Apr 27 2009
iPod must-have Freeware
I couldn’t believe that in the history of Freeloader Friday we’ve only covered iPod freeware twice. It’s time to set the record straight with free essential software for your Mac’s best friend.
This week’s I’ve chosen quality over quantity. All of these picks have found their way to daily use on my Mac, and I think they will on yours.
Yamipod iPod manager
This (Yet Another) Manager for your iPod is the only one you’ll need outside iTunes. Despite the dull name, this free app digs into your iPod’s hidden music database (which is also home to your videos, if you’re that fortunate) and allows you to copy music from the iPod to your Mac. It also allows you to import, create and manage playlists, import and export songs and add and edit lyrics.
As if that wasn’t enough, Yami also copies RSS feeds and other notes to your notes folder. For those of you who aren’t real excited about using unsupported software with your iPod, you’ll be happy to know that Yamipod isn’t as careless as some. It records a backup of your music database (one of the most vulnerable parts of your iPod) on every launch. So, its easy to revert if something goes wrong.
iSquint iPod video encoder
This one will only be on interest to iPod with video owners. But if you have one, you want this. There are a million lame iPod video encoding apps out there, and most share one big problem: encoding time. Even iTunes suffers from long encoding times. Enter iSquint.
In my experience, iSquint is about twice as fast as EyeTV or iTunes. The author has built in easy presets that create great looking movies. iSquint gives you control over file sizes and format. You can optimize your video for iPod only viewing or TV via iPod viewing. The software queues encodings and is regularly updated for performance.
Fetch Art album art importer
You can rip your entire Pink Floyd collection, and iTunes will give you track names. But when you load them on your beautiful new 60 gig and they just look naked in the “Now Playing” display. Don’t let your ripped or otherwise acquired music play second fiddle to iTunes Music Store purchases.
Get artwork not only gets album art for your songs, it automates the process. Highlight the song, choose Fetch Art from the script menu in iTunes and the AppleScript application finds the image on Amazon. Highlight multiple, or all, and the application will return art for the list, letting you select which to import.
Adding video, art and newsfeeds is easy. And the search for an alternate iPod manager is done. Rock on.
Apr 27 2009
Do-it-Yourself Google Browser
With our set of Extensions you can transform Firefox into a true Google browser, with Gmail, Search, Maps and more integrated into the application.
1. Google Browser Sync – This new extension from Google syncs your bookmarks, cookies, history and passwords. The extension, which syncs cross-platform also preserves your previously open tabs when you launch your browser again.
2. Google Toolbar 2.0 – This toolbar can be set to replace the integrated search box. You can search the given page, any of a number of Google services all while enjoying auto-complete.
3. GDirections – This third-party extension adds right-click options for searching Google Maps. Highlight an address on a webpage, and with a right-click you can get directions to the location from a preset home address or bring up a map of the location.
4. Google Calendar Quick Add – If you use Calendar, this extension makes adding a calendar event as quick as a keystroke. Click control-; and type in something like “Dentist Appointment, Thursday at 4:30″ and an appointment will appear on your default calendar.
5. Google Calendar Notifier – This extension can trackmultiple calendars and will show alerts for events in your status bar.
6. Blogger Web Comments – This Google extension shows you comments from the blogosphere related to the page you are viewing (not just blogspot blogs either).
7. Gmail Manager – Track multiple Gmail accounts. Auto log-in to all your Gmail accounts and get the number of unread in your status bar.
8. Gmail Skins – Not shown above, this extension provides added layout options to Gmail, including float-while-you-scroll menus and enhanced views.
Even with some assembly required, a Google browser is not out of reach. Join me next week for more great free downloads.
Brian
By admin • Articles, Freeloader Friday Download of the Week • 0 • Tags: bar 8, browser, click control, default calendar, dentist appointment, gmail, google, google maps, home, layout options, location, Maps, Quick, search, search maps, set, toolbar, web comments, while, Yourself