Software: New version of Fix-It Utilities released

By | November 24, 2011
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 One of my favourite utilities, Fix-It, is available in a new version. The program — which does everything from cleaning up your hard drive to rescuing deleted files — has gone through many owners of the years, and is now part of V Communications. This is their first update of the software since V Comm acquired it from KrollOntrack in September 2002., and it’s not easy to tell what’s new from their press release. One feature sounds neat: Recovery Commander, “an advanced data recovery system that can correct for major system file damage that prevents your system from booting”. Fix-It Utilities 5 also “allows users at all levels to perform critical maintenance tasks on their own PC, thereby saving them hundreds of dollars”. Bundled with it is PowerDesk 5, an excellent file manager. Given PowerDesk itself costs $40, the $50 price tag for the whole thing seems pretty good value.
 
I’ll review the whole thing in a future column.

Software: MSGTAG’s free version is still available

By | November 24, 2011
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 More on MessageTag, the program that lets you monitor whether your emails are being read. In fact, the free version does still exist, contrary to my earlier posting. Matthew Miller of MSGTAG says the free version of MSGTAG is no longer being promoted from the website but will stay on CNET’s download.com and is still being given to magazines to include on their cover CDs. 
 
I’m still using it, and have to say it’s a great tool. I can understand some people may have privacy issues, but I’ve had very few complaints so far.

Software: Google’s new Toolbar

By | November 24, 2011
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 Google have just launched a new version of their toolbar for Internet Explorer. Toolbars are extra lines of buttons that add themselves to your browser, offering links, pull down menus and whatnot. In this case, Google’s toolbar allows you to do Google searches without actually going to Google’s search page. It’s actually a great tool, although arguably Opera’s built  in toolbar is even better.
 
Google’s new toolbar, 2.0, adds a couple of interesting features. One is designed to block pop-up windows, another helps you fill in online forms by storing your details for you; the third feature is for bloggers like me, adding whatever site your browser is looking at to be added to a blog (this only works for sites running Blogger software, which was recently bought by Google.) Another new feature they don’t mention very much, but which could be useful, is Search Country. Say you have Google Canada set as your search page in the toolbar’s options, then this feature would limit your searches to Canadian websites.
 
Me? I’ve long loved the toolbar, but mainly for its Page Info function, which lets you check out a list of sites similar to the one you’re looking at. Seems that Google aren’t really building on this great feature: in Toolbar 2.0 that button is switched off by default.
 
 

Link: Harry Potter e-book pirates

By | November 24, 2011
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  Harry Potter’s latest oeuvre is circulating on the Internet — as an e-book. Jerry Justianto, who runs a blog on e-publishing, has been tracking it and says it raises interesting commercial and ethical questions.
 
 
“It was available two  days after the official release.  That’s why it does not make sense for publishers not release a legal version.  People just can scan the printed ebook. The moral question is like this:  If I bought the book already can I read the pirated ebook for convenience?”
 
 

Software: MessageTag no longer free

By | November 24, 2011
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 MessageTag, the program that notifies you when your messages are received and opened is no longer available in a free version.
 
 
MSGTAG, which I reviewed (and recommended recently) is now only available in two flavours: MSGTAG PLUS ($20), which works by sending you emails when your mail has been opened, and MSGTAG Status ($60) which runs as a separate dashboard, keeping track of tagged messages and letting you see at a glance whether messages have been received and opened. MSGTG runs on Windows 98, 2000, Me or XP and with any email program which uses the SMTP protocol.
 
MessageTag plan a version for webmail accounts.
 
Although 60 bucks is a bit steep for what you get, I still think it’s a great program and I find I still rely on it. If you’re not sure, try out the $20 version (sadly there’s no trial version available).