The Windows Disk Cleanup utility does a good job of deleting old Microsoft temp files, logs, memory dumps and other OS related junk files. It can free up a lot of space on your computer but it often leaves a lot of junk behind.  A great program that I use all the time on my computers is called CCleaner. Not only does it clean the Microsoft OS related junk files from your computer, it also removes junk files from other popular applications such as Firefox.  Additionally, it is very good at locating other temporary files.

Download CCleaner

Title: Free up more space on your computer
Author: Steve Sinchak

Every Windows power user knows the command line is “the place” to get serious work done. The new Start Menu search box in Windows Vista opens the door to a whole new level of command line possibilities. One utility called Start++ extends the Start Menu search box to add even more features allowing you to use shortcuts to launch web sites and processes.

Would you like to search Google from your start menu search box? Just type g followed by your query such as “g tweak vista”. How about doing a quick search on Wikipedia? Type w and your query in the search box. The possibilities are endless because you can create custom shortcuts just like the examples above.

On top of web shortcuts, you can also create application links that will launch an app and open a file. Almost anything is possible with a little customization of the Start++ utility shown below.

Download Start Menu Add-on: Start++

Title: Start Menu Add-on: Start++
Author: Steve Sinchak

Demonstration of SmartFlip - the Flip3D replacement

Download SmartFlip - Cool Flip 3D replacement

Title: SmartFlip - Cool Flip 3D replacement
Author: Steve Sinchak

How would you like to add Expose, one of the great features of OS X to Windows Vista? With the help of a cool app called My Expose written by Simon Ferquel it is now very easy.

Download My Exposé

Title: My Exposé, add OS X Expose to Vista
Author: Steve Sinchak

Throughout the beta process Microsoft received a lot of feedback on how the taskbar and the window border changes to black when you maximize a window. Before the final release they altered the behavior slightly so the window and taskbar would still turn opaque and black, but with a very slight tint of color that matches the color of your glass. This change satisfied some users but left others still in the dark. Many users wanted a maximized window to remain transparent as well as the taskbar. Once the final build of Windows Vista shipped, all hope was gone that we would have transparent maximized windows, until today.

Using a very cool and free utility called VistaGlazz by CodeGazer.com you can easily make your maximized windows and taskbar transparent. Additionally, this utility allows you to easily patch your uxtheme system files so that you can use hacked visual styles with just the click of a button, instead of the multiple step manual procedure .

Let’s get started:

1. Visit CodeGazer.com ( http://www.codegazer.com/vistaglazz.htm ) and download the latest version of VistaGlazz.
2. Start up your copy of VistaGlazz.
3. Click I agree on the first screen.
4. Click the icon on the left and then hit Patch files.
5. Reboot.
6. Start up VistaGlazz again, this time click on the middle icon and hit Patch Style. The DWM will restart and everything will finally be transparent.

Download VistaGlazz

Title: Make Maximized Windows & Taskbar Transparent + Automated UXtheme Patcher
Author: Steve Sinchak

Stardock has released an updated version of LogonStudio that allows you to easily change the logon screen in Windows Vista. Eventually everyone will get bored looking at the same logon image every day. LogonStudio will allow you to change it with just a few clicks.

Download LogonStudio

Title: Change the Logon Screen with LogonStudio
Author: Steve Sinchak

Yod’m 3D is a virtual desktop manager that allows you to have 4 different desktops arranged on a 3D cube.  Holding down CTRL+SHIFT and using the left or right arrow keys rotate the cube showing the virtual desktops. Alternatively, you can click and drag your mouse to switch desktops.

* Because of the capture software I used, the video is very choppy.  Normally, the cube spins very smoothly.

Download 3D Cube Virtual Desktop

Title: 3D Cube Virtual Desktop
Author: Steve Sinchak

If you are on the fence about upgrading to Windows(R) Vista(TM) but are hesitant due to the tedious amounts of effort in migrating from XP(TM) to Vista, then look no further than Multiplicity Pro 1.2 from Stardock.

Today Stardock released Multiplicity Pro 1.2. Multiplicity Pro is a program that allows users to use multiple computers together at their desk as if they were a single computer. The program uses a network connection between machines to establish a universal clipboard and allow a single keyboard and mouse to control them all. Each PC continues to have a monitor attached to it and the setup works similarly a multi-monitor system.

Multiplicity Pro 1.2 adds support for Windows Vista including the ability to copy and paste files and folders between machines. For users trying to migrate from Windows XP to Windows Vista, these features can drastically ease the transition.

“I couldn’t imagine trying to move to a new Vista machine from XP without it,” said Brad Wardell, Product Manager of Multiplicity. “I always forget files, settings, URLs, whenever I move to another machine. With Multiplicity, I use both the XP and the Vista machine together for a while as I migrate to using the Vista machine full-time. As I remember scattered files or a forgotten URL or an email I missed, I just select what I need to move over, copy it, and then move my mouse cursor over to the monitor connected to the Vista machine and paste it.”

For users, the experience is similar to a multi-monitor setup on a single PC except that with Multiplicity, each monitor is connected to its own computer. This allows users to take advantage of the power and resources of an entirely separate computer with the ease and convenience of a multiple monitor setup.

Multiplicity is $29.95. Multiplicity Pro adds file copying and support for more than 2 computers and is $49.95. A demo version is available at Stardock’s website.

The home page for Multiplicity is: http://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity/ .

About Stardock

Stardock is the world’s leading developer of utilities that enhance the Windows experience. Its software is used by over 10 million people worldwide and has been licensed by trendsetting companies like NVIDIA, ATI, Alienware and Microsoft, plus in movies and on TV. Stardock operates WinCustomize.com, the premier portal for Windows enhancement, drawing more than 3 million unique visitors each month. Stardock is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner. The company’s website is http://www.stardock.com/ .

Title: Updated Multiplicity Pro Eases XP to Vista Migration
Author: PR Newswire
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Source: PR Newswire

Apple(R) today introduced Safari(TM) 3, the world’s fastest and easiest-to-use web browser for Windows PCs and Macs. Safari is the fastest browser running on Windows, based on the industry standard iBench tests, rendering web pages up to twice as fast as IE 7 and up to 1.6 times faster than Firefox 2. Safari joins iTunes(R) in delivering Apple’s legendary user experience to both Windows and Mac(R) users as well as full support of open Internet standards. Safari 3 features easy-to-manage bookmarks, effortless browsing with easy-to-organize tabs and a built-in RSS reader to quickly scan the latest news and information. Safari 3 public beta is available today as a free download at http://www.apple.com/safari .

“We think Windows users are going to be really impressed when they see how fast and intuitive web browsing can be with Safari,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Hundreds of millions of Windows users already use iTunes, and we look forward to turning them on to Safari’s superior browsing experience too.”

Safari has always been the fastest browser on the Mac and now it’s the fastest browser on Windows, loading and drawing web pages up to twice as fast as Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 and up to 1.6 times faster than Mozilla Firefox 2.* The speed of Safari combined with its intuitive user interface lets users spend more time surfing the web and less time waiting for pages to load. Other Safari features now available to Windows users include SnapBack(TM), one-click access to an initial search query; resizable text fields; and private browsing to ensure that information about an individual’s browsing history isn’t stored.

Safari 3 supports all modern Internet standards so users can view websites as they were meant to be seen, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SVG and Java. Safari software updates are delivered seamlessly through Apple’s Software Update application, which automatically checks for updates.

Pricing & Availability

The free public beta of Safari 3 is available immediately as a download at http://www.apple.com/safari , and is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. The final version of Safari 3 will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS(R) X version 10.5 Leopard, and will be available as a free download to Mac OS X Tiger and Windows users in October.

System Requirements

Safari 3 for Mac OS X requires Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.9 or later, a minimum of 256MB of memory and is designed to run on any Intel-based Mac or a Mac with a PowerPC G5, G4 or G3 processor and built-in FireWire(R). Safari 3 for Windows requires Windows XP or Windows Vista, a minimum of 256 MB of memory and a system with at least a 500 MHz Intel Pentium processor.

*Performance will vary based on system configuration, network connection and other factors. Testing conducted on an iMac 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system running Windows XP, with 1GB of RAM.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award- winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.

NOTE: (C) 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Safari, iTunes, SnapBack and FireWire are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Website: http://www.apple.com/

Title: Apple Introduces Safari for Windows
Author: PR Newswire
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Source: PR Newswire

The Windows Mobile Device Center enables you to set up new partnerships, synchronize content and manage music, pictures and video with Windows Mobile powered devices (Windows Mobile 2003 or later). The Windows Mobile Device Center combines an efficient business-data synchronization platform with a compelling user experience. The Windows Mobile Device Center helps you to quickly set up new partnerships, synchronize business-critical information such as e-mail, contacts and calendar appointments, easily manage your synchronization settings, and transfer business documents between your device and PC.

This new version of the Windows Mobile Device Center contains key improvements and new features to support Windows Mobile 6 devices. The Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 is only supported on Windows Vista.

Key updates in Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 include:

• Windows Mobile 6 feature support
• Information Rights Management activation - Automatically configure the Windows Mobile 6 device to open IRM-protected documents and files
• HTML mail – Set up your Windows Mobile 6 device to sync HTML-formatted mail
• Certificate Enrollment - Acquire certificates through the PC the Windows Mobile 6 device is currently connected to
• Allow data connections on the Windows Mobile 6 device when connected to the PC
• File synchronization for smartphones – Synchronize files with your Windows Mobile 6 devices, including both touch screen and non-touch screen devices
• Automatic device authentication - Connect the Windows Mobile device to the PC without the need to enter the device-lock PIN every time upon connect
• Product Registration - Register your Windows Mobile device and get connected to information and offers available for your device

Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 is fully compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 devices and later.

Download Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 32 bit and 64 bit available.

Title: Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 for Windows Vista
Author: abatis
Date: 7 Jun 2007
Source: Mobiles Gadget News