The Download Dispatch

We realize that Google's new social-networking service, Buzz, isn't downloadable software, but admit it: it's on your mind. Never fear, we'll throw out some notable application updates of the week in this newsletter, but not before taking a moment to address the Google-sized pachyderm in the room.

Buzz is essentially Google's answer to Twitter, Facebook, and FourSquare, a quasi-ubiquitous social-networking service with ties to Google's e-mail, map, search, and chat features. Moreover, Buzz is accessible as Web-based software through the desktop and from certain mobile phones (low-down here). On some smartphones, Buzz is also … Read more

Most of the major security vendors have already released their antivirus software for 2010, but until now, McAfee still hadn't. Now McAfee has burst onto the scene with three updated security applications--McAfee AntiVirus Plus, McAfee Internet Security, and McAfee Total Protection. While most of the main features remain unchanged, McAfee has overhauled the user interface, real-time defense engine, and firewall. There are also a few tweaks and omissions: for instance, third-party service Mozy has been entrusted to handle local backup. We give you the full run-down here.

Security certainly remains an important issue in computing and browsing, especially … Read more

We've been hearing about Mozilla's Weave Sync add-on for Firefox (download) for some time. The Weave extension is Mozilla's in-house effort to store your bookmarks, tabs, history, passwords, and preferences on Mozilla's server--the end goal being to snap open Firefox on any computer (or even mobile phone) and get to your content without having to configure your settings or open pages anew.

Now that Mozilla has officially released version 1.0 of Weave Sync, we jumped right up to test it out on the desktop. The verdict? We wouldn't say it stinks, but Weave doesn'… Read more

If you're the experimental sort of computer user who feels comfortable trying out beta software and development versions, you may have been playing around with extensions to Google's Chrome browser for a while now. However, if you're not an early adopter--and no shame if you're not--the latest stable version, Chrome 4.0, is now available. That means those browser add-ons are yours to explore, without the warning notifications of assumed risk that came with earlier releases. Don't forget, it's the add-ons like AdBlock Plus and FoxyTunes that gave Firefox the fuel to challenge Internet … Read more

If you use Gmail, but worry about your privacy--especially in the wake of Google's attack by sophisticated hackers--CNET reporter Stephen Shankland shows you how to have your cake and eat it, too.

What are the secret ingredients to a secure Gmail? A triumvirate of freeware comprised of Gnu Privacy Guard encryption, Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail application (Windows|Mac), and an e-mail encryption plug-in called Enigmail (Windows and Mac).

Switching from open to encrypted e-mail isn't a light undertaking, and as Stephen points out, there are plenty of drawbacks and trade-offs when you swap ease-of-use for near-total privacy. Still, … Read more

I'm not sure which is most disconcerting about a suspended application that refuses to unhang despite your constant clicking to close it down. Is it the fact that the program's unresponsiveness has hampered your perfectly good work flow or the fact that getting the app to shut down can be a hassle when you go through the Task Manager?

These days, I don't have too long to mull over the question. I've come to rely on a tiny free utility called ClickGone. ClickGone has no application interface. Rather, opening it turns your cursor into a black … Read more

After the shreds of gleefully torn gift wrap from the holiday season have settled, many of you find yourselves the proud owners of new computers, laptops, or smartphones. What are the best apps for optimizing your prized device? We've got just the thing for you.

Our revised Windows Starter Kit showcases free apps you should consider when building up your computer's software repertoire--like browser options, compression software, and image editors. This Utilities Starter Kit features no-cost software for keeping your computer in tip-top shape. As for making sure your box stays malware-free, check out these top picks from … Read more

Believe it or not, we're beginning to wind down the year here at CNET. Before your eyes is the final Download Dispatch of 2009. We've had a pretty busy year, reporting on everything from new security apps (incidentally, check out our Security Starter Kit) to complete coverage of Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system. We even launched a Windows 7 blog.

But before we leave you to the merriment of the festive season, we wanted to give you a tip about organizing your holidays photos. If you missed it, Google's free photo-organizing app, Picasa, recently received … Read more

Being able to set multiple home pages to load when you launch Firefox is one of the browser's best built-in features. But what if your daily browsing routine is a mite more complicated? Perhaps you have a series of complex log-ins or a page you need to navigate into deeper before you can get to the information you need.

Meet DejaClick, a free Firefox extension that records your movements and replays them at your whim. It essentially creates macros that you can name and launch after installing DejaClick. We're not usually fans of toolbars, and DejaClick does have … Read more