Preview Files using STDU Explorer

Scientific and Technical Document Utility Explorer, if you can get past the complex name, this surely will be a helpful utility for all of us. Lets call this utility as STDU Explorer.

STDU Explorer is a neat little file manager that beats Windows Explorer by providing superior preview and thumbnail options. The program is designed especially for previewing and managing  image-file formats such as .psd, .bmp, .png, .gif, .jpg, and .wmf. You can also use STDU Explorer to view Acrobat PDF files and DjVu books (What is DjVu?).

The file manager lets you skim quickly through folders with chock-full of image and PDF files. Finding the one you need is facilitated by STDU Explorer’s thumbnail previews, which you can enlarge, shrink, or otherwise customize on the fly.

The program’s preview pane is great for flipping through multipage files, and its familiar folder tree and Office-like toolbar simplify navigation and basic file-management tasks.

The only useful feature missing from this utility is an address bar for entering folder paths, but otherwise, STDU Explorer is a winner that works with all Windows versions.

Google Chrome now available for Mac and Linux

Great news for Mac & Linux users. Google Chrome can now be downloaded to be used on Mac & Linux systems.

This is basically a Developer version and Google recommends NOT TO DOWNLOAD, unless, you are a developer, as the browser can crash.

Google Chrome for Windows has been in use for a while now.
If you are looking to install Chrome on a USB stick, check out Portable Google Chrome.

Download Link for Mac
System Requirements: Requires Intel CPU and Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later

Download Links for 32-bit and 64-bit Linux
System Requirements: Requires 32 or 64 bit Ubuntu 8.04 or later, or 32 bit Debian 5

Screenshot of Google Chrome for Mac OSX

Screenshot of Google Chrome for Linux

A Beta version of Google Chrome for Mac & Linux users is coming shortly ..

Expanding…

Shock 3D for Windows

If you thought Microsoft’s Windows 7 desktop was cool, wait till you see Shock 3D, an OpenGL application that is under 3MB. The application turns all your icons/desktop into 3D, such that you can move them around like objects. 3D desktop action is not limited to only Linux or Windows 7 users anymore, see Shock 3D and you’ll know what I talking about.

A drawback of this app is that you cannot use your desktop normally as Shock 3D sits as a layer on top of your desktop. It is not a fully baked application to replace your desktop, but hey… give the developer a break !

Download Shock 3D

Related Content: Make your Windows look like Mac OSX

Secure Yourself Against Conficker Worm

Windows OS users across the globe have been worried sick about the Conficker worm striking back on April 1,09.

Anti-virus and security solutions providing companies like Symantec, F-Secure, Avast! and others are however singing a relieved tune. That’s because they say they’re prepared to tackle it.

What’s this Conficker worm anyway?
The ‘C’ variant of Conficker worm, aka Downadup or Kido, infects Windows machines (XP and Vista) and disables them to get security updates or patches from Microsoft and from other vendors. According to Symantec, the creators of the worm will also start using a communications system that is more difficult for security researchers to interrupt.

(Image source: Wikimedia)

How will Conficker harm users?
While nobody knows what exactly Conficker will actually do, most likely, the worm will be used to create a botnet that will be rented out to criminals who want to send SPAM, steal IDs and direct users to online scams and phishing sites.

What can be done to protect a computer from this worm?
First of all, update your anti-virus software. Especially on April 1, make sure that it’s actually running when you start your computer. Secondly, make sure that you have the latest Windows security updates.

You should know:
1. Changing the date of your system will not help avoid this worm.
2. Keeping your computer shut on April 1 will also not help either.
3. The only way to get past this worm is by updating Windows and your anti-virus software.

Conficker History
The ‘B’ variant of the Conficker worm had created ruckus around January this year. By February, it had affected over 9 million Windows users worldwide. Perturbed by the virus, Microsoft had even announced to pay reward of $250,000 to any individual who’ll find out the culprits behind Conficker.

Last words
Before this April 1 — Don’t be a fool, download the security tool.

Some resources are listed here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_153464.htm
http://www.411-spyware.com/conficker-worm-removal
http://community.mcafee.com/showthread.php?t=225901

Capture Screenshots with Ease

Gadwin PrintScreen v4.4 allows much more flexibility with that Print Screen button at the top of your keyboard. Usually when you hit the Print Screen button it loads the current screen into your clipboard. To save the image you have to open up an image-editing application, paste it, then save the file. Gadwin’s free PrintScreen streamlines this whole process. It resides in your System Tray, and you can set a number of options. When you hit print screen (or whichever button you specify in the settings), you can choose to save the screen directly to a specific folder. You can also choose to save just a window, or a specific area of the screen. The application also gives you the option of sending the screen capture directly to your printer or as an email, and it will even automatically resize the picture to specified dimensions. The image can be saved to disk as a file in 5 different graphics file formats (.bmp, .jpg, .gif, .png, .tif)

Gadwin PrintScreen Professional v4.5 combines the power of a first-class  screen capture application with an advanced image image editing and annotation utility – wrapped into one easy-to-use tool. Gadwin PrintScreen Professional is versatile and extremely easy-to-use. This is a paid version providing additional utility to edit the image at the same time.
System Requirements:
Gadwin PrintScreen requires Microsoft ® Windows 98/Me/2000/2003/XP/Vista, or Windows NT 4.0SP6.

WebSite: Gadwin Systems Inc.