KouChat is a Java-based chat client. The application is very easy to launch and could be used within the network in minutes. The application is basically a chat client that allows IM (Instant Messaging) within the local network. No internet connection is required since the application will use the network to communicate with other users.

As a Java-based chat client, it will require the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE). This can be downloaded for free online and should allow the application to be installed in the system.

The chat interface is very simple. The application will automatically show online users in the window where group messages could posted. Individual IM is possible by clicking on the user where a separate window will be launched. But aside from the IM functionality, users will also be able to use emoticons and even send files. Customized notification can also be implemented especially when the user has new messages or a new user within the group. Offline messages are also possible but will only happen after the receiver of the message was able to connect to the sender of the offline message.

Because the application is based on a runtime environment, it can work in various operating systems. Although different configuration is required per operating system, users should be able to implement the application in no time.

Before using the chat client, remember that JRE might require a relatively powerful application. Make sure that your system can handle the Java Runtime Environment well before launching the chat client.

Visit http://code.google.com/p/kouchat/

Mobile Witch is a very powerful free application that allows users to remotely control their computers. The application works as remote control that will take over the operations of your PC. All it needs is a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and PC with Java capabilities. Most of the mobile phones today are now Bluetooth enabled with Java while most computes already have JRE (Java Runtime Environment) since they are available free online. Virtually no expenses should be expected when using this application except for Bluetooth dongle for PC if the PC does not have Bluetooth capabilities yet.

Installation and configuration is easy. The PC will become the “server” wherein it becomes the recipient of different commands while the mobile phone becomes the client. Once the PC and mobile phone is connected, the user can virtually control the PC right from the mobile phone.

Most of the remote control applications are only geared towards shutdown or file access. Mobile Witch takes it even further by allowing the user to access different applications and launching them right from the mobile phone. IE (Internet Explorer), Winamp and MS Office applications are only some of the applications that could be remotely controlled from the mobile phone.

But the best feature of the application is that it can convert your mobile phone into a mouse or a keyboard. Users should only place the application on PC to be always on top, activate the application as a mouse or keyboard and the mobile phone becomes your remote mouse or keyboard using the navigation buttons or numeric pad of the mobile phone.

Check it out at mobilewitch.com

3gp is an increasingly popular video format because of mobile technology. This file format may not have the quality compared to most video file formats but is the standard video format for mobile phones. The screen size of mobile phones does not necessarily require high quality video formats so a movie could be easily loaded in the mobile phones using 3gp.

Acala DVD 3gp Ripper is an application that will allow users convert their DVD movies into 3gp format. Users can just load their DVD on their windows-enabled laptops or computers and the application will read the movies that could be ripped. Copyright protected could be easily ripped with little to no effort. The application automatically converts the movie into 3gp which could be loaded in mobile phones and mobile entertainment devices in no time.

But the application is more than just a simple ripper and video converter. Users can customize the video they want to see. Users can change the screen size so that it could perfectly fit the screen, frame rate for better video quality, aspect ration and even audio quality by increasing or decreasing bitrate. If the DVD comes with a subtitle, users should be able to customize which subtitle they want to add in the application. Users can also customize the start and end point of the ripped movie.

The only downside of Acala DVD 3gp Ripper is its required hardware. Your PC needs to be relatively powerful in order to read the DVD fast while converting the file into 3gp.

Check it out at cutedvd.com

Leawo YouTube Download as the name suggests, is a free application that will allow the user download videos from YouTube as an FLV file. Because of the massive videos found in YouTube, many users are looking for ways to record or download the videos found in this site. This application should be able to do the said function and more.

Aside from YouTube, users can also download videos from other video sharing sites such as Google Video and MySpace. Even the relatively unknown video sharing sites could be accessed and the video files could be downloaded with ease. Its secret is in multi-threading which practically download parts of videos at the same time.

The trouble with most YouTube video download applications is that their video formats are in FLV. Applications that could view the FLV files are very limited that they are usually converted before it could be watched. Leawo YouTube Download obviously, can read FLV files and launch them within the application. But aside from allowing users to view FLV files, the application is also an FLV converter. The application can convert the FLV files into popular video formats specifically made for mobile gadgets (mp4 and 3gp) as well as MPEG which is the video format for DVDs.

More info at leawo.com

Last but not the least; the application could also work as a browser wherein videos could be detected and downloaded immediately. Just be sure that you have a relatively powerful computer as this type of application can easily use up your gadget’s resources.

Adobe Reader is the regular program for looking at PDF files. In fact, the PDF file format was created by Adobe. The problem with Adobe Reader is that its a large program for what it performs. It also has a high memory use, along with very sluggish start up, there’s also unnecessary and complicated features.

Luckily, alternatives exist.

Foxit PDF Reader, also a free reader, is the most long-familiar contender to Adobe Reader. Now here we have another better and lighter reader, Sumatra PDF. Another attraction is that it’s open source.

Sumatra PDF is a stripped-down application, with very few buttons, only: open, back, forward, zoom in, and zoom out. You can also choose to alter the view (zoom, page layout etc.) in the toolbar. Viewing the same document as the other two, Sumatra consumes just 7MB of memory, and opens nearly instantly.

The Sumatra PDF installation file weighs in at under 1MB, in comparison to Foxit’s under 2 MB, and Adobe Reader’s oversized 20MB.

The program takes up less than 1mb of space after its installation (only one .exe and an uninstaller). Also, registry entries are not needed, so it has portability too. Worth trying out if you are sick of waiting on Adobe Reader to finally open and like small, lightweight yet useful software.

Check it out here

Monitoring your network connections can be very difficult even with an application that actively monitors the network. But the troubles related to network connectivity could be addressed with LanTopolog application. It’s an application that actively monitors networking connectivity. It can also label each network depending on the preference of the administrator while coming with alerts if one of the members of the network fails to connect.

But LanTopolog is not your regular network monitoring tool. Aside from providing real time information on network connections, you’ll be provided with a visual representation on how your network is connected. This is very useful if you’re administering a relatively large network as this visual representation will help you identify which computer is connected directly to the server or works through another computer to connect to the network.

LanTopolog also provides complete control of the network. Your visual representation will help you identify which computer does not need strong connection to the server. It’s also an effective tool to disconnect someone from the network as well as reconnect them. This is very important in case a strong network connection is required on a single member of the network.

Notification on LanTopolog is possible through active alarms that come from the application. An email is also dispatched in case a disconnection is encountered without permission of the administrator. Access to the network is also possible through browsers although it’s only limited to the members of the network. It’s a very easy-to-understand application that aid network administrators in maintaining network connection.

Check it out at http://www.lantopolog.com/

Graphic designers, web developers, artists and anyone else interested in creating something eye-catching through colors will definitely find Just Color Picker a very useful tool. In gist, it’s an application that helps identifying the specific color on any webpage. It’s a very easy to use application (point and identify) and will automatically run in any computer without installation.

The interface of the application is very easy to understand. After launching the application, you can just point the cursor and use the default command (alt x) in order for the application to identify the color. The color chosen will be displayed in the application. The application also automatically allows the user to zoom into a webpage to pick a specific color.

The application does not name the color but it shows the results by showing the color combination used. Users can choose two configurations – RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or RYB (Red, Yellow, Blue). The intensity of the three colors is also shown in the interface in order to demonstrate how the color could be achieved. For those who intend to use the application intensely, an “always on top” option is available in order for them to copy the color instantly. History is also enabled in the application which means users can take a look at the previous colors they have chosen.

Just Color Picker is a very small but very useful application. Through its hotkeys, users can easily identify the color they wanted to emulate without requiring too much resource from their computer.

Check it out annystudio.com

OrangeNettrace 2009 is a free application that helps in identifying which applications that use too much resources of the local gadget. It’s also an application that aids in identifying internet connection particularly which website downloads faster or which website uses too much bandwidth. It’s practically an application that provides complete data regarding the applications that actively runs in the computer as well as bandwidth connectivity.

The main feature of OrangeNettrace 2009 is on its interface. The application not only provides real time numbers regarding CPU usage (for local applications) and bandwidth as the application also creates a chart which uses the data for visually representing use of resources in your local gadget. This is very useful for online connectivity since the application will provide a chart on the intensity of downloads and uploads. The chart could be customized with hourly, daily, weekly and monthly reports.

There is always a problem regarding this form of application especially on its intrusion with computers. Some monitoring tools can monitor the gadget but it could cost valuable resources from the gadget. OrangeNettrace 2009 addresses that problem by relying on the installed application instead of using available resources from the local gadget. That is why the installer of the application is relatively larger (more than 6mb) compared to other monitoring tools.

Aside from report customization, the interface could be easily changed. A user could have a complete active report right on the desktop but it could be collapsed and minimized if the user wants to increase workspace.

Check it out at http://orange-nettrace.qarchive.org/

Moovida Media Center will take care of your media sorting concerns in your computer and more. Once installed, the application will search for the available media in your computer and sort them according to date added in your gadget, format and even genre. Not only applicable to video, the application also works to categorize music as well photos.

The interface of the application is very impressive. Moovida will allow you to see the photos and album covers (if available) of your music. You should be able to create a slideshow of photos in full screen while playing your favorite music in the background. Videos could be easily launched in the application without any problem. The application could even read the latest HD formats without any problem.

An impressive feature of the application is the presence of various plug-ins that could be added at user’s will. Video plug-ins will allow you to watch YouTube and other video sharing websites. Although you might need a different plug-in for every video source online, installation of plug-ins is very easy and would not be intruding your media library. Music related plug-ins such as online radio and podcasts are also available.

The application will basically transform your computer into a television and radio. The application can easily stream files over the network with very little configuration required. Detection is also very remarkable as your computer will automatically read any storage device attached to the system. iPods, Mp3 Players and other storage devices will be read and the data will be categorized by the application.

More info and download at http://www.moovida.com

Scheduling your daily tasks and be reminded about it has just got a lot easier with the Hurdan Alarm. As the name suggests, the application works as an alarm clock. It synchs with your computer’s clock and create sounds at your preferred time. If you’re constantly in front of your computer, this application will definitely work as you’ll be reminded with deadlines and tasks that needed to be done.

The interface of Hurdan Alarm is very simple. You don’t need any configuration at all since it will take the needed data from your computer. If you want to set an alarm, you just need to click on “New Alarm” located on the bottom area of the application and you’ll be able to set the time, date and when the alarm should go off.

But aside from the time and alarm, the Hurdan Alarm is also a scheduler. The application will show your upcoming schedules, the time of the alarm and a two month calendar on top. You can click on any dates and you’ll see the schedules you have set on that day. The information you can add to your alarm is practically unlimited as you can add notes regarding the upcoming schedule.

Hurdan Alarm will only work with the latest .Net Framework installed. Although this might sound inconvenient, it can really help the application work faster. With the .Net Framework installed, the application will be launched without requiring any installation. Hurdan Alarm is basically a very lightweight application with many practical uses.

Check it out at http://www.hurdan.com