1

Life simulation game

Virtual Families provides an impressive game for users who want to manage a simulated family's life. This program gives the popular game Sims a run for its money.

The simulation's interface was impressively professional with graphics and strategy that reminded us of the aforementioned Sims. The Help file's excellent onscreen tutorials kept us informed while we played and also improved our gaming skills. To adopt a player, you choose from a variety of interesting character designs and jobs. Most of these were funny, such as ketchup bottler, barbecue sauce maker, or food photographer. After adopting a player, … Read more

Presentation making software

Ashampoo Presentations 2008 provides all the necessary tools to create a PowerPoint-like slideshow. Its simple controls mimic the more popular program all the way down to its surprising feature.

Since we had previously created slideshows with Microsoft's PowerPoint, Ashampoo's interface felt instantly familiar. Most of the controls are in similar locations, and they perform every action that PowerPoint does. We quickly created a series of slides that incorporated text, images, sounds, and shapes, and we combined them in a customized slideshow in a matter of minutes. Ashampoo delivered a professional-looking multimedia presentation. Just like in PowerPoint, we were … Read more

Intuitive file finder

Auslogics Duplicate File Finder is a basic program that allows users to find and delete duplicate files taking up valuable space on their hard drives. This is a helpful utility for users who find themselves with limited disk space and can't figure out why.

The program's interface is simple and extremely easy to use. Users simply select the folders they want to search in, set the matching criteria and file types, and click the Scan button. The program displays a list of duplicate files, allowing users to select and delete those that are not needed. That's really … Read more

Nokia, SAP team up to fight counterfeiting

Nokia and SAP are forming a new company that will use their technologies to help manufacturers battle counterfeit products.

Announced Tuesday at SAP TechEd in Vienna, Original1 will offer services to better authenticate branded products and protect them from counterfeiting, the companies said in a statement.

Offering software as a service (SaaS), Original1 will draw on a combination of SAP's supply-chain technology and Nokia's mobile authentication software. Nokia and SAP will each own 40 percent of the business, while German firm Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) will own the remaining 20 percent and add the security and … Read more

Sparse puzzle game

Spot the Difference II is a puzzle game in which users must identify subtle differences between two photos. Although the content of the game isn't bad, the fact that there is so little of it--only three rounds--makes the game a bit of a waste of time.

The game's interface is simple, displaying two images side-by-side. Users must find all five differences between the two images in a given amount of time. If you succeed you move on to the next level, and if not, the game starts again. Users are given five hints that they can use throughout … Read more

Data downloader for India's Stock Exchanges

Tracking international stock movements and trends can help brokers and home-based determine how to trade and buy. The process just got easier thanks to this free app that downloads information about the Bombay and other stock exchanges based in India.

Getbhavcopy launches a small, tabbed interface that initially opens to the Options tab. From this pane, the user can configure the app to download data from specified information sources - the Indian National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)--and save it to a log in a user-determined location. This app performed very well during our tests. … Read more

Toolbox for simplifying Boolean equations

Tutors and students for logic and computer programming will find this application for minimizing, simplifying and reducing Boolean equations and digital logic circuits a handy box of tools for increasing understanding.

Simple Solver launches a rather plain but functional interface. The large, mostly empty window includes a selection of buttons and check boxes accompanying two medium-size panes or sections, depending on the process being performed. The two panes or sections serve as an editor for inputting equations or criteria and for displaying output from the processes performed on the specified equations. The lack of clutter on the interface provides clarity … Read more

Blackra1n RC2 supports tethered 3GS jailbreak

iPhone OS hacker GeoHot released Blackra1n RC2 today, an updated jailbreak utility for the Apple iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch.

This version provides a tethering jailbreak for the new iPhone 3GS with the updated bootrom from Apple. According to GeoHot's blog, these new features are included:

Fixed 3G issues Tethered jailbreak for 3.1 OOTB ipt 8GB and new 3GS units Fixed Icy issues Both Windows and Mac

He also points out that "if you used RC1 with success," then there is no need to rerun Blackra1n RC2 on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

Updated October 26, … Read more

Stock file converter

TXF Creator attempts to save you time and effort with its smooth ability to convert financial files from online investment sites and third-party financial software into tax-friendly formats. Its incredibly simple operation and fast results make for a sure-fire hit with those who invest a lot and file their own taxes.

The program's interface surely could have been more professional; however, its stark, white-space-heavy design did help us stay focused on the task at hand. We never felt confused or lost, thanks to its simplicity, or distracted, thanks to its dullness. The onscreen instructions break down the entire process … Read more