icons

At first glance, Note-It appears to be just an ordinary virtual sticky note. But a right-click of the mouse on a Note-It note reveals a lot of hidden and useful features that make it so much more.

For example, with a Note-It special note, you can effortlessly ask the program to insert the time, set an alarm, or automatically reveal your computer's memory or drive information into a note. You can also send your notes--or part of notes--via e-mail. Want to ensure your entry includes a copyright symbol? Note-It gives you the opportunity to make it so. Note-It also … Read more

mGant brings Firefox into a sleeker realm. This skin add-on is a great opportunity for users to customize their browser's display.

This freeware does not make a huge difference like some skins do. All of your buttons will still look the same, for the most part, after mGant is installed. What this skin provides is a subtlety to all buttons. The colors on the Home, Back, Reload, and Home buttons are darker and the icons have been trimmed down. mGant, everything looks as if it has a tasteful shadow.

mGant can be a nice addition for users looking to … Read more

I use both Windows and Mac machines at my desk for testing and reviewing software for each platform. While both platforms have their advantages and disadvantages, I recently found a simple program that fixes one of my pet peeves about Windows.

One small Windows XP and Vista interface quirk that has always bothered me is the inability to move items in the taskbar. Though it might not bother other people, I always like having my programs set up in a certain way--Outlook on the left, my browser after that, my chat program, and then other programs to the right of … Read more

Folder Marker Home is like TiVo, one of those programs that you didn't know you needed until you tried it. It takes folder organization up a few notches by letting you customize your folders for quick, at-a-glance access. We're just not sure it's worth the hefty price tag.

The program has an extremely easy-to-use interface. All you have to do is browse for a specific folder or folders (you can customize multiple folders at once), select from a tabbed-style menu of folder icons, and click the Apply button to instantly apply the changes. The icon menu includes … Read more

Advanced Desktop Shield installs an icon in the system tray that lets you access a nicely designed and easy-to-use interface. In our tests, saving a managing desktop layout was simple, and we mastered the process in less than two minutes, thanks to the clearly defined buttons and layout of the interface.

This application performed quickly in all our tests, and it restored changed desktop layouts quickly and without fail after multiple boots and restarts, even when we changed the wallpaper. If your PC has multiple users, this application offers a great method for each to have a customized desktop layout … Read more

Although its name might hint at broader functionality, Icon Remover performs the single function of removing the Safely Remove Hardware icon from the taskbar.

Icon Remover sports a very basic interface suited to its very basic functionality. Two command buttons--one for showing the taskbar icon and one for removing the same icon--are all it holds. You don't even have to close the program to see your actions take place. The Safely Remove Hardware icon was removed and restored as soon as the appropriate button was clicked.

The program is simple, to the point, and performs as promised. It also … Read more

This handy pair of executables adds muscle to the monitor's power off function. WinFlog's small multitabbed interface offers four easily invoked functions. WinFlogTurnOff's executable needs no interface as the application simply and immediately turns off the monitor.

Operating WinFlog is very easy, especially for XP users. The program's primary tab lists two options to add a Turn Off Monitor option to the My Computer Icon right-click menu and to the desktop right-click menu. The functions are just as easily removed from the menus using single-click buttons on the same tab. The program's second tab uses … Read more

Electrolux was once the icon of European appliance design. Smooth lines and European chic were the brand's trademark. But Electrolux has become very comfortable with the thought of selling their appliances worldwide. The Icon line -- "Designed for the Well-Lived Home"--is perfectly elegant for any kitchen, no matter which part of the globe it is located in. The Icon Microwave is exceptionally sleek, indicative of the rest of the line. Its stainless steel panels let it blend in with any modern kitchen. It also has all the features that have become a requirement for the microwave. … Read more

For whatever reason, the last time I booted my Vista laptop the network icon was missing from its usual spot next to the clock in the system tray.

I right-clicked the Start button, chose Properties, and clicked the Notification Area tab to recheck this option under "System icons," but it was grayed out.

I found the solution on Colin Cochrane's blog. Here are the steps in a nutshell:

Back up the Registry by creating a restore point. Press the Windows key, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to and select HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\… Read more