Windows XP only: Freeware app CSSVista offers side-by-side live previews of CSS (cascading style sheets) code in Internet Explorer 6 and Firefox simultaneously.
CSSVista is a three-paned editor—one window is a CSS editor, one window the IE 6 preview, and the third is the Firefox preview. Although Microsoft released Internet Explorer 7 ages ago, boatloads of users are stuck with IE 6. Unfortunately, the rendering engine for IE 6 is an odd bird requiring lots of special attention from developers—especially when it comes to creating cross-browser compatible websites.
CSSVista requires the .NET 2.0 runtime and, despite the name, is a free download for Windows XP only.
Just when you thought the bickering over Vista’s search capabilities were finished, along comes Google to fuel the nearly extinguished flame. Apparently, Microsoft’s actual filing that spelled out its intentions to alter the search functionality within Vista wasn’t as clear cut as previously understood, and now Google is out for even more blood. Google’s chief legal officer, David Drummond, called the remedies “a step in the right direction,” but also declared that the changes “should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop-search providers.” Essentially, it seems like Google will be barking up Redmond’s proverbial tree until Microsoft allows users to disable Vista’s built-in search (or better yet, choose Google) entirely. Oh, the drama.
Got 20 minutes to kill at work on a Friday? Watch this younger, less handsome Jobs-alike explain to you the detailed features of the iPhone. While we still haven’t made it through all 20 minutes yet, we’ll let you know if there’s anything unannounced in here.
Update: Here are the new features:
• Confirmed in-line viewer for PDFs, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel docs in email. Microsoft complained about lack of support before.
• Turning off the phone requires you to slide your finger across the top (like unlocking it) to confirm.
• You can rewind voicemail like a sound file.
• You can finger-scroll through contacts using the alphabet on the right.
• The special iPhone headphones have volume and call control.
• IMAP/POP support confirmed
• Typing with two thumbs actually looks manageable
• Limited amount of ringtones can be selected from the settings menu. Doesn’t look like songs can be used.
Linux only: Open-source app recordMyDesktop records screencasts graphically or from the terminal.
RecordMyDesktop solves the screencasting problem Linux users have faced for a long time. RecordMyDesktop creates high quality recordings of your screen with or without sound. While it is a terminal application, when paired with gtk-recordMyDesktop, a graphical frontend for recordMyDesktop, recordMyDesktop becomes a robust tool for easily creating screencasts. RecordMyDesktop can be tweaked to your hearts content by changing the sound and video quality, frames captured per second, mouse cursor style, compression, and whether to record the current window or the entire desktop.
Ubuntu users can install recordMyDesktop and gtk-recordMyDesktop with:
All other Linux users can snag the appropriate package in your distro’s repositories or at the project homepage. RecordMyDesktop is a free download for Linux only.
Windows only: Freeware utility WeFi helps you find free wifi connections on-the-go.
WeFi works like this: users install the WeFi client on their computer, then contribute data to the community by discovering open networks with the WeFi client. The client reports to WeFi headquarters, which then shares the open access point with other WeFi users. Aside from helping you find open hotspots, WeFi also has a social aspect that shows you where other WeFi users are. To be honest, it’s hard not to be a little dubious of an app like WeFi, which basically tracks where you are as long as it’s running and you’re on the internet (plus I had difficulty installing it on my computer). However, if you’re in desperate need of free wifi, it might be worth a try. WeFi is freeware, currently Windows only (with a Mac version “Coming soon”).
That gorgeous , top line, 8GB, Walkman phone, the W960 is one of the most incredible handsets out there, and Sam from Mobileburn got his hands on one. He paid a lot of attention to the background’s animated bubble effect, and the video shows off the backlit buttons, as well as a scroll wheel on the left side. But he largely ignores the touchscreen and its music controlling capabilities. Behold!
