Software

Everyone needs a little zip in their life, but computer users need a little unzip, too; and they can get it from NCH's Express Zip File Compression Free, a compact file compression utility. At just under 1MB, Express Zip is small, but it's big on the features users expect in a zip tool, such as Explorer shell integration and compatibility with many types of archive files, including 7Z, RAR, and ISO. Small means fast, too: Express Zip loads and runs quickly. Express Zip File Compression Free is compatible with Windows versions XP to 8: And, as the name … Read more

Now you can leave your PC unattended (but not unsecured) yet still wake it up with a flick of the wrist, with help from Eusing Maze Lock. Like a screensaver or sleep setting, Maze Lock works while you're away, preventing unauthorized access until you connect the dots on a matrix in your predetermined pattern. That sounds complex and time-consuming, but it's actually quick, easy, and natural--sort of like the wrist action you probably already use to wake your sleeping computer. The difference is, Maze Lock prevented anyone else from waking it while you were away.

The principle behind … Read more

Dashlane secures your online passwords with a single master password and stores your data locally with AES-256 encryption; plus it's one of the most secure and capable form-fillers available. You can sync data to a variety of devices, too, including (make that especially) smartphones. Dashlane works with most browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and IE). Recent updates include a password generator.

Dashlane's installation process involves three steps: Connect to your browsers, set up your account and profile, and secure and organize your data. A Custom installation option let us choose which browsers to use in case we didn't … Read more

IDrive for Mac performs well and offers advanced features that would make it a useful option for anyone who needs help backing up important data. The application's installer easily guides users through the setup process.

IDrive for Mac comes in three versions. Its basic version, tested here, is free and includes the use of up to 5GB of storage space. After starting, the program requests the user to enter sign-in information, or create a new account through the developer's Web site. The main computer menu is easy to decipher, with good graphics and labels. On the left side … Read more

Safari, the top browser in terms of mobile usage, lost a little share to three rivals in June.

The Apple browser dropped from 60.0 percent of usage in May to 58.0 percent in June, still well ahead of competing browsers, according to statistics released by tracking firm Net Applications on Monday. Google's unbranded Android browser, in second place, also dipped, from 20.7 percent to 20.6 percent.

Picking up the slack were Opera Mini, which rose from 10.5 percent to 11.2 percent; Google's Chrome, which rose from 3.2 percent to 3.8 … Read more

JES Video Cleaner for Mac reduces noise in a user's existing video files by analyzing and reprocessing them, based on customizable settings the average consumer won't understand and in an interface that is not too easy to use.

JES Video Cleaner for Mac comes as a small downloadable ZIP, which you can extract wherever you choose. The interface is monotone and not very intuitive. The software comes with a Help file, which offers guidance on what steps to take and in what order, but contains no insight into what any of the settings mean. We were able to … Read more

MacUtil for Mac hands more control over to you in determining the look and utility of your desktop, tweaking the user interface in ways you may have already been wishing you could.

MacUtil for Mac comes as a small download, and once unzipped and copied to your Applications folder, it is ready for action. The app offers 50 different tweaks to the user interface, and we tested each one. Some of the tweaks are mostly aesthetic such as changing the dock from 3D to 2D, or making its background clear, but even these can have a minor impact on system … Read more

As a basic application for finding similar words, Nisus Thesaurus for Mac adds some functions that most users would find helpful, especially those who are writers. Its features add to those for spelling correction, already present in most Mac writing applications.

Nisus Thesaurus for Mac downloads as a ZIP archive with no installation needed. The program's main menu lacks graphics or creative design. Fortunately, its main search bar is at the top of the window, which is where most similar programs have them located. After entering a word and clicking the "Search" button, the program brings up … Read more

OmniDiskSweeper for Mac comes in a powerful little package and makes the cumbersome job of searching for large and unused files fast and easy. The application performs as intended and offers a rock-solid solution for anyone needing more free space on their Mac.

After an easy installation, OmniDiskSweeper for Mac presented us with a list of hard drives attached to our test machine, and we selected the internal 500GB drive. A new window appeared that populated with a list of folders and files, with their respective sizes listed right next to the name. The full sweep completed in under five … Read more