Tip: Debug Windows like a pro
Troubleshooting software issues can be difficult, as applications rarely provide enough information on what they're doing. If you're lucky, you might get a helpful error message that explains a particular problem, but all too often you're left guessing, or trying to use a technical tool like Process Explorer to try and figure out what's going on.
Some applications, however, do send useful information to the Debug device that describes exactly what they're doing in many key situations. This is intended to help the developer troubleshoot problems, and if there's an issue, he can run a debugger on his system and immediately see what's going on. But regular users can see these messages, too -- and all it takes is a free copy of DebugView.
Advance SystemCare 4 launches, adds new features
iObit has released version 4 of its flagship PC maintenance and optimization tool, Advanced SystemCare. The program comprises a number of system maintenance, cleaning, repair and optimization modules, and version 4 introduces a number of new components, including Disk Scan and Vulnerability Fix, plus a redesigned interface.
Version 4 opens with a greatly simplified user interface, designed to help the novice quickly get his or her PC optimized via Quick Clean and Deep Clean options. An enhanced Turbo Boost module is capable of disabling more unnecessary background services to reclaim precious system resources and speed up the computer.
Highjack Hunter takes back your PC from malware's clutches
Some malware infections are straightforward. They're known threats, cause little damage, and your regular antivirus engine can detect and remove them in seconds: easy. Other situations can be a little more complicated, though. Maybe you've run into a brand new threat that your security package doesn't recognize. Some malware will hijack Windows settings, perhaps disabling Task Manager or the Registry editor. Solving an issue like this may require some specialist help from a tool like Hijack Hunter.
Just launch this handy free portable utility, click "Scan," and it'll crawl all over your system looking for anything that might be suspicious. There are no signatures involved here, the program is purely highlighting items that seem interesting or out of the ordinary (which is why it might be able to pick up even previously undiscovered threats).
VirtualBox 4.06: Now with fewer bugs
Virtualization has become so popular that it is even available as an integrated option in Windows 7. Many people prefer to turn to a dedicated virtualization tool, however, and VirtualBox has proved to be one of the most popular and impressively powerful programs available. Version 4.0.6 of the app has been released, bringing with it a sizeable list of bug fixes.
There have been major improvements in the stability of the app, helping to provide a far more user-friendly virtualization experience. Memory leaks have also been plugged, and the option to store snapshots in the same directory as virtual machines has been added.
Ashampoo warns of security breach
Software company Ashampoo has been forced to issue a warning to customers after one of its servers was hacked. While no financial or credit-card information was taken, Ashampoo is keen to stress this information was not held on this server, hackers are believed to have obtained names and email addresses.
Ashampoo is warning that affected customers could be targeted by emails containing malware payloads, such as a bogus order confirmation email containing an attachment or link to a spoofed website. As the company says in its statement, "It is always important that you stay suspicious of unknown senders and that you do not respond to requests that tell you to open attachments."
PowerDVD 11: 'Play any media format, from any source'
CyberLink has released the latest version of its do-everything media player, PowerDVD 11, which the company now boasts will "play any media format, from any source." This starts with support for playing all the main video formats, now including MKV (H.264), FLV (H.264), WTV, 3GP and 3G2 files. The program can also play your music files, though, and this version adds support for playing photos in slideshows, too.
If the content isn't on your hard drive, then PowerDVD 11 adds new support for streaming files from DLNA servers. It's able to access files on Apple and Android devices, and enhanced social media tools mean you're able to able to access YouTube videos, Facebook and Flickr images, all from within the program.
RockMelt comes to iOS, syncs with desktop version
iOS users are spoilt for choice when it comes to keeping up to date with their favorite social networks. There are a number of official and unofficial apps available for the likes of Facebook and Twitter, and there is always the option of using the mobile versions of web sites. RockMelt is an iOS app that make interacting with social networks a little easier, enabling you to view updates from Twitter, Facebook and a number of other sites in a single location.
Used to access Facebook and Twitter, RockMelt provides access to your timeline so you can view update from your friends and people you follow. Any notifications you receive from Facebook can be viewed in the app's overview screen and from here you can also create new posts complete with a photo. RockMelt allows you to post comments on items in your newsfeed so you can interact with your Facebook friends.
Nero Kwik Media: Free, but you will want more
Nero Software has released a free tool, Nero Kwik Media that promises to give users greater and easier control over their media files: photos, video and music. The program boasts a number of headline features, such as the ability to automatically apply face recognition across a library of photos and effortlessly move files between different portable devices and your computer, but this additional functionality comes at a cost.
This is because Nero Kwik Media offers only core functionality for free: the software can organize, play and share all media content, but editing facilities are limited to photos while the program can only burn music CDs by default. Additional functionality must be added through the program's built-in App Store, with prices ranging from 99 cents to $29.99 for add-on components and additional themes.
Dropbox caves on privacy, opens subscriber files to law enforcement
Dropbox has a juicy carrot and one big sick for subscribers. The cloud storage service announced 25 million users and revised terms of service. The new ToS is the stick and one that could beat away some subscribers. Among the updates to its service terms and conditions: alteration when it comes to "Compliance with Laws and Law Enforcement."
While the change won't affect the majority of the people, unless they are suspected of breaking the law, some subscribers may be put off, particularly since Dropbox previously indicated that not even its employees could access subscriber files. According to Dropbox's help docs: "Your files are actually safer while stored in your Dropbox than on your computer in some cases. We use the same secure methods as banks and the military to send and store your data...Nobody can see your private files in Dropbox unless you deliberately invite them or put them in your Public folder."
Tagged buys Digsby
San Fransisco-based social network Tagged has announced that it will buy the popular Social/Instant Messaging Client digsby.
Digsby is a multi-platform Social and Instant Messaging Client available for Windows (eventually due on Mac and Linux) and brings a combined buddy list for all your AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber and Facebook Chat Accounts. Not only that, digsby delivers everything important from your Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn accounts and has a fully featured email client integrated. With more than 3 million registered users as of today it will remain a standalone product in the 100 million user community Tagged.
IEZoneAnalyzer 3: Finally an easy way to manage Internet Explorer security zones
Internet Explorer's security zones provide support for more than 70 key settings, which gives you very fine control over what websites can and can't do on your system. These settings are spread around several dialogs, though, and it can be difficult to get a feel for your current configuration, or spot any problems -- unless you get a little help from IEZoneAnalyzer 3.
If you'd like an overview of your current security settings, for instance, don't waste time browsing around the Tools > Internet Options dialog. Just launch IEZoneAnalyzer, choose "Internet" in the Security Zone box, click "View Effective Settings," and the program will display your configuration in a single dialog. This includes the source of each setting, so you'll know if a particular restriction was applied by your preferences, machine preferences or Group Policy. And a couple of clicks will export this data to the clipboard, a CSV file, or even directly to Excel, if you'd like to run further analysis or just save it for posterity.
PureSync 3.0 puts files where you need them
German software house Jumping Bytes Software has released PureSync 3.0 for Windows PCs, a file backup and sync tool. Version 3.0 includes a number of bug fixes for both Personal (free for non-commercial use) and Professional Editions (€14.95; about US $21.50), but significantly adds to the feature set of the paid-for Professional Edition.
PureSync 3.0 Professional, which is unlocked via a license file after purchase, now supports synchronizing over FTP, plus the ability both to compress and encrypt files. It's also now capable of copying open and locked files and can provide email notification of a finished job, complete with log.
iTunes 10.2.2 nips security holes, tucks away bugs
Apple has released a minor update for its iTunes software application for Windows and Mac users. iTunes 10.2.2 features a number of minor bug fixes, plus closes several security holes in the Windows client (these holes were closed on the Mac platform in a recent update to the Safari browser).
The bug fixes resolve a problem whereby iTunes becomes unresponsive when syncing to an iPad. It also resolves a problem whereby syncing photos to iOS devices took longer than necessary, plus prevents video previews from skipping during playback on the iTunes store. The update also addresses other non-specified issues with stability and performance.
Europe outspends U.S. and Japan on consumer electronics
ALICANTE, Spain -- For as long as I've been a tech journalist -- and it's been a long time -- I always thought of the United States as the single biggest market for consumer electronics, followed by Japan with China rapidly rising in the ranks.
My oh my, have I been wrong. In fact, the biggest market is Europe. Last year, it accounted for 29 percent of the $913 billion worldwide market for "technical consumer products," a designation that also allows for counting appliances that are becoming smart and connected, too. Turns out we Yanks finished second, accounting for 21 percent of all goods sold. Third place went to China, with 12 percent share.
Samsung: We'll hook Europeans on our TVs by giving them a 3D channel
ALICANTE, Spain -- 3D TVs aren't ready for prime time, so to speak. They'll let you watch Avatar at home in all its epic Cameron-esque glory. But you gotta wear glasses, and there isn't much programming. As a result, TV makers have found themselves ahead -- way ahead -- of market demand. It's that old chicken and egg conundrum: Which comes first, the applications or devices/platform?
The 3D device/platform is there, from the likes of Samsung or Sony but where's the content where you really need it -- in the living room during prime time? Then there are those godawful glasses. Thankfully, no one needs see them in the comfort of your cozy chair, unlike the crowded theater.
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