JDdownloader

Need to schedule up or simplify downloads from Meagupload, Rapidshare etc.?
Well there is a way! Use JDdownloader!



This free software allows you to:

* Schedule many downloads from Rapidshare, Megaupload etc. automatically, it is hard to do without this software because you need to enter CAPTCHAS. This software can automate that for you.

* Simplify your downloads, as you know when downloading huge files say for example a Linux ISO you will have something like 30 off links from Megaupload as the ISO is split into different parts. Using this software you can have it automatically downlaod all the aprts and even extract all the parts into a single folder with the ISO in it.

* You can easily get the links into JDDownloader by:

1. Copying a website or blog URL into the clipboard (Windows Clipboard so basically just copy the web URL) whilst JD is running, it will then show up a lsit of all links and you choose what you wanted to dwonlaod from that website.
2. Copy each individual link whilst JD is open
3. Copy a big slab of text which contains links, the software is so amazing in filtering out text and keeping links only.

* Many other features and add-ons such as auto shut down, scheduler, unzipper etc. etc. so amazing for a Freeware. So useful in countries where downloads are split into On and Off peaks periods OR shaped traffic plans.


http://jdownloader.org/

MSN/WLM Batch import Gifs as emoticons / Back up all emoticons

Ever wanted to important many GIFs as emotions but hate the long and annoying process? You can do a batch import and after you do that you can backup all your emotions, so if you need to re-install, you don't even need to batch import, just do a recovery/import of the backup file and tada.

Hopefully MSN/WLM will have a save emotions to server one day, so annoying if you can't use the same emotion when on a different computer, using web messenger or need to re-install MSN?WLM.


http://www.emoticonmadeeasy.com/

Lightweight PDF Viewer (SumatraPDF)

I got copped with a 33MB update file from Adobe Reader and that's what tipped me off to get a better PDF viewer.

SumatraPDF is my new replacement:

• At first the lacking of interface buttons compared to Adobe does put you off but then when you use it for a while you realise that you never used those buttons on Adobe anyways.
  

Goods:

• Small download file
• Opens very quickly
• Does the job
• Has the option (on by default) to remember where you last read the PDF up to, very good idea and tool if your reading Uni lecture notes or a big e-book, you'll want to not have to use bookmarks or remember page numbers. This alone is a great competitive advantage. Adobe may have had this feature, I am not sure but my Adobe certainly didn't remember pages upon closing.

DOWNLOAD: http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/index.html

Nokia 6220

Here is a fix to battery problem for Nokia 6220. How to fix short battery life problem for Nokia 6220. Way to extend Nokia 6220 battery life?

^ that's the type of queries I was searching for in google when I read reviews on the Nokia 6220.


Don't rely on me to do a review on the Nokia 6220, its easy to find ones that really detail all its nice little presents, Try YouTube even, its got a few good ones. also search it up in GSMArena.


So why am I writing up a review if i am not going to review the phone? Well I am but what I am going to do is just clarify all the scary stories about the Nokia 6220 in review sites all over the Internet.

Here are the bad things/Myths people have said about the phone:

So.. Lets do some "MythBusting" on some people's scary reviews. I was scared for one so lets see if I can save people from missing out on a decent phone?

1. The keys are cheap plastic and feels like a toy
   
   I don't think I would have minded the keys too much without reading reviews and noticing them on purpose but it is not as extreme as some people say, saying that the keys feel like it will break off BUT it is in fact a big harder to use than phones with separate keys or keys with a gap in between but I guess it is possible to get use to it but I can see how unlocking the keypad can be difficult at times due to closeness of keys. If you don't have big fingers i don't think it will be a problem at all.
   
   
2. The battery life lasts only 12 day or 3 days if your really lucky
   
   Well I got ti today and played through all the menus and all the apps and camera etc. and its still on full bars, also played games for like 30 minutes and also checked the time like constantly. So this does disprove the reviews about it lasting 1 day only and needing nightly recharges. My theory is they either have new firmware that corrected a battery leak somewhere OR those people who heavy 3G users like sit there hours in park using Internet on phone but for the people who said they made a few 5 minute calls and a few SMSs and the phone died i think they might have a different batch of phones (so not to call them a liar)
   
   It has lasted exactly 3 days for me from morning till night but for me because my phone is new I've been adjusting the settings and personalising it like crazy, also used the blue tooth for hours sending stuff to myself, palyed games for hours, sent multiple sms and also made a few minute calls, not to mention mp3 etc. so putting that into relativity I would say if i used it the same ammount of time for the same purpose as my old nokia 2100 I would most likely get almost a week. P.S. I was also experimenting withthe GPs within those 3 days.
   
   
3. It doesn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack
   Nope, but a 2.5mm headphone is supplied but i rarely use it as an MP3 player so i guess its not a major issue.
   
   
4. Camera actually sucks despite being an awesome 5mp camera with Xenon flash?
   
   Xenon flash is brilliant and very bright making any dark room photography excellent.
   The most impressive thing especially for this price is the modes in the camera as most phone cameras have a night mode and that's about it but the 6220 has a range of photography modes like night mode for dark environments, sports mode for fast shutter speed without blur, close up mode for clearer macro shots and the list goes on for a little bit more.
   A true dream phone for the minor photographers especially due to the shutter speed, I managed to get an ok shot in the car whilst it was moving, even my old digital camera had blur when shooting something moving at all, but thanks the Nokia's anti-shake, stabilisation, fast shutter and focus speed it produces a happy result.
   
   Remember to put it into sports mode first for best quick shot results.
   
   
5. Sound quality is not too good
   
   Its alright for calls and music playback, quite clear and somewhat loud but calling isn't as loud as my old Nokia 2100 (black and white phone, lol), and yes i do know you can change the volume but yeah I usually hold the phone far from my ear because my old 2100 was too loud :\ so no problems again i guess unless you have hearing difficulties and need a very loud phone but this phone even on speakerphone isn't the loudest phone I've heard.
   
   
6. The phone is slow at processing
   
   The phone is a tad slow compared to my old 2100 but I mean putting it into relativity, you are loading up features that are MBs in size. For that I am impressed, longest thing would be taking a photo, it takes a few seconds to process before next photo can be taken but its acceptable level unless your a rapid and advanced photographer in which case i have to question why you don't have a 10MP SLR camera with custom lens....?
   
   
7. Any of your own questions or reviews(or myths) you want me to iron out?
   
   tba

• Summary - If you don't mind the following above you should have yourself one high tech mobile phone at a affordable price.

Remember fellow Australians, This phone is now $229 at Vodafone shop and DSE to my knowledge, with locking to Vodafone though. That's a good buy (to my current knowledge until the phone shows its real colours) Search up specs. because for $229 it really is a big difference to what you can get for around $200 marked phones

REVIEW: Dynamo solar-powered & wind-up torch

Just brought this on OO.com.au as well for $20 which i thought was good value as for $20 i can get a wind-up torch only at the local hardware store. This is my first LED torch and i am impressed.

Pros:

• LED bulb
• BOTH Solar and wind-up powered
• Durable and water proof
• Has a cool bluish ting to it
• Has 1 or 3 LED mode so you can adjust brightness and power consumption
• Also has a flashing mode for biking at night or emergencies? not too such of designed usage but is defiantly useful to have.
• Having a back up recharge soruce is excellent for emergencies, if you accidentally snap the wind-up handle at least you can still recharge it during the day, also good for camping etc.
  

Cons:

• There is a centre focal point in brightness where the centre is brighter than the rest of the light, (like traditional torches but you don't notice them as much in trad. torches because its not as bright.

Summary:

• for $20 it is well worth it for the functions provided and is worth spending if you just chuck it in the glove box of the car and never use it, cheaper than any insurance company premium I've seen.
• Worth it still even for the kids to just play around with it
• Amazed at the LED technology
• Just have to see if the warranty or durability lasts out
  

REVIEW: i-Rocks FM Transmitter

I just brought one of these from OO.com.au for like $15. What does it do? Well it modulates your music into an FM signal so you can pick it up in your car's FM radio which allows you to play mp3 music without installing a new CD player which can cost up to $100s.

Pros:

• Plugs into smoke lighter port (bad for those without one in their car)
• Has a USB port so it can read mp3 music from a USB flash drive or HDD, which is good as i didn't want to aary a mp3 player with me but it can also support mp3 player through an analouge jack.
• Cool bright blue LED
• Has an extra USb port for devices like HDDs which need more power to run.
• Easy to use

Cons:

• I brought the model with 4 channels (88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9) and i get somewhat interference with all channels in my car. Could be different with different cars due to aerial placement?
• Due to interference it might be better to just plug in a mp3 player into the AUX jack of the car (If you have one) or burn CDs if your skeptic of quality but if you have a heap of music you want to listen to and can't do that with a mp3 player or a CD amd don't mind a bit of interference this is certqainly worth buying especially at $15 its worth it to just play with the technology.

Summary:

• If you don't mind the quality of the audio then this is good espeically for those with liots of jusic that they want to play randomly because a HDD and thumd drives are cheaper than buying a 10, 20 GB mp3 player or burning 1,000 CDs
  

FREE Flv to MP3 converter software

Freez Flv to Mp3 Converter
From SmallVideoSoft

"Freez Flv to Mp3 Converter is a a tool to extract audio stream from Flash FLV files to Mp3 files."

Does what its suppose with little hassle and really a use and forget about software (Use it when needed else it hides away, never bothering you or needing maintenance).

5/5 for my use in my flv to mp3 task.


Download Page

FREE Mp4 to Mp3 conversion Software

Free M4a to MP3 Converter
From Maniactools

Do you need to convert AAC to MP3? M4a to MP3? MP4 audio to MP3? Your favorite player doesn't support M4a audio? Then take a look at the new tool from ManiacTools, Free M4a to MP3 Converter.

The program supports a number of input formats, like the above mentioned AAC, M4a, MP4 audio, M4b (audiobooks), and some other MPEG-4 based audio formats. You can convert those types of audio files to MP3 or uncompressed WAV.



Download/Info page


Does what its suppose to in nice interface and FREE!
5/5 for my purpose of converting mp4 to mp3s.

Can't copy and paste PDF text

I can't copy the text from a pdf file.

There is a work around for this, the reason why you can't copy and paste is most likely due to the fact that the pdf has had the copy and paste permission disabled by the creator.

The workaround is called Freeware PDF Unlocker. Its a very very simple program that does what you want and then hides away. The way it works is you get the protected pdf and drop it into the icon and done! a new unprotected pdf is created.

The program is mainly designed to remove the copy and paste permissions. It can also remove password protected pdfs but you first have to unlock it. I suggest this program because I got annoyed having to re-type things i could copy and paste but do not encourage the hacking of passwords on pdfs unless you are the owner and have forgotten the password.

Freeware PDF Unlocker

Truely brillient, simple, easy and FREE!

Orginising your desktop for tidy PC users

I have all my icons neatly organised at the bottom of my desktop BUT now there's a new better way to organise icons on the desktop. You can organise everything from type of shortcut, purpose area to place all the software (for work, home, kids etc.)

The software is called Fences from Stardock.
http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/downloads.asp


Click picture to view full sized version.

Hardware temperature monitors (freeware)

I want to monitor my Hard drives, CPU, graphics card temperature, for free!


My friend showed me a really nice app that does just all that. It shows me my:

* 2 CPUs
* Graphics Card
* 2 Hard drives


Its a very basic app but that's why its good simple and easy to use, shows you 2 figure number next to a hardware name! that's all you want!


I would though like to get one with a bit more fancy interface just for show and tell but if your looking at the temp for the health of your computer then this is all you need


Its called CPUID Hardware Monitor

- Just checking for a link on google, apparently I have the old version, The new version of CPUID HM is now super cooler and better. Its got fan and voltage stats too, which is not really needed by a general user which is slightly different to what i said above. But my simpler version was V1.0.5.8

One improvement though is that all the stats are opened when you start. The simpler version you had to view each hardware on separate tabs.

Another is max and min temp records. So you know how well your current cooling is in comparison to past.
______________________________________________________________

More Info

I think you may have noticed that recently I've been adoring my Toshiba laptop a bit. So if your a laptop user concerned about heat.

I just tried to lift up the laptop on a wedge using a CD case (thin ones) and I got a drop in temp of 3 degrees. If I put it on powersaver i can loss off about 7 degrees C. Try hard surfaces instead of fabricated.

If your a desktop user the big roomy tower box should give you enough air and cooling area to not need to use your computer in power saver or life it up or anything as fans are at the rear. Unless of course your a OC-user in which case you will already have a temp monitor.

Malwarebytes Review (Anti-Adware,spyware etc.)

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Its a very small sized program for a security program. The installation was fast and easy although i got some errors about missing dlls but it seemed to install OK.

Did a quick scan and it seemed to do the job, found a couple of Trojans sitting there, it was very quick for a scanning process, faster than any other reputable software out there and it picked up everything in the quick scan, i did a detailed scan and it returned nothing so it seems the quick scan is very effective, usually i never run the quick scans in my other software because it would usually leave something behind for the deep scans to pick up.

Did a scan in safe mode Windows Vista, seemed to find two reg entries and deleted them but then they came back, ran the program in normal Windows and it found some other entries that belonged to the same nasty. So i ran a scan twice and now the third time in normal Widnows and it seemed to have stopped it from coming back.


Overall:

Simple (< 4 minutes scan on my rig),
Faster (Than anyhting I've seen including SpyBot SD,
Small file (Good for downloading when your already in trouble),
Fair update file sizes (Not the smallest but hey other program install files are worth 15 updates),
Low memory and RAM usage


EFFECTIVE (ONLY SCANNER THAT PICKED UP ON THE NASTY I WAS HAVING)PROBLEMS WITH,


Am so curious to see if the Pro version will be super duper awesom and if its feasible to replace my other scanncer,s will comapre their results later on, i guess more scanners installed the more fine the comb will be but if it can find everything the others can, it will be such a simplistic security plan for me home network.

** Sounds like something you can run weekly without wasting time, energy or wearing computer too much.

A quick look at MS SyncToy

Ok, I installed SyncToy and tested it between two files, I get an error telling me that the folder location name is too long and has to be less than 200 characters.

I uninstaller, my opinion? you tell me

Looking for web translation

If your looking for a website that can translate English to Chinese or Chinese to English or other languages, I recommend that you use Google's translator. I have used Yahoo!'s Bablefish or AltaVista but for Chinese it gives them in simplified characters even though traditional is selected so I am quite weary of its accuracy.

You really could do without accidentally insulting someone in another language!

Turn off lcd screen with one click / keyboard shortcut

How To Manually Turn Off Notebook or Laptop LCD Screen
How to turn off lcd screen with one click
How to turn off lcd screen with keyboard short cut

I've been googling for a click or one keyboard shortcut solution for turning off my lcd screen on my lapyop manually without using the power settings cause its only someitmes that i need to turn off the lcd after 1 minutes of idle but it gets annoying if it does that all daya every day.

I downloaded a software called Orandy OneClick but it ended up being a freeware that placed an icon in the system tray and requires a right-click on the icon and then left click on monitor and then a left click on turn off screen. This was quite annoying and didn't allow me to apply any keyboard short cuts but was better than nothing.

A good freeware that i found was simple and did what it was suppose to, and that is turn off the lcd screen, I really couldn't see why other alternatives had shut down and hibernate functions when all i wanted was a turn off lcd. Is Redmond Pie's Turn off LCD screen, downloadable here and belongs to here.

Its basically a icon you click and then it opens a command prompt like window for half and second and then turns off your screen, when you move the mouse or keyboard it will tun back on and the window will be gone, you basically have no interface for the software (unlike other software) so you pretty much have yourself a virtual off button that functions like a real button on lcd screens.

BTW I haven't managed to make it wok yet, but if you place a shortcut to the .exe file on the desktop and right click it and click properties and then add a keyboard shortcut it will work but the screen will only turn off for a few secs and then turn back on but I am working on it.

Audacity missing "What you hear" recording option

"What you hear" option is missing from audacity
Can't record with "What you hear" in audacity
How do i enable "What you hear" recording in audacity

I love Audacity, its excellent for converting to .mp3 and cropping audio to use for mp3 ring tones for my phone. It also provides a quick and simple solution to all my simple audio editing needs.
A really good feature of Audacity is the ability to record what you hear so you can play multiple songs and make remixes and what not as well record sound clips from movies and music streaming that is currently playing in your computer's speakers (which is what they don't want you to do) but its possible and nice to use for legal purposes.
Hmm, haven't gotten around to reviewing this great software, can't believe.

Anyways I have lost the option to record what you hear before but got it back on both my computers (Win 98se and XP) but I couldn't remember how I did it and can't get it back for my Vista laptop. Then after reading this site, It hit me and i realised that it could have something to do with Vista. Its a long process so I'll link to professionally written instructions.

I haven't proved it to work yet as I haven't found my drivers yet.

Follow Up/Fix: http://gecsoft.blogspot.com/2008/07/audacity-missing-what-you-hear_11.html

BMW M3 Challenge - Free Full Racing Game

Click to view larger image.

Website: http://www.m3-challenge.com


As you may have noticed I am posting all my free full games that I have and am playing at the moment.

Not much explaining to do here, I think its quite simple. A basic but nice graphics racing game. Limited cars and track selection but an excellent game for BMW enthusiasts. Multi-player, manual and auto driving modes, horn, headlights. Really a game to enjoy the art of BMW rather than the experience and thrill of racing and drifting and etc.

A thing I didn't like was it had the toughest physics (when you go off track), if you drive too fast and go into the sand or grass you'd be stuck there for ages, encouraging you to always drive on the road (like you should be) but seriously most racing games give you enough time to get on your wheels again and catch up but if you slip a corner in this game you may was well drive slowly and enjoy the views as your not going to be in the top 3!

TrackMania - Nations Forever

Here are some screen shots. One of the quality screenshots of on-road racing cars (that i like best) and the other of the cars in the free game I am reviewing today (F1 cars).

Website: http://www.trackmania.com/en/

Click to view bigger images.

United Forever


Nations Forever


Did you want a free full racing game with nice graphics and sound to download and play offline and verse people online too?

This game is a full blown free racing game with no trialware conditions or anything. A great racing game indeed. The graphics and sound blew me away and made me love the power under the hood of my laptop. It is rare to find such an excellent quality game for free. It even has multi-player free, I thought you would have to join but nope! its all free and well. I've played online before and a 256kbs connection did the trick with plenty to spare. The file is about a CD in size but well worth the wait. The game is a bit different to normal racing simulators in that this is a game for track cars (like hotwheels model cars) and the race course is on a track, the handling is excellent in the cars and everything is just perfect. The creators have done a real good job with this one. Oh and I have to mention it has 3D glasses mode too!, I mean not even commercial games give you that, you'll have to find a pair of glasses with red and blue lenses first though (in my experience it didn't work, maybe only because I made the glasses and they weren't perfect to scale)

One thing I didn't like too much is that I am a fan of the racing simulators more but I still enjoyed this game plenty. The free version (Nations Forever) features a full F1 set of cars. They also have other games available for the on-road racing cars (United Forever) but I am yet to understand the fees.

Here are some screen shots. One of the quality screenshots of on-road racing cars (that i like best) and the other of the cars in the free game I am reviewing today (F1 cars).


EDIT: Did i forget to mention they have a track editer so you can make your own tracks and all? Check out the website for more details on game, more screenshots, videos etc.

Sync Firefox Bookmarks between computers

How do i sync bookmarks between computers?

Having the same FireFox bookmarks is so convenient especially if you go online on multiple computers at home such as laptop and desktop and if you dual boot OS too.

I am currently using: FoxMarks

Its been OK so far (fingers crossed), go to the website, download the add-on and create an account.

Good Free Nero Alternative for Vista

I had to use an alternative to Nero when i got my laptop because it runs on Vista and i was a bit disappointed because Nero was one of the Best burning suites.

I then came across BurnAware and it is great, I had a friend who was having troubles burning ISO files and I recommended it to her and she loved it too so it passed by far and I was going to recommend it to you guys but I am sorry to say, the other day i went to hit update in Burnaware to see if it can give me any new functions but was disappointed that BurnAware had been sold out to commercial business and it no longer a freeware tool.

So there is really no point in telling you about it, you may still be able to find it in some mirror sites but I don't think I am allowed to upload my copy of the installer file, so sorry.

http://www.burnaware.com/downloads.html