Websites such as YouTube generated a big step in the internet by allowing users to watch online videos all over the world. Nevertheless, people complaint about the lack of download links for the videos, that´s why we introduce you to Easy Video Downloader.

The possibility of download videos to our PC from websites such as YouTube has always been a never-ending issue for most users. The problem lies on the fact that these kinds of websites do not provide a download link, thus making things complicated for the average internet user. To download videos quickly and easily, we will need an application like Easy Video Downloader that will enable users to download videos from most popular video sharing websites and save them to our PC.

As we were saying, this simple application will enables us to download videos from video sharing websites such as Google Video, Myspace.com and YouTube quickly and easily. Easy Video Downloader features an automated installation wizard, apart from being lightweight and taking up little disk space.

As soon as the installation process finishes, a medium-size windows will be displayed. The single interface shown is the whole application itself; therefore we can state that its lack of features will also be its simplicity making is very easy-to-use. As we can see, we can to place our videos we want to convert in the central part of the screen.

Easy Video Downloader enables users to convert FLV files to AVI or MP4. It´s worth mentioning that MP4 format is compatible with any iPod or PSP. Even though it doesn´t support a wide range of video formats, it covers the most popular ones.

The download time will depend on our connection speed and of course the size of the video. We can run several instances of the program in order to download videos simultaneously.

To sum up, Easy Video Downloader is a top-notch application to start downloading videos from most popular video portals. Even though it doesn’t feature many options, simplicity is the reason why Easy Video Downloader stands out featuring a user-friendly interface. Get ready to download those videos you always watched but could never download.

The evolution of PC gaming couldn´t have been possible without DirectX . This set of drivers contains all the necessary files to run games properly. Although some games include DirectX on their CD/DVD, others may not, so make sure you always have the latest version to play the latest games.

DirectX

Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms.
DirectX contains several APIs and these are constantly updated by Microsoft as they add new features to some of the APIs.

The components of DirectX are:

- DirectDraw: for drawing 2D Graphics (raster graphics). Now deprecated, though still in use by a number of games and as a video renderer in media applications.
- Direct3D (D3D): for drawing 3D graphics
- DirectSound: for the playback and recording of waveform sounds. DirectInput: for interfacing with input devices including keyboards, mice, joysticks, or other game controllers.
- DirectPlay: for communication over a local-area or wide-area network.
- DirectMusic: for playback of soundtracks authored in DirectMusic Producer.
- DirectShow for multimedia playback and streaming media, DirectX Transform for web interactivity, and Direct3D Retained Mode for higher level 3D graphics.
- DirectSetup: for the installation of DirectX components.

DirectX updates enables PC users to run the latest games. Among its features, it supports Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader – as long as they are supported by the video card. The first a type of shader program, often executed on a graphics processing unit. It is typically used for effects such as bump mapping and color toning, which provide crisper and more realistic graphics. Vertex Shader on the other hand is a graphics processing function used to add special effects to objects in a 3D environment.

As previously stated, DirectX is updated regularly, so it´s important to check for new versions from time to time.
On the other hand, we can access DirectX control panel by typing “dxdiag” on “Run…”. To do so, click on start > Run… and type dxdiag. Once there you can perform several tests for API (i.e. sound, graphics, network, etc).

Nowadays DirectX has become a must-have for any PC gamer out there since games implement new features as Microsoft releases new API updates. The latest versions of Direct3D, namely, Direct3D 10 and Direct3D 9Ex, are only officially available for Windows Vista, but still you need to update DirectX 9 even if you´re running Vista.

The new software security system being developed by Microsoft called Security Essentials -which is now being beta tested- has thrown amazing results, even better than expected. After being tested by AV-Test GmbH – worldwide operating and leading service provider for IT security testing and consultancy services- Microsoft Security Essentials presents as one of the strongest securities suites in the upcoming months.

Microsoft Security Essentials

When saying “even better than expected”, it´s because Microsoft Security Essentials was able to detect and eliminate over 3200 threats, including different types of worms, viruses and Trojans, unlike other commercial software that didn´t performed as good as Security Essentials. It´s also worth mentioning that it didn´t throw any false positive and had and excellent performance with rootkits, which is definitely a feature to take into account when choosing a software to protect your system.

The amazing results Microsoft Security Essentialsobtained can be explained through the use of the technology it uses. The antivirus system resembles the structure and operation of ForeFront, the application developed to protect corporate systems which has rendered useful for most companies.

A limited beta began on June 23, open only to 75,000 US, Israel & Brazil customers, with a Chinese beta opening in mid July. One day later, the limit was reached and the program is no longer available to download. The program is still available from third-party websites. Microsoft will be updating and refreshing the beta code regularly in the coming months by pushing updates over Windows Update and other Web mechanisms.

The beta will remain open until the final version of the Microsoft Security Essentials product is released before the end of calendar 2009. Microsoft officials won’t provide any more specific of a date target than that, but a final release expected no later than September.

Microsoft Security Essentials may change the way we protect our systems. If everything goes according to plan, Security Essentials will becomes one of the most powerful tools ever created, that will allow any PC user to stay protected at all times. Now it´s just a matter of waiting and see how the beta evolves. Hopefully we´ll see the final version by the end of September.

The constant breakthrough of Windows Live Messenger feature has brought as a consequence the creation of new ways of communication, as well as the elimination of functions that becomes useless. This is the case of the version of Microsoft´s MSN Web Messenger that will no longer be available from June 30.

the demise of msn web messenger

For the last 5 years this web service from Microsoft users to use this Windows Live Messenger from a web browser -without requiring any sort of installation. However, all this changed when this popular messaging client started to merge with other Live services such as Windows Live Mail or Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit expanding its possibilities by adding new options and feature to communicate. These features could not be added to MSN Web Messenger and it soon became outdated compared to Windows Live Messenger.

This is the demise of MSN Web Messenger, the last web-related messaging product from Microsoft. We will see how Windows Live Messenger evolves and what new features will it include and which complements will be left aside to adapt to the new changes instant messaging demands.

In a press release YouTube confirmed several rumors related to the improvements of the popular video streaming website. The main modification stated is related to the video upload size limit. Not long ago, this site allowed a limit of 1GB that has been doubled offering us the possibility of working with videos up to 2GB.

YouTube ups video upload size

This increase was due to work properly with HD format which offers better image quality and videos are much bigger than SD videos. Thanks to this modification users will be able to upload HD videos up to 10 minutes long.

Another change included regarding HD videos, is the possibility of sharing links. Just by adding “&hd=1” at the end of the URL we will be able to share as many videos as we want.
Apart from sharing HD videos, we can add them to our web. In order to do this, YouTube has created a new option located on the customization panel called “HD Playback”. This option automatically adapts the video code so that users only need to copy the code where we want to export it and we are good to go.

Another new feature is the possibility of adding links to the videos, so that users can be redirected to a specific website with a single click. This option has multiple uses that go from advertising to emphasizing the message video with text. Ads can be closed in case we think they become annoying, since they usually become an issue when playing videos. The only disadvantage is that this possibility will be only available for YouTube advertisers and not for common users.

Once again we witness the evolution of Google products. Without a doubt, YouTube will continue to add features to allow users to share their video quickly and easily. Stay tuned for new modifications and improvements on the king of internet video streaming websites

The popular email service, Gmail, has implemented a few changes that are breaking new grounds compared to other email services. Now you can send bigger attachments in Gmail, as Google increased the maximum attachment size from 20 MB to 25 MB.

Gmail now attachs 25MB

The evolution of Gmail as regards file attachments always took the lead. At the very beginning the limit was 10mb, but then users suggested that it should be increase to 20mb. A few days ago Google decided to increase 5mb more over the current max attachment size.

Still, there is an issue. Google states the followings “Please note that you may not be able to send larger attachments to contacts that use other email services with smaller attachment limits. If your attachment bounces, you should invite them to Gmail“.

In this way, despite the possibility of attaching 25mb per file –and even though it´s quite an interesting feature when it comes to email services- the limitations of sending files to other Gmail accounts only becomes a crutch. It´s a matter of time until other email services implement the 25mb attachment size so everyone can send files up to 25mb in size. Until then, we can keep using Gmail with people who also have Gmail accounts, but we can also tell our friends to sign up to Gmail so we don´t have to send smaller files, if they don´t have one, now it´s the time to get it.

Firefox fans should be excited to know that this Tuesday Mozilla finally release its new version of their high-acclaimed Firefox who is know the most used web browser in the entire world.

Improvements and breakthroughs in the upcoming release of the Firefox web browser.

Firefox is well-known for its advantages in the field of web browsers, but the Mozilla foundation managed to pull off amazing improvements since its last release. This release candidate includes many new features as well as improvements to performance, web compatibility, and speed.

The new version is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux in over 70 different languages. New features and changes in this milestone that require feedback include improvements to the Gecko layout engine, including speculative parsing for faster content rendering, as well as the following enhancements:

• Improved tools for controlling your private data, including a Private Browsing Mode.
• Better performance and stability with the new TraceMonkey JavaScript engine.
• The ability to provide Location Aware Browsing using web standards for geolocation.
• Support for native JSON, and web worker threads.
• Support for new web technologies such as CSS media queries and HTML5 local storage and offline application storage
• Downloadable fonts

While this release is considered to be stable, it is intended for developers and members of our testing community to use for early evaluation and feedback. Users of the latest released version of Firefox should not expect all of their add-ons to work properly with this milestone.

The countdown is finally getting to its end, and in a matter of way we´ll be able to try the new Firefox . The long-awaited update one stage closer to full release. Just be patience and relax, all good things are worth the wait.

With so many audio formats floating around the internet, we need audio application to convert them. To do so, you´ll need tools such as Free Mp3 Wma Converter a conversion tool that supports a wide range of audio formats.

Free Mp3 Wma Converter

If you want to be able to convert all of your music tracks, ringtones, recordings made with friends, interviews, and all sorts of other audio between different formats, we have the perfect tool for you. With FFree Mp3 Wma Converter one of the most popular audio converters on the market, you’ll be able to convert all your audio files from one format to another and take advantage of the different benefits of each one.

As its name indicates, Free Mp3 Wma Converter is a free application. It is also easy to use and lets you quickly and efficiently convert all your recorded audio into any of the four “big” formats that are so popular today: MP3, WMA, Ogg and WAV. You can move from one format to another or, if you prefer, keep the same format but change the quality (converting from MP3 to MP3, for example).

In the latest release of Free Mp3 Wma Converter, you’ll find that it’s now possible to convert your files to the AAC, .ape, FLAC, AC3, and MP4 formats, meaning that you can convert your entire iTunes music library (stored in the MP4 format) to any other format.

What´s more, during the installation process, Free Mp3 Wma Converter offers you the possibility of downloading two additional programs: Free CD Ripper, which can extract the tracks from an audio CD straight to MP3 or another format, and Easy Audio Cutter, and audio editor. Right after the installation finished, a window automatically appears allowing you to select the language you wish to set.

Free Mp3 Wma Converter features an easy to use interface to simplify all conversion operations. On the upper side of the window we must add the audio files we wish to convert and under this box we have the output configuration settings to set the format and folder where files will be saved.

The process for using the program is simple and effective: simply choose the audio file that you want to convert and select the output folder and format. You’ll find advanced settings available for each type of audio file. In the case of MP3 files, for example, you can change aspects such as the frequency and the audio channels, apply filters, and much more.

In short, we can state that Free Mp3 Wma Converter is more than a fine alternative for converting audio files. Thanks to its practical and comfortable interface, we can convert the most popular audio formats in a matter of seconds.

Download Free Mp3 Wma Converter

Specific programs have grown in popularity due to new necessities that arose among PC users. As we use the Internet and download different compression formats such as rar or zip, essential tools are required for the everyday use such as files compressors. One of them is 7-zip.

7-zip

The huge quantity of information that circulates on the web nowadays, and the constantly growing file sizes, mean that you need a good file compressor vital to be able to transfer your files more easily. Whether they’re work documents, photos or games, or anything else you have on your computer, you can compress them and decompress them using 7-zip.

This app, designed for more specialist users, features a compression rate which is double that of the normal rate of the Zip format (the most widely used format when it comes to file compression). 7-zip is a piece of software that can work both via the command line or via a graphical user interface.

By default, 7-zip is configured to create file archives with the 7z extension. This format has a modular architecture, unicode filenames, large-file support (up to 4GB), archive header compression, and more. These characteristics mean that archives can contain multiple files and folders and can also be password protected.

Installing and using 7-zip is very similar to WinZip and WinRAR, two other compressors that are already well-established on the market. As for its user interface, despite being fairly basic and not very attention-grabbing, it has all the essential features for compressing files, along with more complex tools for the average user, such as options for using LZMA compression, changing the size of the dictionary and blocks, both of which appear in the file creation window.

One of the downsides of using 7-zip is that, if you have problems opening an archive, 99% of the time it will be because the archive contains incorrect headers. Other compressors would be able to open some of these archives, even with incorrect headers, but only because they simply ignore the errors. Another weakness of the program is that, although it has a powerful compression engine, this does require the computer to have quite a lot of RAM.

Taking everything into account you can see that this program is a pretty good alternative to others of its type. It’s up to each user to give it a try and see if it suits them or not.

Download 7-zip

Allowing you to enjoy video chats and share video messages with anyone you like, ooVoo features an interesting 3D interface within which you can hold a video conference with up to five people simultaneously, as well as make and receive unlimited voice calls to and from all of your contacts.

ooVoo for Mac

ooVoo is a program that has many possible uses, and this is its biggest attraction. You can use it to: play pre-recorded webcam videos; view video messages, and review sent, received, incoming and outgoing calls; send up to 20 files simultaneously; share your address book with other users and send the same file to more than one person at once, among many other things.

Once you’ve installed the program, you can create a user account, customize it and then start to make the most of everything that ooVoo has to offer. Everything else is easy since it works just like any other instant messaging service: add contacts, change your status, manage and sort your addresses and contacts, view your message history, and explore the various options for publishing your own profile.

From now on, communicating is easy: find your friends, select a country from the list, enter the telephone number and that’s it, you’re making a video call! But if what you want is to record video messages, the only thing you need to do is select someone from your list of contacts and click on the relevant button.

With high-quality audio and video and fun video effects, get closer to your friends, family or work colleagues, no matter how far away they are. Using ooVoo being part of the next step of the internet’s communication evolution will be easy.

Download ooVoo

Download ooVoo for WIN