Monday, July 31, 2017
20 of the best free Windows 7 apps
It might be eight years old, but almost half of the world's desktop devices are still running Windows 7 – and for good reason. It's an excellent operating system that's still supported by Microsoft and receives regular security updates (unlike Windows Vista), doesn't pester you with popups like Windows 10, is much more open than macOS, and is easier for beginners to master than Linux.
Here, we've picked 20 of the best programs you can download free to give your Windows 7 PC a new lease of life.
Windows 7's version of Microsoft Paint is a big step up from the edition provided with Windows Vista, but it's still not much use for editing photos or creating your own graphics from scratch.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a brilliant open source photo editor that's amazingly powerful, and is available to download and use completely free. It's not quite as feature-packed as Adobe Photoshop, but it has everything hobbyist photographers need to make their shots look amazing before printing them or sharing them online.
You can even add more tools and filters by installing plugins – including ones designed for use with Photoshop.
Review and where to download: GIMP
If you're still using Windows Media Center to play music in Windows 7, you're doing your tunes a disservice. MusicBee is designed to organize songs and podcasts in a logical way, add accurate metadata, and give you the best sound quality your PC can provide – whether you have a high-end soundcard or not.
MusicBee supports every music file format you can name without the need to download additional codecs, as well as streaming services and online radio.
Review and where to download: MusicBee
MusicBee is the best free music player for Windows 7, but for video you need VLC Media Player. Again, it supports a huge range of file formats (far more than Windows Media Center), and can be expanded with user-created plugins and skins.
VLC Media Player is also an excellent way to enjoy DVDs and Blu-rays on your PC (provided you have the necessary optical drive), and you can optimize playback to suit your system.
Review and where to download: VLC Media Player
If you poke around in the Accessories section of Windows 7's Start Menu, you'll find the Sound Recorder. 'Basic' hardly describes it - all it does is take input from a microphone and save it in WAV format.
If you want to make your own podcasts, record music, or edit existing sound files, you need something far more powerful. That something is Audacity.
This open source audio editor lets you record in stereo, remove noise, apply various effects, edit channels individually, cut and combine files, remove vocals from songs and much more. Like GIMP and VLC Media Player, Audacity also supports plugins so you can tailor it to suit your exact needs.
Review and where to download: Audacity
Windows Movie Maker was a great video editor when it was first released, but its inelegant interface and cheesy effects now look very dated. After many long years of service, it's time for Windows 7 users to wave goodbye and upgrade to Shotcut instead.
Shotcut isn't the most powerful free video editor around (that would be Lightworks), but it strikes a perfect balance between features and usability. You don't need to study a manual to start making a great-looking video, and there's a a huge set of tools and filters to experiment with.
Review and where to download: Shotcut
You might be happy sticking with Internet Explorer in Windows 7, but Microsoft has moved its attention to Edge – a new browser that's exclusive to Windows 10.
If you haven't experimented with many other browsers before, Google Chrome is a great place to start. It's hugely customizable via plugins, fast, and integrates with your Google account so you can sync bookmarks and preferences between different devices – including phones and tablets.
Review and where to download: Google Chrome
If you don't like the idea of Google getting its roots into all your online activity, or you just want an alternative for occasions when privacy is particularly important, take a look at Tor Browser.
Tor (the Onion Router) works by encrypting your data and redirecting it through a series of remote servers around the world, making it all but impossible to trace.
Be careful if your Windows 7 PC is on a work or college network though – some organizations take a dim view of Tor because it's often used for nefarious purposes like pirating movies and music.
Review and where to download: Tor Browser
Another way to protect your privacy online is to use a VPN (virtual private network) service, which disguises your identity and location using remote servers. Take care, though – there are lots of dodgy free VPNs around that are actually malware in disguise.
WindScribe is the real deal – a free VPN with a very generous data allowance of 10GB per month. That's not enough for streaming movies (for that, you'll need to upgrade to the premium version), but it's ideal for online shopping and banking.
Review and where to download: WindScribe
Windows 7 can open PDFs without any trouble, but it doesn't let you annotate them, make text changes, or perform security checks.
That's why you need Foxit Reader – a free PDF reader that's full of useful extra tools you didn't realise you needed, but can't live without. The scan-to-PDF tool is particularly handy if you have a paper worksheet or handout to convert, and the Microsoft Office Plugins are a brilliant touch.
Review and where to download: Foxit Reader
That said, Microsoft Office isn't your only option when you're using Windows 7 at work. LibreOffice is a totally free suite of programs that almost perfectly replicate all the features of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more.
Like many of the programs in this list, LibreOffice is open source, which means anyone with the skills and time is free to develop their own plugins for fellow users. It also has a huge team of dedicated volunteers who keep it updated with new features and squish bugs as soon as they're identified.
Review and where to download: LibreOffice
LibreOffice is excellent, but if you just need to get your head down and do some serious writing, FocusWriter is the tool for you. It's far superior to Windows 7's Notepad tool, with a full-screen mode that completely blocks out all distractions, including the clock, Start menu and notification area.
You can set yourself writing goals and configure alerts for specific times to keep you on track. There's also an excellent Focus feature that highlights the paragraph or sentence you're currently working on, while everything else fades into the background. No more procrastinating.
Review and where to download: FocusWriter
If you cast your mind back (keep going... further... there), you might remember once tracking your finances using a program called Microsoft Money. It was discontinued a long time ago, but Money Manager Ex does essentially the same job, making it easy to monitor your accounts and credit cards, record spending, schedule payments, and make sure you're sticking to your budget.
It can't link directly to your online banking service, but this might be a good thing as far as security's concerned and entering the figures manually isn't too time-consuming.
Review and where to download: Money Manager Ex
FileZilla is an FTP (file transfer protocol) client – a handy tool designed for moving files between PCs or remote servers. It's not as flashy as a cloud storage service like Dropbox or OneDrive, but it means you're in total control and aren't trusting your data to a third party.
FileZilla can store login data for up to 10 remote servers, letting you connect and start shifting your data with just a couple of clicks.
Review and where to download: FileZilla
Torrents have a bad reputation thanks to their popularity with copyright-infringing pirates, but they have lots of legitimate uses too. They're simply a way of sharing particularly large files, and many artists and producers are now choosing to release material this way. They're also handy for downloading copyright-free media, games and other content.
To use torrent files, you need a dedicated client software, and qBittorrent is the best for Windows 7. It's not cluttered with ads, has a clear interface, and is easy to get to grips with.
Review and where to download: qBittorrent
If you're unlucky, you might know the horror of emptying your Windows 7 Recycle Bin, then realising too late that it contained a file you accidentally needed. Or you might have been unfortunate enough to lose data due to physical damage to a drive, or corruption.
There's no guarantee that free file recovery tool Recuva will be able to bring your documents and photos back, but it can be an absolute lifesaver in an emergency. Install it now and be prepared.
Review and where to download: Piriform Recuva
Piriform – the delightfully-named developer of Recuva – also makes an excellent PC optimization tool called CCleaner. It performs much the same job as the various system-sweeping tools you'll find under Accessories in Windows 7's Start Menu, but is much faster and easier to use.
CCleaner can also clear our your web browser's cookies and stored passwords for added security. Just make sure you read the description of each item carefully before erasing it, so you don't accidentally purge anything useful.
Review and where to download: Piriform CCleaner
When it comes to gaming, Minesweeper and Solitaire just won't cut it. If you want something more entertaining than watching paint dry, you need Steam – Valve's huge PC gaming platform and store, where you can find almost every title you could wish for, often with deep discounts.
Download here: Steam
If games aren't your thing, you might be more interested in Any Video Converter Free – a video downloading and converting tool that can grab clips from all the biggest sites and save them in any format you like. You can even rip the audio from videos and save it for listening later.
Just make sure you have permission from the copyright holder before you start downloading videos from YouTube and Vimeo.
Review and where to download: Any Video Converter Free
Continuing the theme of entertainment, let's move to ebooks.
We've tried lots of e-readers for Windows 7, but Amazon's official Kindle app is easily the best. It makes organizing your ebooks a breeze, with an excellent search tool, and reading is a thoroughly pleasant experience thanks to the carefully designed pages and customizable colors and fonts.
There are links to the Kindle store, naturally, but they're surprisingly unobtrusive and you won't be harassed by prompts to buy more books.
Download here: Kindle for PC
Hopefully you now have a good idea of which programs you need to get the most from your Windows 7 PC, but there's just one more we recommend.
Windows 7 comes with a tool for extracting compressed file archives, but there are dozens, if not hundreds of different types around and it only supports a small handful. 7-Zip is far more capable, and integrates into Windows Explorer and the context menu so it's there whenever you need it.
Review and where to download: 7-Zip
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The best free anti-ransomware software 2017
Over the last week, WannaCry has shown just how rapidly ransomware can spread leaving individuals and businesses reeling – so what can you do to if your files have been encrypted?
Ransomware creators usually include lots of intimidating threats and warnings to scare you into panicking and paying them, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll release your data if you do, and sending them money helps fund crime.
It’s best to stay calm and look for an alternative solution. Many of the big names in PC security provides tools that will release your PC from ransomware, and don’t charge for the privilege. There are also dedicated tools to prevent programs that behaves like known ransomware from running on your PC at all.
Before you get started, it's useful to recognize that there are two main types of ransomware: the kind that encrypts your files and threatens to delete them unless you pay a fee (like WannaCry), and the kind that locks you out completely by preventing you reaching your desktop. Thankfully, there are free tools to combat both types. Here are our recommendations.
1. Avast Free Ransomware Decryption Tools
Specialized solutions designed to defeat different strains of ransomware
Not all ransomware encrypts data in the same way, so security software providers have to create specific solutions as new threats emerge. At the time of writing, the security experts at Avast have developed Free Ransomware Decryption Tools to tackle 16 different strains of file-locking ransomware.
To help you work out which one you need, Avast has provided a detailed description of how each form of ransomware works, what extension you’ll see on the encrypted files, and an example of the type of message the virus creators have prepared for their victims.
Once you’ve downloaded the appropriate tool, it will guide you through the process of wiping out the ransomware without paying the criminals. You’ll need to provide two versions of the same file – an encrypted one, and the original. This will be easiest if you made a backup before the infection, but Avast also suggests locations where you might be able to find unaffected original files. The decryption tool will then compare the two and use the results to determine the password.
Download here: Avast Free Ransomware Decryption Tools
2. Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor Tool
A single download that can defeat 26 different breeds of ransomware
Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor Tool is updated regularly with new ransomware definitions, and at the time of writing it can release files locked by 26 different types of ransomware and their variants.
Unlike Avast, Trend Micro bundles all its decryption tools into one bundle, but you still need to tell it what form of ransomware it’s dealing with. Trend Micro’s site provides information to help you identify your particular infection, plus contact details for its technical support department if you’re not sure.
Once that’s done, provide a sample file for the Decryptor to analyze, and it will get to work. Decryption can take anything from a couple of minutes to several hours, depending on the type of encryption used.
The File Decryptor Tool isn’t perfect – some forms of ransomware are particularly tricky, and can only be partially decrypted – but the company is constantly working to improve it, and it’s an excellent tool for use in an emergency.
Download here: Trend Micro Ransomware File Decryptor Tool
3. Trend Micro Screen Unlocker Tools
Emergency tools to release a locked PC, even if you can't access Safe Mode
There are two versions of Trend Micro Ransomware Screen Unlocker Tool – one for PCs that are locked so you can’t log into Normal Mode, but you can access Safe Mode with Networking via the BIOS menu, and another for situations where both mode are blocked.
The first of these can be downloaded directly on the affected PC in Safe Mode with Networking. Once it’s installed, reboot the PC into Normal Mode (with the locked screen) and tap [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[T]+[I] to scan for ransomware and remove it,
The other version of the tool has to be downloaded using an uninfected computer and saved to a USB stick. You can then use to boot the locked machine. Once initiated, the unlocker will perform a scan, then remove any ransomware it detects, releasing your PC.
Like Trend Micro’s File Decryptor, the two versions of Screen Unlocker benefit from regular updates to combat new forms of ransomware.
Download here: Trend Micro Ransomware Screen Unlocker Tools
4. BitDefender Anti-Ransomware
An anti-malware vaccination that runs alongside your antivirus software
There are lots of superb free antivirus programs around, but not all offer dedicated protection against ransomware. If your you’re concerned about the risk, Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware is a handy supplemental security tool that runs alongside your usual security software to protect against some of the most common forms of ransomware and their offshoots.
Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware currently protects against VTB-Locker, Locky, Petya and TeslaCrypt, and starts defending your PC from these threats immediately. However, it’s only a preventative measure; if your computer has already been infected with one of these malicious programs, you’ll need to use one of the tools mentioned above instead.
If you currently use Bitdefender Antivirus, the Anti-Ransomware module is already installed.
Download here: Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware
5. Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool
Avoid disaster with free ransomware protection for your small business
Ransomware on your home computer is bad enough, but an infection that locks you out of your business PCs could be an absolute disaster. Your accounts, customer data, client information and work could all be encrypted – and it could affect multiple machines on the same network.
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business is designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) protect their data from such a catastrophe. Like Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware, it’s a preventative tool designed to prevent infection in the first place rather than decrypt files or unlock your desktop.
Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware TOol runs happily alongside your regular security suite, monitoring network activity for anything that matches known ransomware behavior. Its threat database is stored on Kaspersky’s cloud servers, so updates are pushed out to all users immediately
Download here: Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business
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Have I been wrong about voice recognition?
Has voice control finally come of age? While I’ve been barking voice commands at my Amazon Echo for a while now, and using voice-activated assistants such as Siri on my smartphone for even longer, I hadn’t really considered how far voice recognition has come in recent years.
What really got me thinking about this was talking to one of our regular writers, who mentioned that they use voice recognition software to write all of their articles.
What astonished me about this revelation was that when reading their work I had no idea – as it was as accurate (both in spelling and grammar) as work written traditionally using a keyboard – sometimes more so.
As I chatted to the writer about this, I asked them how fast writing using voice recognition was, and if it was as fast as typing. While it’s not quite as fast as typing (the writer is a very fast typer, after all), they insisted it was still very quick indeed.
This was certainly not my experience of writing using voice recognition many years ago, so I was intrigued. Perhaps I’d been ignoring voice recognition software for too long. So I decided to give it a go.
Speak to me
Having not kept up with voice recognition software, there was only really one choice I knew of: Nuance and its Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. I used an earlier version many years ago, and while I had seen the potential, I had been frustrated that it couldn’t quite understand what I was saying (maybe my accent), and spent more time correcting errors than actually writing.
So, I was keen to give it another shot, so I got Dragon Professional Version 15, as I was keen to try out some of its more advanced features.
Of course, if you are not using it in a professional capacity, there is also Dragon NaturallySpeaking Home.
The key to a successful voice recognition application is training it to understand your voice, and so the more you use it, the better it becomes. Patiently correcting mistakes, rather than throwing down your headset and dismissing it, like I had done all those years ago, is the key.
Now that I am older (and slightly wiser), I’ve been working with the software to understand my voice – though I was actually pleasantly surprised how well it understood me out of the box.
Voice assistants such as Siri and Amazon Alexa have huge user bases, which they learn from – and the more people who use them, the smarter they get. This is a brilliant – and exciting – example of how software can learn through use.
As I continue to use Dragon Professional, I’ve been increasingly impressed – in fact, I wrote most of this article using just my voice. My next task will be to see if I can use my voice to control my PC as easily as with mouse and keyboard.
With Windows 10’s built-in Cortana voice assistant, that should hopefully prove to be pretty easy. Microsoft also has an excellent history of including powerful and useful accessibility tools in its software for people who are unable to use mouse and keyboard.
Transcription
One of the most tiresome aspects of being a journalist is transcribing interviews – especially if, like me, you can’t stand the sound of your own voice. A nifty feature of Dragon Professional is the ability to drag and drop audio files into a folder, and it will automatically transcribe them.
It’s not flawless, and it’s prone to more errors than the voice diction part of the software, though that seems to be more down to the fact that there are multiple voices, as well as more ambient noise that’s picked up by my Dictaphone. Still, it does take the sting out of such a tedious process, and one that I’m eternally grateful for.
While I won’t be packing up my keyboard and mouse just yet, I’ve certainly been impressed with how far voice recognition has come, from Nuance’s software to my Amazon Echo, which works so well I sometimes take it for granted.
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Download of the day – Microsoft Worldwide Telescope
WorldWide Telescope is a virtual observatory, and thanks to smooth animations and tools for tinkering with time and space, it's great fun.
It was created by Microsoft Research using images and info gathered by telescopes, probes and satellites, which are combined to create an interactive view of space that you can explore from your desktop.
Natural and man-made objects are visible, rendered in full 3D. You can hop to any celestial object with a couple of clicks, and you can move forward or backwards through time to track an eclipse, see comets passing the Earth and much more.
There's a browser-based version of Worldwide Telescope, but you'll get the best experience with the desktop running in full screen mode.
Download here: WorldWide Telescope
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Download of the day – Worldwide Telescope
WorldWide Telescope is a virtual observatory, and thanks to smooth animations and tools for tinkering with time and space, it's great fun.
It was created by Microsoft Research using images and info gathered by telescopes, probes and satellites, which are combined to create an interactive view of space that you can explore from your desktop.
Natural and man-made objects are visible, rendered in full 3D. You can hop to any celestial object with a couple of clicks, and you can move forward or backwards through time to track an eclipse, see comets passing the Earth and much more.
There's a browser-based version of Worldwide Telescope, but you'll get the best experience with the desktop running in full screen mode.
Download here: WorldWide Telescope
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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Saturday, July 29, 2017
Top 10 best Linux apps of 2017
While everyone knows that most Linux distributions (distros) are free to download, not everybody is aware that you also have access to thousands of cost-free applications through your operating system’s package manager.
Many of the more user-friendly distros will come with a selection of software preinstalled to help you get started, but there are many more apps out in the wild, under continuous development.
- Install Linux on the best-in-class Dell XPS 13
In this guide we'll highlight 10 of the best desktop applications for Linux. All of these programs can be installed either via the command line or by using a graphical frontend to your package manager – such as Synaptic, which we’ll cover in the very next slide.
- 10 of the best Linux distros for privacy fiends and security buffs
- 10 best Linux distros: which one is right for you?
- What's the best Linux distro for beginners?
- How to choose the best Linux distro for laptops
- 10 of the most popular lightweight Linux distros
While some Linux distros like Ubuntu come with their own flashy app stores, none are as quick and easy to use as Synaptic, which simply serves as a graphical frontend for the 'apt-get' command line utility. You can install it on any Debian-based Linux distro such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Browse categories of apps such as 'Games and Amusement' using the pane on the left-hand side. Click the box next to an app name to mark it for installation (or uninstallation) then click the Apply button at the top to affect your changes. All the programs covered in this feature can be installed via Synaptic.
VLC is most commonly known for being a media player, although it does much more. When installed, it downloads codecs for virtually every kind of audio or video file, meaning you're unlikely to ever have playback issues again. The software can also play DVDs.
You can use VLC to clip video files and even convert them from one format to another – from AVI to MP4, for example. The media player client can also act as a server, allowing you to stream media from one device to another (see our guide on this here).
Firefox is the default web browser for a number of Linux distros such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint. The browser’s simple and fluid interface is one of its many attractions. Firefox will play YouTube videos right off the bat, and can download plugins to play other formats for you. The browser also updates itself from the get-go, meaning you always have the latest version.
Firefox supports a number of extensions to enhance your web experience, and you can customise the browser further via the Mozilla add-ons page, where it is possible to install a colourful theme.
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free image editor. It can be used to edit and retouch images by resizing, adding layers and other special effects. You can access these via the handy toolbox or dropdown menus. See our guide on how to use GIMP here. The GIMP website itself also has a great selection of tutorials.
If you're accustomed to Adobe Photoshop, it may take some time for you to adjust to GIMP's interface, but it can do almost everything professional image editors are capable of. You can even add certain Photoshop plugins to GIMP.
By default the program takes up less than 100MB of space, which is another considerable benefit, particularly for those short on storage.
While many Linux distributions already come with a BitTorrent client, Deluge stands out as a lightweight yet fully-featured app for downloading your files.
The interface is extremely easy to master and can be enhanced by a number of excellent community supported plugins which do things such as shut down your machine when a download completes.
You can even set up Deluge so that it can be accessed via a web interface from other devices, allowing you to download files to your home computer when you're away.
Thunderbird is a free and powerful email client. The setup wizard guides you gently through the process of either creating a new email address or setting up your existing one. Mozilla's database contains email settings for all common providers, and you can add as many email accounts as you wish.
Like Firefox, Thunderbird can be enhanced by add-ons, such as themes to make it more colourful, or better ways to sort your Mail folders. The most useful of these is undoubtedly the Lightning extension which adds a fully functioning Calendar to the email client. We’ve got an in-depth review of Thunderbird right here.
LibreOffice is nothing less than a full-blown office suite, on a par with commercial alternatives like Microsoft Office. While the interface may look rather basic, this product has some extremely advanced features.
The LibreOffice word processor Writer, spreadsheet software Calc and presentation app Impress are preinstalled in Ubuntu and most of its derivatives. The suite also includes three less well-known apps – Draw, Math and Base – which are used for editing vector graphics, composing mathematical formulae and managing databases respectively.
While LibreOffice uses the ODF (Open Document Format) by default it can open and save Microsoft Office compatible files too. Read our full review of LibreOffice here.
Pidgin is an instant messaging program which allows you to connect to multiple chat networks at once. At the time of writing these include AIM, Bonjour, IRC and Google Talk to name but a few. Sadly Facebook chat is no longer available since the social network dropped support for the open XMPP messaging protocol.
Pidgin can be enhanced by installing third-party plugins. Some of these allow you to connect to other chat networks such as Skype, while others can be used to protect your conversations, for example the OTR (Off the Record) messaging plugin.
Although Linux machines can't be affected by viruses designed to infect Windows, your PC can accidentally forward harmful files to other computers, for example in an email attachment. And these days, there are even some incidences of malware aimed at Linux systems.
The antivirus scanner ClamAV provides some peace of mind, as it can detect many types of malware. It's often used on mail servers but will run happily on your desktop system if you want to scan files or folders.
By default ClamAV can only be used from the command line, but you can use Synaptic to install 'clamtk' and 'clamtk-nautilus' to allow you to scan your system and individual files with a few clicks of your mouse.
Audacity is an editing program which allows you to record and tinker with audio. Not only can Audacity record audio simultaneously from various inputs (for example, a USB microphone), it can also trim and edit clips. Furthermore, it supports multiple tracks, allowing you, for instance, to record lyrics and backing music separately.
The software also supports a number of audio effects such as noise reduction, as detailed in its extremely comprehensive manual which is both bundled with Audacity and available online. Audacity also supports VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins. Tracks can be exported in a number of popular sound formats such as WAV, OGG and MP3. If you want to know more about Audacity, then have a read of our full review here.
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LG Display will add $7B to its OLED investment in an attempt to challenge Samsung
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Friday, July 28, 2017
Top 5 Linux server distros of 2017
As a free and open source operating system, Linux is the ideal candidate for setting up your own server. The community of developers behind each Linux distribution (distro) regularly review the source code of their chosen OS to make sure it's free of bugs.
When it comes to servers, the emphasis should obviously be on stability. While upgrades are a good thing on the face of it, they have the potential to interfere with the smooth running of your server.
We’ve highlighted some of our favourite Linux server distros in this article, including operating systems that offer long term support, stability, and ideally a fast setup process.
- These are the best Linux training providers and online courses in 2017
- 10 of the best Linux distros for privacy fiends and security buffs
- 10 best Linux distros: which one is right for you?
- What's the best Linux distro for beginners?
- How to choose the best Linux distro for laptops
- 10 of the most popular lightweight Linux distros
Debian is over 20-years-old and in part owes that longevity to the emphasis placed on producing a stable operating system. This is crucial if you want to set up a server as updates can sometimes clash badly with existing software, as we’ve already mentioned.
There are three branches of Debian, named 'Unstable', 'Testing' and 'Stable'. To become part of the Stable current release, packages must have been reviewed for several months as part of the Testing release. This results in a much more reliable system – but don't expect Debian to incorporate much 'bleeding edge' software as a result.
You can get started with Debian using a minimal Network Boot image which is less than 30MB in size.
While Ubuntu is best known for bringing desktop Linux to the masses, its Server variant is also extremely competitive. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu has developed LTS (Long Term Support) versions of Ubuntu Server, which like the desktop flavour can be updated up to five years after the date of release, saving you the trouble of upgrading your server repeatedly.
If you're intent on building your own cloud platform, you can also download Ubuntu Cloud Server. Canonical claims that over 55% of OpenStack clouds already run on Ubuntu. For a fee, Canonical will even set up a managed cloud for you using BootStack.
OpenSUSE (formerly SUSE Linux) is a Linux distro specifically designed for developers and system admins wishing to run their own server. The easy-to-use installer can be configured to use 'Text Mode' rather than install a desktop environment to get your server up and running.
OpenSUSE will automatically download the minimum required packages for you, meaning only essential software is installed. The YaST Control Center allows you to configure network settings, such as setting up a static IP for your server. You can also use the built in Zypper package manager to download and install essential server software such as postfix.
Fedora is a community developed operating system based on the commercial Linux distro Red Hat. Fedora Server is a special implementation of the OS, allowing you to deploy and manage your server using the Rolekit tool. The operating system also includes a powerful PostgreSQL Database Server.
Fedora Server also includes FreeIPA, enabling you to manage authentication credentials, access control information and perform auditing from one central location.
You can download the full 2.2GB ISO image of Fedora Server using the link below. The same page contains a link to a minimal 484MB NetInstall Image from Fedora's Other Downloads section for a faster barebones setup.
Like Fedora, CentOS is a community developed distribution of Linux, originally based on the commercial OS Red Hat Enterprise Linux. In light of this, the developers behind CentOS 7 have promised to provide full updates for the OS until the end of 2020, with maintenance updates until the end of June 2024 – which should save the trouble of performing a full upgrade on your server in the near future.
You can avoid unnecessary packages by installing the 'minimal' ISO from the CentOS website, which at 680MB can fit on a single CD. If you're eager to get started, the site also offers preconfigured AWS instances and Docker images.
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Download of the day – Generative City Free Run
If you’ve played first-person parkour ‘em up Mirror’s Edge, Generative City Free Run’s stark urban style will look familiar.
Your mission is to jog and hop around the monochrome tower blocks, hunting for a mysterious red shape. Picking this up will cause the city’s buildings to change around you, providing a new challenge.
Track down the red sigil, rinse and repeat. It’s a relaxing way to unwind at the end of the week, and it’s yours free.
To start exploring, download and extract the ZIP archive, then run the file City.exe.
Download here: Generative City Free Run
Download of the Day is our pick of the best free software around – whether it's useful, fun, or just plain silly. If you have any recommendations, please send them to downloads@techradar.com.
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The time management software that actually works
Your time is valuable and there are hundreds of tools that claim to help you make the most of it. Some are genuinely useful but others add needless complexity to your day, introducing new systems that force you to change the way you work rather than adapting to suit you.
It's hard to know which is which without experimenting with them all, so we've assembled a collection of the programs and web apps that will really help you become more productive.
If it feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day, this toolkit will enable you to prioritize jobs and focus all your attention on the tasks that really matter.
1. FocusWriter
Get into the flow and work without distractions
If your work involves writing, FocusWriter is the time management app you need in your life. There are lots of distraction-blocking word processors that promise to help manage your writing time, but FocusWriter has a killer feature that greys out everything except the paragraph, sentence or line you’re working on.
The default interface is a blank page tinted an eye-friendly beige, but you can customize it to something more inspiring if you prefer. Menus and other options can be brought into view by mousing over the edges of the page, but all temptations are otherwise hidden from view to help you get lost in your work.
FocusWriter also lets you set daily goals to help you keep on track with big tasks (though your progress is only visible if you move your mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen). If you’re the type who gets a kick out of in-game achievements, you can build up ‘streaks’ by achieving your goal consistently over a period of several days.
If you do get absorbed in your work, you might need the occasional reminder to get up and stretch your legs. FocusWriter's time-managing tools can help there too, with alarms to give you a nudge when it’s time for a comfort break.
Download here: FocusWriter
2. RescueTime
Discover where every hour really went
Do you ever find yourself wondering where the time went? RescueTime could be the solution to your problems, helping you understand your behaviour and manage distractions.
It’s sometimes hard to be honest with ourselves about how much time we’re spending actually working. RescueTime monitors the time you spend in different websites and applications. The free version has everything you need for basic tracking and goal setting, including a weekly email report and access to three months of records.
If you want alerts throughout the day and tracking of time away from your desk, a premium subscription starts at US$6.75 per month (about £5, AU$8.50).
You can connect to RescueTime via a proxy server for improved security – a feature you won’t find in other similar tools – and everything is easily accessible via a web-based dashboard.
Download here: RescueTime
3. Focus at Will
Custom music and ambient sound to boost concentration
Stephen King claims to work best listening to Metallica and his prolific output suggests he’s onto a winner, but if you haven’t figured out your own working soundtrack, Focus at Will is here to help. It’s a music service that delivers a custom playlist specially designed to help improve your concentration, and its creators claim it can make you up to four times more productive by helping you achieve a ‘flow state’.
There are over 50 channels, and the tool will suggest which one will best suit your personality based on a quick quiz. Your playlist becomes more personal over time based on the way you use it.
It might sound strange, but it’s the work of experienced musicians assisted by a scientific advisory board including neuroscientists and psychiatrists.
Focus at Will is neither free nor cheap – subscriptions start at US$9.90 per month – but there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee and you can cancel your subscription any time if you change your mind.
Try it here: Focus at Will
4. Todoist
Get a custom schedule of tasks delivered each morning
Ticking off items on a to-do list is hugely satisfying, and is a time-honored way to manage your time and get more done during the day.
Todoist is a simple but effective tool for desktop and mobile that lets you set recurring events and essential one-off tasks, and check them off once they're complete. You'll receive a schedule of jobs at the start of each day (unless you choose not to), enabling you to plan your time effectively.
Tasks are collected in groups called 'Projects', though these might be more accurately called 'Activities'. The default options include shopping, personal, errands and work, and you can add or edit them to suit you.
Some features are exclusive to the premium version, and unfortunately you won’t always know until you try to select one, but the free version has plenty of tools to help you achieve more every day.
If you're looking for a more heavy-duty tool for tasks with multiple parts and deadlines, take a look at Trello. It's generally a better tool for business use, whereas Todoist is perfect for your own personal tasks.
Try it here: Todoist
5. Simple Blocker
A brute force method of avoiding sites that devour your time
When you’re working, of course you’re not going to start checking Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or any of those other attention-sapping distractions. Not intentionally, anyway.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to click a link without realising it leads to a tweet, or post on a site you’re trying to avoid. Whether it's a link a colleague has included in an email or a suggestion shared on Slack, an innocuous click can lead you down a rabbit hole of time-wasting.
Simple Blocker is a browser extension for Chrome that helps you take back control of your time by halting URLs at the domain level, so there’s no chance of accidentally straying onto a site that’s likely to draw your attention away from the job at hand.
Download here: Simple Blocker
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The best free and premium CD rippers 2017
When you want to archive your CD collection, you can just rip the tracks using Windows Explorer or your regular media player. However, the quality of those files will never be as good as the original discs due to errors when data is read, and compression when it’s encoded. That's why you need a dedicated CD ripper.
Ideally, archived audio files should be as close to the original CD as possible, with complete and accurate metadata, encoded in a lossless format (usually Free Lossless Audio Codec, or FLAC). This requires a lot of space, the cost of which would once have been prohibitive, but the plummeting price of storage makes it feasible to keep those files as a backup, and make copies for everyday use. You can also encode copies using lossy codecs for playback on devices with limited storage.
A 'secure' CD ripper ensures audio files are free from errors by reading each sector of the disc several times, and comparing the results with data collected from other users. There aren’t many of these tools around, and here we’ve picked the CD rippers we’d trust with our own tunes.
Are CD rippers legal?
Although every Windows PC comes with software for backing up CDs, it's not legal everywhere. For example, in 2014, UK copyright law was changed to make legalize personal backups, but that decision was overturned by the High Court in 2015. Make sure you check out intellectual property law in your country before you start ripping.
1. Exact Audio Copy
The best free CD ripper for Windows if you have time to invest in the setup
Usually we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to software, with dozens of programs approaching the same task from different angles. When it comes to CD rippers, however, there are only two programs we recommend – one free, and one premium (but still reasonably priced).
Exact Audio Copy is the free option, and it's so good, many audiophiles prefer it to its paid-for counterpart. It takes a little time to set up (audiophile forum Head-Fi has an excellent guide to get your started) but the results are worth it.
EAC employs a technology called AccurateRip, which uses data from users around the world to detect whether your rips are totally free from errors. No CD or DVD drive is perfect, and many will insert periods of silence into audio tracks where errors occur, so this verification is essential for making 1:1 copies of your discs.
EAC can also find metadata for your music from four different sources (complete with album art), rename files automatically, and normalize audio as it's processed. If you have the time to invest, you couldn't wish for more.
Download here: Exact Audio Copy
2. dbPowerAmp
A premium CD ripper that makes archiving and encoding music a breeze
dBpoweramp is a premium CD ripper (a license costs £32/US$39/AU$39 for a single PC), but you can try it free for 21 days to make sure it's the tool for you before buying.
dBpoweramp's main advantage over Exact Audio Copy is its clear interface, which helps simplify the process of ripping your discs. Otherwise, it’s very similar; it uses the same AccurateRip technology to ensure your files are as close as possible to the original CD, scanning and re-scanning for errors, and comparing the results with data from other users.
dBpoweramp uses all your CPU cores simultaneously for the fastest possible encoding, and can encode to multiple formats at once, saving you the effort of converting files for playback on other devices.
dBpoweramp also includes an audio converter, with batch support for encoding files en masse – very useful if you need copies in a different format for a new device, or your everyday playback files have become lost or damaged.
Buy or download trial here: dBpoweramp
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The best free parental control software 2017
It's hard to imagine anything less child-friendly than an uncensored internet. A rabid wolf, maybe, or a playground floored with broken glass and razor wire. The more connected we become the more we need everybody online - and that means trying to ensure that our children aren't exposed to the very worst content, ideas and behaviour that exist online.
Software can't do everything, of course, but it can help to make parents' lives much easier. These are our picks of the best parental control tools.
1. Qustodio
A full suite of parental control tools to protect kids from the worst of the web
Most parental control software is aimed at Windows, but Qustodio (think 'custodian') is also available for Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle and (weirdly) Nook.
The free version covers the basics, enabling you to set rules and time schedules, block pornography and other unsuitable content; if you go for the paid-for version that adds SMS monitoring, social media features and per-app controls. But even the free version is one of the most comprehensive parental control apps around.
Its raft of features and support for a wide range of platforms make Qustodio the best free parental control software, but there are some other excellent free programs available, some of which may be better suited to your individual needs as a parent. Read on for our top choices.
Download here: Qustodio
2. OpenDNS Family Shield
Block domains on your whole home network at router level
FamilyShield is a free service from OpenDNS. Its parental control tools automatically block domains that OpenDNS has flagged under the headings "tasteless, proxy/anonymizer, sexuality, or pornography".
One of the big pluses here is that while FamilyShield can run on PCs and mobile devices, you can also apply it to your network router and filter all the traffic that passes through it – it's just a matter of changing the DNS server numbers in your control panel.
This has the happy benefit of improving DNS lookup speeds on some ISPs. By filtering everything at the router level, every device on your network benefits from the filters.
Download here: OpenDNS Family Shield
3. Kidlogger
Comprehensive activity logging so you know what your kids have been up to
Nothing gets past Kidlogger. This free parental control software not only tracks what your children type and which websites they visit – it also keeps a record of which programs they use and any screengrabs they take.
If you're concerned about who your kids might be talking to online, there's even a voice-activated sound recorder. If your children are a little older and more responsible, you can pick and choose which options to monitor and give them a little privacy.
The free software only covers one device and lacks some of the sneakier features of the premium editions (including silent monitoring of WhatsApp conversations and the ability to listen to phone calls), but it's still a well-rounded tool if you're concerned about your kids' safety.
Download here: Kidlogger
4. Spyrix Free Keylogger
Find out what the kids have been typing, and if they might be in trouble
Keyloggers have something of a bad reputation online, as they're often used by villains, but they can be a force for good too, and Spyrix's features enable you to see what your children have been up to.
Although it's dubbed parental control software, it's really a monitoring program; it doesn't stop the kids getting up to no good, but it does let you see exactly what they've done.
That means it isn't really appropriate for younger children's computers, but it may be useful for older children if you suspect online bullying or other unpleasantness.
Download here: Spyrix Free Keylogger
5. Zoodles
A whole browser designed for younger kids, but quite easily circumvented
The problem with many parental control apps is that they're most effective for older children: while filtering adult content and other unpleasantness is obviously a good thing, there's plenty of stuff that isn't adult that can still scare younger children silly.
Zoodles addresses that by combining filtered browsing and a dedicated web browser to create a walled garden: everything in it is safe for kids and there's no risk of anything awful popping up.
In addition to Windows, Zoodles is also available for Mac, Android and iOS, and a brand new version is currently in development.
Download here: Zoodles
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
The best open source software 2017
The term ‘open source’ refers to software whose source code is freely available to download, edit, use and share. There are different types of open source license, which give users different degrees of freedom, but the main aim of open source is to encourage collaboration.
Open source software has lots of advantages over other ‘free’ options you’ll come across – even if you’re not a developer yourself. It’s usually maintained by a community and updated frequently to patch vulnerabilities or squish bugs as soon as they’re identified; there are no restrictions on commercial use, so you can happily use it for your home business; and the ability to edit the source means there’s often a wealth of user-created plugins available to download.
Here’s our pick of the best open source software. Got another recommendation? Let us know in the comments below.
Office software: LibreOffice
There's no need to pay for Microsoft Office with this free alternative
LibreOffice is a full suite of office software, including excellent apps for text documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and databases. These are all fully compatible with the latest Microsoft file formats, so you’ll have no trouble sharing files work users of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Documents look just as sharp and professional as those created using paid-for software, and there are hundreds of templates available to download, use and edit.
LibreOffice’s huge community of contributors have compiled a brilliant collection of support materials, including a forum and even live chat if you need a hand.
Review and where to download: LibreOffice
Photo editor: GIMP
Our favorite photo editor, GIMP is packed with powerful tools
Powerful and flexible, open source image editor GIMP is as close to Adobe Photoshop as you can get without opening your wallet. It supports layers, and is packed with advanced tools for enhancing your pictures or creating new ones from scratch.
You can adjust every aspect of your pictures’ appearance manually, or use the dozens of customizable filters and effects to achieve amazing results with just a few clicks. GIMP comes with a huge array of user-created plugins pre-installed, and adding more is a piece of cake.
If you don’t need the power of GIMP and prefer a simpler interface, check out Paint.NET – another superb open source photo editor that’s a little lighter on features, but easier to master.
Review and where to download: GIMP
Media player: VLC Media Player
A media player than can handle virtually any file format without extra codecs
VLC Media Player is one of the world’s most popular free media players, and for good reason – it can handle just about any audio file, video file, or media stream you can throw at it, without the need to mess around installing additional codecs. VLC Media Player gives you an amazing degree of control over playback, letting you optimize video and audio for your specific hardware configuration.
VLC Media Player is ideal for streaming podcasts, as well as internet radio stations like Last.fm and TuneIn Radio. There’s also a superb archive of extensions and skins, and the WYSIWYG Skin Editor lets you create your own custom designs.
The latest addition to VLC is 360-degree playback, which lets you enjoy immersive videos with a VR headset, and more exciting developments are on the horizon to keep pace with new video technology.
Review and where to download: VLC Media Player
Video editor: Shotcut
Great for new users, and an excellent substitute for Windows Movie Maker
If you’re looking for a great open source video editor, give Shotcut a whirl. It might look a little stark at first, but add some of the optional toolbars and you’ll soon have its most powerful and useful features your your fingertips.
Some of its best tools include quick filters for audio and video (which are non-destructive and can be layered to achieve different effects), advanced white balancing, wipes and other transitions, color grading, click-and-drag import, and straightforward trimming and compositing of clips.
Lightworks (our favorite free-as-in-beer video editor) isn’t open source. Its developer says the source code will be released at some point, but no date has been given.
Review and where to download: Shotcut
Audio editor: Audacity
The perfect tool for recording and editing podcasts, or making music
Even if you have the ready cash for an audio editor, you might choose to stick with open source alternative Audacity. It has almost all the tools you need for recording and refining sound files, and any features it lacks can be plugged with its extensive catalog of extensions.
Audacity is the tool of choice for many podcasters, musicians and audiobook narrators thanks to its professional quality results. You can use it to combine clips, copy and paste sections of audio, remove noise and other unwanted noises, strip vocals from songs, alter frequencies, and apply effects like echo and reverb.
Review and where to download: Audacity
Web browser: Firefox
An powerful, fully customizable browser with a plugin for every purpose
The browser wars show no sign of ending, but Firefox's open source heritage makes it incredibly flexible. Its main appeal is its collection of extensions. With thousands of plug-ins available at the click of a mouse, it’s easy to transform Firefox into your perfect browser.
Firefox is updated every five to eight weeks, and you can get an early taste of the latest features by installing the beta version or taking part in Firefox Test Pilot – a way to sample experimental tools that might be incorporated into future releases.
Firefox’s source code forms the basis of many specialist projects, including the security-focused Tor Browser and speed-centric Waterfox, which is designed with power users in mind.
Download here: Firefox
Email client: Mozilla Thunderbird
A free client that's an ideal replacement for the defunct Windows Live Mail
If you have multiple email accounts – even if they’re with the same provider – open source email client Mozilla Thunderbird will save you time and hassle flicking between browser tabs and logins. Like Firefox, Thunderbird is an open source project published by the Mozilla Foundation, and is almost infinitely adaptable.
Thunderbird's standard features include an RSS reader and the ability to link to files too large to send as attachments, and its optional extras include weather forecasts and Google app tabs.
Review and where to download: Mozilla Thunderbird
Password manager: KeePass Password Safe
Generate strong passwords for your accounts and store them in a secure vault
There’s no shortage of free password managers, but KeePass Password Safe is our favorite open source option. It’s not flashy, but it’s packed with all the tools and features you could want, including AES encryption of your entire database of login details (not just the passwords themselves), two-factor authentication via both a master password and key file, and secure random password generation.
KeePass is tiny, and because it’s a portable program you can carry it on a USB stick, and thanks to an extensive library of plug-ins, it’s easy to integrate with your preferred browser and cloud storage provider.
Download here: KeePass Password Safe
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