Have you ever used Quicksilver on a Mac? Or maybe GnomeDo on a Linux system? If not, then I will explain what these programs do. They are programs that allow you to search for files/folders and even execute programs by just typing the name of that program. Type in ‘Firefox’ and it will allow you to open your website. Type in a song file name and it will allow you to play song in a media player.

Launchy is essentially the cousin of the above programs. Only this cousin runs Windows (although Launchy does have a Linux version too). Launchy runs in the background of your system and only appears (or disappears) when you press ‘alt-space’. The dialog box will open and allow you to search for the application/file/folder that you are looking for.

thanks to CNET for the above image

You may ask, why on earth would you need something like this? The simple answer is that it’s an easy, more efficient way of finding things on your computer. The Windows search function is put to shame when up against Launchy. You can launch applications, so that means your desktop space won’t need to be cluttered anymore. Even the start bar will become useless to you.

TIP: To search for something on Google just using Launchy, type in ‘Google’ then press TAB and then type what you’re searching for.

Here is the CNET video review of Launchy:

For the CNET editor and user reviews, click here.

To download Launchy click here.

For some cool tips and tricks when using Launcy, click here.

If you switch from Windows or Linux to Mac, one of the things you will notice is Mac OS X doesn’t have a utility to help uninstall applications. To try and make things simple, Apple didn’t include an uninstaller, instead all you have to do is delete the application files. The only problem with this is as applications began to get more complex, not all the files were located in the same place. Sure you can try and manually search for the files but there’s no way you’ll find all of them.

If you don’t like deleting only some of the application files, you should give AppCleaner a try. AppCleaner is a FREE program designed to find and delete all the files associated with an application. Below is a screenshot of the program in action.

Of course there are lots of other programs that will help you uninstall your applications. However, there are a few reasons I use AppCleaner instead of those other programs. First off, AppCleaner is completely FREE. There isn’t a free version and a paid version, or some crappy trial version, just the real thing. Secondly, the interface is clean and simple. All you have to do is drag and drop the application you want to remove and your done.

AppCleaner is even smart enough to recognize when you place an application in the Trash Bin and it will then offer to properly delete it. AppCleaner will uninstall more than just applications, including widgets and preference panes. Lastly, AppCleaner can protect your most important applications from being deleted. And of course a list of all deleted applications are kept in a log file so you can look back at what you’ve successfully uninstalled.

When Microsoft first released Windows Vista, there was talk of fading out XP.  As word got out about the problems with Vista, some people decided to stay with XP for a little while longer.  Microsoft heard such and uproar about fading out XP that they decided to push back the end-of-sales date.  Well, that day has finally come.

On June 30th, 2008, Microsoft will stop selling Windows XP.  This means that you will no longer be able to buy XP as a stand-alone product at a store or from major PC manufacturers like Dell and HP.

Of course it will take months for places like Dell and HP to sell all the copies of XP in their inventory.

If you refuse to upgrade to Windows Vista and want to get your hands on a copy of XP, you might be in luck.  Local PC makers known as “system builders” will continue to sell computers with XP pre-installed until January 2009.  Also, ultra-low cost PCs (ULCPC) will still be allowed to carry Windows XP Home Edition until June 2010.

If you are worried about Windows XP support, you still have some time before it runs out.  Microsoft will stop supporting XP in April 2009.  If you have pay for Microsoft “Extended” support, you will be covered through 2014.

For more information:
The Future of Windows XP
Microsoft Support Cycle

Do you wish Microsoft would have delayed the end-of-sales for XP just one more time??? Let us know in the comments.

Starting later today (June 17, 2008) Firefox 3 will be available for download.  To celebrate the release of their new browser, Mozilla (the makers of Firefox) is throwing a party.

Join millions of other Firefox fans for Download Day 2008.  On this day Mozilla is hoping to set a Guinness World Record for the most amount of software downloads in 24 hours.  This is a very smart advertising ploy by Mozilla to help spread the word about Firefox.

If you don’t use Firefox, or at least a browser based on Firefox, then you should look at some alternative browsers.

However, if you are Firefox user and haven’t tried FF3 yet, you are in for a pleasant surprise.  I have been using the release candidate for a while and love it.  It seems as if they have fixed everything that was wrong with FF2 as well as included some new features.

Some of these new features include: better performance, smart bookmarks, improved download manager and add-on manager.  Some other notables are better security features such as malware and phishing alerts.

When the Firefox 3 release candidates became available not all Firefox 2 extensions worked with the new version.  In fact, there are a few that still don’t work with Firefox 3.  However, the majority of your favorite extensions have been updated to work with Firefox 3.

With all that being said, Firefox 3 is much better than its predecessor and is a joy to use.  I strongly recommend you check it out (and tell your friends about it too).   Happy downloading!

What do you love/hate about FF3?  Are you just excited about Download Day 2008? Let us hear about it in the comments!

As many already know, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new iPhone 3G to replace the currently out of stock iPhone that was first introduced nearly a year ago. Pictured here, the basic design of the new device is remarkably similar to its predecessor but features a new glossy back in black for both the 8GB and 16GB versions, but also is offered with a glossy white back for the 16GB version. The keynote presentation, which can be viewed here, kicked off the 2008 WWDC was heavily centered around the iPhone 2.0 firmware.

Amongst the new features included in the new 2.0 firmware was the third party application distribution center known as the App Store. This feature is a remarkable way for third party developers to distribute their applications to all iPhone and iPod Touch users worldwide through the use of Apple’s extensive iPhone SDK. A few other firmware features that will make this a hit is the Enterprise features highlighted in a previous post here and in the March 6th Keynote. Apple has also upgraded the built in calculator by introducing a scientific version when the device is rotated into a landscape orientation. Apple has also taken the liberty to make the new firmware completely iWork and MS Office friendly, so that in all applications attachments can be viewed via the iPhone’s rich display.

Aside from updates with the firmware, the two biggest improvements to the new iPhone are of course 3G capabilities and A-GPS technology. Filmed demos shown during the WWDC Keynote presentation show the iPhone to perform up to 2 times faster downloading data than an iPhone on Edge and 3 times faster downloading email attachments. The new A-GPS technology is capable of tracking a user through the city and is used for various locational services such as the native Maps application and the new “Geotagging” feature.

All in all the new iPhone 3G is an amazing device when taken into account the browsing speeds and ease of use, not to mention the price has been drastically reduced. The 8GB model comes in at just $199 and the 16GB models are only $100 more. The new iPhone 3G is set to hit Apple Stores in 22 countries on July 11th, and with lowered prices there is no foreseen obstacles in the way to hinder the 10 million unit goal set by Apple.

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For more information on the iPhone 3G, please visit Apple’s website here.
All images taken from www.apple.com

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