ie8 fix

4.5

Pick a color

Being able to match colors on Web pages is an important element of Web design. You may need to match a new page design to an existing one or create custom colors that don't mimic other popular sites. Either way, a color picker is an essential tool to have on hand. Color Cop offers a simple way to read color info, and it does so effectively and in an easy-to-use package.

Color Cop appears as a tiny box that floats on top of your Web page. You can minimize the box while you browse, but it stays on top … Read more

Skip this uninstaller

Simnet UnInstaller 2010 is a free utility for uninstalling programs from Windows PCs. It's compact and easy to use, and removes programs as completely as the Windows uninstaller. However, it does less than the Windows uninstall tool and similar free uninstallers. It also offers to help you manage your programs, but it only uninstalls them.

Simnet UnInstaller shares a similar interface with the developer's other tools, a compact, colorful dialog with buttons marked About, Status, Programs, Settings, and Help. The Settings are limited to check boxes for automatic updates and creating a System Restore point before uninstalling software. … Read more

Zipper up

Developers have answered the need for better ZIP utilities than Windows provides. We took a spin with CAM unZip, which offers to simplify the process of zipping and unzipping files in Windows but also packs power-user options such as a command-line interface, password compatibility, and the ability to run files upon extraction.

During setup, the installer recommends making CAM unZip your default compression utility, which we selected. The program's efficient interface has File and Help menus and icons for opening archives and creating new ones. The File menu lists Options, but "Option" would be more accurate since … Read more

Palm WebOS 2.0 beta available to developers

Though we're still waiting to see what comes out of the HP-Palm merger, Palm's still plugging away on WebOS and released some new information about WebOS 2.0 on Tuesday.

The news mostly affects developers, as they can now download a beta version of the WebOS 2.0, but Palm also gave us a glimpse of what's to come and we're pretty excited. The new functions include:

Enhanced multitasking with the ability to stack related cards together for easier access.

Developers can now access the Synergy feature for integrating contacts, calendar, and messages.

A feature called … Read more

Firmware 4.5 now available for Zune HD

As I've already spoken my piece on the new Zune HD firmware, I'm going to let Microsoft do most of the talking this time (see below). But I will say two things: First, I'm surprised the company got this sucker out so quickly, what with the staunch silence on the actual release date. And second, Zune owners can take advantage of the update right now by firing up the Zune Software and plugging in the device--simple as that.

TV on the Internet

We see a lot of online streaming-TV viewers, and a lot of them are more or less the same. Satellite TV Media Player is another solid entry in this category; there's not much about it that sets it apart from the competition, but it's a perfectly serviceable program.

The player's interface is attractive and intuitive, with buttons for TV, radio, movies, and video. The program lists the available content down the side of the screen alphabetically, and users can filter it by country, genre, and language. There are plenty of streams of content from actual television channels, … Read more

A winning choice

Use your computer long enough and you will start notice that things aren't what they used to be. Your hard drive is filling up with unneeded files, your system's performance is slowing down, and evidence of your Internet usage is everywhere. Privacy Winner is a multifeatured application that helps you manage all of these problems.

Privacy Winner's interface is sleek and intuitive, with its major features separated into different screens that are accessed with a set of attractive buttons. The Security screen allows users to scan for and delete a variety of types of information, including Internet … Read more

Irritating clipboard saver

Day Clipboard Utility is a basic program that automatically saves text and images and copies it to the clipboard. Although the program works well enough, certain aspects of its design make it hard to like.

The application's interface is somewhat cluttered, with a lot of buttons and boxes that aren't particularly intuitive. In fact, we're still not sure what some of the boxes do. You set the program to automatically capture either text or both text and images, and after that you just use your computer as usual. Anytime an item is copied to the clipboard, Day … Read more

Excel enhancer

ASAP Utilities promises to simplify and speed up the experience of working with Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet program. By providing dozens of simply applied options, it's certain to gain fans among frequent Excel users.

ASAP Utilities' interface will be familiar to frequent Excel users. The program is embedded into the spreadsheet program along the top row of commands, next to Excel's Help option. You navigate it with expandable menus that look very much like other Excel menus. There's a small Help file, but we recommend simply experimenting with the functions. The 21 options include Text, Columns, Numbers, … Read more

Complex astrology tool

Anyone who is happy flipping open the newspaper and reading a generic horoscope need not apply to Kundli for Windows. This complex program offers to focus its gaze directly on your astrological life, but you'll need a working knowledge of its terminology and practices to appreciate the program.

The program opens up as a simple wizard, with empty boxes to fill in. Along the top of the screen you will find tabs for alternating between viewing your horoscope or Match-Making. While all the terms will not be simple to understand for newcomers, filling out the boxes will be a … Read more