Software

Editors' note: This story was originally published on August 20, 2012. It has been updated several times since then to include additional programs and other details, most recently with Start Menu Reviver on May 15, 2013.

Still miss the classic Start menu in Windows 8? Never fear, alternatives are here.

Microsoft lopped off the Start menu in Windows 8 to force people to use the Start screen. And I'll admit it, the Start screen does offers several benefits.

Live Tiles can clue you in to the latest e-mails, appointments, news, and other information. You can easily search for any … Read more

VidBas for Mac allows users to download videos from the Web to view them later while offline, so it may be useful to some Mac owners despite the lack of additional features.

VidBas for Mac comes with a free trial version that restricts the ability to download from the Internet. The complete version requires a $19.99 payment to unlock. The download completed quickly, as did the installation despite the lack of a native installer. Through the program's support menu, user instructions and technical support for updates were present. The main menu was easy to use, but had little … Read more

Greetings from 34,000 feet! Sometimes I still marvel at being able to get Internet access all the way up here.

So, funny story, yesterday I received a press release indicating that today, and only today, Laplink is giving away its Laplink Sync utility. It normally costs $39.99.

Update: Looks like Laplink's servers are on fire (figuratively), as many people are reporting problems claiming the offer -- not uncommon with a heavily promoted giveaway such as this. Hopefully the company will do the right thing and extend it so everyone can have a chance at it.

Or will … Read more

For those who want a scanning program that adds features over those of native Mac applications, VueScan for Mac does just that--and it performed well in our tests.

VueScan for Mac comes with a free trial version that limits the scanners available for use. The full version costs $39.95 to unlock. The download completed as quickly as expected via a high-speed connection. A user guide was available as a link to the developer's Web site, which was a helpful feature. Support for updates also appeared to be available. The main menu had a dated design, but was functional. … Read more

Those who want to edit audio files may not be satisfied with the native options available on their Mac. WavePad for Mac functions well and has most of the features users look for in a usable audio editor.

WavePad for Mac is available as a free trial version with a 14-day usage limit, while the full version requires payment of $129 to unlock. Despite requiring the user to accept a lengthy licensing agreement, the program did download and install quickly. Video tutorials and technical support were both available. The program's main menu is cluttered but well designed. Buttons for … Read more

Looking for the most sophisticated terminal software with Unix-like options to access your Mac's system? MacTerm for Mac is a very powerful application, with tons of features, customization options, and a basic interface.

MacTerm for Mac is a free application that is currently in beta. This application doesn't have a native installer, but nevertheless it downloaded and installed quickly. If you are used to Apple's OS X Terminal application, after initiating the program you will be greeted with a very familiar interface, only with new icons and features on the toolbar. The application is basically a more … Read more

As viruses become more common on Mac systems, the number of tools for detecting and removing them has also increased. Mac Malware Remover for Mac is a simple program that effectively scans for a few known Mac viruses, but lacks the features of a full security program.

The program download completed as quickly as expected, as did the installation. Mac Malware Remover for Mac did require the administrator password for root access. The application did not have any instructions but was so rudimentary that they were not necessary. Technical support for updates was present. The program's main menu is … Read more

As a fully-functional Gmail client for Mac, this application adds a lot more convenience and features to the popular online e-mail service. MailPlane for Mac lets you easily access your Gmail account right from your desktop, with a lot more features packed into it.

MailPlane for Mac comes with a free 15-day trial. The full version is available for $24.95 and there's also a Family License available for $39.95. The installation is very straightforward. Once you launch the app, you'll be greeted by an extremely familiar and intuitive user interface. Unlike most mail clients available on … Read more

Lack of maintenance will most likely lead your Mac to become sluggish or less responsive. Maintenance (Mountain Lion) for Mac allows you to maintain the basics of your system without much hassle; but without a scheduling function, you'll have to remember to run it manually.

The installation of this free application is quick and easy. Maintenance (Mountain Lion) for Mac also offers a rather basic but quite intuitive interface. The application displays a single window divided into sections where users can select which tasks they wish to run. Users can select a single or multiple options by checking the … Read more