Power Tab Editor 1.7 build 80

Download Now (5.64MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 58 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 2,041,577
Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:February 27, 2006 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of Power Tab Editor
view larger From Power Tab Software:
Power Tab Editor is a tablature-authoring tool for Windows. It allows for the creation of tablature scores that can be printed out and played back via MIDI. Features standard music notation and symbols as well as all of the popular tablature symbols. Can import MIDI tracks, and can export to ASCII Text, HTML and MIDI format 1 files. Version 1.7 build 80 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
See more CNET content tagged:
MIDI,


Editor's review of Power Tab Editor
Plenty to fret overPower Tab Editor may easily become the veteran fretter's best friend. This feature-packed program lets you plot music onto digital tablature for exporting, burning, or playing MIDI files. The features are staggering--11 toolbars, 47 tips, and a max of seven guitars or basses per song are just the beginning. Deluxe tabbing capabilities let you adjust octaves and phrasing, and place an onslaught of markings, such as slides, bends, and vibratos. You can also create notes, store lyrics, and enter your favorite Italian music term if you're in the mood for something vivace. Well-stocked chord and tuning dictionaries help move you along.

Unfortunately, the software's features sometimes outpace its functionality. Though attractive, the interface isn't very intuitive and contains character errors and other mistakes that could frustrate the most intrepid user. One crucial broken Quick Start link for creating new tablature spoils an otherwise robust and detailed Help menu.

However, if you're feeling scrappy enough to push past the lesser points, the power payoff for using Power Tab Editor--digital tunes you tab yourself--may sound like rockin' music to your ears.

Global MU Online 1.02a

Download Now (366.45MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 410 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 5,174,584
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:August 10, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of Global MU Online
view larger From K2 Network:
MU is a full on 3D MMORPG that is the first of its kind. MU is a highly involved fantasy Role Playing Game based on the legendary Continent of MU. You are given the choice of selecting between one of four classes, Dark Knight, Fairy Elf, Dark Wizard and Magic Gladiator, and become a daring adventurer in the quest to save the land of MU. Version 1.02a may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Note: This is a very large (366MB) file and may take several hours to download via dial-up modem.

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K2,
Editor's review of Global MU Online
In the aftermath of the Lord of the Rings movies, the fantasy genre has been given a second life. Weaving adventure threads into a pseudo-medieval tapestry is a staple of the elfnorc world, and MU gives it to you on a no-frills platter.

You start off as a Dark Wizard, a Dark Knight or a Fairy Elf, with accordant strengths and weaknesses. You can save different base characters, a fun feature that allows you to begin play as a wizard, and later, restart and switch to a knight--but not both at the same time. The look of your character changes to reflect any new accoutrements you get, including wings and spells. There's also a coordinate system on display, so it's easier to move around the elaborate MU world.

Items can be combined in many different ways, but more game experience gets you better gear. You can even fight other players, but be warned: if you kill too many innocents, you'll be branded a murderer.

Frustratingly, MU has the same poorly-documented installation process that plagues most MMORPGs. Worse, the game's servers were hesitant and sluggish when we played, interfering with the flow of play. Once, it even got us killed!

MU is lacking in too many areas to make it worth the download to all but the most die-hard fans of the genre, considering that there are better free fantasy games out there.

jZip 1.2

Download Now (2.32MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Average User Rating: (out of 26 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 114,613
Requirements: Windows XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:November 13, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of jZip
view larger From Discordia:
jZip is a new compression utility for Windows. jZip supports multiple popular archive formats such as ZIP, RAR, 7z, ISO, TAR and GZip. It is fully compatible with archives created by other utilities such as WinZip, WinRar and 7-Zip. Version 1.1 is a maintenance release.

PPMate 1.6.3

Download Now (1.69MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Average User Rating: (out of 9 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 194,025
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP, Windows Media Player 9
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:November 21, 2006 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)



Publisher's description of PPMate
view larger From PPMate:
PPMate is for online TV programs. The software integrated the most advanced peer-to-peer technology so it can provide the users with the smoothest TV programs with no interceptions. It has CCTV ESPN CAIFU sports.

Trillian 3.1.9.0

Download Now (8.64MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 1367 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 34,985,667
Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:December 11, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of Trillian
view larger From Cerulean Studios:
Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC. It provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, tabbed chatting, system-tray notifications and alerts, and privacy settings.

Version 3.1.9.0 is a maintenance release and resolves a bug effecting Yahoo Messenger.

See more CNET content tagged:
AOL Instant Messenger, Cerulean Studios, Trillian, Yahoo IM, mIRC
Download.com Video: Trillian


Editor's review of Trillian
All-in-one IMAfter nearly two years, Trillian is back to claim its rightful title as king of all chat clients. Version 3 offers a completely overhauled interface, tabbed chatting, enhanced messaging functionality, improved file transfers, and a new Instant Lookup feature. The program offers simultaneous access to the fab-five chat clients: Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ, mIRC, and AIM. By importing your passwords, buddy lists, and client preferences into its own interface, Trillian acts as a hub for all your chat traffic.

Installation and setup are simple, and the included features are useful. You can check supported e-mail accounts with one click, view detailed event logs for each client, and, of course, chat. Plus, each supported chat client has options such as video and voice messaging, SMS support, and file transfers. Trillian also offers skin support, although they can be a bit testy to install. While you'll occasionally lose contact with AIM, that's AOL's fault. Credit Trillian for fixing these blocks quickly.

The best thing about Trillian is that it's absolutely free--there's no adware or functionality limitations. So if you need help managing your schizophrenic chatting identity, this puppy's for you.

BearFlix 1.1.6.1

Download Now (3.24MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 312 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 18,985,111
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:October 17, 2006 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of BearFlix
view larger From MusicLab:
BearFlix is the fastest video download application on the Web offering access to millions of video titles, all free. BearFlix is powered by the same engine as BearShare, but optimized from the ground up for video download. BearFlix is 100% clean, with no adware, no spyware, no viruses, no trojans. Just pure video downloads. Share BearFlix with your friends.
See more CNET content tagged:
P2P, swarming, video, video player, virus


Editor's review of BearFlix
BearFlix roars out of the cave with swarming, hashing, fast downloads and a video player, but hibernates when confronted with proxies.

BearFlix almost configures itself, and its toolbar and icon interface is geared toward novices. (Configuration options help advanced users suit the program to taste.) Based on the popular BearShare, and connected to the Gnutella network, this utility is optimized for video files. Simply enter a search term, and find files immediately. As with all P2P networks, there's no guarantee the files are available, accurately named, or virus-free. However, BearFlix's file-rating option helps users self-police spam off the network.

BearFlix uses hashing to discover identical files across the network, making file swarming easy without user intervention. We found that files downloaded very quickly, but BearFlix took slightly more system memory than Firefox 2. However, it includes a video player to help forestall memory creep. This freeware version includes a banner ad, and download speeds are slightly crippled. Advanced users will note configuring BearFlix is easy but will be disappointed the program lacks proxy server support.

Novice peer-to-peer users will find BearFlix a great entry-level P2P program, but most users will prefer an application geared to files of all types.

ICQ 6

Download Now (11.07MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 10822 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 159,934,125
Requirements: Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:April 17, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of ICQ
view larger From ICQ:
ICQ 6 provides users with an innovative communication experience and enables quick and simple interaction among users across all communication platforms. ICQ 6 offers the entire suite of digital and mobile communication tools available today, all integrated seamlessly in a single message window. ICQ 6 boasts an entirely new client infrastructure and a completely redesigned UI along with a fresh look and feel.

Innovations and improved features in ICQ 6 include:

* Quick IM--enabling users to send messages to contacts without opening a message window.
* Easy access simple navigation between incoming messages.
* Tabbed conversations--management of all active conversations in one message window by using tabs.
* History--new and improved search history of messages, files, and calls.
* Search capabilities--advanced and easy-to-use search through contacts, on ICQ, and on the web.

Badongo Buddy 3.3

Download Now (1,007K) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 123 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 1,836,339 Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:February 22, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of Badongo Buddy
view larger From Badongo:
The new Badongo Buddy offers a faster and easier way to upload individual files, up to 1 gigabyte in size, conveniently from your desktop. After the Buddy is downloaded, users can "right-click" on any file on their computer and upload them to Badongo. The Windows based user interface lets users to drag and drop multiple files to be uploaded at any time. The Badongo Buddy works in conjunction with your free account on badongo.com. Badongo lets you easily store your favorite pictures, videos, music, and files on its servers.

Version 3.3 improves handling of downloading merge files and changes login structure.

See more CNET content tagged:
online storage,


Editor's review of Badongo Buddy
Here's a Buddy for BadongoBadongo Buddy is a desktop client to help members of the online storage site Badongo.com manage their uploaded files. It features basic tools, such as file Upload and Download. It also has some useful innovations, such as merge and FTP-style logging to let you track your behavior.

The Upload tool has a fully functional drag-and-drop feature, which makes uploads exceedingly simple. Distributing the URL for sharing of the file is just as simple as the upload process, since the link lives next to the uploaded file. A quick copy button makes the interface user-friendly. Another useful feature is that the Buddy creates a context-menu upload option for all files.

Download features are only available in the Premium version for the Buddy, but they're available online. The merge option lets users split and recombine large files for segmented uploading and downloading. Combined with the Badongo widgets for MySpace, the Buddy makes Badongo a formidable personal file distributor.

SecureMaker.com 5.1.9

Download Now (2.12MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 186 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 141,634 Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:February 13, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of SecureMaker.com
view larger
From SecureMaker:

SecureMaker, the PC multi vitamin is a versatile suite which combines all necessary services in a single application. Secure Maker prevents malicious software, protects from spying and tracking, avoids betray, erases log files and history, ensures privacy, reduces advertising while increasing surfing speed, marks spammed emails, defragments the hard disk, cleans up computers registry, manages startup programs, and includes fully automated email encryption as well as a password generator. leistung SecureMaker is in addition to existing Firewall and Anti Virus solutions and uses very less memory and performance. The well organized interface makes it easy to use for novice and professionals. Version 5.1.9 solves some bugs.

See more CNET content tagged:
e-mail, malicious software, security


Editor's review of SecureMaker.com
This free program performs comprehensive security maintenance on your computer, but its effectiveness is somewhat dubious so far.

There's a lot to SecureMaker, but its well-designed interface keeps everything organized so that even novice users will find it easy to navigate. A button menu on the left organizes functions by categories like e-mail and ad protection. The settings include options to protect your system from spyware and spam, and to increase speed. Running tests may slow down your computer, depending on hardware. We were not happy about the publisher's antispam approach, which requires you to send e-mails to everyone you want to receive messages from. A user-defined whitelist option would have been more effective and less time consuming.

Stability issues have plagued some testers, while others have found them nonexistent. We liked that the app blocked ads in browsers and that turning off SecureMaker meant we only had to refresh the page to see the ads again. However, it was overly aggressive and also blocked some non-ad content. Even worse, version 5.1.7 claims to have disk defragmenting capabilities that, as of the time of writing, were nonfunctional. Although this version of SecureMaker represents a good start in some areas, we wouldn't rely on it for protection at this point.

My Lockbox 1.2

Download Now (1.27MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 9 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 7,817 Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:December 27, 2007

Publisher's description of My Lockbox
view larger From FSPro Labs:

My Lockbox is a freeware software application that allows you to password protect whatever file on your computer. The protected folder (lockbox) is hidden from any user and application of your system, including Administrator and System itself. It is impossible to access the lockbox not only from the local computer, but also from the net.

The program is extremely easy to use. You can set the lockbox location and the password during the setup procedure. After the setup is done, lockbox will be hidden and locked until you enter the valid password. My Lockbox Control Panel allows you easily change basic lockbox parameters: lockbox location, protection status, password. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.

Editor's review of My Lockbox
Vanishing actThose of us who crave a little privacy in our file system will appreciate My Lockbox's simple premise of password-protecting a folder and erasing the path from view. On the interface, which is also under your password's lock and key, you have multiple ways to select the hushed-up folder, which can contain subfolders and conceivably unlimited files. You'll also be able to manually lock or unlock the files and keep the lock box concealed while in Safe Mode. You can also choose to keep the tray icon of a lock from appearing whenever the lock box is open. Users will also find skins and the ability to set a hot key. However, while secrecy is of the utmost concern, the app's prominent placement as a Start menu icon is puzzling.

dBpoweramp Music Converter 12.4

Download Now (4.03MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $18.00 to buy
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 773 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 15,165,684
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: 60-day trial
Date Added:December 29, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of dBpoweramp Music Converter
view larger From Illustrate: CNET Trusts Illustrate
http://www.dbpoweramp.com/

dBpoweramp Music Converter nicknamed the Swiss knife of audio: Digitally rip audio CDs, Convert effortlessly between audio formats, extend Windows shell, Edit ID Tags. CD Ripper: secure, fast and supports AccurateRip, making it the only choice when ripping cds. CD details and extended information such as label, rating, composer and album artwork are retrieved from All Media Guide. Convert: effortlessly between audio formats whilst preserving ID tags. Practically every audio type supported, including mp3, mp4, m4a (iPod & iTunes), Windows Media Audio (WMA), OGG Vorbis, AAC, Apple Lossless, Wavpack, Monkey's Audio, and FLAC (from Codec Central). A broad range of DSP effects including ReplayGain Normalization, Graphic EQ, Fade. Windows Integration: audio info tips and columns. Advanced ID tag editing.

Version 12.4 features: CD Ripper: New AccurateRip. mp3: Album Art handling improvement (handles art description field).

See more CNET content tagged:
CD, MP3, audio, audio CD, codec

Editor's review of dBpoweramp Music Converter
Problem-free conversionThis mostly standard audio utility simply converts files and rips CDs, but it works without a hitch. dBpowerAmp Music Converter has separate interfaces for extracting audio from discs and batch converting tunes. In our tests, the program showed good speed. It can even rip some protected audio CDs and includes a basic player.

It queries CD information from the Web and can automatically create subfolders and name tracks. To keep the download size small, it only includes MP3 (LAME) and WAV codecs, though you can easily download and install additional components from the publisher's site. Similar to other utilities in this genre, dBpowerAmp Music Converter lets you determine the audio quality of your new files, though it also offers an ample number of presets.

Also, unlike some competing programs, this demo will let you rip or transform as many files as you like for a full month. Most people who rip and convert audio files occasionally will find something to like about dBpowerAmp Music Converter, particularly novices.

Videora iPod Converter 3.07

Download Now (6.82MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 78 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 1,098,392
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:December 12, 2007

Publisher's description of Videora iPod Converter
view larger From Red Kawa: CNET Trusts Red Kawa
http://www.redkawa.com

Videora iPod Converter is a free iPod video converter that converts video files, YouTube videos, movies and DVD's so you can play them on your iPod. The software can convert all types of video files (avi, divx, xvid, flv, x264, vob, mkv, mpeg, DVD's, YouTube, etc.) into the proper video formats (MPEG-4, H.264) that play on the iPod. Version 3.0.7 added support for more subtitle formats and improved error reporting.

Download.com Video: Videora iPod Converter
Editor's review of Videora iPod Converter
This freeware video-to-iPod converter aims to be the ultimate in desktop iPod and iPhone accessories. It can take just about any video format, smoothly output it in either H.264 or MPEG-4, and download YouTube videos. It has some drawbacks, but nothing that outweighs the benefits of owning this superb converter.

The program is geared for beginners and advanced users by utilizing two different conversion interfaces. Beginners are walked through each step of the process, while those more comfortable with video conversion have all their choices laid out in one pane. The built-in Internet Explorer points only to YouTube, but it means that you can easily search the site, download videos, and convert them without having to jump between apps. Conversion rates were fairly quick, with a 1-minute FLV taking less than 2 minutes to convert.

The ad-supported app has a heavy footprint, so be prepared to close some programs if your machine doesn't have at least 2GB of RAM. This also led to irregular hangs, and we had to restart the program on numerous occasions after it had been idle for more than 5 minutes. Also, Videora opens iTunes as soon as a conversion is finished. It's a convenience for some, but can be disabled should users want.

Daniusoft Digital Media to ARCHOS Converter 2.0.16

Download Now (2.99MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $29.95 to buy
Downloads: 1345
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server
Limitations: Watermark on output
Date Added:February 22, 2008

Publisher's description of Daniusoft Digital Media to ARCHOS Converter
From Daniusoft Studio: CNET Trusts Daniusoft Studio
http://www.daniusoft.com/

Daniusoft Digital Media to ARCHOS Converter is a powerful yet easy-to-use application that can convert audio and video to ARCHOS compatible formats. It supports audio to audio, video to video, and video to audio conversion. It directly converts media stream at the bottom of the operating system, so the output files keep high quality and the conversion speed is fast. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.

User reviews of Daniusoft Digital Media to ARCHOS Converter

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Learn how to tweak your LCD TV resolution for optimum picture quality.
In this course, you’ll learn how to properly set the basic picture controls available on most LCD sets to maximize your home-theater viewing pleasure.
In this course, you’ll learn how to:

• Create proper room lighting.
• Dim the TV’s backlight.
• Control the brightness and contrast.
• Set up your color correctly.
• Further fine-tune your TV settings.
• Have your TV professionally calibrated.

Begin to explore how to calibrate your LCD TV to get the best possible results.

So you’ve finally stepped up and ditched your bulky tube television for a sleek new flat-panel LCD set. Problem is, like most televisions, LCDs are preconfigured to make an impact on the sales floor of your local electronics superstore, not in your living room. These default settings are usually way too bright and garish to accurately represent real life. Here’s how to properly set the basic picture controls available on most LCD sets to maximize your home-theater viewing pleasure.

• To get started with this project, we recommend that you have the following:
  An LCD flat-panel TV
• A “daylight” lightbulb (which glows at about 6,500 degrees Kelvin)
• A home-theater setup DVD, such as Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-Up or Digital Video Essentials
• Take stock of what you already have and what you need to get. To shop now, click here to print your shopping list.

Learn how to set the proper lighting for your TV room.
Because most people turn down the lights to watch a movie, our recommendations are designed to deliver a better DVD picture in rooms with controlled lighting. Unless you’re sitting at the minimum viewing distance for your LCD television’s size (see the chart), you shouldn’t watch movies in complete darkness because it can cause eyestrain. The ideal setup is to place a dim light directly behind the television and leave the rest of the room dark. You should also try to prevent any light in the room from reflecting off the LCD screen, as glare will hamper image fidelity

For more details Visit: http://lcd-tv-calibration.classes.cnet.com/lesson-1/lesson-1-page-1/

Thanks to PS3, Sony enjoys spoils of HD fracas

Tuesday's announcement from Toshiba that it is pulling its support of the HD DVD format and ceasing production of the video players effectively stamps Sony as the new standard bearer of high-definition video.
Sony has long been associated with the Blu-ray Disc format, but HD DVD's demise brings new opportunity for the Japanese electronics maker to effectively take control of the future of high-definition in consumers' living rooms.
The fall of HD DVD gives Sony a chance to really extend its high-definition strategy with the pieces it already has in place: It's the only major consumer electronics player with a real presence in every high-profile consumer market: HDTVs, cameras, notebook PCs, gaming, and even a film studio that creates high-definition content. It has positioned itself so well that it would have to really screw up to not seamlessly ascend the throne as king of HD.
It's a change in fortune for the company whose gaming and electronics divisions were struggling throughout the past year. Suddenly the company's PlayStation 3 strategy appears smarter than previously thought.
One of the key's to Sony's success is undoubtedly the royalty structure--Sony, Philips, Panasonic, and Warner Bros. all own patents on Blu-ray technology and they get paid when anyone manufactures a Blu-ray player or disc. But it's not the only thing. The company's brand legacy and the most important weapon in its HD arsenal, the PlayStation 3, mean Sony has a leg up on all other participants in the world of high definition.
Sony already owns the largest chunk of market share of Blu-ray devices, but it's not because millions of people are buying Blu-ray Disc players as replacements for standard DVD players.
"The majority of Sony's success in the Blu-ray Disc market hasn't been because of their standalone player business--it's been the PlayStation 3," noted Paul Erickson, director of DVD and HD market research for DisplaySearch.
Sony's strategy of seeding the market with PlayStation 3 game consoles that came with Blu-ray Discs playback ability looks fairly prescient now, though it didn't at the time.
After a boffo market entrance--fans queuing up for days to buy the next-generation consoles--in late 2006, Sony had to deal with a lot of bad press for product shortages and the success of the Xbox 360, and the sudden popularity of the Wii from Nintendo. Blu-ray's inclusion in the PS3 was a major reason for product shortages and was responsible for the high price of the console.
Sony was able to claim in January 2007 that it had 1 million Blu-ray players sold. But those were largely PS3 sales. At the time, since the battle with HD DVD was still in full swing, it wasn't clear that Sony's strategy on Blu-ray had worked.
HD DVD's demise gives new perspective. Sony doesn't break out how many standalone players it has sold from the number of PS3s, but according to DisplaySearch shipment estimates, in the third quarter of 2007, Sony accounted for nearly 96 percent of Blu-ray devices worldwide. In conjunction with point-of-sale data collected by the NPD Group that shows Sony and Samsung collectively accounted for 87 percent of Blu-ray Disc standalone player sales in December alone, Sony is already the dominant player. Samsung is its closest competitor, but the royalties earned on manufacture of the discs and players give Sony much more room to be competitive.
Sony won't comment on any future business plans for the company, but it can now move full-speed ahead on its HD strategy in the living room, which it's been laying out over the last year or so.
It said as much in this statement it issued Tuesday: "We believe that a single format will benefit both consumers and the industry, and will accelerate the expansion of the market.
"Blu-ray has been and will continue to be a core part of Sony's HD strategy. We will continue to promote the benefits of HD throughout the value chain including Blu-ray products, Bravia LCD TVs, PlayStation 3, Vaio PCs, camcorders, entertainment content, and broadcast and professional."
Pricing of Blu-ray players is what is most up in the air. So far, it's the biggest reason that most consumers have not purchased high-definition video players.
Toshiba had a lot of success last fall lowering its prices dramatically on HD DVD players, but Sony faces different challenges. Unlike Toshiba, which was the sole producer of standalone players in its format, Sony is not the only producer of standalone Blu-ray Disc players. Samsung, Philips, Panasonic, and others will now begin to compete with Sony, and each other, over features and pricing of Blu-ray players.
But just because HD DVD is dead does not mean Sony will automatically make its standalone player prices more competitive, said DisplaySearch's Erickson.
"I'm not sure Sony is going to be as aggressive on player prices because they're attacking the market on two fronts (PS3 and standalone players)," he said. "PS3 pricing is not going to be governed by Blu-ray Disc (player) prices; it's judged by competitiveness with Xbox 360...There's not as much impetus for them to be hyper-competitive on standalone player prices."
Whether they will do that or not remains to be seen. Now with HD DVD out of the way and Sony's game console strategy vindicated, what will be interesting in the months to come is where it goes with standalone players.
Ross Rubin, an analyst with the NPD Group, doesn't anticipate any major moves by Sony quite yet. "I don't suspect we'll see any imminent price drops, but there could be this holiday season."

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

Download Now (83.86MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $19.99 to buy
Downloads: 1,577
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, 1.0GHz CPU, 256 MB RAM, 64MB RAM video card that supports Direct X 9.0cD
Limitations: 60-minute trial
Date Added:February 13, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)
Publisher's description of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

view larger From ValuSoft: CNET Trusts ValuSoft
http://www.valu-soft.com


Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords delivers classic puzzle-game action backed with an epic story of good vs. evil. Challenge your skills in single-player campaign mode, or battle your friends via multiplayer. Embark on an epic single-player campaign comprising of more than 150 challenging quests, and build your empire as you capture cities; earn money with each gold title to buy helms, weapons, armor and and other items.

This trial provides 60 minutes of gameplay from the full version of Puzzle Quest.

SiSoftware Sandra XII SP1

Download Now (14.31MB) Tested spyware free

License:Free to try; $29.99 to buy
Average User Rating: (out of 59 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 859,292
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: 73-module trial, free for personal/educational use
Date Added:December 16, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of SiSoftware Sandra
view larger From SiSoftware: CNET Trusts SiSoftware
http://www.sisoftware.net

SiSoftware Sandra is a 32 and 64-bit Windows system analyser that includes benchmarking, testing and listing modules. It tries to go beyond other utilities to show you more of what is really going on under the hood so you draw comparisons at both a high and low-level in a single product. You can get information about the CPU, chipset, video adapter, ports, printers, sound card, memory, network, Windows internals, AGP, ODBC Connections, USB2. Version XII SP1 adds 2 new benchmarks, hardware and software support and optimisations.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 4.41

Download Now (8.86MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $49.99 to buy (Buy it now)
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 753 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 3,680,123
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: 100-day trial
Date Added:September 2, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of Ashampoo WinOptimizer
view larger From Ashampoo: CNET Trusts Ashampoo
http://www.ashampoo.com

In addition to older versions of Windows, the new Ashampoo WinOptimizer 4 is fully compatible with Windows Vista in both the 32 and 64 bit versions. This means that you can start maintaining your slick new Vista system right away--it won't even have a chance to get clogged down with new garbage. In addition to Vista compatibility, WinOptimizer 4 also comes with three new modules, a brand-new hard disk defragmenter, a huge number of new system tweaking options and many other improvements and enhancements. The new version includes three new modules and a completely new Vista-compatible version of the disk defragmenter. In addition to this a very large number of new options has been added to the popular Tweaking Tools module--you can now adjust well over 400 Windows system settings.

Version 4.41 fixed a possible display problem, startup problem, 'BlueFindDeviceClose' bug; improved 'system info' module.

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Ashampoo, Microsoft Windows Vista, hard drive, module, registry cleaner
Editor's review of Ashampoo WinOptimizer
PC tune-upKeeping your car running like a champ requires a bit of maintenance now and again. When that time arises, you want to take your beloved to a mechanic you trust. The same holds true for your computer. You'll want to use a trusted maintenance/optimization suite, one that has done you right in the past and has kept your operating system healthy.

Enter Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum Suite. With a gorgeous interface and the simple One-Click Optimization feature, the app expands on its already-good reputation with an eye-catching product. WinOptimizer offers Drive Cleaner, Registry Cleaner, Internet Cleaner, Internet Tuner, File Associator, DLL Cleaner, File Wiper, and Start-Up Tuner. Each of the eight tools features a metallic interface, a nice overview, a warning where applicable, and a large Start button.

WinOptimizer safeguards potentially dangerous tools such as Registry Cleaner and DLL Cleaner by flagging only items that can be deleted without worry. One-Click Optimization is the safest bet for a quick checkup, running all the tools in one swoop. Novice users will appreciate the ease of use while pro users will find plenty of ways to get their hands dirty.

Riva FLV Encoder 2

Download Now (4.73MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 114 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 3,287,182
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:April 13, 2005 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of Riva FLV Encoder
view larger From Rothenberger Global Training Solutions: CNET Trusts Rothenberger Global Training Solutions
http://www.rivavx.com/

Riva FLV Encoder enables you to encode video files to Flash video (.FLV) files. It currently supports the most common video formats, including AVI, DV, MPEG, MOV, and WMV, and includes a player to preview the converted .FLV file. The program supports custom output settings and allows you to save your configuration as profile for easy access. Version 2.0 includes FLV 1.1, cropping, and padding.
See more CNET content tagged:
AVI, MPEG, WMV, video, video converter
Editor's review of Riva FLV Encoder
Who said free had to be flimsy, too? This robust video converter ably packs a number of file formats into the Flash video format and is stylish to boot. Riva FLV Encoder works well with the usual suspects: AVI, WMV, MPEG, and MOV files. With a graceful, well-designed interface that shows its developers care about details, this video converter also offers a healthy set of conversion options. Frame rate, bit rate, and audio-compression options all can be set to your preferences. The program can "cut" video files into JPEG images, if needed. We were very impressed with Riva's conversion speed during our tests. Another nice detail is the inclusion of several presets depending on your network type (ISDN or DSL, for example). What's more, you can easily save settings to save time later. Overall, Riva is a great freeware application for Webmasters looking for a reliable (and inexpensive) way to convert video files to the Web.

Easy CD-DA Extractor 11.1

Download Now (5.94MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $16.10 to buy (Buy it now)
Average User Rating: (out of 1005 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 10,472,553
Requirements: Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: 30-day free trial, unlimited features.
Date Added:January 31, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of Easy CD-DA Extractor
view larger From Poikosoft: CNET Trusts Poikosoft
http://www.poikosoft.com


Easy CD-DA Extractor aka "Swiss Army Knife Of Digital Audio" is ALL-IN-ONE software that copies Audio CDs, converts audio files from one format to another, edits metadata of audio files and can burn Audio CD, MP3 CD & DVD, and Data CD & DVD. Supports all popular audio file formats such as MP3, M4A (iTunes, iPod), WMA, AAC, aacPlus, and FLAC.

Version 11.1 enhanced MusicBrainz support and improved user interface.

Windows Essentials Media Codec Pack 1

Download Now (8.18MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Average User Rating: (out of 219 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 2,459,259
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:April 12, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of Windows Essentials Media Codec Pack
From MediaCodec: CNET Trusts MediaCodec
http://www.mediacodec.org

Windows Essentials Codec Pack is a collection of audio and video DirectShow codecs and filters. With Windows Essentials Codec Pack you should be able to play 99% of all movies and music files that you download off the Internet, stay up to date with the latest codecs with the Audio/Video Codec Update Service, and eliminate the many conflicts and errors caused by using multiple codecs to decode the same file types.

Windows Essentials Codec Pack is designed as a user-friendly near complete solution for all your video and audio needs, with it you can play audio CDs, DVDs, (S)VCDs, and XCDs on the fly, and it adds support for 3GP, AAC, AC3, APE, AVI, DivX, 3ivx, DAT, h.264, x264, Nero Digital, DTS, FLV, FLAC, HD-MOV, MPEG-1/2, M4A, MP3, MP4, MO3, MOD, MKV, OFR, TTA, OGG/OGM, S3M, Vorbis, VOB, XviD, XM, WV, and UMX formats so you could play any video/audio file with your favorite DirectShow media player or with the (included) Media Player Classic.

mIRC 6.31

Download Now (1.65MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $20.00 to buy
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 217 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 12,039,297
Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: 30-day trial
Date Added:November 4, 2007 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)
Publisher's description of mIRC
view larger From mIRC Co. Ltd.: CNET Trusts mIRC Co. Ltd.
http://www.mirc.com

mIRC is a full featured Internet Relay Chat client for Windows that can be used to communicate, share, play or work with others on IRC networks around the world, either in multi-user group conferences or in one-to-one private discussions.

It has a clean, practical interface that is highly configurable and supports features such as buddy lists, file transfers, multi-server connections, SSL encryption, proxy support, UTF-8 display, customizable sounds, spoken messages, tray notifications, message logging, and more.

mIRC also has a powerful scripting language that can be used both to automate mIRC and to create applications that perform a wide range of functions from network communications to playing games.

This latest version of mIRC updates the interface with shiny new icons as well as a range of other improvements, building on the previous release which added full Vista compatibility, support for limited user accounts, U3 support, tray notification messages, full treebar positioning, and a compact mode to make mIRC behave like a messenger application.

See more CNET content tagged:
IRC, mIRC, message, server
Editor's review of mIRC
Get more chat with mIRCInternet Relay Chat is not as well-known as ICQ, even though it successfully combines chat and messaging without annoying ads. The IRC network is a virtual meeting place where people from all over the world can meet and talk. With mIRC, you can choose from an unlimited number of existing chat rooms based on personal interests, or you can create your own channels with family and friends. IRC is more advanced than simple messenging, so it may take a while to get started. With a bit of browsing, though, you'll find that the mIRC interface allows easy access to IRC features. It guides you through the initial stages, including selecting from a wide list of servers. You can connect to more than one IRC server at once and chat through proxy. By creating your own channel, you can even set up a virtual meeting with colleagues. This program suits advanced users keen to expand their chat-client functionalities. For first-time users, mIRC offers the most functionality of any chat program available, which can be overwhelming at first--but if you read the help files you'll be on your way to using all the features mIRC has to offer.

MemTurbo 4.1

Download Now (1.77MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $29.95 to buy
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 26 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 1,608,510 Requirements: Windows XP
Limitations: 50-day trial
Date Added:June 28, 2007

Publisher's description of MemTurbo
view larger From Sammsoft: CNET Trusts Sammsoft
http://www.sammsoft.com


Give your system that "Like New Start-up Feeling" with a single click. MemTurbo is a highly acclaimed and powerful application to achieve advanced memory optimization along with resource and cache management of files. Applications can now allocate memory without forcing Windows to swap. This leads to an increase in system's performance and lowers response time, especially if you run many applications at the same time.

Version 4.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

See more CNET content tagged:
Microsoft Windows, function, memory, setting, utility
Editor's review of MemTurbo
This effective memory optimization tool will boost your system's performance, but the demo disables some useful options. MemTurbo's well-designed interface logically places the important tools at the forefront, while making other functions easy to access. The program minimizes to your system tray for quick access if needed. Many users may find they use the wizard and let the utility operate unmanaged. Oddly, however, the wizard suggests Auto Recover and Target Free RAM levels, but doesn't automatically set those values.

The concepts and information presented through the wizard and help screens is clear and helpful. The default memory optimization functions are easily set up and sufficient for most users. Advanced users will find it easy to further tweak settings to improve system performance. Many functions and tips are easily enabled with single-click buttons and option settings. In addition to tuning memory, this utility includes features to boost priority for active programs, reclaim RAM from idle programs, and force Windows to improve system cache use.

A history or undo feature to revert settings is sorely missed. While the demo period is a mere 15 days and some important features are disabled, testing this utility is still easily accomplished. Experienced users will get more out of this application, but even novice users should notice system improvements with the wizard's settings.

Glary Utilities 2.4

Download Now (5.23MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
User Rating: (out of 251 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 401,585
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:January 4, 2008

Publisher's description of Glary Utilities
view larger From Glaryutilities: CNET Trusts Glaryutilities
http://www.glaryutilities.com


Glary Utilities offers numerous powerful and easy-to-use system tools and utilities to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC. It allows you to clean common system junk files, as well as invalid registry entries and Internet traces. You can manage and delete browser add-ons, analyze disk space usage and find duplicate files. You can also view and manage installed shell extensions, encrypt your files from unauthorized access and use, split large files into smaller manageable files and then rejoin them. Furthermore, Glary Utilities includes the options to optimize memory, find, fix, or remove broken Windows shortcuts, manage the programs that start at Windows startup and uninstall software. Other features include secure file deletion, an Empty Folder finder. Version 2.4 adds file undelete, or some bug fixed.

Security Task Manager 1.7e

Download Now (1.5MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $29.00 to buy
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 109 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 2,317,177
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: 60-day trial
Date Added:June 4, 2007


Publisher's description of Security Task Manager
view larger From A. & M. Neuber: CNET Trusts A. & M. Neuber
http://www.neuber.com/?ref=download.com


Security Task Manager displays detailed information about all running processes (applications, DLLs, BHOs, and services). For each process, it improves on Windows Task Manager, providing a security risk rating, a process description, file path, CPU usage graph, start time, embedded hidden functions (for example keyboard monitoring, autostart entry, and browser supervision or manipulation), and process type, such as visible window, systray program, DLL, and IE plug-in. The security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware, a Trojan, or keylogger. It also deletes traces of your Internet and computer activity, prevents keyboard input monitoring, and warns you when the registry is changed. This process viewer also recognizes stealth processes and virtual driver software hidden from the Windows Task Manager.

Version 1.7e improves Windows Vista compatibility and adds more languages.

See more CNET content tagged:
A. & M. Neuber, Web browser, monitoring, process, security
Editor's review of Security Task Manager
Keep an extra eye on threatsThis handy utility enhances the functionality of Windows' Task Manager by warning you about potential system threats.

Upon launch, Security Task Manager automatically scans your PC to find all running programs. It then displays information about each application in a sortable list, including name, CPU usage, size, manufacturer, and risk factor. Highlighting each entry gives you more detailed data on running processes, including a description of what it does and how much of a threat it poses to your system. If Security Task Manager finds a potentially malevolent program, you can remove or quarantine it.

Especially handy is the feature that automatically searches Google for information about a specific program with a single click. Though it doesn't offer a wide range of features, this program will be useful to those looking for an extra layer of system protection.

Auslogics Disk Defrag 1.4.11.275

Download Now (1.53MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 1777 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 1,707,677
Requirements: Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:January 20, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)


Publisher's description of Auslogics Disk Defrag
view larger From Auslogics Software: CNET Trusts Auslogics Software
http://www.auslogics.com/


Disk fragmentation leads to system slowdowns, PC crashes, slow startup and shutdown and sometimes to system failures. Auslogics Disk Defrag is designed for fast optimization of today's modern hard disks. Get the maximum performance out of your expensive hardware investments. Version 1.4.11.275 includes is a bug fixing release.

See more CNET content tagged:
AusLogics, hard drive, sector
Download.com Video: Auslogics Disk Defrag
Editor's review of Auslogics Disk Defrag
Rejoin hard drive fragmentsJoin your hard drive fragments together into a tight bunch with this freeware. Auslogics Disk Defrag's interface couldn't be any cleaner or easier to use.

Choose a hard drive from an easy-to-read pull-down menu, and Disk Defrag instantly displays the drive's size, and used and free space. The program even displays a pie graph for visual learners. One click starts the defragmentation process. The program's defrag process screen displays another handy visual. A sector map makes it easy to see how much of the drive is fragmented, allocated, or free. As the program churns away, the defragged sectors are displayed in blue.

We found the program fast, even on older XP systems. A handy HTML report is prepared after each defrag session. A summary displays the total files and folders defragged, while the detail section lists the defrag outcome for each file. We only wish a final sector map was included in the report. Novices to system administrators will love this easy-to-use hard drive defrag program.

VersionTracker Pro 4

Download Now (3.19MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $29.95 to buy
Average User Rating: (out of 281 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 5,171,021
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: 20 free scans; purchase required to install updates
Date Added:October 1, 2007
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Publisher's description of VersionTracker Pro
view larger From CNET TechTracker: CNET Trusts CNET TechTracker
http://www.techtracker.com/

Whether you are keeping a home PC up-to-date or you're an IT professional, VersionTracker Pro--a new CNET service--delivers all the information you need to make the right decision on updating your drivers and software.

VersionTracker Pro checks your installed drivers and software against an online database and offers upgrade details, compatibility, ratings and reviews, and download links. VersionTracker Pro lets you quickly manage the software you care about and the drivers you need.

Start by running your free scan to see a complete list of your drivers and software and all available updates. After purchasing VersionTracker Pro you can begin downloading every update you need, and you'll always be the first to know when upgrades for your drivers and software are available.

Version 4.0 adds improved matching technology to provide faster scans and more accurate matches with the software and driver database; it also adds the ability to uninstall unwanted software with VersionTracker Pro.

Note: CNET acquired VersionTracker Pro in September 2007, As we continue to develop the software, we would like ideas and feedback from you.

With this dialog in mind, we have created an open discussion in the CNET forums. Please direct your suggestions, comments, and questions about VersionTracker Pro to this forum discussion, where the development team, CNET editors, and other customers will be contributing to the conversation.

FileMenu Tools

Download Now (5.99MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
User Rating: (out of 14 votes)
Downloads: 219
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:February 19, 2008

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Publisher's description of FileMenu Tools
view larger From LopeSoft: CNET Trusts LopeSoft
http://www.lopesoft.com

FileMenu Tools lets you customize the context (right-click) menu of Windows Explorer. The application adds built-in utilities to perform operations on files and folders and adds customized commands that let users run external applications, copy/move to a specific folder or delete specific file types. With FileMenu Tools, you also can customize the "Send to..." submenu and enable/disable context-menu commands added by other applications.

Version 5.3.2 fixes a bug affecting some Windows commands not working correctly, and also now remembers settings for each folder when synchronizing.

Quick Slide Show 2.31

Download Now (15.03MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $39.95 to buy (Buy it now) Editor's Rating: Average User Rating: (out of 3 votes) Rate it! Downloads: 81,928 Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Limitations: 7-day trial
Date Added:February 1, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)
Publisher's description of Quick Slide Show

CNET Trusts NarAndSoft
http://www.narand.com


Creating high-quality Flash slide show, screen savers, multimedia presentations, family animated albums. File conversion (SWF, EXE, SCR). Quick Slide Show is an indispensable tool for sales managers in making presentations of goods and services, teachers and educational specialists in preparing interactive teaching material for their lessons and lectures, Web developers in making flash movies.

You can place slide shows created by You on your personal Web site www.your_name.sssuper.com (e.g. www.andrew.sssuper.com) that is in any time can be visited by your friends where they will feel with You are your impressions of holidays, family vacations on the seaside or in the mountains and many other unforgettable events of Your life. Version 2.31 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

See more CNET content tagged:
screensaver, slideshow

Editor's review of Quick Slide Show

Quick and feature-richThis slide-show builder has a horrific logo, embossed in gold. Fortunately, that's the worst thing about the program. If you're looking for an uncomplicated and direct slide-show builder, you could do far worse than Quick Slide Show.

Images can be added internally or via drag-and-drop. Once loaded, the image order can be changed using arrow keys or drag-and-drop again. Output properties are controlled from a left nav, allowing users to alter the specifics of their slide shows on a per-image basis or for the entire thing. Effects such as fade in and fade out are complemented by attaching a soundtrack, preloading animations, overlaid add-ons, background colors or user-defined patterns, and more. You can output slide shows as SWF, EXE, or SCR, export them to multiple places, and even install them directly as your computer's screensaver.

Aside from the enormous and distracting logo that sits on the app's upper left corner, the only other drawback to this well-designed program is that many of the option specifics aren't labeled clearly. Effects, for example, are given numbers and listed as "Effect 21" or "Effect 9" instead of given useful titles. Besides that, Quick Slide Show is fast-loading and stable. It's a strong slide-show building option for any user.

WordWeb 5.2

Download Now (7.41MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 511 votes)
Downloads: 2,885,588
Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:December 11, 2007

Publisher's description of WordWeb

view larger From Antony Lewis: CNET Trusts Antony Lewis
http://www.crossword-compiler.com/

McAfee has tested this site and found no significant problems.

More info...

Download SiteAdvisor Plus trial This thesaurus/dictionary can be used to look up words from almost any program. In addition to displaying sense definitions and synonyms, WordWeb can find sets of related words. The database has more than 150,000 root words and 120,000 synonym sets, many proper nouns, pronunciations, and usage tags. WordWeb works off line, but when online you can also quickly view web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

Version 5.2 has database updates, minor bug fixes, and enhancements.

See more CNET content tagged:
Wiki, database, definition, word, word-processing
Editor's review of WordWeb
The world of words, one click awayWordWeb is a handy utility that gives you the definition, synonyms, and antonyms of any given word without requiring you to go online, though it can connect to the Internet for expanded functionality should you want it.

The interface feels like an expanded version of any major word processing app's dictionary function, giving users an instant familiarity--even if they've never used WordWeb. After you type a term into the Lookup dialog box, the word's definition will appear in the interface's top pane, along with tabs that link to various wiki functions.

The bottom pane offers tabs for such items as synonyms, antonyms, and related words. The app's most notable feature is its hot key support; you simply use a hot key combo when the cursor is pointed over any word, and WordWeb will pop up onscreen with all pertinent information.

There are tools for changing the database to one of several English variations, altering the text size, and disabling WordWeb from recognizing offensive terms. The depth and functionality of WordWeb would be worth paying for, but thankfully you don't have to redefine your budget to get it--it's free.

Hotspot Shield 0.941

Download Now (1,010.97K) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
User Rating: (out of 57 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 312,649 Requirements: Windows 2000/XP
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:December 20, 2007

Publisher's description of Hotspot Shield
view larger From AnchorFree: CNET Trusts AnchorFree
http://anchorfree.com

Hotspot Shield is a freeware which ensures anonymous and censor-free internet usage. With Hotspot Shield you can even access blocked websites. For example: Skype is blocked in certain parts of the world. With Hotspot Shield, anyone can access Skype (and any other site they choose). The free software ensures censor-free internet usage by encrypting all communications to and from your computer to protect you from online spying.

Version 0.941 increases limit to 5 Gb per person.

See more CNET content tagged:
AnchorFree Inc., HotSpot, Skype, control panel, freeware

Editor's review of Hotspot Shield
This freeware program promises to encrypt all your Internet connections, but since most public Wi-Fi access points in the U.S. are open, it's a bit hard to gauge Hotspot Shield's effectiveness. However, the connection itself is a bit wonky.

Once the program is installed, it creates an HTML link on your desktop. Double-clicking on it will open the application in your Web browser, and you'll be taken to a page detailing your Connection Status, IP Address, Server Address, Bytes sent and received, and the duration of the connection. Hotspot Shield is ad supported, so you'll get a big banner ad that lives at the top of every Web page, too. Closing the tab with the app's control panel doesn't disconnect the shield, though: For that, or to reload the control panel, you have to go through the green shield icon that gets loaded into your system tray. Also, there's a 5GB transfer limit.

Overall, we can't give Hotspot Shield a strong recommendation, but as a last resort it might be worth trying out.

Secure Disk 2.22

Download Now (2.95MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free to try; $95.00 to buy
Average User Rating: (out of 1 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 2,173 Requirements: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: 14-day trial
Date Added:January 21, 2008

Publisher's description of Secure Disk
From Real International Business: CNET Trusts Real International Business
http://gosecure.eu/

Powerful encryption software with pre-boot authentication secures 100% of your hard disk drive, including the OS. Ultimate security standard for encryption at the physical sector level. Based on the most secure technology, AES256, this product is an outstanding data security tool. Support of flash media and USB hard disk drives, so that no one will be able to access your data if you lose it. The inevitable pluses that Secure Disk gives you: reliable protection of confidential information and records of negotiations with clients or business partners on your PC or laptop; Security of your company's financial data and personal computer privacy; Lack of access to the logs of your computer activity (site visit logs in the browser history, history logs of the instant messenger, incoming and outgoing emails).

Version 2.22 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

User reviews of Secure Disk
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MSN Messenger Font Colour Changer 3.01

Download Now (14.2K) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Average User Rating: (out of 82 votes) Rate it!
Downloads: 400,867
Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP, MSN Messenger, (Visual Basic Runtime)
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:September 23, 2002

Publisher's description of MSN Messenger Font Colour Changer
From Chetbox: CNET Trusts Chetbox
http://chetbox.googlepages.com

From the developer: "This is simple, very small program that changes your font colour when using MSN Messenger. It has the advantage of having a colour picker rather than MSN's usual choice of colour (in Windows anyway). There is only one problem know with this program: a conversation window has to be re-opened for changes to take effect. And yes it is really that small! Cannot change colour in conversations that are already open. Window needs to be re-opened."

Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5

Download Now (7.12MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free
Editor's Rating: Average
Downloads: 95,781,204
Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:September 17, 2007

Publisher's description of Spybot - Search & Destroy
view larger From PepiMK Software:
CNET Trusts PepiMK Software
http://spybot.safer-networking.de/


Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

Version 1.5 features improved detection mechanisms and Windows Vista integration, restored support for Windows 95, more compatibility with Wine, and support for bootable Windows CDs.

Editor's review of Spybot - Search & Destroy

Classic security app

Spybot - Search & Destroy has been in the antispyware game for a long time offering features we've come to expect in the best apps in the category, but its bugginess makes it difficult to recommend.

The program checks your system against a comprehensive database of adware and other system invaders. It also features several interface improvements, including multiple skins for dressing up its appearance. Scan results now appear arranged by groups in a tree, and a sliding panel lets you instantly view information about a selected item to help you decide whether to kill it or not. The Immunize feature blocks a plethora of uninvited Web-borne flotsam before it reaches your computer. Other useful tools, including Secure Shredder, complement the program's basic functionality for completely destroying files. Hosts File blocks adware servers from your computer, and System Startup lets you review which apps load when you start your computer.

Unfortunately, the program has the tendency to lock up at times and even during the install process for this review, we encountered several errors. The ambitious feature list and functionality make Spybot - Search & Destroy a good choice for those in search of a second antispyware program, but there are others in the category that do a better job without all the bugs.

Weather Watcher 5.6.25

Download Now (2.16MB) Tested spyware free


License:Free Editor's Rating: Average User Rating: (out of 476 votes) Rate it! Downloads: 1,094,286 Requirements: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Limitations: No limitations
Date Added:January 24, 2008 Add to my Watch List (What's this?)

Publisher's description of Weather Watcher

view larger From Singer's Creations: CNET Trusts Singer's Creations
http://www.SingersCreations.com


Automatically retrieve the current conditions, hourly forecast, daily forecast, detailed forecast, severe weather alerts, and weather maps for over 77,000 cities world-wide. Weather Watcher will allow you to automatically retrieve your weather data at a set interval, display the current temperature in a customized tray icon, display the current condition image in a tray icon, designate which weather information is displayed in the Weather Watcher system tray tooltip, convert the weather data using almost any conversion, display a weather map as your desktop wallpaper, log the weather data in any format, export the weather data in any format, customize the look of the Weather Watcher interface and icons via skins.

Version 5.6.25 adds hundreds of new weather maps (most in the US) and "Precipitation" (POP) to the "Values to Show in Tray Tooltip".

Editor's review of Weather Watcher

Weather the way you like itThis updated weather application offers a smorgasbord of weather-related data. Once you've provided a zip code or city, Weather Watcher's easy-to-use interface displays detailed weather information, including forecasts, temperature, and expected highs and lows. You can add as many locations as you'd like and switch among them using the system-tray icon.

Automatic updates keep you abreast of the current wind speed, dew point, humidity, barometric pressure, and moon phases. You can display your location's current weather conditions by mousing over the temperature readout in your system tray. Weather Watcher provides extensive customizations, measurement conversions, and numerous maps from all over the globe, and a log for quick reference. You can view weather data with hourly and daily forecasts, and create a keyword list to filter severe weather alerts.

The application also features a wallpaper changer for your desktop using several file formats, including JPEG, GIF, BMP, and HTML. Our only serious complaint is its hefty 19MB memory usage. Overall, though, this informative, customizable program can benefit a wide range of users, and it's free to boot. This is a top pick.