Software

Protect your PC or network with a variety of security applications. Just be sure not to download and install tools that might conflict - and cause more harm than good. To Karen Unger, there's no such thing as too much online security.

All the PCs at American Document Management have TrendMicro software installed to protect against viruses, worms and other malicious software that might come in over the Internet. But as an added layer of security, Unger's Internet service provider and Web host, Host.Net, provides her a variety of similar protective services.

Too much protection? Not at all, she said. Read more

NTI just released Dragon FliX, new software that lets Mac users make high-quality copies with compression options of non-protected DVD videos. With Dragon FliX, users can compress an unencrypted 8.5GB dual layer movie down to a 4.7GB single-layer size, remove unwanted features, and burn it to a disc without having to split the movie onto two discs, while preserving audio and video quality and playback compatibility.

Users have the option of selecting either the entire DVD for compression and copying or just the main movie. When just the main movie is copied, the movie begins playing as soon as the disc is inserted in a player. There are no annoying menus or other content to wade through. Users can also select and remove unwanted auto tracks. Read more

In January 2007, Microsoft launched its new Windows Vista operating system for homes and businesses. I've had an opportunity to test Windows Vista and found that it offers a host of feature-rich improvements over the venerable Microsoft Windows XP operating system. My family and I agreed that there are five key convenience features in Windows Vista:

Windows Aero user experience -- My son and I are multitasking junkies. We often have three or more files and/or programs open at one time. Shuffling back and forth to expand or collapse windows is a time-consuming pain. With Windows Vista, we experienced Windows Aero (available in Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise), a new visual environment where program or file windows can be transparent to reveal otherwise hidden objects, or you may display multiple active windows in a 3-D stack of file folders. Read more

From the moment you see the opening screen of NTI’s new digital audio management suite you know you’re ready to have fun. The unique car stereo user interface screen, complete with tuning dials, not only makes it fun to control the rip, play, and burn functions but also gives you control of the total audio process.

Simply by turning the dials you can maximize space and audio quality. You can adjust the bit rate from 64kb up to 320kb per second. The software carries out on-the-fly content conversion of audio file formats to your hard drive. It supports all of the popular audio formats – .MP3, .WMA, .WAV and OGG – and can be used to automatically rip and name an entire Audio CD to virtually any attached storage device including portable MP3 players, flash media, fixed and removable hard drives, NAS devices, as well as U3 smart drives. Read more

As 2007 approaches many individuals will have a brand new computer at their fingertips. Year after year consumers complain it can take days or weeks to install all the software they need to make their computer useful. They may have basic email and word processing figured out, but when it comes to all of the extras it's a very different story. With this in mind, Google has launched Google Pack. Read more

WinDVD 8 takes video and audio playback to the next generation with Windows Vista compatibility. Offering an list of new and expanded features, the new version delivers the smooth, clear video and rich surround sound users have come to expect from WinDVD. WinDVD 8 Platinum will appeal to power users who want the latest audio/video technologies, such as H.264 and VC1 support, and the ability to integrate with the Media Center and UPnP home networking. Read more

Just when you thought your PC was up to date on the latest and greatest technology hardware, Microsoft introduces its latest successor to Windows XP. The new operating system, Windows Vista, is the first to be graphics based. This means it will take full advantage of the graphics capabilities of your computer. The good news this holiday season is you do not need an expensive new computer. With a simple hardware upgrade, you can elevate the Vista experience on your current PC. Read more

Today you can do a lot of entertaining “stuff” with your computer. You can make home movies, photo albums and slide shows. Sort, file, and store your music. You can even do some office and school work. Al of these require storage and, until recently, most of these tasks needed a different software program that you had to buy, learn and finally use.

I recently tried NTI’s new all-in-one CD & DVD software program (NTI Titanium) that seamlessly merges all of these products (and more) into one elegant, simple to use program for PCs. Mac users need not yet apply. You can go from automatically creating slide shows, to DVD video authoring, to CD/DVD burning, playback and even on to backup and recovery. The price won’t sting you, as this is about the best suite of tools I have used, and the whole package is only $79.99 (hint: you may even find it for less on the net). It’s easy to use, but comprehensive enough to meet the needs of both novice and experienced users. Read more

In years past, the only way architect Martin L. Marquez could show clients how a building design was coming along was to overnight the design, e-mail a multi-megabyte file, or fly to their offices to walk them through the layout.

Now, they log on and collaborate together in real time. Using a service called Glance, Marquez can show clients the largest CAD, or computer-assisted design, files as if they were sitting beside him.

"The obvious advantage is striking a deal in minutes, as opposed to weeks of shipping documents back and forth," said Marquez, CEO of UrbanWorks Inc., a Miami Springs, Fla., architectural firm. "I can share my desktop with people anywhere on the Internet and with them sharing in the design process, it can cut approval time from two to three weeks to two to three hours. That's a no-brainer."

If you had to venture a guess, how much time would you say the average American wastes dealing with paperwork each week? Before you answer, keep in mind all those incoming and outgoing contracts and purchase orders you handle on a daily basis at work, permission slips for the kids' field trips and extracurricular activities, progress reports you have to sign for school, etc.

"Lost count yet?" asks Jeff Zwelling, a businessman from California. He got so tired of the constant struggle of tracking down signed agreements and other papers having to do with his lighting business, he decided there had to be a better way to keep things organized. He couldn't find one, so he and a friend developed one themselves. Read more