Connectify Lite 6.0 sports new look, adds random password generator

Virtual router Connectify Lite 6.0 has been released, boasting a redesigned look, more flexible user interface and new menu bar alongside a random password generator.
Connectify makes it possible for users to turn their computer’s network connection – wired or wireless – into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot through their PC’s wireless network adapter. There is also a Pro version with enhanced and exclusive features not found in the free build.
Connectify Lite 6.0’s most visible change is its new look. The user interface, which is accessed via the program’s Notification area icon, can now be resized and dragged anywhere on the desktop for ease of access. It’s also no longer always on top of other windows, so can be hidden when not required.

Users can now resize and move the Connectify 6 dialog box.

The program also replaces its single menu with a menu bar splitting its options into three separate sections – Settings, Tools and Help – as well as a button for upgrading to the Pro version.
The new build also offers a Generate Password button that will allow users to quickly choose a more secure password for their hotspot. However, it has dropped support for WPS thumbdrives – this feature was removed in Windows 8 – while the Pro-only “Clone Wi-Fi” feature has been renamed “Wi-Fi Extender” to make its functionality more obvious.
Users should also find an increased number of companies and icons in the client vendor database, making it easier to identify which devices have connected to the virtual hotspot.
Connectify Lite 6.0 is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows 7 or later (older builds for earlier versions of Windows are available). A Pro version is available with extra features, such as support for 3G/4G adapters, custom SSID name, Wi-Fi extender functionality, drag-and-drop file transfers and firewall controls. It’s currently available for $25 (annual license) or $40 (lifetime) at the Connectify website.

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Posted in: Software Tips

How to Burn a CD in four ways

Method One

1. Open your optical drive drawer. On the front of the computer (or side of your laptop), there will be a small "drawer," with a rectangular button to the lower right. This is your CD-burning device (It might be a CD or it might be a DVD, which can burn both). If you don't see this, your computer doesn't have the capability of burning a CD directly. However, an external CD or DVD burner can easily be hooked up through the USB slot.

 2. Get a recordable CD disc. There are two types of CDs that you can use.

• A CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) can be burned once, and can not be erased. This type disc is usually used for permanent storage. For example; a music CD, a picture CD, or any other type of data that you want to keep permanently.
• A CD-RW (Compact Disc Re-Writable) is a rewritable optical disc format. This type of disc can be burned, erased, and then burned again. This type disc is usually used for temporary data storage.

3. Decide on the type of CD you plan to burn. There are many different types of CDs that can be burned and how you proceed depends on which type you are going to burn:

• Music. This is the type of CD that is normally burned for use in a home or automobile CD player.
• Data. This type of CD is most often used to store files that can be used by a computer, and is similar to a standard hard disk. Use it to store writing docs, spreadsheets, databases, and any other file type. Note that while you can store music files on a data CD, you cannot use it in a standard home or automobile CD player.
• MP3. This is a data CD containing only .mp3 compressed music files. Because it is actually a standard data CD, only CD players that specifically support .mp3 playback will be able to play the music on this CD. The advantage is that you can about five times as many .mp3s on a data CD as you can on a music CD.
• Disk image. A disk image file is a file that contains an exact copy of a disk. The most common type of disk image is an .ISO image (International Standards Organisation) , which simply means an exact copy of the original disc, stored on your hard drive. One can then burn a CD from the .ISO image and create a usable CD.

4. Decide on what software you will use to burn your CD. There are many different programs that are designed to burn CDs. Some are built into the computer's operating system, while others are individual programs. These programs range from very simple to very complex. Some of these are free, while others have to be purchased. As this varies by manufacturer, it's best to check the documentation that came with your computer to get the details from the user's guide.

5. Burn your CD. Once you've figured out that you can burn a disc, and that you've got the software to do it, it's time to get down to the actual burning. The actual steps will vary depending on what software you use, but the general process goes like this:

• Open your CD drive drawer. Press on the small rectangular button on the lower right of the drive, on the front of your computer.
• Place the CD-R into the tray, face up.
• Press the drawer to close it.
• Launch your CD-burning software.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to add content to the CD-burning software.
• Click the "burn" button, and wait while the computer does its CD-burning thing.

 Method Two Burning a Music CD With iTunes (Mac and PC)

1. Create a playlist. From the File menu, select New>Playlist or type Command-N (Mac) or Control-N (PC). 
2. Name your playlist. Then drag the songs you want to add to your CD to the playlist area.

 

3. Sort your playlist. From the Sort menu at the top of the playlist's songs, choose the type of sort you want to perform. You can choose an automatic sort order, or you can arrange the songs manually.

 When you're finished populating and sorting your playlist, click the blue Done button shown in the top right of the Playlist window.

4. Insert a blank disc into your drive. Click on the gear icon at the bottom left of the playlist, and select Burn Playlist to Disc.

 Alternately, you can select Burn Playlist to Disc from the File menu.

5. Adjust your settings. In the resulting window, set your burn speed and disc format.

• Preferred speed: by default, iTunes will use the fastest speed the burner can handle. If you have problems with the burn, try selecting a slower speed here.
• Disc format: Burn an audio CD, MP3 CD, DVD, or data CD.
• Gap between songs: sets an audio gap between each song of the duration you select.
• Use Sound Check. This analyzes all the tracks you've selected, and adjusts the volume of each track so that they all are of the same apparent volume. This is especially handy if you're burning a disc for your car.
• Include CD Text: Enable this if your CD player can display track information.

6. Click on "Burn." The playlist will be burned onto the CD. When you're notified of completion, remove your CD and enjoy!

Method Three: Burning a Data CD on a PC

 

1. Insert a blank CD into the CD/DVD drive. In the resulting dialog box, click Burn files to data disc.
   • Name the disc in the Burn a Disc dialog box.
   • If you need a disc that will play in computers with an older version of Windows, or in media devices such as CD and DVD players that can read digital music and video files, click Show formatting options.
   • Click the Next button.
   • Your disc will be formatted for burning using the default LFS (Live File System) format. When finished formatting, an empty disc folder will open.
2. Add content. Into the empty disc folder, drag the files you wish to burn.
   • You can drag the files onto the disc icon, or into the disc folder. The files are copied as you drag them.
3. Click Burn to Disc. If you chose the Mastered format option, you will need to burn your files to disc. From the toolbar, click Burn to disc. When the process is complete, the drawer will open, and you can use your new CD.

Method Four: Burning a Data CD on a Mac

 

1. Determine if you have an optical drive on your Mac. Many of the new models require an external optical drive connected to the Lightning port. If you're using a tower, press the CD Open/Close key on your keyboard (above the Delete key—an upward-pointing arrow with a thin line below it), and the drive drawer should open up. If you have a drive, it will be able to burn a CD.
   • Still not sure? From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac. Click More Info to open System Profiler, then click on System Report.
   • Under the Hardware list, click on Disc Burning. If you see a drive there, and in the CD-Write: row it says -R, -RW, then you can burn CDs.
2. Create a Data CD. Place a blank disc on the tray, and close the drive either by pressing the front face, or by pressing the Open/Close key. If you see a dialog pop up, choose Open Finder from the pop-up menu, and select "Make this action the default" if this is how you will usually burn blank CDs.
   • The disc will appear on your desktop.
3. Double click the disc icon. This will open a window that you can drag files and folders into. This will not remove the files from your computer, but will only copy them onto the disc.
4. Organize your files on the CD. Arrange and rename the files as you want them to appear when you insert the burned CD. Once the disc is burned, the location and names of the files cannot be changed.
5. Burn the disc. From the File menu, select Burn [discname], and then follow the instructions.

 

 

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Posted in: Computer Tricks,Software Tips,Tips

Family Tree Builder 7.0 adds two-way sync, record matching

MyHeritage Ltd has released Family Tree Builder 7.0, a major new version of its free Windows app for recording, managing and sharing a family tree. Version 7’s major new features tighten its links with the MyHeritage.com website by introducing two-way sync and providing access to the billions of historic records held at the website, some free, but most requiring a subscription. Version 7.0 also implements full Unicode support, tweaks the user interface and extends language support to four additional countries in the Mid and Far East.
Family Tree Builder 7.0’s headline new feature is the implementation of two-way sync. Previously users could upload their tree to the MyHeritage.com servers – free account holders are limited to 250 individuals in their tree – but version 7.0 now makes it possible to download trees and tree changes back to the program, allowing users to update their tree using a combination of the website, Windows app and iOS app. All changes are then shared across the different builds when the user next performs a sync.

 

 

Family Tree Builder 7.0 remains a decent choice – if limited as a free app – for family historians.

Practically all information is synced from the app, with the notable exceptions being DNA markers, SSN fields and any fields specifically marked as “private”.
Version 7.0 also replaces the existing Smart Research and WorldVitalRecords Search tools with Record Matching and SuperSearch tools. Both are linked to MyHeritage.com’s growing list of records – numbered in the billions – with the Record Matching tool performing background smart searches based on the information held in the user’s tree. A clickable button next to individuals alerts users to the existence of potential matches.
The new build has also been rewritten to support Unicode, which ensures that data can be entered in any language, allowing for a mix and match between languages in the program. This has led to a new file extension – UZED – being implemented to reflect Unicode projects.
Other changes include a minor facelift of the program interface, plus support for Chinese (both Traditional and Simplified), Japanese, Korean and Farsi languages. Replacing existing personal photos in the tree has been simplified, while support for BCE dates and options to display the husband/father’s first name or initial in his children’s or wife’s name have also been added. The update is rounded off with the usual non-specified bug fixes.
Family Tree Builder 7.0 is available now as a free download for PCs running Windows XP or later. Users will need to sign up with MyHeritage.com to use the program – free accounts are available, with paid-for premium versions extending the program’s functionality as well as providing more storage space online.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

IObit Advanced SystemCare Free 6.2.0 promises improved protection, performance and stability

IObit has released Advanced SystemCare Free 6.2.0, a minor update to its freeware system optimisation and maintenance tool. The program, which can be upgraded to a Pro version with enhanced malware protection, deeper cleansing and automatic optimisation, offers PC users a wide range of tools for maintaining, cleaning, optimising and securing their computer. Version 6.2 is a minor maintenance release that promises improvements across many of the program’s individual components. It also promises better compatibility with Windows 8.
Version 6.2 offers better protection from online threats through improved Malware Removal and Surfing Protection tools. Also improved is the Pro-only Internet Boost tool, which can accelerate downloading, surfing, online gaming and video by up to 300 per cent.

The Registry Fix and Toolbox tools have also been worked on with the promise of better stability as well as performance. Similarly improved is the AutoClean tool, which now promises smarter cleaning.
The final improvement is to the IObit Uninstaller component, which IObit claims is no more effective at removing unwanted components from the user’s PC, particularly browser toolbars.
The update builds on more radical changes introduced in version 6.1, which added the Action Center to alert users to specific issues, plus extended the cleaning tools to new versions of popular applications.
Advanced SystemCare Free 6.2.0.254 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows XP or later, although not all available tools are Windows 8-compatible. Users can upgrade from the Free version to IObit Advanced SystemCare Pro by purchasing a license key. This single-PC, one-year license real-time malware protection, deeper cleansing and automatic optimisation tools, and can be picked up for the bargain price of just $9,95 from the DownloadCrew Software Store, a saving of 50 per cent on its MSRP.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

Discover what’s changed on your PC recently with DiffView

Even when they appear idle, PCs are forever buzzing with background activity, as Windows and application processes save data to log files, tweak Registry keys and carry out assorted other updates. Normally this can be safely ignored, but sometimes – if you think you’ve just installed malware, say, and would like to check what it’s done – then you might wonder what’s changed on your system in the past few minutes. And that’s where DiffView comes in.
If you want to find out more about recent activities on your PC, then you’ll first need to tell DiffView where you’d like it to scan. Clicking the Files tab reveals an Explorer-type view where you can select particular folders – \Windows, say, or \Program Files – while the Registry tab allows you to select a particular area of the Registry.
Next, you’ll have to define how “recent” these changes might have been. Enter “5″ in the “Diff time” box, say, and the program will only look for items which have been created or modified in the last 5 minutes. (You can enter much higher figures here, but remember that there are legitimate background changes going on all the time, and the further back you go, the more these will clutter your finished report.)

With the configuration done, all you have to do is click “Scan files” or “Scan reg”, depending what you’re doing, and wait for the results. This can take a while if you’re scanning the entire Registry – so you might want to tag an extra 5 minutes onto your “Diff time” figure to make up for that – but be patient, it will finish eventually.
Once the process is complete, DiffView displays a tree view report of your system, instantly highlighting any recent additions changes in the areas you’ve specified.
And a Report button (scroll down in the “Common” box if you don’t see it) can even create a text report for reference later.
DiffView has its limitations. In particular, the program will only highlight new or modified files and Registry keys; it can’t warn you if something is deleted. And so if you want comprehensive real-time system monitoring, then you’ll still need to use something like Sysinternals Process Monitor.
DiffView can be very useful when you just need a quick ad-hoc check, though. And it’s also free, no adware annoyances, and a ridiculously small 71KB download, which works for us. On balance, the program will make an excellent addition to anyone’s troubleshooting toolkit, and you should go grab a copy immediately.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

jAlbum 11.2 fine-tunes web album builder with useful tweaks and bug fixes

Version 11.2 allows users to include video without first processing it, adds play button for better identification and includes numerous bug fixes. It’s the third minor update to jAlbum in just 10 days, following on from builds 11.1 and 11.15.
New features in jAlbum 11.2 include a new Project ordering option – accessible via dropdown menu, users can now sort their projects by name or last used. This is joined by an option allow users to embed videos directly into albums without first processing them – right-click the video clip in jAlbum and select “Include original” to do so.

Version 11.2 also adds a prominent play button onto video clip thumbnails to make them more easily identifiable compared to photos. Users will also notice that tool-tips appear for longer on-screen when hovering over features – 10 seconds as opposed to the previous version’s four-second duration.
Also updated is the bundled Turtle skin to version 4.1, while noteworthy bug fixes include updating the preview image when video clip sliders are dragged, fixing a broken filter (SimpleFilter demo) and resolving a character encoding issue for EXIF and IPTC metadata.
Version 11.2 comes just nine days after version 11.1 was released – this added an option for users to simply link to files rather than copy them into the jAlbum project folder plus included minor UI tweaks and performance enhancements. It also includes updates found in version 11.1.5, released five days after 11.1 – notable changes introduced here included renaming the “Use a folder thumbnail” option to “Make key photo” and moving it higher up the context menu, a move jAlbum AB says was “inspired” by iPhoto.
jAlbum 11.2 is a free-for-personal-use download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Published web albums are ad-supported – users can purchase a license or JAlbum hosting account to remove these. Prices start from $39 for a Standard, non-commercial license.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

Remove ransomware easily with Hitman Pro KickStart

No matter how strong your PC’s defences, there’s still a chance that a virus will be able to bypass them, eventually. And so it pays to have a Plan B, a “second opinion” malware remover which you can turn to in an emergency: something like Hitman Pro, in fact. The tool is a relatively small download at under 10MB, and doesn’t require any installation. Just launch it, click Next > Next, and the program will quickly scan your system, looking for suspicious files. Anything it doesn’t recognise is sent to the program’s Scan Cloud, where it’s checked by multiple engines (Bitdefender, Emsisoft, G Data, IKARUS) before a verdict is given.
This first element of the program is entirely free, and useful enough in itself; anything which lets you check your files with all those engines, free of charge, from the same scan, is well worth adding to your security toolkit.
The catch? To remove something you have to run the program as a trial version. That’s not actually an issue with a one-off infection, as if you don’t want to pay the $24.95 annual subscription then you can just let the trial expire. But it does mean that you can’t use Hitman Pro for ongoing detection and removal.

A simple wizard helps you to create the ransomware recovery drive

Don’t give up on the program just yet, though, because Hitman Pro does have another useful feature, KickStart. It’s specifically designed to remove ransomware, which locks your PC, demanding money before you can access your PC. And it’s just about the easiest way to eliminate this kind of threat that you’ll find anywhere.
The idea is that you’ll use another PC to download Hitman Pro, and create a bootable USB flash drive. This option is a little more hidden than you might expect – it’s launched from the tiny icon next to the “Settings” button – but once you’ve found it, a simple wizard will help you create your recovery drive.
Now boot your locked PC from the USB key, instead, and it’ll start Hitman Pro for you. The nice touch is that this isn’t some DOS variant, or a Linux version. KickStart boots your own operating system, bypassing the ransomware, before allowing you to remove it as normal. And again, while businesses have to pay, home users can remove the ransomware for free if they sign up for the trial, which sounds like a reasonable deal to us.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

Migrate quickly, simply and securely to a new PC with three great deals from the Downloadcrew Store

The time has come to move on to a new PC, but before jettisoning your old computer, you need to make sure you’re ready for the big move. That means two key things: getting your data, programs and settings migrated across to your new computer, and making sure there’s nothing sensitive or incriminating left on your old PC before you dispose of it.
Thankfully, both tasks can be made simple with the help of two or three superb tools, all of which are heavily discounted in the Downloadcrew Software Store this month. Step forward Laplink PCmover Professional 8, O&O SafeErase Professional 6 and for those looking to migrate to Windows 8, O&O Migration Kit for Windows 8.
The first thing to worry about is getting everything across from your old PC to new. You might be thinking that Windows’ own Easy Transfer Tool is the best choice here, but it’s lacking in key areas, including the ability to migrate entire programs and settings across to your new computer.

Migrate from one PC to another with less fuss with Laplink PCmover.

This is where Laplink PCmover Professional 8 comes in. Whether you want it standalone or as part of the O&O Migration Kit, this is the go-to app for ensuring your migration is smooth, simple and comprehensive, so you don’t have to waste time digging out program installers and CDs, product keys and praying your settings get transferred across. Instead, simply choose what to migrate, and let Laplink PCmover do the rest.
If you’re simply upgrading your computer to Windows 8 – or purchasing a new computer with Windows 8 installed – then the O&O Migration Kit for Windows 8 is worth considering. In addition to Laplink PCmover you also get O&O DiskImage 6.8, which allows you to take a fail-safe drive image of your old setup before migrating to Windows 8. If you forget anything, or want to roll back, DiskImage makes it easy to do so.

Version 6 of O&O SafeErase boasts an even friendlier user interface.

Protect your data
Once you’ve successfully migrated, checked everything’s in place and settled into your new environment, it’s time to take steps to make sure any sensitive data – whether state secrets, private financial information or a letter you never meant to send – is thoroughly removed from your old PC before you pass it on. Even if you’re simply upgrading Windows on an existing PC it still pays to have the tools to hand to ensure personal and private data is securely wiped from your computer.
This is where O&O SafeErase Professional 6 comes in: not only can you use it to wipe entire hard drives and partitions – perfect when disposing of old hard drives or PCs – you can also use it to securely delete individual files and folders and wipe all your free drive space too, so previously deleted files get scrubbed from existence too. Everything’s handled from a friendly wizard – you don’t need to create bootable media even when scrubbing entire computers – and is an essential step in your migration process.
You’ll find all three tools available on sale for generous discounts at our Downloadcrew Software Store. There’s a generous 67 per cent off a single-migration version of Laplink PCmover Professional 8, which now costs just $19.99, or you can purchase a three-migration license of the program for just $29.99, saving you 65 per cent.
The O&O Migration Kit for Windows 8, which includes a single-migration license for Laplink PCmover Pro 8 as well as O&O DiskImage 6.8, is even better value at $19.95: an amazing saving of 67 per cent on the MSRP. If you need to move more than one PC, then you can pick up the 3-migration license version of the O&O Migration Kit for just $24.95, saving you 50 per cent on the MSRP.
Last, but not least, you can pick up a single-PC license for O&O SafeErase 6 Professional for just $12.95, a massive saving of 57 per cent on its MSRP.
If you’re about to migrate to a new version of Windows or upgrade to a new PC, you owe it to yourself to at least check out these great deals: function-limited trial versions of Laplink PC Mover 8 Professional, O&O DiskImage 6.8.1 and O&O SafeErase 6 Professional are all available for you to try out before you purchase.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

Ashampoo’s Photo Commander 11 adds auto backups, 3D support, new effects

Ashampoo has announced the release of Photo Commander 11, its all-in-one tool for organising, editing and sharing digital images. New features this time start with the program’s automatic backups. Images are preserved as you work, and with a click you can restore a previous copy, or return to the original file.
Elsewhere, a new Effect Centre gives easy access to effects, with real-time previews. There are many new effects on offer, including a Tilt-Shift, Motion Blur, Zoom Blur, Glass and Video. And an Effect Pen enables you to “draw” any effect directly into the image, for the maximum possible control.

Browse, edit and share your images from a single application

Improved compatibility means new support for Adobe XMP metadata, more RAW files and 3D (MPO and JPS formats). The ability to display 3D images as animations helps you to view them on 2D displays, while a new wizard converts 3D images to regular 2D.
Of course there’s the usual range of small interface improvements, performance optimisations and other tweaks you’d expect from an upgrade.
And this builds on what was already a very large feature set, including a very configurable browser; a host of image editing, repair and annotation tools; and the ability to share your pictures by creating slideshows, web albums, calendars, greetings cards and more, or just uploading them directly to Facebook, Picasa or YouTube.
If there’s an issue with all of this, it comes in trying to get started: there are so many features to explore that it can take a while to find your way around. But persevere and you’ll find Ashampoo Photo Commander 11 is an excellent graphics tool with the power to handle all your photo workflow needs.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

XnSketch transforms photos into paintings, sketches and more

Most photo editors have a few filters which can turn regular photos into instant works of art: an oil painting, say, or a pencil sketch. But if you’d like more – or you just want the arty effects, without the photo editing overhead – then XnSketch is a simple free tool which just might be able to help. The program runs almost everywhere (Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android), and is very easy to use. We tried the Windows build, and it came with no adware or other unwanted extras – just unzip the download and you’re ready to go immediately.
The XnSketch interface is clean and simple. Open an image (there’s support for more than 50 file formats) and it’s displayed in a preview window. You can apply one of 22 effects – pastels and sketches, cartoons, halftones, print and stamp options – by clicking its thumbnail at the bottom of the screen. And as you select each one, the preview is updated to show you the results.

Just about everything you do in XnSketch happens in this clean and straightforward interface

If you’re not quite happy with an effect then you can tune it by adjusting various settings. There are always sliders for brightness, contrast, gamma, exposure and saturation, but some effects provide additional options: edges, colours, opacity, blur and so on.
And when your masterpiece is complete, you can save the results as a JPG or PNG file, or share them via Facebook, TwitPic, Flickr, Picasa, email or a host of storage providers. Click File > Share > Imgur, for example, and XnSketch will upload your current image, then open a web page to display the online version, and all you have to do is share that URL with whoever you like.
There are a few issues here. Some of the effects are a little too minimal, for instance, and there’s not always any real way to tweak their strength. When applying an “Oil Painting” effect, say, we often found the results were too similar to the original image. Other programs will often allow you to amplify the effect, perhaps increasing the brush size, but XnSketch just doesn’t have that level of configurability.
Other effects do deliver excellent results, though, and there’s no doubt that the program is exceptionally easy to use. So while graphics experts will probably stick with photo editor filters, if you’re just looking to quickly apply a few fun effects, and share the results with the world, then XnSketch looks like a great choice.

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Posted in: Program Tips,Software Tips

Give your hard drives a free physical health check with CrystalDiskInfo 5.5.0

Data loss can take many forms, but one of the most devastating is through physical drive failure. There’s no knowing how long your hard drives will last – one drive might last well beyond its projected five-year lifespan while another identical model fails within six months. But it’s not just bad luck that can shorten a drive’s life – it’s the physical environment it operates in (hotter hard drives die sooner) and how well it’s maintained (a fragmented hard disk works a lot harder, and the physical stress again shortens its life).
Windows can provide some built-in tools for monitoring hard drives, but you’ll need a good third-party program to check on its physical status. The good news is, keeping an eye on your hard drive doesn’t have to cost a cent, thanks to the freeware tool CrystalDisk Info 5.5.0.
CrystalDiskInfo, also available as a portable build, allows you to monitor the health of all the physical hard disks attached to your PC – internal and many external USB drives – using their own built-in SMART tools plus any temperature-monitoring tools that may be present in the computer or hard drive.

Get early notice of potential hardware failure with your hard drives thanks to CrystalDiskInfo.

Each physical disk is clearly marked with a rating of Good, Caution or Bad, colour-coded accordingly. Also displayed is the drive’s current temperature, allowing you to see just how hot your drives are running (anything over 50 degrees C in a desktop should be considered bad for your drive’s long-term health).
Click on a drive’s entry and you’ll see plenty more information about the drive – its key statistics such as firmware, serial number and interface, plus its supported features. Also displayed are two useful figures: power-on count (the number of times the drive has been booted up) and power-on hours. These help monitor how long the drive has been in operation, which in turn can give you an idea of whether or not a replacement may be in order sooner rather than later.
The tool also displays detailed SMART information about the drives – it’s these figures which are used to generate the drive’s overall health rating, and those marked yellow or red will be responsible for potential problems. It’s worth Googling attribute names before panicking too much however, and with issues marked with Caution, simply keep an eye on the Current and Worst figures over a period of time to determine if the potential problem is stable or rapidly deteriorating, suggesting the drive will need replacing (after backing up).
Version 5.5.0 has just been released with improved support for Intel and OCZ support, better support for Internet Explorer 10 and improved drive letter mapping.
Both CrystalDisk Info 5.5.0 and CrystalDiskInfo Portable 5.5.0 are available as freeware downloads for PCs running Windows XP or later.

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Posted in: Software Tips

Firefox 20 FINAL adds panel-based download manager, per-window Private Browsing

Mozilla has released Firefox 20 FINAL for Windows, Mac and Linux, and version 20 promises to be something of a landmark new release with a number of notable new features migrating across from the beta version.
The headline new feature has to be the long-awaited panel-based download manager, but Firefox 20 also debuts per-window Private Browsing, plus new developer features including an option to view Developer tools in a separate window to Firefox itself.
The new download manager is represented by a dedicated down arrow button that appears to the right of the Search bar. Clicking this or initiating a new download reveals the new panel-based manager, listing all current downloads with progress bars for those not yet complete. Right-clicking reveals additional options: pause/resume, cancel, go to download page and open downloads folder.

Firefox 20 sees the introduction of the long-awaited panel-based downloads manager.

Clicking Show All Downloads opens the new Downloads Manager, which is integrated in the Library window alongside History, Tags and Bookmarks. The same options are displayed here as in the pop-up window, allowing users to manage downloads in the same way.
Also new in Firefox 20 is the ability to open individual windows in Private Browsing mode via the New Private Window option on the Firefox or File menu. This allows users to mix and match public and private browsing in the same session; a first for Firefox.
Another notable new feature allows Firefox to close hanging plugins without crashing the whole browser. Should a plugin hang, Firefox will wait 11 seconds by default before displaying a dialog box allowing the user to exit the plugin, allowing Firefox to function normally again.
Mozilla has also implemented the getUserMedia HTML5 control, which allows websites – with user permission – to access their camera and microphone. To see the new functionality in action, check out ShinyDemos.com’s Photo Booth.
Developer updates
Developers also enjoy a number of major new features in Firefox 20: the Developer menu has been reorganised to group the burgeoning number of developer tools more logically, with a Toggle Tools option added for quick access to the new, redesigned toolbar.

Web apps can now use your webcam in Firefox 20 FINAL.

Clicking this reveals the Web Console, the new default view for developers. Firefox 20 adds a new Window button that allows the tool to be viewed in its own separate window, freeing up screen real-estate for the current web page and supporting multiple displays, allowing developers to pin them to a second monitor for convenience.
The only disappointment for developers in Firefox 20 is that the new Javascript Profiler tool for tracking the responsiveness of Javascript code is missing, stuck in beta.
Other changes include the usual evolutionary performance improvements around common browser tasks – including page loading, downloads, and shutdown of the browser, improved HTML5 support, and the usual round of minor bug fixes and security tweaks.
Firefox 20 FINAL is available now as a free, open-source download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Expect the Beta and Aurora channels to be updated in the next few days.

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Which password manager best protects your data?

Here’s the contradiction: you need secure, unique and hard-to-remember passwords to protect your online (and offline) accounts from being hacked. However, remembering those secure, unique and hard-to-remember passwords is another matter entirely. Thankfully there is a solution, and it’s called a password manager.
There are dozens of password managers to choose from, but in this guide we’ll showcase four of the better ones, ensuring that you set safe, secure passwords without having to worry about remembering them.
Most password managers work like this: you set up an encrypted file – or vault – into which all of your unique passwords are stored. This vault is “locked” with a master password, so as long as you can remember that, you’ll always be able to access your other passwords.

KeePass provides with a secure offline place to store all your sensitive passwords.

Of course, a master password can be guessed, so the better password managers go further. Open-source favourite KeePass allows you to create special key files, which need to be provided with the password when unlocking the vault. You can also lock files to the current Windows user account and even use a special USB drive called a YubiKey to provide another level of authentication.
Speaking of providing secondary hardware devices to provide extra protection for your passwords, Sticky Password Free allows you to add any USB or Bluetooth device as a secondary form of authentication, thus increasing your vault’s security that little bit further.
Sticky Password also ships with browser plug-ins, so it can automatically fill web login pages as you visit them (KeePass requires you to drag-and-drop or use hotkey triggers). But the Free version is limited to just 15 passwords – for full functionality you have to pay $29.99 for the full version.
One worry with offline password managers is what happens if your encrypted vault is corrupt? Obviously you can manually backup your files, but 1Password for Windows and 1Password for Mac both let you sync your encrypted database to Dropbox for protection against data loss. Note both are trial versions only – the full version costs $49.99 per license.

LastPass stores your passwords online, so they're available from all of your computers and devices.

Another way to avoid this potential calamity is to entrust your passwords (encrypted, of course) to the cloud, and if you’re happy to do so then take a look at cross-platform beauty LastPass, which works seamlessly across most major browsers, and also allows you to store other confidential information online too. It’s free, although you’ll need to purchase a Premium subscription if you’d like to be able to sync passwords with your mobile devices. or add support for YubiKey authentication.
LastPass can also detect when you’re signing up for a new site and offer to quickly generate a secure password for you – something the other tools also offer, but LastPass makes the process effortless.
LastPass also offers to review your existing passwords, alerting you to any insecure ones you can then quickly make secure with its help.
Ultimately which password manager you go for depends on your individual needs: Sticky Password offers the best blend of features and security for both online and offline use, but there’s a price tag attached. If you’re happy to store your passwords in the cloud, then LastPass wins for its ease of use, but for a portable, offline solution that won’t cost you a bean, KeePass is well worth considering.
KeePass 2.21 and KeePass Portable 2.21 are both available as free, open-source downloads for Windows (other platforms are also available). Sticky Password Free 6.0.9.439 is available as a function-limited free download for Windows, while LastPass 2.0.20 is available as a freeware download for Windows, Mac and Linux. Also available are LastPass for Windows 8, LastPass for Android and LastPass Tab Browser for iOS.

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CyberLink PowerDVD 13: better image quality, easier to use and faster than ever

 

CyberLink has unveiled PowerDVD 13, the latest edition of its popular media player. And it’s an interesting upgrade with new features wherever you look.
New support for APE and AVCHD 2.0 1080p/3D extends your playback support, for instance, while everyone will benefit from a new focus on performance. The media player has been optimised to deliver an “instant start”, while new BD-Live Bypass technology means Blu-ray playback is 58% faster than PowerDVD 12.
A new Movie Library organises your MKV and MP4 files, DVD and Blu-ray discs in a single folder, with cover art, and links to more information on the movie. New conveniences include the ability to resume watching a movie just where you left off, and you can add comments and connect with friends via social media.

CyberLink's latest now supports even more media formats

The playback interface has been revamped. There are more straightforward controls, which can instantly be hidden; it’s easier to find movie scenes; you can jump backwards and forwards through a video via the keyboard, and a new speed navigator helps you set fast or slow motion playback. (And if you’re still not happy, new configuration options allow you to customise the interface, change hotkeys, mouse wheel actions and more.)
PowerDVD 2013′s TrueTheater technology is now even available for Full HD video, automatically sharpening the picture, optimising colours and lighting for the best possible image quality.
And there’s also a new mini Music Player; an all-new subtitle engine with dual subtitle support; and various Windows 8 additions, including touch optimisation, and a Windows 8 edition of PowerDVD’s Mobile app.
As usual, PowerDVD 2013 comes in three edition. Deluxe ($54.95) is the base, with core media and DVD playback issues; Pro ($79.95) adds Blu-ray support, while Ultra ($99.95) includes 3D support, smart device syncing, full DLNA support, 7.1 audio and more.
Not exactly cheap, then, but PowerDVD 2013 does at least have some worthwhile new features to help justify the cost. The performance and interface enhancements are particularly welcome, and if you need a high-end media player then PowerDVD 13 is still worth a look.

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Find the URLs of streaming media files with URL Snooper

If you’d like to download a YouTube video then there are plenty of options available, from web services like KeepVid to dedicated tools like Free YouTube Download.
Capturing streaming videos from other sites can be a challenge, though, as their URLs are often concealed by scripts and similar tricks. Examining the page source will sometimes give you clues, but URL Snooper could be a simpler option: the program just watches your internet activity, and displays a list of any streaming URLs it finds.
Getting started with URL Snooper is surprisingly easy. It’s a small (3MB) download, and portable, so there’s no installation required. And while the program uses WinPcap to capture your network traffic, there’s no need to install that, either – simply launch the program and you’re ready to go.

URLSnooper captures and displays the links of internet files as you access them

URL Snooper will first present a very simple interface, just an empty table. But to see it in action, open a site which streams video (not YouTube, it’s not compatible), play a clip, and any URLs detected by the program will be displayed right away.
Does it work? Our results were a little mixed. We had no luck with Facebook, for instance, but the program detected rtmp:// URLs at Metacafe, and found addresses from simpler sites – Apple Trailers, say – without any problems at all.
If you’re not successful immediately, though, URL Snooper does have some extra options which can help. Click File > Advanced and you’re able to filter detected URLs by protocol or keyword, for instance.
And in particular, if you select “Show All” in the Protocol Filter box then the program displays every URL it’s detected, whether it’s related to streaming media or not (images, icons, ad servers – it even detected and displayed the URL of our antivirus tool’s streaming update file). This makes URL Snooper useful in many more situations, so we’d recommend you keep a copy to hand, just in case you ever need a better understanding of how your internet connection is being used.

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