Free software 25: fast folder access

If you regularly or frequently access some folders, a good way is to create the folder shortcuts on the desktop. But you know, relying on Microsoft is not a good idea - the desktop will mess you up if there are too many items. Except creating shortcuts, many launch softwares also provide fast folder access. The price is that the launcher takes some room on the screen. Today, I would like to introduce a freeware called Folder Guide.



Folder Guide is a lightweight tool. The version 1.2 has a size of only 769Kb. After installation, Folder Guide appears in the context menu of the Windows Explorer. By just clicking your right mouse button, you can access to your frequently used and favorite folders. This function is excellent especially in the Open/Save environments.

In the official website, the software is described as follows.

With Folder Guide, you no longer need dozens of mouse clicks to navigate to your desired folder. Now reach your favorite folders in just 2 mouse clicks. Select from right click menu "Folder Guide" then click on your desired folder. Folder Guide runs automatically as part of the Windows Explorer context menu, so you will never need to start the program otherwise you want to edit the list of folders. It also works from the desktop, the Start button.

Though Folder Guide is not perfect (for example, it doesn't work in My Computer), currently, as far as I know, Folder Guide is the only freeware that provides fast folder access in the form of Windows Explorer context menu. So if you need such handy software, why not give a go? The official website is http://www.freeware365.com/desktop/folderguide.htm where the figure in this post comes.

Free software 24: backup and synchronization

It is not easy to find a good software for backup or synchronization. Most of the softwares are shareware and cost lots of money. Currently I am using Comodo Backup. It is simple but enough for me. Here are some free softwares for backup and synchronization. Feature descriptions come from their official websites.

1. Comodo Backup: http://backup.comodo.com/
   
• Easily backup files or folders anywhere on your computer, network, DVD-RW, CD-RW or FTP server
• Files can be written to a multi-session DVD if it already contains a file with the same name
• Email, FTP, zip and configuration passwords are stored in the registry with encryption
• Protect yourself against ever losing those critical files that took hours to create
• Quickly recover your data in the event of data loss
• Schedule backups to run automatically at a time that suits you
• Synchronized backup feature - save a file and it gets copied instantly
• Send E-mail notifications to team members about the status of a backup job
• Save Disk space by compressing your backups as ZIP files
• Configure in minutes with our intuitive interface
  
  
2. Cobian Backup: http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm
   
   • Cobian Backup is a multi-threaded program that can be used to schedule and backup your files and directories from their original location to other directories/drives in the same computer or other computer in your network. FTP backup is also supported in both directions (download and upload).
   • Cobian Backup exists in two different versions: application and service. The program uses very few resources and can be running on the background on your system, checking your backup schedule and executing your backups when necessary. Cobian Backup is not an usual backup application: it only copies your files and folders in original or compressed mode to other destination, creating a security copy as a result. So Cobian Backup can be better described as a "Scheduler for security copies".
   • Cobian Backup supports several methods of compression and strong encryption.
     
     
3. Directory Synchronize: http://directorysync.sourceforge.net/index.html
   
   
   • Directory Synchronize synchronizes the contents of one directory to another. Directory Synchronize GUIThat means you can use it to backup your data on a regular basis to another computer or another harddrive. Or you can use Directory Synchronize to synchronize the data on your laptop with the data on your desktop.
   
   
4. JaBack: http://www.hiteksoftware.com/jaba/
   
   
   • Automate Backups of your important files and folders. The backup set is created in standard ZIP format. This allows flexibility in restoring the data using any zip software to unzip the backup set.
   • Transfer your backup set to a remote location via Ftp or Email it to your mail server.
   • Scheduler software is very easy to use, yet has very powerful scheduling, tasking and automation capabilities.
   • Email Notification of task failure based on task exit code.
   • Local directory monitor allows you to backup data when a file/folder change is detected.
   • Zip files and directories using wildcards on schedule. Can append date/time to filename for archive purposes.
   • Copy files and directories using wildcards on schedule. Can append date/time to filename for archive purposes.
     
     
5. Synkron: http://synkron.sourceforge.net/
   
   
   • Synchronise multiple folders
   • Tabs allow you to have more synchronisations running at once
   • Periodical synchronisations automatically sync your folders in selected intervals
   • Restore files, which were overwritten during the synchronisation
   • Add files and folders to black list to make sure they won't be synchronised in the future
   • Make schedules and backup using multisync
   • Synkron is Free Software
     

Free software 22: QT TabBar, enhance your windows explorer

What is the application you use most frequently everyday? It is the windows explorer. There are many alternatives available, either commercial or free. But some people would like to stick to the original windows explorer. What they need is QT TabBar, an enhancement of windows explorer.

The functions I like is the application quick links, groups, history, tab browse, subfold viewer, and select the file name part only when you rename a file.

Download the QT TabBar from http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/Quizo/freeware/, unzip it into the place you want to store. Run RegisterQTTabBar.exe to install. Then restart or re-log in your computer. Open the windows explorer, right click on the toolbar, select QT TabBar and QT Tab Standard buttons. Maybe you would like to configure a little more to suit you, such as run QTShortcutKeyEditor.exe to specify the keyboard shortcuts.

Free software 21: launch programs and documents using keyboard

A part of computer users like to use keyboard rather than mouse. Usually they move the mouse when they launch programs or open documents. Now, it is time to free the mouse, it travels too much!

Key Launch and launchy are two small programs that help you launch programs or documents by keywords. For example, if you want to launch MATLAB using your keyboard, simply call the programs and type 'MATLAB'. That is so easy! Even type the wrong words, you may still get what you want.

Generally, launchy is smaller with less function, and takes less computer resource. But it is enough for normal use. Key Launch is more powerful, which means you'd better have a good computer.

(Images shown in this post come from their official websites.)
Key Launch's official website is: http://www.konradp.com
Launchy's official website is: http://www.launchy.net

Free software 20: Anti-spam

Spams are quite annoying and are deep in our email box. I receives at least 20 junk mails everyday. A good way is to choose a good email provider, like Yahoo, Google, or Hotmail. If you prefer to use your email clients, here are the free choices to enhance the antispam function provided by the email clients. (I know there are some other free antispam softwares. But I won't introduce the free software that has non-free brothers or sisters.)

(I haven't tried them all, but I think the first 3 should be reliable.)

• Trend Micro Anti-Spam
  It works with Outlook and Outlook Express.
  The download link is:
  For Outlook Express http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/antispam/tmas35-oe.exe
  For Outlook http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/antispam/tmas35-ol.exe
• Agnitum Spam Terrier
  It is still in publick testing.
  The official website is http://www.agnitum.com/lp/spam-terrier.php
• Comodo AntiSpam
  The official website is http://www.comodo.com/home/download/download.php?prod=anti-spam
  
• AntiSpam Sniper Pro
  It is available at http://www.bestsecuritytips.com/content+index.id+6.htm
• ASB AntiSpam
  The official website is http://asbsoft.netwu.com/
  

Free software 19: Mousotron Pro

How many meters does your mouse cursor move every day ?
How many mouse clicks do you do ? How many keystrokes do you use?

If you are interested in these data, try this software: Mousotron. Here are the features listed in the website:

Features

- view distance in Metric system or English system
- Animated background (turn on/off option)
- Support for all monitor sizes
- Stay-on-Top option
- Runs on startup
- Saves distance history
- Easy Setup
- display number of keystrokes
- display number of mouseclicks (left, right, middle and double)
- configurable display options
- Time logging and display in several modes
- Scroll Wheel Support
- Upload your scores online
- Multiple Languages : English, French, German and lots more

The official website: http://www.blacksunsoftware.com/mousotron.html.

Free software 18: Using Flash movies in PowerPoint 2003

Inserting flash to Powerpoint is a complex job, the official document that explains how to use flash movies in Powerpoint 2000 in a step-by-step way is at the Adobe site: Using Flash movies in PowerPoint 2000, which is also suitable for Powerpoint 2003. Obviously, this is not the right way for a lazy guy. ;P

Luckily, a free software called Swiff Point Player simplifies the flash inserting procedure. Download and install it, simply go to Insert menu and choose Flash movie, or click on the Swiff Point Player icon in the PowerPoint Drawing toolbar, and then, all done.

The Swiff Point Player website is:
http://www.globfx.com/products/swfpoint/.

Free software 17: HEXelon MAX 6

Are you tired of Microsoft low-quality calculator? Try this one. It is easy, more powerful. This is not the only free calculator that can replace the Microsoft one, but at least it is a good one.

The official website is http://www.hexelon.com/kalkulator/index_en.php

Free software 16: Locate32

What is your current search software? Windows built-in search , Yahoo desktop search, or google desktop search? Are they really what you need?

I used google desktop search for a while, but most of the time I found I searched the file names only. It is not wise to keep google desktop search in my computer, because it usually occupies more than 1 GB hard disk space. And I found Locate32 is the right search software.

Locate32 saves names of all files in your hard drives and store it in a file database. When you type keywords in and 'Enter', the results come out instantly. Of course, you have to ask Locate32 to index your computer first. Usually, depending on your computer and files, it may take several seconds to several minutes. Even in a computer with 10 drives, 5 of which are 400GB or larger, it takes only an hour to index and gives instantaneous results.

The official website is http://www.uku.fi/~jmhuttun/english/.

There is another software in Chinese is as good as Locate32, if you are interested in it, please refer to:

搜索利器：火速桌面搜索

http://time360.blogspot.com/2007/02/blog-post.html

Free software 15: Folder Guide

If you have lots of folders you need to visit frequently, what windows can do for you is to display thousands of folder shortcuts in your desktop or IE favorite bar. It is not elegant for people who wish to keep their desktops as clean as possible. Folder Guide is a helpful utility to keep your PC clear.

Running as a part of the context menu of Windows Explorer, assist you in quick jumping to your frequently used and favorite folders.

Save your time, save your mouse, try Folder Guide;P.


The official website is http://www.freeware365.com/desktop/folderguide.htm .

Free software 14: eLibPro - book collection manager

When 'Pro' becomes a part of software name, it usually implies that you have to pay for it. But eLibPro is an exception. eLibPro is a free book collection manager. Here are the features from the official website:

Features:

• Use tree structure to manage book categories. It has a familiar Windows Explorer-like user interface
• Unlimited "Related Links" can be added for each book. The "Links" can be URLs, eBook files on local hard disk, or even folders
• Use XML/XSL to display book details. Its content template and display style are completely configurable by the user
• Most of the book's information can be retrieved from the web. It can query online (Amazon.com) by ISBN, or by a combination of book title, author and/or publisher
• Multiple selection (using Ctrl, Shift or Mouse) is supported in the book list window, and the book detail window can update on the fly
• Sort on any column in the book list window
• WYSIWYG editor for books' "Description" and "Notes" fields
• Drag & Drop support
• Search in the book collection
• "Favorites" and "Reading List" support
• Multiple Language Interface (MUI) support
• Native Unicode support
• Barcode scanners are supported.

I have searched the Internet, and found some commercial softwares. In terms of the features and screenshots provided, they are not worthy of their prices. The current version of eLibPro is V1.3. The author promised to release a new version 2.x long time ago. Unfortunately, we still have to wait, wait, wait.

Free software 13: equation solver

I have to say, students today should not have any pain when working on their homework because of computer. Many softwares are designed to help you. Of course, you have to pay . ;) Futhermore, Internet is a really good source where you can find help. I do remember it was painful when I was a primary and a junior student. Endless equations were sitting on my little desk, and watching me struggling. These are some complaints to memory my student life (although I am still a student now).

Today's leading actor is Deadline, a powerful equation solver. In its website, it says you can do the following with it:

1. solve equations


2. plot graphs interactively


3. perform calculations


4. derive functions and evaluate derivatives


5. solve optimization problems: find local extrema


6. integrate functions numerically


7. solve parametric equations


8. obtain an in-depth analysis of a function


9. save results: equations, graphs, roots and extrema


10. solve Calculus assignments in your own language

I tried it and recommend it to students who are not good at maths ;). The official website is http://deadline.3x.ro/, where the picture in this article comes.

Free software 12: Family tree

In fact, I tested two softwares for genealogy or family tree long time ago, but just too lazy to write down;). Last Sunday, I found the price of a family tree software was $99, so I decided to recommend the free family tree makers as soon as possible.

The first one is GenealogyJ, which is a open source software, (of course, it is free.) It is written in Java. You can create family tree, table, timeline and more. Unluckily, it is designed for letters only. If you store information with East Asia characters, although it can display when you type in, you cannot read them from the stored file. So, if you prefer to East Asia characters rather than English to store your genealogy, please go to software 2 ;P .

The second software is OhmiGene，available in French and English. The Data are saved with UTF8.

I am not going to judge which software is better, just try it, and find which one is your favourate. The official websites are: http://genj.sourceforge.net/wiki/doku.php and http://ohmi.celeonet.fr/ohmiGene/index.fr.html.

(The photo in this article is from http://ohmi.celeonet.fr/ohmiGene/index.fr.html)

Free software 11: AOL Safety and Security Center

AOL is such a liberal security product provider recently ;P. Followed by Active Virus Shield , AOL bring us a Safety and Security Center powered by McAfee recently.

The AOL Safety and Security Center software suite includes:
AOL® Virus Protection
AOL® Firewall
AOL® Spyware Protection
AOL® Parental Controls

However, this time you must have to provide an AOL e-mail address or an AOL My eAddress to download; and AIM e-mail is not acceptable here ;(. Fortunatel you can get one AOL account now for free (zip code is five digits and phone number can be found via Yahoo or Google ;P).

Here is the download page:

http://daol.aol.com/safetycenter/

Free software 11: CA Anti-Virus 2007

Update: this software is no longer provided.

In a previous post, I brought you an anti-virus software called Active Virus Shield , this time I will introduce another anti-virus software: CA Anti-Virus 2007. In fact, CA Anti-Virus 2007 is not a free software, but it provides 12 months free trial if you download it from this website: http://home3.ca.com/Microsoft/.

This software is only recommended to the fans of CA anti-virus software. If you just want to find a good, free anti-virus software, I still suggest Active Virus Shield that is more powerful and reliable. According to my experience, CA anti-virus software may perform well in USA, but not in other countries, never in China.

Update:
To apply for CA Anti-Virus 2009, go to http://home3.ca.com/SubscriptCenter/MSTrialRegistration.aspx?cid=573. Again, unless you are fan of this software, it is not recommended.

Free software 10: Tux Typing

In Free software 8: Tux racer, we introduced the linux penguin race; this time we will introduce another program: Tux Typing.

Tux typing is an educational typing tutor for children, of course, it is for adults who cannot resist the cute penguin as well.

(When I fist came to Australia, I was surprised that lots of Australians cannot type without looking at the keyboard.)

The official website is http://tuxtype.sourceforge.net/. If you can help Tux for Kids, go to http://www.tux4kids.com/node/5to obtain more information. （The photo showed here is copied from the official website.）

Free software 9: ATnotes

According to the Chinese adage '' A good memory is inferior to a rotten brush pen", it is better write down something improtant rather than keeping them in memory.

ATnotes is a FREE program which creates notes on your desktop. Stay in the system tray, take only a little system resources: it really does a good job. Moreover, it supports 46 languages. Just download the language file and copy in to ATnotes install directory, it will display your required language automatically. You can also set up the hot keys to accelerate your work ;P.

Unluckily, ATnotes is discontinued. Anyway, it is a quite good software that is worthy to be used. The official website is http://atnotes.free.fr/. The image displayed here is copied from the homepage.

Here are the features listed in the homepage:

• dragable and resizeable notes anywhere on the desktop
• notes are autosizing as text is entered
• custom font, background color, text color and border color for each note
• single or repeated alarms for each note with visual and audio alarm signal
• hide notes until manually activated or until a specified date/time
• minimize notes to the first line of text and restore the note size to fit the whole text
• open URLs, e-mail addresses and file shortcuts in notes with the associated program
• get an overview of all current notes in the note list
• search for notes containing a specified text
• user defined system-wide hotkeys for important functions
• send notes to other computers in a local network
• user interface can be translated into any language
  

Free software 8: Tux racer

Are you still driving your favourite car in the Need for speed? Why not try something new?

Tux Racer is a best choice (of course it is free ;P). In Tux Racer, you control a Linux Penguin to race in steep, snow-covered mountains. You need to slide as fast as possible, at the same time, catch ferring as much as you can.

Moreover, you can change the race conditions such as introducing fog, changing from day time to night time, or racing under high winds. Of course, you can create new courses.

The official website is http://tuxracer.sourceforge.net/.

© Wenbin

Free software 7: Active Virus Shield

Update: this software is not available any more.

This software is no longer available in the AOL website.

Active Virus Shield is an antivirus software provided by AOL with one-year free subscription. It is powered by Kaspersky Lab, which is a largest, fastest anti-virus providers worldwide. Kaspersky updates their virus definitions every 2 hours.

This antivirus software contains an extended antivirus databases currently contain 232322 records that aims at adwares, remote administration programs, utilities which can be used by malicious programs or users. It doesn't slow down your computer like Norton antivirus does, and more efficient than Norton, because it can detect much more viruses and malicious programs.

My friend installed it after my recommendation several months ago, he is satisfied with it and it is working well. The download page is http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp, you need to provide a valid email address to receive the activation code. By the way, if your Active Virus Shield expires in the future and Active Virus Shield is still free of charge, it is easy to apply for a new active code.

Active Virus Shield Feature Summary

• New Threat Response Time of up to 2 hours
• Real-Time Protection
• On-Demand and Scheduled Scanning
• Disinfects Files in Archives (ZIP, ARJ, CAB, RAR, LHA)
• Option to Scan Only New And Modified Files
• Harmful Program Blocking And Removal
• Disinfect SMTP, IMAP4 & POP3 Email
• Variable Scan Speed
• Help Prevent Slowdown During Increased Computer Usage Periods
• Support Power Saving for Laptops
• Support Microsoft Windows XP x64

© Wenbin

Free software 6: PDFsam

PDFsam is an application for PDF split and merge. Compared with PDFtools introduced in the previous post, it cannot be considered as a multi-functional tool.

However, as indicated in the picture, PDFsam supports mergence of several PDF pages from PDF documents. Although you can achieve this aim by splitting the PDF files first, it really rescues you out from lots of trouble, especially when you have to join a number parts of PDF documents.

You can download this program at http://pdfsam.sourceforge.net/.

© Wenbin