tools

Bluefox WMA MP3Converter is an easy-to-use program that allows users to convert a variety of different file formats into MP3 and WMA files. We have seen many similar programs and there's not much about Bluefox that really sets it apart, but it does work well, and we like it for its simplicity.

The program's interface is plain and intuitive, with large graphic buttons that represent its major features. Users simply add a file or files (the program does support batch processing) and choose which format they want to use for the output. The only two options are WMA … Read more

We see a lot of photo conversion programs, and most of them are of approximately the same quality, neither outstanding nor awful. JPG/JPEG Photo Converter is another such program, solidly in the middle of a pack of programs that neither impress nor disappoint.

The program's interface is quite basic, consisting of one screen that contains all of the program's features. This application does allow for a fair amount of customization, and is perhaps a bit more feature-intensive than other photo converters. Users can set the output width and size, adjust the quality, and rotate and flip the … Read more

PsychReport is a clinical case management tool for professionals in the field of psychology. Although the program seems to have a lot of useful features, it's ultimately undermined by its clunky interface.

We were turned off by the program almost immediately when we opened it and the creepy Microsoft Sam text-to-speech voice announced "PsychReport." From there, it only got worse; the program announces the name of each module as it's opened, and there doesn't seem to be any way to turn this annoying and pointless feature off. The main menu is a mix of icons … Read more

Microsoft said on Thursday that it would delay by "a few weeks" the launch of its Visual Studio 2010 developer tool suite and version 4.0 of the .Net Framework.

In a blog posting, developer division head S. Somasegar said the company needs more time as it continues to work on some performance issues.

Microsoft had planned to launch the product in March. The company now plans an added test version--a release candidate--to launch in February, with the final version coming a few weeks after the planned March launch.

"Since the goal of the release candidate is … Read more

Just as Microsoft advanced the state of the art for programming on Windows, Google is trying to do the same with Web-based software. Its latest move: the release of Google Web Toolkit 2.0.

GWT translates software written in the Java programming language into the JavaScript code that browsers can run natively. The technology is designed to produce fast-executing JavaScript and ease the pains of incompatibilities among different browsers.

Google Web Toolkit, released Tuesday night at a Google Campfire One developer event, fits in with the company's general push to make the Web a more powerful foundation for applications, … Read more

PC Tools' Internet Security suite for 2010 gets some things right, and frustratingly drops the ball on others. It's hard not to like the feature set, which is robust, and the recent efficacy badge from Virus Bulletin. However, some of the problems in the suite are glaring and will potentially scare aware users who might otherwise find it a good security tool.

The default landing page should appeal to those who like quick glances to ensure everything is running smoothly. Green checkmarks or red Xes make it easy to see if you're at risk. Drilling deeper down to … Read more

ChemToolBox provides several excellent learning and calculating tools that can help you gain a stronger understanding of chemistry and the chemical elements. With simple navigation and accurate information, this is a great choice for students and professionals alike.

The program's interface is simple to navigate, and the commands and information are clearly laid out in a way that doesn't require a visit to the Help file to understand. Even though we hadn't picked up a chemistry book in years, we were easily able to cycle through five different chemistry topics--Solvents, Solutions, Elements, Biochemistry, and Spectroscopy--as well as … Read more

The software scene is crowded with Registry editors and cleaners, each promising to improve your system's performance and enhance your online security by deleting old, broken, invalid, and downright dangerous entries in the Windows Registry as well as cleaning your disk drives, browser caches, and other stores of sensitive information. They typically offer a free download version that will analyze your system and uncover rows and rows of malicious-looking items, which of course you want to delete because they look so threatening, highlighted in red. However, to actually clean or tweak your system, you must fork over 30 bucks … Read more

Correction: Although this review was written for Spyware Doctor version 8, a typo misstated the version number as version 7. That has since been corrected.

Spyware Doctor 8 offers users a superb collection of malware prevention and removal tools, but its infamously strict trial restrictions makes it difficult to evaluate. With quick scanning and multiple tools for stopping malware before it infects your computer, the paid version is a solid spyware remover.

Installing the program annoyingly requires you to reboot the computer, but as soon as Windows finishes loading, the program will start scanning for malware. Impressively, the scan took … Read more