Freeware 2009 |
System Utilities |
| Recently I wanted to organize some CD/DVD's, but if you're like me the disks are labeled by hand and the items are increasingly obscure. Like Desktop June 05, 4Print & Burn 01. The problem with windows (at least) is that you can't print out the names of the folders or files - unless you have Spadix's JR Print. No need to install it, you can set it on your desktop and run it anytime you want a print out of My Documents, or any other directory. Would you like to know what's in the subfolders as well? Simply select the Recurse Sub-Directories option and everything inside the nested directories will output in a printer ready file in Windows Notepad or it's replacement.
Another handy utility that doesn't require installation is SIW or System Information for Windows. While this is a great aid for techs it's also useful if you'd like to know what's inside that mysterious box on your desk. Everything you ever wanted to know and more - like the Windows License Key, how much RAM you have installed and into what motherboard, a list of all your software programs, and what about Passwords? So yes, you should hide this from prying eyes. Possibly the most interesting program we found is Disk Space Fan, and due the graphical nature of the program we set up a separate page with a description and some screen shots (opens a new window) Here. As a computer mechanic I'm often asked "Why is my computer getting slower and slower when it starts up?" Well, if you've kept it maintained and the hard drive defragmented, then the next most likely reason is resident applications that that initiate when you boot up, and likely fill up your System Tray next to your clock with icons. The idea is that having the program start up and reside in the background allows for automatic updates as well as providing quick access to a program that you use frequently. Of course there are many programs that feel important enough to be initiated whether you use them or not, and some of them are a genuine nuisance like adware and spyware, etc. The most comprehensive program for identifying start ups that I've found is Autoruns which can be a bit daunting when you first run it. It's more for techs than casual users but it also doesn't require installation and can be found at Sysinternals. Another simpler but able program is Scott's Windows Startup Program Manager. After installing the application it provides a list of the software programs for both all users and the current user, and like Autoruns offers the ability to select programs that you do and don't want to start up. |
Desktop Utilities |
| Previously I've recommended Yankee Clipper III as a clipboard utility, and while it is no less capable it is also a program that is losing ground to others like Clipboard Help + Spell. CH+S provides spell checking, a means of merging clips together, and some fairly extensive options for configuring the database. The program does require registration, even for free personal use, yet in the Help section it also lists Related Programs so in effect by recommending CH+S we're providing you with a list to begin searching for another program if you'd like to shop around. Another program I like is M8 though the number of clips is limited to 25 - which is okay for the average user. It does have some nice options like a preview of clip in a pop up window, and you can capture the desktop or the active window, and the ability to crop
an image.
Send To Toys makes adding directories to your right click Send To List a snap. Basically you are just adding shortcuts to a folder named "Send To" under your user name (C:\Documents and Settings\Mike\SendTo). It's not magic but it does save you from having to add a shortcut manually, offers configuration options, and the ability to send an email with an file attachment to either a Default Recipient or to the email client with the recipient line open. (Screen shots in a New Window Here.) You can save a bit of money on a CD/DVD burner if you buy OEM, but then you don't get the software you need to burn disks. And even the software you do get in a retail package is deprecated or crippled. The solution? Image Burn! A smart little program with all the bells and whistles, it burns as fast as your drive will allow, and will overburn a disk to at least 4.53 gig. Try that with Nero Express. MyPDFCreator goes beyond the usual text/images to portable document format in that it allows you to merge multiple documents into one, and you can password protect and even encrypt your documents. If you're given to posting photos on the Internet you can protect them, and your documents, from being copied. The program is Open Source and free to use, but no longer supported. I picked up a copy Here, and you may find it elsewhere. VLC by VideoLAN plays virtually all formats of audio and video media thus eliminating the need to have multiple programs to play movies and music. Say goodbye to Windows Media Player, Apple's Quicktime, and whatever you are using for MPEGs. Watch or listen to streaming media from the web. VLC can play it all, and even convert files from one format into another. |
Image Editors & Related Software |
| When you buy a digital camera you also get a software package that usually includes a file manager and image editor, and some are pretty good, but if you're on your 5th camera or maybe have a more than one - and even worse from different manufacturers - then you've probably moved on to third-party software. Some of our past recommendations include Irfanview and Picasa, both fine programs, but we dug a bit deeper to find some mature applications that will offer the amateur photographer a nice set of tools for editing and managing digital images.
While it's interface duplicates Windows Explorer, and admittedly is less slick than that of Picasa, XnView has much more to offer including an incredible list of file types supported for both viewing and exporting, tabbed browsing, and Lossless Rotation of images. Possibly the most important format option for photographers is the Jpeg 2000 format option. But XnView also provides a number of image editing tools including Highlight/Shadow adjustment, Levels, and Hue Saturation and Lightness, and an interesting filter set - though we found the Noise filter lacking any effect. (Screen shots in a new window Here.) PicPick deserves a spot on any webmaster's System Tray, and if you do screen or image captures you'll find it most useful, though it does so much more. Really a fine basic paint program with some nice extras to boot. Our review with screen shots is Here (opening in a new window). For basic image editing Photo! Editor gains our well deserved appreciation due to it's simplicity and optional controls. Among several other image editors that offered Noise Reduction filtering, Photo! Editor did best in both reducing noise and preserving detail. This is an especially useful feature for anyone using a consumer grade camera as all exhibit some noise in the color channels. See the proof and more in our separate review Here (opens in a new window). Neat Image, however, offers a free version of their noise reduction software software though it is deprecated. When using the stand alone module you can only save the image in a JPEG format which introduces its own set of artifacts, and as a Photoshop plug-in will only process an image 1024 x 768. Those limitations aside, the free version provides the same controls as the paid versions, does a good job of cleaning up an photo, and the documentation (in PDF format) is extensive. Opanda Photo Filter may seem more of a curiosity to photographers who, like myself, attempt to capture and present an accurate replication, and yet I could play with this toy for hours. You might find that it offers some interesting effects that can not only be saved, but combined together by loading an filtered image and re-filtering it. Fun Stuff. Finally there's Easy HDR BASIC that allows you to merge two photos taken at different exposures into one image. This allows you to capture details in the shadows with one shot, and highlights in another, and bring the two together, thus expanding the dynamic range of the image. Previously we recommended Photomatrix Basic 1.2 in Freeware Spring 2008 and we stand by that offering, but Easy HDR has its advantages too. Both companies produce a commercial version if you're interested in this field of photography. Always Try before you Buy. Mike Siesel |
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