YOUR HANDY GUIDE TO EVERYDAY TECHNOLOGY
A 9.9 Media Publication
To
PRODUCTIVITY
FILE SHARING AND
CLOUD STORAGE
BROWSERS
SECURITY
DEVELOPER TOOLS
SYSTEM TUNING
DESKTOP CUSTOMISATION
TOOLS
ENTERTAINMENT
MISCELLANEOUS
DISCOVERY
FREE
PC SOFTWARE
FREE
PC SOFTWARE
FAST
TRACK
to
p o w e r e d b yCHAPTERS
EDITORIAL Executive Editor Robert Sovereign-Smith Managing Editor Siddharth Parwatay Technical Editor Jayesh Shinde Writers Abhijit Dey Anand Nayaranswamy Ashish Panigrahi Dhinoj Dings Nikhil Punjabi Copy Editors Infancia Cardozo Mrunmayi Ainapure DESIGN Creative Director Tharakaram G Sr. Art Director Anil VK Associate Art Director Anil T Sr. Visualisers Shigil Narayanan Sristi Maurya Visualiser Baiju NV Sr. Designer Pradeep G NairCREDIT
S
The people behind this book
The quest for productivity
We go on an exploratory trail to discover the smartest productivity tools available out there that will spruce up your daily work life
File sharing and cloud storage
The data you proudly own is no longer limited to the space you have on your computer. With the advent of the cloud, data sharing has never been easier.
Browsers
It’s time to think beyond Chrome. In this chapter, we introduce you to several web browsers you’ve probably never come across.
Desktop customisation
The default applications have failed to live up to our expectations. We head out in search of their alternatives to exercise more power and control over the desktop.
FREE PC SOFTWARE
DECEMBER 2015
06
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PAGE© 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd. Published by 9.9 Mediaworx
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. December 2015
Free with Digit. If you have paid to buy this Fast Track from any source other than 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd., please write to
[email protected] with details Custom publishing
If you want us to create a customised Fast Track for you in order to demystify technology for your community, employees or students contact
54
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PAGETools to protect your computer
Security is the bedrock of computer usage. Without it, your PC is vulnerable to a number of perils, including viruses, trojans, spyware and phishing attacks. Prevention is the best cure. Let’s find out how to secure your PC with free software.
Developer tools
In this chapter, we’ll look at a range of tools used for software and web development.
Tune-up your PC
A Cheat Sheet For Fine-Tuning Your Computer
The one-stop guide to entertainment
software
Here’s a quick snapshot of the multitude of media software you can use to nurse your need for entertainment
Miscellaneous tools
For those odds and ends that just don’t fit anywhere else.
Discovery
Downloading software by referring to a list is easy. Discovering them across the interwebs is fascinating. We teach you the methods.
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PAGE VOLUME 10 | ISSUE 12YOUR HANDY GUIDE TO EVERYDAY TECHNOLOGY
A 9.9 Media Publication
FREE PC SOFT
WARE
F
ree With Digit D
e cem b e r 2015 DECEMBER 2015 12 To PRODUCTIVITY
FILE SHARING AND
CLOUD STORAGE BROWSERS SECURITY DEVELOPER TOOLS SYSTEM TUNING DESKTOP CUSTOMISATION TOOLS ENTERTAINMENT MISCELLANEOUS DISCOVERY
FREE
PC SOFTWARE
CO VER DE SIGN: SHIGIL NARA YANANEasy
pickings
I
t’s often said: there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Our guess is, those who subscribe to this particular axiom have never really heard of free software. Freeware (and before that the open source software movement) has shaped the software industry since its very inception, debunking the belief that commercial or premium software can’t have fully functional free alternatives. We won’t bore you with a history lesson about how the movement started and what the rationale is behind the existence of free software – we’ve done that several times before in Digit – it’s sufficient to say that it exists and we’re pretty happy that it does.In that spirit, this Fast Track is dedicated towards celebrating free soft-ware and all that it encompasses. It might not be very apparent but free software was seminal in forming a legion of enthusiasts such as yourself who are never too afraid to install a cool new tool, a life saving utility, or even just a piece of software that will change the look and feel of your regular desktop. This very spirit of trying out stuff, going beyond “standard operating procedure” is what has fostered the spirit of tinkering within each and every one of us.
In this FastTrack, we attempt to touch every aspect of computing that free software has to offer. The booklet has been neatly divided into subcat-egories (or chapters, if you will) such as File Sharing, Productivity, Cloud Storage and a dozen others. But more than just telling you that a particular software exists we aim to go a step beyond and give you our verdict on which is the best software in a particular category or for a specific use-case. Let’s
take for example a tool that can secure wipe, or if you don’t want to think of something so esoteric how about something more common like a BitTorrent client? Which is the best BitTorrent client out there? Is it still uTorrent? Since they’ve started bloating that one time elegant piece of software, one would think it doesn’t hold that title any more. This FT will tell you the answer.
Beyond evaluating the “best” software in a particular category, this FastTrack also serves to be a tool for discovering great software that you didn’t really know about. After browsing through the buffet of software in each chapter, you’ll come across the modus operandi we employ at our labs to stumble upon software and tools in the wild. At the end of reading the entire booklet, you’ll realise how you can totally depend on free software for personal use and even professional use (to an extent).
To make the deal even sweeter, we’ll save you some precious bandwidth and the trouble of downloading these killer tools. Our DVDs have you covered with more than 120 tools mentioned in the chapters.
THE QUEST FOR
PRODUCTIVITY
I
n order to work efficiently, you require tools that enable you to perform the task at hand with minimum stress and effort and save valuable time. This chapter delves into the various options you can avail of.Office Applications
Apache OpenOffice
OpenOffice includes tools for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and graphics. It provides support for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. On installation, a screen is displayed which prompts you to select a tool. On clicking on ‘Text document’, the word processor dashboard pops up, on which you can perform various operations. It is also possible to open any new office application from within this processor by selecting the relevant option from the File menu.
For instance, with the help of ‘draw’, you can create illustrations using boxes, arrows, rectangles, ovals, symbols and other visual aids. Selecting
We go on an exploratory trail to
discover the smartest productivity
tools available out there that will
spruce up your daily work life
‘Database’ will lead you to a wizard where you can either create a new file or open an existing one. If you go for the former, a new dashboard lets you create tables, forms and reports, including query builder. The
presen-tation tool consists of several templates and provides support for draw, outline, slides, notes, slideshow animations and effects. In addition to standard office tools, OpenOffice also enables you to create HTML, XML, Formulas, Labels and Business Cards.
Prime Feature: The Impress presentation provides support for multiple monitors.
http://www.openoffice.org
LibreOffice
LibreOffice features the same set of tools as OpenOffice. You will be required to select a tool from the navigation panel to the left, instead of a dialog. The naming system is the same as OpenOffice. However, it includes a database application called Base. If you select ‘Writer’, you will be able to view a dashboard on which you can provide content and perform various operations using toolbar icons and menus. You can create new documents for application by selecting ‘File’ followed by ‘New’ as also scan them by clicking on the ‘Media’ option in the ‘Insert’ menu, which includes audio-video embedding. The user interface of LibreOffice is more or less the same as OpenOffice, and thereby easy to work with.
Prime Feature: LibreOffice enables you to save documents in Microsoft’s latest format, Docx.
http://www.libreoffice.org
SSuite Office
SSuite is a lightweight office tool comprising of word processor, spreadsheet, browser, image editor and tools for email, and multimedia network in addi-tion to general utility features such as address book and PDF memo creator.
The word processor dashboard includes text editor with icons on all sides of the screen. Other tasks can be performed by selecting relevant options on the menu. It also features templates for several purposes. The Accel spreadsheet program lets you insert emoticons, charts, random numbers, objects and even calculations. You can also connect to the database directly via the dashboard.
Prime Feature: SSuite Office includes a client which you can use to send and receive emails.
http://www.ssuitesoft.com
Softmaker FreeOffice
FreeOffice includes a word processor, spread-sheet and presentation application. You will be provided with a serial number which you need to type in during the launch of the application. The dashboard resembles a typical Windows applica-tion from which you can perform all the required activities using toolbar icons and menus. With the help of ‘presentation’, you will be able to create slides using the various objects on the toolbar, and also arrange those slides by selecting ‘Slide Sorter’ from the View menu. In order to return
to the slide editing dashboard, you need to double click on a slide. The PlanMaker tool is the same as a spreadsheet application and comprises features such as conditional formatting. You can protect a spreadsheet by going for ‘Sheet Protection’ in the Tools menu.
Prime Feature: FreeOffice enables you to open DOCX files created using Microsoft Word.
http://www.freeoffice.com
Which one should you go for?
We recommend OpenOffice because of the features it offers. Its user interface is similar to that of Microsoft Office in terms of appearance. You can easily create a PDF file from within the Writer tool by selecting the ‘Export as PDF’ option. We noticed that LibreOffice is bit slower compared to OpenOffice. Moreover, the latter includes Math utility which will be useful for school students. This feature is also available in LibreOffice but OpenOffice wins us over with its sheer simplicity.
WPS Office Suite (http://www.wps. com/wps-office-personal) is available for Windows, Android, iOS and Linux plat-forms. You can make use of NeoOffice suite (www.neooffice.org) if you have access to Mac OS X.
PDF Readers
Foxit Reader
With the help of Foxit PDF Reader, you will be able to read, create, annotate and print PDF documents. It provides Office-style ribbon toolbar, shared reviews, and commenting tools in
addi-tion to advanced features like Microsoft RMS, Group Policy and an XML editor. As soon as you open a PDF file, you will be able to view its table of contents on the left side and the main content on the right. The reader can zoom upto 6400%. It also enables you to create PDF documents using various options.
Prime Feature: Foxit PDF Reader enables you to perform formatting functions such as highlighting, strikeout and underline by selecting the required option from the toolbar and dragging the content.
https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/pdf-reader/
Sumatra PDF reader
With Sumatra, you can read not just PDFs but also ePubs, Mobis and various other formats. Language modification of the user interface can be easily done by selecting the ‘Change Language’
option from the ‘Settings’ menu. The ‘Page’ option in Toolbar also enables you to jump to another desired page.
Prime Feature: Sumatra provides support for preview of LaTeX documents
http://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/
Nitro PDF Reader
Nitro PDF Reader enables you to view and create
PDF files with advanced features such as intelligent display panes and 90 degree rotation. It also lets you preview PDF files on your email using Microsoft Outlook, to which you can add virtual sticky notes. While it provides support for as many as 300 file formats, you can also use it to convert a PDF document into a text file by selecting the ‘Convert to Text’ option. Moreover, you can extract images from a PDF file. The ‘Create’ option
Highlight content inside a PDF file easily
Adobe Reader (https://get.adobe. com/reader) is a popular tool used for viewing PDF files with simple navigation and search functionality.
from File on the toolbar enables you to create PDF files from any document in three different formats.
Prime Feature: With the help of Nitro PDF Reader, you can print from any application using the virtual print driver.
https://www.gonitro.com/pdf-reader
MuPDF
MuPDF provides support for transparency, encryption, hyperlinks, annota-tions and searching, including XPS and OpenXPS documents, besides forms, JavaScript and transitions. The reader doesn’t have a user interface and it prompts you to choose a PDF file upon opening the software. However, you will be able to perform all the operations using shortcut keys which you can find using the ‘About’ option by selecting the icon on the top left side. For example, if you apply the ‘Shift and >’ combination, you will be able to navigate 10 pages at a time.
Prime Feature: MuPDF make use of anti-aliased graphics which renders the text with metrics. The tool reproduces the fonts with precision, as you can see in the printed text.
http://mupdf.com
Expert PDF Reader
Expert PDF Reader enables you to revise existing PDF documents and offers features like insertion of rubber stamps and annotation modification. If you select the ‘Review’ tab on the toolbar, you will be able to add sticky notes and highlight, underline and cross-out content. You can also insert custom stamp and signatures, for which you need to browse for a signature file.
Prime Feature: Expert PDF Reader lets you
view two pages at a time with the ‘Facing’ option from the ‘View’ toolbar.
http://www.visagesoft.com/products/pdfreader/
Which one should you go for?
Our preference goes for the Foxit Reader over Nitro because of its intuitive ribbon style user interface and flexibility. You can easily perform various tasks by simply selecting the relevant option from the toolbar, whereas in the Nitro Reader, you need to pull the arrow to highlight content. Addition
You can easily merge and split PDF files using PDFill PDF Tools (www.pdfill. com). For instance, if you have five dif-ferent PDF files, you can easily merge all of them into a single PDF file.
of callouts with content from the Comments section is also easier with Foxit Reader. Moreover, the options in Nitro are fewer than Foxit.
Sticky Notes
7 Sticky Notes
With 7 Sticky Notes, you can separate notes by categories with multiple desktops. It includes 7 color themes with support for drop shadows, snap notes, align to grid and fade effects. The tool includes a wide range of fonts and formatting options (including a powerful search capability) which you can view if you double-click on a note. It is also possible to insert hyperlinks to notes and
adjust their transparency by moving the slider to the desired level. Prime Feature: 7 Sticky Notes enables you to synchronize and share notes, as also attach files to them.
http://www.7stickynotes.com
Hott Notes
Hott Notes enable you to create short notes and place them on your desktop. The tool also enables you to modify fonts, opacity and themes by selecting the ‘Edit’ option or by double clicking the content. In addition, you can also create a checklist and scribble notes, as well as add points with checkboxes and draw something on the notes.
Prime Feature: Hott Notes enables you to configure alarm at the appropriate time.
http://www.hottnotes.com/
Simple Sticky Notes
Simple Sticky Notes is a simple note tool. You need to write the note and then right click on it to view the various formatting options. For instance, you can insert date and time by selecting the relevant option. Moreover, you can add list type content and insert alignment features including line spacing. It includes an explorer where you can view all the existing notes. You can open
7 sticky enable you to create notes in several colors and fonts
it by selecting Explorer option from the popup menu by selecting the icon from the taskbar. It is also possible to backup the database so that you will be able to retrieve content at a later point of time from the Settings dialog.
Prime Feature: Simple Sticky Notes provides support for hotkeys.
http://www.simplestickynotes.com/
GloboNote
With the help of GloboNote, you will be able to roll up notes by selecting ‘Properties’ from the pop-up menu – a useful feature if you have multiple notes and would like to save desktop space. The title displays clear descrip-tions like ‘Today’ instead of the date, which will help you remember when the task should be completed. It is also possible to insert images and files by selecting the ‘Insert’ option.
Prime Feature: GloboNote enables you to assign notes to groups by selecting the ‘Assign to Group’ option from the menu. You can create groups as per your preference and tag them on the relevant parent category.
http://globonote.info
Evernote
Evernote is a simple sticky notes tool which automatically syncs your notes to the cloud. You can provide content and modify the background color by right clicking on the note. It is also possible to assign a different color, although not a different font, to each note. The tool provides support for mul-tiple displays along with the ability to configure synchronization settings. Prime Feature: You can save a copy of your notes in Evernote, Dropbox or Google Drive.
http://hosting.edo-soft.com/stickynotes/
Which one should you go for?
We’d recommend 7 Sticky Notes because with it, you can modify the font name, size and other formatting options for each note. In Evernote, you can modify the overall font name and size, not for specific notes.
Task Reminder Tools
MiniReminder
MiniReminder is a tiny program that enables you to create important tasks or events and is compatible with both Windows and Linux. You can create a new event by selecting Events > Add New, and modify the font styles and
colors from the ‘Preferences’ menu. The dashboard displays a list of all events created. This tool is useful for setting up renewals – for instance, you can configure the date on which you need to pay your phone bill.
Prime Feature: You can set a reminder for either a few days before or after the event.
http://www.minireminder.com
Desktop Reminder
Desktop Reminder enables you to manage all your tasks and reminders. You can create new tasks by selecting the ‘New Task’ option. It is also possible to copy a previously created task. Detailed descriptions along with date, time and the recurring interval with an option to mark a task as urgent can also be provided. The tool enables you to divide the tasks into various categories and also lets you mark the task as completed. It includes 30 skins to choose from, to set which you need to select ‘Options’ from the File menu.
Prime Feature: Desktop Reminder helps you configure alarms based on the time of day.
http://www.desktop-reminder.com
Efficient Reminder Free
Efficient Reminder Free includes 10 different inter-face styles and provides support for day and month calendar views. The tool enables you to create unlim-ited events with recycle bin, search, import, export,
backup and restore functionalities. You can easily modify user interface colors by selecting Interface Style option. In order to work with the tool, you need to create a file and event on top of it, to which you could also add attachments.
Prime Feature: Efficient Reminder Free lets you search for tasks and events based on several parameters such as ‘today’, and ‘next 7 and 30 days’.
http://www.efficientreminder.com/freeedition.htm
Wunderlist
Wunderlist enables you to create reminders and events and automatically
syncs them on the cloud. It provides support for all plat-forms including mobile. You will be able to add tasks and notes including hashtags, which makes the search functionalities easier. In order to work with the tool, you need to register on the website and login by down-loading it. It is important to note here that your tasks are automatically synced to your account. Moreover, you will be able to get alerts if you had installed the relevant app on your mobile, even after you shut down the computer. The tool provides several background themes which you can use to modify its appearance.
Prime Feature: Wunderlist enables you to print your tasks and lists.
https://www.wunderlist.com
Which one should you go for?
We prefer Wunderlist because with it, you can directly sync your daily tasks to the cloud and access them on the go (via smartphones). You can also generate a unique link for each task and share it across your team. It is also possible to create a task list. We tested MiniReminder and the interface didn’t attract us. If you want to stay productive and don’t want to forget reminders, Wunderlist is the tool you should explore.
Break Reminder
Tools
Big Stretch Reminder
Big Stretch prompts you to take regular breaks between your strenuous work sched-ules. You can set the time and also select the sound you prefer. It alerts you as soon as the specified time is reached, with a friendly tip. For instance, if you set the
Schedule your tasks with Wunderlist
Relax your body in between work with Big Stretch Reminder
timer to ‘00.05’, you will be prompted by a message after every 5 minutes. The tool displays the amount of time left on the taskbar.
Prime Feature: The tool provides tips to improve your work life via quotes or custom messages.
http://www.monkeymatt.com/bigstretch/
Workrave
Workrave helps you configure break intervals. It is a small program which can be easily configured by selecting the ‘Preferences’ option from the taskbar. You can configure micro and rest breaks with an option to modify the language of user interface. The tool also pro-vides a list of tips with pictures which you can access by selecting the ‘Exercises’ option.
Prime Feature: Workrave enables you to establish connection with your network.
http://www.workrave.org
EyeLeo
EyeLeo reinforces the importance of your eyes as an as crucial a body part as your muscles. With the help of EyeLeo, you will be able to give your eyes frequent breaks. The tool will be useful for bloggers who spend several hours in front of the screen. Select the ‘Settings’ option by right clicking on the icon from the taskbar. The dialog provides options to configure short and long breaks with an ability to preview them. However, the tool lacks the feature for providing a custom message.
Prime Feature: The long break option dims the display with a friendly message.
http://eyeleo.com/
MaToMaTo
MaToMaTo is a timer based on the famous Pomodoro technique. The tool can be installed easily and requires .NET Framework 3.5 to run it. It is so hassle-free that you will not find any unnecessary options for this timer other than start and stop. The tool doesn’t produce any noises or sounds is therefore ideal for office environment.
Prime Feature: It stays on the top of all programs and swings for the first 20 minutes, zooming in and out during the last 5 minute interval.
Keep Focused
Keep Focused enables you to manage time effectively using the Pomodoro technique. You just need to double click on the executable file to run the tool. Once you provide the details of the session, the tool will start to run in a session of 25 minutes. The tool can be dragged and placed anywhere on the screen.
Prime Feature: You will be able to review your daily activities by selecting the ‘View Session Data File’ button.
http://keepfocused.codeplex.com/
Tomighty
Tomighty is a simple desktop timer based on the Pomodoro technique. In order to run it, you need to select the icon and click on ‘Start’. The user inter-face can be modified using four themes. Prime Feature: Tomighty enables you to specify a custom timer interval.
http://www.tomighty.org/
Which one should you go for?
We recommend the Big Stretch Reminder which enables you to con-figure tips either to appear as a balloon
or inside a message box from the Display panel which you can set by selecting the ‘Settings’ option from the taskbar. EyeLeo is simply a tool which reminds you to ‘take a chill pill’. It is not possible to provide any custom messages on it.
Screen Capture Tools
PC Screen Capture
PC Screen Capture enables you to capture screenshots and save them in popular formats including PNG. In order to work with the tool, you need to select an option from the toolbar and a picture will be taken of the active window which can be saved by selecting the ‘Save As’ option. The tool is compatible with all editions of Windows and will be useful for students.
Prime Feature: With the help of PC Screen Capture, you can capture screenshots in four different ways.
http://www.pcscreencapture.com
Tomighty enables you to specify custom Pomodoro time
TechSmith Jing
Jing enables you to capture screenshots based on selection that involves dragging. You can store these on your computer or on the cloud. In order to work with the tool, you need to create an account with Jing after which a yellow circle will be displayed on the top center of your screen. Select the ‘Capture’ icon and drag the area which needs to be captured. The tool displays options with which you can save the image on your computer. You can also upload the image to your cloud account if you select the ‘Share via Screencast.com’ icon.
Prime Feature: Jing lets you create five-minute videos based on the work you do on the selected area. Moreover, the free 2GB cloud account enables you to sync and store all screenshots.
https://www.techsmith.com/jing.html
Which one should you go for?
We’d recommend Jing over PC Screen Capture because with it, you can not only capture images but also produce short videos. Moreover, you can store all your media into your screencast account.
Website Blockers
FocalFilter
FocalFilter enables you to block the websites you find distracting during work using a simple block timer. Once the decided time lapses, you will be able to navigate those websites again. In order to work with the tool, select the ‘Edit MySite List’ button and provide relevant website links which you want to block. You can also select the timer duration for the period of which the websites will be blocked.
Prime Feature: FocalFilter provides support for all major browsers including Safari.
http://www.focalfilter.com
Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey enables you to block a staggeringly high number of websites and will affect all users on the computer. It also provides the ability to import domains from text files. This tool will be useful for students who want to
If you are on a lookout for a tool to create lengthy videos, you can make use of CamStudio (www. camstudio.org) or BB FlashBack Express (www.bbsoftware. co.uk/BBFlashBack_ FreePlayer.aspx).
do away with the distraction caused by web traffic and concentrate on their studies. The next step is to schedule the timing by selecting the ‘Schedule’ tab. If you have added domains to group ‘A’, you need to select the group, set the timing, select the ‘Start’ tab and click on the ‘go ColdTurkey’ button.
Prime Feature: Cold Turkey lets you specify the required domains which need to be blocked in three groups.
http://getcoldturkey.com
Which one should you go for?
We recommend Cold Turkey because you can block websites in three different groups with
sep-arate timers. Moreover, if you attempt to visit a website which is blocked by Cold Turkey, a message will be displayed to you saying that the website has been blocked by the tool. These features are not available with FocalFilter.
Block websites under each group separately
If you are a Mac user, you can make use of SelfControl (www. selfcontrolapp.com) to block distracting websites
FILE SHARING
AND CLOUD
STORAGE
I
n this fickle day and age, it isn’t too far-fetched to imagine losing all the important documents you have stored on your computer if your hard drive decided to crash all of a sudden – which, as we all know, it is quite wont to do. In most such cases, unless you have been prudent enough to store backup files in an external hard drive, you cannot recover the lost data. This is where the importance of cloud storage comes into the picture. With the help of the various services this wonderful technological innovation offers, you can store your data on a virtual hard drive and access it whenever required.This chapter examines the variety of tools at your disposal which facili-tate transferring data from your computer to your cloud account, in addition to torrents and FTPs, along with security-related aspects for each.
The data you proudly own is no longer
limited to the space you have on your
computer. With the advent of the cloud,
data sharing has never been easier.
Cloud Storage Tools
Dropbox
Dropbox provides 2GB of space with support for Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry and Kindle Fire powered devices. It includes features such as forward secrecy, authentication cookies, HSTS and camera upload functionality. You will be able to manage files by selecting the Dropbox icon from the system tray fol-lowed by the Open Dropbox folder option, where you can drag and drop files. You could also share the document using a link if you hover over each item and click on ‘Share Link’. Dropbox make use of 256 bit AES encryption, fragmented discrete file blocks and a 128 bit SSL/TLS tunnel.
Prime Feature: DropBox enables you to retrieve deleted files within 30 days.
http://dgit.in/DropboxDwn
Degoo
The USP of Degoo is having the privilege to select your own backup folder during the initial configuration. For this, you need to double click on the folder name on the tool, and copy the files and folders you need to transfer. Degoo provides 100GB storage and makes use of 128 bit AES with CBC, PKCS5 padding encryption including TLS 1.2. Moreover, all encrypted data blocks are signed using an advanced cryptographic library called Keyczar. The passwords are protected using PBKDF2 and HMAC512 with a secret key. Prime Feature: Degoo stores several copies of each file and provides support for multiple custom folder selection.
https://degoo.com/
MEGA
MEGA provides a whopping 50GB of cloud space which is amply suf-ficient for storing plenty of documents, images and videos. Mega Sync
Client enables you to upload files from your computer and store them on your account. All you need to do is select the ‘Upload to Mega’ option by clicking on the star symbol on the top right side of the tool. You will see a dialog from where you can pick the required folders or files which need to be synced.
Alternatively, you can drop the folders into your system – the tool automatically detects them. You will be able to view the transfer pro-gress by selecting the red icon on the taskbar.
Prime Feature: MEGA offers a secure environment for storage management with support for user-controlled encryption, AES-128, RSA-2048, HTML5 WebCrypto API and RC4 entropy pool.
http://www.mega.co.nz
OneDrive
Microsoft OneDrive provides support for a wide range of devices including Xbox. A new folder named OneDrive will be created inside your system into which you can drop the folders which you wish to sync. You can modify parameters such as automatic saving of screenshots by right clicking on the OneDrive icon from the taskbar and selecting the Settings option in addition to disabling auto-start.
Prime Feature: With the help of OneDrive, you will be able to get up to 15GB of additional, bonus storage space, along with a facility to upgrade using local currency.
http://dgit.in/OneDriveDwn
Box
Box offers 10GB of storage space and enables you to sync the required folders using the drag and drop mechanism. A new folder named Box Sync is
cre-If you are unable to access MEGA from your computer, modify the DNS of your Internet account to that of Google’s server which is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
ated where you can store more than one lakh files with support for special char-acters in file names and paths with 256 characters. However, they don’t have the option for choosing a custom folder for sync. You can upload any number of files but a single file cannot be of a size more than 250MB.
Prime Feature: Box provides the option of turning off the sync process using a slider.
http://dgit.in/BoxDwn
CloudApp
CloudApp enables you to not just share files but also directly capture screen-shots by selecting the Take Screenshot icon. The captured image gets saved automatically to your account without as much as the click of a button. You can also generate a short link in a secure 128-bit HTTP format, among other facilities such as password protecting each stored file, adding annotations, webcam video recordings and sharing files via email, HipChat and Slack. Prime Feature: CloudApp includes a feature using which you can destroy the files within a specified time interval.
https://www.getcloudapp.com/
Google Drive
Google Drive provides 15GB of storage space and is available for Windows, Android and IoS platforms. In order to store files, you need to drop them into separate folders which are created after installation. You will be able to con-figure proxies via Preferences. Google Drive makes use of 128-bit AES tech-nology while transferring files. How-ever, its lack of support to Windows Phone is disappointing and gives it a bit of a disadvantage.
CloudApp enables you to capture screenshots instantly Turn off syncing easily with Box
Prime Feature: You can make use of third party encryption tools such as Boxcryptor to integrate advanced security features which include AES-256 and RSA-4096 encryption standards.
https://www.google.com/drive/
Which one should you go for?
Dropbox will not display any pro-gress bar after your drop files/ folders into the sync folder, although it does have a green icon in each folder inside the drive to indicate that
the items have been successfully transferred. MEGA, on the other hand, shows transfer progress along with percentage status, detecting addition of files instantly and performing the sync operation. With MEGA, you could either drop the contents into the folder or manually upload them, which Dropbox doesn’t provide support for, from your desktop. The sync folder of MEGA can be recognized by the red mark. However, individual files/ folders inside the drive are not marked.
MEGA doesn’t consume heavy system resources and is hence com-patible with old computers as well. For instance, we noticed that our test computer slowed down during the
booting process after the installation of Dropbox. Also, while Dropbox provides only 2GB of storage space, MEGA provides 50GB of space, which is sufficient for normal usage.
So as you can see, MEGA offers more features than Dropbox along with additional security which makes your work infinitely easier.
All-in-One Cloud
Storage Tools
odrive
odrive allows you to manage all your
Configure advanced parameters with Google Drive
odrive helps you add various services easily
existing accounts on various cloud services including Dropbox, OneDrive, Facebook, Instagram and FTP directly from your desktop, by creating a new folder in your hard drive. You have to link your accounts by author-izing access to start the sync process. For instance, if you double click on Dropbox, the tool prompts you to authorize access. You will be able to view the content inside your account only if you grant this permission.
Prime Feature: With odrive, you can configure the automatic download limit with an option to move your default folder.
http://www.odrive.com
Cloud Explorer
Cloud Explorer enables you to connect to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box and Facebook. You can also view the files on each account after you establish connection by granting permission. It provides support for several languages which you can modify using the Option dialog.
Prime Feature: Cloud Explorer provides support for a portable environment and you can therefore run it directly via a USB drive without installation.
http://www.getcloudexplorer.com
CloudBuckit
CloudBuckit provides support for several cloud storage services including Google Drive, Twitter and Picasa. It make use of SSL 256-bit encryption, OAuth2 and HTTPS over SSL and cloud drive mapping for transferring data from your desktop
Cloud Explorer enables you to modify UI languages easily
Security is impor-tant in cloud storage since you never know whether anyone can access your files without your knowledge.
to the respective cloud providers. You will be able to modify the download folder by selecting Settings from the Toolbox option. You will be able to configure and schedule tasks from
the dashboard which enable you to simplify file transfer process.
Prime Feature: With the help of CloudCommander, you will be able to split the screen into two which facilitates easy transfer of files.
https://www.cloudbuckit.com/
Which one should you go for?
We recommend CloudBuckit because it provides support for several cloud storage providers and is equipped with its own dashboard (from where you will be able to perform all actions) instead of relying on the traditional folder. We even tried connecting it to Google Drive and could upload several files easily with a simple drag-and-drop job. Moreover, it has the option of splitting the screen using Cloud Commander which enables you to add files from your computer easily by selecting the required items from the left side and dropping them to the cloud account on the right. The built-in task manager and scheduler is a big bonus for geeks. Apropos odrive, there’s a folder where you can drop files – you need to right click on its icon in the toolbar to add new service.
BitTorrent Clients
uTorrent
µTorrent provides support for bandwidth and remote management in addition to the scripting and creation of torrent files. The tool doesn’t con-sume too many system resources and works fast if you ignore the scammy ads. It provides support for the modification of several settings such as connections, bandwidth, transfer cap, queuing, scheduler, player, device pairing, custom search engine configuration and disk cache including an RSS downloader. You can also configure it in such a way that it performs actions like shutdown and restart after downloading files from the server. You will be able to set a random port number, configure windows firewall
exception and enable protocol encryption .
Prime Feature: On uTor-rent, you can provide a fake hostname to prevent other users from viewing your IP address.
http://www.utorrent.com/
BitComet
BitComet provides support for not only torrents but also
HTTP and FTP protocols. It includes an advanced accelerator which ena-bles you to download files faster. The tool lets you configure the default directory and also features disk cache and allocation. It includes support for DHT network, internet connection firewall and sharing in addition to UPNP port mapping. You will be able to configure proxies, long term seeding, eMule settings, protocol encryption, scheduler, remote download, window integration in addition to enabling automatic virus scan of the file after its download. You also have the option to set a custom time for auto shutdown of the tool.
Prime Feature: The powerful eMule plug-in lets you download and upload files to eDonkey and Kad networks resulting in cross protocol file sharing capabilities.
http://www.bitcomet.com
uTorrent helps you to modify various parameters easily
Deluge
Deluge provides support for protocol encryption, private torrents, band-width scheduler and plug-ins. You will be able to configure proxies, web seed and tracker by selecting Preferences option from the Edit menu. You can also provide values for cache size and expiry time. It also supports an array of regular features such as BitTorrent encryption, DHT, magnet URLs, web interface etc. With Deluge, you can provide values for bandwidth management globally and per torrent.
Prime Feature: Deluge can run on a remote machine while you would be able to control the downloads through Deluge on your desktop.
http://deluge-torrent.org
qBittorrent
qBittorrent is a lightweight tool with a simple user interface which provides support for Magnet/BitComet, Peer
Exchange, DHT, UPnP and NAT-PMP port forwarding. You can modify the default download loca-tion, bandwidth values and secu-rity related settings which includes proxy configuration by selecting Options from the Tools menu.
Prime Feature: You will be able to lock the tool by selecting Lock qBit-torrent option from the View menu to prevent unauthorized access.
http://www.qbittorrent.org
Tixati
Tixati includes support for DHT,
PEX and Magnet Link, RC4 connection encryption, IP filtering and event scheduler including four different themes. You can configure incoming ports, connections, proxies by selecting the settings icon on the toolbar. It displays a progress bar during the torrent download process. The tool doesn’t consist of any menus but the task can be completed using toolbar buttons. Prime Feature: The event logging and shell integration features are a real plus for advanced users.
http://www.tixati.com/
Manage Upload and Download Speeds with qBittorrent
Which one should you go for?
While BitComet only displays percentage during the downloading process and doesn’t include a progress bar, uTorrent shows both. It also includes a built-in media player with which you can play downloaded media files, the lack of which in BitComet is disappointing. BitComet, however, provides a list of links to torrent sites on the left navigation panel.
However, we stopped using uTorrent since it started throwing unneces-sary and annoying advertisements. It was also reported to come bundled with a kind of junkware that used your system resources to mine Bitcoins.
The best option in BitTorrent clients would be Deluge which essentially looks like uTorrent during its glorius days. The decision of shipping the client with a few essential features makes it a lightweight effective client. The option to install additional features through plugins definitely makes Deluge our favourite BitTorrent client.
FTP Tools
FileZilla
With the help of FileZilla, you can upload and download files to and from your own web hosting space. You need to create separate entries by selecting Site Manager from File menu. You can then select the drop down arrow located on the top left side and start uploading files. The tool displays the status of each action on the top window and the progress of the files being uploaded in the bottom section.
Prime Feature: The tool provides support for FTP, SFTP, TLS and SSL protocols in addition to process queue, ASCII and binary transfer type. You will be able to upload files in active and passive modes.
https://filezilla-project.org
Core FTP
CoreFTP provides support for FTP, SFTP, SSL and TLS. You can configure FTP accounts using the site manager in addition to sessions, templates, SSL certificates, custom commands, file associations and filters from the Manage menu. You can view a log of events on the top of the tool but the font size, we found, was too small to be universally legible.
Prime Feature: CoreFTP enables you to configure sounds and includes support for SSH Ciphers and Mac Algorithms with an ability to configure proxies in four different formats.
http://www.coreftp.com
WS_FTP LE
WS_FTP LE includes a connection wizard and site manager using which you can configure FTP accounts. It provides support for automatic restart, auto-delete files, email notifications, SFTP, FTPS, AES and FIPS 140-2 in addition to the ability to encrypt files upon transfer.
Prime Feature: WS_FTP LE enables you to create SSL certificate using wizard including import of certificate. You can also configure firewall and browser integration from the Tools menu.
http://www.wsftple.com
FTP Voyager
FTP Voyager includes features such as synchronization, scheduled trans-fers, FIPS 140-2 validation, bandwidth throttling and MLST/MLSD. You can view folders inside your computer from within the tool just like on My
Computer. A new FTP connection can be established either by using the wizard or directly. You can configure sounds, font colors for dis-play of logs and trusted certifi-cates by selecting Options from the Tools section.
Prime Fea-ture: FTP Voy-ager provides support for FTP,
SFTP and FTPS, IPv4 and IPv6. The user interface is developed using ribbon format which looks similar to Microsoft Office.
http://dgit.in/FTPVoygr
Which one should you go for?
We recommend FileZilla because of its simplicity and regular updates. You can easily configure FTP accounts to upload files, and view a detailed status of various activities on the top panel and the transfer progress in both, the progress bar and the percentage in the bottom panel. In CoreFTP, the log details are displayed in small fonts which are difficult to read. In order to download WS_FTP LE and FTP Voyager, you need to provide your personal details as part of registration process. We prefer a FTP tool which can be downloaded directly – in this regard, FileZilla emerges as the clear winner.
BROWSERS
I
t’s said that the Internet is the gateway to just about everything. And, as we have all come to learn in the course of the past two decades or so, it’s largely true. But then, there’s a gateway to the internet as well – the web browser. And when it comes to the browser, you are spoilt for choice with old and new players vying for your attention. Here, we round up some of the most exciting browsers of the year detailing their pros and cons.Vivaldi
From Opera’s creators, something to please the power-users
To call Vivaldi as just an offshoot of Opera is neither here nor there. Yes, the browser is created by Opera’s founder, Jon Von Tetzchner and there are nods to Opera that are evident in Vivaldi. But that’s not the whole story, not by a long shot.
Let’s start by looking at what does bear semblance to Opera in this one. The grid of your favourite websites that automatically appears in every new tab is practically a replica of how it’s with Opera. The integrated mail client concept – not unique by any means to Opera was still a feature that
It’s time to think beyond Chrome.
In this chapter, we introduce you to
several web browsers you’ve probably
never come across.
appeared in that browser, and which faithfully replicated in Vivaldi as well. As for deviations from the norm, the browser allows you to dock tabs on any side of the screen – on the top or bottom as well as right or left. One feature that helps make the interface less cluttered is the option to form groups of tabs. The groups can be formed based on the nature of the websites that fall under one – entertainment related tabs can fall inside one bracket. This is certainly a welcome feature given how we have to contend with a plethora of tabs with many current browsers.
The creators of the browser seem to have an inclination to please power-users, for the number of keyboard shortcuts available on the product is quite impressive. And it’s also heard that they are coming out with spatial navigation so that you won’t have to lift your fingers off the keyboard to navigate the web. Yet, another feature of interest is the one to create notes on web pages (one which, now that we think about it should have been there in many earlier browsers). That can certainly be useful; however, in the current version of the browser, we didn’t get a smooth experience with the feature. What’s special about it: Vivaldi certainly is one of the better browsers doing the rounds. With features such as group tabs and their experimenta-tion with the interface (including, even filters that allow you to view pages in sepia or black and white) it’s a fun browser to use which aims at a clutter-free browsing experience. However, the current version of the browser comes across as more of a teaser for its greater potential.
The Tor Browser
For the whistleblowers of all sizes and shapes
On the face of it, the Tor browser may look like one designed to aid shady characters – for Tor’s USP is that it prevents other people from tracing your online activities. The browser effectively scatters your traffic route across relays spread across the world which makes tracing your IP address almost as tough as hitting a bullseye while blind-folded.
However, all this technical bravado is not to aid less-than-honourable activities (at least, it needn’t be). Say, for instance if you have to report a mis-demeanour of your employer, this is your go-to browser if you’re shooting a mail to the higher-ups from within the organization. You can even run the browser from a pen drive, making it unnecessary to install it in your
computer. Yes, the browser’s creators seem extremely serious about you going incognito.
On the flipside, we did encounter hassles – the most significant of which is that the browser functions at a lower speed than its peers. And, it’s logical to assume that since your location is rarely static while using it, services that provide you information based on your current location may fall short of your expectations.
What’s special about it: The quintessential browser for whistleblowers is not meant for day-to-day browsing. It’s slower than most popular browsers and the list of features is also limited in comparison. We can’t help but wonder how it’ll be if they could improve on those counts and have the incognito mode embedded in it as an option at the same time.
3. Qupzilla
There’s more than meets the eye
Qupzilla looks pretty much similar to most mainstream browsers. But going beyond appearances, you do find certain subtle distinctions which are of value – there’s the feature which allows you to consolidate bookmarks, history and the RSS reader in one window. That, as you can imagine will make things clutter-free for you.
Other features found in the browser include integrated Adblock and the option to send the Do-Not-Track header. With Qupzilla, you also have the option to browse in private mode – a standard with most browsers these days, the Speed Dial option to quickly access your favourite websites is also present. You can stylise Qupzilla with the multiple themes that come with the browser package. Though the Internet has quite a few articles praising the
speed with which the browser functions, in our review we found that while the speed is comparable with browsers including Chrome, it’s not exuberant. Why you should try it: A quality browser that’s user-friendly. Where Qupzilla falls short is in the number of extensions available, especially when you compare it with the likes of Firefox. However, if you don’t require as many extensions and could find satisfaction with a minimal set of add-ons, by all means go ahead with this one.
4. Chrome
The world’s favourite browser is here to stay
Everyone’s “Been there, done that” browser, Chrome still remains the most popular browser in the world and for good reasons too (not least of which is its incredible compatibility across platforms). Also, the minimalistic design which Chrome pioneered, works extremely well on multiple devices – be it a panoramic desktop monitor or a smartphone screen, the experience you get is seamless. One other factor that makes Chrome such a favourite is that your Chrome data will be made available across devices, thanks to the fact that you have a Gmail account – and it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have one.
Google has always displayed a knack for understanding their user’s wish to simplify matters and respond accordingly – the box which clubs the URL field and the search bar into one is a case in point – something that was introduced by Chrome and was picked up by everyone else.
Why you’d want to stick to it: Chrome is a great browser for two rea-sons: its cross-platform compatibility and its ability to handle intense browsing sessions involving a large number of tabs rather well. Yes, you feed the monster more RAM and it’ll will treat you well but once you open
Discover a multitude of features with Qupzilla
up too many tabs it starts breaking apart. For those who are concerned about sharing sensitive data with the giant, it’s another matter altogether.
5. Firefox
Fox-trotting towards better features
For some reason, Mozilla calls its extensions as add-ons. Whatever be the name by which they are called, there are quite a few of them, most of which are meant to give you more customisation power. However, Firefox takes a beating on the appearance front, especially when compared to its main competitor, Chrome. For instance, in the latest version they have retained the additional Google Search field on the top of the window – something they could easily have avoided given how the address bar couples as the search bar too.
Coming back to add-ons, the latest version – even though it boasts of many extensions doesn’t offer much in the way of unique varieties. But there is one feature of the browser which we particularly liked – Firefox Hello. It’s essentially a video chat service like FaceTime and Skype. So, we know what you’re thinking – why do you need it? Well, what makes Firefox Hello
useful is that with the interface, you can call anyone with a Chrome, Opera or Firefox browser, which when you think about it makes sense given how not everyone will have services like Skype on their system unlike a browser which is sure to be present.
Our verdict: Even though its customisation tools are welcome, they fail to add significant value to the browsing experience. Having said that, it’s still one of the better browsers around, and with introduction of features such as Firefox Hello, it’s steadily improving.
6. Opera
Looks aside, some unique features
If you’re looking for a browser with a distinct visual interface, Opera is not that one. Adopting Chromium, the browser shares in terms of visual aesthetics with Chrome. But there are a couple of features here which make
Opera a worthy contender in the browser race. The Discover feature, for instance, is a useful tool for the news-hungry. It offers a selection of new stories that can be consumed without taking too much time – just the kind of thing that the pressed-for-time modern consumer requires. Then there’s the Speed Dial which enables you to open tabs alongside a grid of thumbnails of your favourite sites – not a unique feature but one that’s designed better than the ones in Chrome and Firefox. The Turbo mode is essentially what makes Opera stand out from the crowd though. Using this mode, you can improve the speed by saving bandwidth and compressing data-something that’s extremely useful in low-bandwidth conditions where many places still have less than great internet connectivity, particularly when it comes to Wi-Fi. Another feature worthy of mention is the one that enables you to restore browsing session as you boot it up – you can even set this feature as default.
Our verdict: Though many of its features are identical to those of other mainstream browsers like Chrome and Firefox, Opera does offer distinct services that make it a serious option. In other words, you can do worse than choosing Opera to getting into the net.
7. Internet Explorer
Still shows mettle
The fact that Internet Explorer is soon poised to go obsolete – with Microsoft focusing more on the Edge browser for Windows 10 as its mainstay, is not necessarily a good piece of news for Internet enthusiasts. For, as we found out when reviewing the browser holds up pretty well when compared to its peers, and it does have some of the best
intui-tive designs incorporated in a browser. However, there’s no favourites tab to be found here but it’s possible to pin web pages to the Windows Taskbar. The browser also has a unique feature – Tracking Protection facility. This feature sends Do Not Track requests to the sites that try to get in touch with your browser.
Ahh the good old days of Opera
Microsoft Edge browser hasn’t been included due its una-vailability as a stan-dalone downloadable web browser.
For the review, we tried it out on Windows 8, which is supposedly the best platform for the browser.
Our verdict: IE may be on its way out but it’s still a cool browser, if you can overlook minor design glitches like the strip that appears just above the web content, making the portions above and below it look like they are in two different windows. Also, keep in mind that Microsoft has discontinued support for IE for Mac users.
8. UC Browser
Built for low speed browsing, nothing more
The UC Browser is getting a lot of traction in both China and India – meaning it’s supposed to work well in lower Internet speeds. And as we found, that assumption turns out to be true but there’s a catch. While you are able to browse faster with a slower connection, we had to keep closing other programs running in the background to facilitate the same. In terms of design, there’s nothing to gloat over here – the browser decisively adopts a non-minimal look, maybe to make itself look different from other browsers, but it doesn’t really help in any way.
The browser supports all the Chrome extensions and the great news is that it syncs perfectly across platforms. But where UC scores the most is with downloads. As mentioned before, it works well even with low internet speed, which means that your downloads won’t get interrupted as it hap-pens with other browsers. Our attempt was with the PC browser though. Our verdict: A clunky interface takes the charm out of this browser which is still a good choice for those with slow Internet connections. It’s recommended for PC but if you use your machine for offline CPU intensive functions, the browser may not function as well as it should.
N
o one really admires a cluttered desktop. Eventually, a desktop overflowing with icons starts to hinder with your productivity. You could either choose to continue working on a bland desktop with sudden intervals of infuriating fits or you could turn your head to desktop customisation tools. These set of tools clean up your desktop and make you productive with the advent of shortcuts, effectively reducing the number of steps required to access important applications and software. The following tools are directed towards individuals who care about working on a good-looking desktop as well as a productive one.Start Menu Reviver 2.0
The release of Windows 8 received a lot of flack from Windows users, pertaining to the onset of new alienating features. Microsoft had to eventu-ally release an update (Windows 8.1) later, to bring back the good ol’ Start
The default applications have failed to
live up to our expectations. We head
out in search of their alternatives to
exercise more power and control over
the desktop.
DESKTOP
button. If you’re running a Windows 7 or 8.1 system, you might start envying the design of the new Start Menu which also includes Cortana on Windows 10. Start Menu Reviver 2.0 does a good job in replicating the Start Menu from Windows 10 but sadly doesn’t include a Cortana-like assistant. Instead, you will only be able to search everything on your com-puter. The design is defi-nitely a complete revamp of the Start Menu from
Win-dows 7. You can add apps and arrange the layout of the tiles on the fly. It also includes a column of useful shortcuts such as My Computer, Control Panel, Network, etc on the left, reducing the number of steps required to access them. The tiles aren’t only restricted to software and applications, you will be able to assign dedicated tiles to your favourite websites also. This tool is unnecessary if you’re already on Windows 10, but certainly will turn out to be quite useful on Windows 8.1 and lower operating systems.
http://dgit.in/StartMenuRev
AquaSnap
Windows snap to a pre-defined size on the desktop area to variable sizes of windows, a feature first seen on Windows 7 which eventually improved in Windows 10. AquaSnap further enhances the snapping feature by giving you freedom to snap a maximum of four windows to the entire desktop which is one quarter of the screen. Inside this tool, an interesting option called AquaMagnet makes the windows act as magnets towards each other and the edges of the screen (which can be enabled individually) and here, you can also change the distance at which the windows are attracted. After enabling this feature, AquaGlue lets you group certain windows, appearing as if they have been glued together. You can resize the entire group of win-dows while they are snapped to the edges according to your needs. Once grouped, you can move the snapped windows together as a group anywhere
Start Menu Reviver replicates the Start Menu from Windows 10, adding more customisation
on the screen. While working on multiple windows, you could be accessing data on more than two windows. AquaGlass will let you turn any window transparent, making the content visible even when the window overlaps the other and it also has a changeable transparency level. If you want a window to always stay on top of the rest, you can enable AquaShake. This feature can be activated by holding the window and giving it a sudden shake. AquaStretch makes it easier to maximise a window horizontally, vertically or diagonally to the edge of the display.
http://dgit.in/AquaSnapWin
Dexpot
Virtual desktops emulate the sense of working on multiple desktops where you can switch between vir-tual screens and manage files and folders individually on each of these virtual screens. Already present on Windows 10, the Dexpot tool extends the virtual desktop feature to your older Windows 7/8/8.1 system, so that you can also
AquaSnap makes it easier to manage too many open windows on your desktop
work on a clutter-free desktop. Using Dexpot is child’s play and after instal-lation, an icon will appear in the taskbar by which you can switch between four different virtual desktops. The maximum number of virtual desktop can be pushed to 20 but incrementally it takes a toll on your system per-formance. You can also tinker around with the advanced features to select different type of views for the virtual desktops. A helpful add-on called Windows Catalog displays all the virtual windows in a single instance and lets you drag applications across any virtual desktop. It gives more granular control over assigning shortcuts to tasks such as switching between vir-tual desktops, moving a certain window to a particular desktop, changing transparency level etc. Dexpot supports official plugins to further expand the capabilities of the tool.
http://dgit.in/DexpotWin
Switcher 2.0
After opening a number of windows on your desktop, it becomes quite frustrating to search for a specific window. Switcher 2.0 makes switching between applications and windows easier by displaying all the windows in a numbered grid, so that you can select the desired one. The tool will let you select the pattern in which you want your apps to be displayed. Of course, you can change the pattern to random sized tiles, dock or proper grids. You can assign your own shortcut to activate the task view as long as it doesn’t conflict with the existing shortcuts of the operating system. You’ll
get complete control over the appearance right from the font to the colour scheme. You’re also offered certain advanced features to edit the delay of the animations, size of the grids, etc. Tweaking them might mess up the existing values but you don’t need to worry about them if you are comfortable with the default setting. Albeit, if you end up entering erroneous values, you’ll be able to revert back to the original settings in one single click.
http://insentient.net/
ConEmu
It’s about time that certain long-awaited changes were incorporated into the command prompt on Windows. Before the updated command prompt on Windows 10, you couldn’t resize the window since you were restricted to the screen buffer of 80, nor you could select the text with your cursor, leaving no room for copy and paste commands. This made it difficult while entering complicated commands. ConEmu is the default Windows command prompt functioning on steroids, featuring tabbed sessions, multiple consoles and a very high level of customisation compared to the improved one on Windows 10. This tool includes a number of extra features, enabling you to run many GUI apps in tabs for debugging, code checking and other services. You can even split tabs into different screens and you can navigate across them. The freedom of customisation on ConEmu is endless, serving you with control in minuscule tasks. If you’re a frequent user of Notepad++, you can launch the software inside a tab and further split the screen if you wish.
http://dgit.in/ConEmuWin
AutoHotkey
Shortcuts prove quite useful to get things done quickly. The number and variations of shortcuts present on the desktop screen is limited. To ramp up your productivity, AutoHotkey will bring in a lot of scripts, macro, short-cuts and more. This will enable its users to go all out crazy on assigning shortcuts according to their own preferences which will eventually reduce the time spent in opening up apps. Not just apps, but through scripting you’ll be able to set shortcuts to open your favourite folders with simple combinations of keystrokes. For example, if you access the Downloads folder of your system too frequently, you can assign the shortcut Windows Key + 1 to open the folder. Writing scripts might sound intriguing but it’s as simple as writing a note. The tool itself has an in-built help menu which gives you a short tutorial on how to create scripts and also explains the
