|
General |
|
Software: | DVD Profiler |
Replaces: | Confusion |
License: | Registerware;
Crippleware; Ad-supported |
Web Site: | http://www.invelos.com/dvdpro/Info.aspx |
Version: | 3.0 (May 17/07) |
|
Advantages | Includes
cover graphics of most DVDs.
You
can enter your DVDs by their ISBN #.
You
can export your collection to the web.
|
Disadvantages | Ads, though they aren't intrusive. |
Notes: | If you have a large collection, this is a good way to keep track of them. Your online profile also allows you to keep a wishlist. |
| General |
|
Software: | IrfanView32 |
Replaces: | ACDSee;
a browser |
License: | Non-commercialware |
Web Site: | http://www.irfanview.com |
Version: | 4.00 (Apr. 23/07) |
|
Advantages |
FAST.
Surprisingly powerful.
Also has plug-ins available for download that
allow you to play MP3's, videos, etc. |
Disadvantages |
Dealing with transparency could be made better.
Silly logo. |
Notes: | This is the #2 program I suggest to people. Viewing graphics, even Adobe Photoshop files, is incredibly fast, and the program can resize and crop images, convert between file types, and even has some limited filters. It's also scalable, supporting plugins that are available on their web site. |
| General |
|
Software: | K-Lite Mega Codec Pack |
Replaces: | Not being able to play downloaded videos. |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm |
Version: | 2.10 (May 21/07) |
|
Advantages | Allows you to play up to 99% of the downloadable videos off the Internet. |
Disadvantages | The legality of the pack is questionable. |
Notes: | There are tons of video and audio codecs out there now. This pack helps to reduce confusion.
The Mega version of the K-Lite Codec Pack also supplies alternatives for RealPlayer and QuickTime. |
| General |
|
Software: | MP3Gain |
Replaces: | Varying volume levels in your MP3 collection |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://mp3gain.sourceforge.net |
Version: | 1.2.5 (Jan. 10/05) |
|
Advantages |
Equalizes your MP3 collection's volume, so you
don't need to keep adjusting the volume of your
speakers as you listen.
Can equalize over unlike song files, or averagely
equalize over a full album. |
Disadvantages | None. |
Notes: | It took a few hours to go through my entire MP3 collection, but that's 4 Gigabytes! Not bad... |
| General |
|
Software: | Serif PhotoPlus |
Replaces: | Adobe PhotoShop; Corel PhotoPaint |
License: | Registerware |
Web Site: | http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/photoplus |
Version: | 6 |
|
Advantages |
Very "PhotoShop-like" interface.
Supports Adobe PhotoShop plug-ins. |
Disadvantages |
Can't handle GIF and TIF files without charging
a one-time $1 licensing fee. |
Notes: | I liked this software so much I upgraded to the commercial version. No need to spend hundreds of dollars on Adobe PhotoShop! |
| General |
|
Software: | TeamSpeak |
Replaces: | MS GameVoice;
Roger
Wilco |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://www.goteamspeak.com |
Version: | 2.0.32.60 [RC2] (Aug. 29/03) |
|
Advantages |
Better quality sound and/or compression than Roger
Wilco. |
Disadvantages | None. |
Notes: | Invaluable
when playing team games over the Internet that do not support in-game voice chat. |
| General |
|
Software: | Winamp |
Replaces: | Windows
Media Player |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://www.winamp.com |
Version: | 5.35 |
|
Advantages |
Small
"Window Shade" mode keeps the player and
controls on-screen, while not in the way.
Lots
of user-made plugins for visual effects while listening
to your music.
Can
now play video files. |
Disadvantages |
Several recent security flaws discovered, but
they were all fixed quickly. |
Notes: | Windows
Media Player 10 is now my default player for all
multimedia files, but if you aren't running Windows
XP, Winamp is the next best thing. |
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