Hey everyone, I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a review. I’m currently packing to go to University. It’s a lot of work! Also last Friday I went Snowboarding and Skydiving, which was a lot of fun! I may or may not have time for a review this week, everything’s a bit tight. I’m moving on the 19th, so at the latest, you should have a review on the Monday or Tuesday.
In other news, did you know AppAholic is expanding?
Version Tested : 1.0 beta 16
Compatibility : Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X, Linux
Description : Java app that can automatically sync Google Calendar and iCal compatible calendar applications in both direction. Supports multiple files and Google Accounts. Enables you to effectively view and edit your Google Calendar offline. Also has some interesting other tools like converting RSS/ATOM feeds to iCalendar format, and remote control of your computer via Gmail.
When I first realised I needed a calendar to organize things going on in life, I was introduced to a nice little shareware app called Rainlendar. Worked like a charm. The paid version only added the ability to sync between Google Calendar and Outlook. So, I set out on a quest to find a free method of syncing between whatever the heck I wanted, just to keep it freeware. After a few hours, I found GCALDaemon. This was around early 2007, and since then, the project has grown and grown, and even featured on Lifehacker!
If your a frequent reader of AppAholic, you’ll know I love Set And Forget applications. This is really one of those. I’ve done a bit of java programming in my studies, but this was the first app id found written in java that I actually found useful!
I don’t use half of what this tool is capable of, but I DO use it to do exactly what the title says. Seamless sync between Google Calendar and Rainlendar. Quite frankly, I love it! My girlfriend recently got a Mac Book! (Yes I know, how lucky!) She uses iCal, which in turn is synced to her Google Calendar, which is then downloaded to my local calendar. We each have our own, and we can add and edit items, either on the desktop, or from a browser! Genius.
Ok, so AppAholic has had 5 days downtime this week. Something to do with a plugin update that went foul. I think it was the MyBlogLog plugin, which I have now replaced with an alternative.
The reason it took sooooo long to sort, was because at first it was on and off, however this may have been because of the server cache system. This led me to believe that it was my hosts fault. So I submitted a support ticket, to which they replied they would look into, and then stated that the issue had been resolved. However, all pages showed blank on appaholic still.
Anyway, its back up now. I will be taking regular backups of both the files and wordpress database. Keep tuned for some more sizzlingly hot apps, and the launch of AppAholic TechRant!
Version Tested : 1.401
Compatibility : Windows XP
Description : Change the style of the windows explorer by adding a new customisable toolbar. Many many designs on deviant art, all free to download. Even includes OS mimics like vista and mac leopard and tiger style toolbar. Also includes other graphical enhancements like drop shadow and icon placement and icon size.
So, you already skinned your OS to look a bit different using Uxtheme Patches. Surly its about time to do something about that blasted windows explorer? I think so!
I found this on a bit of an off chance a while ago, and have only got round to testing it today. I’m glad to say, I’m really impressed, and it IS going to be staying on my system. The very simply named Styler, works rather simply as well. Download, install, find a few different styles you like, try them, and your away. It took a me a little while to work out where to find the styles to download, but deviant art came up trumps again, as it often does with graphical things.
I was a tad skeptical about the ease of this app. The screen shot showed a simple windows with different styles which could be applied to windows explorer. The download comes with the vista style, but naturally there are many more to download.
Version Tested : 0.70.1 (alpha)
Compatibility : Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X Tiger 10.4, Various versions of Linux
Description : Task Coach allows you to cope with periods of high work load or to do lists. Portable, flexible, easy to use task manager and to do list, with categories, the ability to track effort and add attachments.
I admit, this app is still in alpha, but I can’t see why, as its pretty darn good! When I’ve got a lot of work on my plate, like coursework in multiple subjects, it’ can be a bit overwhelming. Writing stuff down, for a computer geek, is just pointless, when you have a handy app to deal with it all, and more. It’s also portable, just so you know, which is one of the reasons I love it so much.
The version just before this release had some graphical errors which put me off using it. However, since taking on a new project (top secret, you’ll see soon), I re opened Task Coach, and remembered how useful it was. My personal favourite features are the task tree, where you can have layers of tasks and dependant tasks, very useful for different areas. I also like tracking effort, which is nice, as you know how much time you have taken on each task.
I’m going on holiday for the next 10 days. Christian summer camp. woooo! Should be really awesome!
Anyway, thought I’d give everyone a little gift before I went away. You know how you search things alot on the web? Use google lots? Well every time you make a search, they make some money. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get your hands on a bit of this money?
Well now you can. Its not a get rich quick scheme, but My Homepage Friends (that’s the link by the way), enables you to earn a bit of money, where you would earn nothing. It all depends how much you search. You cannot of course make fake searches or use robots to automate searching. My Homepage Friends uses yahoo search, so your results will not be impaired at all. You sign up, and then you can make it your homepage, or you can add it to your search box. No tie ins, no worries. Simple fair money.
I love it, and so should you. Money for switching to yahoo as your search engine. Its worth a shot! That’s what I thought, and now I’m telling you.
Enjoy
Rel
Version Tested : 1.3
Compatibility : Win 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
Description : A USB ejection tool which trumps the windows USB ejection by a billion miles. This version first closes all open programs running from the USB, clears the cache, closes explorer windows and removes registry entries and recent document shortcut references. (video further down)
I use Portable Apps, that’s no secret, and I love them. Since my review of Portable Apps (which is a load of software which runs off your USB from a menu), there has been an update of the menu, which includes an eject function. This doesn’t work very well, as it only brings up the windows menu for ejecting USB’s, which, quite frankly, is useless, especially when you have multiple USB drives plugged in or external USB hard disks.
The windows USB eject function, is really really pointless and annoying! If you have anything left open, like invisible windows, or left over open files, then it will simply say, "eeerrrr, cannot do, but I won’t tell you why." Thanks Windows! If you eject your USB device often, you already know this, very well!
Eject USB, is a single exe (plus an ini settings file and the obligatory readme), which closes all open programs and other things, which allows the USB to be ejected safely. Just one click, and it does it all in one go! Even alerts you when you can eject the USB. Hurray! Finally a USB ejector that works the way it should. If Eject USB It can also take advantage of other useful tools, which I will discuss later.
Version Tested : 0.23 beta 4
Compatibility : Adobe Air
Description : Meebone is an Adobe Air render of the much loved web based multiprotocol (multi client) messaging website. Handy if your using the Meebo me widget on your site.
Meebo is rapidly becoming the webs most popular web based messaging client. To be honest, I cant say I’m surprised either! Its freakin brilliant. It supports Yahoo Messenger, MSN / WLM (.net messenger), Google Talk, AIM, ICQ and Jabber. That’s quite an extensive list for a web based client. Bringing that to your desktop, with a smarter design, and having the same function from any browser, is just nice. Very Nice.
True, pidgin supports more messaging protocols, but it isn’t as beautiful, or has as many easy to use skins as meebo, and there is no web version either. Pidgen has a portable version, but with meebo, all you need is a browser. Both Pidgin and Meebo both have an open API , so plugin are simple to develop (relatively speaking if you can do those sort of things. Meebo has file transfer built in, along with web cams. How’s about that.
Version Tested : 1.23
Compatibility : Windows 2000, XP, Vista *
Description : DM2 is a very configurable window manipulation tool which incorporates itself into your every day use of computers. Extremely useful for any and every user. Also includes an assortment of plugins which aim to make your computing life easier, and succeed. Desktop Mate. It sure is, both yours and mine.
This is one of those bits of freeware which after a while, you forget you even installed DM2. Its only when your using another computer, get confused, and ask the owner why the middle click on the minimize button isn’t rolling up the window. After they get confused, you are reminded that its that wonderful DM2 program you have on your machine, and whip out your USB with it on. (oh yeh, DM2 portable too, hooray!).
Incase you haven’t guessed yet, I’m quite fond of this little app. Its rare that software this good is free, but hey, I guess its our lucky day. The image for this one was a tad hard, as it does so many different things. The about window is a safe bet I thought. As you can see from the left hand menu, it doesn’t appear to have many settings. I can assure you, that each section is cram packed with useful options and settings to make handling windows easier.
Before I continue on to explain the features in detail, I think I should give you an overview of the different features it contains. There is a function called Minimize to floating icon, which is very handy, and a unique feature of DM2! Also minimize to tray, which is rather neat. Two more are hiding the window and aligning and resizing to set sizes of percentage’s of the screen size. Another big feature for me is the enhanced system menu (also known as title menu). Right clicking on the title bar will show extra items on the drop down menu. These items are, to floating icon, minimize to tray and always on top. There are also two sub menus of opacity and process priority.
Normally, the beginning would be the best place to start. I wouldn’t agree with DM2 though, as its trade mark feature (minimize to floating icon) isn’t my favourite.
Version Tested : 1.0.29
Compatibility : Win All
Description : A simple small lightweight freeware app to make your taskbar transparent. One slider. Couldn’t be easier.
Since StyleXP bit the dust as far as my computer is concerned, one feature I missed, as I’m sure many other do, is making the taskbar transparent. Well no need to worry any longer, no need to fret. Transparent TaskBar can solve this problem.
One of the most light weight software I have found to date, while still doing everything I expect. In the image, you can see the a funny little rectangle above the about box. This is the essence of what Transparent TaskBar is.
In the grey area, your mouse can drag the little box, just incase you want to change it. The little black line in the white area is your slider. Simply click anywhere in the white area and you can move the slider up and down by dragging. Your taskbar will change its level of transparency. I’m not sure why I even want the taskbar to be transparent, but I just feel it should, even though I have it set to auto hide. I guess I just like my background a lot.
very nice blog man .. and usefull informatio n on it.
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