL's
  
• Daily Links feature to launch several bookmarks with one click
  
• Full Drag and Drop support including link drops from browser to Linkman
  
• Advanced Tray Icon (configurable click actions)
  
• User defined browser support
  
• Auto save
  
• System-wide hotkeys for easy use, even when working with another application
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Pidgin - Ver: 2.10.0

Pidgin is a chat program which lets you log in to accounts on multiple chat networks simultaneously. This means that you can be chatting with friends on MSN, talking to a friend on Google Talk, and sitting in a Yahoo chat room all at the same time.

Pidgin is compatible with the following chat networks out of the box: AIM, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber/XMPP, MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, MXit, MySpaceIM, and Zephyr. It can support many more with plugins.

Pidgin supports many features of these chat networks, such as file transfers, away messages, buddy icons, custom smiles, and typing notifications. Numerous plugins also extend Pidgin's functionality above and beyond the standard features.

Pidgin integrates with the system tray on Windows, GNOME2, KDE 3, and KDE 4.

Pidgin is under constant development. Releases are usually frequent and driven by user contributions, such as bug reports and patches.

Pidgin is free and contains no ads. All our code is open source and licensed under the GNU General Public License. This means you can get Pidgin's underlying code and modify it to suit your needs, as long as you publish the changes you make for everyone to benefit from as well.

Minimum requirements: Windows 2000/ XP/ Vista/ 7

Skype - Ver: 5.5.0.112

With Skype’s free software – by the way, it works seamlessly with your internet connection – you can chat away with free Skype-to-Skype calls and never worry about cost, time or distance. Share the love and get your friends to download Skype so you can talk, chat or make video calls for nothing. You can also make local, long distance and international calls to phones and mobiles at great rates too.

Skype is jam-packed with great features to help you stay in touch with friends, family and co-workers, share your thoughts and find the information you need.

You can use it on a computer or get Skype on your mobile so you can keep in touch on the move, whatever you’re up to. Skype works on a wide range of mobiles, plus on devices like the PlayStation Portable (PSP). There’s also a great range of WiFi and cordless phones with Skype built-in.

Just for starters you can instant message with anyone on your contact list or even use group chat to chat with up to a hundred people. You could hold a conference call with up to nine other people to organise a get-together and then use SkypeFind to search for the perfect venue to hold it.

There are also really cool video features. All you need is a webcam to make free video calls or even take photos of yourself to personalise Skype.

If you use Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, GMail, Hotmail or your mail account with Yahoo! then it’s a simple task to import contacts and get them all onto your Skype. If they don’t have Skype yet you can send them invite to download it – then you can talk for free (and maybe you’ll even get a nice bouquet of flowers and a chocolate bar from them to say thanks for getting them onto Skype? We’d like to think that’s in order).

Got friends on MySpace? Get them to download Skype or MySpace’s version of Skype. Then add them to your Skype contact list and you’ve got even more people to talk to for free. Simply search for them in Skype and click the MySpaceIM tab in the search results.

Adding someone to your contact list is easy. But you can also add people who are not yet on Skype and call them on their phones and mobiles at pretty cheap rates wherever they are.

Also, if your Microsoft Outlook contacts have phone numbers, you can have them show up on your contact list so you can call them. You’ll need Skype Credit or a monthly subscription to make calls to phones and mobiles.

The business version of Skype has the same features as the standard version; however, it also includes Windows Installer (commonly known as MSI) which makes it easy to install Skype across your company.

Use Skype to give your friends a call and voice chat with them at the highest quality on the market.

Features:-

• Make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world
  
• See who you are talking to with free video calls
  
• Chat with up to 100 people in group chats
  
• Conference call with up to four people for free
  
• Call ordinary phones with SkypeOut
  
• Superior sound quality
  
• Works with all firewall, NAT and routers ? nothing to configure!
  
• Friends list shows you when your Skype friends are online and ready to talk or chat
  
• Super-simple and easy to use
  
• Your calls are encrypted "end-to-end" in order to safeguard your privacy
  
• Based on cutting edge peer-to-peer technology developed by the creators of Kazaa and Joltid
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

TightVNC - Ver: 2.0.4

TightVNC is a free remote control software package. With TightVNC, you can see the desktop of a remote machine and control it with your local mouse and keyboard, just like you would do it sitting in the front of that computer.

TightVNC is:-

• Free for both personal and commercial usage, with full source code available,
  
• Useful in administration, tech support, education, and for many other purposes,
  
• Cross-platform, available for Windows and Unix, with Java client included,
  
• Compatible with standard VNC software, conforming to RFB protocol specifications.
  

With TightVNC, you can:-

• Cut your expenses and save your time on traveling,
  
• Help your friends and family to solve problems with their computers remotely,
  
• Make sure nothing wrong is happening on your computers when you are away.
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Trillian - Ver: 5.0.0.35

Reviewed by CNet:-

"If it isn't enough to chat with friends from Google, MySpace IM, Skype, and Facebook, as well as AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC on Trillian't multinetwork IM app, you can comfortably count the app's deep hooks into Twitter and Facebook alerts and checking e-mail (both POP3 and IMAP varieties) as reasons for switching from your current messenger.

Among its best social networking traits, Trillian will automatically shorten URLs in your tweets, and handle direct messages, re-tweets, and replies. Twitter Trends can show up in your contact list, and you can get tweets to appear in tooltip form. Facebook features include news feed integration, Facebook in-box checking, and synchronised message updating in addition to Facebook IM. Just on these features alone, Trillian Astra offers a bit more than its IM competitors.

In addition, there's support for drag-and-drop file transferring, skins, notifications, and all sorts of tweaking in the preference menu. Trillian earns a thumbs-up for previewing a Web site when you hover the cursor over a URL in the conversation window, but the same feature is less effective and less accurate when applied to looking up definitions of terms found within the chat window (luckily, you can turn the helpers off.)

Legacy users will be pleased to know that Trillian Astra (code for version 4.0 and up) runs lighter than previous versions, and you're less likely to notice system slowdowns because of memory leaks. Video chat gets basic support. The paid upgrade gives you browser-based IM from Trillian.im, full-screen video and filters, many more visual customisations, multiple simultaneous file transfer, and themes, as well as tech support. These features are available for the first 30 days you use the free version, then they deactivate. The biggest changes, besides the reskinned interface, are the long-needed performance improvements and support for a broad range of IM protocols. Longtime fans won't be disappointed with the changes, though those using the free version clearly won't get the full effect of Trillian's more-advanced features."

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will install it's own toolbar, change your default search engine as well as your home page. It will try this twice, once for Babylon and then for Trillian.

Multi Media

MediaInfo - Ver: 0.7.48

MediaInfo supplies technical and tag information about a video or audio file. It is free software (free of charge and free access to source code: GPL or LGPL licence).

What information can I get from MediaInfo?

• General: title, author, director, album, track number, date, duration...
  
• Video: codec, aspect, fps, bitrate...
  
• Audio: codec, sample rate, channels, language, bitrate...
  
• Text: language of subtitle
  
• Chapters: number of chapters, list of chapters
  
• DivX, XviD, H263, H.263, H264, x264, ASP, AVC, iTunes, MPEG-1, MPEG1, MPEG-2, MPEG2, MPEG-4, MPEG4, MP4, M4A, M4V, QuickTime, RealVideo, RealAudio, RA, RM, MSMPEG4v1, MSMPEG4v2, MSMPEG4v3, VOB, DVD, WMA, VMW, ASF, 3GP, 3GPP, 3GP2
  

What format (container) does MediaInfo support?

• Video: MKV, OGM, AVI, DivX, WMV, QuickTime, Real, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DVD (VOB)...
  
• (Codecs: DivX, XviD, MSMPEG4, ASP, H.264, AVC...)
  
• Audio: OGG, MP3, WAV, RA, AC3, DTS, AAC, M4A, AU, AIFF...
  
• Subtitles: SRT, SSA, ASS, SAMI...
  
• multiplexer, demuxer, mixer, muxer, video decoder, audio decoder, PAL, NTSC
  

What can I do with it?

• Read many video and audio file formats
  
• Different methods of viewing information (text, sheet, tree, HTML...)
  
• You can customise these views
  
• Exporting information as text, CSV, HTML...
  
• Graphical Interface, Command Line, or DLL
  
• Integration with MS-Windows shell (drag 'n' drop, and Context menu)
  
• Internationalisation: Any language display on any version of your operating system
  
• Localisation capability (but volunteers needed)
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Preferred Filter Tweaker for Windows 7 (Win7DSFilterTweaker) - Ver: 4.6

Windows 7 uses its own codecs for decoding several audio and video formats. Using third party DirectShow filters instead of the native filters is not possible without making difficult changes to the Windows Registry.

The Win7DSFilterTweaker tool allows you to configure your preferred DirectShow decoders with just a few mouse clicks. It is quick, easy, and changes can always be undone.

If you for example prefer to use ffdshow or CoreAVC for decoding H.264 video then you can do so by using this tool.

This tool is particularly useful for the Microsoft players, namely Windows Media Player and Media Centre. Certain advanced third party players, such as Media Player Classic, are already capable of using third party filters without using this tool.

Important Note:
The changes that this tool makes to the preferred filter settings of Windows only have effect when a player uses DirectShow.

Windows Media Player and Media Centre use a new framework called Media Foundation instead of DirectShow when playing certain file formats. In that case they will always use the Microsoft decoders, and not any third party DirectShow filters. Examples of file formats that are played using Media Foundation are: .m2ts, .mp4, and .mov.

This tool has the capability to disable the use of Media Foundation for specific file extensions. The only negative side effect of those tweaks is that thumbnails will not be generated in Windows Explorer.

This tool is also capable of completely disabling Media Foundation and other Microsoft playback components by renaming certain files. However, you should be aware that doing so might have noticeable side effects. For example, playback of live TV in Media Centre could stop working. But in any case, any change made by the tool can easily be undone to restore the system to its original state.

Minimum requirements: Windows 7

Windows 7 Codec Pack - Ver: 3.3

The Windows 7 Codec Pack is a simple to install package of codecs,filters,splitters used for playing back music and movie files in almost any player. After installation you will be able to play 99.9 percent of files on the Internet.

Also included in the package are a number of encoder codec, allowing you to encode files in formats such as DivX. XviD, x264 and many more in your favourite encoding application. Video file types supported include AVI, MKV, MP4, OGM, MPG, MPEG, VOB, FLV, PS, TS, and NUV. Audio file types supported include AC3, DTS, AAC, APE, FLAC, TTA, WV, OGG, Vorbis, MO3, IT, XM, S3M, MTM, MOD, and UMX. Please note that protected formats may require a specific player.

NOTE : Unless you opt out, this program will install the Delio toolbar and will change your default search engine.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

P D F

PDFCreator - Ver: 1.2.2

PDFCreator is a free tool to create PDF files from nearly any Windows application.

Features:-

• Create PDF's from any program that is able to print
  
• Security: Encrypt PDF's and protect them from being opened, printed etc
  
• Digitally sign your PDF's to ensure that you are the author and the file has not been modified
  
• Create PDF/A files for long term archives
  
• Send generated files via eMail
  
• Create more than just PDF's: PNG, JPG, TIFF, BMP, PCX, PS, EPS
  
• AutoSave files to folders and filenames based on Tags like Username, Computername, Date, Time etc.
  
• Merge multiple files into one PDF
  
• Easy Install: Just say what you want and everything is installed
  
• Terminal Server: PDFCreator also runs on Terminal Servers without problems
  
• PDFCreator is free, even for commercial use! It is Open Source and released under the Terms of the GNU General Public License.
  

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will change your search engine and install a toolbar.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Registry

ERUNTgui - Ver: 1.3.0

ERUNTgui is a graphic user interface for the popular registry backup and restore program "ERUNT" created by Lars Hederer.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Security

A Guide to Facebook Security

This guide is all about empowering you to Own Your Space—to understand what Facebook is doing to make the site safe and secure and to take the actions that are needed in this new digital world to protect yourself and your account.

While the focus of this guide is on Facebook, the lessons here apply to every site you visit online. Throughout the guide, we will highlight the unique tools that Facebook provides so that you can harness your power by protecting your account, using advanced security settings, recovering a hacked Facebook account, and stopping imposters.

Beyond this, we want you to adopt the mantra: Stop. Think. Connect. Facebook has a ton to offer people, and with a little bit of common sense you can stay safe and secure. We hope you find this guide useful. Please join the conversation by visiting the Facebook Security Page at www.facebook.com/security.

The Facebook Security Guide is co-written by renowned authors in the security industry.

Linda McCarthy is the former Senior Director of Internet Safety at Symantec. Linda brings 20 years of experience in areas of security education, auditing, and product development.

Keith Watson is a security research engineer at Purdue University. His research areas: security architecture, biometrics, digital forensics, privacy and secure programming.

Denise Weldon-Siviy is a teacher and editor with two decades of editing experience and a house full of teenage Facebook users.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Cain and Abel - Ver: 4.9.41

Cain & Abel is a password recovery tool for Microsoft Operating Systems. It allows easy recovery of various kind of passwords by sniffing the network, cracking encrypted passwords using Dictionary, Brute-Force and Cryptanalysis attacks, recording VoIP conversations, decoding scrambled passwords, recovering wireless network keys, revealing password boxes, uncovering cached passwords and analysing routing protocols.

The program does not exploit any software vulnerabilities or bugs that could not be fixed with little effort. It covers some security aspects/weakness present in protocol's standards, authentication methods and caching mechanisms; its main purpose is the simplified recovery of passwords and credentials from various sources, however it also ships some "non standard" utilities for Microsoft Windows users.

Cain & Abel has been developed in the hope that it will be useful for network administrators, teachers, security consultants/professionals, forensic staff, security software vendors, professional penetration tester and everyone else that plans to use it for ethical reasons. The author will not help or support any illegal activity done with this program. Be warned that there is the possibility that you will cause damages and/or loss of data using this software and that in no events shall the author be liable for such damages or loss of data. Please carefully read the License Agreement included in the program before using it.

The latest version is faster and contains a lot of new features like APR (Arp Poison Routing) which enables sniffing on switched LAN's and Man-in-the-Middle attacks. The sniffer in this version can also analyse encrypted protocols such as SSH-1 and HTTPS, and contains filters to capture credentials from a wide range of authentication mechanisms. The new version also ships routing protocols authentication monitors and routes extractors, dictionary and brute-force crackers for all common hashing algorithms and for several specific authentications, password/hash calculators, cryptanalysis attacks, password decoders and some not so common utilities related to network and system security.

Identity Finder Home Edition - Ver: 5.1

Right now, social security numbers, credit cards, bank accounts, passwords, and other highly sensitive personal information are sitting idly on your computer leaving you and your family exposed to identity theft. You may not be able to find all the places it's hidden, but hackers and thieves know where to look.

They have developed viruses, spyware, back doors and other malicious code to steal this information. Anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-spam don't offer in-depth searching to protect you and your family. Identity Finder goes deep, searching the computer to locate and secure potentially dangerous data - even when you don't know it exists.

Features:-

• Automatically discover occurrences of Credit Card numbers and Passwords
  
• Encrypt or securely delete with our digital shredder sensitive data or any other file on your entire computer
  
• Analyse findings in an easy to use preview window display
  
• Walk through application with easy to follow step-by-step guide
  
• For more advanced features, searching web pages, and additional security tools, check out the Home Edition or Professional Edition.
  

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Sticky Password Free - Ver: 5.0.5.239

Stay safe online and save time with Sticky Password Free, the best password manager and online form filler that gives you automated login and one click form filling. All you need to remember is your Master Password and Sticky Password Free remembers your passwords and logins for your websites.

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Utilities

BatteryInfoView - Ver: 1.11

BatteryInfoView is a small utility for laptops and netbook computers that displays the current status and information about your battery.

The displayed battery information includes the battery name, manufacture name, serial number, manufacture date, power state (charging/discharging), current battery capacity, full charged capacity, voltage, charge/discharge rate, and more...

BatteryInfoView also provides a log window, which adds a new log line containing the battery status every 30 seconds or any other time interval that you choose. Get
BatteryInfoView and take it for a spin to see what it can actually do for you!

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ 2003/ Vista/ 2008/ 7

Clipboard Help+Spell - Ver: 2.04.01

Clipboard capture tool with history, favourites, spelling, formatting and more. Database stores history of all past text clipboard entries for easy viewing, modification and search. Use Clipboard Help+Spell for keeping hierarchical notes - sort, search, filter by text, last view date, modification date.

Super easy and super fast search function - or use complex filters if you need them - you'll never have a problem finding a note again! Organise your notes and clips any way you want - show them all or view by group or category; view your clips any way you like.

High-quality spellcheck - underlined mistakes; learning spellchecker. Configurable hotkeys for common functions. Powerful text formatting options - make your own presets for common functions. Simple functions for copying and pasting into and out of other applications.

Here are some key features of "Clipboard Help+Spell":-

• Database stores history of all past text clipboard entries for easy viewing, modification, and search
  
• Use it for keeping hierarchical notes - search, sort, filter by text, modification date, last view date
  
• Super easy and super fast search function - or use complex filters if you need them - you'll never have a problem finding a note again!
  
• Organise your notes and clips any way you want - show them all or view by group or category; view your clips any way you like
  
• High-quality spellcheck - underlined mistakes; learning spellchecker
  
• Configurable hotkeys for common functions
  
• Powerful text formatting options - make your own presets for common functions
  
• Simple functions for copying and pasting into and out of other applications
  

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Directory List & Print - Ver: 2.11.8.4

Sometimes the best programs are those that don't contain a lot of bells and whistles, but that simply do a specific task easily and efficiently. Directory List and Print is one such program.

This basic utility lets users create, save, and print lists of the files on their computers. It's not fancy, but that's the point; it's made to do one thing well with as little fuss as possible.

The program's interface is plain and easy to navigate, with panes displaying the user's directories and the program's output. Check boxes allow users to choose what information they want included in their list: date, time, size, path, and so on. Users then simply navigate to the desired directory, preview the contents in the output pane, and then choose what they want to do with it; the directory information can be printed, copied to the clipboard, or transferred to a Word document or Excel spreadsheet. Directory List and Print can also be added to the context menu, allowing users to right-click on any directory in Windows Explorer and launch the program. The utility comes with a brief PDF Help file, but we didn't need it; everything about it is intuitive. Overall, we think that Directory List and Print is a great choice for anyone seeking a simple way to print directories.

Directory List and Print comes as a ZIP file and is accessible after extraction with no need for installation.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Ditto - Ver: 3.17.0.17

Ditto is an open source extension to the standard Windows clipboard. It saves each item placed on the clipboard allowing you access to any of those items at a later time.

Ditto allows you to save any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, text, images, HTML, custom formats. Features include easy to use interface, search previous copy entries, saves any type of information that can be put on the clipboard, keep multiple computer's clipboards in sync, data is encrypted when sent over the network, send individual clips to other computers, accessed from tray icon or global hot key, assign hot keys to specific copy entries, checks for updates automatically, select entry by double click, enter key or drag drop, very handy tool, paste into any window that excepts standard copy or paste entries, and display thumbnail of copied images in list.

DriverMax - Ver: 5.94

DriverMax is a new tool that allows you to download the latest driver updates for your computer. No more searching for rare drivers on discs or on the web or inserting one installation CD after the other. Just create a free account, log in, and start downloading the updates that you need.

You can also export all your current drivers (or just the ones that work ok) to a folder or a compressed file. After reinstalling Windows you will have everything in one place!

Most of the situations when Windows is running slower are caused by faulty driver installations. Windows stores all versions of older drivers just in case you want to go back; sometimes it messes up older versions with more recent ones. The Export Wizard will only export the drivers you select by copying the needed files to a folder or a compressed ZIP file.

After reinstalling Windows all drivers will be back in place in less than 5 minutes - sparing you of searching, inserting disc after disk and losing precious time. The Import Drivers wizard allows you to install all the drivers that you exported earlier. The entire operation might take up to 5-10 minutes.

Just one single computer restart will be required after all drivers are reinstalled!

DriverMax is able to display a complete report of all drivers (versions, release dates) installed on your system. This feature can also be very useful when you want to analyse the differences between the drivers installed on different machines.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Eusing Cleaner - Ver: 2.0

Eusing Cleaner is a free system optimisation and privacy cleaner tool. It allows you to find and remove the unused files in your system, invalid registry entries, delete your internet history, provides plug-in support to clean the history for over 150 third-party applications. You can select the items that you want cleaned and also specify cookies that should not be deleted.

With simply one click, Eusing Cleaner can erase the cache, cookies, history, typed URL's, auto complete memory, index.dat from your browsers, and Window's temp folder, run history, search history, recycle bin, and recent documents, etc. It also includes an option to overwrite deleted data multiple times, so it cannot be easily recovered.

Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. It 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. It offers an integrated backup feature, so you can restore the registry in case your cleanup operations cause any problems.

Furthermore, Eusing Cleaner also includes registry defragmentation. It will enhance your system's performance by removing gaps, fragments and wasted space in Windows registry files. Eusing Software products are free of spyware and adware.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

FileOrganiser - Ver: 1.422

FileOrganiser is a small, simple, easy-to-use application specially designed to help you manage your files with ease.

Developed to replace 'Explorer', the main difference is that this uses 2 panes and has 'bookmarks'. To make life much easier, especially for teachers. Two windows makes it simpler to copy FROM and TO.

So, if you were looking for an easy way to manage your files, give FileOrganiser a try and check out if its capabilities are enough to satisfy your needs.

Here are some key features of "FileOrganiser":-

• File manager
  
• Memory card speed calculation
  
• Save files or folders (with lots of options) to a text file.
  
• Multiple File renaming
  

Minimum requirements: Windows all

HotkeyP - Ver: 4.6

With HotkeyP you can assign a keyboard shortcut, a mouse shortcut or a joystick shortcut to any executable file, document, folder or web page. You can also use all multimedia keys, the fourth and fifth mouse buttons and a remote control (if you install WinLIRC).

Minimum requirements: Windows all

Kingsoft PC Doctor - Ver: 2.7.1.88

Kingsoft PC Doctor, professional computer security utility, intensively cleans Windows traces, repairs Windows vulnerability in overall and, deeply optimises Windows OS and, to improve local computer to be operated with advance performance.

The application also relies on Kingsoft Cloud Security Engine and powerful Kingsoft Antivirus Engine to detect and remove malicious threats.

Features:

Powerful Trojan Virus Defence:
Anti-Trojan function of Kingsoft PC Doctor exploits both the revolutionary Cloud Security Engine and powerful V10 Antivirus Engine on local device which are presented by Kingsoft Security to defence billions of malicious Trojan viruses program away from your computer.

Efficiently Fix Windows Vulnerability:
Repair function of Kingsoft PC Doctor provides computer users overall and intensive Windows OS vulnerability scan service and, support the users patch such vulnerability in fast and easy-to-use operation. Meanwhile, the Windows Vulnerability Repair function presents advanced performance on Microsoft Windows 7 OS.

Great Windows System Optimiser:
Optimiser function of Kingsoft PC Doctor executes deeply scan and fix errors of Windows System, support computer users to manage and speedup Windows Startup Options to greatly enhance performance of Windows.

Excellent Windows PC Cleaner:
Cleaner is a powerful function of the Kingsoft PC Doctor which is designed for cleaning Windows OS unused files and temporary files, erasing traces of online activities and Internet history, and cleaning Windows register. Users can execute One-Click function to run the Cleaner to free up valuable computer hard disk space.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Microsoft Fix it Centre - Ver: 1.0.100.0

Fix it Centre finds and fixes many common PC and device problems automatically. It also helps prevent new problems by proactively checking for known issues and installing updates. Fix it Centre helps to consolidate the many steps of diagnosing and repairing a problem into an automated tool that does the work for you.

Easy
Microsoft Fix it Centre makes getting support easier than ever, with tools that help solve the issues you have now and prevent new ones.

Easy to Install and Run:
Easy-to-use wizards will guide you through the set-up process and help you anytime you need support.

Automated:
With automated troubleshooters, Fix it Centre helps solve issues with your PC, even if you're not sure what the exact problem is. Fix It Centre scans your device to diagnose and repair problems, then gives you the option to "Find and fix" or to "Find and report.

Preventive Care:
By helping you find and fix issues before they become real problems, Fix it Centre helps keep your PC running smoothly and automatically downloading the latest solutions.

Relevant Solutions
Microsoft Fix it Centre personalises solutions for your device, showing you only what pertains to your hardware and software.

Personalised for your Device: By scanning your PC and devices to detect which hardware and software you are using, you get more personalised support with Fix it Centre

Relevant Answers and Advice: Because Fix it Centre keeps track of your devices and settings, you get only the help, solutions and articles that are applicable to your needs.

Puts you in Control
Microsoft Fix it Centre gives you an easy way to stay in control and support your devices.

Customised Settings: You choose the settings and level of automation, so Fix it Centre fits how you want manage your devices.

Manage Multiple Devices: With a single view of all your devices, it’s easy to manage multiple devices from one view. You can even manage them remotely.

Record keeping: Now you’ll also have a record of all the updates and repairs that are made on each device with the continuous report in Fix it Centre

You can use any computer with Internet connection to get started with Fix it Centre Simply download the Fix it Centre client and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. You can install Fix it Centre client on as many PCs you like.

We recommend signing up for Fix it Centre Online during setup so you can manage all your computers from a single location on the Internet yet can view solutions specific for each PC.

Minimum requirements: Windows Vista/ 7

Video

Ashampoo ClipFinder HD - Ver: 2.21

ClipFinder HD is a like a 3D web browser. You just enter search words in the Search bar and the search results from up to 15 video portals are displayed as clip thumbnails in the 3D Video Wall. You can search selectively in just some portals, just one portal or all portals. You choose. You can also create multiple searches in different tabs and switch between the results.

Click on a clip to play it, click again to save it to your hard disk and convert it while your saving. Zoom the video while you’re playing by turning the mouse wheel, another click plays in full screen mode with popup controls.

Navigating in the 3D Video Wall is amazing: Zoom in on clip previews with the mouse wheel, drag to scroll up and down and from side to side, point to a clip to see information, change the order and layout by dragging. In the 3D Video Wall interface it’s like walking around in your own boutique full of videos. Users who prefer the classic scrolling interface can activate it if they want, of course.

Organising your saved clips is just as easy. Just define categories, put your clips in them and navigate them in the 3D Video Wall and organise them by dragging with the mouse.

Features:-

• Still completely free
  
• Amazing 3D Video Wall clip browser
  
• 1-click download and convert
  
• Vimeo portal added (lots of HD clips)
  
• Search up to 15 video portals at once
  
• Search in selected video portals
  
• HD video filter – find only HD videos
  
• New video player with full-screen mode
  
• Improved video playlists
  
• Tabbed searching, like tabbed browsing
  

NOTE : Unless you opt out, the program will change your home page, your default search engine and add it's own toolbar.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

Cinebench - Ver: 11.529

As reviewed by PC World:-

"There are good reasons why hardware geeks have a love-hate relationship with benchmarks. Benchmarks are the givers of pleasure and pain. Their verdict determines whether your beloved rig is a Godzilla or a Grandpa. As personal computers have become boutique items, the bragging rights inherent in owning the fastest system have become coveted ground.

Once the province of the pocket-protected few, benchmarking software has flourished and become mainstream in the current hardware-rich market. Not all benchmarks are created equal, however. One case in point is the ubiquitous 3DMark, which despite its gaming utility and visual splendour isn’t a particularly good gauge of general application or OS performance. There are also some surprising gaps when it comes to system measurement; for example, how does your PC stack up against a Mac? Maxon’s Cinebench answers these questions and more.

Cinebench tests CPU and OpenGL performance using the popular Cinema 4D rendering package (used in movies such as Ironman 2, District 9, and 2012) as the basis for a series of real-world tests, including a scene render and car chase. Results are easy to understand, contextually ranked against similar systems according to criteria you select. Since the engine behind Cinebench is derived from a commercial product aimed at the film production and content creation market, it is capable of scaling far beyond many conventional desktop and gaming benchmarks, which tend to plateau and lump high-end systems together. Not sure if you can notice the difference between a Core i7 vs. an i5? Watch Cinebench perform a scene render test on each and you’ll see where your money went. Since Cinebench runs on both PC and Mac systems, it’s also one of the few ways to perform cross-platform comparisons in a credible fashion.

Maxon even provides Cinebench with a modicum of style. The user interface is appealing, the rendered test scene attractive and the OpenGL car chase slickly pulled off. Glitzy gaming-oriented benchmarks don’t have much to worry about, but in the less flashy waters where Cinebench swims, visual flourishes like these make it a movie star. It’s also pretty swift to produce results, although the single core render test is by nature slower on older systems.

Cinebench isn’t without foibles. There’s no easy way to run continuous tests via the GUI, and data export seems to be accomplished largely via #2 pencil or screenshot. Also, tests such as hard disk throughput are beyond its scope. Still, this is quite an impressive, polished packaged for free. Hats off to Maxon on this one; Cinebench is a winner."

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7/ 1024MB RAM/ supported processor type graphics card that supports OpenGL 2.0 and has 128MB graphics memory (see website for list)

Nvidia Forceware for Windows Vista & Win 7 - Ver: 280.26

This is the first WHQL-certified release from the Release 275 family of drivers (versions 275.xx to 279.xx). You can read more about this family of drivers on GeForce.com.

This driver package supports GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500-series desktop GPU's as well as ION desktop GPU's. This driver package also includes the 3D Vision Controller driver.

Minimum requirements: Windows Vista/ 7

Nvidia Forceware for Windows XP - Ver: 280.26

This is the first WHQL-certified release from the Release 275 family of drivers (versions 275.xx to 279.xx). You can read more about this family of drivers on GeForce.com.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP

video4pc - Ver: 2.15

video4pc is a free handy application that enables you to download your favourite videos from the popular video sharing websites and convert them to any video formats.

Features:

Detect a direct link to download video files from dozens of sites all over the Web: YouTube, Facebook, Metacafe, Dailymotion, MySpace, Vimeo, TeacherTube, etc.
Simultaneous downloading of multiple files;

Automatically parse the address of video page from the clipboard;

Convert downloaded files into any video format of your choice: .avi, .wmv, .mpeg, .3gp, .mp3, etc.;

Download High Quality (HQ) and High Definition (HD) videos (if the servers supports this feature);

Adult package included in version «Plus» (download video from RedTube, XVideos, XTube, Tube8, etc.).

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7

VSO Downloader - Ver: 1.2.0.43

Download YouTube and many other online videos, automatically detects and download videos as you surf with extra fast downloading.

Costs 0$ and is 100% safe
100% Clean and free
No adware and spyware, or toolbars

Streaming detection
detects and downloads video files with any browser
no need to copy and paste url's - media is detected automatically
rename files as you are downloading

Ad Blocker
detects ads and does not download them

Extra Light
Uses the least amount of system resources possible at all times
Uses less than 5MB of memory
Only uses 2% of CPU when downloading
It does not affect you as you are using your computer at the same time.
Installation package is less than 3MB

High Speed-Download
Download accelerator engine
Robust Multithread algorithm to download the files in multiple parts creating 1 complete quality file

Multi-protocol support
Support HTTP, HTTPS protocols

VPN & Proxy
It supports all main VPNs and proxy servers
Compatible with SOCKS5 protocols and HTTP

Resume downloads
A resume function starts the download from where it left off
When the downloading process is interrupted, you do not need to start from the beginning again.

Minimum requirements: Windows XP/ Vista/ 7