Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://www.downloadsquad.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Windows market share reaches new low - 89.6%]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/windows-market-share-reaches-new-low-89-6/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/windows-market-share-reaches-new-low-89-6/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/windows-market-share-reaches-new-low-89-6/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Windows Market Share
If you gauged the market share of various operating systems by counting the number of Macs vs PCs you see in the typical urban coffee shop, you'd probably believe that Apple and Microsoft were duking it out like Republicans and Democrats in a close US presidential election.

But the truth of the matter is that Microsoft is the dominant company when it comes to consumer oriented computers. In fact, according to Net Applications, a company that tracks these things, Microsoft had more than 90% of the market share. Until last month, anyway.

In November, 2008, Microsoft's market share dipped to 89.62%. Which is to say, Microsoft's Windows operating systems still dwarf the nearest competitors, Mac OS X and Linux. But a slightly smaller percentage of people who visited web sites tracked by Net Applications in November were using the operating system.

Net Applications reports that OS X has also seen a slight jump in usage, and that Windows Vista use is up while Windows XP use is down. More than 20% of computer users were running Windows Vista for the first time in November.

[via Computer World and Slashdot]

Windows market share reaches new low - 89.6% originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>linuxmac-os-xmarket-sharenet-applicationsos-xwindowswindows-vistawindows-xpTue, 02 Dec 2008 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Songbird 1.0 released]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/songbird-1-0-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/songbird-1-0-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/02/songbird-1-0-released/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Songbird 1.0
Just over a month after the first release candidate made its ways to the masses, Songbird 1.0 is available for download. Songbird is an open source music player built on Mozilla code.

The cross-platform music player comes in Mac, Windows, and Linux versions, and can handle playback of most music formats. Like most Mozilla-based software, Songbird supports plugins, including a QuickTime Playback plugin that adds the ability to play music purchased from the iTunes store. There's also a plugin that allows you to sync your music with portable media players including an iPod.

Songbird is much more than a music player. It's also an online music browser. You can visit web sites using the built in browser and automatically stream or download MP3 music from those pages. And thanks to the Last.fm integration, you can get additional information about songs and artists you're playing, or stream related songs from Last.fm.

Songbird 1.0 released originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>itunesmozillamusicsongbirdsongbird-1.0Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:14:00 EST<![CDATA[gOS Cloud - From zero to web browser in just a few seconds]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/01/gos-cloud-from-zero-to-web-browser-in-just-a-few-seconds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/01/gos-cloud-from-zero-to-web-browser-in-just-a-few-seconds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/12/01/gos-cloud-from-zero-to-web-browser-in-just-a-few-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

gOS
gOS is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that's designed to make it easy to interface with web-based applications like Gmail, YouTube, and Meebo. It uses the slightly OS X-like Enlightenment desktop environment, and the developers have been pushing it as a good operating system for low powered netbooks, thanks to its integration with web applications.

The latest version of gOS goes a few steps further, by emphasizing the web browser above all else. gOS Cloud is a stripped down Linux distro that can load in just a few seconds. And instead of loading a typical desktop, the first window it opens is a web browser (which looks suspiciously like Google Chrome in the press shots).

You also get a dock-style program launcher for starting desktop applications. And the operating system is designed for dual boot systems that also run Windows XP. Good OS, the company behind the Linux distro are working with netbook makers Gigabyte to build an ultraportable laptop that will come preloaded with gOS Cloud and Windows XP in early 2009.

gOS Cloud - From zero to web browser in just a few seconds originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloud-computinggood-osgosgos-cloudMon, 01 Dec 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[HandBrake now encodes any video file, not just DVDs]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/25/handbrake-now-encodes-any-video-file-not-just-dvds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/25/handbrake-now-encodes-any-video-file-not-just-dvds/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/25/handbrake-now-encodes-any-video-file-not-just-dvds/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

HandBrake
HandBrake is a cross-platform utility for ripping and encoding DVDs in high quality, compressed video formats including XviD and H.264. And the latest version of HandBrake lets you use the powerful application to encode any video file, no DVD required.

There are a handful of other changes as well, including a GUI for the Linux version, improved video quality, and more control over audio tracks. Queued jobs are also saved to your disk so that if Handbrake crashes, you'll be able to recover the list of queued jobs without starting from scratch.

HandBrake 0.9.3 is available for Windows, Linux, and OS X with Intel and PPC versions available for OS X 10.5.

[via TUAW]

HandBrake now encodes any video file, not just DVDs originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compressiondvd-rippingencodingh.264handbrakehandbrake-0.9.3xvidTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BitPim: Bluetooth syncing for CDMA phones]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/24/bitpim-bluetooth-syncing-for-cdma-phones/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/24/bitpim-bluetooth-syncing-for-cdma-phones/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/24/bitpim-bluetooth-syncing-for-cdma-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BitPim isn't a new app, but I've been using it for quite a while, and I thought I'd share. We write a fair amount about the iPhone here at Download Squad, but some of us are stuck with less-than-smart phones that are over a year old, on CDMA networks. Not that I'm bitter, or anything, but how are you supposed to get data like contacts and ringtones onto (and off of) these things? BitPim!

Bitpim is an an open source app that lets you access your phone's data via Bluetooth. I use it to get custom mp3 ringtones onto my junky Samsung dumbphone, and it works phenomenally well. There's a list of compatible phones on the Bitpim site, but chances are that yours will work. Be aware that Bitpim could potentially mess up your phone, although I haven't any issues with it personally.

BitPim: Bluetooth syncing for CDMA phones originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothCDMAopen-sourcephoneringtonesyncMon, 24 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Alpha is now available]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/23/ubuntu-9-04-jaunty-jackalope-alpha-is-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/23/ubuntu-9-04-jaunty-jackalope-alpha-is-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/23/ubuntu-9-04-jaunty-jackalope-alpha-is-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Jaunty Jackalope Alpha
Ubuntu 8.10 Inteprid Ibex is still warm, but the folks at Canonical are already hard at work on the next generation of the popular Linux distribution. The first Alpha version of Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope was released today.

As a first Alpha, this release is not recommended for users in search of a stable desktop environment. And there's really not much benefit to downloading it unless you plan to help test and develop Ubuntu 9.04. For the most part Jaunty Jackalope looks a lot like Ubuntu 8.10. The desktop theme and other graphics haven't been altered at all, and for the most part, the operating system comes with the same set of applications as Intrepid Ibex.

So what's different? The developers have been busy re-merging of changes from Debian, the Linux distribution that Ubuntu is based on. Canonical is also working on porting the operating system to run on machines with ARM processors which could lead to Ubuntu showing up on more Mobile Internet Devices and netbooks next year.

There's currently no LiveCD version of Jaunty Jackalope, so if you do decide to download the Alpha, you'll have to grab the alternate or server installation CDs. The full version of Ubuntu 9.04 is scheduled for release on April 23, 2009.

Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Alpha is now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphajaunty-jackalopeubuntuubuntu-9.04Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Adobe releases alpha 64-bit Flash plugin for Linux]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/adobe-releases-alpha-64-bit-flash-plugin-for-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/adobe-releases-alpha-64-bit-flash-plugin-for-linux/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/adobe-releases-alpha-64-bit-flash-plugin-for-linux/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What exactly is Adobe trying to prove? First, they release a 64-bit version of CS4. Now they're showing 64-bit Linux users some love by releasing an alpha version of the Flash player for their OSes.

It's been a long time coming. For ages, users have been forced to use nspluginwrapper to enable the 32-bit Flash player in their browser. With the official alpha release from Adobe, there's light at the end of the tunnel. Adobe's increased attention to Linux may have something to do with the fact that nearly a quarter of all Firefox crashes on Linux systems are related to the Flash plugin.

Availability of the 64-bit version is yet another boost for Flash on Linux. Version 10 made significant strides in terms of performance and compatability.

Linux users can get their hands on the plugin from this page at Adobe Labs.

Since I've recently installed Vista Ultimate x64 on my workstation, I'm hopeful that Adobe will do the right thing and roll out a Windows version as well. The company has stated that next major release the plugin will feature 64-bit versions for all three major platforms.

[ via Ars Technica ]

Adobe releases alpha 64-bit Flash plugin for Linux originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>64-bitadobeflashlinuxThu, 20 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Free CrossFTP handles basic FTP chores on any OS]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/free-crossftp-handles-basic-ftp-chores-on-any-os/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/free-crossftp-handles-basic-ftp-chores-on-any-os/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/20/free-crossftp-handles-basic-ftp-chores-on-any-os/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Java Web Start apps intrigue me, and I'm still surprised how few I've come across to share - last month's look at MuCommander was the first. If you're interested in an FTP client or server, give CrossFTP a try.

Both apps download and run in a flash. All of the functions I need for most FTP chores are available in the free, basic version: upload, download, site/connection manager, rename, delete, CHMOD. CrossFTP also remembers your browsing history and supports favorites, which makes queueing bulk uploads a breeze.

The server works nicely, and can be set up with minimal fuss. It's extremely configurable and an easy way to quickly provide FTP access to any system's files.

As with MuCommander, memory usage is an issue: the client consumes about 40mb and the server another 70mb. That's substantially more than FileZilla ( 11mb / 5mb ).

The pro version provides additional functionality, like support for SSL and SFTP and the ability to move remote files instead of deleting and re-uploading.

While I'm not going to forsake FileZilla for this one, it's a nice app to bookmark just in case.

Free CrossFTP handles basic FTP chores on any OS originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross-platformftpjavaThu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[FlyCast mobile radio app comes to the PC]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/19/flycast-mobile-radio-app-comes-to-the-pc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/19/flycast-mobile-radio-app-comes-to-the-pc/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/19/flycast-mobile-radio-app-comes-to-the-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

FlyCast
Over the last year we've seen a lot of companies race to come out with iPhone-specific versions of their applications. But FlyCast is moving in the other direction. The company makes a mobile application for iPhone and BlackBerry users which provides easy access to hundreds of internet audio streams including music, news, entertainment, and tech podcasts. Now FlyCast also has a desktop client based on Adobe AIR, which means it can run on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers.

The FlyCast Desktop Player appears to be a direct port of the iPhone software. It would have been nice if the company had spent a few minutes coming up with a new design so that you didn't feel like you were playing with an iPod while flipping channels. But the application works as you'd expect, making it easy to find internet audio streams in a number of different categories.

[via Zatz Not Funny]

FlyCast mobile radio app comes to the PC originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobe-airflycastflycast-dekstop-playerinternet-radioiphoneWed, 19 Nov 2008 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefox 3.1 beta adds new tab functions]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/17/firefox-3-1-beta-adds-new-tab-functions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/17/firefox-3-1-beta-adds-new-tab-functions/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/17/firefox-3-1-beta-adds-new-tab-functions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Mozilla has added a tab tearing feature to Firefox 3.1 beta, which can best be explained by saying, "watch the video above." But in a nutshell, what tab tearing lets you do is drag and drop tabs, not just within your browser window, but outside of it as well. For example, you can click and drag a tab outside of your Firefox window and it will open a new browser instance. Or you can grab a tab from one browser window into another browser instance.

Now before you say anything, yes, I know that the Opera web browser has been able to do this for ages, and Google Chrome has supported similar behavior since it was launched. But that doesn't make mean it's not nice to see the feature come to Firefox. It takes more than innovation to make a good web browser. You also have to be willing to recognize good ideas where you find them and be willing to implement them in your product.

[via Mozilla Links]

Firefox 3.1 beta adds new tab functions originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firefox-3.1-betagoogle-chromeoperatab-tearingtabsweb-browsersMon, 17 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Help Mozilla track add-on compatibility with Firefox 3.1 beta]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/13/help-mozilla-track-add-on-compatibility-with-firefox-3-1-beta/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/13/help-mozilla-track-add-on-compatibility-with-firefox-3-1-beta/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/13/help-mozilla-track-add-on-compatibility-with-firefox-3-1-beta/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Firefox 3.1 compatibility
One of the things that makes Firefox one of the best web browsers around is its support for thousands of add-ons that extend the functionality of the browser. But since most of these plugins are developed by third parties, and not Mozilla, every time the developers behind the web browser prepare a major new release, they run the risk of breaking compatibility with many of those add-ons.

So before releasing Firefox 3.1, one of the things Mozilla wants to do is make sure that as many add-ons as possible that work with Firefox 3.0 will function properly with the new browser. And they want your help.

Here's how it works. You download a beta version of Firefox 3.1 and see if your favorite add-ons work. If you run into a problem, you can leave a comment at the Mozilla Add-Ons blog.

As of today, about 28% of the most popular plugins are compatible with Firefox 3.1. And that's about 8% more than a few weeks ago, so things are moving in the right direction.

Help Mozilla track add-on compatibility with Firefox 3.1 beta originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onsfirefoxfirefox-3.1Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Songbird 1.0 RC1 now available]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/05/songbird-1-0-rc1-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/05/songbird-1-0-rc1-now-available/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/05/songbird-1-0-rc1-now-available/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Songbird 1.0 RC1
Open source, Mozilla-based media player Songbird is inching closer to version 1.0. This week the team behind the cross-platform application made the first release candidate of Songbird 1.0 available.

So what's new in the latest build? First up, Songbird 1.0 RC1 uses GStreamer to handle media playback whether you're running the Windows, Mac, or Linux version of the program. The Songbird team says that should mean better performance and reliability. The latest build also includes a number of performance enhancements, including the ability to import media into Songbird more than twice as fast as before.

Here are a few of the other changes/improvements in Songbird 1.0 RC1:
  • Users can also drag and drop images to add album art to a song.
  • Addition of new keyboard shortcuts
  • Smart Playlists can be used as rules within other Smart Playlists
  • Improved search speed
  • Faster startup times
  • Scrolling large libraries is more efficient
While this is a release candidate, which means it's a bit more stable than your typical beta software, there are still a number of known bugs and issues. You can read the complete list in the release notes.

Songbird 1.0 RC1 now available originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>media-playermozillamusicsongbirdsongbird-1.0songbird-1.9-rc1Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Install Mythbuntu 8.10 from Windows with Wubi]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/03/install-mythbuntu-8-10-from-windows-with-wubi/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/03/install-mythbuntu-8-10-from-windows-with-wubi/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/11/03/install-mythbuntu-8-10-from-windows-with-wubi/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mythbuntu 8.10
Now that Ubuntu 8.10 is available (as well as its official cousins, Kubuntu 8.10 and Xubuntu 8.10), all of the unofficial community-run projects based on Ubuntu are updating their code. And that includes Mythbuntu, an operating system designed to turn your PC into a media center by fusing the open source MythTV software with Ubuntu.

Mythbuntu 8.10 incorporates many of the updates that you'll find in a stock version of Ubuntu. It uses the Xfce 4 desktop environment, but if you use your Mythbuntu system primarily as an operating system you'll rarely see the desktop.

One of the coolest features in Mythbuntu 8.10 is support for Wubi. What Wubi does is let you install Mythbuntu (or Ubuntu) from within Windows as if it were just another Windows program. Once installed, you can reboot your system and just select the Mythbuntu option at boot. This makes it easy for anyone who's ever wanted to try Mythbuntu or MythTV to take it for a spin without repartitioning your hard drive. If you don't like it, you can just uninstall Mythbuntu from the Windows add/remove programs utility.

[via eHomeUpgrade]

Install Mythbuntu 8.10 from Windows with Wubi originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mythbuntumythbuntu-8.10mythtvwubiMon, 03 Nov 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Run OpenOffice.org 3.0 in your browser with Ulteo]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/run-openoffice-org-3-0-in-your-browser-with-ulteo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/run-openoffice-org-3-0-in-your-browser-with-ulteo/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/run-openoffice-org-3-0-in-your-browser-with-ulteo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ulteo OOo
Want to check out OpenOffice.org 3.0 but don't want to download the 142MB installer just to see if you like it? No problem. You can run it in a web browser thanks to Ulteo.

Ulteo takes an interesting approach to online desktop and office suites. Unlike other online desktops that offer some storage space and a few simple, browser based apps, Ulteo offers access to a virtual Linux-based operating system complete with a desktop and full Linux apps like OpenOffice.org. In other words, you get a lot more features from Ulteo than you do from Google Docs, Zoho Office, or EyeOS.

On the other hand, Ulteo relies on Java, takes a while to launch, and has a freemium model. You get 1GB of storage space for free, but sessions are limited to 25 minutes. If you want more storage space or more time per session, you have to pony up some cash for a subscription.

I first looked at Ulteo last year when the company began offering access to OpenOffice.org 2.3. While it's nice to see that Ulteo is continuing to develop its technology, some of my initial complaints still stand. It's a bit awkward to switch between program windows. And it takes too long to load. But if you're just looking for a way to check out OpenOffice.org 3.0 before you download it, Ulteo will let you do that. Or if you want to be able to access OpenOffice.org and your saved documents on any computer with a web browser and Java, Ulteo may be for you.

Run OpenOffice.org 3.0 in your browser with Ulteo originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>officeopenoffice.orgopenoffice.org-3.0ulteoFri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CodeWeavers cancels free giveaway program, honors existing registrations]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/codeweavers-cancels-free-giveaway-program-honors-existing-regis/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/codeweavers-cancels-free-giveaway-program-honors-existing-regis/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/31/codeweavers-cancels-free-giveaway-program-honors-existing-regis/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CrossOver
It sure seemed like a good idea. CodeWeavers, the makers of CrossOver software that lets you run Windows applications like MS Outlook or games like Half Life on Mac andLinux machines, held a tongue-in-cheek promotion where the company promised to give away free copies of its software if one of a number of economic goals were met in the US. While it's likely that the US government had little to do with the recent dip in gas prices, this week CodeWeavers decided that $2.79 gas meant it was time to give away a copy of CrossOver to anyone who wanted it within a 24 hour period.

And then all heck broke loose. The story made the front page of Digg and was reported on countless tech blogs. The CodeWeavers website crashed, although the company quickly got the download links back online. When the smoke cleared, the company gave away about 750,000 copies of its software.

Let's let that sink in for a second here. A company that many people may not have even known existed, had its software downloaded three quarters of a million times in one day. CodeWeavers sent an email this week stating that the move expands the company's customer base by 400%. The value of the free software given away tops $45 million.

In other words, the whole thing might have backfired and ruined the company's bottom line. On the other hand, it could be awesome news in the long run for CodeWeavers. A whole lot of people who weren't aware of the software are now potential customers. Many of the people who downloaded free copies may not really wind up using it, but those who do may decide to upgrade when a new version is available or pay for another year of support when the 1 year of free support expires in a year.

Still, CodeWeavers has decided to cancel the promotion going forward. There had been plans to do another giveaway if housing prices fell, US job numbers went up, or Osama Bin Laden was captured. But that just doesn't seem like a good idea anymore.

CodeWeavers cancels free giveaway program, honors existing registrations originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeweaverscrossoverwineFri, 31 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex released]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/30/ubuntu-8-10-intrepid-ibex-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/30/ubuntu-8-10-intrepid-ibex-released/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/30/ubuntu-8-10-intrepid-ibex-released/#commentsFiled under: , ,

http://www.ubuntu.com/
Ubuntu 8.10 is available for download today. And because Ubuntu Linux is open source software and we've been following its development for the last 6 months, there aren't a ton of surprises. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't download it if you're running Ubuntu 8.04 or if you're looking for a new Linux distro to try. Because it does include a number of tweaks, bug fixes, and improvements. Here are just a few:
  • Improved support for connecting to 3G wireless networks
  • A utility for loading a fully working Ubuntu installation on a USB disk
  • There's a new System Cleaner utility that will help identify abandoned software packages (which could address one of my biggest pet peeves about most Linux distributions)
  • The Nautilus file manager now supports tabs
In addition to Ubuntu 8.10, you can also download the latest version of Kubuntu today. Kubuntu is basically Ubuntu with the KDE desktop environment instead of GNOME. Xubuntu 8.10, which uses the Xfce desktop environment is also available today.

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex released originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intrepid-ibexkubuntuubuntuubuntu-8.10xubuntuThu, 30 Oct 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart MP3 store adds 74 cent tracks, Mac, Linux support]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/walmart-mp3-store-adds-74-cent-tracks-mac-linux-support/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/walmart-mp3-store-adds-74-cent-tracks-mac-linux-support/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/walmart-mp3-store-adds-74-cent-tracks-mac-linux-support/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Walmart MP3 Store
I love a good price war. And it looks like Walmart is challenging Amazon and Apple to one by offering select MP3 downloads from Walmart's online music store for just 74 cents. Not every song will go for that price, but standard tracks start at 94 cents per song, which is still cheaper than music on iTunes. Amazon typically sells MP3 music for between 89 and 99 cents per song.

Walmart is also rolling out improved support for web browsers that aren't Internet Explorer and operating systems that aren't Windows. You can now download MP3s from Walmart's web store using OS X, Linux, or Windows, Firefox, Safar, or Internet Explorer.

Walmart has a library of over 3 million DRM-free MP3 tracks from the four major lables and a number of independent artists.

[via Electronista]

Walmart MP3 store adds 74 cent tracks, Mac, Linux support originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazon-mp3itunesmp3musicwalmartTue, 28 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Download CrossOver for free today, run Windows Apps on Mac, Linux]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/download-crossover-for-free-today-run-windows-apps-on-mac-linu/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/download-crossover-for-free-today-run-windows-apps-on-mac-linu/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/28/download-crossover-for-free-today-run-windows-apps-on-mac-linu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

CrossOver
CrossOver is the commercial version of WINE, a tool that allows users to run many Windows applications on Mac or Linux machines. And today, you can download it for free.

You see, earlier this year the CEO of CodeWeavers, the company behind CrossOver issued a challenge to president George W. Bush. If the outgoing president of the US could accomplish one of a handful of goals before leaving office, the company would give away free licenses for all of its software (with a limit of one per license per user). Surprisingly, one of those goals has been met: CodeWeavers CEO Jeremy White recently noted that he was able to fill up his tank with $2.79/gallon gasoline.

In order to claim your reward, just visit the CodeWeavers page today to snag a coupon good for one software license. CodeWeavers makes CrossOver for Mac and Linux, and also has a special CrossOver Games version that brings support for a number of popular Windows video games to those applications. While CrossOver won't necessarily let you run every Windows app on your platform of choice, it does boast support for some programs that won't run under the free and open source WINE utility.

CodeWeaver products typically start at $40. So if you think there's even a chance you might want a free copy, today's the day to grab one. Or you can wait until George Bush meets one of the other goals that Jeremy White has set for him, including capturing Osama bin Laden, creating jobs, or bringing average home prices back to the level they were at last year.

[via OStatic]

Download CrossOver for free today, run Windows Apps on Mac, Linux originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>codeweaverscrossoverfreepromotionwineTue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Intelligently resize images with Seam Carving GUI]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/intelligently-resize-images-with-seam-carving-gui/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/intelligently-resize-images-with-seam-carving-gui/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/intelligently-resize-images-with-seam-carving-gui/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Seam Carving GUI
Ever wish you could resize an image without losing the elements that really make it pop? Seam Carving GUI is a utility that lets you remove the elements that don't matter in an image rather than just cropping the edges. So if you want to say, take a picture of Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld and resize it without shrinking Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, Seam Carving GUI can remove parts of the background, bringing the two figures closer toegether and giving you a smaller photo without removing the elements you really care about.

The program can make a semi-educated guess as to which elements are safe to remove. Or you can highlight the areas you want to keep or remove before hitting the reize button.

There was a lot of talk about seam carving last year. The developer who came up with the original concept was hired by Adobe. And we've seen the technique show up i na number of other applications, including web based image editor FotoFlexer. But Seam Carving GUI is a simple tool that does one thing and does it both well and quickly. It's available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

[via Life Rocks 2.0]

Intelligently resize images with Seam Carving GUI originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>seam-carvingseam-carving-guiMon, 27 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Foxmarks now synchronizes Firefox bookmarks, passwords]]>http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/foxmarks-now-synchronizes-firefox-bookmarks-passwords/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/foxmarks-now-synchronizes-firefox-bookmarks-passwords/http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/10/27/foxmarks-now-synchronizes-firefox-bookmarks-passwords/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Foxmarks Password Sync
Foxmarks is a plugin for Firefox that makes it easy to keep your bookmarks synchronized across multiple browsers. When you add or delete a bookmark on one machine, the changes will be reflected on another. Pretty useful for keeping your home and work computers up to date, right? But what about all those passwords you have saved on one computer but not the other. Now Foxmarks has a solution for that too.

The most recent version of Foxmarks adds support for secure password synchronization. In order to use this feature you'll need to enter a new PIN which is separate from the password you use to login to Foxmarks. For security purposes, if you forget this PIN, Foxmarks will not be able to help you recover it, so make sure to write it down or pick something you'll remember. But for obvious reasons, make sure it's also not something that's easy to guess (unless you like the idea of synchronizing your online banking password over the internet with only your birthday as a password).

[via jkOnTheRun]

Foxmarks now synchronizes Firefox bookmarks, passwords originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>addonbookmarksfirefoxfoxmkarspasswordssynchronizationMon, 27 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EST