Daily Discoveries: 30+ Must-Have Firefox Add-Ons, PlacesBar Editor, Splashup, Linux Mint, Portable Start Menu

Mashable has a great review of 30 some-odd Firefox 3 Add-Ons at your perusal. While I certainly don’t use all of them, there are a few there I hadn’t discovered before.

Download Squad has a piece covering the Melloware PlacesBar Editor. From the site: “Ever since Windows 2000, Microsoft has included 5 handy buttons on the left hand side of most open and close dialogs in Windows. PlacesBar Editor lets you customize those folders. Just launch the open source utility and choose the folders you'd like to use. If you never store anything in your My Documents folder, for example, why not replace that button with one that says Temp or Download?” Very nifty. (Image courtesy Download Squad)

Splashup is a webapp for image editing with real similarities to Paint.NET. It also integrates with Flickr and Picasa Web Albums. I wish this site had a Firefox Add-on like Picnik does.

Download Squad praises the new release of Linux Mint Elyssa. The new Linux OS is based on Ubuntu Hardy Heron but has its advantages over its open-source cousin. From the post: “The most obvious improvement on its parent distro is the fact that it actually contains codecs and Flash support out of the box. The desktop layout is more similar to Windows, making this a good migration path for Microsoft refugees.”

I’ve used Linux Mint in the past and can’t say enough good things about it. If you’re curious to trying Linux, download the LiveCD here.

Portable Start Menu is a handy portable program that scans your USB key/Portable Hard Drive for .exe files and displays them in a Start-type menu. Download Squad covers it over here. (Image courtesy Download Squad)

Windows Steady State – The Ultimate in Windows Security?

This is amazing.

Raise your hand if you are related to the following:

Do you have kids?

Do you have teenagers?

Do you have pets that love your mouse and keyboard?

Do you own or operate a business that offers customer access to computers you own?

Do you frequently surf "unsafe" areas of the internet?

Are you a systems admin that's tired of cleaning computers of LOLcatz?

Do you just not trust yourself to operate a computer?

Well, the solution is here -Windows Steady State keeps your computer from being changed during a user's session. Changed? Yeah. No matter what is downloaded to, deleted from, hacked, disabled, changed, etc. Windows Steady State will keep your original setup and anything modified is "reset" on your system, no matter who or what caused it - viruses included.

How it works is Windows operates via Windows Steady State in a "sandboxed" environment and puts any and all changes in a cache folder. Delete its contents and everything, EVERYTHING, goes back to the way it was. Marvelous.

Here's a link to Download Squad's review - Windows Steady State Bulletproofs Your System

To download Windows Steady State - click it here.

(Image courtesy Download Squad)

Daily Discoveries: XP, Vista, and Firefox 3 How-Tos, 99 Online Apps, Mouse Gestures and GIMPShop for Ubuntu

SimpleHelp has a tutorial up on their site showing you how to change the info in XP’s System Properties. This comes in handy if you build custom computers or just like to personalize your own. (Image courtesy SimpleHelp)

CyberNet has a very informative article listing some of the “tips and tricks” you can do with Firefox 3 via the about:config panel. The article also has how-tos from Firefox 2 that also work with 3. This one will definitely be useful. (Image courtesy CyberNet)

Internet Service Deals has a long list of 99 webapps you can use instead of being tethered to just your computer. I highly recommend a lot of these services and this is a good article to bookmark for safe keeping. From the site: “Web apps are incredible tools because they offer users a way to have functionality just about anywhere they can go. Whether you’re on vacation or just at a different office, you can always log in to web apps and know that all of your tools and information will be available. So why don’t you ditch your dusty old desktop programs and fully make the switch to web-based applications? With these apps, that just might be possible.” Indeed! Everything’s here from office apps to WebOSes.

Ubuntu Geek shares with us a way to get universal mouse-gestures in Ubuntu with Gestikk. This article also shows you how to install and configure your new mouse-gestures. 

 GIMPShop is a wonderful alternative for Photoshop for both people who can’t afford Adobe’s image editing juggernaut and people who shouldn’t. The GIMP is special, for sure, but some folks have a time with the layout. GIMPShop echoes Photoshop’s layout to provide for those used to it. From the site: “GIMPshop is a modification of the free/open source GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), intended to replicate the feel of Adobe Photoshop. Its primary purpose is to make users of Photoshop feel comfortable using GIMP. It shares all GIMP's advantages, including the long feature list and customisability, while addressing some common criticisms regarding the program's interface: GIMPshop modifies the menu structure to closely match Photoshop's, adjusts the program's terminology to match Adobe's, and, in the Windows version, uses a plugin called 'Deweirdifier' to combine the application's numerous windows in a similar manner to the MDI system used by most Windows graphics packages. While GIMPshop does not support Photoshop plugins, all GIMP's own plugins, filters, brushes, etc. remain available.”

It’s available for Windows, OSX, and Ubuntu Geek shows you how to install it in Ubuntu.

The How-to Geek, guest writing on Lifehacker, has a great article up there showing you how to get Vista to be less annoying. From the post: “Whether it's the nagging prompts or the irritating notifications, Windows Vista’s default settings can grate on your nerves... which doesn't help you be the productive person you want to be. A few simple tweaks can cut down on the irritation—and drastically alter your views on Vista. Let's take a look at some of the best ways to tame the Vista beast and make it a less naggy operating system to work on.” When I talk to my customers, they always fuss over these issues. I don’t blame them.

Daily Discoveries: Paint.NET, AllCDCovers, Open It Online, aTunes, Make Firefox 3 Faster

Paint.NET is MSPaint on steroids. I’ve used it for a few years now and I love it. Visit it here.

AllCDCovers is a website dedicated to bringing you high-res scans of CD, DVD, and video game covers and box art. It comes in handy for used discs and digital media that’s missing its cover. Read the Lifehacker article here for more info. Go to the AllCDCovers site here.

Open IT Online is a cross-platform Firefox Add-On that gives you the option to “download” a document to an online service or to your computer via the “Open with” dialogue box. This way, you can send a text file you’ve discovered online and open it in, say, Google Docs without it touching your hard drive. Read the Lifehacker article here. Download it here.

aTunes – From the Lifehacker article: “aTunes has a host of features including tag editing, drag and drop playlist creation, Last.fm Audio Scrobbler integration, playback statistics, CD ripping, podcasts, and a multi-window interface so you can arrange individual components such as playlists, lyrics, and the main library as you see fit.”

aTunes uses the Java Runtime Environment and is cross-platform. I just might try this one out. To get it, click here.

Raymond.cc has an article up claiming that he found a way to make Firefox 3 load websites faster. From the post: “Although the new Firefox 3 is able to load up website much faster than previous version of Firefox, there is still a way to speed up and optimize Firefox 3. I was skeptical at first, so I made a full backup of my Firefox profile, tuned Firefox 3 with a click and website loads EVEN FASTER!” Read the rest here.

UPDATE: Please Read

I have good news and bad news. The good news is I will be updating the site as much as I possibly can. The bad news is I don’t have as much time as I’d like to be writing.

So here’s what I’m gonna do -

Instead of having an extensive article about every piece of free software I can find, I’m going to change the format to adding posts with several “blurbs”, covering useful software and webservices that I’ve found throughout the day. For now, I’ll call them “Daily Discoveries”.

I will be doing extensive reviews occasionally, at least once a week.

Too much software + not enough free time is hard to deal with. I hope none of you are too disappointed. I apologize for any inconvenience and hope you stay a reader.

Firefox 3 is OUT! I Got Mines!

(Image courtesy Lifehacker)

It’s time to set a World Record! Instead of adding to the craziness, let me just give you the links to all the coverage going on.

Cybernet’s coverage starts here: Firefox 3 Download Day Starts NOW

Lifehacker gives you it’s full coverage here. They also assume that you already have it and offers you a Power User’s Guide here: Power User's Guide to Firefox 3

Download Squad has its take on it over here: Firefox launches today; Five reasons you can’t live without it and Download Day: The perils of shooting for a world record.

What if you want Firefox 3 to be portable? Download that here.

Kong – No Donkeys Here!

Kong is a pretty, fast-paced, top-down, 2-D, violent, 3rd person shooter set in a full 3-D environment. The object of Kong is simple – KILL!!

You can play single-player, multiplayer (over LAN or internet) with the usual deathmatch, team deathmatch, and capture the flag modes and more. And, yeah, you play as an ape .

While playing this, I kinda got the impression it was like Donkey Kong Country and Smash TV mixed with Quake or Unreal Tournament. It’s incredibly intense and the level of detail (especially for a free game) is outstanding.

If you’re still reluctant, check out these videos:

(Image courtesy Freeware Genius)

IBM Releases Lotus Symphony 1 – An Office Suite Based On OpenOffice

IBM hates Microsoft. It’s no secret.

So when IBM has a chance to stick it to their former business partners, they will. In this case, developing a MS Office competitor based on OpenOffice (which, in turn, is based on Sun Microsystem’s StarOffice) called Lotus Symphony.

Lotus Symphony is a free download for users of Windows and Linux, even though Linux support is limited to SUSE and Red Hat. It’s mostly targeted toward enterprise customers (with $25,000 a year tech support – OUCH!)

The main differences between OpenOffice and Lotus Symphony are the interface and the fact that OO is open source while LS is closed source. You can’t change and redistribute Lotus Symphony, at least not legally.

While I still suggest OpenOffice, or better yet Go-OO – a version of OpenOffice designed to run faster with better Microsoft Office interoperability, IBM’s offering may entice you if you’re looking for something different. Plus, there’s Lotus Symphony plug-ins readily available. Look at the tabs at the top of the homepage.

(Image courtesy Download Squad)

Get Ready for Firefox 3 Final Tomorrow with The Field Guide to Firefox 3

Still running Firefox 2 awaiting FF3’s release tomorrow? Sure, you’ve read about it’s swanky new features but are you ready to use them out-of-the-box?

Well, blogger Debra Lyn Richardson at dria.org has written A Field Guide to Firefox 3. You gotta give it up to a woman who’ll risk her life in deep forests and jungles to study the not-so-illusive Firefox. Kinda like “Browsers in the Mist”!

But seriously, it’s a great read for anyone wanting to get to know their new browser better. It’s written from a Mac prospective, but all of the features should be the same regardless of your operating system.

Ctrl-Tab Add-On for Firefox 3 Enables Fast Tab Switching

Mozilla announced that they’re already working on Firefox 3.1 with new features. One of those features is rumored to be a hotkey tab switch (like Alt-Tab in Windows).

But what if you’re impatient (like me) and want to take advantage of that feature right now?

Ctrl-Tab is a Firefox 3 Add-On that enables tab switching in your browser by pressing Ctrl and using the Tab button to switch. A black, translucent window pops up and shows your open tabs as you switch, complete with those sites favicons.

Admittedly, the thumbnails for pages is ugly and the favicons aren’t high-resolution by any means, but it’s an Add-On that delivers on its promises with minimal fuss.

Don't forget to download Firefox 3 final tomorrow!

Related articles

• Firefox 3.1 New Features Already in the Works [Firefox 3] [via Lifehacker]
• Mozilla prepares for Firefox 3 release and plans for 3.1 [via Ars Technica]
  

Laterloop - Save Your Websites for Later

I ran across the most peculiar little webservice tonight. Laterloop is a simple online bookmarker that saves the site you want to see for later - via a bookmarklet or Firefox Add-On.

From there, read them either in a normal view, mobile (text and small pics only) view, or RSS feed. You can also download your bookmarked sites in bulk for offline viewing in a .zip file - very handy when you have a laptop.

If you have a Google account, alls you gotta do is login, get the add-on or bookmarklet and that's it. Simple. While it no means replaces your bookmarks or del.icio.us account, it certainly is a great webapp.

Picnik – Free Simple Online Photo Editing Made Fast

Oftentimes I need a photo I found on the internet edited. Either it's fuzzy or the colors aren't right... heck, those lolcatz at I Can Has Cheezburger? sometimes just don't look as cute as they should.

This is where Picnik comes in - an online photo site that has simple yet very effective photo and image editing built in. Picnik has effects, type tools, crop, resize, red-eye removal, one-click "Auto-Fix", and tons more. It may not have the breadth of, say, Photoshop, The GIMP or even Photoscope, but Picnik does what it does very well.

What really makes my goat sing is its Firefox Add-On. With this bad-boy, you can send an image straight over to Picnik before you even download it. Not just images either, but whole webpages, too! It sure does make blogging a lot easier.

You don't even have to register for Picnik (though you should if you want to host your pics there). It also works with major image hosting sites and social sites.

There's also a pay version if you want even more features.

So if you need to upload some images, fix 'em, post 'em, or save a webpage for later viewing - I can't recommend Picnik enough.

Related articles

• Download of the Day: Picnik Firefox Extension [via Geek Sugar]
  
• Picnik Sets its Image-Editor Free, For All [via Mashable]

New Opera 9.5 Out Right Now – Firefox 3 Release Date Announced

The new Opera 9.5 final edition is out right now. If you want a fast, feature-rich, more user friendly browser – this one’s a keeper.

I always recommend Opera to folks that want a browser that “just works”. As much as I love Firefox, Opera has a lot of must-have features already built into it (Seed-Dial, Mouse Gestures, Bookmark Syncing, New Theme, the ability to open a page with another browser, etc.). No need for add-ons.

UPDATE: There's a more in-depth article and screenshot tour on the newest Opera at Lifehacker.

Speaking of Firefox, Mozilla has announced that the (finally) final version of Firefox 3 will be available Tuesday, June 17. As a guy who’s been using the release candidates, I can’t wait! Mozilla (Firefox’s parent) is trying for a software download world record with this release so get ready!

Miro – The Ultimate Media Player?

After hearing tons of sites herald the open source media phenomenon Miro, I finally had to take a look for myself.

Since my wife and I have been watching most of our TV online (thanks to YouTube, Hulu, and others), I asked, “Why not?”

Miro can play almost any video file without downloading a bunch of different codecs, downloads online videos in the background, can show HD resolution, uses RSS, uses BitTorrent, manages playlists, has built-in channels, etc. There’s almost nothing it can’t do.

Oh! Did I mention that Miro is open source and cross-platform? Not only does it install on Windows, it is also available for Mac and Linux, too.

List of My Favorite Portable Applications – Office Edition

Portable (or standalone executable) programs are usually designed to run from a USB drive or portable/external hard drive. However, you can also use them to run from Windows itself in case you don’t wanna go through the hassle of installing them.

This post is a list of all my faves. They are apps that I use personally and I heavily recommend them. (above image courtesy The Daily ACK. Article inspired by MakeUseOf.com)

AbiWord – From the website: AbiWord Portable is the lightweight AbiWord word processor packaged as a portable app, so you can edit your documents on the go. You can place it on your USB flash drive, iPod, portable hard drive or a CD and use it on any computer, without leaving any personal information behind.

I recommend using this if you don’t have (or want) access to MSWord or Works since it’s compatible with either.

OpenOffice Portable – From the website: OpenOffice.org Portable is the complete OpenOffice.org office suite -- including a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, drawing package and database -- packaged as a portable app, so you can take all your documents and everything you need to work with them wherever you go.

You may not need this whole office suite. However, if you do a lot of spreadsheets and graphs for work, you can use this between you work and home PCs.

Foxit Reader – From Snapfiles: Foxit PDF Reader is an alternative to Adobe Reader, that allows you to view and print PDF files. Unlike Adobe Reader, it opens PDF files very fast, without any delay. It supports all the standard features, as well as browser integration, and also an option select/copy of text from the documents. Furthermore, you can create a snapshot from a selected portion of the page, fill interactive forms and more.

Instructions (via The Portable Freeware Collection): Download the portable launcher by clicking on the "Download" link above and extract to a folder of your choice. Then download the actual Foxit Reader software as a ZIP package and extract the single EXE file called Foxit Reader.exe to App\Foxit Reader. Rename to FoxitReader.exe (i.e. remove the space between "Foxit" and "Reader"). Launch Foxit Reader Portable.exe.

Compared to Adobe Reader’s massive bulk, Foxit Reader gets the job done and then some.

Notepad ++ – From the website: …a free (free as in "free speech", but also as in "free beer") source code editor and Notepad replacement, which supports several programming languages, running under the MS Windows environment.

I have to admit to not using this one except a couple of times. If you use Notepad regularly or do any coding, I definitely give this one two big thumb(drives) up.

How to Install Ubuntu Studio 8.04 (Linux)

I adore Linux, even though I mostly use Windows (it’s hard to explain – maybe in another post). If you’ve used Ubuntu but want to try something different, Ubuntu Studio is an awesome version of Ubuntu that is geared towards media and graphic artists.

From the website: Ubuntu Studio is aimed at the GNU/Linux audio, video and graphic enthusiast as well as professional. We provide a suite of the best open-source applications available for multimedia creation. Completely free to use, modify and redistribute. Your only limitation is your imagination.

What if you like it and want to install it to a machine, but you’ve never done it before and you’re afraid to screw it up?

The peeps over at HowToForge are going to help you through it. Don’t worry, they cover all the bases and then some to get a “Perfect Desktop” with Ubuntu Studio.

Head on over to HowToForge and read their tutorial.

Related articles

• Open source video editing: what we have now and what we need [via Linux.com]
  
• Installing Cinelerra on Ubuntu Studio [via Linux.com]

(Update/Repost) XP Zune Theme – and Other Themes, Too!

Are you tired of staring at the same old boring blue or silver XP theme? Microsoft's promotion of its Zune media player lead to so much excitement that they decided to make an official Zune theme for all versions of XP. Sexy black borders, an ORANGE "Start" button, orange bordered sidebars, red close window button with gray window backgrounds. Verrrry nice!

The only mention of Zune in the theme is in the wallpaper, which - if you have any self esteem - you should replace immediately.

Download the official Zune theme from the direct link here.

(Image courtesy g. wygonik’s flash experiments)

But wait! What about other Windows XP themes?

Royale Blue (also known as Energy Blue) is a beautiful revamp of XP’s default blue theme.

As you can see in the shot, Royale Blue is very pretty. Based on the Media Center get-up. You can find that theme at Softpedia.

The last theme that is “Microsoft Certified” for Windows XP is the minimal Royale Noir theme. Much like its Zune theme cousin, Noir is black and proud. However, there is no trace of orange to be found. Just black, gray, and white.

It’s rumored that this theme is unfinished, which is why the instructions to install it are different that the former two. Whatever… the theme’s real nice to look at.

Download Royale Noir at istartedsomething.com

This post was originally written on 11/14/06. To read the original post, click here.

How to Disable the Ability to Delete the Recycle Bin in Vista

Hey, Vista users! Have you ever accidentally deleted the Recycle Bin when trying to empty that sucker? Have you ever figured out how to restore it? What about keeping that from ever happening again?

The How-To Geek has a tutorial up explaining how to rid yourself of these problems.

The article gives readers a registry tweak to download in case you’re scared of fumbling around and screwing it up (you should still create a System Restore point or backup your registry first).

Visit the article by clickin’ it here.

(Image courtesy How-To Geek)