It's not easy to get excited about the look of a PHP environment and editor but PHP Designer puts in more effort than most to create a stylish and highly usable one.

PHP Designer is a complete PHP IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and PHP editor that caters for just about all your PHP coding needs but it also applies itself to HTML, CSS and JavaScript development. The main aim of PHP Designer is to boost your productivity and make your life easier. However, because of this, it's aimed more at beginners than professional editors, although there's enough there to keep the latter interested too.

Probably the main bonus of PHP Designer is the intelligent syntax highlighting which spots errors as you type, meaning less head scratching at the end of a long coding session. This applies not just to PHP but to other languages as well. Of course, PHP Designer also comes with a debugger which can test scripts for errors and suggests possible solutions although as with all debuggers, the success rate can be hit and miss according to most users.

If you're looking for a good looking PHP editor that supports plenty of other languages too, then PHP Designer may well make your life a lot easier.

Download PHP Designer 2008 6.1 in Softonic

There's plenty of DVD and CD managers out there but there are few that allow you to organise DVDs, CDs, DivX files and even cassettes in one easy to browse and search database.

Since I'd rather have my video and audio collection all under one program, I quite liked Ant Movie Catalog. First of all, it's completely free and the source code is open to modification by its users who are brought together by the program's forum. There are several reasons why this database appeals.

First of all is simplicity - it's not bloated in any way so searching and navigating through your collection either by format, genre, alphabetically or year is extremely easy and fast. Second of all, it takes a lot of the hard work out of cataloguing your collection because it imports information about your media from the internet using scripts. These include scripts for the IMDB, DVDFR (a French DVD website), Allocine /a French film site) and Culturalia (a Spanish multimedia site).

In addition, it can store all information in two formats - either binary or XML - the latter makes it possible to export your collection to Excel and other database applications. If you do add too many album and film covers to Ant Movie Catalog, it can start to slow down a bit but there is the option of linking to external pictures rather than importing them. You can also display in graphical format, stats relating to your multimedia collection - how many of a certain format you have, genre, date etc.

Lightweight, easy to use and covering just about any conceivable media you might own, Ant Movie Catalog is an easy and free way to bring your collection together.

Download Ant Movie Catalog 3.5.1.1 in Softonic

Alchemy Eye is a network monitor that continuously monitors network server availability and performance. In the event of network errors, Alchemy Eye can alert the network administrator by cell phone or pager BEFORE problems get seriously out of hand.

This helps protect your company's data and reduces the likelihood of costly network failures. If a server goes down, Alchemy Eye automatically notifies the network administrator and writes a detailed log file.

Download Alchemy Eye 9.4 in Softonic

Wikipedia must surely be on of the greatest innovations on the internet since the advent of Google and YouTube in my opinion.

The secret of it's success was to harness the power of user general knowledge via an extremely easy to use and read interface - a wiki. MediaWiki is a small package which contains everything you need to create your own wiki on any subject you choose. MediaWiki is already being used by several other projects of the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation including the MediaWiki developer site.

MediaWiki is basically a free server-based software which is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). If you're intent on creating a big or popular wiki don't worry - it's designed to be run on a large server farm for a website that gets millions of hits per day. MediaWiki uses PHP to process and display data stored in its MySQL database. However, it requires no SQL database knowledge on your part and pages use MediaWiki's wikitext format, so that users without knowledge of XHTML or CSS can edit them easily.

MediaWiki contains everything you need to get up and running with your own no matter how big or small your project.

Download MediaWiki 1.13.0 RC1 in Softonic

If you're working with SQL then one of the most important things is high speed access and OpenBase SQL is a database server application that provides high-speed access to structured data.

If you're new to SQL then OpenBaseSQL is a good starter. SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is basically the mechanism by which client applications are able to communicate requests to a server that manages the data for the client. SQL has been widely adapted because it lowers the network communication requirements between applications and databases.

However, although SQL databases have the SQL language in common, they can differ in very important ways. OpenBase SQL offers considerable power via Multi-threaded design processes requests simultaneously so there's not much hanging around. OpenBase SQL also comes ready made with a range of other essential tools that many SQL packages don't such as server-based support for Java stored procedures, e-commerce functions, synchronization and clustering and support for PHP, Perl and Cocoa. OpenBase SQL is generally, much less intimidating than most SQL applications and the developers have clearly designed OpenBase SQL with newbies in mind. That said, if you have no SQl knowledge, you'll still struggle to know where to start with OpenBase SQL.

If you run a small business and are intimidated by database and SQL administration, you OpenBase SQL makes it refreshingly easy.

Download OpenBase SQL 10.0.11 in Softonic

Even though external hard drive sizes are increasing at a rapid rate, you can always find more space on your drive if you just look hard enough.

SpaceObServer is a sophisticated and effective hard disk space manager which scans directory trees using a background service, and stores their structure, sizes and properties in an SQL database. Why would you want to do this? Well, for one, it automatically allows you to see - in pie chart form - what's taking up most space on your hard drive at any one time. In addition, if you're interested in tracking your hard disk usage across several months or a long time period, then it allows you to do so instantly. For Windows users, it's very effective because it presents the data in a very easy Explorer style format - in 3D bar, pie charts and tree maps. The good thing is you can see at a glance which files are obsolete and which files are essential so that when it comes to cleaning up your drive, you don't get rid of anything important. It's surprising, using this program, how many files you'll find that are simply taking up space and are absolutely useless.

Easy to use and very effective, SapceObserver is an excellent app that will have your hard drive gleaming again in no time.

Download SpaceObServer 3.3.2 in Softonic

TapiRex shows a contact for an incoming phone-call with image, name and company. Microsoft Outlook is supported as source for the addresses as well as any other ODBC-database (like Access, mySQL, SQL-Server, etc.)

The program can even show incoming calls on any telephone plugged to any computer in your network (client-server). Any developer can extend the program with its open architecture. An SDK is available from the website. Free Plugins are available (like Speech output of caller, notofication and call history in Microsoft Media Center 2005, etc.)

Download TapiRex 1.7.1 in Softonic

AudioGrail (Formerly K-MP3) is the swiss army knife for everthing that is related to audio files (MP3, MPC, OGG...). It can very easily rename and tag (tag: info such as artist name, album, track title) your files automatically. It can also analyse quality, organize files on your system or create a "magic folder" for easier audio collection browsing.

K-MP3 features:

• Supports : MP3, OGG, MPC, APE, AAC, FLAC and WavPack files
• Automatically Albums Ranaming & Tagging (ID3Tag V1 & V2 tags, Vorbis (Ogg) comments and APEv2 tags are supported) Powered by FreeDB.
• One-by-one tag editor with queue (for multiple files edition)
• Audio files To Audio CD burning capabilities
• Files Names Normalizer (Case Standardization...)
• Tags normalizer (Case Standardization...)
• Mass tags remover
• Files organizer (Mass Tag To Name / Move To Folder)
• Duplicate files finder
• Playlist creator & analyser (Supported Formats : m3u, pls, xpl)
• Files lister (Supported Formats : Raw listing, Coma Separated Values, SQL, XML)
• Incomplete tags finder
• Quality analyser
• Internationalization support

Download Audiograil (K-MP3) 6.12.3.154 in Softonic

SQLyog is an easy-to-use, compact and very fast graphical tool to manage your MySQL database anywhere in the world. There are a number of features designed to help you speed up your database development.

Top tools include:

• Shortcuts to quickly generate SQL statements and paste object names
• Learn MySQL by looking at the SQL generated by SQLyog
• Multi-tab query editor and result-set editor
• Multiple Query Execution
• Multi-threaded query execution with option to stop long running queries
• SQL templates
• Excel-style grid interface to view/update resultsets
• Multi-format blob editor
• View data in grid/text mode
• Support for all MySQL table handlers

Download SQLyog 6.56 in Softonic

This program compares XML files. It provides several options for comprehensive comparison. Reloading files after changing any options is not necessary. The ExamXML can compare data from sources of many types, such as SQL servers and CSV files. After comparisons there are possibilities to synchronize elements, insert one element into opposite a tree and replace elements. During loading from an SQL server, the program converts data into XML.

This program can save differences between files and merge XML files. Color highlighting shows the changes so that you can view which attributes and elements have been added, modified or deleted.

Documents and differences between several files are displayed in a visual tree. The program validates XML documents against DTD/XML schema while loading the file. It also offers drag-and-drop support. ExamXML displays the XML element in a separate window, highlighting differences down to the level of elements, words or attributes. It can open XML files with external application, and normalize dates and numeric fields. Digital fields can be rounded, and date or time portions can be omitted at normalization.

Download ExamXML 4.40 in Softonic

Process Them is an email processor that allows you automatically process all emails you have in your POP3 mailbox or in Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook email client so you don't have to do it manually any more

This email processor can automatically:

• Process web forms you receive by email, extract common data and save it to a database (Excel, Access, MS SQL or MySQL) or to a text file
• Save attachments to dedicated folder and remove these attachments from emails
• Send emails using extracted data. For example, it can be used as autoresponder with custom parameters
• Launch files with parameters using extracted data. So you can pass extracted data information directly to other applications
• Delete, move or copy messages between folders. This feature can be used as perfect antispam filter or just to sort email according to your needs

Download Process Them 1.24 in Softonic

Simpedit could be taken as a simple Windows Notepad replacement, but it's really more than that. It's a complete coding editor with support for a handful of programming languages.

The program does keep the same simplicity as the Notepad, but only in appearance. When working with source code, you'll have a wide selection of tools at your fingertips. Besides the basic edition options (copy, paste, search, replace) you'll get special options for optimizing the management of HTML source code, working with online forms and more.

Simpedit makes coding more comfortable thanks to a highlighted cursor line and the use of a color code for different programming languages, although this one is not automatically applied and you have to select it from the Tools menu. As extra features, Simpedit has an "Autocorrection" option and can encrypt your code with the Twofish method.

Simpedit is a simple yet very handy source code editor with support for a wide selection of programming languages.

Download Simpedit 1.1b69 in Softonic

If you're tired of having to configure MySQL, Apache or PHP, then Appserv could be the answer to your prayers. Simple, easy to use and fast to setup, it provides everything that a reliable server does in half the time. At the moment, it works with the most common databases namely Apache 2.2.3, PHP 5.1.6, MySQL 5.0.24a and phpMyAdmin 2.9.0.2.

For anyone who is a novice with any of the above, then this program is real breath of fresh air. The setup process literally takes less than a minute with an easy to use wizard taking you through the process. You are prompted exactly which databases you need Appserv to support i.e. Apache HTTP Server, MySQL Database, PHP Hypertext Preprocessor and phpMyAdmin. After this, you are prompted to provide the username and details of each database so that Appserv can access them and you're ready to go.

If you need to install any program that demands use of PHP SQL or Apache and you're unfamiliar with how to use them, AppServ can save you a lot of hassle and time.

Download AppServ 2.6.0 in Softonic

ESF Database Convert allows you to easily and quickly convert between various database formats. It can directly connect to MySQL, SQL Server, Access, Excel, Paradox, Lotus, dBase, Text and other formats, and convert between these formats (SQL Server to MySQL, MySQL to Access etc.)

The program boasts a simple step-by-step wizard, that allows you to connect to the source database, select the tables, and then convert and copy them to the destination. You can choose to include all data or just copy the structure of the database.

Key features of ESF Database Convert:

• Convert one database to the other in only 3 steps
• Supports a variety of database formats
• Supports all the UNICODE characterset (UTF8, LATIN, CP1250, ASCII and so on)
• When using the MySQL API interface, you are able to convert MySQL database quicker

Download ESF Database Convert Standard Edition 5.8.21 in Softonic

Dev Hound is a web based project management system designed for bug tracking, tracking projects, development teams, software releases, clients, support calls and knowledge bases.

Featuring its own web server, 2 minute server install, email notifications, mail merge client emailing, reports, graphs and a windows XP style easy to use interface Dev Hound makes life easier for software developers, QA personnel, project managers and customers. Dev Hound's feature list also rivals many more expensive solutions which make it perfect for small business but has a flexible architecture for larger companies to customize.

Features:

• Comes with a builtin database or use SQL Server
• Can use MSDE or full version of SQL Server
• Can automatically upgrade from builtin database to SQL Server

Download Dev Hound 2.41 in Softonic

If you're programming in multiple SQL databases, then you need to know that the environment you are using can handle everything you need.

SqlDbx is a fast and powerful SQL database SQL for network administrators, webmasters and database developers who work in several different Database Server environments. The program has been designed with an eye on making sure that the interface is intuitive and easy to navigate and organise to maximize your productivity. It carries out all the major functions that you expect from an SQL database such as running queries, executing scripts and browsing database objects without having to leave the main editor window. Surprisingly for a package of it's kind, it doesn't even require any installation so there's no worries about the program installing or modifying anything on the user's computer. Probably the stand out feature for most database administrators will however be the Advanced Script Editor which highlights syntax errors clearly, autocompletes lines and code and also supports drag and dropping

With a range of administrative views and no file modifications to worry about, this ultra light SQL database package packs a huge punch.

Download SqlDbx Personal 3.19 in Softonic

WordFusion is a powerful Forms and Document Automation solution. It allows you to design Forms to collect, store, organize and reuse information. In addition, WordFusion can produce complex documents from the information collected using its fully featured rule based Document Automation engine.

WordFusion achieves this by providing a very powerful designer to produce highly customized and user friendly Forms for any purpose. WordFusion also integrates with Microsoft Access, Excel, SQL Server and most other data sources to make use of your existing data.

A free edition of WordFusion allows users to fill in and save information from Forms. This means that an organization can create Forms with WordFusion Design Studio and share them with as many users as required without purchasing client licenses.

Download WordFusion 1.60.2 in Softonic

GeniusConnect (formerly OutlookConnect) makes it possible to synchronize Outlook Contact data with any relational database that supports ODBC (MS Access, MySQL, SQL Server etc.). MS Outlook stores Contact data (Name, Address, E-mail, etc.) on the local computer in a .pst file, which makes it difficult to exchange this data with other systems or applications. With GeniusConnect, you can export your Outlook contact data to a database and also load data from the database into an Outlook contact folder.

It is also possible to use GeniusConnect on multiple Outlook Contact Folders and multiple databases and users can optionally protect private contact data by using a different Contact Folder or by telling GeniusConnect to ignore Contacts that are marked as private. GeniusConnect consists out of several COM objects, adds a new toolbar and becomes an integral part of Outlook after installation. Features include various types of synchronization with the database as well as auto-synchronization when Outlook starts and more.

Download GeniusConnect 4.0.0.3 SP2 in Softonic

If you think cooking is just a matter for people with lots of time and that ultimately it's just time taken to pursue other more 'intelligent' activities, you should think twice. Cooking is actually a creative task that stimulates all your senses and your brain. Where to start then?

Have a look at Easy Recipe Deluxe as it contains some interesting servings divided by categories and style. If you need a secure place to write down and catalogue your grandmother's secret recipes, try this well organized database. It has some extra features that allow you to create shopping lists based on the dishes you are going to prepare and you can export your cooking book in HTML or send it by mail to a friend.

The list of categories is huge and ranges from Appetizers, Breakfast, Microwave, Puddings up to Stir-Fry and Vegetable dishes. You can also choose a recipe based on the main ingredient, or from the Cuisine Style.
I liked the clear interface, the photo of the dishes and the possibility of adding personal comments on the instructions. What I found annoying is the impossibility of downloading new online recipes and the fact that there are no step by step images on how to prepare the meal. Where is the counter for calories then?!

Don't store your favorite recipes on paper when you can have them all well organized in a clear database although unfortunately, it's not a great source of 'cooking inspiration'.

Download Easy Recipe Deluxe 1.6.265 in Softonic

phpMyAdmin is a tool written in PHP intended to handle the administration of MySQL over the Web. Currently it can create and drop databases, create/drop/alter tables, delete/edit/add fields, execute any SQL statement, manage keys on fields, manage privileges, export data into various formats and is available in 50 languages.

Download phpMyAdmin 2.11.5.1 in Softonic