[Download Squad] 10 New Entries: SoundOff turns off Windows system sounds

SoundOff turns off Windows system sounds

Filed under: Audio, Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Sometimes you want to turn the sound off on your PC so you don't hear anything at all coming out of your speakers. And sometimes you just want to turn off some sounds, like the Windows systems beeps, clicks, and other bells, and whistles. The system volume button lets you do the former, while SoundOff lets you do the latter.

You can use the free Windows to make sure that you don't wind up listening to clicking noises and the loud honking sounds that accompany error messages when you're listening to music or making VoIP calls on your computer.

Sure, you can also adjust the Windows sound settings from the Control Panel, but SoundOff sits in your system tray and lets you toggle your audio settings with just a click or two which can save you a few seconds of time every day.

[via Lifehacker and Life Rocks 2.0]

SoundOff turns off Windows system sounds originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Flash Drive Reminder reminds you to unplug your flash drive

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Flash Driver Reminder is a different kind of nagware. While some applications will pop up a nag message reminding you to register or pay for your software after you've been using it a while, Flash Drive Reminder actually provides you with a useful nag message. When it's running, Flash Drive Reminder will display a nag message when you try to shut down or logout of your Windows session reminding you to remove your USB flash drive if you haven't already done so.

That's it. That's all this application does. If you've never accidentally left your keys at home or at the office because you forgot to unplug the flash drive on your key chain from your PC, then this application isn't for you. If you're tired of walking back to your office from the parking lot only after realizing you can't open your car door, then this utility could be a life save. Or at least a time saver.

[via Lifehacker and Windows Guides]

Flash Drive Reminder reminds you to unplug your flash drive originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Find and read magazines online with Google Book Search

Filed under: Internet, Google, Search, Web

Google's efforts to digitize the world's book collection have drawn the ire of some book publishers. So what's the next step? Digitizing magazines of course. Nobody ever got in trouble for doing that, right?

But seriously, Google has announced that working with publishers, the company has digitized current and back issues of magazines including Ebony, Popular Science, and New York Magazine. You can find magazines by searching by title. Or you can conduct keyword searches using Google Book Search and magazine results will show up alongside results from books.

Google says it has begun to digitize millions of articles, but there are a ton of popular magazines that are not included in the index, presumably because Google hasn't yet been able to negotiate an agreement with the publishers.

Find and read magazines online with Google Book Search originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hulu adds buffer meter, full screen option for embedded videos

Filed under: Video, Web

Online video site Hulu has rolled out two new features, including one I've been hoping for since the site first launched. You can now watch embedded videos in full screen. Next time you see a Hulu video embedded in a web page (like when you check out the video I've added to this article after the jump), just scroll over the video until you see a full screen icon in the upper right hand corner.

The other new features is an on-sreen meter that shows you the video buffering progress. Unlike some web video sites, Hulu will not buffer an entire video for legal reasons. In other words, Hulu doesn't want you figuring out a way to permanently save a video that's been temporarily downloaded to your hard drive. But in order to make video playback smooth, Hulu will buffer up to 5 minutes of video at a time. Now when you pause a Hulu video you'll see an indicator letting you know the buffer status.

Continue reading Hulu adds buffer meter, full screen option for embedded videos

Hulu adds buffer meter, full screen option for embedded videos originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Timeous: Simple Time Tracking in OS X

Filed under: Business, Utilities, Macintosh, Productivity, Freeware

Timeous is a simple and effective time-tracking app for Mac OS 10.4 or later. It allows you to track time on multiple projects ("tabs") and set independent hourly rates and tax percentages. Each time you start the Timeous timer, an entry is created in your current project tab. These entries are then sorted by day and time. When you stop the timer, you will see the total time of that chunk of work, and you can add notes to the entry to explain what work was performed.

Data is automatically saved, and the program's status bar shows the total time and cost associated with the project. You can export the time entries to a text file (useful for providing to a client when you send them an invoice). Timeous is a free download and a Universal binary.

Timeous: Simple Time Tracking in OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

ListMixer does simple, disposable web-based bookmarks

There are plenty of "read it later" options around - like Read It Later, for example. ListMixer provides another way to create non-permanent bookmark lists in any browser (leave a mix unatteded for 30 days, and it's automatically deleted).

Add the ListMixer bookmarklet to your browser, click it once, and your unique ID is created. There's no registration required to start adding links. Once your mix has been created, you can add sites to it by clicking the bookmarklet.

You can add a tag items to group them on your mix page. Only a single word or phrase is supported, but it's enough to get the job done. Tags you've used previously appear in a drop-down box when adding a new link. Descriptions can also be added to your items.

ListMixer also supports hotkeys: holding 1 down while clicking will add a page to your mix and immediately return you to that page. Holding 2 down automatically adds the page and then displays your mix. To view your mix without adding a page, hold 3 while clicking. If you'd rather just click away, additional bookmarklets are provided to perform the same actions.

An RSS feed is also provided for your mix, and there's also a handy tool for creating a linkroll to embed on your blog.

ListMixer does simple, disposable web-based bookmarks originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Greasemonkey script goes minimalist on Google Reader

Filed under: Internet, Mozilla, Browsers

Sure, it's only been a few days since Google rolled out the new look for Reader, but maybe you don't think the collapsible boxes go far enough.

Fans of an even more minimalist interface can grab the Greasemonkey script created by Userscripts contributor DemianGod. It does away with all clutter left behind by your minimized all items and shared items blocks, as well as the add subscription button, and Google's header links.

What's left behind is a clean, uncomplicated view of your subscriptions and a massive search bar across the top.

You'll need the Greasemonkey addon for Firefox, of course. Though I haven't tested it, you may be able to get this one to work in Chrome as well by using GreaseMetal.

Install the script, activate it, refresh your Reader tab, and enjoy the new look.

Greasemonkey script goes minimalist on Google Reader originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VideoCacheView lets you save web videos you've watched

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Video, Windows, Freeware

Nir Sofer writes great Windows apps. His programs are tiny, they're portable, and they're unbelievably useful. VideoCacheView is yet another in the long list of great NirSoft creations.

If you watch a lot of web video on sites like YouTube, VideoCacheView is a great way to save your favorite clips for local viewing. It can find cached .flv files in your Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Chrome temp files. The latest version also supports adding a custom temp folder via the advanced options menu.

As you'd expect from a NirSoft app, command line arguments are supported. Launching VCV with /copyall and a destination directory will automatically dump all your cached video files to the specified folder in one shot (VideoCacheView.exe /copyall c:\SavedVideos).

It's not a downloader - VCV will only catch videos that have fully loaded in your browser. You'll also need an .flv capable application to watch your videos, like Gom Player or VLC.

VideoCacheView is available as a zipped, portable application or with an installer. It only takes up about 60kb of disk space, and is well worth a download.

VideoCacheView lets you save web videos you've watched originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hot Corners adds OSX-style magic corners to Windows

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Freeware

I'm a big fan of applications that extend the power of my keyboard, but I like being able to to teach my mouse some new tricks as well.

Hot Corners is a application that allows you to assign a number of actions that occur when your mouse hovers over the corners of your desktop. Choose to show your desktop, lock your workstation, activate a screen saver, or launch any program on your computer.

In addition to assigning actions to the four corners of your screen, Hot Corners can add four mouse gesture actions. Hold the Windows key and tap X, and your pointer will move to the center of the screen. Mousing left, right, up, or down executes your pre-defined action.

A system tray icon provides quick access to disable your corners, gestures, or both.

Hot Corners is written in AutoIT3 and full source code is available for download from the author's site. It's freeware for Windows only, and is portable - just drop the program files directory onto your flash drive.

Hot Corners adds OSX-style magic corners to Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gmail gets a task list

Filed under: E-mail, Web services, Google, web 2.0, Web

Google has a an online calendar, email service, and even an office suite. But for some reason, the company hasn't offered a to do list application to round out its suite of Microsoft Outlook-like services -- until now.

If you check out the Labs section of your Gmail preferences today you may notice a new option called Tasks. Once you enable this feature, you'll be able to add any email message to your task list either by selecting "Add to Tasks" under the More Actions menu or by hitting Shift+T if you have keyboard shortcuts enabled.

Once the to do list is open, you can also add tasks using keyboard shortcuts or by hitting the plus button. Or you can mark off completed items, rearrange your list, or perform all sorts of other functions.

You can also bring up the to do list by hitting the Tasks link that shows up below Contacts in Gmail's left hand navigation.

If you're looking for a way to add a task list to Gmail that's always visible from the sidebar, you can also add a widget from third party task manager Remember the Milk.

[via TechCrunch]

Gmail gets a task list originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

You received this email because you are subscribed to the real_time feed for http://www.downloadsquad.com/rss.xml. To change your subscription settings, please log into RSSFWD.