Xenomorph dot net is a company that is perhaps known to many people interested in freeware file distribution and their latest brainstorm has resulted in the latest version of the XdN Tweaker software. This is an excellent piece of software not because it does something that nobody has been able to do before, but rather because it has come up with a way to make a process that people hate doing but sometimes have to do a lot easier. Just as the name implies, it is a piece of software that is designed to be a Tweaker software for the XP, Server 2003 and Vista versions of Windows.

What exactly does a Tweaker software do? Well, if you want to change something about your operating system, normally you would have to figure out exactly where that change can take place first. For example, Vista as an operating system has graphics controls, control panel files, files and folders, right-click determination and a number of other things that have to be changed manually through accessing the specific program. The Tweaker allows you to make all of these changes from a single screen by popping up as a dialogue box with a number of tabs that you can use to bring up the different areas. It is a big timesaver that most people have enjoyed right off the bat from using it.

More information can be found at http://xenomorph.net/

There are a number of different software programs required in today’s world for a good computer experience and of course arguably the most important piece of software that you need on your computer is an operating system. Operating systems not only help you organize and distribute your computer resources in an optimal fashion, but they also allow you to use them as a base from which to run other software programs such as applications, games and internet-related software packages. All in all, it would be much harder to use your computer in certain tasks without the use of an operating system.

The main problem with operating systems however is that they are very expensive to purchase. Whether you go for Windows, Linux or anything in between, you are going to end up paying a lot of money for the privilege of using their operating system software. Well, if you don’t have that money but you still need an operating system, why not give ReactOS a try? ReactOS is an operating system that is commonly referred to as open source; meaning that it is completely free to use. As it becomes more functional and is able to challenge the big boys, we can expect to see more and more people turning over and using ReactOS.

More information can be found at http://www.reactos.com/

There are a number of important things in the world today and while Windows XP does have a lot of interesting stuff to it, there are certainly other things that it could benefit from having as well.  For example, there are a number of different things that can be incorporated into the Windows XP install CD through the use of this addon pack.  It was a pack created by Ryan VanderMeulen and it includes a number of useful addons that people interested in getting additional functionality out of Windows XP might want to take a close look at.

Some of these include:

• Shell extensions for the copy to and move to functions that are available in file manipulation;
• HashTab 1.9; a specific program that increases the functionality of Windows XP;
• Microsoft Calculator Plus 1.0; a replacement for the calculator file that normally comes with Windows XP and an upgrade in terms of what you can actually do with the calculator itself;
• MS HighMAT CD Writing wizard;
• MS Make Cab;
• An extension to the font properties and the OpenType fonts that come already with Windows XP;
• A remote desktop client; something that is lacking in the original Windows XP install.

More information can be found at http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/updatepack.html

Microsoft plans to offer a $3 stripped-down package of Windows, Office and other software to people in developing countries.

The Microsoft Unlimited Potential programme, due to be announced in Beijing today by Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, is part of an ongoing global expansion by the software giant. Microsoft aims to double the number of PC users worldwide to two billion by 2015. (more…)

Social music site Last.fm has recently updated their OS X client to the new version (1.1.0). Well, it’s not that BIG but still interesting to try out.

As for the new features… Well, official site is short on details, but users already found out what’s it all about. There are some UI changes that include new icons, font changes and button sizes, new version is only compatible with Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger). Also it lacks the ability to play multiple tags at the same time.

Test-drive it on your Mac!

No longer is it just talk-talk-talk! The first phase of the release of Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 has just been implemented. At an event held on Thursday, Microsoft’s Steve Balmer announced the business availability of Windows Vista, Microsoft 2007 and over 30 other applications that are targeted for the business world.

The event was held at the NASDAQ Marketsite in New York City. 11 years ago Microsoft pulled this kind of double release stunt [Windows 95 and Office 95] and had a record breaking success. Will history repeat itself for Vista and Office 2007? Let’s wait and see.

Microsoft said it plans to spend “hundreds of millions” of dollars to market the Windows upgrade. The marketing budget will eclipse the $500 million Microsoft spent to market Windows XP, the predecessor to Windows Vista.

Now that Microsoft has stayed true to their promise of releasing the first version for businesses, we can rest assured that we all will be able to get the “everybody version” [consumer version] early next year as promised.

Click here for the full gist of the launch.

Click here for more info on Office 2007 and free test drive of Office 2007.

This week Opera Software has launched Opera Mini 3.0, the latest version of its mobile browser. Opera Mini is available for almost any mobile phone and optimized to reduce the size of data transferred to the phone, which makes browsing fast and cheaper for users that pay per kilobyte transferred.

Opera Mini can now allow users to launch their phone cameras through their browser to instantly publish photos to their e-mail, forum or blog. The integrated RSS feed reader keeps preferred news and content one click away in the browser. Users get the information they want sent directly to their phones.

Main features of Opera Mini:

• User-friendly access to all Web pages from a mobile phone
• Server-side data compression creates faster browsing and lower bills for services charged per kilobyte
• Download images, MP3s, etc. directly to the phone
• Style Opera Mini to your own taste by selecting from several new and bold skins to suit your mood
• Use Opera Mini’s advanced search functionality by selecting additional search engines for your start page

New with version 3.0:

• RSS feeds – Get all RSS news on your phone (now you can subscribe to your favorite RSS news feeds and every time you connect with Opera Mini all updates are just one click away. Sort the articles by feed source or by date)
• Photo blogging (share a picture from anywhere, anytime with your phone using Opera Mini’s photo sharing feature. Upload your photo to a blog or forum, or as an e-mail attachment)
• Content folding (the content folding feature shrinks lengthy menus to save your scrolling thumb. You can easily inspect the block of hidden content by hitting the [+] button next to it)
• Secure connection – safe and sound (secure connections will now let you safely use secured sites, such as your e-mail, bank site, online stores, with no exposure of your personal details)
• Even faster loading (all subsequent requests to a server within a session are now quicker. Opera Mini keeps an open connection between server and client reducing overhead TCP set-up times)

Just go to the Operamini site and download. You won’t regret it!

If you’ve had problems using plug-ins, tubes or other add-ons in a graphics, video or animation application then you might find this software, which I recently came across, very useful. It’s called Plugin Commander.

Plugin Commander is a tool for dealing with various image formats, plugins and effect types from various graphics applications. It allows you to manage and preview your plugin, tube and add-on collection quickly and easily. You can deactivate the plug-ins you rarely need and define how your favorite effects will appear in the host application.

There are two editions of this useful software, the commercial Pro Edition and the Light Edition, which is freeware. The light edition being freeware has limited features but to enjoy a fully-featured version, it’s best you go for the Pro Edition.

CHECK IT OUT!