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Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Open Source, Troubleshooting, Windows x64

Keep an eye on your system's vitals with Yet Another Process Monitor

Fans of the ribbon interface who want a full-featured alternative to task manager, check out Yet Another Process Monitor.

Apart from showing task manager-esque information about running processes, YAPM also provides details about Windows services and your network activity. The system information panel provides realtime monitoring of processor, memory, and disk activity. Service startup types can be managed, processor affinities specified, and there's a grayed-out option for limiting CPU usage that will likely be active in a future version.

Don't recognize a specific process (say, for example igfxpers.exe)? Highlight it and click the internet search button to be taken directly to Google's results for clarification. You can also put YAPM's Kung Fu to use monitoring remote machines on your network.

In all honesty, there's so much built in to YAPM that you really need to download it and give it a try - assuming you want a better system monitor.

YAPM is free, requires no installation, and open source to boot. I won't go so far as to call it completely portable (the .Net 2.0 framework is required), but I'm all for applications that don't make me click through a setup.

Filed under: Utilities, Macintosh, iPhone

Rowmote: control your Mac or AppleTV from your iPhone

There are a few different iPhone-based options to remotely control your Mac, but Rowmote might be the most complete. Instead of just controlling your media via Front Row, it can actually switch applications on your Mac. The list of apps you can use from Rowmote is impressive, including everything from PowerPoint to VLC to PandoraJam, and it also works with AppleTV. For 99 cents, that's not too shabby.

Rowmote also has some features that greatly improve the user experience. You can set it to keep your Mac's display from sleeping, which is handy when you're watching a movie, and you can also choose between light and dark interfaces, so you don't hurt your eyes if you're using it in the dark. All in all, it might be the best iPhone-to-Mac remote solution I've run across.

Filed under: Features, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, P2P, Lists

Four ways to start torrent downloads remotely

There's more than one way to skin a cat. Today's cat: starting torrent downloads on your computer from a remote location!

The first two options require 1) your home machine's address and 2) a forwarded port on your router. If you're on a dynamic IP connection like me, a DDNS updating service like Dyndns.org makes finding your machine much easier - it gives you an easy-to-remember, permanent address likemycomputerathome.dyndns.org. Not too sure how to set up port forwarding on your router? Check out PortForward.com for help with just about any brand or model.

If you'd rather not mess around with port forwarding and dynamic dns, you might want to try setting up Hamachi or Comodo Easy VPN on your machines. Either one will provide you LAN-like access to your main computer with minimal fuss (apart from installing and configuring a new program).

Or you could skip the zero-config VPN software and check out the last two options after the break - neither of which require you to know your home system's address or change any router settings.

Now let's get started!

Using Your Client's WebUI (pictured above)

uTorrent, Transmission, and Deluge all offer a web-based control panel for their clients. Getting remote access is as simple as opening the appropriate port on your router and then opening the right address in your web browser.

For uTorrent, you may need to download the webui.zip from their forums and save it to your %appdata%\utorrent folder.

Read more →

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Ammyy Admin is a free TeamViewer alternative for remote support


While I use (and love) TeamViewer, not everyone's IT budget can justify the $700 expense. If you're in need of a good, zero-config alternative, check out Ammyy Admin.

It's a very slick application. Both the host and remote user download the same file - a tiny (128kb), portable executable. Launch it, and Ammyy displays one tab for the client and a second for the host (operator). Just like TeamViewer, your host connects to an echo server and receives an ID. Enter it into your client id window and click connect. Like TeamViewer, all communications are fully encrypted.

Once the host confirms your request, you're in. It's not as fast as TeamViewer, and it doesn't support autoscaling - but it does have a few advantages. Price is one, obviously, but I also appreciate that the Ammyy host service can be installed while you're connected to a client.

It will also remember authorized connections and automatically add remote operators to its list of permitted users. Ammyy also sports a file transfer mode which looks and functions much like TeamViewer's version. Again, AA's implementation isn't quite as fast, but it's still good enough to get the job done.

While autoscaling your hosts' screen isn't an option, you are able to zoom to predefined levels. There are also buttons to send ctrl-alt-delete and ctrl-esc to your host (TeamViewer lacks the latter).

For a free application with no nag screens, Ammyy Admin is a simple and highly functional tool for remote support.

Filed under: Audio, Fun, Utilities, Apple, Freeware, iPhone

iPhone App Review: Apple's Remote works, and it's free

If you've been looking for a reliable way to make your iPod or iPhone work as a remote for iTunes, look no further than Apple's Remote application. Just when you thought there was no way to tie the iPod and iTunes closer together, Apple's found another way for them to intereract. And It's free!

Just pop open remote, click to add a new library, and then enter the resulting 4 digit code in iTunes to give your iPhone access to your library. Now you've got an interface that looks just like the one you use to play music on your iPod. This'll work with any iTunes equipped computer on your network, and once you've set them up, you can switch between them easily. We even set up a little ad-hoc network with just a Mac and an iPod Touch, and Remote's performance was excellent. Did we mention it's free?

Filed under: Fun, Utilities, Windows, Macintosh, Shareware, iPhone

Use your iPhone or iTouch as a remote for your Mac or PC

With the announcement of the new iPhone, we figure there will be some new interest in this bit of software that's been around for a while: Do you have a computer without one of those newfangled infrared spots and a remote control? Do you still want to be able to change tracks on iTunes or pause a movie from across the room? As long as you have an iPod or an iPod Touch laying around, Signal is the app for you. Its interface is almost indistinguishable from the regular iTunes player on those devices, which makes it a breeze to use.

Here's how it works: download Signal and open it up, then input the IP address it gives you into your iPhone or iPod. Boom! You can access all your iTunes media from your device. Signal lets you change speakers, adjust volume, turn on shuffle or repeat, and pretty much anything else you could do from within iTunes.

There's a full demo, so you might want to try it out before you shell out 25 bones, but here are a couple of things to consider:. If you're going to buy a standard remote anyway (like the Apple Remote, for example), remember that Signal will work with your iPhone or iTouch from anywhere your network reaches, so you can use it to shoot around walls. Also consider that Signal has both Mac and Windows versions, where some other remotes only work with one platform.

Filed under: Utilities, Productivity, Troubleshooting

Snag a screenshot of a remote console with LSGrab

It's not often that the help desk people get any love, either in the form of praise, or in the form of software designed to make their jobs easier.

Well, here's a little love.

LSGrab, a freeware application designed by Moernaut.com software, allows you to take a screenshot of a remote Windows computer. The footprint is small, and the execution is flawless; another example of DWIS software (Does What It Says, for the layman).

Think of the time-saving possibilities: rather than having to walk a remote client through the method of taking a screenshot, simply open LSGrab, type, click, and it's done.

LSGrab is available as a console or a GUI version. With the console version, there's two command-line switches:

/c: specifies the computer name
/p: specifies the path to store the screenshot

The GUI version does the same; its only advantage is, you guessed it, the interface.

[Via Confessions of a freeware junkie]

Filed under: Internet, Security, Utilities, Windows Mobile, Productivity, Web services

LogMeIn remote administration for Windows Mobile

logmeinLogMeIn has a slew of products that let you remotely access PCs on the go. While LogMeIn is commercial software, you only have to pay for the fancier versions that let you do things like access files and printing on your home computer.

LogMeIn's free client lets you log into your home computer from a web browser. There's even a Windows Mobile version that lets you access your home computer from your PDA or Smartphone browser. (Once you get the hang of it, this means you can kind of surf the web using Firefox from your mobile device... connected to your home PC).

Now it looks like LogMeIn's going in the opposite direction. The company is testing a new beta application called LogMeIn Rescue Mobile that lets you access your Windows Mobile device remotely from your desktop. Say one of your clients/coworkers is out in the field and has trouble with their phone. You can login remotely and access data and settings to retrieve information for them or fix problems.

Of course, the phone will need a working internet connection. In order to gain control of the phone, you'll need to direct the user to visit a web site and download an applet. Once the connection is established, a virtual Windows Mobile device will pop up on your desktop and you'll be able to configure settings, or conduct a demonstrations and training sessions.

[via Geek Zone]

Filed under: Utilities, Video, Windows, Freeware

Command your PVR via IM with /mobileRecord

/mobileRecordWhat do you do when you're out of town and realize you forgot to set your PVR to record, say, Celebrity Duets? Nothing! You're out of luck! No duets for you! That is, unless you have a Windows Media Center PVR, and the foresight to have installed /mobileRecord by Casey Chestnut. /mobileRecord is an IM bot that talks to your WMCE scheduling software and lets you schedule recordings via MSN/Windows Live Messenger. This is particularly handy if you have an IM-capable smart phone, but even if you're just IMing from the office it could be seriously handy. /mobileRecord also supports voice recognition if you have Microsoft's Speech Server 2007 beta installed, which will allow you to command your PVR from any phone. /mobileRecord is delightfully free.

[Via Engadget]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Windows Mobile, Productivity, Microsoft

Avocent: Remote server management via PDA

remote management softwareAvocent has produced a software application that will allow you to manage a Windows server remotely from your BlackBerry or any other Windows Mobile 5.0 enabled device. I have tried several free software packages for this exact purpose and none of them really worked great, but granted Avocent was not one of them. This was before Windows 5.0 came out, so perhaps the native mobile operating system has a lot to do with it. This is a great idea for mobile IT professionals who would need to access a server on the go, such as in the back of a warehouse on a wireless connection. Technically you could take a call and reset a password on the server, all from a nearby Starbucks if you wanted to. Very powerful software indeed. Yes, I said a Blackberry Bliss latte. That's right, with whip no foam. Ahh, the refreshing taste of good software. Nothing like it.

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Web services, Freeware

PrinterAnywhere, enough said

Ever had trouble installing a home network or tried to get your laptop computer to print to your desktop's printer, to no avail? Well, in the event that you aren't a network administrator (most people aren't) and can easily fix this problem yourself, PrinterAnywhere is here to help. The software works by having you establish a username and password, then allows you to setup the client on both your PC's, including the remote printer name. This way, you bypass networking issues and are able to print documents over the connection made by the client. The nice thing is that you don't need to have the remote printer's drivers installed on your laptop, so long as your desktop has them installed, you're all set. It prints quickly, as if you had your laptop computer connected directly to the printer via cable. This is an interesting piece of free software, currently in beta. Now, I know what you're thinking, "why not just get a wireless card or wireless print server?" The answer is yes, that would be easier for some people. However, networking issues aside, one of the ideas behind PrinterAnywhere is that you can print documents to a friend's computer at a distance.

More screenshots coming right up, after the jump.

Read more →

Filed under: Security, Utilities, Windows

Mozy: Free automatic remote backup

MozyMozy is an remote backup service for Windows whose main differentiating factor is that it's free. Sort of. I'll get to that in a moment. Like most online backup systems, you install some software and then schedule it to send your precious files to a server somewhere else every week, night, whatever. Mozy emphasizes security, transmitting your files over 128-bit encrypted SSL and then storing them with 448-bit Blowfish encryption on Mozy's server. For free you get 2GB of storage space, which is plenty for many people's most important documents. If you drop $4.95 per month, you get bumped up to 30GB. So, what's the catch? Mozy sends you a newsletter each month filled with ads. Mozy says they "only work with advertising sponsors we think offer worthwhile, useful products and services" and your email address is never shared. This business model seems to rely on the fact that most people can't figure out how to filter its newsletters into the trash, but hey, if it's working for them, more power to them.

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Windows, Yahoo!

New Yahoo! Messenger Plugins rolled out

Y! Messenger PluginsThe new beta version of Yahoo! Messenger with Voice (version 8) lets users attach special use plugins. There were several available when the beta version was rolled out and today several more were made available in the Yahoo! Application Gallery.

Yahoo! Scribbler - It does just what the name says, it lets you scribble. When you and you chatting friend launch it, you can collaborate on a whiteboard. It also lets you drop in a photo from Flickr and doodle on it. And, if your work is worth it, you can save and store it to your Flickr account.

iTunes Remote - Erm, it's a remote for iTunes. Requires iTunes.

Yahoo! News - This plugin was one of the initial offerings. Maybe this is a new version? Gallery listing says it's only hours old. Lets you quickly browse news categories and zoom in on stories within Messenger.

Yahoo! Sports Gamechannel - This is my personal favorite. It lets you see the current US Major League Baseball stats and action within a smartly designed space. Cute animation and easy to read text tells you everything about the game being viewed. Also includes current scores and stats around the league. This was released a while back and is presumably an updated version. Lets hope it handle US football just as well.

And, by the way, plugins work in the Windows version of Y! Messenger but not the Mac version... yet.

Filed under: Audio, Hardware, Windows, Freeware

Control iTunes from a mobile device with PlayerPal

PlayerPal So MyTunesRSS lets you use a PSP to listen to your  iTunes music collection, but what if you just want to control the music it's piping through your stereo speakers? PlayerPal is a Windows app that lets you control iTunes or Windows Media player from any web-enabled device. Like other apps of its kind, PlayerPal is basically a mini web server that you can log on to from a web browser and control your media player. Unlike others, though, it's tailored specifically to mobile devices. It ships with skins sized for the PSP, a standard PDA screen, and a regular browser, and can show album cover art in addition to titles, which ought to alleviate the squint-factor. PlayerPal looks great for intelligently controlling your media player from the couch. There's a free trial to download from the PlayerPal web site and the registered version costs $20.

[Via kjOnTheRun]

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, E-mail, Google, Freeware

Gmail Remote Command: Let Gmail take over your computer

Gmail Remote CommandHave you ever wanted to be able to control your computer remotely, without the technical hurdles (or firewall issues) that come with more serious solutions like VNC? You might take a look at Gmail Remote Command, a free Windows app that will check your Gmail inbox every 60 seconds and, if it sees you've sent it certain preconfigured keywords, will execute commands on the host computer. GRC can make your computer run programs, open URLs, or shut down. This definitely isn't for people who have a need for high security, as it's basically a backdoor into your system for anyone who knows your e-mail address (though you can make your keywords hard to guess), but for more mundane situations it could come in handy--in particular, you could send yourself an e-mail from your cell phone and control your computer from anywhere in the world, or, at least, anywhere you have reception.

[Via Lifehacker]

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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