Burning data to disk needn’t be a major hassle provided you have the right software. Burn4Free is an efficient solution that allows you to copy disks with the minimum amount of fuss. The program supports over 1,200 different CD/DVD drives and lets you burn data of a range of different file types with the ability to import audio content in a range of formats.
Month: July 2007
Organize all your CDs in minutes
If you’re the kind of person who’s always losing track of where your CDs and digital media are and what’s on them, then check out CDFinder to whip your Mac files into shape. The lightweight app allows you to quickly catalog your photos, audio files, or any other data files. You can even use it to find and catalog networked files.
How to create sticky notes on your desktop
If you’re a sucker for sticky notes then you’ll be glad to know that there are several programs out there that can bring them to your desktop. No more scribbling notes in your diary or leaving notes on your desk – just stick them on your desktop. Here’s a selection of the most popular on Softonic.
Stickies is one my favorites because it allows you to customize the colors of the notes or change the transparency. The latter option is particularly useful because it doesn’t take long before your entire desktop is covered in them meaning you can’t see any of your icons! Simply hit ‘Ctrl-Shift-N’ to place a note below your mouse cursor and scribble away.
Note-It has the classic sticky note look – sticky curled-up edges and all – and offers a few nice little extras. One of which is the ability to drag and drop text from one note to another and also, to e-mail notes. However, it does get very messy once you’ve filled-up the screen with notes.
If you’re looking for something really flashy though, check out iQ-Notes. This program allows you to synchronize sticky notes on separate computers. This is really useful if you work between two machines and keep having to update your notes on a regular basis. iQ-Notes also features a useful alarm function for important notes and you can even password protect them.
Top 5 software tips to prevent RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is one of the biggest hazards of working behind a computer. It’s caused by the constant performance of repetitive tasks whether it’s mouse clicking or simply sitting in the same position too long. That’s why it’s extremely important to take regular breaks, walk around and basically get away from your workspace. However, that’s not always easy when your workload is piling up and there’s plenty of distractions on the internet to look at. That’s why I’ve compiled these top 5 programs aimed at helping you avoid RSI.
RSI Warrior – Features a host of tools including a rest break reminder, over 20 specialised stretches and an ‘auto-click’ function which prevents you having to make so many mouse clicks.
Mousotron – Keeps a record of your mouse clicks and movements for those that are suffering RSI in their wrists.
Break Reminder – Simply reminds you to take breaks at periodic intervals.
Ergonomix – Issues reminders and warnings based on your PC usage. It also instructs you what types of exercises you should be doing based on usage.
Workrave – Designed for those officially diagnosed with RSI and need a specific recovery plan.
Get your head around face modelling
Captivemotion has just released a breathtaking demo of its new modelling tool that makes computer-generated faces frighteningly realistic. The 3D design application uses motion-capture technology to animate facial expressions and mouth movement in a way we’ve never seen before.
If you’re keen to explore the interesting realm of 3D face modelling there are a number of different solutions you can consider. At the top end of the spectrum, heavyweight programs such as Maya and 3DS Max work by allowing you to lay polygons over a wire mesh in order to create realistic facial contours and mimic real-life features, meaning you can be very precise in your creations.
If your budget can’t stretch that far then you could download FaceGenModeller, which lets you create 3D human faces and export them to various 3D file formats. There are also a number of freeware apps such as OpenFX, Art of Illusion and Anim8or, which are all great for getting started in 3D modelling. Once you’ve mastered the basics you might even want to try creating a 3D model of your own face from an ordinary video.
Discover every detail about your PC with SIW
With SIW (System Information for Windows) you can obtain detailed information about your computer, including hardware configuration, network settings, installed software and more. You can read the report directly on your screen or save it as a file in different formats. The program includes several extra tools and as it is an standalone app you can run it right from your USB key on any computer.
Keyboard shortcuts for web applications
Keyboard shortcuts are the kind of thing that you either love or hate. Some people simply cannot get used to them, but I sincerely recommend you to give them a chance: you’ll move faster inside applications, perform tasks more easily and notice a remarkable improvement in your productivity.
This optimization can be applied not only to desktop applications but also to web services, which are so popular nowadays. In fact, the people at Mashable have managed to gather a collection of more than 200 keyboard shortcuts that you can use in many different web services such as Netvibes, Wikipedia, Blogger and most of Google apps.
I consider myself a heavy keyboard shortcut user but still, I have something to complain about: why do shortcuts change from one application to another? Why don’t they create a standard? Opening a new file can be Ctrl+U or Ctrl+N, but the latter can also mean “bold text” in other applications… or wasn’t that Crtl+B?
Make full use of sharing on your Mac
Sharing files on Mac is simple enough but if you really want to set up a small network we suggest installing SharePoints. This application lets you easily manage groups of users and handles both AFS and SMF network file systems. You can configure idle disconnect and log properties and select ports, allow guests or work with Bonjour.
Google sightseeing: South America
Having wasted far too much time watching the Copa America over the past couple of weeks my desire visit the wonders of South America has been well and truly rekindled. I then realised I could save myself a lot of money and a long, boring plane trip by ‘doing’ the continent on my PC. That, in turn, prompted me to set myself the mission of travelling the whole world in 80 days – on Google Earth.
On the first leg of insideTonic’s epic expedition, I’m taking in some awesome sights. On the way over I looked down on Jesus’s head above the mountain of the Cristo Retendor in Rio De Janiero. Then I gawped at the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant at Itaipú on Brazil’s border with Paraguay, where I zoomed in in amazement at the powerful gush on the slipway.
Next it was on to Argentina for a spot of whale watching. I managed to stumble upon these beasts in the South Atlantic, which I’m reliably informed by big fish expert wildslide are southern right whales. Back on dry land I visited some very interesting Incan geoglyphs in Chile’s Atacama desert. For the benefit of the uninitiated, these are massive ancient stone scrawlings of people, birds and animals – and they’re quite wonderful. Fuelled by a new love for all things Incan I journeyed to Peru to check out the lost city of Machu Picchu, before enjoying the incredible rock formations of the Galapagos Islands. What a trip! See you in North America soon for our next adventures.
Top software for medical professions
Technological innovations in modern medicine like aspirin, the pacemaker or laser surgery have considerably improved human life. Technology really goes hand in hand with medicine and nowadays any well respected doctor needs to carry around a handheld device or know how to work with online databases and medical records.
We’ve listed a few programs across all platforms, Windows, Mac, Pocket PC and Palm that medical professionals can use in their work environment.
- Blood Pressure Recorder – Monitor your patients’ blood pressure daily.
- HeyDoc! – A Windows guide to store all medical information.
- SiDiary – A Pocket PC tool to manage data of diabetic patients.
- Psychiatric Tools WM – This Pocket PC program lets you quickly confirm and diagnose personality disorders.
- Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary – A reference in medical circles, this Pocket PC dictionary defines more than 56,000 terms.
- Nursing Central – Access to medical journals, drug guides and 664 diagnostic tests.
- OsiriX – Process DICOM images on your Mac.
- RAAViewer – View labelled images of the human anatomy.
- 4Peaks – A Mac program for biologists to edit DNA sequences.
- FileMed – Handle all medical records of your patients from your PC.
- Archimedes – An easy to use Palm calculator with preprogrammed formulas most used by medical professionals.