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  <title><![CDATA[live for Windows - Softonic Search]]></title>
  <description><![CDATA[Download live for Windows - Free subscription and downloads for your favorite programs]]></description>
  <link>http://en.softonic.com/</link>
  <language>en-US</language>
  <pubdate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:00:54 +0100</pubdate>
  <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
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   <title>Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic</title>
   <link>http://en.softonic.com/</link>
  </image>
  <item>
   <title><![CDATA[CyberLink YouCam 2.0]]></title>
   <link>http://cyberlink-youcam.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/74000/74509/2_youcam.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>CyberLink YouCam is one of those applications that allows you to add wacky and bizarre effects to your webcam chats and conversations.</p>
<p>You can do just about anything from turning yourself into Abraham Lincoln to a talking dog to shock, surprise and even disgust your friends. It works in conjunction with Windows Live Messenger, Skype, Yahoo Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger. CyberLink YouCam doesn't just stick a dogs face in front of yours however. It uses facial-tracking 3D avatars that mimic the real movements of your face so it actually looks pretty good (except the dog, it has to be said).</p>
<p>There are two different modes to choose from -  Live Chat Mode which allows you to pepper your chats with video effects; Video and Photo Capture Mode - this allows you to record yourself on video, capture a single photo, or photo burst. And finally, Automatic Capture which records videos by setting your recording time, or to starting with the detection of motion.</p>
<p><b>CyberLink YouCam is a fun tool that will spice up any webchat conversation, although some of the effects are clearly more realistic than others.</b></p><p>Download <a title="CyberLink YouCam 2.0" href="http://cyberlink-youcam.en.softonic.com"><strong>CyberLink YouCam 2.0</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://cyberlink-youcam.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">74509</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[eToro 1.3]]></title>
   <link>http://etoro.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/66000/66205/2_Untitled_6.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>eToro is not a bullfighting game, although this is the impression you get from its name. In fact, it's a game about trading foreign currencies and making money out of it.</p>
<p>You can play eToro just for fun or for real money. In both cases, transaction values are authentic and obtained live from stock markets. However, we strongly recommend you to practice a little bit before putting your money into any real risk.</p>
<p>The game looks really complicated at first sight, but fortunately it includes a complete Help area with highly detailed tutorials. I particularly like having an embedded chat client to hang out with other traders while you wait for the right moment to buy or sell.</p>
<p><b>eToro enables you to learn the basics of Forex trading and make some real money.</b></p><p>Download <a title="eToro 1.3" href="http://etoro.en.softonic.com"><strong>eToro 1.3</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://etoro.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">66205</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[MessenPass 1.24]]></title>
   <link>http://messenpass.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/40000/40935/2_messenpass1.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>MessenPass is a password recovery tool that reveals the passwords of the most popular instant messenger applications, such as MSN Messenger, Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Trillian, Gaim and many more.</p>
<p>The application can only be used to recover the passwords for the current logged-on user on your local computer, and it only works if you chose the remember your password in one of the above programs. You cannot use this utility for grabbing the passwords of other users.</p><p>Download <a title="MessenPass 1.24" href="http://messenpass.en.softonic.com"><strong>MessenPass 1.24</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://messenpass.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">40935</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Real Desktop Light 1.42]]></title>
   <link>http://real-desktop.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/67000/67460/2_3desktop01.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Real Desktop is one of those PC applications that aren't really that useful, but have such an attractive effect on your system that you want to install them anyway.</p>
<p>This app turns your Windows desktop into a three-dimensional environment where all your shortcuts look like small pieces that have been dropped on the floor – and they actually behave like that. You can move them, rotate them, lift them a bit from the floor and mix them all around the desktop surface. The only icon that remains somewhat apart is the Recycle bin, probably to help you find it faster.</p>
<p>This precisely the main drawback in Real Desktop: finding icons. The 3D effect is really amazing, as well as the icon behavior almost as Lego pieces. But having them scattered all over the places doesn't exactly make your PC easier to use – especially if you're anything like me, who likes to have as few icons as possible, and always perfectly organized.</p>
<p><b>With Real Desktop you can apply an amazing 3D effect to your Windows desktop, although you'll lose a lot of icon usability on the way.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Real Desktop Light 1.42" href="http://real-desktop.en.softonic.com"><strong>Real Desktop Light 1.42</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://real-desktop.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">67460</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Real Alternative 1.9.0]]></title>
   <link>http://real-alternative.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/28000/28591/2_28591.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>There are many necessary evils in this life including queues, rain, and, perhaps most annoyingly for computer users, RealPlayer. </p>
<p>The latter of the three has traditionally been cursed for its slow buffering times and the fact that it comes rammed with all manner of obnoxious advertising and intrusive web links. Unfortunately the application has always been the only tool available to play streaming media files in the rather arcane RAM format, in which many sites still insist on encoding their video and audio in. Luckily, there’s a saviour around these days, in the shape of Real Alternative, which is designed to play these files with less hassle.</p>
<p>The program is a streamlined advertising-free application designed to easily play most media content, including RealAudio (.ra .rpm), RealMedia (.rm .ram .rmvb .rpx .smi .smil), RealText (.rt), and ReadPix (.rp) formats, along with as non-Real media content such as MP3s, MPEGs, AVIs, QuickTime movies, and CD/DVD content. You can also use the program to stream media embedded in web pages. </p>
<p>In terms of performance, Real Alternative beats the pants off RealPlayer, and for that matter, Windows Media Player, playing all the files we tested smoothly and virtually instantaneously. The app contains enough features to keep more serious users happy, including the useful ability to bookmark favorite files, adjust volume in the window, track progress of the file, and more. Although not as quite as fully loaded with tools as its more established rivals, we can live without all manner of channel guides and visualizations in exchange for a much slicker playback experience. </p>
<p>There are some areas where Real Alternative falls down, such as its inability to handle .smi files or its lack of support for CDDB look-ups. But if you’re looking for something that will play audio and video quickly and without interruption, you can’t fault Real Alternative. There are programs, such as KMPlayer, which also offer superior playback quality, but Real Alternative excels in the way it handles streaming media, making it a worthwhile addition to your PC’s arsenal of programs.</p><p>Download <a title="Real Alternative 1.9.0" href="http://real-alternative.en.softonic.com"><strong>Real Alternative 1.9.0</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://real-alternative.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">28591</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Microsoft Phone Data Manager  Beta]]></title>
   <link>http://microsoft-phone-data-manager.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/74000/74032/2_6.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>As mobile phones become ever smarter, more and more of us are using our devices as mini computers. But how easy do you find it to share data from your Windows machine with your mobile? Not very, I reckon.</p>
<p>Until now, only Windows Mobile users have really had any kind of standardized platform for transferring files and synchronizing contacts between a PC and a handheld device: using Microsoft ActiveSync. Not any more though, because Microsoft Phone Data Manger enables data sharing between Windows and a wide variety of different phones and PDAs.</p>
<p>Microsoft Phone Data Manger is specifically designed to transfer contacts, photos, music and video from your device to your PC, and to synchronize your phone's contacts with your Windows Live contacts. This is great for users of the service, as it ensures you have access to your phone book when you don't have it to hand, and means that your contacts are kept safe in the vent of you losing your mobile. Of course, this is only good if you use Windows Live, because Microsoft Phone Data Manager doesn't support GMail, Yahoo! or any other webmail provider.</p>
<p>The key to Microsoft Phone Data Manager lies in its simplicity. The application detects any device connected, provided it supports the SyncML standard - check the Microsoft website to see if your device does. You'll need to connect via Bluetooth or USB cable in order to perform syncs. Syncing in Phone Data Manager is a real breeze. You simply double-click on the device you wish to hook up to, then choose whether you want to sync your contacts or back up your files. Enter your Windows Live (or Hotmail) ID and the program will automatically share your contacts between your phone and the email service.</p>
<p>Microsoft Phone Data Manager is still in beta, so it isn't perfect. There are a few interface glitches, such as the screwy Live ID entry screen, and the fact that there aren't any advanced features like a proper file explorer. </p>
<p><b>On the whole, however, Microsoft Phone Data Manager provides a fast and reliable way of syncing contacts and backing up files.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Microsoft Phone Data Manager  Beta" href="http://microsoft-phone-data-manager.en.softonic.com"><strong>Microsoft Phone Data Manager  Beta</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
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   <title><![CDATA[KLS Mail Backup 1.3.0.0]]></title>
   <link>http://kls-mail-backup.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/72000/72921/2_Untitled_1.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>If you've never backed up your e-mail then you could do a lot worse than use KLS Mail Backup to make backups of your most important files.</p>
<p>KLS Mail Backup copies messages, email addresses, folders, rules and can even copy your browser history, favorites and cookies, etc. Best of all, it doesn't save them in that annoying MST format that MS Outlook uses - it compresses them in ZIP format that anyone can restore when they need it. </p>
<p>The big question is, how long does it take and what applications does it work with. Well, with Outlook Express it's pretty quick although it doesn't work with Microsoft Outlook unfortunately. It does however work with Mozilla Thunderbird, SeaMonkey and Windows Mail which isn't a great deal but covers most of the major alternatives outside of Outlook. One added bonus is that it can also backup Windows Live mail contacts, Messenger files and configuration but not unfortunately, the mail itself.</p>
<p><b>KLS Mail Backup is a pretty flexible mail backup system that has most of the major avenues covered except the glaring omission of Microsoft Outlook.</b></p><p>Download <a title="KLS Mail Backup 1.3.0.0" href="http://kls-mail-backup.en.softonic.com"><strong>KLS Mail Backup 1.3.0.0</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Firefox Portable 3.0.3]]></title>
   <link>http://firefox-portable.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/43000/43905/2_screenshot.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Mozilla Firefox is a fast, full-featured web browser that's easy to use. It has lots of great features including popup-blocking, tabbed-browsing, integrated search, improved privacy features, automatic updating and more. Plus, thanks to the PortableApps.com launcher bundled in Mozilla Firefox - Portable Edition, it leaves no personal information behind on the machine you run it on, so you can take your favorite browser along with all your favorite bookmarks and extensions with you wherever you go.</p>
<h3>Intelligent Start</h3>
<p class="indented">Firefox Portable now uses an intelligent start system that keeps track of where you're running it from. That way, if you run it a second time from the same location or move to another PC that happens to give you the same drive letter, it won't have to do as much to start Firefox up.</p>
<h3>Alternate INI Locations Dropped</h3>
<p class="indented">To improve startup time, the alternate directory layouts for the FirefoxPortable.ini file have been dropped. It will need to be placed next to FirefoxPortable.exe. If you use an INI, you'll also need to update it with the new INI options.</p>
<h3>Most Alternate Directory Layouts Dropped</h3>
<p class="indented">To simplify the launcher, all alternate directory layouts have been dropped except placing the launcher one directory above the FirefoxPortable directory.</p>
<h3>Improved Unicode Support</h3>
<p class="indented">Firefox Portable has improved support for unicode, so you can drop a file with non-ASCII characters right on FirefoxPortable.exe and open it up.</p>
<h3>Improved Live CD Support For Windows 95/98/Me</h3>
<p class="indented">Live mode has been improved for better compatibility with most Windows 95, 98 and Me systems.</p><p>Download <a title="Firefox Portable 3.0.3" href="http://firefox-portable.en.softonic.com"><strong>Firefox Portable 3.0.3</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">43905</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Google Toolbar Firefox 5.0.20080919Wb1 Beta]]></title>
   <link>http://google-toolbar-beta5.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/70000/70506/2_toolbar4.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>The Google Toolbar is probably my favorite toolbar on the net and something I've gradually come to rely on everyday.</p>
<p>Now, it's got even better with the latest release which is packed with improvements and updates that Google fans will lap up. These include custom buttons with gadget support, synchronized toolbar settings (so you can sync two toolbars across different computers), Google Notebook integration, a word find function, suggestions for navigation errors and an improved autofiller. It also now features details of your Web History (which is totally unnecessary although very easily searchable compared to Firefox or IE). Apart from the sync feature, I think the best addition is the gadget support. Through these, Google Toolbar now supports live feeds and when you click on any of the gadget icons, the gadget pops down from the Toolbar, no matter what site you are on and close when you are done with it. You can mix and match gadgets as much as you want although the danger is you end up adding so many that the toolbar becomes bloated.</p>
<p><b>This is the best release of Google Toolbar yet and it creeps even further into territory that formerly was the domain of browsers - check it out now.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Google Toolbar Firefox 5.0.20080919Wb1 Beta" href="http://google-toolbar-beta5.en.softonic.com"><strong>Google Toolbar Firefox 5.0.20080919Wb1 Beta</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">70506</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[SlickEdit 2008]]></title>
   <link>http://slickedit.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/74000/74208/2_slickedit3.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Programming environments that claim to have it all are everywhere but most programmers complain that they fail to live up the hype.</p>
<p>SlickEdit is a cross-platform attempt to break this trend as a multi-language code editor that allows programmers to create, navigate, modify, build, and debug code faster and more accurately. There are several features unique to SlickEdit that will make of it interest to programmers.</p>
<p>Context Tagging is one of them which allows you to drill down from a symbol to its definition, or quickly find all references without searching - a huge time saver for most under pressure programmers. Another is Completion on Space. This option allows you to press the spacebar when List Members is displayed and will insert the appropriate code without you having to type it which is another huge time saver. </p>
<p>There are many other more standard features of SlickEdit too including syntax highlighting, code templates and creating custom typing shortcuts with aliases that will help you finish your coding quicker. </p>
<p><b>Whether it's a major or minor project, SlickEdit packs in a huge number of time saving features combined with quick response times to make it a cross-platform editor worth reckoning with.</b></p><p>Download <a title="SlickEdit 2008" href="http://slickedit.en.softonic.com"><strong>SlickEdit 2008</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">74208</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Livestation 2.1]]></title>
   <link>http://livestation.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/69000/69001/2_Livestation5b.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>LiveStation is a peer-to-peer application that lets you watch watch television online. At the moment the selection of channels is limited to international news stations like BBC World, EuroNews and Al Jazeera along with two radio services: BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4.</p>
<p>The positive aspect of this software is that, being based on peer-to-peer technology, it virtually eliminates buffering time, meaning you won’t have to wait to watch the channels. The video experience is much more enjoyable than what you can get from a traditional streaming service because the data comes from many sources at the same time, reducing congestion problems. Every PC connected is both client and server.</p>
<p>Livestation requires Microsoft Silverlight to run, but don’t worry because during the installation it asks you whether you want to download it automatically. </p>
<p>The interface is simple but cool with smooth fade effects and once the channel is selected, the very high quality stream starts immediately. Unfortunately there is no pause button, nor any functionality for recording programs at certain times. That said, the application is still at a 'technical trial' stage so there is still room for these kinds of improvements. </p>
<p><b>If you have a fast internet connection you can always be updated on what’s happening around the world by watching the most famous international news channels with the light and usable LiveStation.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Livestation 2.1" href="http://livestation.en.softonic.com"><strong>Livestation 2.1</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">69001</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Yahoo! Messenger with Voice 9.0.0.1912]]></title>
   <link>http://yahoo-messenger-with-voice.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/12000/12473/2_yahoomess_multi.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>As one of the mainstays of the instant messaging world, Yahoo! has finally decided to drag itself onto the VOIP bandwagon with the launch of this Voice version of its popular client. As well as offering free PC-to-PC calls and cheap PC-to-phone (landline and mobile) calls, the program throws in all the usual over-the-top gadgetry and gimmicks we've come to associate with Yahoo! Messenger. </p>
<p>As we've seen before from programs that try to be all things to all people, there's always a danger that things can get a little out of hand for the user, and this is the territory that Yahoo is entering with this latest incarnation of its messenger. It's true that the voice facilities in the program are top-notch, delivering crystal-clear clarity for most calls to PCs and phones. It's also true that the application boasts a bevy of interesting and innovative features, such as the ability to play games and listen to online radio together, send animated, talking emoticons, and quickly share files and photos simply by dragging and dropping them into the chat window. </p>
<p>Although, in the main, these features are good for a laugh, we did have a couple of things that we'd like to raise if we ever met Mr Yahoo! Firstly, we like the games but they lack instructions, so sometimes it can take a while to figure out how to play them. Also many of the so-called 'Audibles,' which are essentially animated, talking emoticons, are a little vulgar to say the least, and not really suitable for anyone with a reputation to uphold.</p>
<p>There are plenty of ways to customize the client to suit your mood too. The main interface is fully skinable, and you can also change the way the chat window looks by selecting from dozens of themed 'IMvironments', which certainly helps to inject some variety into your chat experiences. You can also build your own avatar – a process which can take hours as you carefully select the right haircut, clothes, sunglasses and even breed of dog to have sitting at your side in your IM profile.</p>
<p>Individually, these features are both innovative and compelling, but ironically they combine to contribute to the downfall of Messenger for Voice. The fact is that all of these options serve to swamp the interface and if you have a lot of the features running at the same time it's often hard to find even the text window. While it's fun and novel at first, the messenger very quickly becomes an irritant more than anything. Our advice – stick with Skype.</p><p>Download <a title="Yahoo! Messenger with Voice 9.0.0.1912" href="http://yahoo-messenger-with-voice.en.softonic.com"><strong>Yahoo! Messenger with Voice 9.0.0.1912</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">12473</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Windows Live Pack  Beta]]></title>
   <link>http://windows-live-pack.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/74000/74117/2_livepack01.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Windows Live Pack is a complete pack of utilities, all powered by Microsoft and mostly related to Internet and web services.</p>
<p>The flagship in Windows Live Pack is undoubtedly Windows Live Messenger, the popular IM client, but you can also find some other handy apps to check your email, manage your photos, restrict Internet access to your kids or write your blog, among other tasks. If you don't need all of them don't worry: Windows Live Pack lets you choose the ones you want during the installation process. They all require a Windows Live account to work though.</p>
<p>Besides Messenger, the pack contains the following apps: Windows Live Call Beta, Windows Live Family Safety Beta, Windows Live Mail Beta (replacing good ol' Outlook Express), Windows Live Photo Gallery Beta and Windows Live Writer Beta.</p>
<p>These new Live apps are still at a beta stage, but they were all pretty stable during our tests. Plus they all feature very clean, slick interfaces which makes them very visually appealing and easy to use.</p>
<p><b>Windows Live Pack is a handy toolkit with several varied apps, specially designed for Microsoft fans.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Windows Live Pack  Beta" href="http://windows-live-pack.en.softonic.com"><strong>Windows Live Pack  Beta</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">74117</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Windows Live Messenger 2009 14.0.5027.908 Beta]]></title>
   <link>http://windows-live-messenger.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/51000/51494/2_livemsn-08.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Windows Live Messenger, previously known as MSN Messenger, was renamed as part of Microsoft's move towards the Live online community. So far, the most popular IM app in the world had already gone through a bunch of updates, but this new name also meant important changes that would somehow start a new period in Messenger's history.</p>
<p>Windows Live Messenger includes some outstanding characteristics that are well worth a mention. Firstly, its all-new interface features a completely different design from traditional Windows applications, which you can also customize by choosing your own color scheme. In order to maintain this neatness, the menu bar has been hidden under a single top right corner button but this makes it a bit uncomfortable to browse through options. Luckily, the most common actions (send email, call a contact, access MSN Spaces and view shared folders) have been implemented as nice little buttons right under your username, so they're easy to access. Another thing we liked is that you can hide side tabs in the main interface window (right click on any of them and check the "Hide tabs" checkbox). However, there's apparently no way to hide the bottom ad.</p>
<p>Windows Live Messenger offers plenty of emoticons and winks to cheer up your conversations with. You can expand both collections by easily adding new sets which you'll find by the hundred on the Internet. Customization possibilities include changing the chat window background or even adding a personal message to your nickname, but not creating custom status messages. At least this new version features the longed-for offline messaging tool, enabling you to leave a message to any of your contacts even if they're not online.</p>
<p>The two most important features in this new Windows Live Messenger are the ability of sharing folders and making free PC-to-phone calls. As for the first one, it proves as a very handy way to share pictures, while the second feature allows you to save some pennies on your phone bill. However, this service is currently only available in certain countries (United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Belgium, Spain and Italy) and requires a subscription to the Verizon Web Calling system.</p>
<p>In any case, you can always make use of the PC-to-PC call feature, which provides excellent sound quality. In fact, we must say this feature has been pretty well implemented in Windows Live Messenger. Its ease of use makes it a great alternative to written conversations: just click on the phone icon and your friend will instantly receive an invitation to answer the phone call on the chat window itself. A simple wizard will guide you through audio configuration and a couple of sliders enable you control the volume of your speakers (or headphones) and mic. You can still use the chat window while you talk, for instance to send a web link or a handwritten message.</p>
<p>Summing up, the main issue with Windows Live Messenger is that it has taken it too much time to offer tools that were already found in other IM apps, such as the VoIP calls mentioned above. However, its attractive design plus the huge number of people who are already MSN Messenger users (and who will eventually upgrade their client) will probably help this Live version reach the top.</p><p>Download <a title="Windows Live Messenger 2009 14.0.5027.908 Beta" href="http://windows-live-messenger.en.softonic.com"><strong>Windows Live Messenger 2009 14.0.5027.908 Beta</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://windows-live-messenger.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
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   <title><![CDATA[Messenger Plus! Live 4.70.334]]></title>
   <link>http://messenger-plus.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/53000/53367/2_plus-01.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Being one of the most widely used IM applications, MSN Messenger has always had a large base of users keen on developing plugins with which they could personalize their favorite chat client. Amateur programmers released plugins to discover who had erased you from their contact list, to start more than one MSN session, to log conversations... until MSN Plus! was launched.</p>
<p>MSN Plus! soon became the most popular MSN plug-in, collecting together all the extra options users could ask for into one program. Even now Plus! is still an excellent pack of tools which heavy Messenger users consider as essential and which certainly improves your IM experience. During all these years it has been able to adapt to every new Messenger version, including the name change and the new interface design. In fact, Plus! is now seamlessly integrated into Live Messenger: it launches with the program and the only way you can tell it's there it by two tiny buttons on the main interface.</p>
<p>When Plus was launched, its main feature was the ability to record "chat logs", that is, create text files with all your conversations. However, as this has been already included in the IM app itself, Plus! has had to widen its range of extra functions. These tools can be divided into two groups: those dedicated to chatting improvement and those devoted to contact management. As for the first group, you'll enjoy tabbed chat windows, support for custom text format (bold, italics, font, color) and the so-called quick messages, personal keyboard shortcuts you can assign to sentences or expressions used on a regular basis. The second group of tools allows you to create custom status messages, have your favourite contacts right on the Windows desktop (as an icon) and gather all kinds of stats about contacts, like the last time they logged on or whether they have recently changed their nickname, which I personally find kind of excessive, but hey, to each his own.</p>
<p>Besides all this, Live Messenger Plus still offers its popular chat log tool, which is said to be more powerful and flexible than the default function featured in Windows Messenger Live. Actually, it looks much better thanks to the use of HTML, the ability to record emoticons and winks and the possibility to customize its appearance with CSS formatting.</p>
<p>The list of improvements Plus brings to Windows Live Messenger doesn't end here. You can, for example, hide the application in the system tray under an almost invisible icon (in case you're chatting at work, something we completely disapprove of) or password protect access to the program, amongst others. The good thing though is that you can create your own extra functions, that is, if you know how to code scripts. Plus already features a nice bunch of them, allowing you to display the name of the song you're listening to, send screenshots, use sticky notes and other nice extras.</p>
<p>All in all, Live Messenger Plus is probably the only plug-in you'll ever need, especially if you like customizing every single detail of your Messenger.</p><p>Download <a title="Messenger Plus! Live 4.70.334" href="http://messenger-plus.en.softonic.com"><strong>Messenger Plus! Live 4.70.334</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://messenger-plus.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">53367</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Subsonic 3.4]]></title>
   <link>http://subsonic.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/67000/67915/2_02.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>If you've never had a media streaming server before, Subsonic is probably an excellent choice to take your first steps.</p>
<p>This application includes just about anything you need to turn your home computer into a fully-featured media streaming server. You may still need to install some missing codecs but in general terms, starting Subsonic is just a question of launching the Windows service and opening your web browser.</p>
<p>As an admin user, you'll be able to configure every single detail about your server, such as folders to be included in the media menu, user accounts and security settings, to name a few. As a common user, you have also plenty of features available, from downloading music files to rating songs - all depending on the permissions given by the admin. The whole procedure is done via web, while the streamed media can be played with an array of media players including Winamp, Windows Media Player and iTunes. You can even make Last.fm register what you're listening to in Subsonic.</p>
<p>On the downside, and despite the simplicity of the program, I still had some problems to perform certain tasks especially in playlist management. Even worse, I couldn't find any help about it.</p>
<p><b>With a tool like Subsonic  - and some spare time to configure it properly - you'll be able to turn your standard home PC into a professional media streaming server.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Subsonic 3.4" href="http://subsonic.en.softonic.com"><strong>Subsonic 3.4</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://subsonic.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">67915</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[FIFA 09]]></title>
   <link>http://fifa-09.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/73000/73866/2_fifa09-01.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>It's incredible to think it's been 15 years since the FIFA game dynasty began. FIFA 09 is a far cry from the blocky graphics and rigid gameplay of the original, 16-bit version. But, of course, the question is, how much better is this one than FIFA 08?</p>
<p>The answer, in short is: a little. The graphics in FIFA 09 have been refined, with more photo-realistic captures of the superstars of soccer, and some great new animations both on and off the ball. The presentation of the game is as exquisite as ever, with new match intro sequences featuring the players warming up in the tunnel, crowd chants specific to each club, not to mention the cool new 'widgets' system on the menu pages, where various online and offline stats are displayed at all times. Unfortunately, it was impossible to test the commentary in FIFA 09, as it's not included in this demo version.</p>
<p>In terms of its gameplay, FIFA 09 offers a smooth ride, although there are few changes to the way the game handles other than a few new tricks and the addition of more realistic collisions. I could've done without these clashes, as sometimes it takes your player a long time to get up after a heavy hit. In fact, one of the new gameplay enhancements in FIFA 09 is the physical presence of some players, which means large defenders are more likely to bundle you off the ball, requiring more cunning to get past them.</p>
<p>While this demo of FIFA 09 is limited to four-minute demo matches between a choice of six clubs, the full release looks set to really raise the bar in terms of its online modes. I'm particularly excited by the new Adidas Live Season mode, where player information is updated dynamically depending on performances in real life. </p>
<p>FIFA 09 is undoubtedly a great football sim, although unless you're particularly interested in the online aspect of the game, you may not see a great deal of benefit in upgrading from 08 (other than, of course, the updated transfers). </p>
<p><b>Whether it'll prove better than Pro Evolution 2009 is a matter of extensive debate, but FIFA 09 is definitely the best version in the EA series to date.</b></p><p>Download <a title="FIFA 09" href="http://fifa-09.en.softonic.com"><strong>FIFA 09</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
   <comments>http://fifa-09.en.softonic.com/comments</comments>
   <pubdate>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">73866</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[AceMoney 3.10.3]]></title>
   <link>http://acemoney.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/29000/29875/2_acemoney_total.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Managing your financial affairs can be a real drag and, unless you’ve got piles of cash stored in your basement, it can be easy to lose track of where your cash is going and ensure that all your payments are made on time. Unless you can afford to keep paying an accountant, it’s a good idea to invest in a decent home accounting application to help you keep tabs on your cash.</p>
<p>AceMoney is one of a number of apps designed to make it easier to track your income and spending than using a spreadsheet (or writing it all on the back of a beermat). The software is very simple to pick up and start using, thanks to its clear icons and navigation bar. Unlike many of its peers, the program includes a facility for viewing all of your money at once through its accounts overview feature, where you can check accounts, investments and pending bills from one place.</p>
<p>The banking features of the program are simple-to-understand and besides allowing you to view your accounts, an online facility gives you direct access, allowing you to make transfers, deposits and consult live details through AceMoney. This sounds great in theory, but in reality there are only a few banks registered with the system and no credit unions. Besides its banking facilities, there’s a useful portfolio manager for keeping a check on your investments and nine different reporting tools to help you better chart your financial progress.</p>
<p>Although these features are well executed, there are areas where AceMoney is somewhat lacking. For instance, its financial planning section is very sparse and basically amounts to a calculator for working out loan repayments and savings plans, rather than tools for helping you plan all your finances ahead. There are also no tax options, so these calculations have to be done in another app and copied in, which could lead to errors.</p>
<p>AceMoney is a good value program that offers a simple way to track your financial transactions in order to keep your head above water. However, if you’re running a business or need to plan your finances in great detail then the software is somewhat lacking and it’ll be worth splashing out for a more powerful application.</p><p>Download <a title="AceMoney 3.10.3" href="http://acemoney.en.softonic.com"><strong>AceMoney 3.10.3</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">29875</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[Farm Frenzy 2]]></title>
   <link>http://farm-frenzy-2.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/73000/73847/2_08-sep-2008_17-09-51.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>If you've ever dreamed of moving to the country and living the simple life, then Farm Frenzy 2 might give you a taste of what you can expect. </p>
<p>Farm Frenzy 2 sees you assume the role of a budding farmer who starts with nothing and must build a successful business by managing lifestock and producing goods to export for money. It's all set in a wonderfully colorful cartoon world with great sound effects and a cracking hillbilly-style soundtrack.</p>
<p>Farm Frenzy 2 starts with you rearing a few chickens to produce some eggs and the levels progress to the point where you own bakeries, factories and keep cows, pigs and other animals. Each extra level adds one more thing to think about than the last, whether it's shipping products into town, flying resources in by plane, or caging and selling the pandas (?!) that prey on your animals. After a few levels things can get pretty frantic. </p>
<p>Luckily, the controls in Farm Frenzy 2 are simple and largely require nothing more than pointing and clicking on a part of the screen you want to apply an action to (i.e. clicking the well to fill it up, clicking an egg to collect it, etc.)</p>
<p>After a while, Farm Frenzy 2 starts to get a little too difficult to keep up with and after playing a few levels your head gets a bit scrambled from all the fast-paced action, the infectious looping soundtrack and the sheer repetitive nature of the game.</p>
<p><b>Farm Frenzy 2 is very well presented and great fun to play, although enjoyment quickly turns to frustration as the levels get more hectic.</b></p><p>Download <a title="Farm Frenzy 2" href="http://farm-frenzy-2.en.softonic.com"><strong>Farm Frenzy 2</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">73847</guid>
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   <title><![CDATA[BS.Player Free 2.31.974]]></title>
   <link>http://bsplayer.en.softonic.com</link>
   <description><![CDATA[<img src="http://static.sftcdn.net/en/scrn/16000/16261/2_bsplayer01.jpg" border="0" align="right" style="margin:0px 5px 5px;" /> <p>Sometimes I prefer watching movies and TV series on the computer rather than doing it on the couch. The image quality in my PC monitor is better and I can handle more formats than just DVD.</p>
<p>Of course, I need a good video player in order to enjoy my favorite movies at their most, and my choice is no other than BSPlayer. This great video player features anything you need to watch movies or any other kind of video on your PC. It supports all popular video formats (and audio as well, in case you were wondering) and though its basic interface is not really the nicest one I've seen, you can easily customize it with skins.</p>
<p>BSPlayer supports video subtitles, takes screenshots of movie currently playing, lets you create bookmarks and chapters to move along videos more easily and has also support for plug-ins. I especially liked the way you can control playback, either by using keyboard shortcuts or simply your mouse: one click to stop the video, two clicks to go full screen, mouse wheel to raise or low the volume…</p>
<p>The only thing I didn't like was the fact that, being a free version, you're obliged to install an adware element on your PC that displays ads from time to time while you're browsing the way. It's a safe app that doesn't compromise your privacy, but still it's not my cup of tea. I guess it's just the price you have to pay for having such a great video player for free.</p>
<p><b>BSPlayer lets you enjoy your favorite movies on the PC with a wide range of features (subtitles, screenshots, bookmarks and more) provided you're willing to accept some ads on your desktop.</b></p><p>Download <a title="BS.Player Free 2.31.974" href="http://bsplayer.en.softonic.com"><strong>BS.Player Free 2.31.974</strong></a> in <a title="Free software downloads and reviews - Softonic" href="http://en.softonic.com/">Softonic</a></p>]]></description>
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   <pubdate>Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0100</pubdate>
   <guid isPermaLink="false">16261</guid>
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