Life Rocks 2.0

Reduce Image Sizes with PIXresizer

Nirmal — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:15:42 +0000

When we use images in emails or in websites, they need to be of lesser size maintaining the clarity. PIXresizer is a freeware tool for quickly generating screen-friendly versions of your images with reduced file sizes. It is a photo resizing program that enables you to quickly resize one file or a selection of image files for use on the web and in email. The reduced files will be saved in different location, so that your original images are not modified.

The application has 2 tabs, one for single image resizing and second one for bulk image resizing from a folder. You can also select the file format, supported ones are BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF and GIF formats. The program offers several different resizing methods to choose from and can automatically recognize image sizes to calculate the best fit. PIXresizer also includes a built-in image viewer.

Features

Simple Four-Step Workflow
Easy ‘Apply recommended’ option to make it even more user friendly
Works with single files as well as with multiple files all at once
Option to convert between graphics formats (.bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, and .tif)
Can be used to create thumbnails (takes one move on a slider)
Smart Ratio Calculation (image proportions can be overruled by the user)
EXIF support, JPEG compression, TIFF compression, DPI settings

Download PIXresizer

Windows 7 Migration Utility for Windows XP Users

Nirmal — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:40:24 +0000

With the release of Windows 7, people can either upgrade or do a fresh install. If you are using Windows Vista, you can directly upgrade to Windows 7. If you are using Windows XP, you will need to do a clean install, but there is a work around to get your files. Windows 7 Migration Utility, is a comprehensive solution for the data migration of Windows XP / Windows Vista based machines to a new Windows 7 environment.

Features of Migration utility;

Windows 7 Basic Migration will assist you in upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7
Windows 7 compatibility scan to check for hard disk space as well as hardware and software compatibility
Migrate your user and applications settings the new operating system.
Move your important data, including documents, images, video, emails and more.
Manually download and re-install applications from a customized web-page based on your existing installed programs.

The basic migration package which is free will migrate;

User profiles
Desktop Personalization
Application Settings
My Documents

Windows 7 Migration Utility is a very useful utility for all XP users who want to upgrade to Windows 7.

Download Windows 7 Migration Utility (Basic Edition)

Mix and Manipulate your Photos with FotoMix

Nirmal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:15:15 +0000

FotoMix is a freeware tool to mix and manipulate your photo collection with ease. You can add a variety of effects to your photos with this utility like remove, add or alter backgrounds in the current picture, create collages, wallpapers or CD/DVD covers. The result that is so high in quality that it is almost impossible to tell if the photo has been manipulated or not. Once you are done with the editing, you can print them, email them to friends or transfer them to T-shirts, mugs, calendars, etc.

Features;

Design eye-catching photo collages, desktop wallpapers, CD and DVD covers and Web graphics.
Add or remove your loved and not so loved ones from your pictures.
Remove, add or alter backgrounds.
Create photo montages by combining multiple pictures into a unique heirloom depicting retrospectives of a birth, marriage, anniversary, etc.

You can check out some of the sample pictures created using this tool.

Download FotoMix

Get Windows Classic Menu in Windows 7

Nirmal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:40:15 +0000

With the launch of Windows 7, Microsoft had removed the classic menu which had appeared in the popular Windows XP. The classic start menu had altogether different look and use when compared to the Windows 7 start menu. If you are used to having the Windows XP style classic menu, then you can get it now using Classic Windows Start Menu. Once installed this will bring in the features of classic start menu.

Once executed, this tool will launch a Windows XP-style menu that you can call in the same ways you used to do before: Win key, Ctrl+Esc or clicking left mouse button on the Windows logo; if you click right button, the application will ask you to exit.

ClassicWinStartMenu updates menus every time, and shows you the last installed applications. This application does not feature the drag & drop option to add, remove, rename or sort items as of now. You can do these on the original menu, and changes will be reflected into your new menu, except on sorting.

ClassicWinStartMenu is a good option if you are used to then Windows XP style classic menu.

Download ClassicWinStartMenu

Keep Applications Updated with Seven Update

Nirmal — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:19:53 +0000

With lots of new versions and features being added to application, it is very difficult to keep track of latest version of each application installed on your PC. Previously we have covered 5 free tools to keep your applications up to date. Seven Update is another free tool which checks for latest versions of your installed applications. The application allows an easy way to keep your software updated. It offers automatic update notification and installation.

Features of Seven Update;

Provides automatic updates for software
Full update history
Application Repository – a list of applications that can be updated with Seven Update
Add an application to Seven Update by clicking a link on a web site
Automatic search and download of updates (depending on settings)
Hide & restore updates
Intuitive user interface
Hash verification, no corrupt files.
Displays download counts and sizes.
Informative progress, know exactly what Seven Update is doing.

Download Seven Update

Install Multiple Programs Quickly and Easily with AllMyApps

Nirmal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:15:48 +0000

If you had to format your drive and install OS again, then the most difficult part would be to install all the application which you were using. AllMyApps is an online free service which lets you select all your favorite apps and make them into a bulk installer to make the installation easier. The applications are grouped into various categories like Internet tool, Office, audio, video etc. You can add the applications which you require to the list of application and then finally download the installer which will do the installation of all your apps.

Selecting the programs is a very easy task and they are very well grouped into various categories and you can add them with a single click. Once you have added to the list, you can view the list of application you have build up.

You need to register with the site if you need to add more than 5 apps and registration is free. The best part of this tool is the number of application available for installing. You can search any application alphabetically for using categories.

AllMyApps is a free web-based service which provides bulk-installation on both Windows and Ubuntu.

AllMyApps Home Page

Local/Remote Task Manager- Nauplius TaskManager

Nirmal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:53 +0000

Although Windows has its own built in task manager to manage processes running, there are many third party tools to do this job. We have covered quite a few third party free task managers for Windows. Nauplius TaskManager is another free task manager for Windows which has the ability to end process from a local computer as well as remote computers connected through network.

This task manager does not show all the process from the computer when opened, but you need to enter the computer name and then query for the processes running under it. By default the current computer name is displayed.

If you want to get processes from a remote machine, enter the machine name connected to the network and click on query. You can end process running on the remote computer using this tool.

Although it has the remote process shutdown option, there aren’t much feature available in this task manager when compared to other task manager reviewed here.

Download Nauplius TaskManager

Create Rounded Corners for Images without Photoshop- CutMyPic

Nirmal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:30 +0000

You can create rounded corners for your images using any desktop image editing application like Photoshop or other tools. CutMyPic is an online free web service which allows you to add rounded corner to your images without having to install anything on your PC. You can also add a drop shadow to the image easily using this service. Rounded corners can be created in three steps, upload the photo, select the corner type and create.

You can email the image or save it to desktop. You need to upload the image to CutMyPic server and once uploaded you can select the settings.

This online tool is perfect for posting to blogs, social networks, or making avatars for social networks. CutMyPic is a very useful, yet very simple tool.

CutMyPic Home Page

Password Protect any Program or File with LockThis

Nirmal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:53:06 +0000

We have previously covered a free application, LockBox to lock files and folders. LockThis is another freeware utility for Windows which makes it possible to password protect almost any programs or documents that is currently running/open. This is very useful utility for people who often lend their PC to others, because with this tool they can keep the content of some programs or documents from other people eyes without need to close them first.

Locking an application or document is very easy job. All you have to do is pressing Ctrl button while minimizing the window of the program / document and supply the password in the dialog that follows. Now the content is save because the window can not be restored or maximized without supplying the correct password.

The utility runs from the system tray and the default admin password is ‘LockThis!’, but you can always change to custom password. Even if you try to exit LockThis tool, it will ask for the password.

Download LockThis!

Download Office 2010 Beta Now

Nirmal — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:40:38 +0000

Microsoft had made available the public beta version of Office 2010, you can now start downloading the latest beta build. You can now download the Professional plus version of Office 2010 beta which includes Publisher, Infopath 2010 and also SharePoint Workspace apart from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access. The installable version is around 700MB in size and to download the version you will need to register with Microsoft. The multiple activation keys are provided after you register.

If you are already using the Office 2007 version, then you have an option to upgrade the set up to 2010 beta or install 2010 beta along with Office 2007. If you are using the technical preview version, then you will need to uninstall it and then reboot the system to install Office 2010 beta.

The office 2010 beta keys are valid till October 2010. You will need to activate the keys online within 30 days of installation.

Steps to download evaluation

Review system requirements.
Register for evaluation.
Download software.
Check email for resources.

Download Office 2010 Beta