GupShup Forums - RSS: downloads http://www.paklinks.com/gs/ en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:58:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/images/misc/rss.jpg GupShup Forums - RSS: downloads http://www.paklinks.com/gs/ iGoogle keeps on growing with some yummy new food themes http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373518-igoogle-keeps-growing-some-yummy-new-food-themes.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:00:04 GMT
iGoogle, Google's customizable homepage, has some pretty sweet-looking themes. In fact, I rounded up the 10 best on Download Squad not too long ago. Google keeps adding themes faster than I can change my homepage, though. The latest fresh batch of themes is food-related, and a bunch of food-themed homepage gadgets have come out at the same time.

While this news probably isn't going to rock your world unless you've always wanted some beautifully-shot food porn on your home page, some of these food widgets are pretty useful. Sites like Urbanspoon, Epicurious and Food Network can now deliver recipes and reviews to your homepage. Aside from making us salivate, this addition has got us wondering: what's Google's plan for this continuing expansion of iGoogle? Social gadgets, video chat, food themes? What's next?iGoogle keeps on growing with some yummy new food themes originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Google - Download Squad - iGoogle - Homepage - Food Network ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373518-igoogle-keeps-growing-some-yummy-new-food-themes.html 5 ways to save money with an iPhone http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373480-5-ways-save-money-iphone.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:58:03 GMT On 12/28 I am eligible to switch phones and am rationalizing an iPhone purchase, which is all the more difficult as I just read David Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. The book advocates saving money and paring down expenses, so the $30 monthly data plan would definitely be in the con column. However, after reading 33 things you don't need if you buy an iPhone, I'm thinking I'll definitely come out ahead in the long run. Below are some of my favorite excuses reasons to purchase.

GPS- rather than purchasing a stand alone unit, like Tom Tom, there's several apps in the App Store that will help with turn by turn navigation.

Camera - since my husband borrowed and never returned my Canon PowerShot, I definitely "need" a good camera. And while the iPhone's camera is not like my SD850IS, it's a decent enough point and shoot. Plus, I'll be "saving" money and don't even get me started on the convenience of not having to carry multiple devices.Continue reading 5 ways to save money with an iPhone

5 ways to save money with an iPhone originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







iPhone - Apple - appstore - Download Squad - Handhelds ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373480-5-ways-save-money-iphone.html <![CDATA[Hate the new Windows 'start menu'? Get the classic XP menu back with this little app!]]> http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373462-hate-new-windows-start-menu-get-classic-xp-menu-back-little-app.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:58:01 GMT By now a lot of you will have experienced the 'All-in-One Omnipotent Start Menu' thing that was first introduced with Windows Vista and can now be found in Windows 7. It combines My Computer, My Documents and your installed programs into one big, gribbly menu.

Some people love it. Some hate it. Personally, I like the all-in-one search/run input box... but that's about it. I much prefer the old drop-out menu, even if it is a bit stupid when you've got 500 programs installed. I still use icons on my desktop, rather than getting at everything through my Start Menu.

There have been a few tools that replicate the old Start Menu, but this one(aptly called 'Classic Windows Start Menu'), unlike the others, also works with the Windows Aero theme. Sadly, as you can see in the screenshot below, there still seem to be some bugs with the display (ironically, probably when you have a lot of stuff installed), but otherwise it all seems to work as intended!


So if, for some reason (and I'm sure there are lots of possible reasons) you don't like the Vista/7 Start Menu, why not grab this tiny little app?

Direct download link / developer's site (it ain't pretty, but you can find other-language versions there, if you don't want it in English)

[via Into Windows]Hate the new Windows 'start menu'? Get the classic XP menu back with this little app! originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Windows 7 - Windows Vista - Microsoft - Windows XP - Windows Aero ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373462-hate-new-windows-start-menu-get-classic-xp-menu-back-little-app.html <![CDATA[Google's Chrome and Android operating systems will converge sooner rather than later]]> http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373431-googles-chrome-android-operating-systems-will-converge-sooner-rather-than-later.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:58:01 GMT

Google's co-founder, Sergey Brin, spoke to some reporters yesterday, after the Chrome OS presentation. Citing the common WebKit and Linux code found in both operating systems, he said "Android and Chrome are likely to converge over time."

"We're reaching a perfect storm of converging trends where computers are behaving more like mobile devices, and phones are behaving more like small computers," Google said in a statement responding to questions on if and when the two operating systems would converge.

Sergey's frankness on the matter is a little odd and must be part of a very recent internal about-face, considering Google CEO Eric Schmidt said only a few days ago that there was space for both operating systems and no need for conflict between them.

It would make sense though. Mobile devices are becoming more PC-like. PCs are certainly becoming more mobile (excluding the brick-like gaming laptops of course). With mobile data packages from AT&T, Verizon and other international providers regularly dropping in price, Chrome OS and its fast, easy access to everything in the cloud would make for one, sad, lonely Android.

[via CNET]Google's Chrome and Android operating systems will converge sooner rather than later originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Operating system - Open source - Google Chrome OS - Google - Google Chrome ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373431-googles-chrome-android-operating-systems-will-converge-sooner-rather-than-later.html <![CDATA[Foobar2000 v1.0 Beta -- holy crap, it's finally here!]]> http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373312-foobar2000-v1-0-beta-holy-crap-its-finally-here.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:58:07 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/foobar2000-v1-beta.jpg Believe it or not, almost 7 years after its initial release, the Foobar2000 (http://www.downloadsquad.com/search/?q=Foobar2000) v1.0 Beta is finally out (http://www.foobar2000.org), and with it comes a large...
Believe it or not, almost 7 years after its initial release, the Foobar2000 v1.0 Beta is finally out, and with it comes a large list of changes. Most of them are much-needed interface fixes, but there is the welcome addition of built-in support for the streaming of Windows Media formats (ASX/MMS/RTSP). Other than that, it's much of the same.

Foobar2000, if you were wondering, is a very light-weight music player. It's incredibly flexible thanks to its modular design and fully-featured developer kit. There are mods and plug-ins for Foobar that make it one of the most useful music players: if you're the kind of music buff that likes downloading 'quadrophonic gold remastered' albums in AC3 format from Torrent sites, then Foobar is the music player for you. If you have a large MP3 (or FLAC, AAC, MP4...) music collection and simply want to listen to it, Foobar is also the one for you.

There's all the usual functionality there too, like ripping CDs or fixing ID3 tags. My personal favourite is the keyboard shortcuts that you can set to work globally -- so even if you're playing a game like World of Warcraft, you can skip and pause your music using a finger-breaking keyboard shortcut. Handy. There's also a neat Windows 7 shell integration plugin, if you're fortunate enough to be using Foobar2000 AND Windows 7!

If you're one of those old boring types that's still using the antiquated WinAmp, or you're using the slow-and-disgustingly-bloated iTunes, give Foobar2000 a go -- you'll be surprised at just how good it is.

Official download (torrent) / MajorGeeks direct download (seems link was broken -- fixed now)
Foobar2000 v1.0 Beta -- holy crap, it's finally here! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







MP3 - Free Lossless Audio Codec - ITunes - Advanced Audio Coding - Compact Disc ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373312-foobar2000-v1-0-beta-holy-crap-its-finally-here.html <![CDATA[Facebook is trying out a new photo upload tool, and it doesn't suck!]]> http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373272-facebook-trying-out-new-photo-upload-tool-doesnt-suck.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:58:02 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/facebooknewuploader11.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=184826119663) Facebook is the most popular photo sharing site in the world, but its photo upload tool has always been clunky and frustrating to use. No...
Facebook is the most popular photo sharing site in the world, but its photo upload tool has always been clunky and frustrating to use. No longer, thanks to a prototype New Photo Uploader that will hopefully displace the current upload tool very, very soon. Instead of the slow, tough-to-navigate system that loads up thumbnails of every. photo. in. your. pictures. folder. by default (ugh!), this new version has navigation that looks a lot more like what you're used to in Windows Explorer or the OS X Finder.

Facebook ditched the old-school Java uploader they'd been using since 1995, and built a plug-in from scratch with newer tools. Aside from looking better and running a lot more smoothly, the new uploader can also run in the background, so you don't have to stop browsing while you wait for your pics to upload. The first you try to upload photos after turning on the prototype, you'll be prompted to install the Facebook plugin. It doesn't take long, and it's well worth the extra 30 seconds to get a better, faster photo uploader.

[via ReadWriteWeb]Facebook is trying out a new photo upload tool, and it doesn't suck! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Download Squad - Windows Explorer - Facebook - Java - Operating system ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373272-facebook-trying-out-new-photo-upload-tool-doesnt-suck.html Android, Palm, and iPhone users get new Google News page http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373260-android-palm-iphone-users-get-new-google-news-page.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:30:02 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/googlenewsmobilenew1.jpg (http://googlenewsblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-google-news-for-mobile.html)Google has launched a new mobile version of Google News... Google has launched a new mobile version of Google News, designed specifically for current-gen smartphones: the iPhone, Palm's WebOS phones (the Pre and Pixi, so far) and Android phones.

Windows Mobile, BlackBerry and Symbian already had their own Google News page, so its only fair for the new kids on the mobile block to get in on the action, too.

Google's pretty vague about the changes in the official blog post, but it looks like they've just managed to do more with the same amount of screen real estate. Navigating between sections is easier with the new layout, and you can now customize your Google News the same way you've been able to in a full desktop browser.Android, Palm, and iPhone users get new Google News page originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







iPhone - Google - Windows Mobile - Symbian - Smartphone ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373260-android-palm-iphone-users-get-new-google-news-page.html Ommwriter: a Mac writing app that helps you concentrate http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373248-ommwriter-mac-writing-app-helps-you-concentrate.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:58:03 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/ommwriterscreen.jpg (http://www.ommwriter.com/en/) Ommwriter (http://www.ommwriter.com/en/) is a Mac word processor with a bit of a gimmick. Like one of my favorite writing apps for the Mac, WriteRoom...
Ommwriter is a Mac word processor with a bit of a gimmick. Like one of my favorite writing apps for the Mac, WriteRoom, Ommwriter goes full-screen, with a minimal interface and a focus on avoiding distractions. Ommwriter is even more extreme, though, adding a calming background and soothing music to the mix, and restricting your control over text formatting to a bare minimum to reduce fiddling.

The good: that fiddling-reduction thing really works. You can make your text larger or smaller, and choose between three fonts, but that's it. It keeps you away from the controls and focused on your words. Also good: there are 7 different musical selections, and the option to turn the music off altogether (which I recommend you exercise). The default background is quite attractive, but you can switch to basic white if you don't like it.

The bad: your only options for saving your Ommwriter docs are plain .txt or Ommwriter's own format. I suppose that's in keeping with the word-centric theme of the app, but sometimes a .doc comes in handy if you're sharing with an Office-devoted friend or colleague. Also - and this is clearly a matter of taste - the whole zen schtick feels a bit hokey to me. I'm all for removing distractions, and Ommwriter succeeds in that regard (except, perhaps, when it comes to the music) but I prefer the plain black screen and more robust formatting capabilities of WriteRoom.Ommwriter: a Mac writing app that helps you concentrate originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Download Squad - Macintosh - Word processor - WriteRoom - Apple ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373248-ommwriter-mac-writing-app-helps-you-concentrate.html Waste some time and toss the turtle http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373204-waste-some-time-toss-turtle.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:02 GMT
No, no, really... I'm not suggesting you head to the supplies cupboard and actually toss the turtle! It's a game! NO! Not the kind of game you play with friends while drunk! A Flash game! Adobe Flash! In your browser!

Toss The Turtle is the epitome -- the end of the line -- the ULTIMATE 'fire a canon ball as far as you can' game, a genre that you might remember from the (really) olden days. The basic premise is obvious: you gotta toss the turtle as far as you can.

But oh boy is it more complicated and involved and awesome than simply firing a canon. This could be significantly more than a 10-minute-time-waster, I assure you.Continue reading Waste some time and toss the turtle

Waste some time and toss the turtle originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Download Squad - Browser game - Adobe Flash - game - Video game ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373204-waste-some-time-toss-turtle.html Acrobat.com gets revamped and gets a mobile app http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373186-acrobat-com-gets-revamped-gets-mobile-app.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:58:01 GMT Adobe's Acrobat.com service is getting a big update tonight, followed closely by a new mobile app for iPhone and BlackBerry. The name "Acrobat" goes hand-in-hand with the PDF file format, and Acrobat.com allows you to convert documents to PDF and save, store and view PDF files. It also features some other applications, including the Adobe BuzzWord word processor, a web meeting service called ConnectNow, and storage space for docs, spreadsheets and images.

The new features include searching by filename (I'm still wrapping my head around how they didn't have this before), but not searching within documents. That feature is reportedly coming soon. Your files are also now displayed in a file organizer that lists everything you have stored on Adobe's webspace - I think this includes saved stuff from other web apps, including presentations.

The mobile app is reportedly going to be a pretty basic mobile front-end for Acrobat.com, with the ability to upload documents and send faxes (what's a "fax?") from your phone. It will come in both free and paid flavors, and the free version will allow a limited number of uploads and faxes per month.

[via CNET]Acrobat.com gets revamped and gets a mobile app originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Acrobat.com - iPhone - Adobe Systems - Download Squad - Adobe Acrobat ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373186-acrobat-com-gets-revamped-gets-mobile-app.html Auslogics Disk Defrag buffs up, adds disk optimization in v3 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373173-auslogics-disk-defrag-buffs-up-adds-disk-optimization-v3.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:04 GMT

Defragmentation (like backing up) is one of those chores I don't think about doing all that often. And I really should, since my desktop at work is a cluttered mess of downloads, screenshots, temp files, and other digital flotsam.

When Auslogics mentioned they've got a new version of their Disk Defrag tool available for download, I figured why not take it for a spin? My drive could use the TLC, after all. The app is available with an installer or as a portable app and is free for home use.

One small feature worth a mention is that Disk Defrag supports Windows 7's superbar progress indicator. You can choose to defragment your entire drive or target specific files or folders. It's also got a number of other smart features, like free space consolidation and intelligent system file placement. Disk Defrag can also be set to run automatically when your system is idle.

The installable version can also clean up your temp files prior to defragging, minimize to the system tray, run scheduled jobs, and integrate into your right-click context menu.

Tidying up my drive's 130Gb+ of disorganization took about 25 minutes. Disk Defrag also includes a new optimization feature which Auslogics recommends running once a week. It takes quite a bit longer, but if it helps keep your drive healthy and running at peak performance it's time well spent.
Auslogics Disk Defrag buffs up, adds disk optimization in v3 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Windows 7 - Microsoft Windows - Taskbar - TLC - Windows ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373173-auslogics-disk-defrag-buffs-up-adds-disk-optimization-v3.html Firefox Army clashes with IE in Central Europe, wins browser share crown http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373153-firefox-army-clashes-ie-central-europe-wins-browser-share-crown.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:01 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/ff-market-share-sadfasd.jpg The Firefox army is hundreds of millions of soldiers strong (http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/27/congrats-citizens-of-mozilla-firefox-population-surpasses-that/). After successfully taking the...
The Firefox army is hundreds of millions of soldiers strong. After successfully taking the southernmost continent on the globe, the Mozilla Militia continues to run full speed ahead across Europe. Today's battlefront: the central region.

As you can see in the header image, Firefox and IE recently crossed paths. The chart shows data gathered from nine countries - Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine - from January 1, 2007 to the present. Internet Explorer continues its downward slide, Firefox has now claimed almost 50% of the browser share in Central Europe.

So go ahead, EU, complain all you want about Microsoft unfairly using their influence to ensure everyone's PC is running IE. It's obviously not hurting Firefox (or Opera, for that matter).

Maybe users really are smart enough to find and install their own browser? Who'da thunk it.

[via Mozilla]
Firefox Army clashes with IE in Central Europe, wins browser share crown originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Opera - Microsoft - Internet Explorer - Mozilla Foundation - Central Europe ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373153-firefox-army-clashes-ie-central-europe-wins-browser-share-crown.html Finally, serious competition for iTunes...from Sony! http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373133-finally-serious-competition-itunes-sony.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:01 GMT They've been awfully quiet the last couple of years, except for the recent PS3 price reduction and slow drip-feed of good games. But it seems, after the appointment of a new CEO back in 2006, the results of some internal reshuffling might finally be coming to fruition!

There's no name for the new software reported on by BusinessWeek. There's also very few details of the functionality Sony's iTunes-killer will actually utilize to draw people away from Apple's soft, white allure and into their black, serious grasp.

BusinessWeek suggests that the software will try to differentiate itself from iTunes by including Picasa- and YouTube-like functionality, allowing users to upload videos and photos from their (Sony?) cameras. Other than that... who knows what Sony has up their sleeves?

Sony are huge however -- multi-national robber-baron 'XBox' huge -- with an additional vast library of music and movies. They also have a large installed base of PlayStation owners (that's fast increasing!) It wouldn't be a surprise to see some kind of 'PlayStation App Store' included in Sony's new software.

We shall see!

[via BusinessWeek]Finally, serious competition for iTunes...from Sony! originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Sony - Apple - Download Squad - PlayStation 3 - Picasa ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373133-finally-serious-competition-itunes-sony.html Fishbowl is a kick-ass Facebook client for Windows 7 http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373106-fishbowl-kick-ass-facebook-client-windows-7-a.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:05 GMT

When Microsoft introduced us to Silverlight 4 the other day, the demoed a slick Facebook application. It's called Fishbowl, and it's now available for download. Not only does Fishbowl provide a nice, clean display of your stream (read: free of sidebar annoyances), but it's packed with excellent features, responsive, and extremely intuitive to use.

It's also ready to add some sizzle to your Windows 7 taskbar with jumplist and Aero Peek goodness. Read on after the break!
Continue reading Fishbowl is a kick-ass Facebook client for Windows 7

Fishbowl is a kick-ass Facebook client for Windows 7 originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Windows 7 - Download Squad - Facebook - Microsoft - Application software ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373106-fishbowl-kick-ass-facebook-client-windows-7-a.html Proper web browsing on a console: Firefox coming to the Sony PS3? http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373078-proper-web-browsing-console-firefox-coming-sony-ps3.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:58:05 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.downloadsquad.com/media/2009/11/firefox-ps3-logo_270x231%5B1%5D.jpg It seems the age of humdrum, crippled browsers on consoles might finally be coming to an end! Though the details are very slim, with the only source... It seems the age of humdrum, crippled browsers on consoles might finally be coming to an end! Though the details are very slim, with the only source being an unnamed insider very close to Sony, it is exciting news indeed if it turns out to true.

Games consoles have always had feeble browser offerings, with PS3's default browser generally considered one of the worst and most unreliable. Porting Firefox to the PS3 would make a lot of sense, especially if Sony intend to inroads against the competing XBox Live service. Or perhaps they need a proper web browser for their newly-announced iTunes-killer...?

Obviously this is very much a rumour, but it would make a lot of sense -- and it will probably appear quite soon, considering how hard Sony are pushing for a larger slice of the console market at the moment.

I wonder if Flash and the ability to stream videos from sites like YouPo YouTube will be included....

[via CNET]Proper web browsing on a console: Firefox coming to the Sony PS3? originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.







Download Squad - Firefox - Mozilla - Mozilla Firefox - Web browser ]]> RSS: downloads GSBot http://www.paklinks.com/gs/rss-downloads/373078-proper-web-browsing-console-firefox-coming-sony-ps3.html