Software

Get to where you need to go

A Macintosh tool for those who want to know exactly what's going on around them at all times, StatusMonitors is a one-stop desktop monitor. The software displays real-time information about CPU usage, network traffic, memory and disk usage, and even noncomputer elements such as current weather conditions, all on the desktop or in the dock. This can help determine whether a particular program is straining your machine or quietly eating up bandwidth without your knowledge. The application is fully configurable, tracking only the elements you choose. We like the transparent desktop interface, but found the drag-and-drop configuration process a … Read more

Get to where you need to go

A Mac tool for those who want to know exactly what's going on around them at all times, StatusMonitors is a one-stop desktop control center. The software displays real-time information about CPU usage, network traffic, memory and disk usage, and even noncomputer elements such as current weather conditions, all on the desktop or in the dock. This can help determine whether a particular program is straining your machine or quietly eating up bandwidth without your knowledge. The application is fully configurable, tracking only the elements you choose. We like the transparent desktop interface, but found the drag-and-drop configuration process … Read more

Bring the pain

Last year's Chaos League demo earned our top rating because the game was both good and unique: a real-time strategy sports game. This year's sequel adds new races, spells, heroes, clans, and turn-based gameplay options that are interesting, but not revolutionary. There's a great game in Chaos League: Sudden Death if you can get past the complexities of the interface and the gameplay, but the demo slightly disappoints.

As with conventional real-time strategy games, you control the players and camera using the mouse or keyboard shortcuts. Nine players make up a team, and the demo includes the … Read more

The world in weather

This free application provides a smorgasbord of weather-related information and a healthy set of features. Weather Exchange shows a variety of local, regional, and global maps, some of which can be animated. However, the interface does display some distracting ads and cannot be resized to a full-screen view. Entering your ZIP code or city lets you check out the local radar, and you even can see details such as the temperature, dew point, and wind speed in select neighborhoods. Clicking over to the Maps section reveals that this program hasn't forgotten the big picture. After choosing a continent, you … Read more

The world in weather

This free application provides a smorgasbord of weather-related information and a healthy set of features. Weather Exchange shows a variety of local, regional, and global maps, some of which can be animated. However, the interface does display some distracting ads and cannot be resized to a full-screen view. Entering your ZIP code or city lets you check out the local radar, and you even can see details such as the temperature, dew point, and wind speed in select neighborhoods. Clicking over to the Maps section reveals that this program hasn't forgotten the big picture. After choosing a continent, you … Read more

Leap into the vid-chat pond

If you're sick of hopping from one chatware program to another, looking for the perfect mix of video, audio, and text socializing, CamFrog might be what you're looking for.

The chat rooms feature everything from music lessons to sign language to non-English chatting, and integrating video, audio, and text components are a great leap forward for chat communities since a Webcam is not a requirement. Be warned, though: There's also a slew of X-rated chat rooms--this is not a program that kids should use without supervision.

The interface should be familiar to anyone who has used any … Read more

Leap into the vid-chat pond

If you're sick of hopping from one chatware program to another, looking for the perfect mix of video, audio, and text socializing, CamFrog might be what you're looking for.

The chat rooms feature everything from music lessons to sign language to non-English chatting, and integrating video, audio, and text components are a great leap forward for chat communities since a Webcam is not a requirement. Be warned, though: There's also a slew of X-rated chat rooms--this is not a program that kids should use without supervision.

The interface should be familiar to anyone who has used any … Read more

Leap into the vid-chat pond

If you're sick of hopping from one chatware program to another, looking for the perfect mix of video, audio, and text socializing, CamFrog might be what you're looking for.

The chat rooms feature everything from music lessons to sign language to non-English chatting, and integrating video, audio, and text components are a great leap forward for chat communities since a Webcam is not a requirement. Be warned, though: There's also a slew of X-rated chat rooms--this is not a program that kids should use without supervision.

The interface should be familiar to anyone who has used any … Read more

Leap into the vid-chat pond

If you're sick of hopping from one chatware program to another, looking for the perfect mix of video, audio, and text socializing, CamFrog might be what you're looking for.

The chat rooms feature everything from music lessons to sign language to non-English chatting, and integrating video, audio, and text components are a great leap forward for chat communities since a Webcam is not a requirement. Be warned, though: There's also a slew of X-rated chat rooms--this is not a program that kids should use without supervision.

The interface should be familiar to anyone who has used any … Read more