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Newsletter Archive Reviews Archive 
Welcome to Clif Notes Newsletter
January 21, 2007
 Hi Everyone. Thanks for reading my newsletter. Each week, I will have freeware reviews, tips, tricks, news, and lots of cool websites for you to check out. I hope you enjoy this week's letter. Be sure to write me for advice or yell at me for messing up. Click here to chat while visiting this newsletter! |
REVIEWS
Cooliris Previews - Firefox's handiest little blue dot
review from Respect2Glory, Jan 2007, permalink _ Browser Tools
What a handy gadget! After installing this Firefox add-on all I have to do is to hover over a link and wait a split second for a little blue dot to appear and then hover over that blue dot. This action automatically opens a new page for that link, and it stays open until you close it or move your mouse away from that webpage. This is a great helper for webpage editing, surfing, and online shopping because you don't have to click as much. CoolIris is definitely a keeper.
One of Clif's friends told us about this one.
From BluPwrdUp:
Cooliris Previews is software that lets you view links without having to click or leave the page you are on. Previews makes it easy to navigate through multiple links quickly and easily.
Cooliris Previews
http://www.cooliris.com/Site/index.html#cooliris
Potty Pigeon - seeing it from the bird's point of view
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Games
At my day job, I have to park my car under a set of power lines. There is a family of sparrows who nest nearby and you can guess the results. Many times I've raised my fist to the air and cursed them. After playing this game for a few minutes, I now see how much fun it is to fly over cars and "dump" on them. Potty Pigeon is a simple game with simple goals. You'll catch on to it quickly and I hope you'll start seeing things from the "bird's point of view" like I do now. Maybe next time my car is a mess, I'll wave at the little birdies with a grin on my face.
To play the game, download it, unzip it, and double click the file "potty.exe". No install is needed. When selecting game levels, use the arrow keys and the space bar (not the enter key) to select your level. Use the arrow keys for moving the bird and the space bar to drop a load.
Quote from the website
The original C-64 Potty Pigeon version was fairly unspectacular, however the idea of dropping poop on speeding cars gave it that certain something that made it worth playing. It also had some awesomely smooth scrolling!
I've put a lot of effort into the graphics, though admitedly I got lazy with some of the animations towards the end of the project. However most of the cool features remained, such as:
- picking up twigs to build your nest
- cars, aeroplanes, dogs, snakes, and helicopters to avoid
- Hawks that cause you to drop your precious twigs
http://home.exetel.com.au/j_brown/pottypigeon.html
Purplenova - your personal web server
review from Aditya, Jan 2007, permalink _ Web Server Tools
From Clif:
I encourage everyone to try new freebies out. Aditya tried this one and sent me his review. Respect2Glory (here at Freeware Wiki) did some research and found out that this program might be safe to use, but it might also include some adware, according to Infinishare's TOS. So far, we haven't read any reports that the authors have included adware, but if you use it, you do give them permission to do so. Here's what Infinishare's terms of service says about their software:
Infinishare may include advertisements in the files, data and other information you may share using Infinishare's software and services. You may also receive announcements, promotional materials and advertisements from Infinishare without the ability to opt out of receiving them.
Below, see how easy it is to share your experiences with free software. If you really like it, then tell us about it. I even have a nice template with questions for you to answer at my WriteYourOwnReview page.
Thanks for sharing Aditya.
From Aditya:
WHERE IS THE WEBSITE AT? - www.purplenova.com
IS THE DOWNLOAD LINK EASY TO FIND? - Yes there's a download button on the home page. It links to:
http://www.purplenova.com/purplenovasetup.msi
WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM IS IT?
- Portable Web Server
- Allows resource hosting directly from user machine
- Installs on PCs and removable drives
- No limit to number of files hosted
WHAT VERSIONS OF WINDOWS ARE REQUIRED?
- Windows any, as per the company
- I've used it on WinXP Home and Win2K Professional.
DOES IT REQUIRE ANYTHING ELSE? (LIKE .NET)
- No additional plugins/configuration.
IS IT A LARGE OR SMALL DOWNLOAD? - Small @ 2.2MB.
IS IT AN EASY PROGRAM TO INSTALL? - Yes. - Also I asked a friend who says "it is portable and doesn't make registry entries or install weird com objects". It's g(r)eek to me, but may be useful to you :-)
DOES IT COME WITH AN UNINSTALLER? - No. - It can be removed completely by deleting the folder it is installed in.
WHERE DID YOU FIND IT? - On wikipedia at link: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_portable_software#Web_servers
WERE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS? - Yes. I wanted to be able to remotely access my files and documents without uploading them anywhere.
WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR? - Privately publishing important documents from my office PC. - Works inspite of my office firewall.
WHAT WERE YOU USING BEFORE YOU FOUND THIS? - Flash drive. But I had to bother about re-saving the files I needed each time I made changes to them.
HAS IT SOLVED A PROBLEM YOU WERE HAVING? - Yes. I always have remote access to the latest version of my files.
WHAT PROBLEMS HAS IT CAUSED? - None so far. - I've used it for 3 weeks now. My office computer is always online. No viruses or system crash.
IS THE PROGRAM EASY TO USE? - Yes. I figured it out without help.
DOES IT COME WITH HELP FILES? - Yes.
WHAT FEATURES DO YOU LIKE OR NOT LIKE? - Depends on internet connection. Dialup is no no. - Small box to manage files.
WHAT FEATURES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED OR TAKEN AWAY OR CHANGED?
- Slicker user interface
- Better file hosting management.
Quote from the website
Purplenova is a tool to safely and securely host any content directly from your PC.
You can host any number and any type of files
Anti-spyware cage match - see Dave's results
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Adware & Spyware Removal
From Clif:
I recently read an article from Dave's Computer Tips newsletter. He spends hours and hours trying out the top anti-spyware tools.
CounterSpy and SpySweeper are the anti-spyware programs that Dave picks as his top two choices, but SpySweeper won the match. Both are payware programs so I won't use them. Therefore, I still recommend SpyBot and AdAware and I still use them at home every week. If you really feel you need the extra protection, Dave's picks are a great choice.
Quote from the website
Here we are at end of the anti-spyware test. In the last issue of the newsletter I presented a table of results and Excel spreadsheets of all files and registry keys. If you missed them you should take a look. I've created a new table that shows the whole picture below. Have a look and I'll go into more detail ... AdAware and Spybot were about right where I envisioned them. Both did a admirable job of deleting what they did find, but both missed quite a few infections. If I were limited to only one I would choose Spybot.
http://www.davescomputertips.com/Newsletters/20070115.php#3
Chat With Me Now - mixing full chat with email
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Instant Messaging
I'm not a big chatter on the net, but I've tried many of the most common chat services. This service probably will never become as popular as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, or ICQ, but it does try to fill a unique spot on the net.
Chat With Me Now integrates with Outlook and Outlook Express email programs, so that you can include a button in every email that allows your contacts to chat with you while they are reading the emails you have sent them. The chat button can also be displayed in many of the webmail services such as Yahoo and Hotmail. It can also be displayed on a web page as you can see below.
The folks that click on your chat button won't need to have any special software installed. CWMN opens up a page in your web browser and uses Adobe Flash to display the chat windows. The window includes text chat, voice chat, and web cam.
I haven't had much of chance to try this, but you can help me out ...
If the button below is green, you can click on it to chat with me.
Quote from the website
Chat with Me Now is a free add-on to Outlook or Outlook Express that lets your email recipients see
when you are online and start chatting with you instantly.
Windows XP Winter Fun Pack
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Misc. Utilities
Microsoft does occasionally offer some great freeware. I tried out the screensaver that comes with this set of software and I really liked it. It is unique and fun to watch.
Quote from the website
Turn your photos into customized holiday cards with these easy-to-use greeting card templates. Send your cards in e-mail or print out and mail.
- Decorate Your Desktop
- Chill Out with a New Screen Saver
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/winterfun2003.mspx
Scribus - Open Source Desktop Publishing tool
review from JohnHood, Dec 2006, permalink _ Desktop Publishing
From John Hood's The Best of Free Software
Pluses - I can think of three words: Ho-Ly-Cow! It's all here, shapes, graphics, layering, templates for any publishing project you need, from brochures to full magazine layout. Too many features to mention. It's open-source, so there is never a problem with file compatibility between clients, vendors, or other collaborators. They can simply download and install Scribus, and you're set. When was the last time you could say that with a pay-ware program.
Minuses - Like any publisher program, it's not for the faint of heart. Read the tutorials.
Quote from the website
Scribus is an open-source program that brings award-winning professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops with a combination of "press-ready" output and new approaches to page layout.
Underneath the modern and user friendly interface, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.
Drop by and see more great free software at John's place
Old Newsletter
I like to look back and see what I was thinking about. Here's another letter from the wayback machine.
http://freewarewiki.pbwiki.com/ClifNotesNewsletter050123
TIPS AND FEEDBACK
Security tips from Lusher
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Security Tools
A couple of weeks ago I noticed some links in the comments from a person known as "Lusher". I was curious, so I checked them out. I found these articles to be very informative, well written, and as accurate as I need them to be. I learned a good deal from them.
I'm fairly certain Lusher is one of the main contributor's for the articles below. If so, he doesn't claim to be a "security expert". Expert or not, you can trust the info there.
Roll your own free security suite
List of freeware security software
Online antivirus scans
Understanding Computer Infections
Different_classes_of_security_software
Host-based Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS) FAQ
HIPS/IDP_programs/services
A CastleCops service dedicated to the capture, retention, and collaborative updating of important information assisting computer security education.
Malware Removal and Prevention
A procedure developed by CastleCops Staff to assist folks who are having problems dealing with malware and/or who want to prevent (re)occurence of malware issues.
Anti-Spam Topics
A number of topics relating to the detection and removal of Spam
Tips from Tiffany - Dance of a Thousand Hands
From Tiffany, Jan 7 2007
Hi Clif,
Just received this from an old school friend, and I think it's without a doubt one of the most spectacular videos I've seen. I hope it's not too long to put in your newsletter, as it's well worth watching to the very end - sensational!
There is an awesome dance called the Thousand-Hand Guanyin.
Considering the tight coordination required, their accomplishment is nothing short of amazing, even if they were not all DEAF. Yes, you read correctly. All 21 of the dancers are complete deaf-mutes. Relying only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage, these extraordinary dancers deliver a visual spectacle that is at once intricate and stirring. Its first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies for the 2004 Paralympics.
But it had long been in the repertoire of the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and had traveled to more than 40 countries. Its lead dancer is 29-year-old Tai Lihua, who has a BA from The Hubei Fine Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival celebrations this year.
********************************************
http://tiffanycartier.stumbleupon.com/
http://hello-kitty.group.stumbleupon.com/ =^..^=
********************************************
Comments last week
Thanks to everyone who commented on the articles last week. You gave me more ideas and some good advice. If you see comments on an article, you will be missing out if you don't click on them to take a look.
If you commented last week, check to see who commented on your comment!
Here are the comments from last week.
PricelessWare 2007 - the best of 2006's freeware •
Amp Tile Viewer - viewing tiled backgrounds •
PC Decrapifier - cleans out the stupid free programs you don't want •
PDFCreator - Print to create PDF copies of almost anything •
EverNote - say good-bye to scraps of paper •
ReciPC - old school recipe collecting •
Enigma - game from the 90's •
Advanced WindowsCare Personal - malware scan, registry scan, system tweaking •
Outlook Express Quick Backup - backup your Outlook Express email and settings •
OutlookHelper - additonal features for Outlook Express •
Links from Giorgos in Greece •
Software for Starving Students - a website and CD full of good freeware •
TTCS OSSWIN CD - a collection of Free/Open Source software •
COOL WEBSITES
Mitch Keeler blogs on freeware
review from ClifNotes, Dec 2006, permalink _ Computer Tips
How do I find out about so many different freewares? I surf all over and one of the places I visit hosts blog articles from Mitch Keeler. I like Mitch because he writes about free stuff most of the time. Drop on by to visit Mitch sometime. I rarely write about the same stuff he does, so you'll be seeing a few items you've never seen before.
There is only one thing I don't like about Mitch and I ain't afraid to say it. Lose the hat Mitch, it looks tacky and you're getting too old to pull it off.
Quote from Mitch's blog source
Mitch is currently working as a freelance contributing writer to Lockergnome.com and Ping! Zine. He also holds moderating positions at Lunarpages Web Hosting and Web Hosting Chat. Also be sure to check out some of Mitch Keeler’s other projects ...
http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/author/mitch-keeler/
Open Source Applications for Windows - the blog
review from ClifNotes, Jan 2007, permalink _ Software Collections
As some of you may have guessed by now, I"m a big fan of OSS (Open Source Software). I think of it as "software for the people, by the people". I recently ran across this blog website. The author seems to be trying to keep us up to date on some of the latest developments in the OSS world. Drop by when you get a chance.
I couldn't find out a thing about the author except maybe his nickname. If the author drops by, I'd like get a comment from him. I'd like to know a little more about this mystery person.
http://open-source.onestop.net/
Websites I've visited recently
Have you seen any cool websites you want to share with us?
NEW NEWS
SnapFiles.com - new and updated freeware
Source - http://snapfiles.com/freeware
News from Sarah in Tampa
Security news from Malware Advisor
blog by TeMerc Internet Countermeasures, source
Infected? Go to http://temerc.com for help
OTHER STUFF
Get Gmail! and Get Firefox!
You need a free 2.7 GB Gmail account to access many of the cool features at Google. I'll send you an invitation right away if you write me and say I WANT GMAIL.
I think Gmail works best in the awesome Firefox browser. It's free, easy to use, and it's way more secure than Internet Explorer. My favorite thing to do is to customize Firefox so that it does much more than IE ever could. You can select new button controls for your toolbars, install extensions to add new features, or change the look of your browser with themes - the way Firefox looks and works is under your control.
Chatting at FreewareWiki
Now you can chat with anyone visiting a website by using Gabbly. To see who's gabbing at this website, click here.
Find out more about Gabbly.com
Frapper - you people live all over the world!
Wow! Over 400 people and still growing! I invite all of you to record your locations on this map. You can include as little or as much information as you wish. I think you'll enjoy seeing yourself there.
Here's a small look at my frapper map.
Write your own review
I get many of the reviews in the newsletter from the readers. You don't have to be a genius or computer guru. Just answer a few questions and send me a review. I'll probably put you in the newsletter.
What do you have to say?
Just tell me what article you are talking about and leave me your comment.
Have fun and surf safely.
Clif
http://clifnotes.net & http://freewarewiki.pbwiki.com
Devoted to promoting Freeware and Free Information
Want a free 2.7Gb Gmail account?
Email me here.
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