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DNAML's PDF to ePub converts e-books formatted as PDFs into the industry-standard ePub format in six quick steps. It can convert an unlimited number of files and automatically split the output into segments that conserve device memory. It even offers a scripting language option for advanced users.

PDF to ePub's gray-skinned interface combines a wizard with a conventional file menu. The program opens with Step 1, Select PDF file, which involves browsing to a file and selecting one of three output file types: ePub, HTML, or Kindle (mobi). However, when we clicked Next, we received a Product Activation … Read more

TransTools, or Translator Tools, adds a useful set of free translation-related utilities to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Visio and Autodesk AutoCAD. It speeds up translations, checks to see that translations are complete, localizes numbers, and performs other useful functions from inside these powerful applications.

TransTools installed itself in our copy of Word by default, but we could check boxes to install it inside Excel, Visio, and AutoCAD. We clicked Add-Ins on Word's toolbar and selected the TransTools menu. From this menu, we could perform a Language Check, including finding and removing highlighted words. We could also replace multiple items … Read more

Most PC users have probably heard that the Recycle Bin doesn't really delete files, at least not right away, and even long-deleted files can be recovered from your hard disk, if you rely on Windows to follow through when you tell it to delete something. "Delete" should mean "outta here," not "Level 1 Wipe" or whatever. But drag and drop files into Moo0 FileShredder, and it will zap them using one of four algorithms until they are completely unrecoverable.

FileShredder's "Drop Box" interface is a small dialog that we could … Read more

Graphs are a great way to display your data; they tell the story in a way that numbers can't. Grey Olltwit's Graph Maker is an extremely basic program for creating simple graphs. It's not for anyone doing serious research or working with statistics, but if you need to create a bare-bones graph, it might be able to do the job.

The program's interface is plain, but at first it confused us; there's a space to enter the y values for data points, but not the x values. It turns out that the program just uses … Read more

Desktop Ticker is a free scrolling RSS feed display that you can place anywhere on the desktop for an unobtrusive yet instantly accessible and highly customizable news crawl. It's easy to use yet offers lots of options. It can follow news, stocks, and pretty much any other feed you can subscribe to.

Desktop Ticker's small dock-style interface resembles a ticker tape, only with small directional arrows at either end for quickly scrolling forward and back and, on the right, an icon to minimize the display and close the program. A left-side menu has three entries: File, for managing … Read more

What to do when you want to take a photo of a skyline or landscape that won't entirely fit in your viewfinder? Create a panorama, of course! There are plenty of programs available that can help you stitch multiple photos into one panoramic image. Pos Panorama Pro is an easy-to-use option that will have even beginners creating great-looking panoramas in no time.

It just so happens that our spouse likes to create panoramic images from photos taken when we travel, so we had no shortage of fodder for Pos Panorama Pro. We tried the program with four photos of … Read more

Adore Puzzle is an interesting combination of virtual picture puzzles and visual travelogue. It depicts historic scenes and attractive views of the countries of the Western European seaboard, beginning in England and progressing through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. Each puzzle has two modes: Puzzle, in which the pieces can be moved to any position, and Slide, which works like a slider puzzle where players must slide squares around to form the picture. The puzzles get progressively harder as you travel, and the game keeps track of your moves and time.

Adore Puzzle is a substantial download, and … Read more

We've all stood and waited while an inexperienced cashier calls in a supervisor to void a charge or enter a discount in a point-of-sale system that would be more at home in Mission Control than Corner Drugs. The Corner Store application has Mom and Pop in mind. It's a POS system specifically for small retailers, so it's designed to be as easy to use as possible. It supports bar code scanning, cash register hot keys, and customer tracking. Most importantly, it supports secure credit card transactions via major national services.

Corner Store POS uses Microsoft .NET Framework … Read more

Practice isn't just the way to get to Carnegie Hall; it's also the way to become a good typist. KeyBlaze Free Typing Tutor from NCH Software can help you learn touch-typing or practice your skills. It offers basic lessons, drills, and speed tests suitable for typists ranging from absolute beginners to keyboard jockeys. It's easy to use and effective, too.

The KeyBlaze installation wizard offers three optional downloads, which we didn't try but thought sounded useful: FastFox, a typing expander that can create and store keyboard shortcuts; TextTally, a word counter; and Express Scribe, which assists … Read more