The Download Blog

As long-time fans know, Power Downloader is a gregarious guy. Modest to a fault, he just likes helping people. One of his favorite programs for helping computer users of all levels of experience is the freeware application CrossLoop. CrossLoop is a secure single-serving of remote access, but once it's given, the remote user has complete access until the connection is severed.

When PD runs the program, his PC is assigned a new 12-digit access code each time you start the program. The person he's helping also gets a new access code and then shares that with PD. Power can then help with whatever task he's needed for, whether it's a simple question of locating a file or a complex print server compatibility issue.

CrossLoop enables one-on-one remote access tech support.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

CrossLoop is safeguarded with a 128-bit encrypted connection so it makes a great solution for no-budget, long-distance tech support. Guests can use any app and save files on your computer, as if they were sitting in front of the machine. No router configuration is required--a big plus. File transfers are now supported, but the purpose here remains collaboration: CrossLoop doesn't work without explicit permission from the host.

The odd nature of sharing a desktop cursor and the inability to add multiple users makes CrossLoop too challenging for proper business presentations. Since simplicity is a key attraction, the program lacks more advanced features, and the connection must be made in two minutes or it times out. CrossLoop provides a perfect balance of user control and remote access for somebody like Power Downloader whose calling is to make computers less confusing.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

It's no secret that Power Downloader's favorite Web browser is Firefox, for both Windows and Mac. Judging from the Mozilla browser's growing market share, it's not just Power's favorite, but the preferred browser of many of his fans, too. So, he's happy to recommend one of the most useful Firefox extensions he's ever come across: MR Tech Local Install.

MR Tech Local Install does far more than creating a quick Restart button.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

It's a mouthful of a name, but it's got features for beginners and power users. Basically, it's the extension's extension, giving users added control over add-on behavior as well as providing an incredibly useful tool: the Restart button. Power Downloader has added this button to his Firefox toolbar, and now he can restart the program with one click. This is great because if the browser doesn't need the refresher for a new plug-in or theme, it's probably leaking memory and this is a quick way to stop that. Power also likes that MR Tech checks for updates and can override the MaxVersionNumber of many older extensions that haven't been updated.

Power knows that when he's tracking criminals, he can use this plug-in to track and change the folder where his extensions get saved, make tweaks to the Firefox context menu, and perform even more customization hacks on the fly. The simple panel interface is easy to use, but Power warns beginners that they might be overwhelmed by all the choices it offers. Still, he recommends that if you download only one extension, make it this one so that all the others you get will be far easier to handle.

Hunting down dastardly captcha hackers and spyware slimeballs is busy work, even for a man as talented as Power Downloader. Power doesn't have a lot of free time, so it's hard to remember to check all the Web sites that are important to him. His solution: instead of surfing a list of bookmarks, Power Downloader uses RSS feeds and FeedDemon to make the news and podcasts come to him.

FeedDemon is one of the best programs for managing your RSS collection. The interface is slick and easy to personalize, which is important since Power wasn't too impressed with the default look. What he did like, though, was FeedDemon's setup wizard, which allowed him to subscribe to an unlimited number of popular RSS feeds by simply checking boxes. The program also provided links to several other RSS directories. The utility's Watches and Clippings feature searches for news items containing user-specified keywords and places them in separate groups so they're easier to find. Archiving a story for later use is easy with flags, an important feature when collecting research on suspected criminals.

FeedDemon manages feeds and podcasts for Power Downloader.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Three other compelling features make FeedDemon an essential tool for Power: one is the integrated podcast manager, which will automatically send new podcasts to your music jukebox. The second is that FeedDemon exists for the Mac, but is called NetNewsWire. The third is that both come with automatic synchronization to NewsGator, FeedDemon's Web-based client that makes sure that whether Power is at his computer or in a Net cafe, he's always able to stay on top of the news he needs.

Power Downloader fans hungering for more can read more about how to use FeedDemon and how FeedDemon manages podcasts.

Recently, Power Downloader received a instant message from his sister, Maggie Mouse. When he clicked on the blinking Pidgin icon, he found himself confronted by a distraught question: Firefox would crash on her in the middle of browsing her email. She had tried restarting the browser and restarting her computer, and she'd even reinstalled Firefox. Maggie Mouse had turned off all her extensions, and Mozilla's browser would still die on her. Although not a dastardly crime, this was definitely a job for Power Downloader.

Opera's tabs offer thumbnail previews.

(Credit: Opera, Inc.)

For all situations, Power Downloader recommends keeping a second browser installed and ready to go. One of his favorites is Opera (download it for Windows and Mac). It's good enough to be your main browser, but if you're addicted to your Firefox extensions Opera probably won't be your first choice. As a second choice, though, Power Downloader believes Opera is an excellent way to go. It doesn't leak memory like Firefox 2 does, and it's got some top-notch features built right in--no need to hassle with plug-ins.

From the basics like tabbed browsing, themes, and widget support to advanced features such as autofill, basic e-mail and chat integration, mouse gestures, and Speed Dial, which lets users assign bookmarks to numbers 1 through 9, Opera offers a different and yet just as useful experience compared to its open-source competition. Maggie Mouse was so excited that she was able to Web surf again that she offered to help Power Downloader track down the evil Doc Destroyer.

Power Downloader loves to chat with his friends, but he's got a problem. Kitty Kilobyte uses Yahoo Instant Messenger, and Candace Clicks loves Google Chat. Even his grandfather, the venerable Robert Baud, gets online to chat sometimes--but he uses AOL IM. Power Downloader knows it's a pain to use three different chat programs simultaneously, which is why he uses the multiprotocol chatware client Pidgin.

Pidgin's Buddy List.

Pidgin is open source and free, but Power Downloader knows that doesn't mean it can't get the job done. Besides Google, Yahoo, and AOL chat protocols, Pidgin also supports MSN, ICQ, MySpaceIM, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, and more. Being able to chat to different people on different systems, all from the same chat window that keeps the multiple conversations separate, really makes Power Downloader's day.

There's a lot for Power Downloader to like in Pidgin. It's easy to set up, sure, but he loves the plug-ins. Being able to customize everything from smileys to fonts and colors, from multiperson chat behavior to Buddy Pounces, make Power Downloader feel like he has control over the program--not the other way around. Pidgin does a lot of basics right for Power Downloader, things like logging and time-stamping, and a Help menu that's been improved in recent versions. Best of all, Power Downloader appreciates that while he works hard to track down cyber-criminals, he doesn't have to work hard to chat with his sources.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Aside from his storied history of mastering downloadable software and ensnaring cyber-ne'er-do-wells around the globe, Power Downloader is also a longtime music collector. Since the very first 78rpm record he received as a young boy on Christmas Day untold years ago, Power has combed the stacks of record stores everywhere he travels. From Jerry Lee Lewis, the Beatles, and the Stooges to Arcade Fire, R. Kelly, and The White Stripes, Power Downloader has acquired a gigantic music collection that now also lives on his PC, portable MP3 player, and via software, any connected computer, or iPhone in the world.

When the digital-music revolution was only beginning to brew, Power took the opportunity to transfer a large number of his vinyl LP records to his PC using the free software Musicmatch, since acquired by Yahoo. Although he doesn't buy nearly as many records now as he did during the wild disco '70s, he still manages to acquire more than a few in the course of his adventures. Today he uses the free software Audacity to record his audio directly from his turntable to his PC using a preamp and a RCA-to-headphone adapter.

For ripping CDs, the options are numerous. Power's first choice is still the tried and true CDex, GPL-licensed software that very simply converts discs into lossless WAV files, compressed MP3s, or patent-free OGG files. Some users complain about slow transfer rates, but Power's more concerned with quality regardless.

File Renamer Basic makes renaming files by ID3 tag a snap.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Through the years and batches of albums, CDs, and free digital downloads from sources like Download.com Music, Power has collected music files on his media PC that vary wildly in file name structure. Some are Artist-Album-Song, others Artist-Song, and many others simply song names as file names, with no artist info at all.

To standardize his digital music files, Power fires up the extremely useful free utility File Renamer Basic. This fantastic freeware lets you automatically find and replace terms from file names, delete a certain number of character from the beginning or end of the file, and directly edit ID3 tags for your music files. Even better, the app will automatically rename files based on their ID3v1 or ID3v2 tags. Insert the keywords you'd like to use to create the filename, select the files you want to rename, and voila--instant normalization of filenames.

Finally, to listen to his gigantic music library anywhere he goes, Power uses the free app Simplify Media, which lets you share your iTunes or Winamp libraries with any computer (or iPhone) with a connection to the Web. Those measly 160GB iPods aren't enough for Power's massive collection (plus you know he's got video). Using a home-networking system, multiple external hard drives, and DVDs full of archived tunes, Power has years and years of music to listen to, no matter where his adventures take him.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

If there's one thing Power Downloader has learned while working with computers and software, it's that there will inevitably be problems. With new viruses and new strains of spyware set loose onto the Web every day, Power knows he needs to stay on top of updates and the latest definitions for his programs. But even with the best protection available, occasionally something can sneak through Power's defenses, leaving his computer unusable.

To make sure he's prepared for the worst, Power Downloader keeps a bootable CD with a variety of programs meant to troubleshoot an otherwise unusable computer. Fortunately, it's easy to get it all in one download with UBCD4Win. With this catalog of free programs burned to a CD, Power can rest assured that in case of a full computer meltdown, he'll be able to boot the CD and run diagnostic tests, clear out any viruses, and retrieve or delete files. The download is loaded with diagnostic and security troubleshooting programs, many of which Power has used and trusted before like AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, and Trend Micro HijackThis. It takes some work to build and burn a usable emergency CD, but fortunately UBCD4Win comes with step-by-step documentation, making it easy for anyone to have a go-to when nothing else seems to work. The large collection of programs takes some time to download (184MB), but Power knows that it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to all the important files on his computers.

All computers are vulnerable to problems and some are unfixable--even with these programs. With his computer experience, Power Downloader realizes that not every problem can be fixed, but with UBCD4Win, at least he has a great set of tools and one more avenue to explore before giving up on his important files and his machine.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Recently, when Power Downloader was deeply immersed in a particular case, he got a phone call from Candace Clicks. She wasn't very happy with Power because he had completely missed their lunch date. After trying to calm the situation and rescheduling for a nice dinner at Candace's favorite restaurant, Power decided that he might need a little help with keeping track of appointments.... Read more

Power Downloader knows which tools to download for a new laptop.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

In the rapidly changing world of computer technology, the laptop Power Downloader purchased only a couple of years ago has quickly become obsolete. In order to keep up with the most advanced Internet criminals, Power decided that it was time to upgrade his trusty laptop. Once he found the right one with the fastest processor, extra RAM, and the latest features, he brought it back to the Power Lair for the most important part of the process: downloading software!

While it seems like his computer goes out of date rather quickly, Power Downloader's favorite programs for a new computer seem to stay the same. Navigating his Web browser to CNET Download.com, Power starts by downloading ZoneAlarm, a shareware firewall with a free component that will erect a barrier between him and would-be hackers. With his first line of defense in place, Power downloads AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, a powerful antivirus program he's grown to trust. To keep pesky spyware off his system, he uses both Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition and Spyware Begone, because Power Downloader has found that two great free antispyware programs provide much better protection than one. Possibly his most used program is his Internet browser, and for super surfing, Power Downloader turns to Mozilla Firefox. Finally, to make his new laptop as flexible as his last one, Power downloads the extra programs he has found useful in the past, such as Trillian for chatting with Kitty Kilobyte and Google Earth so he can find just about anything around the world.

With his new laptop up and running his favorite apps, Power Downloader can easily tell the difference in speed over his older laptop. Though he's not yet used to the feel of his new laptop, Power Downloader feels safe and secure with the old standby programs he has come to trust.