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functions

Mediocre clock enhancement

AlfaClock2 is a basic program that adds a bit of extra functionality to the standard Windows System Tray clock. Although some of the program's features were quite nice, others were confusing and difficult to access.

Many of the program's functions are accessed by right-clicking on the clock, which is simple enough. From there, a menu appears and users can view a multi-month calendar or a desktop clock, copy the current date to the clipboard, or have the program speak the date and time aloud (we were especially impressed with the realistic and pleasant voice used for this feature). … Read more

Additional Excel tool

Excellerator provides users with fast access to customize their spreadsheets. By making a shortcut to some needed commands, this will improve any Excel experience.

We were pleased to discover the program's simple interface, beginning with the discreet way it embeds icons below Excel's original commands. The program is basically one simple menu to navigate through with large command buttons, drop-down menus, and radio buttons. The various choices instantly hit home for us, because it was a solution to those long searches through Excel to find a specific command or equation we knew existed, but didn't know where. … Read more

Unintuitive file management

FreeCommander is a file management program that lets users view their file hierarchies in two separate panes, making it easy to navigate between them. Although the program's interface leaves something to be desired, it contains many features that users may find useful when managing their files.

Our first impression of FreeCommander's interface was not favorable. The contents of our computer were displayed in both of the two viewing panes, and across the top of the interface were a slew of tiny, unlabeled buttons. Although the program's basic features were clear--it was easy, for example, to drag and … Read more

A strange mix of features

Pitaschio is a utility with a whole lot of options and not a lot of rhyme or reason. Although it offers some useful features, the strange combination of things it does left us scratching our heads.

The program's interface is basic, with a lot of drop-down menus and check boxes. It's easy enough to navigate, and some of the features are obviously helpful. For example, the program allows users to disable their mouse and keyboard so that they can be cleaned. That's a good thing. The program also has a random password generator. Swell. Users can choose … Read more

Not novice friendly

Allkeys Macro provides users with an opportunity to customize their computer functions and possibly eliminate the need for a mouse. While this sounds like a dream come true, the reality may be far too complicated for novice users.

A macro is a shortcut to help eliminate steps between tasks. For example, many people use the Control+C command to copy something. Allkeys Macro provides users with the ability to set up a macro for any command imaginable. The 30-day free trial allows users to choose their own keystrokes to perform the task and map out what will happen when those … Read more

Visualization of data transportation

ChemicalBurn is a free, attractive screensaver that simulates a data transportation network with a colorful, fast-moving array of "self-organizing" nodes and packages. You don't need any special knowledge to enjoy this screensaver's ever-changing, high-tech display, but networking enthusiasts will appreciate the simulation's veracity (as packages attempt to find the fastest way to their destination) and they'll love tinkering with detailed settings, including control over traffic and distance weighting (for example, as linear, square, log, and exponential functions). ChemicalBurn's calculations can be CPU-intensive--proportional to the cube of the number of nodes selected--so casual users … Read more

Facebook turns on its 'Like' button

Facebook has been taking a long look at FriendFeed and likes what it sees.

The social-networking site likes FriendFeed's "Like" button so much that--as widely expected--it added its own button that allows members to apply "Like" labels to messages, photos, and other content. The feature, which appears to be getting a gradual rollout, is tucked in between the "Comment" and "Share" options.

Likening the new feature to how one might rate a restaurant, Leah Pearlman of Facebook describes in a blog posting how the "Like" button works: … Read more

Facebook's fond of FriendFeed's 'Like' button

An instructional video posted recently by Facebook includes a link that will look familiar to anyone who has ever used the social content aggregation service FriendFeed: a "Like" button.

The video, which describes how to publish feed stories using Facebook Connect, shows the familiar "Like" button tucked between the "Add Comment" and "Read More" buttons. The button, which was spotted by an AllFacebook reader, doesn't seem to be appearing on other Facebook videos. As VentureBeat points out, the video probably includes beta properties for testing purposes, and while it makes sense … Read more