Don’t like Firefox 3′s built-in download manager’s default behaviour? The Mozilla Links blog points out five configuration tweaks that can customise it. Our two favorites: in about:config set browser.download.manager. showAlertOnComplete to false to remove the taskbar pop-up notification of a completed download. Also, on Windows, you can keep downloads from cluttering up your My Recent Documents folder by setting browser.download.manager.addToRecentDocs to false. For more on about:config fun, see our useful Firefox 3 configuration tweaks. Tweaks for Firefox 3 download manager [Mozilla Links]
You can already switch on private browsing in Firefox with previously mentioned Stealther, but in the wake of
New addition to the people search engine scene iSearch is a powerful tool for hunting down anyone online that offers better results than plain old Google in some cases. Search by name and location, screen name, phone number, school or company, and iSearch returns results from social networks as well as regular old web pages. My test searches for my co-bloggers were very detailed, and displayed many personal facts right within the results page. As with most people search engines, folks who don’t have as much of an online presence don’t show up as much (or just have multiple results from the same old company or school web page). For more on finding that someone, check out our full feature on how to track down anyone online. iSearch [via Webware]
A new beta of the Opera web browser is now available for download by willing testers and adds a “low bandwidth mode” email feature for when you’re on skinny pipes (or just trying to save a few bytes), along with enhanced browser data sync between remote computers, email client improvements, and a better RSS feed preview. Let’s take a look.
Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Firefox extension Fast Dial replaces blank, empty tabs with thumbnails of your favourite sites. Fast Dial may look a lot like Speed Dial (and it is), but it also has several cool features of its own that set it apart. For example, you can set custom keyboard shortcuts for any of your Fast Dial thumbnails, create Fast Dial folders that you drill into for more thumbnail bookmarks, drag and drop items to reorder them, and customise the look and feel of every aspect of the Fast Dial page.
Nothing’s more important to your productivity arsenal than a solid scheduling tool, and considering so much of what we do happens at the computer, a good calendar application is just the thing to bring order to your agenda. Keep reading for a detailed look at the top five from our readers. Photo by adamjinj.
Find out what countries your family name is most common in with Public Profiler’s World Names search and map. Enter your last name and you’ll get back a world map with the countries where your name is most common coloured in. Unsurprisingly, my last name has the highest frequency per million people in Italy, Argentina (where there are many Italians), then the U.S. Public Profiler will also list top regions (for my name, Vermont first, then New York) and most common forenames (for my name, Lucia, then Paola, then James). For a more local take on first names, check out previously mentioned Baby Names Explorer. World Names Profiler [via Waxy]
Windows only: SoftKey Revealer, from the same author of previously mentioned Game Key Revealer, is an appropriately-titled utility that can hunt down the serial numbers for more than 700 purchased or registered programs on a Windows system. Running the program launches its speedy search function, and once it’s done finding and revealing your serial numbers, you can export the list as a simple text file. The program itself seems to run fine, but the drawbacks involve its app coverage—no Microsoft products, for example, but lots of Adobe and other digital media software. My Windows system lacks paid-for software, apparently, so let’s hear from our readers how good SoftKey is at hunting down serials. SoftKey Revealer is a free download for Windows systems only. Screenshot from authors’ site. SoftKey Revealer [via gHacks]
While it has been quite some time since anyone has placed gilded calling cards into the hands of waiting butlers when calling upon the home of an acquaintance, the use of social calling cards has become more popular. In their modern incarnation, calling cards offer an alternative to the dry formality of a business card. The Art Of Manliness blog says: During the heyday of calling cards, using a business card for a social purpose was considered bad manners. Today, while business cards are great for making business contacts, they still aren’t really suited for social situations. They probably have your work number and work email, and not much else on them. Think of all the times you meet someone you’d like to see again. Handing them a business card is too stiff and formal. Ditto for simply having them put your digits into their phone.
Dropbox, the free, web-based backup service previously available only for Windows and Mac computers, has added a free, open-source client for Linux to its offerings. Installing Dropbox puts a folder named “Dropbox” in your Home directory (which can be moved or renamed), and anything dropped in that folder gets backed up to your Dropbox account. The service also adds a control widget to your system panel, letting you see what’s in your 2GB of free space and control bandwidth usage. Dropbox is still technically a closed beta, but installing the Linux client let me set up a new account without any invite. Dropbox is a free download for Linux systems. Dropbox
