How to say where is the bathroom in 34 languages at once
Filed under: Internet, Google, Web
Nice Translator is powered by Google Translate, so you get the same results from Google. But the interface is incredibly easy to use. Just select the languages you want to translate text into and start typing. Nice Translator will convert your words as soon as you type them.
The site also works on mobile devices like the iPhone if you happen to need to ask a passing stranger if you're getting a good price on that souvenir you've been haggling over. The answer, by the way, is probably no.
[via WebWare]
How to say where is the bathroom in 34 languages at once originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGmail gets the Google Docs PDF viewer
Filed under: Windows, E-mail, Google
Now Google has begun allowing users to open PDF files using the Google Docs PDF viewer. That means you can view PDFs sent to your email inbox without downloading them and without losing the formating, graphics, or other elements that make PDFs do darn fun to look at.
[via Google Operating System]
Gmail gets the Google Docs PDF viewer originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAdd a bookmark menu to Windows Explorer right-click menu
Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware
Shock Bookmark is a utility that adds a bookmark menu to the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer. But you probably figured that out from the headline. So here's a little more information. When you click the right mouse button in Windows Explorer or on your desktop you'll see a new Shock Bookmark menu. You can click the add/delete bookmark button to add or remove the current folder to your list of bookmarks. Or you can copy or move any folder or file to a folder that's already in your bookmarks with just a few clicks.
The program is free, but the download page is pretty busy. Just make sure to download the "Setup_ShockBookmark.exe" file and not one of the many other links on the page or you could find yourself in an endless loop. Not that that's what happened to me...
[via Shell Extension City]
Add a bookmark menu to Windows Explorer right-click menu originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments2008 Urlies : The distractions that stole your 2008
We'd all agree, the Internet is awesome. But, who is teh awesomest? Urlesque's 2008 Urlies took the time to rate, evaluate and rank the best of what kept us distracted online this year, and it's an impressive list. What would the internet be without cats, Rick Astley, link bait and flash memes? Boring, that's what. Face it, without the constant stream of distractions -- cute kids, celebrities on Twitter, Obamamemes and, animals in compromising positions -- all we'd have to talk about would be far less important things like financial crisis, human rights violations and the threat of global climate change. What a miserable world that would be.
Instead, the internet is a constant stream of Chuck Norris jokes, kittens with attitude and local 'journalists' falling in vats of half-stomped grapes. Viva la meme! Viva la Internet!
Relive your favorites -- and catch up on the ones that slipped past you -- by wasting a little time with the ultimate list of 2008's best web distractions.
2008 Urlies : The distractions that stole your 2008 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAllOff turns your PC off when you're not using it
Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware
AllOff keeps track of mouse and keyboard movements and CPU load. You can specify what counts as activity. For example, if you want to automatically shut down your computer if the CPU load has been under 5% for 15 minutes you can do that. Or if you want to shut it down when it's been under 30% for 5 minutes you can do that too, although I don't know why you'd want to, since it seems likely that your computer is still chugging away at whatever task you recently set it for.
This program could come in handy if you want to turn your computer off after it's done ripping a DVD, downloading a video, or doing some other task while you're away or asleep. You need to register for a license to use AllOff, but it's free for non-commercial use. For a registration free alternative, check out AMP WinOFF.
[via gHacks]
AllOff turns your PC off when you're not using it originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAuditorium is stylish, minimalist physics fun - Time Waster
Filed under: Fun, Games, Internet, Time-Wasters, Web
Auditorium isn't your typical physics-based flash game. It is, however, extremely addictive.
The first level presents you with three key elements: a level meter, a moving particle (?) stream, and a circle. Figuring out how the three things interact is up to you, as no instructions are provided. It's all very intuitive, and you'll get the hang of it quickly.
To pass a level, you've got to max out all the level meters. The task seems simple enough - and it is in the early going. As you progress, additional meters and circles will appear and getting everything to work together harmoniously can be quite difficult.
Its stunning yet minimalist visuals, haunting audio, and free-form play combine to make Auditorium an amazing Time Waster. Check it out, but be prepared to blow your Friday deadlines.
Auditorium is stylish, minimalist physics fun - Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsRohos Mini Drive creates protected partitions on USB flash drives
Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows, Freeware
When you plug a drive with a hidden partition into your PC you'll only see the unprotected partition. If you have Rohos installed on your computer you can right click the icon in the system tray to connect the hidden partition. If you're using a guest computer you can execute the "Rohos mini.exe" file in the main partition on your flash drive to enter your password.
[via Download.com]
Rohos Mini Drive creates protected partitions on USB flash drives originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsMS Web PI provides an easy way to roll IIS, SQL, .NET
Filed under: Developer, Internet, Windows, Microsoft, Freeware, Web
WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP) installers have been around for ages, and provide an easy way for anyone to quickly set up a platform for developing web apps on their Windows desktop. If, however, you're looking to play in the Microsoft sandbox, there's now a simple way to do that, too.
The Web Platform Installer aims to streamline the process of setting up a Microsoft-powered web server. Download and launch the 60kb executable and choose your install (complete, ASP .NET, or custom). The Web PI will then download and install all the required applications.
As you can see in the screenshot, the completed install features both Microsoft's take on a WAMP (IIS, SQL, ASP .NET) and some free development tools (Visual Web Developer Express, Silverlight Tools, ASP .NET MVC).
All the included products are (and have been) available for download individually from Micrsoft, but the Web PI greatly simplifies the process. If you decide to install it and you plan on allowing outside access to IIS, make sure you do some reading first and secure it as much as possible.
The Web Platform Installer aims to streamline the process of setting up a Microsoft-powered web server. Download and launch the 60kb executable and choose your install (complete, ASP .NET, or custom). The Web PI will then download and install all the required applications.
As you can see in the screenshot, the completed install features both Microsoft's take on a WAMP (IIS, SQL, ASP .NET) and some free development tools (Visual Web Developer Express, Silverlight Tools, ASP .NET MVC).
All the included products are (and have been) available for download individually from Micrsoft, but the Web PI greatly simplifies the process. If you decide to install it and you plan on allowing outside access to IIS, make sure you do some reading first and secure it as much as possible.
MS Web PI provides an easy way to roll IIS, SQL, .NET originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsForgetful? Send yourself a Remindr
Filed under: Internet, Productivity, Web services, Web
Remindr offers an incredibly simple way to jog your memory. Enter your reminder text, pick the date and time you want to be alerted, and choose how you'd like Remindr to send the message. The service can send alerts to your Twitter or email account, Jabber/Gtalk username, or to your phone.
It works best to entire your time in 24 hour format (0942) - the field expects four numbers and will enter 94:2 instead of 9:42.
Currently, it's only intended for one-time reminders - there isn't an option for recurring notifications. Still, it's a quick and easy way to keep yourself from forgetting something important.
Forgetful? Send yourself a Remindr originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAnti-Malware Toolkit updated, supports loads of new apps
Filed under: Internet, Security, Utilities, Windows, Freeware
Lunarsoft, producers of Anti-Malware Toolkit, have been hard at work since I mentioned it on Downloadsquad back in August.
The handy updater now supports 37 different downloads in five categories, including:
It's a great application for keeping your flash drive up-to-date with a ton of good, free malware removal tools. Anti-Malware Toolkit is a free application for Windows only. It can be downloaded from the author's site or from Freeware Files.
The handy updater now supports 37 different downloads in five categories, including:
- Spyware: Spyware Blaster, CCleaner, RogueRemover, SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, Spybot, Hijack This
- Definitions: Avast, Avira, Spybot, Malwarebytes, SUPERAntiSpyware
- Utilities: Dial-a-fix, JavaRA, Autoruns, Process Explorer, Rootkit Revealer, Unlocker, LSPFix, MS Malcious Software Removal, Windows Installer Cleanup
- Uninstallers: Avast, Avira, AVG (x86 and x64), BitDefender, Kaspersky, McAfee, One Care
- Recommendations: Firefox, Opera, Thunderbird, Avast, AntiVir, Comdo (x86 and x64), Auslogics Defrag, PageDefrag, UPHClean
It's a great application for keeping your flash drive up-to-date with a ton of good, free malware removal tools. Anti-Malware Toolkit is a free application for Windows only. It can be downloaded from the author's site or from Freeware Files.
Anti-Malware Toolkit updated, supports loads of new apps originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSkype 4 beta 3 released for Windows
Filed under: Windows, VoIP, Beta
- Bandwidth manager that should improve call quality
- Full history feature that lets you search and browser past calls and conversations
- Abuse reporting feature that lets you report users you block to Skype
- Support for Microsoft Outlook contacts
- Return of the call quality feedback area
Skype 4 beta 3 released for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBopaboo wants to be the internet's used record store
The answer, of course, is that there's little to prevent you from purchasing a single MP3 for 99 cents and then selling it a few hundred times for 50 cents, thus making a pretty hefty profit while at least theoretically depriving the people who own the original rights to that song of potential revenue.
Bopaboo says it has a way around that problem. The web site allows users to create their own web stores and set prices for song downloads. But users are only allowed to sell each song once. Bopaboo uses digital fingerprinting technology to make sure you don't upload the same song twice.
If it actually works, that technology could ensure that the site is protected by the first sale doctrine, which is the same rule that allows you to sell a CD or video game after you've purchased it. But I can think of a few dozen ways that users could quickly get around that technology, by doing things like inserting some extra silence into audio tracks or using audio editing software to slightly change the pitch of a song.
If you're interested in purchasing music for as little sa 25 cents a track you might want to register for the beta today. Because it's not at all clear that the service will still be around tomorrow.
[via CNet and TorrentFreak]
Bopaboo wants to be the internet's used record store originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsAmarok 2.0 Linux music player released
Filed under: Audio, Linux, Open Source
That last bit is important, because if you try to install Amarok 2 on a system running KDE 3.5 you'll probably need to download a whole slew of other updates in order to get the music player working.
There are Windows and OS X ports of Amarok, but right now online Linux distributions (including Kubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Debian, and PCLinuxOS) are officially supported.
[via Ubuntu Unleashed]
Amarok 2.0 Linux music player released originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGrab yourself a free 1-year license for McAfee 2009
Filed under: Internet, Security, Windows, Commercial
The suite is normally priced at $39.99 for a single pc, but entering the promotional code ****** will apply the discount. Licenses for up to four additional PCs can be added for an extra $10 each. The site is also offering a three system, one year license of McAfee Internet Security 2009 for $34.99 (a $35 discount).
The latest release has gotten fairly good reviews and boasts increased speed as well as improved virus detection and removal. If you're a McAfee fan, this offer is too good to pass up.
Update: As indicated in the comments, the offer is only valid for specific people - not the general public. In the interest of saving you some grief, the code and links have been removed.
Grab yourself a free 1-year license for McAfee 2009 originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsGoogle Chrome hits 1.0
Filed under: Google, Beta, Browsers
So why remove the beta label now, especially when the 4 year old Gmail service is still officially in beta? Well, the official explanation is because the company's goals for stability and performance have been met. But it also likely has something to do with Google's plans to convince hardware makers to preload the web browser on computers -- something they may be reluctant to do with beta software.
So aside from the version number, what else is different in the latest build? Honestly, I'm not sure. Most of the items that Google showcases in its blog post about the new release are updates that we've already seen like the addition of a bookmark manager, and improved speed and performance.
More updates are still in the works. Google is promising support for plugins, RSS feeds, and form autofill features.
Google Chrome hits 1.0 originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsWordPress 2.7 is released
Filed under: Features, News, Blogging, Open Source, DLS Interviews, web 2.0, Web
I'll give Brad a pass on being a tad premature with the WordPress 2.7's announcement, because I know that he -- like many of us who use WordPress to power our self-hosted blogs -- was just super-excited about the new release. Well, the wait is over and the official release for WordPress 2.7 is now available from WordPress.org.
WordPress 2.7, named "Coltrane" in honor of the Jazz legend, is a pretty significant step forward in WordPress's history. As Brad noted in his first look at the 2.7 beta, most of these changes are on the backend, but they are designed to greatly enhance your productivity and speed in maintaining your blog. On the front-end side, threaded comment support and support for "sticky" posts make it easier for readers to communicate with one another and access important information.
You can check out the WordPress Codex for 2.7 to see some of the technical details behind the new changes. I had a chance to talk to Mark Jaquith, one of the lead developers for WordPress .org, about the new release and some of his favorite features.
Continue reading WordPress 2.7 is released
WordPress 2.7 is released originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsBitLoot helps turn ideas into Open Source software
Filed under: Developer, Web services, Open Source
I've written about plenty of great software, but I'll probably never create any on my own. I'm no programmer, unless you count the projects I used to cobble together on our Commodore 64 and Apple IIe when I was in middle school.
That's why I like the idea of bitloot. It's a simple concept. Submit your idea for an application and it's added to bitloot's listings. Once some financial contributions are made, a developer is selected and creates the code.
Developers that think they've got a cool idea and would like a way to gather some donations can submit an idea and select "me" as the developer.
It's a terrific idea. You get a custom-made program, the developer gets a little compensation for his or her efforts, and the community gets both a new application and open source code to play with.
Bitloot is still fairly new, so why not help get things rolling? Visit the site and submit some ideas, or donate a few bucks to a worthy project!
That's why I like the idea of bitloot. It's a simple concept. Submit your idea for an application and it's added to bitloot's listings. Once some financial contributions are made, a developer is selected and creates the code.
Developers that think they've got a cool idea and would like a way to gather some donations can submit an idea and select "me" as the developer.
It's a terrific idea. You get a custom-made program, the developer gets a little compensation for his or her efforts, and the community gets both a new application and open source code to play with.
Bitloot is still fairly new, so why not help get things rolling? Visit the site and submit some ideas, or donate a few bucks to a worthy project!
BitLoot helps turn ideas into Open Source software originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOzh Admin Drop Down plugin now works with WordPress 2.7
One of the most useful improvements was the decision to move most of the site navigation features to a sidebar where you can expand or collapse the sections you need rather than clicking a link and waiting for the page to reload as you did with earlier version of WordPress. But the problem with the sidebar navigation is that it takes up more screen real estate, giving you less room for writing or managing your blog posts.
Enter Ozh' Admin Drop Down Menu. Long before the WordPress team realized the value of drop down menus, this plugin offered bloggers the ability to convert the site navigation links into drop down menus which cut back on the number of page loads you need to wait through to get from the main page to the plugin page, post page, or other pages.
I had been a bit concerned that the developer would stop updating the plugin now that WordPress includes a collapsible menu. But just a few hours after WordPress 2.7 was released, Ozh" Admin Drop Down Menu 3.0 was released with support for the latest version of WordPress. It removes all the navigation links that show up on the left side of the WordPress 2.7 dashboard and replaces them with drop down menus near the top of your screen. The net effect is that you regain a ton of screen real estate.
We'll have a more in-depth look at WordPress 2.7 later today.
Ozh Admin Drop Down plugin now works with WordPress 2.7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsHealthshoppr uses the web to match health services to those in need
Filed under: Internet, Web services
Earlier this week I had a conversation with CEO of Healthshoppr, Dr. Vijay Goel. The site went into public beta today and the premise begs the question: why hasn't this been done before? Healthshoppr leverages the ability of the internet to connect (and rate) health and wellness providers with people seeking those services. It is billed as "transparent health choices" and I'd say it delivers just that: transparency when choosing a healthcare provider. In the beta, the example is massage therapy. Dr. Goel walked me through a typical experience, which you can see in the gallery. It's much like Expedia for health services, and borrows many of the "atomic connections" you see in services like ebay and yelp.As I said, using the power of the internet to connect buyers and sellers of health services seems so natural. If you've ever had to choose any health service, what do you go on? The phone book? Friends and family? Now think about selling stuff like collectibles (ebay) or finding restaurants (yelp) -- harnessing the power of the network you're instantly able to gather multiple reviews and browse myriad potential sellers. Thus, Healthshoppr's angle.
The beta is currently focusing on massage therapy in the Los Angeles area. But finding a therapist in the 90401 area code gets simplified when you're drilling down into specialists or looking for someone with a particular skill. For example, the filtering controls allow fine-tuning by style (Alexander Technique), add-ons (aromatherapy), special needs (carpal tunnel) and special equipment (heated table). Again, by using computers to do the filtering you've eliminated a lot of the grunt work in choosing what you need. You can also sort by gender, philosophy, etc. Much in the same way ebay would let you drill down into Beanie Babies. Imagine doing this via recommendations from friends or the phone book.
Continue reading Healthshoppr uses the web to match health services to those in need
Healthshoppr uses the web to match health services to those in need originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsSplitter: physics, fun, and a knife - Time Waster
Filed under: Fun, Games, Internet, Time-Wasters, Web
You've seen plenty of great physics-based Time Wasters on Downloadsquad before, and Splitter is the latest addition to the collection.
The goal of the game is to cause the smiley to roll, fling, or bounce onto the bronze-colored circle. Points are scored by passing over the star on your way.
To get the smiley moving, you're given a knife that can cut through certain objects that make up each level. Wooden pieces and string-like connectors can be cut, brick and metal objects can't. Splitter compounds the challenge by limiting you to a certain number of cuts per level.
While you'll likely breeze through the first several levels, you'll eventually encounter some head-scratchingly tricky scenarios as you progress.
There's just enough thinking involved to make the game fun, but not so much that you're going to get frustrated and fling your mouse.
Thanks, Dave!
The goal of the game is to cause the smiley to roll, fling, or bounce onto the bronze-colored circle. Points are scored by passing over the star on your way.
To get the smiley moving, you're given a knife that can cut through certain objects that make up each level. Wooden pieces and string-like connectors can be cut, brick and metal objects can't. Splitter compounds the challenge by limiting you to a certain number of cuts per level.
While you'll likely breeze through the first several levels, you'll eventually encounter some head-scratchingly tricky scenarios as you progress.
There's just enough thinking involved to make the game fun, but not so much that you're going to get frustrated and fling your mouse.
Thanks, Dave!
Splitter: physics, fun, and a knife - Time Waster originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsYou 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.
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