The little known programming language Logo isn't know for its power but it can actually produce some pretty decent 3D models - and it's a hell of a lot easier to learn than most languages.

Elica is specially designed for Logo programmers who want to creating impressive 3D animations, object-oriented programming, visualization and mathematical games for educational purposes. Elica features all the standard things you expect in a programming environment such as syntax coloring, comprehensive help file and in this particular environment, a very powerful graphics engine to handle 3D modeling.

From the developer's website, it mainly seems that Elica has been used by Logo programmers to create simulations of artificial life to mathematical games like Tangram and Towers of Hanoi. You can take a look for yourself in the Elica Online Museum exactly what the program is capable of and it's safe to say you'll probably be amazed by some of the results.

If you're a Logo programmer or have been thinking about 3D modelling or design, you should definitely get to know Elica.

Download Elica 5.6 in Softonic

If you want to know how much load is being put on your CPU or RAM, then you can always use Windows Task Manager.

However, this involves pressing ALT-Ctrl-Del and it doesn't exactly look great or give you much info. All CPU Meter on the other hand is a handy little gadget that shows on your desktop in graphical form, exactly how much work your CPU and RAM are doing. It's designed especially for Windows Vista and those PCs equipped with Quad Core or Dual Core processors.

All CPU Meter uses numerical values, percentages and status bars to display the memory consumption, processor load, along with a historical graph to show how your components are performing. There aren't many customization options although you can change the mode of presentation to bar graph format and change the background color.

All CPU Meter is a useful tool to monitor how your RAM and CPU are performing or to diagnose memory leaks and system slow downs.

Download All CPU Meter 1.0 in Softonic

Driver Magician Lite identifies all the hardware in the system, extracts their associated drivers from the hard disk and backs them up to a location of your choice. Then when you format and reinstall/upgrade your operating system, you can restore all the "saved" drivers just as if you had the original driver diskettes in your hands.

Download Driver Magician Lite 3.41 in Softonic

DirectX is a package of special libraries developed by Microsoft that attempt to improve and optimize audiovisual performance on your system.

These drivers enable you to make the most of modern graphic cards with 3D capabilities, which makes them generally advisable for multimedia tasks and an absolute must-have for gamers – in fact, DirectX is usually a compulsory requirement to install certain games.

Installing DirectX on your computer is as easy as launching the executable file, which in turn will download some necessary components from the web. Then just follow the wizard's instructions and you're done.

Note that, when installed, this new version will overwrite any other previous versions you may have of Directx.

DirectX is an indispensable package of drivers and libraries to achieve an optimal level of performance in games and multimedia on your system.

Download DirectX 9.23.1350 in Softonic

Searching in Windows has always been painfully slow but Microsofts launch of Windows Search 4 aims to bring searching up to speed with applications such as Google Desktop.

Windows Search 4 uses the same indexing style approach that Google Desktop does meaning that your data is always indexed and instantly searchable. Search results are now returned in seconds rather than minutes under Windows older search tool. You can preview information that's returned in results including information within e-mail messages. The search tool is much more easily accessible too in Vista from the Start menu and XP is equipped with a deskbar for instant searches. Be warned however - the indexing file can be huge especially if you have a large amount of data on your PC so make sure you have plenty of disk space free before installing Windows Search 4 otherwise you’ll find it locks up your system before finally warning you that your disk space is low. In this release, Microsoft have finally ensured that you can also index and search encrypted files which was something missing from previous versions. This is something that should have already been included in Vista and is yet another area where Microsoft are adding and completing aspects of the system that should have been ready before it was released.

Google Desktop and Copernic Desktop Search have been on the market for years now and yet Microsoft have only just been able to implement such a basic feature into their operating system but it's definitely a vast improvement on previous Windows search tools.

Download Windows Search 4 XP & Server 2003 in Softonic

Searching in Windows has always been painfully slow but Microsofts launch of Windows Search 4 aims to bring searching up to speed with applications such as Google Desktop.

Windows Search 4 uses the same indexing style approach that Google Desktop does meaning that your data is always indexed and instantly searchable. Search results are now returned in seconds rather than minutes under Windows older search tool. You can preview information that's returned in results including information within e-mail messages. The search tool is much more easily accessible too in Vista from the Start menu and XP is equipped with a deskbar for instant searches. Be warned however - the indexing file can be huge especially if you have a large amount of data on your PC so make sure you have plenty of disk space free before installing Windows Search 4 otherwise you’ll find it locks up your system before finally warning you that your disk space is low. In this release, Microsoft have finally ensured that you can also index and search encrypted files which was something missing from previous versions. This is something that should have already been included in Vista and is yet another area where Microsoft are adding and completing aspects of the system that should have been ready before it was released.

Google Desktop and Copernic Desktop Search have been on the market for years now and yet Microsoft have only just been able to implement such a basic feature into their operating system but it's definitely a vast improvement on previous Windows search tools.

Download Windows Search 4 Vista SP1 & Server 2008 in Softonic

The latest Service Pack for XP is finally here and it includes some minor but important updates for Windows users.

Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. However, this particular update only includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly enhance the operating system. Amongst these updates are features such as an updated Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (which already appears in Windows Server 2008 and Vista) and an update to Wifi protected access to make wireless surfing more secure.

There has also been added a “health checking” component that’s already used by Windows Server 2008 which can check to make sure that certain upgrades and security features are in place for XP-based clients before they are allowed to log onto a network.

Note that this Service Pack is valid for updates across the XP range including Windows XP, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Home Edition N, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Professional Edition, Windows XP Professional N, Windows XP Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows XP Starter Edition and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Download Service Pack 3 now to ensure that your version of XP is updated with the latest fixes and features for maximum functionality.

Download Windows XP Service Pack (SP3) in Softonic

If your CD or DVD drive supports LightScribe, then you'll need this component to run it properly on your machine.

If you don't know what LightScribe is, it's basically a disk writer that allows you to create stunning CD and DVD covers directly in your CD/DVD drive. In this way, it doubles the capabilities of your DVD/CD drive. Creating a LightScribe disc is simple, but involves two separate processes according to the LightScribe developers. The data side is created using any traditional data authoring software, and if it's LightScribe enabled, the application may ask if you want to burn a label. It may help you in the cover creation process by actually downloading content appropriate to your CD or DVD that you are burning. However, if you are using a stand-alone disc labeling software, you will have to disable LightScribe and launch the software separately and design the label onscreen. In either case, simply remove the disk from your burner, turn it over and click "Print" to send the cover image to the drive. Hey Presto, you've got a ready made CD-DVD cover.

This is an essential component that you'll need to get the most out of your LightScribe drive - just check whether your drive supports it or not.

Download Lightscribe System Software (LSS) 1.12.37.1 in Softonic

So the first major update to Windows Vista is here at last, fourteen months after Microsoft's latest operating system was finally released. Many potential Vista customers were advised at launch to "Wait for Service Pack 1" - so was this advice valid?

Service Pack 1 contains a range of improvements to Windows Vista, focused in three main areas, which Microsoft terms: Quality Improvements, Emerging Hardware & Standards and Infrastructure Optimization. Quality Improvements are basically bug fixes and this part of the Service Pack includes all the small updates that have been applied by Windows Update since Vista was released, in one handy bundle. Quality Improvements also include attempts to improve system stability and reliability, mainly when it comes to working with 3rd party applications like those you can download from Softonic.

Emerging Hardware and Standards refers to additional support for newer technologies in Vista. Since the code for Vista was finalised, new technologies have been released which many users would like to deploy to their PCs. Examples of these technologies include 64-bit EFI network boot, exFAT storage, improved support for HD-DVD and Bluray technologies, additional cryptographic algorithms, full support for 802.11n wireless, and much more.

Infrastructure Optimization consists of various improvements designed to help organisations deploy and patch Windows more easily. Systems administrators will welcome improvements to the Network Diagnostics tool, Disk Defragmenter, Group Policy and Network Access Protection.

What has to be said about Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is that it still doesn't contain many of the innovations which were originally promised as components in the OS. While many of these hotfixes, security improvements and technology upgrades are more than welcome, there is little to get really excited about in SP1. So yes, it probably made sense to wait for this upgrade, but don't expect Vista to suddenly become a perfect operating system: that's simply not going to happen.

That said, SP1 does include a lot of fixes which might prove very useful for users, especially when it comes to security, and that's why it's a recommended update for all Windows Vista PCs.

Download Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) in Softonic

Microsoft DirectX is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-color graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio. It includes security and performance updates, along with many new features across all technologies, which can be accessed by applications using the DirectX APIs.

Download DirectX Redistributable June 2007 in Softonic

The Google Pack is like a first aid kit for your PC: it’s small, tidy and filled with all the essentials. So what’s inside? The Firefox web browser, Ad Aware SE Personal and Norton Antivirus for protection, Adobe Reader for your PDF files, Picasa for your pictures, Google Earth to span the globe, Google Desktop to organize your files and a Google Screensaver. The Google Pack is an excellent selection of solid and essential software, half of which are from Google itself, which any new PC users should get his hands on.

First time users will appreciate the smooth download process, and a friendly interface. Once started, the Google Pack will check your computer to see if you already have any of the applications and if not will install them. The download progress bar at the top lets you know how far you are in the installation process. The application also shows the download size of each program, just in case you’re worried about the space on your PC. If you’re not sure what a program is for, roll your mouse over the title and a tooltip (or small description) will appear. Once you’re done with the pack, you can let it sit discreetly in your system tray, and call it up whenever you need it.

The Google Pack is also a Google Updater, and will regularly check that the installed applications are up to date. Beginners will be glad to know that there’s a link to the help page for every program and that you can easily uninstall each application. Another cool thing is access to more software (like Skype, RealPlayer, or Google Talk) from a link in the “installed software” tab. However one can’t help but wonder why Google didn’t just include all that software in the Google Pack. It might mean that more applications will be available in the future.

We were a bit annoyed to find out that the Google Pack installs Firefox with the Google Toolbar, a plug-in which is not completely necessary. Another irritating thing is how the Pack automatically installs all programs instead of letting you choose individual components. There’s also no refresh button to check for new updates or to reinstall software you’ve erased.

Google Pack is intended for new PC users and, although it blatantly stuffs a good number of Google applications in there, you have to recognize that all the programs it offers are top notch. Don’t waste your time on the net finding the right apps for your PC, let Google Pack set you up.

Download Google Pack 1.1.489.24609 in Softonic

Microsoft .NET Framework Redistributable includes all you need to execute applications based on .NET Framework. If one application shows you an error like "Unable to locate required .DLL, MSCORE.DLL", you can fix it installing this component.

The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 is the new managed code programming model for Windows. It combines the power of the .NET Framework version 2.0 with new technologies for building applications that have visually compelling user experiences, seamless communication across technology boundaries, and the ability to support a wide range of business processes. These new technologies are Windows Presentation Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, Windows Workflow Foundation, and Windows CardSpace.

Download Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 in Softonic

AutoPatcher is a comprehensive collection of patches, addons and registry tweaks that give you peace of mind in the knowledge that your Windows system is up to date, even before you connect it to the Internet. It's designed to quickly patch a system with the most current updates and tweaks available, and requires no user interaction once you have selected what to install.

Download AutoPatcher XP April 2006 in Softonic

About once a year, Microsoft releases an update to Windows XP. These updates contain all the fixes and enhancements which have been made available in the previous year. The updates (called Service Packs) provide convenient, all-in-one access to the most up-to-date drivers, tools, security updates, patches, and customer-requested product changes.

The latest Service Pack for Windows XP—Service Pack 2 (SP2)—is all about security, and it’s one of the most important service packs ever released. It provides better protection against viruses, hackers, and worms, and includes Windows Firewall, Pop-up Blocker for Internet Explorer, and the new Windows Security Center.

Download Windows XP Service Pack 2 (IT Pros and Developers) in Softonic

There are certain software components that don't work as applications by themselves, but rather as a framework to run other apps.

This is the case of Microsoft .NET Framework, a software package that contains everything you need to execute programs based on the .NET development environment. It includes common library files, language common routines and ASP.NET files.

This component will fix all the error messages you may get when trying to run .NET applications, so you should definitely install it on your system. What's more, installation is really easy: simply run the file and follow the wizard's steps. Just don't expect to have an interface or something similar to run .NET Frameworks: there's simply none.

Microsoft .NET Framework is a necessary component to run many applications nowadays, so you should absolutely install it on your system.

Download Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727 in Softonic