account

Although users with a solid grasp of financial management basics will get the most from this freeware program, GnuCash proved to be a capable tool for personal and small business accounting.

This freeware program's interface is bland but functional, and presents itself in a way that will be familiar to users who do their banking online. Various holdings (anything from checking accounts, to CDs, stocks and any other form of investment) are listed in a tree along the left side. Selecting an entry displays further details in a larger pane. At the top of the screen are various commands … Read more

Ubiquitous, reliable, and free to the public, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is now taken for granted, but don't dump those maps from the glove box just yet, since it's uncertain for how long the U.S. government can continue to deliver.

The US plans to invest more than $5.8 billion through 2013 to modernize and replenish the existing GPS satellite constellation. But facing cost overruns of $870 million and "significant" technical problems, the US Air Force, which is in charge of GPS acquisition, has struggled to build and deploy the next generation satellites on … Read more

All together, now: Finally! AT&T just took the wraps off MyWireless Mobile, a free app that lets you manage your AT&T account right on your iPhone.

Specifically, you can view your current bill (either a summary or a PDF of the entire thing) and authorize a payment, though the latter requires you to set up online bill-pay (via the Web) if you haven't already.

You can also add and remove various account features (roadside assistance, parental controls, and so on) and even change your text-messaging package.

Perhaps best of all, the app provides a complete … Read more

Here's a fiscally responsible business move: Pay $140 for Peachtree Pro Accounting 2009 now, and get a $140 rebate in 4 to 6 weeks.

You can thank Staples for this eventual freebie (even shipping is free, though you'll probably have to pay sales tax). Just don't wait too long to push through your purchase order; the rebate deal expires this Saturday, May 9.

Designed for small businesses, Peachtree Pro Accounting helps with payroll, invoices, inventory, reporting, and stuff like that. As I understand it, it compares favorably with QuickBooks.

CNET hasn't reviewed the 2009 edition, and … Read more

Secret Explorer wants to help you be more secure and find the information stored in Internet Explorer such as auto-complete data. However, this program sinks upon first opening, possibly encouraging users to look elsewhere for help.

This trial version, which only allows you to use the first two letters of a password, directly tells users in its Help menu that those used to Internet Explorer will find Secret Explorer familiar. We have been using Internet Explorer for years and discovered no similarities from the start. Secret Explorer opens up with a small Help screen that's so full of jargon … Read more

Opera, announced Thursday that it has inked a deal with Skyhook Wireless that will bring geolocation to its browser. According to the company, those who download the geolocation-equipped Opera browser will be able to share their location with any site that supports it and get information about related products and services in their area.

Skyhook played an integral role in making the geolocation possible. The company's Wi-Fi Position System makes it possible for any computer or mobile phone with a wireless adapter to be located.

In conjunction with the release of a new Opera build that supports geolocation, the … Read more

If you wanted to check your bank balance, Netflix queue, and eBay purchases from your BlackBerry or iPhone, which would you start with first? If you answered "all three," take a look at Pageonce, which we've spotlighted in this First Look video.

After logging in on your phone, you'll be able to view what is essentially a stylized RSS feed of your financial, social-networking, travel, and shopping accounts, the details of which are secured from prying eyes in a number of ways. Pageonce for iPhone comes in a free, ad-supported version and in a pro version … Read more

Home-Account is a mortgage-finding service with a little twist. You tell it about your situation (value of home or amount of refinance you're looking for, location, income, etc.) and it gives you advice on looking better to banks, so you get the good rate--or these days, any rate at all. It also monitors mortgages for you, alerting you when a good one comes along. It doesn't make money by lead generation, like most loan-finding sites do, but it does cost $9.95 a month. The longer the company keeps looking for you, the more money they make. You … Read more

Editor's note: Since this story was published, Microsoft has reversed its decision. You can read an updated story on its decision here.

Microsoft says it made an accounting error when it laid off some employees last month and now feels the best way to correct the error is with what will likely add up to a public relations blunder.

The software giant, which recently laid off 1,400 employees, sent letters (see image below) this week to some of those former workers letting them know that their severance payouts were a bit too "generous" and respectfully requested … Read more