May
18th

Geek Software of the Week: Postbox!

Not too many of the Geek Software of the Weeks are a “paid for” product, but this one is. I needed a simple, clean, very cool email client. I had been using Thunderbird, but there were some things I didn’t like about it, and they have stopped development on it. So, I found Mailbox! It is only $10.00. And, it is nice, simple, and clean!

Postbox Email Client for IMAP, POP3, etc.

Be focused, be organized, be awesome
Powerful, intuitive, and faster than a scalded monkey, the Postbox email client will help you stay on task, find information quickly and act, not react.

Conversation views give you the ‘big picture’
Postbox’s Conversation Views are powerful, actionable, and easy to use.

It works by gathering conversation fragments from multiple folders and presenting them in a unified view.

So the rumors are true, Postbox will actually make you smarter.

Powerful Tagging
Postbox Topics lets you organize your messages by keyword.

When you assign a topic to a message, it is also applied to other messages within the conversation, in addition to all future replies — a huge time saver.

Combine the use of Topics with the Focus Pane to attain a state of organizational bliss.

Awesome Gmail Support
Gmail Label support makes organizing easy.

Dedicated Important view for high-priority messages.

Send and Archive your messages in just one step.

Add detected dates to your Google Calendar.

Support for Gmail keyboard shortcuts for the power user.

Quick Reply
Quick Reply lets you reply to a message without the need to open a separate compose window, which is perfect for short, snappy responses.

It all happens within a message or conversation, so that you can get right back to what you were doing.

Use Quick Reply with Send and Archive to keep your Inbox tidy.

Send Dropbox links instead of large files
Drag files from your Dropbox folder to send them as links.

Messages send faster and you’ll save hard drive space.

Files can be updated outside of the email message.

You can also attach Dropbox files, but why would you?

Send emails with brains and beauty
Summarize in Compose creates a beautifully formatted who-said-what-when digest that cleans up messy email threads.

Format your replies with profile photos, or just text for business use.

Either way, you’ll look like a hero on each and every message send.

Track To-Dos within your Inbox
Our To-Do View lets you work on important tasks without distraction – within your Inbox!

Create new to-dos, annotate existing to-dos, and pin to-dos to the top of your message list so that they don’t fall out of sight/out of mind.

Combine the To-Do View with Unified Inboxes/Folders and the Focus Pane to crunch through your workload in record time.

Quickly find Documents and Images
Postbox gives you fast access to documents and images hiding within your email messages.

No more digging through email messages to find what you need!

It’s easy to save or send what you’ve found. Simply select a file or image, and click an action button.

Social connections add a personal touch
Auto-import profile photos from Facebook, LinkedIn, and Gravatar.

2Update your status on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

3Quick and easy links to sender’s profile pages.

Easy file searching within the Compose Window
The Compose Sidebar lets you search for documents and images while composing a message.

Open the Sidebar and start typing to begin your search. Then, drop what you’ve found into your message.

Reusing documents and images has never been easier!”

May
11th

Geek Software of the Week: GPU-Z!

A neat utility to find out all that you need to know about your video card (GPU)! Cool!

GPU-Z – GPU Test and Info Utility

“Main Features

  • Supports NVIDIA, ATI and Intel graphics devices
  • Displays adapter, GPU and display information
  • Displays overclock, default clocks and 3D clocks (if available)
  • Includes a GPU load test to verify PCI-Express lane configuration
  • Validation of results
  • GPU-Z can create a backup of your graphics card BIOS
  • No installation required, optional installer is available
  • Support for Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 (both 32 and 64 bit versions are supported)

.. and yes, the author of CPU-Z has granted us permission to use a name similar to his product. Thanks Franck.”

May
4th

Geek Software of the Week: Big Blue Button!

Imagine being able to teach a class on-line, with slides, whiteboards, videos, chat, etc.! Too awesome to exist? It does, AND it is FREE and Open Source! Zowie!

It can be installed on an Ubuntu Linux Server, or, you can download a pre-installed, pre-configured Virtual Appliance! Distance education can now be done for free! Check it out in the video below:


Download with Vixy | YouTube Converter

Big Blue Button Overview

“Presentation Control
A presenter can easily upload multiple PDF’s or Office documents. Once uploaded, the participants are able to see the current slide as the presenter moves through their presentation.

Audio Engagement
The moderator has complete control over all the audio within the conference. They are able to mute, un-mute and eject any of the participants by simply clicking on the necessary icon within the listeners module.

See Your Students
When logged into the conference, users have the option of sharing their video over the web using a built-in or external webcam. Multiple participants and a presenter can be sharing their video at the same time.

Chat Conversation
Students can take part in a group chat which is viewed by everyone within the conference, or select a user and begin a separate private conversation.

Mute/Unmute
When students join the audio session they can mute/unmute themselves as desired. This reduces background noise if students are in a loud area.

Recorded Sessions
Students are able to view previously recorded sessions that the presenter has recorded. The students are required to login, choose a recorded video and can then view it within the web browser.”

Apr
23rd

Geek Software of the Week: SpaceSniffer!

You can now visualize your diskspace, and get control over your drive and the space that you are using!

SpaceSniffer – Control Your Diskspace!

“SpaceSniffer is a freeWare (donations are welcome) and portable tool application that lets you understand how folders and files are structured on your disks. By using a Treemap visualization layout, you have immediate perception of where big folders and files are placed on your devices. Treemap concept was invented by Prof. Ben Shneiderman, who kindly permitted the use of his concept into this tool.

Start a scan process and see the overall situation. Bigger are the elements on the view, bigger are folders and files on your disk. You need more detail on a big folder? Just single click on it. The selected element will be detailed with its content.

Need more and more detail? Keep selecting elements and they’ll discover their secrets to you. Need a larger view of a small folder? Then double click on it, and it’ll zoom to the full extent of the view.

If you need to understand why no more free space is left on media, keep following bigger elements. Maybe you want to focus only on particular file types… ok. Just type the file type on the filter field (example: *.jpg) and press enter. The view will react and show you only JPEG files.

Want to exclude files? Then type a starting pipe before the filter (example: |*.jpg) and press enter. The view will show everything but JPEG files.

If you want to keep track of examined files you can tag them. Four colors are available. Just hover the mouse on a file and press CTRL+1 to tag it red. There are keys also for yellow, green and blue tagging. Use them as you wish. You can also filter on tags (example: :red will show only red tagges files, :all will show all tagged files and so on). You can also exclude tagged files (example: |:red will exclude all red tagged files)

Want to know if you have old files? Type the condition in the filter field (example: >2years) and the view will react accordingly.

You can also filter on file size, file date and combine all filters
(example: *.jpg;>1mb;<3months;|:yellow)

Once you have your result, you can produce a textual report by using the embedded Export Module. You can even customize the report layout to match your needs.

Why another disk scanning utility?

I must admit, in past years I looked for long time to a quick and easy way to analyze my disks space occupation. Found many products, some free some commercial but I never accustomed to anyone of them. It’s only a matter of taste but… since my work is not to analyze disk space all the day, for this annoying task I wanted a software that does not need to be re-learned every time I run it. Everything should be directly accessible. In my opinion, if I wonder what is the meaning of a button, then that button should be removed. This is the need that urged me to program SpaceSniffer.

SpaceSniffer tries to be intuitive. Moreover it has some graphical effects. Maybe people think they’re useless. I think they help to understand what’s happening. The zoom in/out effect for instance helps me to understand where i’m going. The blinking effect helps me understand what has been just scanned or what has changed under my eyes. I found them useful for me, and hope they can be useful for others.

Obviously, it’s a matter of taste. Sure there are people that cannot live without complex statistical functions and so. Maybe SpaceSniffer is too simplistic for them. But, if you don’t have much time to recover free disk space you’ll like a minimal interface.

Please don’t misunderstand: minimal interface does not mean simple program. The smart caching engine of SpaceSniffer is designed to permit navigation even during the scan process. More views can be opened on the same disk with different filters and different navigation paths, and a single scan will be performed. If the file system changes then SpaceSniffer reflects those changes even during a scan operation. In my opinion, the complexity of an application must not be visible to the user. Everything should appear simple and obvious. This is the target in the develop of SpaceSniffer.

So, there is plenty of disk analysis tools over the internet, each one has his own features and his own dignity. I hope that SpaceSniffer can be accepted for what it is: simple way to free space with minimum time expense.

There is a lot of room for improvements: suggestion are welcome!

In few words:

  • Fast and easy to use
  • Supports drag and drop
  • Export module lets you produce customizable textual reports
  • Intuitive structure layout, multiple views for different media
  • Zoomable elements, navigate like a web browser
  • The Windows folders and file popup menu is accessible by right mouse click
  • It’s possible to restrict the view content by typing simple yet powerful filtering criteria
  • Lets you temporary tag files with four different colors and perform filtering on them
  • Different views of the same media can show differently filtered elements
  • Customizable in geometry, colors, behaviors
  • You can navigate even during the scan
  • Smart cached scanning engine, multiple views, single scan
  • You can refine a zoomed area by a secondary scan process, even with main scan active
  • Reacts to file system events, keeps always in synch, warns you by blinking elements”
  • Can scan NTFS Alternate Data Streams
  • It doesn’t clutter your registry, only a plain XML configuration file
  • It’s portable, no installation required, just put the executable somewhere and let’s go
  • It’s freeWare (donations are welcome)
Apr
16th

Geek Software of the Week: WinCDEmu!

WinCDEmuThis one is something I REALLY needed recently, and it is not as “obtrusive” as some I have used. It is simple, stays “in the background” and is well done. It just plain works!

WinCDEmu – An Open Source CD/DVD/BD emulator

WinCDEmu is an open-source CD/DVD/BD emulator – a tool that allows you to mount optical disc mages by simply clicking on them in Windows Explorer. If you have downloaded an ISO image and want to use it without burning it to a blank disc, WinCDEmu is the easiest way to do it.

Features:
One-click mounting of ISO, CUE, NRG, MDS/MDF, CCD, IMG images.

Supports unlimited amount of virtual drives.

  • Runs on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions from XP to Windows 7.
  • Allows creating ISO images through a context menu in Explorer.
  • Small installer size – less than 1MB!
  • Does not require rebooting after installation.
  • A special portable version is available.
  • Translated to more than 20 languages.
  • Does not occupy drive letters when not used.
  • Supports data, DVD-video and BD-video images.
  • WinCDEmu is free for any kind of use – it is licensed under LGPL
Apr
13th

Geek Software of the Week: Untangle Lite!

Untangle LiteThis is a very cool, and powerful, network protection system. Check out the great features!

Untangle Lite – Open Source Network Protection!

The Lite Package bundles together all of Untangle’s open source software. We’ve tried to simplify and consolidate all of the functions that IT admins need to keep their networks healthy. The Lite Package:

  • Is Open Source (and Free) under the GPL v2
  • Runs on standard Intel/AMD hardware
  • Includes a common GUI with integrated logging and reporting
  • Apps are pre-configured for the needs of small business and guaranteed to work together seamlessly

Web Filter

  • Categories update automatically
  • Add your own URLs and file types to block, log, or pass
  • No proxy settings required
  • Local database ensures fast web browsing
  • Reporting and event logs help monitor web browsing behavior
  • Set time and user-based policies (e.g. allow shopping during lunch and outside business hours)
  • Pass, Block, and Logging options for all categories, such as porn, gambling and social networking sites like Facebook

Application Control Lite

  • Application Control Lite lets you select the protocol signatures to log or block
  • Custom rules can be added for any unsupported protocols
  • Time-based policies let you decide when and if these applications are permitted
  • Reporting lets you see which protocols are active on your network and who is using them

    Virus Blocker Lite

  • Protection on the most common email protocols: SMTP, IMAP, and POP
  • Unlike desktop solutions, Untangle sits at the network gateway so there is only one application to keep up-to-date, which Untangle does automatically
  • Protection for webmail and file transfer via HTTP and FTP protocols, an increasingly common route for infection
  • Reports and event logs show you what viruses are being blocked on the network

And, much more!

Such as: Spyware Blocker, Phish Blocker, Intrusion Prevention, Attack Blocker, Firewall, OpenVPN, Reports, Spam Blocker Lite, Captive Portal, Ad Blocker!

Apr
6th

Geek Software of the Week: SIV – System Information Viewer!

SIV

This week Geek Software of the Week is SIV – System Information Viewer! This gives you a TON ‘o info about your computer! Check it out!

SIV – System Information Viewer

“SIV by Ray Hinchliffe. ‘System Information Viewer’ is a general Windows utility for displaying lots of useful Windows, Network and hardware info – CPU info, PCI info, PCMCIA info, USB info SMBus info, SPD info, ACPI methods, Machine info, Hardware Sensors, Networked computers, Operating System Information and more. SIV is designed for Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2012, 2008, 2003, 2000 and NT4. Windows 95, 98 and Me are also supported.”

Mar
30th

Geek Software of the Week: Somud!

Somud is so much more than just a Bittorrent client! Check it out!

Somud – Bittorrent Client and So Much More!

Search and Download

Embedded P2P search engine support allows you to search and download anything from most popular P2P search engines
Embedded web video search engine support allows you to search, preview and download web video on the Internet
Simple click to download any file you find – zero need for any BitTorrent or P2P knowledge
Easily download web images to your gallery
Support searching via Sock5/HTTP proxy

BitTorrent Download and Share

Preview capability – allows you to play media file while it is being dowloaded
Fast resume – resume task quickly without checking file integrity from the beginning
Adjust download/upload bandwidth limit for all tasks or for individual task
Support downloading only specified files within a Torrent
Create your own Torrent for seeding – share your own files over P2P networks
Schedule tasks or shutdown computer at specified time
Look up for peer location
Block particular peer or multiple IP ranges
Support downloading via Magnet URI and Info-hash
Web brower integration for Magnet protocol
Support both HTTP and UDP trackers
Support multiple trackers
Support DHT protocol – trackerless Torrent
Support router NAT and UPnP
Support LSD (Local service discovery) – discover peers within the same local network
Support task queue management
Support super seeding – initial seeding
Support private Torrent
Support web seeding – HTTP seeding
Support Sock5/HTTP proxy for connecting trackers, DHT networks and/or peers
Support encrypting/decrypting data streams
Support disk caching management
Support user commenting and rating
Support URL clipboard monitoring
Support drag/drop

HTTP/FTP Download

Intelligent multiple splitting support greatly boosts download speed
Support downloading with multiple mirror URLs to boost download speed
Preview capability allows you to play media file while it is being dowloaded
Support looking up for URL host location
Support downloading via Sock5/HTTP proxy
Support authentication, rename and file tag/description
Failure retry mechanism
Support URL clipboard monitoring
Support user commenting and rating

Web Image Download

Extract and download all web images from web pages to your gallery
Support JPG/JPEG/GIF/PNG image formats
Support downloading images with customized sizes
Support zoom in/out preview
Support web browser integration

Desktop Audio/Video and Camera Audio/Video Recording (Windows only)

Record your desktop/screen motion and sound into video to present and to share
Support recording either full screen or selected desktop/screen areas
Support seamlessly inserting customized screen annotations while recording for better presentation
Record any sound from your PC or microphone into MP3
Capture camera video and audio
Support customized recording and capturing parameters adjustment for professional use
Support shortcut operations
Currently, these features are only supported on Windows platforms

MP4/FLV (Flash) Web Video Playback

Embedded MP4/FLV (Flash) video player allows you to play downloaded web videos
Integrated into SoMud – download, preview and play operations are streamlined
Support drag/drop

File Integrity Verification

Verify file integrity based on its hash
Generate hash for specified file
Supported hash algorithms: MD4, MD5 and SHA-1
Support drag/drop

Audio/Video Format Conversion

Plugin support for converting any audio and video format
Support for multiple files conversion
Support for customized parameters adjustment
Support drag/drop

Parental Control and Virus Scan

Support parental control to filter specified keywords and lock specified content
Support integrating third-party anti-virus software to scan downloaded files

AP Suggestor

Support search engine keywords suggestion
Support video and image suggestion
Support similar sites and answers suggestion
Support shopping comparison
Support facebook and twitter suggestion
For more information, please check here

Cross-platform Support

SoMud currently supports operating systems for both Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X

For Windows:
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2003
Windows XP

For Mac OS X:
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
CPU Architecture Support: Universal Binary

Mar
24th

Geek Software of the Week: Open Broadcaster Software!

They bill themselves as “The #1 Open Source Streaming Software!” I have heard a lot about it recently, but I HAVE NOT had a chance to test it yet, so don’t assume I have! I seem to have gotten some folks riled up at me recently about that! I am intrigued by it though, and plan to test it. It seems to have been written to stream video of games. I will probably try it for streaming regular video, like my show. Also, it IS still in Beta.

Open Broadcaster Software

What is OBS?

Open Broadcaster Software is free and open source software for recording and live streaming. Source code is available to everyone to contribute and improve. Both 32 and 64 bit versions are available and it’s absolutely free!

Plugins

OBS has an API allowing developers to create their own unique plugins, giving them and others complete control of their streaming experience.

Is It Really Free?

Free! Not a dime! There are no subscriptions or anything, no payments at all. OBS is available to everyone, with all features, at absolutely no cost!”

Mar
9th

Geek Website of the Week: Spoon.Net!

Spoon.Net

And, the GSotW as well! This is SO cool, that I did a demo for this week’s Dr. Bill.TV Show, it will be posted later today, check it out! This is VERY awesome! I gotta give them huge Geek Cred for this implementation. You can either sign up for the service from their web site, or, if you have a business, and want to host it on your own server, you can do that as well! Did I mention… Awesome!

Spoon.Net – Virtual Desktop System

No more installs.

Apps launch inside pre-configured virtual machines with no changes to your desktop.

Spoon Console
Access the Spoon Console directly from your desktop by pressing Alt + Win.

Universal Search Engine
Instantly find apps and files anywhere, even across multiple devices.

Browser Plugin
Spoon works through a small browser plugin. No administrative privileges are required.

Hundreds of Apps Online
Use hundreds of free applications online, or easily virtualize your own applications.


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