Record desktop activity as animated GIFs with Screen 2 Gif
Screen to Gif is a free portable tool which allows you to record desktop activity, edit it, then share the results.
As you’ll guess from the name, the program saves its recordings as animated GIFs, which means they’re limited to 256 colors and can’t include audio. That’s just fine for simple animations, though -- software tutorials, problem reports -- and Screen to Gif has more than enough interesting extras to justify the download.
Panda Cloud Antivirus 3 Free adds scheduler, USB vaccination
Panda Security has announced the release of Panda Cloud Antivirus 3.0, the latest edition of its popular cloud-based antivirus tool.
As with many other security packages, the program now has a Windows 8-style interface. Panda has made a better job of it than most, though: it looks good, is easy to use, and you can even drag the tiles around to rearrange them.
Add a pattern password to your PC with Eusing Maze Lock
PC access is usually restricted with a plain text password, but this isn’t the only option. Windows 8 users can already create a picture password, where they log in by drawing custom gestures (with a fingertip, or the mouse) over their chosen image.
If you’re not using Windows 8, then installing Eusing Maze Lock similarly protects your lock screen with a smartphone-like pattern password, this time using custom swipes over a 3×3 grid of dots.
Give images a fun 3D effect with WiggleGif
WiggleGif is a $0.99 Windows 8 app which can give your images a fun animated 3D effect (look right for an example).
While this can look quite sophisticated, the underlying principles are very basic. There’s no clever combining of multiple images here, WiggleGif generates the different views itself and exports the results as an animated GIF.
FreeRIP: not just a CD ripper
It’s a tough world for CD rippers. Windows Media Player already handles most basic ripping needs all on its own, so developers really need to layer on the extras if they want to attract attention.
It can still be done, though, with a little work -- and FreeRIP is a good example.
JPEG Saver: the ultimate in slideshow screensavers?
Windows has included a basic slideshow-type screensaver for many years, and it’s always been very easy to set up. Choose a source folder, maybe a display speed, and that’s it: your PC will begin showing your digital photos whenever the screensaver kicks in.
While this works just fine, it’s a little -- okay, extremely -- limited. But there is an alternative. The free JPEG Saver can also be set up in a flash to display a quick and easy slideshow. But it can also customize what happens next in just about any way you like.
Emsisoft releases Anti-Malware 9, Internet Security 9 betas
Emsisoft has released the first public betas for Emsisoft Anti-Malware 9, and a new product, Emsisoft Internet Security 9.
Anti-Malware has essentially the same browsing and antivirus protection as before, but Internet Security 9 takes the package further with a completely new firewall core. Think Emsisoft Online Armor, but with full IPv6 support, more packet filtering rules and better overall performance.
Build multi-boot USB keys with WinSetupFromUSB
WinSetupFromUSB is a free tool which creates bootable USB keys from ISO images, perfect for anyone who wants a faster and more convenient way to launch PC boot discs.
As you’ll guess from its name, the program started life as a way to prepare USB keys to install Windows. It still does that very well, too, for every version from Windows 2000 to 8.1.
Automatically optimize an entire folder of photos with Perfectly Clear Desktop
Athentech Imaging is best known for its Perfectly Clear Photoshop/ Lightroom plugins, clever tools which can optimize thousands of photos, entirely automatically.
At $199 each, this technology isn’t for everyone. But if you’d like to get a feel for how it works, Athentech is currently working on a standalone equivalent, Perfectly Clear Desktop, and the beta is free to download and try.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium 2 [Review]
Install a good antivirus tool and it’ll keep you safe from most online threats. But there are no 100 percent guarantees, of course, and it’s possible that some malware will avoid detection and sneak through the cracks.
One way to reduce the risk of infection is to install a "second opinion" scanner, which runs alongside your main antivirus engine and -- hopefully -- detects any threats it might miss.
Find, browse and reuse PowerShell scripts with Microsoft Script Browser
Microsoft has released Script Browser 1.1, an excellent PowerShell ISE add-on which makes it easy to find, view and download PowerShell scripts.
The program equips the ISE with a simple TechNet search tool. Enter a keyword or two here, click Enter and it displays a list of any matches, including script name, rating, description and author. Double-clicking displays more details -- including the script itself -- and you can copy it to the clipboard, or open it in the ISE.
Anvi OneStart is a Windows 8.x Start Menu replacement with a (small) difference
Anvisoft has released Anvi OneStart, a Start menu replacement for Windows 8.x.
If you’re thinking "not another one", then we know what you mean, but this one is a little different: it can also be set up to show the Start Screen, but on the desktop -- not maximized.
Quickly erase text or images from your PDFs with PDF Eraser
You have a PDF document you’d like to share with others -- but there’s a problem. It has one or two objects which really should be removed: a logo, a phone number, a line of text, whatever it might be.
You could solve this by opening the document in a full-strength PDF editor, carefully editing it to suit your needs.
Fix .NET 4.5/ 4.5.1 issues with Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool 1.2
Microsoft has updated its .NET Framework Repair Tool to version 1.2, adding the ability to detect and fix issues with .NET Framework 4.5 and 4.5.1.
As with previous releases, the Repair Tool can only address MSI-installed updates of the .NET Framework from 3.5 SP1 to 4.5.1, and won’t touch the version installed with Windows.
Take, edit and share screenshots online with Screen Courier
Screen Courier is a small but interesting screen capture tool from Mister Group, the developer of System Explorer.
The program installs quickly and easily. There’s no adware, and even though it can host your captures online, no registration is required.
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