Windows 8 Comes to Windows 7 Explorer with Better Explorer
Last Updated on Monday, 19 December 2011 07:20 Written by Alan Monday, 2 January 2012 07:00
You may have at least seen screenshots of the next version of Windows Explorer, even if you haven’t tried out the Windows 8 Developer Preview. The next version of Windows Explorer will have the ribbon interface that was debuted in Microsoft Office and, while many users didn’t initially like it, has become popular over the past couple of years. It’s something that may initially seem too different, but once you get some experience with it you will find it much more useful.
Better Explorer brings the ribbon interface, and several other features, to Windows as a replacement for Windows Explorer. Other features include tabs and extra jumplist options. The program doesn’t replace Windows Explorer, and it’s not an add-on, but it’s a completely separate stand-alone program. It’s an open-source project hosted over at Codeplex.
Features of the latest version, include:
The main goals of this project are:
- Adding tab functionality together with use of standard explorer browser control (Implemented)
- Adding additional features like:
- Changing Library icons (conditional tab for Libraries) (In progress)
- File operation with files and folders(Implemented)
- Synchronized command promt
- Change of folder icons (conditional tab for folders)
- Extended Jump list support (Windows 7)(Implemented)
- Extended search conditional tab like extended search pane in Vista (Windows 7)(In progress)
The program is compatible with Windows 7 and is still in Alpha release, but is very stable. If you want more functionality out of Windows Explorer than it currently has, and you like the ribbon interface for Windows 8 and the current Office, then you may want to try this out. It’s a free download, but appears to only work with Windows 7.
Download: Codeplex Better Explorer
5 Portable Apps for your New USB Drive
Last Updated on Monday, 26 December 2011 03:39 Written by Alan Monday, 26 December 2011 03:39
The portable USB drive, or thumb drive as it’s also known, has become common, not just with geeks and tech people, but with everyone from kids using them to turn in homework assignments to grandparents carrying photos of children and grandchildren to show off. With large amounts of storage space that can clip to a key ring the USB drive is the portable storage device of choice. They also make great stocking stuffers because of the size and cheap price, so many of you probably received one this holiday season.
With all of that said, while photos and homework are great uses for your new USB drive, there are many apps you can also run directly from these tiny devices. That’s great when you’re out and about without your laptop or tablet and you want to use a public computer or a friends’ PC. From both a privacy and security standpoint portable apps are winners. You can run them without leaving any trace behind on the computer you used – no user names, passwords, or browsing history. Log into your home computer to access a file, check your email from the web, or do a Google search. Here are 5 portable apps that I find indispensable on my USB Drive.
Version 16 of the Google Chrome browser is now available. The portable version is super small and super fast. Use it to check your web-based email, search, and browse without installing anything on the computer you’re using. Better, it doesn’t leave any trace of what you did behind on that computer.
FileZilla is one of my favorite apps for the computer, and the portable version is just as useful. Set it up to access a home computer or server so that can upload and download files from a remote location via FTP.
Skype is far and away the most popular IP-based communication program in the world. You can use it to chat, send messages, or make audio and video phone calls. You can call people via their PC or land line phone.
OpenOffice is a free, open source alternative to Microsoft Office from Oracle. It comes with alternatives to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Use it for easy access and editing of documents from any computer. OpenOffice is compatible with DocX which means documents are interchangeable between it and Microsoft Office.
Access and share all of your Dropbox files. This isn’t an official portable app from Dropbox, but it works just as well. It provides complete control of your Dropbox, just as your computer app does.
You can find many more portable apps available for free download over at the Portable Apps website.
Got a New Windows 7 PC Today? 5 Free Apps You Should Install
Last Updated on Thursday, 22 December 2011 07:54 Written by Alan Sunday, 25 December 2011 07:00
So this morning you awoke to find that brand new Windows 7 computer you have been wanting and now you’re wondering what to do first. Well, aside from the usual setup process that a first boot-up puts you through – setting a user name, password, internet access, etc, there are some apps I consider to be my top priority on every new computer. Of course there are things like Office, which most all of us need at least from time to time, but let’s look at free apps, because not everyone wants to, or can, shell out money for this stuff. And besides, there’s a free alternative to that piece of Microsoft flagship software as well.
Let’s focus on apps that are free, easy to install and use, and will make your new PC more functional in your everyday life. We will also make sure that these are hardware-independent, meaning they have a low minimum hardware requirement and that they are just as useful on a desktop or laptop computer. With that in mind here are five apps to take a look at.
Since I brought up the Microsoft product back there this is the top free alternative. There are others available, but Open Office seems to do the best job as a stand-in for the Microsoft version. It’s free and it’s not a resource hog. Best of all, files are compatible between the two programs.
Yes, Microsoft makes it on a list of free software as well. Actually, stay tuned, they make it twice. Windows Live is a suite of apps, many of which used to come pre-installed in Windows back in the XP days. There’s Windows Live Mail (basically Hotmail, but this replaces the outdated Outlook Express), Messenger, Movie Maker (vastly improved over the old, useless version), Photo Gallery, Live Mesh, and Live Writer.
There is no better way to share, sync, and store your files than with a Dropbox account. They provide free storage, or reasonably priced upgrades to higher amounts of storage if you need it. All of your files, regardless of file type, can be stored in their cloud, shared with friends, and synced between computers.
Yes, Microsoft makes the list a second time. Before you pay for that copy of Norton or McAfee that came pre-installed on your computer, stop! This free security suite will do every bit as much to protect your PC as those over-blown, over-priced apps can do. It doesn’t use up as much system resources and, because it’s made by the people who also made your operating system, it integrates better and has less chance of hitting a false positive.
Okay, this may be a bit of a cop out to name two web browsers, but both are good and either one will work great for you. I honestly prefer, and mostly use, Firefox, but I have both installed on every PC. Firefox feels more customizable with it’s massive add-on library and it’s personas. On the other hand, Chrome has a minimalist look and super-fast speed. This one is up to the individual user.
