dotTech Favorites »

Any software, website, gadget, etc. which is a “dotTech Favorite” is listed here for easy access.



HijackThis is a portable tool that helps you catch and remove malware

Ashraf March 17, 2012 7

We all have security software on our computers. Ideally those security software will protect us against malware but sometimes that doesn’t work so well; either the software don’t detect malware or they can’t properly remove it. If you suspect your computer is infected with malware and running scans with your [...]

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Turn your digital photos into paintings, drawings, or cartoons with FotoSketcher

Leandro March 16, 2012 15

…And now, for something completely different than where I have ventured before, I present you FotoSketcher.

WHAT IS FOTOSKETCHER AND WHAT DOES IT DO

FotoSketcher (FS) is an extremely fun and simple yet powerful digital image manipulation software that, thanks to its more than 20 built in effects, can [...]

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[Firefox] Save and restore tabs/windows with Session Manager

Robert March 10, 2012 3

Firefox comes with a built-in session manager. This session manager remembers the tabs and windows you you had opened the last time you were using Firefox, which can then be restored manually or automatically in the event of a crash. The issue with Firefox’s session manager is a) it only [...]

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Jumplist Launcher: Excellent program launcher that mimicks Windows 7 Jump Lists

Leandro March 8, 2012 25

Not so long ago, I found myself on a restless search for the best program launcher ever know, so far, by mankind. I’m glad to announce that I’m taking a break from my endeavor now that I’ve found Hedgehog’s Jumplist Launcher.

I’M SORRY, HEDGE WHO?

Hedgehog. Not sure if [...]

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Share one mouse and keyboard across multiple computers with Synergy [Multi-Platform]

Ashraf January 2, 2012 12

There is TeamViewer for those that need remote access or remote control or screen sharing capabilities. However, TeamViewer is not ideal for sharing one mouse and one keyboard across multiple computers in a local network. For that purpose there is Synergy.

Synergy Is…

Synergy is an open source, cross-platform [...]

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Monitor changes made during software installation and cleanly uninstall programs with Comodo Programs Manager

Ashraf January 1, 2012 30

Almost three years back I wrote about Zsoft Uninstaller, a program that allows users to track changes made to their computers during software installation so when it comes to uninstall, the software in question can be cleanly uninstalled. Comodo Programs Manager is another program that allows users to monitor changes [...]

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[Firefox] Add-on Compatibility Reporter allows users to run incompatible add-ons in Firefox

Ashraf December 26, 2011 12

Add-ons are great. Without a doubt add-ons are one of the most important reasons behind the success of Firefox (and Chrome). The issue is most add-ons are created in the spare time of developers who have day jobs. As such, some add-ons aren’t maintained and become “incompatible” with newer versions [...]

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WinSplit Revolution: Tile, resize, and position windows for efficient use of your screen

Ashraf December 18, 2011 17

ecranEver working on a project and wished you could place two windows side by side to make it easier for you to do whatever you were doing? I know I have. Well, you know as they – be careful what you wish for… you might just get it!

WinSplit Revolution [...]

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PhraseExpress: multi-function software makes typing faster and more convenient

Ashraf December 3, 2011 16

Most people enjoy using T9 (or something similar) on their cell phones when typing text messages. Since T9 uses an advanced behavioral detection algorithm (I don’t know if “behavioral detection algorithm” is a real term… I just made it up =P) to suggest the words T9 thinks you want. This [...]

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Teamviewer: Easily control other computers from across the world

Locutus November 16, 2011 37

Controlling other people’s computers from far away sounds daunting, doesn’t it?  Well it’s not.  Teamviewer is a great–and free–application for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X that makes screensharing a snap (and two numbers).  I needed to help a friend set up an application, and I just couldn’t figure it [...]

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League of Legends: Not a DotA “remake” but nonetheless a terrific (freeware) game

Ashraf November 4, 2011 24

Wow. It has been a dang long time since I have posted on dotTech. That is not to say I spent my time off wisely – played League of Legends until my brain turned into mush – but I sort of miss this feeling. So what better “come back” post [...]

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TrashMail: Another handy, but different, way to fight spam e-mails

Ashraf October 7, 2011 14

Update: TrashMail is once again free, but now it requires users to register on TrashMail.net (registration is free).

While reading through the comments of some of my other posts I saw a comment by Ozzie, a regular dotTechie, where she mentioned something about a service called TrashMail in relation to [...]

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Author/create and burn DVDs with DVDFlick

Ashraf September 15, 2011 32
Author/create and burn DVDs with DVDFlick

I have noticed there is a bit of confusion out there when it comes to DVDs. People want to burn movie DVDs which they can play on their DVD player but often mix up the action of burning a movie DVD and authoring a movie DVD. This confusion cannot solely [...]

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Supplement your computer’s security with WinPatrol (now with a portable version!).

Ashraf May 27, 2011 19

scottyI am sure everyone has read my list of top 6 free security software. Well today I am here to tell you of a program that you can use to supplement your protection software to enhance digital security. Meet WinPatrol:

2009-03-02_033319

WinPatrol is a very lightweight security app that does all [...]

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Need an awesome (and free) video capture/screen recording tool? Try BB FlashBack Express.

Ashraf May 24, 2011 19

I am sure most of you have seen the videos that I have begun to incorporate in some of my reviews; for those videos I used a video capture tool called Debut. For the longest time Debut has been my favorite video capture tool – it is simple to use [...]

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[Rapid Review] Process Lasso Pro

Ashraf January 13, 2011 46

{rw_text}Software reviewed in this article:

Process Lasso Pro

Version reviewed:

4.00.29

Software description as per the developer:

Process Lasso is a unique new technology that will improve your PC’s responsiveness and stability during periods of high CPU load. Windows, by design, allows programs to monopolize your CPU without restraint —

[...]

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Rainlendar: Brilliant multi-platform task management application

Ashraf December 23, 2010 22

You have a bazillion things going on in your life. You think you can manage them all using just your hippocampus. In reality, you can’t. That is why there is Rainlendar.

Rainlendar Overview

Rainlendar is a terrific multi-platform task management tool that allows users to easily and efficiently manage their [...]

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[Review] EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition

Ashraf December 7, 2010 68
[Review] EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition

{rw_text}Software reviewed in this article:

EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition

Version reviewed:

v6.5.1

System Requirements:

Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 (x32 and x64)

Price:

$39.95 (USD)

Software description as per the developer:

As Partition Magic alternative, EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition is an ALL-IN-ONE partition solution and disk management utility. It allows

[...]

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Virtual CloneDrive: Dead simple tool to mount/unmount disc images (.ISO, .UDF, .IMG, etc.)

Ashraf July 19, 2010 21
Virtual CloneDrive: Dead simple tool to mount/unmount disc images (.ISO, .UDF, .IMG, etc.)

How many dotTechies know what a disc image is? Most of us properly either know what it is, used one before, or have at least heard of it. If I asked this same question, say, 3-4 years ago, most of us probably would not have known what a disc image [...]

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[Review] Returnil Virtual System 2010

Ashraf October 18, 2009 36

{rw_text}Software reviewed in this article is:

Returnil Virtual System 2010

Both Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Free and Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Lux are reviewed in this article.

Version reviewed:

v3.0.6299.4937-REL

System OS:

Windows XP and higher

Price:

Returnil Virtual System 2010 Home Free is free for home use;

[...]

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[Review] AnVir Task Manager 6.1.0

Ashraf October 14, 2009 17

{rw_text}Giveaway of the day for October 14, 2009 is:

AnVir Task Manager 6.1.0

Version reviewed:

v6.1.0

System Requirements:

Windows XP, Vista, 7 (x32, x64)

Software description as per GOTD:

AnVir Task Manager controls everything running on computer, removes Trojans, increases performance and tweaks Windows.AnVir Task Manager provides convenience by offering

[...]

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Testdisk & PhotoRec: One of the most powerful data/partition recovery duo you will ever use

Ashraf October 11, 2009 16
Testdisk & PhotoRec: One of the most powerful data/partition recovery duo you will ever use

I remember long ago, in my Linux phase, I used to mess up my Windows partition about twice a day (don’t ask me how… it just happened). Back then, I discovered Testdisk and used it to recover/boot my Windows partition when I had problems (it was usually very successful). Since [...]

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Free Comfort Keys Lite (very useful multifunction program)!

Ashraf September 26, 2009 23

For the past couple of days I have been working on an article about a freeware program which allows you to assign hotkeys to literally any task (launch a program, file, folder, website, etc.). The publishing of that article has stalled because I am having minor difficulties getting it to [...]

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[Review] Quiz Creator 3.0

Ashraf September 10, 2009 15

{rw_text}Giveaway of the day for September 10, 2009 is:

Quiz Creator 3.0

Version reviewed:

v3.0.0.25

System Requirements:

Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista with Microsoft DirectX 9 or later version

Software description as per GOTD:

Wondershare QuizCreator is a robust Flash quiz maker that enables users to easily create Flash-based quizzes with multimedia and

[...]

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TenClips gives you 10 clipboards and the ability to purify copied text

Ashraf September 6, 2009 12
TenClips gives you 10 clipboards and the ability to purify copied text

Be sure to check out dotTech’s review on Best Free Clipboard Manager for Windows!

At one time or another everyone of us has copied something then copied another thing (effectively overwriting the former copy) without remembering we already had important data copied (a few obscene and censored words usually follow [...]

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CleanMem: RAM/memory cleaner that actually works

Ashraf September 6, 2009 65

I have never really been a fan of memory optimization programs. The reason for this is most of the memory optimization programs I have come across actually make your computer slower(as opposed to faster) because of the way they are designed to work and the lack of effectiveness. Up until [...]

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The best free screen capture/screenshot tool

Ashraf March 12, 2009 40

2009-03-11_215738 Oh PrintScreen how well you have served us over the years; always there, willing and able, when the need arrived to capture that very special moment in our computing lives. So simple, yet so empowering: press PrintScreen, paste into Paint and go. Life was grand with your help. However your [...]

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