http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/ Love downloads? Free software, games, utilities and free downloads. Download Junkie is a downloads blog with a difference. Only the best free downloads are featured, from music to browser companions and tips. en Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:18:41 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification In a surprise move, Microsoft have released the first beta preview of the forthcoming Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2), which is available for both the 32-bit and 64-bit edition, in either one self-extracting download or as a standalone ISO image that you can use to install on either Vista or Server 2008.

Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 beta contains a number of application compatibility updates, support for the latest Bluetooth 2.1 specification, improved WiFi support, better streaming of HD video, the ability to burn Blu-ray discs, Windows Search 4.0 built-in to the OS and much more. Note that there are a few compatibility issues with older security software. The release notes detail issues with AVG AntiVirus 7.x (v8 is fine) and PC Tools Spyware Doctor 5.x (v6 is fine).

Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 beta installer or Vista SP2 ISO links.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/microsoft-windo-3.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/microsoft-windo-3.html Operating systems beta sp2 vista windows Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:18:41 +0000 One way of downloading large files is to do so by using a torrent file, these can be sourced fairly easily and shared with others. Torrent files are actually separated into pieces, arriving from different machines, and then reassembled on arrival. Like a download manager, a good torrent client will enable you to control all aspects of file sharing, from downloading and sharing to queuing and setting speed limits.

BitComet 1.07 is a free file sharing tool that's BitTorrent compatible and designed to help you manage all aspects of torrent file management. Use it to queue, pause and resume downloads. Although it's very similar to BitTorrent, it ships with a better interface. 

BitComet 1.07 link.]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-this-userfr.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-this-userfr.html Software download manage torrent Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:57:20 +0000 It's important to prevent clutter building up on your computer, not only for the benefit of your computers performance but also for privacy reasons. Most of the files accumulated are relatively harmless but some may be more sensitive, containing personal information. Some tools are more thorough than others at completely removing these files, so it's important to find an application that's proven to work, so you won't have to second guess its effectiveness.

CCleaner Portable 2.14.763 is the portable version of the popular standard version. This version enables you to run the application without having to install it; this also makes it possible to customise cleaning options. You can also put the application on an external or portable drive.

CCleaner Portable 2.14.763 link.]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-the-portabl.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-the-portabl.html Software clean PC portable Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:54:59 +0000 Typing up a letter or document is most people's first experience of using a computer, usually with Microsoft Word. Many people don't really move away from Word and before long, it becomes difficult to begin using an alternative. The reason for moving to an alternative is usually cost, as with many other office applications, Word is an expensive piece of software and if you're on a budget, it's not always a viable option. But cost is just one reason, other people look for alternatives as they do not require all the features that ship with Word.

AbiWord 2.6.5 is a free and competent word processor that's compatible with Microsoft Word documents. The application itself may not be as feature rich as word but it still offers extensive functionality, more than enough for the average user. There are also free plug-ins available via the AbiWord website.

AbiWord 2.6.5 link. ]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-this-compit.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/try-this-compit.html Software free processor word Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:33:33 +0000 Only yesterday did we mention that the Amazon UK MP3 music store has gone live. This store enables users to download DRM-free audio from the site and some of the prices are certainly compelling. For example, the latest Will Young album - if you like that kind of music - is available for only £3 as a download. However, whereas the Apple iTunes Music Store is a self-contained manager that enables you to purchase, download and manage your tracks from the application, the Amazon MP3 store requires some basic technical knowledge.

Amazon MP3 Music Downloader is a simple free tool that enables your computer to intercept the MP3 audio files you purchase and download from the store and integrate directly in to your existing music manager, whether that's iTunes or another tool.

Amazon MP3 Music Downloader link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/use-amazon-mp3.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/use-amazon-mp3.html Music Software amazon audio itunes mp3 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:52:19 +0000 There are numerous freeware download managers available, all of which claim to increase download speeds or provide a more secure download. Most of us use or have used a download manager at some point, often noticing that they don't always improve your download experience. However, there are some more effective managers out there that do improve speeds and provide a more secure environment for downloading files.

Download Accelerator Plus 9 claims to increase download speeds by around 400% by identifying the most reliable serving download. The application can also split the download into several segments and access them from multiple sources if necessary as well as manage your downloads. 

Download Accelerator Plus 9 link.  ]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/maintain-faster.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/maintain-faster.html Software accelerator download manager software Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:44:30 +0000 Tweaking the performance of your Windows operating system may sound relatively easy, but if you don't really know what you're doing, it could have the opposite effect. There are a number of applications available that will help you get the most from your PC, some of which are free. When looking for a tool it's important to identify one that will enable you to enhance performance in the required areas, or a complete tool, one that lets you choose which area of your system will benefit most from being optimised.

Ashampoo PowerUp 3.23 is a tweaking and optimisation tool for your Windows PC that ships with a number of pre-configured settings or 'profiles' designed to enhance particular areas of your PCs performance. This enables you to quickly tune areas of performance, depending on what you may be doing.

Ashampoo PowerUp 3.23 link.  ]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/optimise-your-c.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/optimise-your-c.html Software optimise software tweak windows Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:30:51 +0000 It only seems like a few years ago when we had to give a commercial printer a Quark document, relevant images, in the right format, on a disc, so they could output your work. It didn't always go to plan and you had to meet their specifications or they couldn't print. These days it's far easier to print commercial documentation as you simply give them a commercial-grade PDF document. However, you can't really use a free PDF application to achieve these results.

novaPDF 6 is a PDF generation tool that's been around for a long time and has recently received a major upgrade (well, major as in version change). At a base level, it will enable you to output a PDF document, suitable for either web download or commercial printing, from just about any Windows application.

novaPDF 6 link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/produce-a-pdf-d.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/produce-a-pdf-d.html Software commercial pdf print Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:16:47 +0000 Web ads are not only annoying; they can also hinder browser performance as you wait for them to load. These adverts are usually located away from the page or site you may be visiting and this is what causes your machine to slow down, and what hinders your browsing experience. The trouble with online adverts is that they feature on almost all websites in some way or another, so avoiding them is almost impossible, unless of course you use an ad-blocker.

Adblock Plus 1.0 is a useful addon for Firefox that enables you to prevent annoying adverts. Download the plug-in, right click a chosen add, and it won't be downloaded again. Alternatively, choose a filter subscription and block adverts automatically. Note that this blocker is designed to prevent in-line ads, not pop-ups.

Adblock Plus 1.0 link.  ]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/block-annoying.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/block-annoying.html Software advert block software Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:01:57 +0000 Like many users, we were big fans of iTunes and the whole iPod experience. However, in recent years we've somewhat stopped purchasing music online, mainly as the DRM experience left us feeling cold. If you own more than a couple of computers, you want your music available on all. Ditch an old drive or simply upgrade your computer and it's way too easy to forget to deauthorise an existing edition of iTunes. Result? You quickly lose your 5-PC entitlement for downloaded digital audio tracks.

When Amazon launched their US-only audio download store, they launched it as a DRM-free product, which means you can do whatever you want with your purchased audio tracks (by 'anything', we mean you can store them on any device or any computer, as long as you keep them to yourself), in the same way you have complete control over your purchased CDs.

Now Amazon UK have launched their DRM-free audio store, which are recorded at a high 256Kbps, supplied as an industry standard MP3 file and they claim they have a million tracks. For example, the latest Take That album "The Circus" was £3 for the entire album, the last time we checked.

Amazon UK digital audio store link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/uk-users-grab-y.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/uk-users-grab-y.html amazon audio mp3 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:50:16 +0000 Most people will go out and purchase and audio CD or use an online music store to purchase a song or album they like but more casual music listeners, who aren't too worried about audio quality, will use music download sites to obtain the majority of their music. Unfortunately most file sharing sites are littered with users sharing poorly compressed or recorded audio files, all of which do no justice to original audio recordings. However, if you do want to listen to a track online, is there any way of legally obtaining free audio files using the web?

Songbeat 3.1 is an interesting application that enables you to search for, listen to and download audio files for free, well, kind of. It uses search engines to locate audio files rather than relying on users to share files from their drives, the audio is streamed but can also be downloaded but you only get twenty-five free downloads, after this you are required to upgrade, which costs of course.

Songbeat 3.1 link. ]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/search-stream-a.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/search-stream-a.html Music Software download free music stream Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:09:30 +0000 Having a website is a must for many, especially those who own a business or need to advertise themselves to a large audience. Unfortunately a good website can be a hefty investment, and for most people, creating their own may be too challenging. Even template-driven applications may be confusing, especially if you don't have an understanding of web-building languages. Once you've overcome the initial design and layout stages, you've then got to think about hosting and site maintenance.

TOWeb 2.71 is an application designed to enable novice users to create and maintain their own website. You can add text, images and other content to your site whilst TOWeb provides assistance with the rest, helping you to create a professional looking, well made site. 

TOWeb 2.71 link.]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/create-and-main.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/create-and-main.html Software build software web Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:14:40 +0000 We've said this many times before, but the big problem with old hard drive technology is that it doesn't always store your data in one continuous block, making it easier for your drive head to locate and load the relevant files. This is made worse when you have a large hard drive with lots of small files that you constantly write and delete from your drive. Over time, your drive will become fragmented with the data located in different areas, causing your system to spend more time loading data.

Diskeeper 2009 Home is arguably one of the more well-known commercial disk defragmentation tools that will enable you to keep your drive in shape. However, it will work in the background and defragment on the fly, without it affecting the use of your computer.

Diskeeper 2009 Home link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/keep-your-drive-10.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/keep-your-drive-10.html Software defrag drive optimise Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:50:51 +0000 Take a look at most modern websites and they are made up of advanced CSS (cascading style sheets) that are beyond the comprehension of most web users. CSS enables you to define particular styles and then apply those styles to particular areas across your website. Coding up a CSS isn't something you'll want to do using Notepad or a Notepad replacement. You'd be better using a dedicated tool. However, if you only want to get started, it's a good idea to try a basic free CSS editor.

Free CSS Toolbox 1.2 is a free CSS edit and formatting tool from the guys behind popular web development tools such as the bigger commercial RapidCSS and HTMLPad Pro. Free CSS Toolbox is simplist tool for generating CSS, but it enables you to drop in tags and validate your code before you test it live.

Free CSS Toolbox link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/edit-and-produc.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/edit-and-produc.html Software code css free Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:31:01 +0000 With the rise of mega-pixel digital cameras, the resulting images are often way too large to offer to other users on your homepage. As a result, you're best turning to archiving your photos and simply giving users a download link to the archive, rather than the individual photos. The same theory applies to files you'll want to make available. Problem is that many of us turn to the standard .zip compression, but this doesn't always give the best results when trying to compress modern media.

7-Zip 4.62 is the latest version of the popular free archive manager that will enable you to open, create and manage compressed archives. It supports the 7z format, which is becoming the popular alternative to the ancient .zip format. Even Adobe now use the 7z format to provide their trial software to end users.

7-Zip link.
]]> http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/manage-open-and.html http://www.downloadjunkie.co.uk/2008/12/manage-open-and.html Software archive compress zip Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:23:22 +0000