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Adobe Acrobat XI review

Developing and promoting PDF (Portable Document Format) files for over 20 years, Adobe Acrobat has constantly been feeling the pressure of raising the bar for its signature document-management software. Even after 11 versions, Adobe Acrobat XI shows that Adobe continues to advance the process for creating and managing PDF files.

For users who don't often handle or view PDF files, or fail to see the difference between PDF editors, creators, and word processors, here's the breakdown: Adobe Acrobat focuses on giving users control over formatting document features and design, whereas word processors focus primarily on the writing process … Read more

Resize and watermark images with EasyPhotoImager

Bitbuster's EasyPhotoImager can resize, convert, and add watermarks to images, singly or in batches, and create thumbnails. While it offers no Help file, it's relatively easy to use, with all its settings on the front page. If you've used image-editing tools before, we doubt you'll have any trouble figuring it out. But true beginners may want to look for something simpler or with more support. EasyPhotoImager is compatible with Windows XP to 8. Recent updates include drag-and-drop capability, real-time preview, improved image resizing, and Windows Explorer-style folder navigation.

EasyPhotoImager's user interface opens on the Settings … Read more

Switch any measurement to the right sum with ConvertPad for Android

It pays to be able to quickly and easily convert measurements. Whether you're a small business or just trying to get a sense of scale, you need an answer as quickly as you can get it. ConvertPad will switch just about any measurement you can think of to the right sum very quickly. It's not the prettiest thing to look at or use, but it gets the job done.

ConvertPad for Android offers to switch the native language immediately when you download, which is a nice touch for international users. What isn't as nice is how long … Read more

Bentley GT Speed Convertible focuses on luxury, performance, not tech

Bentley's Continental GT Speed Convertible is so new that pricing has not yet been announced. So I was left to guess how much money I was putting in peril when Bentley dropped one off in the CNET garage for a short loan. Judging from Bentley's current lineup, I ballparked it at between two and three. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, that is.

People who buy Bentleys probably don't ask the first question that came to my mind: what makes this car worth that much money?

Working for a company that recently did a hands-on (eyes-on?) with a … Read more

Carry the sounds of your online videos with you offline through MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac

Often, songs or remixes are produced on YouTube but are not available anywhere for download. For people who want to listen to the audio in their favorite YouTube videos while offline, MediaHuman YouTube to MP3 Converter for Mac turns these videos into portable MP3 files, but with mixed results.

Available as freeware, the program supports multiple audio formats and allows you to select the desired sound quality, although this is ultimately limited by the nature of the original YouTube video selected. YouTube to MP3 Converter's download and installation are smooth, with minimal load time and space required. Simplistic at … Read more

Convert YouTube files with Free YouTube Converter for Mac

While YouTube hosts an endless amount of content, it requires an active Internet connection for streaming. Free YouTube Converter for Mac converts YouTube formatted videos to more-common types, but ultimately doesn't complete the necessary steps.

Available as freeware, Free YouTube Converter for Mac downloads and installs seamlessly with its own native installer. Upon startup, the program takes the user to the developer's Web site, where other programs are sold. While a slight nuisance, this is acceptable for a freeware program. The program's design is well thought out, with large, easy-to-recognize buttons for the main functions of locating … Read more

Turn your YouTube videos into movies viewable offline with 4Media YouTube Converter for Mac

Despite the wealth of content available on YouTube, it still can't be enjoyed offline. 4Media YouTube Video Converter for Mac converts YouTube videos into watchable files, but at a relatively high price for its features.

While the full program requires a payment of $30.99, the free trial version allows a user to test its features, but with a three-minute limit on converted videos. 4Media YouTube Video Converter for Mac downloaded and installed quickly despite a size of over 100MB. After a brief loading time, the program revealed an interface that was slightly cluttered but functional. Instructions existed for … Read more

Convert Flash video files to other formats with 4Media FLV to MP4 Converter for Mac

With FLV in use as a popular format for streaming videos, not having a player capable of working with these files is problematic for many Mac users. 4Media FLV to MP4 Converter for Mac allows users to convert these files into more common types, albeit with a fairly high price tag for its limited functionality.

We tested the free trial version of 4Media FLV to MP4 Converter; those who want to convert more than three minutes of video will need to pay $29.99. 4Media FLV to MP4 Converter for Mac downloads quickly and installs well. It also has good … Read more

A budget-priced, audiophile USB digital converter

High Resolution Technologies makes some of the very best and most affordable digital-to-analog converters on the market. The company's newest model, the MicroStreamer, is a tiny thing, just 2.5 inches by 1.2 inches by 0.4 inch, and since it's USB-powered it doesn't have a power supply or require batteries. It works as an external sound card for computers, tablets, and some smartphones. It's also a high-quality headphone amplifier. It was designed in the U.S., and the little guy's circuitboard's components are mounted in Southern California. The aluminum case is made … Read more

How to quickly convert image formats with Preview

Apple's Preview program in OS X is a very convenient tool for quickly editing image and PDF files. It supports a number of options for annotating images and adjusting colors, cropping, and otherwise editing them, it can also be used to quickly convert an image to another format.

Preview supports reading most common image format types, and likewise allows you to export them to these same types, so even if Preview is not set to be your default program for handling images, you can still use it to quickly make an image conversion.

To do this, right-click the image … Read more