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Let PhraseExpress Portable type it out for you

People who have to type in the same words and phrases over and over again should check out PhraseExpress, a free tool that automatically enters any string of text you set it up to enter; as many as you like, as often as you like. It can automatically detect repetitive phrases and text strings and offer to automate them. Its algorithms can also help you complete your sentences. PhraseExpress USB Edition is a completely portable version of PhraseExpress. You can save it to a USB drive and run it on any compatible computer without having to install it.

We started … Read more

PhraseExpress AutoText completes

PhraseExpress AutoText combines autocomplete with macros in one versatile free tool that can type phrases, sentences, and other text automatically when the program detects certain keystrokes or manually via hot keys. Its AutoText feature lets you designate abbreviations for frequently used words and phrases such as your address. When you type the abbreviation, PhraseExpress automatically enters the expanded text.

The central access point for PhraseExpress is the program's system tray icon. Here we could open the settings page as well as enter new phrases, access the last used entry, and clear the clipboard cache. We opened the settings, which … Read more

Make a note of it

Paper sticky notes have become ubiquitous in both homes and offices; they're an easy way to keep track of important information. Or they are until their adhesive fails and they disappear under your desk or get stuck to the back of some other piece of paper. We've encountered numerous programs that seek to duplicate the utility of sticky notes by allowing users to place virtual notes on their desktop, but we're not sure that we've encountered any that are as comprehensive as Pnotes. This program takes the best aspects of the sticky note concept and adds … Read more

Light and capable word processor

SSuite Office WordGraph is a free word processor that offers most of the features most users need in a lightweight, fast-loading package, including a spell-checker, word counts, and the ability to track changes. It can create and edit PDFs without additional tools, export documents in a wide range of formats, insert mathematical text, and create presentations that can be viewed in any Web browser.

WordGraph is clearly a word processor, to judge by its interface, but it strikes a fine balance between simplicity and complexity, with essential tools but few distractions. For instance, we set the page width by dragging … Read more

Tunnel vision

Every now and then we run across an application that we never even knew we needed until we tried it. Turn Off the Lights is one such program. This Chrome add-on lets users obscure everything on their screen except the Flash video they're watching, minimizing distractions and making for a more pleasant viewing experience. Although this seems like a minor task, we found that we really enjoyed what Turn Off the Lights did for us.

The program is quite easy to use. A lamp icon is displayed in Chrome's menu bar when a video is detected, and users … Read more

Soccer tracker

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA, pronounced "you-a-fa") is Europe's pro soccer governing body. It coordinates national leagues and international tournaments and championships, among other activities. The UEFA Informer is a free Windows Gadget that tracks UEFA football teams, matches, scores, fixtures, standings, and leagues in real time and delivers them to a customizable display that sits in the Windows desktop sidebar. It tracks all UEFA competitions and national leagues for some 51 countries, including Europe's "major leagues," the English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian domestic leagues.

This tiny gadget is a mere … Read more

Meditation ebook

Meditation Techniques Guide provides a basic set of instructions and information for studying or practicing the art of meditation. Written for the novice, these easy-to-follow directions will help anyone interested in these simple and relaxing practices.

The program's interface is simple to navigate since it's in the form of a 60-page e-book in PDF format. The text is written in a plain, understandable language, though there were a few typographical errors. We love that the book's introductory chapters address skeptics of meditation. The book's arguments were sound and convincing and acted as a great segue into … Read more

Unintuitive form maker

Pdf-Office Professional is a sleek program that allows users to create interactive PDF forms. Although it seems simple, getting the program to create decent-looking forms was harder than we expected.

The program's interface is clean and uncluttered, with its features neatly organized in toolbars. The main toolbar allows users to quickly switch between the text editor tool, image tool, drawing tool, text box tool, and form tool. Most of these are fairly self-explanatory, with the exception of the form tool. And that's unfortunate, since it's the whole point of the program. The form tool seems as if … Read more

Project management system

Mindjet MindManager is a unique program aimed at business people keeping track of complicated projects with objectives that change on the fly. While this program offers users a chance to streamline their world, it is not something people can leap directly into and operate.

This program's main objective is project management. The goal is to provide a free-flowing chart, making even the most complex goals visible. This is accomplished through a flexible set of tools to map agendas, priorities, people working on the project, deadlines, and more, all with the ability to update and change.

MindManager is a complicated … Read more