Gadgets Blog » Software

Microsoft’s long line of operating systems defined an era of computing, and with good reason. Beginning with Windows 95, the company’s dedication to a user-friendly interface was remarkable. Early Windows operating systems were an excellent blend of graphical design and power using, with both serious and recreational users able to do what they wanted with the system.

However, later upgrades didn’t always precipitate the market change that Microsoft had wanted. The ill-fated Windows ME saw only a short span before being replaced by Windows XP. Most recently, the new Windows 7 system is having difficulty making its way into the computer market mainstream. Many companies and users initially opted to stay with Windows XP, which had remained a reliable choice even after the release of Windows Vista.

However, it appears that this trend is gradually dying, with more and more users making the switch from XP to Windows 7. The latest system from Microsoft has sold over 250 million copies so far, marking it as a tremendous success and a much-needed breakthrough after customer dissatisfaction with Windows Vista. The last hold-out on older operating systems, however, is only now getting under way.

As far as computer hardware companies go, few have the same level of brand recognition as Intel. The classic four-toned advertisements from the 1990s established the manufacturer in the public eye, and with good reason. Intel’s world of computer processors has fared well in the 21st century, with the chips being incorporated into laptop computers, smartphones, and tablets. However, if you happen to have an Intel chip in a desktop computer, upgrading to a new CPU has been one of the more difficult and technically challenging upgrades to make.

Intel, in an innovative idea, has decided to simplify this process. The Intel Upgrade Service is a new program intended to allow users to upgrade their computer without needing to make physical changes to the computer. Intel’s latest run of computer chips offered consumers a puzzling choice: pay a premium to unlock additional computing power, or do nothing and enjoy a reduction in the processing power.

The move has seen both supporters and detractors, with compelling arguments on each side. In order to make the upgrade, users purchase an online product from Intel, which then downloads an executable file to their computer. This file launches an upgrade process on the computer, unlocking the additional computing power. The entire process is simple to follow, a lot like installing any other file from the Internet.

Oh, and did we mention that they’re all free?

As a first-time Mac owner, I’ve been slowly adapting to the difference between Mac OSX and Windows, and I must say that the transition hasn’t always been a smooth one. While both Mac OS and Windows come with their own suite of programs intended to give the user a solid base to work with, Windows benefits from having a better selection. The content-management system on a Mac is built around the program that are initially included, which is great for beginning computer users, but annoying for someone who knows what they’re doing. At any rate, today we’re looking at three great apps for Mac that will streamline your computing!

GIMP

Short for GNU Image Manipulation Program, GIMP is the Mac answer to Microsoft Paint. Except that it’s light years better. Gimp is used primarily for simple and straightforward image manipulation, including cropping and retouching pictures. This is an excellent addition to your Mac if you don’t want to shell out the big dollars for a more powerful program such as Adobe Photoshop. The user-interface is straightforward and intuitive and should be familiar to anyone with other image-manipulating experience. It can also combine multiple images into an animate GIF format, which is a great option to play around with.

While smart and careful computing is the best line of defense against malicious computer viruses, sometimes even the most cautious users can inadvertently infect their computers with malware, spyware, and other disastrous programs. Luckily there’s a bevy of programs on the market that can serve as a great security measure on your laptop or computer. Today we’ll be taking a look at three of the best programs for computer security.

Bitdefender Total Security 2010

While it doesn’t have the same name recognition as other anti-virus softwares, Bitdefender Total Security 2010 edition offers one of the most comprehensive protection plans available on the market. In addition to traditional protection methods, such as scheduling regular scans and quarantining malicious files, Bitdefender scans email, downloads, and even instant messages in real-time providing up-to-the-minute defense against computer viruses. For the 2010 edition, scans were made less intrusive and the program size was diminished, allowing it to smoothly run in the background of other operations. Additionally, Bitdefender has a highly-customizable automation options, allowing everyone from the computer-savvy to the electronically illiterate to compute with security.

Norton AntiVirus 2010

Developed by longtime industry leader Symantec, Norton has become synonymous with anti-virus protection and with good reason. The program offers frequent comprehensive updates against the latest security threats and capably runs full-system scans. New for 2010 is the introduction of the SONAR2 system, which updates against breaking threats, viruses, and trojan horses in realtime, so long as an Internet connection is present. The latest version of Norton has been engineered for speed, with a streamlined interface giving you a comprehensive look at your computer security with easy-to-navigate menus. An additional feature, essential for computers racked with viruses and worms, Norton Bootable Recovery offers a final wall of protection on important files, enabling you to salvage what’s on your hard drive even if the rest of the computer is shot.

Webroot Antivirus Spy Sweeper

Our final program is great for those who are most unfamiliar with the inner workings of their computer. Webroot is by far the most user-friendly program on this list, with everything from installation to the monitoring of files and scans designed to be streamlined and efficient. Like any solid anti-virus program, Webroot minimizes it’s computer lode while other applications are running, while still keeping a constant protection running in the background. Webroot excels in hunting down spyware and even warns the user when a website begins downloading illicit programs unannounced. With a full year of help support included in the retail package, this can be a great program for family members who need human interaction to conquer tough problems.

Taking documents from computer to computer can be a difficult task, but a variety of solutions are available to combat this 21st Century dilemma. Some embrace the notion of cloud computing, such as the always-present Google Documents option. Under this method, all files are saved in a format accessible via the Internet, from wherever you can bring up your email. This option has a great deal of flexibility in terms of accessibility, but there are some drawbacks: primarily, it is impossible to access your documents without an internet connection. While the Internet is becoming more and more available, there are some instances, such as while commuting via airplane, where Internet simply isn’t available. How then, does one manage transporting documents under such circumstances?

Enter GoodSync2Go, a software designed to solve these synchronization problems and bring all your important files with you wherever you go. As a clarification, there are two different iterations of this software. The first is the GoodSync, which works on any desktop or laptop and operates out of that computer’s hard drive, and GoodSync2Go, which is installed directly onto a thumbdrive or external hard drive and can then be operated on any computer it’s plugged into.