Showing posts with label software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label software. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Cybersecurity and Antivirus Software Vendor Kaspersky Launches An OS, Because Why Not

When it comes to operating systems most people will only be able to give you a couple names. Typically those would be would Microsoft, Apple/macOS/iOS, Android and Linux (semantics aside here). Most people would likely be surprised that there are several well know players out there that are actively looking at ways to break into the operating system market. Some in fact have, and failed miserably.

That however isn't stopping one of the better known security and antivirus vendors out there from throwing their hat into the ring. Widely know cybersecurity and antivirus vendor Kaspersky has announced  this week the availability of KasperskyOS. What the company is calling a new "secure operating system" aimed at network devices, industrial control systems and the Internet of Things.

In a post on his official blog, Eugene Kaspersky (chief executive of the company) announced the new product and offered a quick overview of what how the operating system hopes to keep system more secure and what their end game is. For you geeks they have been kind enough to cut out the sales and marketing approach and give some hard details. For the rest I'll summarize what Kaspersky has to say about their new OS below!


First off KasperskyOS is meant to be highly flexible. Their goal is to have an open project that is specialized specifically for niche projects and products. So don't expect to see it on any of your machines anytime soon. They are shooting more for enterprise applications that anything else. However, according to the KasperskyOS whitepaper, supported architectures include: x86/x64 CPU's: Pentium II or higher, ARM CPU,: ARMv7 or higher, and Ethernet: Realtek RTL8139, Intel i82580.

Security is built from the ground up with a secure Default Deny system at the process level and is wrapped into a microkernel. In simple words, it’s a system that does what it’s instructed to and is unable to do anything else. Unlike most operating systems, where as user interaction can bypass security controls, KasperskyOS is extremely locked down. It divides objects into isolated entities which only allows for very limited interaction between packages creating a wall between the OS, applications and security levels.

To create a package that could be applied in several different areas of granular customization, Kaspersky has developed three basic products into one:
  • An Operating System (KasperskyOS)
  • A standalone secure hypervisor (KSH) for running virtual machines
  • A system for secure interaction between OS components (KSS)
All three components work in tandem to try to build upon each other to create the secure environment. The systems are being called a "project offering" and not "a boxed solution with a cure-all for everyone." The company says their intent is to working closely and collaborate with vendors and developers to configure these systems based on their requirements to meet their individual security needs.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Students No Longer Need School Support to Claim Office 365 For Free



Microsoft has just made it a lot easier for students and teachers everywhere to access their free subscriptions to Office 365 by cutting out the middle man.

Previously, for students and teachers to take advantage of the Student Advantage Program, they had to contact their campus IT department, who then had to set up the account and provide access to the students. Now, all the student needs to do is to provide a verified email address from the school, and Microsoft will do all the hard work.

Last year when Microsoft launched its Student Advantage Program if began giving Office 365 access to students whose schools provided it to their faculty and staff. Now Microsoft has added a self-serve option, too.

Qualified students are given the following for free:
  • The latest versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access and Publisher
  • Installation on up to five PCs or Macs, and Office apps on other mobile devices, including Windows tablets and iPad
  • 1 Terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage
  • Office Online
As part of the program teachers and students at more than 35,000 institutions are automatically eligible for free version of Office 365 ProPlus. To learn more about Student Advantage, visit http://office.com/education.




Wednesday, November 28, 2012

7 Windows 8 Applications To Get You Started

The following is a guest post from Jason Clark. Jason writes about web tools and internet marketing for RankWatch.Com a rank monitoring software that allows you track your business' ranking on Google Places, Yahoo Places & Bing Places.


Windows 8 is the latest operating system from Microsoft and is already showing up on computers all around the world. One thing many of you will notice is that getting up to speed with Windows 8 will be a little more difficult than it was with early versions of Windows. The reason for this is that Windows 8 is completely different from any other Microsoft OS. Windows 8 is more entertaining and puts applications squarely at the center of the system. With all of the changes many people will need a guide to the top Windows 8 applications to get you started. We will show you some of the best applications you can load up on your new Windows 8 device.

1. Netflix
The Netflix application for Windows 8 is a free download and is easy to operate. Those that subscribe to Netflix will find this application a must. This application uses and tile-based interface that is both intuitive and beautiful. If your device has a touch screen, you will find the application even more functional. Another advantage is that you can stream movies directly through the application, which seems to offer a better picture that is smoother as compared to streaming them through a browser.

2. IM+
All types of social media are very popular and instant messaging is no exception to the rule. For this reason you should have a good IM application. While the Windows 8 messaging application is functional it currently only supports Windows Messenger and Facebook Chat, this could change in the future. If you do not want to wait, and you want to chat with all of your friends on any network then you should download IM+ from Shape. It is free, is supports many different chat networks, and it allows you to enable push notifications that help you stay in touch with your friends no matter what application you are using.

3. MusiXmatch Lyrics
This application is already available for other OSs such as iOS and android. This application has the ability to find the lyrics for nearly every song that has ever been written. The application has a database featuring nearly 6 million songs and has the latest hits out of the United States and the United Kingdom.

4. Norton-Satellite
While this application cannot replace the security of a full anti-virus program, it can be a useful security application. Some of the advantages of this application are that it is simple to use, and it scans all files from social media sites and many other sites as well.

5. SmartGlass
SmartGlass is a Microsoft application that works in conjunction with the XBOX 360 so it will probably be one of the most popular Windows 8 applications. The main purpose of the application is to offer those that play games on the XBOX a complimentary screen for the console. This application will convert the screen of any device into a companion screen for the XBOX. For those that use a tablet this application can turn your tablet into an XBOX remote which allows you to launch applications, videos, games, or other XBOX functions directly from your tablet.

6. TuneIn Radio
Along with a good IM application, we all need a good radio application as well. TuneIn Radio is the best one available for the Windows 8 platform. TuneIn Radio has access to more than 70,000 radio stations from all around the globe. TuneIn gives users the ability to browse radio stations based on their music preferences. For example you can browse sports, news, music, or comedy stations to name a few of the search options you will have available to you. You can also pin your favorites to the start screen for access that is quick and easy.

7. Multimedia 8
Multimedia 8 is the Windows 8 version of the Windows Media Player, but it has some added functionality included. The application will allow you to search music files that are located on a station, videos, playlists, and will access files that are located on the internet. This application also offers many other features.
While the Microsoft app store is still under construction, there are many applications available for Windows 8. These are the top Windows 8 applications to get you started no matter what type of device you are using, there are sure to be many more applications for this OS in the future

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Top 3 Software Essentials For Freelance Illustrators

The following post is a guest post from fellow blogger and tech junkie Reese Jones. Reese is a tech and gadget lover, and a die-hard fan of iOS and console games. She started her writing venture last month and writes about everything from quick tech tips, to mobile-specific news from the likes of O2, to tech-related DIY. Find more about her and her work at Reese+ or tweet her @r_am_jones


Illustrator programs give freelance artists and graphic designers the edge on creativity. By illustrating directly on a computer, artists are able to use a selection of applications that help create unique and conventional art. Even amateur artists can better their skills through state-of-the-art programs. From easy layout and graphic designs to sophisticated vector images, illustrator programs can do it all for you.

Here are the top 3 must have programs for artists pro and amateur alike.

3. Xara Designer Pro 7

Graphic designers and layout artists today require the use of software editing photos and pages to get their works the professional feel. Xara Designer Pro 7 does this for you. With user-friendly features and tools at your service, this graphic design software will help young and aspiring artists fine imaging quality without difficulties and complications.

This designer software is best for minimalists and consolidators alike. Unlike other graphic editing programs, Xara Designer Pro 7 is not a suite. All features are included in one single program. You don't have to switch to different components of a suite just to get desired results or use exclusive applications.

So many wonderful features are present like the Design Gallery- a collection of templates for many uses like photo albums, calling cards, brochures, invitations, calendars, and many more. They can even be customized according to your preferences. Use this feature if you wish to explore the basic workarounds of this program. Panorama tool is very helpful for landscape artists or scenery photographers. This feature collates from two to six of your photos side by side and transforms it into one piece of work.

Xara Designer Pro 7 enables artists to make basic to sophisticated designs. With webpage layouts and 3D effects giving your work more details and style. All is in one application, and this is what's best in this software.

2. CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6

When it comes to photo-editing and illustrating programs, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 features seven different applications- CorelDraw, Corel PowerTrace, Corel Wbsite Creator, Corel Photo-Paint, Corel Capture, Corel Connect and Photozoom Pro 2. This powerful graphic design software will help you achieve superb quality results with its ingenious features.

Although you have to open individual applications for different tasks, CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 doesn't disappoint. Each application houses many imaging features and tools if artists want to use complex designs in illustrating, 3D imaging, editing videos, web designing, and more. Albeit more complicated to use, manuals and forums will help artists adapt to Corel's workspace. With experience and further use, mastering the tools and features of this program can become an easy task.

CorelDraw Graphics Suite X6 comes up with fresh features and tools to give artists complex vector graphics and sophisticated designs. It's a very impressive graphics suite that's very powerful and creative.

1. Adobe Creative Suite 6

Coming in at number 1, Adobe Creative Suite 6 Design Standard wins the competition by bringing art and technology into one powerful suite. Digital media creation has been done easy with an all-encompassing design suite. It comes with a vast collection of features and tools that will greatly benefit professional and amateur artists alike. As there are so many functions it provides, there is a steep learning curve if you wish to use the suite to its full potential.

Here's how image editing, illustrating, and publishing work in the suite:


Photoshop is the best image editing software for use in print and digital media. Retouch scanned pictures using different tools and procedures present in the application. Adobe Mercury Graphics engine is a welcomed addition to the suite. As it takes advantage of your graphics processing unit, editing and enhancing photos are done blazingly fast! With unparalleled speed and infinite productivity, Photoshop in CS6 is a crowning glory in the suite.

While Photoshop gives you means to edit images, Illustrator helps you make one. A vector graphics software that gives you the edge on illustrating complex files with precision and speed, this application is a must have for you artists! No question there. With its latest incarnation in the suite, it does illustrating jobs with more organization and more power.

Another gem for the suite is InDesign, a flexible publishing program that helps you make award winning pages. Creating typography and design in pixel-perfect control is something to be proud about. What more if you can create elegant pages for print and digital media? With a new adaptive design tool in the upgrade, publishing can be done in a jiffy!

All the applications you want for your illustrating needs are in this suite. With a whole new experience in speed and innovation from Adobe, your computer is your canvass. Work on your graphic designs, publish pages in style, and illustrate in the most creative ways possible. With intuitive and advanced features of this creative suite, Adobe Creative Suite 6 is a must have for all creative designers in the world today.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Get $500 of Mac Software For Only $50

Mac fans looking for software bargains might want to take note. Cult of Mac is offering the 10-app Mac Hype Bundle with a combined value of $500 for just $50.

The bundle includes the following programs:
  • iTaskX ($115) - increase your productivity.
  • MacFamilyTree ($59) - advanced genealogy for your Mac.
  • Data Recovery Guru ($99) - don't lose it, guru it.
  • Hype ($50) - easily create and animate using HTML5.
  • PDF Nomad ($40) - a versatile PDF editor.
  • MacJournal ($40) - capture life with your MacJournal.
  • DiskAid ($25) - quickly transfer files between your Mac and iOS.
  • AppFresh ($15) - manage all of your updates for all your Mac OS apps.
  • Playback ($15) - stream all of your media to your Xbox 360 or PS3.
  • CleanApp ($15) - clean your Mac.
There's also a "bonus" 11th app: FX Photo Studio Pro, for adding photo effects to your images. It's worth $40.

The Mac Hype Bundle will be available for the next nine days. Cult of Mac doesn't provide details on compatibility for each of the apps, so make sure you check with each of the software vendors to know whether or not they'll work with your installed version of Mac OS. Also, the bundle is sold as-is, without a refund option, so make sure you do your homework before buying.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Newegg Offering 11 Windows Security Suites For Free After MIR

For those of you looking to add a little more security to your life, or just wanting to get in on a pretty good deal, Newegg is offering you up 11 different security suites for free after mail in rebates. The best part, almost all are three user licenses so most of you can cover almost your entire PC collection!

Here's the rundown of your options:
All these deals include free shipping, so you're paying only the upfront price and taxes if you live in a taxed state. Then in 4-6weeks you'll be getting a full rebate (minus taxes of course) for that price. Note that the rebates vary from one company to the next; some will send you a check, some a prepaid debit card, and so on. Make sure to read all the fine print and make sure you make copies of any submitted materials. All the rebates come from pretty reliable sources so not much need to worry there!

This deal is part of Newegg's software weekly special and will likely end at the end of the week and it looks like most the software needs to be purchased by 8/2. So if you want to snag them you better get them now!

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Oracle Giving Students Free Passes to JavaOne Conference

JavaOne and Oracle Develop are offering free Discover Passes to all qualifying students offering those students complimentary admission to the upcoming JavaOne and Oracle Develop conferences.

What Students Get: Admission to any session in the Java Frontier track for students, JavaOne, Oracle Develop and OpenWorld keynotes, three Exhibition Halls and the Mason street tent. Space permitting, you can also attend any JavaOne and Oracle Develop technical sessions, Birds-of-a-Feather sessions (BOFs), and Hands-on-Lab (HOL) sessions.

On top of the benefits that the free Discover Pass to qualifying students offers we have organized a special Java Frontier track for students. These sessions are designed for those with some or no programming experience. Students with no programming experience will discover tools and projects related to programming. Students with programming experience will learn tricks and tips for programming complex logic and deepen their knowledge of projects like Open Source.

To qualify for the free passes you must be enrolled in an accredited nonprofit institutions of learning during the Fall semester/quarter of 2010, taking a minimum of six (6) units, and you must be at least 18 years old.

JavaOne and Oracle Develop are being held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco September 19 - 23, 2010

To Register: Call the JavaOne and Oracle Develop help desk Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) at 1.866.382.7151 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.650.226.0820 (international).

or

Create a PDF copy of your current Student ID and your 2010 Fall schedule of classes and either e-mail to javaoneinfo@eventreg.com or Fax to +1.650.226.0840. Your credentials will be reviewed, and if you qualify, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail with event registration details.

More details:

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Upgrading Your Opertaing System Just Got Easier With Ninite

Upgrading To Windows 7? Or perhaps you've tried it and now want to downgrade back to your old OS. Either way you go re-installing several of your favorite programs just got a lot easier with Ninite

Ninite is a multi-app installer tool that builds and installer package packed into a single executable file which will run all your selected installations in one go. You simply choose the applications you want from the aggregated list of popular PC applications which vary from your favorite browsers like Firefox and Chrome, all the way down to developer tools like Eclipse, Python and Putty. Once you have made your selections simple click the submit button and Ninite builds your installer.



From there you can move the installer to a disk, separate partition or other portable device. Once you have your new operating system in place simply run the installer and sit back while all your favorite programs are installed. No need to run off to every individual site and sit through downloads.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Eltima Software Releases SyncMate V1.4

Eltima Software has released SyncMate version 1.4. SyncMate is an easy-to-use synchronizer for Mac and Pocket PC, that will help you keep all your documents, text messages, contacts, calendar entries, events and other stuff well organized. You simply establish a connection between your Mac and Pocket PC via USB or Wi-Fi and synchronize applications like Address Book, iCal, etc.

The application comes in two version, a free edition and a paid expert edition. Both versions feature the basic synch capabilities listed below with the expert addition adding a few more features including synchronization with iTunes and iPhoto, Internet sharing between your Mac and your mobile device and additional SMS/text message functionality.

Full features list:
  • Synchronize Favorites, Contacts, Calendar, Notes in mobile device accordingly with their analogues Bookmarks, Address Book, iCal, Stickies on Mac OS
  • Ability to work with iTunes and iPhoto
  • Simple installation of applications to your mobile device
  • Synchronize separate folders
  • Resize images while copying
  • Ability to synchronize time in mobile device with TimeSync plugin
  • Easily get device info (type of device, OS, owner's name, memory status (internal memory and flash card), battery state, time, alarms, etc.)
  • Examine memory status diagram and its legend
  • Track all operations which SyncMate handles by actions log
  • Ability to manage Drafts, Sent and Deleted items, Inbox and Outbox SMS
  • Build-in converter, which compresses video to MPEG4
  • Synchronization via USB cable and WiFi
  • Compatibility with Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2005/2006, Windows Mobile Smartphone 2005/2006

SyncMate is compatible with Mac OS X platform (Mac OS X 10.4 and higher, Mac OS X 10.5). Device compatibility: Windows Mobile Pocket 5, Windows Mobile Smartphone 5; Windows Mobile 6 Standard, Windows Mobile 6 Classic and Windows Mobile 6 Professional; Windows Mobile 6.1.

Additional information about SyncMate, along with detailed technical documentation, online help, changelog, upgrade to PRO policy as well as free installation package can be found at: http://www.eltima.com/products/syncmate/

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Make 3D, An Innovative 3-D Modeling Advance

Technology Review covers an article on new innovation in 3d modeling. Two researchers Andrew Ng and Ashutosh Saxena have developed Make3d, a Web service that lets users turn a single two-dimensional image of an outdoor scene into an immersive 3-D model.

According to the article Make3D's current algorithm only works on outdoor scenes or landscapes. With very limited support for indoor pictures and even people. However they are working to extend the algorithm to a broader range of settings, as well as improving the current site.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

PC Magazine's The Best Free Software

PC Magazine has compiled a great list of 157 free software tools you probably shouldn't live without.

Why spend money when you can get what you need for nothing? Every one of the programs listed is free, and in many cases better than software costing hundreds of dollars.

The top picks
    Adobe Reader This simplest of Adobe's PDF programs lets you do just about anything PDF-related (besides create new ones), including online collaboration. It includes a host of features to aid users with disabilities. AIM One of the most widely used pieces of free software ever, AOL Instant Messenger offers a ton of capabilities. Personally I prefer Trillian its free and works with almost all IM services. Audacity Whether you're recording or editing, Audacity is all about audio in practically any format. Firefox This PC Mag Editors' Choice Web browser has been on top of the heap since version 1.5 came out in late 2005. Look for FireFox 3 to be released soon! GIMP The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) does most of what Photoshop does; the Gimpshop project (plasticbugs.com) even makes it look like Photoshop. GIMP is a great tool with many of the features and functions that Photoshop has, you can even use photoshop brushes and actions. iTunes When you're attached to the top media player in the land (iPod), success is a given. iTunes continues to build sales and refine its organization of songs, video, games, podcasts, and more. OpenOffice You can spend a lot for Microsoft Office or nothing for this suite with full-function word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentations, even an equations editor. Skype You'll pay to call regular phones, but if you sign up all your friends, Skype provides easy (and even international) calls and video-conferencing for nothing. Thunderbird Mozilla's no-cost e-mail alternative is extensible, fast, and easy to master. And a wealth of free add-ons means there's not much this program won't do, from calendars to encryption. Ubuntu Linux This Linux-based OS comes with many of these Hall of Fame products (Firefox, OpenOffice.org) preinstalled. WinAmp Windows After a decade of playing music, the "skinnable" WinAmp has several versions, including one with full CD ripping and burning.


The rest are broken down page by page into the following categories:

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Microsoft Gives Away Software

Microsoft is giving away, free of charge, development and design tools. Yes its true, Microsoft is giving away Visual Studio 2008, Windows Server 2003, XNA Game Studio 2.0 and Microsoft Expression Studio.

The program labeled DreamSpark is available to students whose studies include technology, design, math science and engineering. Currently the offer is available to 35 million college students in the U.S., China, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. with plans on expanding to more than 1 billion high school and college students

"We want to do everything we can to equip a new generation of technology leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to harness the magic of software to improve lives, solve problems, and catalyze economic growth," Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said in a statement.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

14 Great Multimedia Utilities from PcWorld.com

Need to record and clean up music, edit video or sound, burn DVDs, and handle other multimedia tasks? PcWorld has assembled some free and try-before-you-buy tools that you won't want to live without.

Your PC is an entertainment powerhouse, just waiting to be unleashed. Its talents include recording and playing music, supporting editing of audio and video files, and burning DVDs and CDs. Unfortunately, the software that came with your PC probably won't handle these tasks with maximum effectiveness. So to help you unlock your system's multimedia power, we've gathered a group of 15 downloads--most of them free, some of them try-before-you-buy--that all do great jobs.

We've chosen software in three categories: media players and burners, video software, and audio software. For working with media players, you'll find everything from Foxy Tunes (which lets you play media from within Firefox) to several superb players to Online Radio Tuner (which tunes in to Internet radio stations) to Express Burn (the best media burner you'll find anywhere).

Our video software selections include programs for saving YouTube videos to your local hard drive, for uploading YouTube videos, for editing video, for converting video to an iPod-friendly format, and for getting TV shows into your Zune.

Finally, our audio downloads offer unique tools for performing such tasks as recording music from vinyl and cassettes to your PC, and eliminating pops, hisses, and clicks.

So if you want to unlock the entertainment power of your PC, it's time to start downloading.

Next page:Media Players and Burners