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Built-in administrative tools let you configure and even customize how Windows works. You can change everything from start-up to display and folder options, but the controls aren't all in one place. They generally require a bit of knowledge and experience to get the most out of them without making things worse, all the more so when the Windows Registry is involved. GIGATweaker from 7room C0DE is a powerful tool for optimizing Windows that not only collects Windows' built-in functions in one console-style interface, but also offers clear explanations of what each change does as well as its implications for … Read more

Inventories aren't just for shopkeepers anymore. A little time spent inventorying your valuables--electronics, cameras, antiques, appliances, furniture, artwork, tools, etc.--in your home or office will be well spent, in the case of theft, disasters, or other misfortunes. But anyone with important documents and valuable possessions worth protecting can create and maintain accurate, complete, up-to-date home, personal, and even business inventories, thanks to software like Bmg's InventoryBuilder. It simplifies the hardest part of taking inventory, going through and recording all that stuff, by doing most of the work for you.

InventoryBuilder's Windows-style toolbar, navigation sidebar, and main … Read more

Some people can get by with writing notes to themselves on scraps of paper, but others need a way of keeping track of their to-do lists that offers a little more organization and structure. Efficient To-Do List Free is a simple, attractive way to stay on top of all of your tasks, from appointments and meetings to long-term projects.

The program's interface is attractive and well-designed, reminding us a lot of newer versions of Microsoft Outlook. It's easy to create new tasks, and users can specify start dates, due dates, priority levels, and recurrence. For tasks that are … Read more

MIDDLETOWN, R.I.--One of the best things about being on Road Trip 2010 for the last few weeks has been the almost universally positive reaction I've gotten to my Picture of the Day challenge.

What I never expected, though, was the tenacity of some readers in trying to identify each day's mystery photograph, nor the clever and often complex methods some employ in doing so.

If you haven't been following the Picture of the Day, I've been posting an image every day since June 7 and tasking readers with figuring out what it's a … Read more

I'm constantly browsing the new releases, most popular lists, and iPhone/iPad-focused Web sites for hidden gems. The other day, I took a chance on an iPad game that didn't seem like my cup of tea, but the user opinions were through the roof.

Hotel Mogul HD ($6.99, iPhone version here) looked to me like a casual game that would quickly become boring. Even after scrolling through the screenshots and reading the description, I still wasn't sold. The game revolves around a young entrepreneur named Lynette who owns a large and successful real estate company with … Read more

Did you know you could get a refund for your purchase of an iPhone app? I didn't until I watched a new CNET TV How-to with Brian Tong. In the video, Brian details the process for getting a refund on an app he wanted to buy for the iPad, but chose the iPhone version by mistake. It's a bit complicated to explain the process here, so you'll want to check out the video linked above to get a detailed visual how-to for getting an app refund.

As Brian points out, though you have the ability to get … Read more

Apple has seeded the latest developer build of Mac OS X 10.6.4 to developers. The build, version 10F54, is reported to have no known issues.… Read more

Honeywell has acquired Akuacom, a small, private company that makes demand-response and smart-grid software for commercial buildings.

The acquisition is expected to enhance the company's existing building-control equipment and efficiency services, Honeywell Building Solutions said Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Akuacom makes a Web-based program designed for demand-response programs in which a utility seeks to "shed load," or lower energy consumption of its customers, during peak times.

By curtailing use during times of heavy demand, such as a hot day when the air conditioning load is high, utilities can avoid turning on costly and polluting "… Read more

Sometimes applications are practical, sometimes they're fun, and sometimes they manage to be both. YoWindow is a weather application that manages to deliver weather data in what may be the most fun interface we've ever seen.

The program is easy to set up. Enter a city anywhere in the world, and the program's background image, a quaint village landscape, will reflect the current conditions. The sun rises and sets just as it does in real time, and precipitation and other weather phenomena are depicted with animations. Our first thought was that though the village scene looked nice, … Read more