schedule

A new interface kicks off TurboZip 8, a reliable compression alternative to WinZip. The easy-to-use archiving tool now supports an even wider range of formats, including 7Z, MS Office 2007 archives, ISO, and BZIP. Two new features make it worth considering: the robust preview feature that makes peering into archived files much simpler, and the Auto Compress Script, which allows you to build new archives based on predetermined criteria.

The preview window can show the contents of not just JPEG and DOC files, but MSI, EXE, and others. It's also blazingly fast, and previewed large files without delay. A … Read more

Choosing your major financial purchase can be dreamy (stucco or stone? sun roof or tinted windows?) but the dream can quickly morph into a nightmare when trying to determine just how much money your loan will actually cost over time. The Amortization Schedule for Excel gives you the basic information you need so you can see just how much your dream will actually cost over time.

This freeware tool is very easy to use. Just plug in your numbers (loan amount, loan term, and interest rate) and voila, an amortization schedule quickly appears. You can easily change the variables, too. … Read more

RebootEx offers users a simple, fast, and easy way to turn your machine off from anywhere and even log back on when it restarts. While the average user probably won't have a need for its remote shutdown capabilities, it works on a local PC as well.

This program has an interface that will look familiar to anyone who has used Windows. A small bar pops up on the desktop featuring the exact same icons as Windows for Shut Down, Restart, and Log Off. In addition, there is a button for Remote. Below these are a clock for scheduled restarts … Read more

For all the bells and whistles you get with this backup program, we were shocked to find that it's free. Cobian Backup not only looks good, but it proved to be a very reliable and easy to use backup tool.

The user interface is straightforward, and the colorful command buttons are extremely intuitive. Creating a new backup task was easy, despite all of the configuration options. Basically, all we had to do was create a name, decide what files and folders to include, and create a schedule for the backup. We opted to save important files to our USB, … Read more

Auto Shutdown Genius provides users with an innovative way to monitor and control the hows and whens of computer shutdowns. This program offers a wide selection of choices that can help customize every user's system.

This program has a very scientific-looking interface. The CPU usage monitor, similar to a heart monitor in a hospital, instantly jumps off the screen. A spiking green line shows a real-time reading of what percentage of the hard drive is being used. Above this area is a list of commands users have operating with the Auto Shutdown Genius, as well as a table of … Read more

Schedule Wizard attempts to give users ultimate control over their daily lives by helping manage and remind them of important dates. This program offers many options, but navigation was awkward and there were some stability issues, as well.

Taking the standard datebook layout, this free 30-day trial will feel familiar to users with Outlook experience. Within the confines of the program, users are given opportunities to input important meetings and dates and organize the frequency with which they are reminded. In addition, users are also given the option to send an e-mail at a specific time, which can be composed … Read more

StudyMinder is a planner aimed directly at students with variable schedules. With an impressive series of additional options, this program sets itself apart from simple calendaring programs.

At the core of this free 30-day trial is a calendar. Users divide their calendars by semesters or quarters. The calendars even provide countdowns to finals week. By inputting classes and credits, users get a full picture of their scholastic world. The program sends reminders so users do not miss a class.

But, it is the other options that give StudyMinder its legs. Students can enter homework assignments into their calendars and budget … Read more

Over the weekend, we reported on the release of iPhone OS 2.2 beta 2 for developers. The new revision adds support for audio-in devices in all third-party applications, meaning apps will be able to receive audio input on all devices and possible paving the way for genuine VOIP applications for the iPod touch. It also adds support for Google Street View, the ability to view walking and transit (bus, train) directions instead of driving directions, and the ability to share locations with other users.

A user of the iPhoneYap discussion boards has posted an extensive screenshot gallery depicting the … Read more

The meeting time broker TimeDriver, which has been in closed testing since I covered it back in January, will finally enter its public beta period on Monday. I had a chance to play with the product Thursday. For a lot of people, this service could be a great help.

TimeDriver is designed to help people who need to schedule a lot of one-on-one meetings. If you're interviewing job candidates, for example, or taking appointments with customers, you can set up either one-time or recurring blocks of time, and send people links that let them grab appointment times in those … Read more