Review – ImgBurn v2.5.5.0

For times when a barebones disc burner won't do, give ImgBurn a try.  It handles the main media types (CD/DVD and Blu-Ray) and allows you to pick details such as the disc filesystem and  if it will be bootable, for example.

You also can make copies of your current discs with it, either directly or after saving the contents as an ISO image file on your hard drive.

The program is small and free of cost.  When an update comes out, you can be sure that the list of changes and additions will be about a page long, too.

---

URL: http://www.imgburn.com/

Review – JDownloader v0.9581

Are you a heavy user of file-sharing websites such as Rapidshare, Megadownload, Fileserve and the like?  This program just might be for you.

Requiring the Java runtime environment, this program will allow you to paste in all of your download links and it'll do the rest.  No more waiting for the seconds to count down before clicking on the download link, just hit the start button and do something else on your PC or around your home.  What fun to wake up or come back from work to find all your downloads complete and waiting for you?

This app supports a whole slew of sites, can also be used for premium accounts, regular file downloads from websites too, and it auto-updates, making sure that you can always get the files you want.

(Quick edit!) A friend pointed out to me that if you hand JDownloader a YouTube URL it will allow you to download the video in any format and quality that it comes in on the site.  I've tried it out and must say it works great!

A must for any serious downloader.

---

URL: http://www.jdownloader.org/

Review – KeePass v2.14

These days it's so frustrating trying to remember all of your logins and passwords for the sites you visit.  That is of course IF you can remember all the sites where you have created accounts!

KeePass helps with this problem quite nicely.  It lets you create an encrypted database file in which you can store your login credentials, notes and even some files if need be.  You can encrypt it all with a password and even a key file for extra security.

There are many nice options in this program: You can specify details in the way it will encrypt your data, it can protect its memory from snooping, when you copy a username or password to paste it elsewhere it will clear it out of memory after a few seconds, and the very handy autotype feature which lets KeePass send your login credentials to another program safely.

Some users even copy their database file to their Dropbox folder so that any computer they use can get access to their passwords in a safe way.

---

URL: http://www.keepass.info/

Review – Mozilla Plugin Check

This webpage offers a quick plugin version check to make sure those you have installed are up to date.  This makes sure you have any updates, patches and bug fixes to keep your browsing and security at it's best.

It does a faster checkup then Secunia PSI but only checks your plugins to make sure they are safe, instead of your installed software.

Just another way browser companies are trying to keep web users safe.

---

URL: http://www.mozilla.com/plugincheck/

Review – MyDefrag v4.3.1

This time I present to you a defragmentation utility.  Formerly known as Jkdefrag, this app has been vastly improved with the addition of scripting. 

You can now select the defrag and optimization rules from a simple GUI instead of having to rely on the command line. The disk drive is presented in a slightly odd way, with a barebones interface that shows the drive's contents from end to beginning.  It comes with scripts to allow you to analyze a drive, defragment or optimize it (choosing either system disk or data disk as the type of contents of the partition).

The nicest part is that you can write-up your own scripts to make it optimize your drive the way that best suits you.  You have plenty of document on the official website, and the forum consists of members posting their own scripts or helping you with yours.

Some say that with the computers people have today defragmentation no longer makes a noticeable difference on a system, but I've always felt that it doesn't hurt it, either.

An important note of interest though:  Never defragment a flash-based memory drive, such as an SSD drive, flash drive or memory card (so that rules out MP3 players and iPods, cameras, etc.) Because it will quickly wear them out, leaving you on the losing end.

---

URL: http://www.mydefrag.com/

Review - Notepad++ v5.8.7

I've tried a few notepad replacements hoping to find one that really does the trick.  My current one is called Notepad++ and it's quite popular.

It has highlighting for different programming languages, tabs and an exhaustively long list of plugins to extend its functionality.  Using the plugin manager you are able to install, update and uninstall any supported plugin from the website.  Spellchecker, FTP, even live collaboration over the net.  Most impressive.

Check it out if you are looking around for a replacement to the most basic text editor out there.

---

URL: http://notepad-plus-plus.org/

Review – Quake Live

I don't think I've ever played a first person shooter for as long or as often as Quake 3.  I've always loved the fast-paced action and how you are literally at risk anywhere on the map.
Sure, the bots didn't have the greatest AI, but the real fun came from multiplayer online.  Well that's the focus here again with Quake Live.  You create an account and are shown a list of servers with games that best match your level of skill so that you can play a good balanced game.
Try out your skills in a deathmatch or team deathmatch today!  I hope to frag you in DM7 sometime.
---
URL: http://www.quakelive.com/

Review – Rainlendar v2.8.1

I didn't like having to hover the mouse over the clock in the system tray to get today's date, nor double-click it to see the current month.  And when I started to use XP I noticed that with a limited account I wasn't even allowed to open the calendar view in the first place (odd).

Using Rainlendar however lets me see the current date and month on my desktop, along with any upcoming tasks or events that I have set.  Now when an event is 6 days away or less I will see it in a simple window on the desktop's background image so that I will be sure that I won't forget.

You can change the user interface using skins, have it sync with your Google calendar too.  In fact it exports to the iCalendar format, so I can see my events and dates when looking at the calendar on my iPod.  Most useful.

If you have trouble keeping up with dates or simply want a nice way to remember when you have scheduled things, this app is a keeper.  Never miss another anniversary!

---

URL: http://www.rainlendar.net/

Review – Revo Uninstaller v1.91

Sometimes you need something that provides a little extra "oomph" than the alternative. Something that will add more than just basic functionality.  In this post, I present to you Revo Uninstaller.

I used to be content with the Add/Remove control panel entry when I was using Windows 95 and 98, but once I upgraded to Windows XP I got fed up quite quickly with how long it took to simply load and display the list of installed programs on my system.  I just never could understand how such a simple task could take up so much time (both mine and the CPU's).

What makes this program stand out for me is quite simple: the speed at which it loads up the entries, that it can back up your registry using system restore before running an uninstaller and the nice file and registry scan it performs afterwards to make sure that there is no junk left once a program has been removed.

Oh, let's not forget the very special "hunter mode" that let's you click on a program that is currently running (even in the system tray next to the clock) to close and uninstall it.  Quite nice when you just want to get rid of useless apps for good.

As always, use caution when using system tools like this.  Otherwise, enjoy and happy cleanup!

---

URL: http://www.revouninstaller.com/

Review – Runescape

Runescape has always been a favorite of mine.  An excellent online RPG (MMORPG), it offers literally countless hours of game time with the many missions to play through and skills to train.  Not to mention that the world is enormous.

I started playing back in 2000 or 2001 (when it first became public after the beta stage) and it took me a few years time before I found myself playing it a little less at a time.  Real life and all that.  Though I still do load it up now and then for the special holiday quests and items.

The missions vary greatly, from shearing a sheep to spin its wool into balls or going to a remote island to slay a huge dragon.  The members have extra features, items, skills and quests that free players do not, yet I've never felt the urge to pay to play it.  The free game access already has so much to offer I couldn't possibly go through all the new stuff I'd have to do and learn, but at least every member gets his or her money's worth!

So if you'd like to give it a shot and become a mighty warrior, a great mage or a skilled archer, make sure you have the java runtime environment installed and head on over to try the demo, no free or pay account needed!  If it tickles your fancy you might wind up training your smithing, cooking and fire making soon enough!

---

URL: http://www.runescape.com/

Review – Secunia PSI v2.0

Keeping software up to date can sometimes be tricky, other times it can be a pain.  Using Filehippo's update checker is a good start, but what if an important security exploit becomes known publicly and you don't know about it?

Secunia PSI is another software update checker, but it has a focus on security fixes, bugs and patches.  There is an online version of this scanner, but it catches fewer items.  I suggest you run it now and then, as you are sure to be informed of any serious exploits right away and directed to the proper updates.  Better safe than sorry.

---

URL: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Review – SizeMe v2.0.0

If you're like me then you tend to download or create a lot of stuff on your computer.  Some friends have said that I've downloaded the entire internet!

Well, free space on a hard drive doesn't last forever so eventually you're going to have to back it up.  SizeMe is a very nice program to have around because it helps you space out your files to optimally fill your media.  What this means is that if you've got, let's say, a total of 9 gigs of files, it will separate it to perfectly fit two blank DVDs and you can keep the remaining files for the next time.  This way you never end up with discs that are filled up to 70 or 80 percent which would make you lose money and waste blank discs.

The interface is a little odd at first but once you get used to it you can sort your files to backup discs in no time.  Yet another free little program to add to your collection!

---

URL: http://lars.werner.no/?page_id=2