Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[5 ways to save money with an iPhone]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/5-ways-to-save-money-with-an-iphone/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/5-ways-to-save-money-with-an-iphone/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/21/5-ways-to-save-money-with-an-iphone/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

On 12/28 I am eligible to switch phones and am rationalizing an iPhone purchase, which is all the more difficult as I just read David Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. The book advocates saving money and paring down expenses, so the $30 monthly data plan would definitely be in the con column. However, after reading 33 things you don't need if you buy an iPhone, I'm thinking I'll definitely come out ahead in the long run. Below are some of my favorite excuses reasons to purchase.

GPS- rather than purchasing a stand alone unit, like Tom Tom, there's several apps in the App Store that will help with turn by turn navigation.

Camera - since my husband borrowed and never returned my Canon PowerShot, I definitely "need" a good camera. And while the iPhone's camera is not like my SD850IS, it's a decent enough point and shoot. Plus, I'll be "saving" money and don't even get me started on the convenience of not having to carry multiple devices.

Continue reading 5 ways to save money with an iPhone

5 ways to save money with an iPhone originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeAppStoreiphoneiphone appIphoneAppsave moneySaveMoneySat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five essential addons for new Firefox users (Happy fifth birthday, Firefox!)]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/five-essential-addons-for-new-firefox-users-happy-fifth-birthda/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/five-essential-addons-for-new-firefox-users-happy-fifth-birthda/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/09/five-essential-addons-for-new-firefox-users-happy-fifth-birthda/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Five years ago today, a new web browser arrived on the scene. Yes, it was Firefox 1.0. At the half-decade mark, Firefox has become a force to be reckoned with. Nearly one in four people on the Internet is now using Firefox - and that includes the entire population of Antarctica!

If Firefox users were a country, they'd be the third most populous in the world - behind only China and India - at 330 million people! 2009 has certainly been a big year for the Fox.

Mozilla's add-on site reports 4.3 million registered users using nearly 164 million add-ons. That's a lot of people using a lot of add-ons. If you're a new Firefox user, you might be having trouble deciding which are worth installing.

Since this is Firefox's fifth birthday, here are five add-ons that can make browsing better for just about anyone!

Continue reading Five essential addons for new Firefox users (Happy fifth birthday, Firefox!)

Five essential addons for new Firefox users (Happy fifth birthday, Firefox!) originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onsaddonsextensionsfeaturesfirefoxlistsmozillaMon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Holiday Gift Guide: five awesome Steam games that make great gifts]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/04/holiday-gift-guide-five-awesome-steam-games-that-make-great-gifts/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/04/holiday-gift-guide-five-awesome-steam-games-that-make-great-gifts/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/04/holiday-gift-guide-five-awesome-steam-games-that-make-great-gifts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

With Halloween out of the way, it's now officially time to look towards CHRISTMAS!

Stop right there! Let me turn those groans of yours -- those Scroogeish grunts of displeasure -- into smiles and laughter! For this year, how about giving the gift of game with Valve's Steam? OK, so they might not be your smiles nor your laughter, but what feeling of joy is greater than seeing someone's face light up with happiness and the glow of a widescreen TV)?


For $10 to $20 you can give someone a game that will provide hours and hours of pleasure and fun this festive season. Think about how much your son would love you if you gave him an excuse to leave the dinner table early, to play with his new toy? Or if your wife could bus virtual tables, rather than real ones? Perhaps you just want to treat yourself to some brain-scratching, finger-contorting goodness. Any way you want it, the best Christmas presents this year will be video games.

Read on for the five best games currently available on Steam. They're all cheap. They're all fun. They're all a complete steal.

Share

Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide: five awesome Steam games that make great gifts

Holiday Gift Guide: five awesome Steam games that make great gifts originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecasualgameshggholiday gift guideHolidayGiftGuidepuzzlesteamvalveWed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[15+ great Google Chrome extensions]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/15-great-google-chrome-extensions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/15-great-google-chrome-extensions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/11/02/15-great-google-chrome-extensions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

We've already mentioned other ways to power up Google Chrome. Before extensions arrived on the developer channel, Userscripts and bookmarklets were your only options. Both are still great ways to add some kick-ass functionality to Chrome. If you're running the stable or beta builds, you may want to stick to them for now.
Now, onto the extensions!

If you have a favorite that I left off, feel free to share it in the comments!
Share

Continue reading 15+ great Google Chrome extensions

15+ great Google Chrome extensions originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onsbookmarkletsbrowserbrowserschrome-4chromiumdeveloper-channelextensionsfeaturesgoogle chromegoogle-chromeGoogleChromelistsproductivityUserScriptsutilitiesMon, 02 Nov 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 avalanche: Roundup of hacks, tips, downloads, and more!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/windows-7-hacks-tips-downloads-themes-roundup/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/windows-7-hacks-tips-downloads-themes-roundup/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/22/windows-7-hacks-tips-downloads-themes-roundup/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Now that you can go and pick up Windows 7 just about anywhere (I hear there's a free copy of Starter coming with every Happy Meal*), let's take a look back at some of Download Squad's past articles about the new OS.

After all, we've been covering it since it was just a rumor and using Windows 7 hands-on since...Well, frankly since that first leak appeared on torrent trackers. With our retail copies in hand, let's go back in time and take a look at some of the Windows 7 coolness you can read about right here!

Get Windows 7 installed on your netbook without a DVD drive!
A handy little secret about your Windows 7 DVD is that it's easy to dump onto a USB flash drive - which you can plug in to any DVD-less computer system and boot! It's a hassle free way to install on your netbook.

Got a clean Windows 7 install? Get some great, FREE Open Source program and games!
While these downloads aren't Windows 7-specific, this list has a ton of awesome apps and games that are right at home on your new Windows 7 desktop or laptop. Best of all, they're all free!!

Microsoft shows off Windows 7's touch features
A number of PC makers have started rolling out touchscreen (and multi-touch) laptops and desktops, and Windows 7 takes full advantage of those technologies. Take a look at what the new OS has in store for real hands-on interaction.

Continue reading Windows 7 avalanche: Roundup of hacks, tips, downloads, and more!

Windows 7 avalanche: Roundup of hacks, tips, downloads, and more! originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>launchwindows-7windows7Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/06/preemptive-fail-five-easy-things-verizon-isnt-doing-to-fix-an/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

It's all over the place; Verizon is embracing Android. Google loving apologist geeks everywhere are heralding the 85 million new customers -- who are obviously ready to try Android, if only Verizon would let them -- as the beginning of a new era in mobile phone competition. The cries of panacea are all I've heard all day:

"It's going to be a floodgate of new users! "

"Death to the iPhone!"

And, as one particularly difficult to satisfy commenter on another blog wrote:

"Get over yourselves apple and make a new product."

I'll have to admit, as a current G2, and previous G1 owner, I was a little excited myself. Then I read one thing from the joint Verizon/Google press call which made me crestfallen.

"Verizon also has no plans to make any changes to the Android Market."

And with that, all my dreams of an Android controlled world ran away like so much sand through my fingers. This is an enormous mistake, Verizon. Care to know why? The Android Market is terrible. It's worse than terrible, it's horrible.

Horrible, and just a little bit dangerous.

I've got a list of five things Verizon must do to the Android Market if they're to have any hope of even modest success.

Continue reading Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android

Preemptive FAIL : Five easy things Verizon isn't doing to fix Android originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbad ideasBadIdeasFAILG1G2iphonelistsmarketverizonTue, 06 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tell DLS: What are your Top 10 Web Apps?]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-web-apps/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-web-apps/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-web-apps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

We're continuing our Tell DLS column by leaving the desktop and heading to the web. There's tonnes and tonnes of webapps out there -- however here's just 10 that I use day-in, day-out. If you're got any other favourites, be sure to leave them in the comments!

Continue reading Tell DLS: What are your Top 10 Web Apps?

Tell DLS: What are your Top 10 Web Apps? originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>basecampfacebookflickrinstapaperliststumblrupcomingweb-applicationsweb-appsMon, 28 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 easy ways to play with Linux without leaving Windows]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/10-easy-ways-to-play-with-linux-without-leaving-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/10-easy-ways-to-play-with-linux-without-leaving-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/28/10-easy-ways-to-play-with-linux-without-leaving-windows/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

While I haven't made the switch to Linux full time, I find myself spending more and more time experimenting of late. In particular, I'm enjoying projects like Moblin and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

If you're still using Windows for your primary OS there are tons of ways to get your feet wet like a true penguin without making any serious commitments. Here are ten ways to play with Linux painlessly -- if you have another to share, please post it in the comments!

Virtualization

Moba LiveCD
Moba uses QEMU to boot LiveCD and LiveUSB images right from your Windows desktop. It works as a portable app and also offers context menu integration so you can right-click to launch fresh images.

Portable Ubuntu
Using Colinux, Pulseaudio for Windows, and the Xming X server, this package allows you to boot a fully-working Ubuntu environment inside Windows right from your usb flash drive. The bigger the better, obviously. I'd recommend an 8GB or 16GB if you plan on using it regularly.

Continue reading 10 easy ways to play with Linux without leaving Windows

10 easy ways to play with Linux without leaving Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beginnerfedorakdelinuxlivecdLiveUSBmobaubuntuvirtualboxvirtualizationvmwarewindowswubiMon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - OS X!]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/21/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-os-x/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/21/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-os-x/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/21/tell-dls-what-are-your-top-10-must-have-apps-os-x/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

I'm willing to bet that while reading Download Squad, you've discovered some great applications that you now use on a regular basis.

Although we all use our machines in a slightly different way, I always find it fascinating to hear about which applications other people use and often when chatting to friends or colleagues I'll learn about an application that i've never used before - there's nothing like a personal recommendation.

That's where our new feature - 'Tell DLS: What are you top 10 must-have apps?' - comes in!

Each week, a Download Squad team member is going to share their top 10 applications are on their chosen platform and explain why! We'll be covering Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and the mobile operating systems, so hopefully you'll discover some gems that you hadn't used before too.

Of course, being a 'Tell DLS' feature, we want this to be all about sharing your experience too - so please post your chosen top 10 in the comments.

Read on after the jump for my top 10 (how many can you identify from the icons above?).

Continue reading Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - OS X!

Tell DLS: What are your top 10 must-have apps? - OS X! originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applicationsmacosxtell dlsTellDlsMon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[7 great ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free!)]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/18/7-great-ways-to-get-windows-7-cheap-or-even-free/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/18/7-great-ways-to-get-windows-7-cheap-or-even-free/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/18/7-great-ways-to-get-windows-7-cheap-or-even-free/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Windows 7

Here at Download Squad, we like saving money. We love finding freebies, and we're certainly not ashamed to walk up to the cash register with a fistful of coupons. Since the announcement of the Windows 7 pricing scheme, we've been looking for ways to cut the costs to make the move.

We've compiled a list of seven ways you can get that Windows 7 goodness without shelling out quite as many bucks. Read on for savings!

Continue reading 7 great ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free!)

7 great ways to get Windows 7 cheap (or even free!) originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academic allianceAcademicAlliancefamily packFamilyPackfree windowsFreeWindowsmicrosoftmsdntechnettwitterwindowswindows 7Windows7Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[14 portable web browsers for Windows]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/14/14-portable-web-browsers-for-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/14/14-portable-web-browsers-for-windows/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/09/14/14-portable-web-browsers-for-windows/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Just about everyone has a usb flash drive by now. Apart from all that data you're packing (which you no doubt have encrypted in case your drive gets lost -- but that's a post for another day), why not pack up your favorite web browser and take it along for the ride.

There are a lot more options than you think - here are 13 different options for users of Windows PCs. Don't see your choice on the list? Share it with us in the comments!

Mozilla

Portable Firefox (current) [download] and Portable Minefield [download]
John T. Haller's Portable Apps project is always right on top of the latest Firefox updates, so it's the place to go if you need the Fox in your pocket. The most recent unstable branch is provided as well, in case you want to test it without installing.

PocketFlock v2 [download]
The kicked-up Firefox remix for social networking types is also available in a portable version, thanks to enthusiast Dave Ferrite.

Continue reading 14 portable web browsers for Windows

14 portable web browsers for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browserchromefirefoxflockironoperaportableportable-appsusb flash driveUsbFlashDriveweb browsersWebBrowsersMon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[11 useful Windows apps that tie in to your GMail account]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/28/11-useful-windows-apps-that-tie-in-to-your-gmail-account/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/28/11-useful-windows-apps-that-tie-in-to-your-gmail-account/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/28/11-useful-windows-apps-that-tie-in-to-your-gmail-account/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Love your GMail account but want to do more with it? If you're a Windows user, there are plenty of great (and free) apps that take advantage of your massive inbox in the cloud!

GBridge sets up a Hamachi-like VPN and offers loads of cool features for your Windows desktop, including file sharing, backup and synchronization, and remote control via VNC. Since the developers added support for Google Apps domains, this has become a great way to keep your office team connected.

GMail Drive is an oldie but a goodie. I've got several of gigs available, and there's no chance I'm going to fill that up with actual email anytime soon. Plug GMail Drive into Windows, and you can drop files into your extra space just like any other folder on your system.

g2peer allows simple file sharing with your friends via your GMail account. Don't need the other features from GBridge? g2peer is a good option. Your pals at the other end don't even need to install the app to get files from you since it supports "command line" interaction via GMail - check the help page to see how it works.

Continue reading 11 useful Windows apps that tie in to your GMail account

11 useful Windows apps that tie in to your GMail account originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>affixabackupdigsbydriveg2peergmailgoogle-mailpidginFri, 28 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Online tools to fight the freshman 20 - Back to School]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/21/online-tools-to-fight-the-freshman-20-back-to-school/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/21/online-tools-to-fight-the-freshman-20-back-to-school/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/08/21/online-tools-to-fight-the-freshman-20-back-to-school/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Off to college and dreading the inevitable 20 pounds or so of fat that comes with drinking binges, lack of exercise, all you can eat dorm food and late night snacks? Hate the thought of not being able to wear your favorite jeans come winter break? Relax, here's a round up of good online weight management tools which might be able to help you stay on track.

1. The Daily Plate - A calorie tracking tool from LIVESTRONG.com, this site helps you track your calories and burn rate via your personal online food diary. Once you register, you can input the foods you eat and the database will automagically provide the calories. Nice interface and there's even an iPhone and iPod touch (Blackberry too) app for $2.99 if you want to track on your mobile.



Continue reading Online tools to fight the freshman 20 - Back to School

Online tools to fight the freshman 20 - Back to School originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b2sback to schoolBackToSchoolcalorie countCalorie counterCalorieCountCalorieCounterCaloriesFatSecret.comfitdayfreshman 15freshman 20Freshman15Freshman20listslivestrongonline diet toolsOnlineDietToolssocial networking diet toolssocial networking weight lossSocialNetworkingDietToolsSocialNetworkingWeightLossthe daily plateTheDailyPlatetraineoFri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[15+ handy bookmarklets to power up any browser]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/09/15-handy-bookmarklets-to-power-up-any-browser/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/09/15-handy-bookmarklets-to-power-up-any-browser/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/09/15-handy-bookmarklets-to-power-up-any-browser/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bookmarklets can be incredibly handy. If you use multiple browsers, they're a great way to ensure you don't lose any of your favorite functions when switching back and forth. Maybe your browser doesn't support extension or there aren't many in the wild for it just yet - bookmarklets can provide many of the same functions.

Here are ten that I find particularly handy. If you've got a favorite, feel free to share the link in our comments!

BitLet [site] - Creates bitlet.org links from .torrent links for downloading without a client. Works nicely on popular sites like Mininova and TPB, and should work anywhere you find torrents.

Bugmenot [site] - Want to read an article on a site that requires registration? This one taps Bugmenots database for shared usernames and passwords so you don't have to sign up.

Capture with Aviary [site] or Kwout [site] - Aviary offers some excellent browser-based image editing tools. Wait about 20 seconds for Aviary to capture your current page, and it will then open in their editor. Kwout is more lightweight, and is handy for quick, small captures (600px max) and sharing via Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and more.

Continue reading 15+ handy bookmarklets to power up any browser

15+ handy bookmarklets to power up any browser originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookmarkletsbrowser-independentcross-browserThu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Michael Jackson's Funeral - the Online Version]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/07/michael-jacksons-funeral-the-online-version/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/07/michael-jacksons-funeral-the-online-version/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/07/michael-jacksons-funeral-the-online-version/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Michael Jackson - King of Pop. Courtesy Getty ImagesIf you aren't one of the thousands of fans who got passes to Michael Jackson's funeral at the Staples Center, you can still watch it via several media outlets. If you are at home, get comfy on the couch and tune in to any major news station and you'll find coverage but if a TV isn't available, there are places online you can find some coverage.

Keep in mind, news of MJ's death almost crashed the Internet itself so finding a site streaming the funeral doesn't guarantee you'll be able to see it but, here are some options to try. Some estimates are saying 70 million people will be watching online funeral coverage.

CNN has an entire Live page devoted to coverage of Michael Jackson's funeral events. Funeral coverage has already started. If you can't get in now, try for the replays at 4 pm and 7pm Eastern time.

CBS Evening News has all the news coverage of Jackson's death so far in one place and presumably will be posting up funeral coverage as it happens.

There are numerous videos available on Hulu of Michael Jackson remembrance shows, interviews with those going to the funeral, details of funeral plans and more. It's a good place to hang out if you need information but can't get through to live coverage. As soon as live coverage is up, Hulu will be a good place to look for it.

WebTVHub has 15 options of where to watch the funeral online and even has a cell phone viewing link.

You can find USA Today coverage on LiveStream, as well as some smaller news outlets. There's even an MJLive station, but so far, it is loading extremely slowly and it's only a view of Havenhurst Avenue in Encino where Michael lived at some point in his youth.

If you want to remember Michael Jackson, without watching the funeral - or just see something kinda funny - check out the Eternal Moonwalk, where fans all over the world show off Jackson's signature dance move.

If you've found a great place to watch, share it in the comments so everyone that wants a front row seat can have one.

Michael Jackson's Funeral - the Online Version originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>funeral coveragefuneral liveFuneralCoverageFuneralLivemichael jacksonmichael jackson funeralMichaelJacksonMichaelJacksonFuneralTue, 07 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[6 Microsoft freebies I actually love to use]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/01/6-microsoft-freebies-i-actually-love-to-use/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/01/6-microsoft-freebies-i-actually-love-to-use/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/07/01/6-microsoft-freebies-i-actually-love-to-use/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

No, Windows won't ever compete with Linux on price. However, even though Microsoft isn't giving away their RTM operating systems for free, they do offer a lot of great software and services at no charge. Here are my six favorites -- feel free to share yours with us in the comments!

1. Windows Live Writer - If you don't blog, Live Writer probably isn't that useful to you. If you do, though, it's hard to find a Windows application that can compete with WLW. It's got loads of great features including plugin support so I can add things like Twitter integration.

2. SysInternals - There are so many useful apps under the SysInternals umbrella - Autoruns, Process Explorer, Desktops, RegMon - the list goes on and on. There's also live.sysinternals.com to provide easy access to them all when I forget my usb flash drive. Awesome.

Continue reading 6 Microsoft freebies I actually love to use

6 Microsoft freebies I actually love to use originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>freelistlive-syncmicrosoftsecurity-essentialsskydrivesysinternalstoolsutilitieswindowsWed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[6 free Windows programs to fix and prevent PC problems on your own]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/24/free-windows-problems-fix-errors-viruses/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/24/free-windows-problems-fix-errors-viruses/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/24/free-windows-problems-fix-errors-viruses/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Yesterday I wrote up a little list of things I wished people would quit installing on their PCs. Today, I've put together a selection of handy programs those same people can use to take care of some of the annoyances I mentioned - and more.

Here are six (seventeen, really, but some are grouped) simple applications that will help - and they're all free for personal use!

1. PC Decrapifier - A lot of people that drop their systems off for repair say "take out any programs that don't need to be there." Well, that's exactly the kind of crud Decrapifier is designed to get rid of. It compares the programs on your system to a list of known bloatware (Wikipedia definition) and simplifies the removal process.

2. Malware Bytes - Those annoying popups you're getting? The weird pages you see when you try to search for something in your browser? Malware Bytes does a great job at removing the pests that cause those problems. It's usually the first program I run on horribly bogged-down computers. After a scan, clean, and reboot, they're usually much more cooperative.

3. Glary Utilities - The one-click maintenance mode in Glary is a wonderfully simple way for even non-technical users to keep their systems tuned. It tackles all kinds of tasks, from removing temporary file garbage and broken shortcuts to tuning up your registry.

One note: download the slim version to avoid the Ask Toolbar. You can opt out of it during the regular install, but slim removes it altogether.

Continue reading 6 free Windows programs to fix and prevent PC problems on your own

6 free Windows programs to fix and prevent PC problems on your own originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cleaningmaintenancerepairtuningWed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[10 free cartoonish icon sets to spiff up your desktop]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/15/10-free-cartoonish-icon-sets-to-spiff-up-your-desktop/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/15/10-free-cartoonish-icon-sets-to-spiff-up-your-desktop/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/15/10-free-cartoonish-icon-sets-to-spiff-up-your-desktop/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Now that I've got a full-time work laptop and a second system to reformat every other day I finally have a reason to customize my desktop with some snazzy wallpapers, sound schemes, and icons. I like to keep my desktop lighthearted, so I tend to lean toward cartoony, fun elements.

All of these sets are totally free for personal use, so download away! If you know another great set, feel free to share your links in the comments!

Comic Tiger - Obviously Mac-themed, but the set works well on Windows desktops, too. Created by Fasticon, but no longer listed on their free downloads - fortunately InterfaceLIFT still has it.

Desktoon - I first came across Everaldo's icons when playing with some Linux live CDs several years ago. Desktoon is packed with 31 pieces of hand-drawn goodness. Available from Yellow Icon.

Continue reading 10 free cartoonish icon sets to spiff up your desktop

10 free cartoonish icon sets to spiff up your desktop originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartoondesktopfuniconsMon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[40+ awesome free Windows apps you can download in 2 seconds]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/07/40-awesome-free-windows-apps-you-can-download-in-2-seconds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/07/40-awesome-free-windows-apps-you-can-download-in-2-seconds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/06/07/40-awesome-free-windows-apps-you-can-download-in-2-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Depending on your internet connection you might be able to download a lot more (or a lot less) than 1Mb in two seconds - but calling this a post about apps under a meg just isn't quite as much fun!

No, you don't really need to pay too much attention to an application's hard drive footprint any more. After all, when you can buy a 1.5Tb drive for less than $150US, what difference does a few megs here or there make?

On the other hand, it's amazing to see what some developers are able to accomplish with a very small amount of code.

There are a ton of great, free applications that have been created in less than 1Mb - I didn't fully realize just how many until I started putting this list together. This is by no means a complete list, so if your favorite got overlooked make sure to share it in the comments!

Continue reading 40+ awesome free Windows apps you can download in 2 seconds

40+ awesome free Windows apps you can download in 2 seconds originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1MbefficientlightweightportablesmalltinySun, 07 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[7 free Windows 7 tweaking utilities]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/05/29/7-free-windows-7-tweaking-utilities/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/05/29/7-free-windows-7-tweaking-utilities/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/05/29/7-free-windows-7-tweaking-utilities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


If you're running the Windows 7 RC, chances are good that you're the kind of user that likes to monkey around with settings and tweak your OS. While you can go the DIY route and hack your registry and run your mouse ragged clicking through various control panel screens, there are a number of good, free apps available designed to simplify tweaking.

Pro tip: if you run one of these apps, use their built-in checkpoint creator before committing changes or create a system restore point yourself - just in case something goes awry.

Here are five - go ahead and add your picks in the comments if you don't see your favorite listed!

EnhanceMySe7en (pictured above) - One strike against EM7 is that you must install it. On the plus side, it's 32 and 64-bit (native). On the minus side, it uses 65Mb memory when running. On the plus side, it comes with a free frogurt!

Joking aside, EM7 is absolutely packed with options. Apart from tweaks covering every nook and cranny in Windows 7, the program also includes CCleaner-like registry and disk cleaning tools, a shortcut creator, fast access to many built-in Windows utilities, and much, much more. It's a beast.

Continue reading 7 free Windows 7 tweaking utilities

7 free Windows 7 tweaking utilities originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>performanceregistrytweaktweakertweakingwindows-7Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 EST