Software

FeyConverter from Fey Tools is an easy-to-use, all-in-one CD ripper, converter, and encoder. It supports a wide range of file types, from common formats such as MP3, WAV, and WMA to less-familiar types like Ogg Vorbis and Bonk as well as high-quality formats like FLAC and LAME. FeyConveter creates playlists, manages info tags, handles plug-ins, and queries and manages CBBD data. It offers advanced configuration options for many encoder types. Best of all, it's free.

FeyConverter's no-nonsense user interface offers a nice change from the usual white-on-black, media player-based tools of its type, though of course FeyConverter integrates … Read more

Daminion specializes in LAN-based digital image management systems optimized for small teams, but their standalone Windows client is available for free. Daminion catalogs your image assets. It can import, export, and manage image data in a wide range of formats; import and export Tags and Filter data; store data inside files; and integrate with a variety of other systems. Daminion is a complex tool that can handle professional duties, not a quick fix for users who simply want to tag their digital snapshots--and it takes a little effort to learn its ways.

Daminion's interface has a familiar layout, with … Read more

When cameras do not have a panoramic capability, users may need a program to combine two separate images for the desired result. Hugin for Mac functions well, but is overly complicated for its relatively limited purpose.

The downloaded file folder contained multiple files in addition to a readme, and also had two subfolders, one of which was just for licenses. Installation of Hugin for Mac was overly complicated and actually placed two separate programs into the applications folder. Initiating the program also brought up a warning that a prior version was detected, which was not possible since the test computer … Read more

When giving live or recorded computer presentations, the mouse pointer can be easily lost to viewers. Highlighter for Mac focuses attention on the pointer, but lacks any other features for presentation that would make it more useful to most users.

While it downloaded and started up without any problems, the program did lack technical support. Fortunately, Highlighter for Mac's basic purpose and operation made the lack of user instructions or tutorials moot. At startup, the only thing that happens is a red circle that follows the pointer around the screen, highlighting it for easier viewing. There were no options … Read more

If you have a Google Reader account and are unsatisfied with the interface, you may seek an application to better manage the feeds such as Gruml for Mac. Gruml for Mac has a dated, albeit functional interface, but Google's announcement to end support for Reader makes its utility questionable.

RSS feeds provide users with the ability to easily follow Web news sources. One of the most popular RSS feed readers is Google's Reader program. Gruml for Mac is a freeware RSS reader that works exclusively with Google's program. After the installation completes, the application opens to a … Read more

Growly Notes for Mac has many features that are useful for note-taking, but it ultimately fails to set itself apart from similar programs.

Upon startup, Growly Notes for Mac immediately brings up a note containing a tutorial, which was very helpful since there were a number of options and features. A top menu contains buttons for the main options, from creating a new notebook to changing colors. The interface could have benefited from larger text or more appropriate graphics for the buttons, to assist new users. During testing, creating a new note was easy. The program allows users to add … Read more

Get Backup for Mac's well-designed menu and useful features make it a good tool for system and file backups. With more and more information stored on your computer, the need for utilities for backing up important information stored on systems has increased, and this app has some nice options.

Despite the fact that the program is freeware, additional functions are available if the user chooses to purchase a special license. Get Backup for Mac opened quickly after being dragged into the Applications folder. The program's main menu was appropriately designed with clear graphics indicating the main buttons. Technical … Read more

Functional for Mac streamlines access to certain functions, such as shutdown and restart, but offers little to appeal to most Mac users.

The installation folder of Functional for Mac contains a readme file with basic setup and user instructions, the application, and a link to more free apps available from the developer. By simply dragging the application's icon to the Dock you will complete the installation. The program has a basic function. Once installed in the Mac's Dock, the application allows the user to initiate log out, restart, shut down, and sleep, with one click. This saves a … Read more

For those with collections of files with different naming standards, FreshBatch for Mac can help with purposefully searching for or archiving them. Despite its limited overall usefulness, it performs this function well and may appeal to some users.

The installation folder of FreshBatch for Mac contains a separate instructions file, which walks the user through the program's features and procedures. The program's sole purpose is to speed up the process of renaming files. The menu appears dated and has no graphics or other advanced features. The user has two main options, the first of which is to find … Read more