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Mount Up! Five Freeware Disc/Web Mounting Apps That Transform Your Storage!

David Murphy — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:45:30 -0600

Tired of scratching all of your discs every time you fling them about your desk after an install? Want to pull of your favorite online services--Google Mail, Google Picasa, Amazon S3--directly into Windows explorer, bypassing the need to log into them from a Web site? Want an easy way for compressing the contents of your folders into a single mountable source, and beyond that, a way to mount up to 20 of these at once? It's mount week at Maximum PC's freeware... repository... feature... thing. We're going to take a look at five different programs that will make your optical drive quiver with fear, your Internet connection explode, and your general computing life much easier.

Daemon Tools

What it does: Here's the deal. Using a variety of image backup programs, you can rip the contents of your CDs--applications, games, music, movies, whatever--and package them into single files, commonly with a .iso extension. Daemon Tools runs in the system tray of your PC allows you to create virtualized optical drives. You can then load these packaged files into the program, which will then display the CD's contents on this virtualized drive. Your computer will think it's an actual CD that you've loaded into the drive. This leaves you free to install programs, run the application, watch your movie, and much more! It's a great technique if you're getting worried about scratching your physical CDs left and right.

Download it here!

Virtual CloneDrive

What it does: Programs like Daemon Tools use the SPTD access layer to make your virtual devices work. But installing these drivers can sometimes wreck other burning applications on your PC, like iTunes. Worse yet, these programs are completely unsupported thus far in the new Windows 7 Beta. That's why we like Virtual CloneDrive. It's not as feature-rich as Daemon Tools, but it makes for an easy way for mounting simple images to virtual optical drives without mucking up the rest of your system.

Download it here!

ISODisk

What it does: Alright, crazy person. Are the "limited" number of mountable drives provided by Daemon Tools and Virtual CloneDrive not enough for you? Consider ISODisk the Gatling gun of file mounting applications. You can run up to 20 virtualized drives at once, perfect if you want to... uh. Okay, we're not really sure why you would ever wan to run 20 virtualized drive at once. But if you can find a means, than this program is the method to your madness. Our single caveat is that it doesn't seem to work well with Windows Vista x64. Sorry, power-Vista users: No 20 virtualized drives for you!

Download it here!

Folder2Iso

What it does: This program take the contents of any Windows folder and converts it into a mountable .iso file. It's perfect for organizing your hard drive, especially for the batches of files that you keep on-hand "just in case," but never actually use. Wrap those up into a mountable .iso, which will take far less time to mount and copy from than if you were to wrap your files up in a .zip or .rar archive. Better yet, you can burn these .iso files to discs any time you want!

Download it here!

Gladinet

What it does: Since we're on the subject of mounting, Gladinet is the application of choice for the prolific online services user. This program takes Cloud drives from services like Google Docs, Windows Live Skydrive, and Amazon S3, slapping them into Windows Explorer as if they were drives physically attached to you rPC. Forever remove Web interfaces from your life and access your files using the same ol' drag-and-drop interface you've grown to know and love.

Download it here!

MTV, MySpace Want to Insert Ads in Pirated Videos

Pulkit Chandna — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:59:04 -0600

It is common knowledge that a plethora of copyrighted video content is easily available across the social web. Content owners, however irate, have not been able to clamp down on rampant piracy across the social web despite the full cooperation of social networking websites.

But MySpace and MTV Networks have adopted a more out-of-the-box approach and have tacitly embraced piracy: they now intend to benefit from pirated content.

MTV and MySpace will test a new technology this month that will automatically replace pirated content – uploaded by users – with ad-backed content that is perfectly legal. The innovative technology, which has been developed by Palo Alto-based startup Auditude, is based on the company’s patented video identification tool.

MTV’s conciliatory approach is a straw in the wind as more content providers will be tempted to follow its lead.

Image Credit: Cnet

Maximum PC Gets Screwed So You Don't Have To: Ultimate Screwdriver Review Roundup

Paul Lilly — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0500

If there's one tool no power user should ever be without, it's the screwdriver. Just like opposable thumbs, the screwdriver is what separates enthusiasts from lesser creatures. Without it, we'd be reduced to purchasing pre-built PCs from overpriced vendors, and we'd be oblivious to the evils of proprietary parts. Just like Mac users (ZING!).

With the invention of the screwdriver, we've been able to evolve from PC users to PC builders, from mere consumers to hobbyists. Thanks to a single tool, we're prepared for whatever computer related situation arises, whether it means constructing a full blown Dream Machine or replacing our neighbor's dead motherboard with one that works, and then throwing in a name brand power supply just for good measure.

But just as doctors wouldn't use any run of the mill scalpel during surgery, we're just as discerning when it comes to picking out the right tool for diving into a pile of parts. With this in mind, we've assembled a collection of 26 screwdrivers ranging from ordinary in appearance to extraordinary in features. We've used and abused each one and will tell you which screwdrivers have earned the right to travel in your toolbox, and which ones that aren’t worthy enough for your prized gaming rig.

Craftsman Auto-Loading Multi-Bit

We can think of several different treats that taste better than the Push Up ice cream pops we used to eat as a kid, but few were as fun to devour. It's the same feeling we get from using Craftsman's auto-loading screwdriver, though we don't recommend putting it in your mouth. But what we did do was spend the first few minutes just pushing up and down on the handle changing bits. After the novelty wore off, we were left with a capable tool, though not spectacular. We love having an assortment of magnetic bits at our fingertips, but we're not so keen on the plastic construction. Hurl it against the wall just once in a moment of frustration and it'll be the last time you ever use it.

Verdict: 6
$20, www.sears.com

Companion 7 Piece Flexible Ratchet Driver

On paper, the Companion sounds like the idea tool for a man to proudly wave around in his hand. Not only does the thick shaft come ribbed for extra comfort, but the tip includes an extension for added length – oh boy! But lest you plan on living out some bizarre fetish, there are better tools to tout around. The two-way ratcheting doesn’t allow you to use the Companion as a standard screwdriver, and despite being able to lock the angled neck in place, there was a considerable amount of give left over causing the tip to wobble.

Verdict: 4
$10, www.sears.com

KR Tools X-Treme Six-in-One w/ Flaming Handle

The most difficult thing about using the KR Tools X-Treme is resisting the urge to shout 'Flame on!' every time you take it out of the toolbox. The oversized rubber handle with strategically placed finger and thumb grips makes it a comfort to use, and six easily changeable bits means you can swap out your motherboard and change that door hinge you've been meaning to fix all in one fell swoop. This might be the best tool you can get for $5.

Verdict: 8
$5, www.sears.com

Stanley 10" Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver w/ 10 Assorted Bits

Should we ever be attacked by a horde of goblins on a PC repair job, we'd want this Stanley by our side. The heavy duty handle and extra long shaft will keep both goblins and hard to reach screws at bay, and a rotating addition on the base of the shaft stores up to 6 different bits. Three-way ratcheting controls mean you'll be prepared for most any situation, but if you drop a screw, you better have a pair of tweezers handy. For all of its plusses, the Stanley comes demagnetized - bummer!

Verdict: 8
$15, www.stanleytools.com

LoggerHead Tools BitDr

Like Transformers, there's more here than meets the eye. What looks like an unassuming fold-away screwdriver quickly reveals itself to be a multi-function wonder tool even MacGyver could appreciate. The BitDr comes with 10 double-sided bits stored in the handle, two ratchet extensions (both of which can be used by themselves), and an adjustable driver for working in a variety of quarters. It even comes with a bit small enough to work on notebooks, though it's too thick to worm its way into recessed screws. Not without its faults, we found using a traditional screwdriver to be more comfortable, and as with other adjustable ratchets, there's too much wobble at any given position. Still, between the portability and plethora of uses, the BitDr can be a lifesaver in a pinch.

Verdict: 7
$25, www.loggerheadtools.com

Great Neck 18 Piece Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver Set

There's a sign on the packaging that reads "Quality Checked," which tells us someone isn't doing their job. While playing with the ratchet control, we managed to pop the head off of the handle, and at first we thought "Hey, cool, it doubles as a stubby!" Our enthusiasm was quickly marred when we found out we actually broke the thing - do'h! Perhaps it was for the best. While we like the ability to store the included magnetic bits in the handle, there wasn't much comfort to be had from wielding the flat plastic handle.

Verdict: 3
$10, http://greatnecktools.com

Irwin 9-in-1 Multi-Tool

Irwin figured out that if you take a standard screwdriver and add a couple of mods, you can remarket it as a 9-in-1 multi-tool. And that's just what they did. The feather-light hollow plastic handle comes adorned with a rubber 'ProTouch' grip, and a removable shaft with interchangeable bits give the Irwin a bit of bulk. More bits or a magnetic tip would have both been welcome additions.

Verdict: 5
$8, www.irwintools.com

Kobalt 13-in-1 Ratchet Screwdriver

This Kobalt owes much of its weight to the shaft extension and numerous bits that come stored conveniently inside the handle, and we can only imagine how much heavier it would be had Kobalt opted for a denser metal than aluminum. As it stands, you could already flip it around and use it as a blackjack ala Thief: Deadly Shadows. As a screwdriver, the three-way ratcheting action works well, but we would have preferred an all rubberized handle instead of sectioned strips. And if opening up a power supply weren't already risky enough, Kobalt warns that the non-insulated design "will NOT protect against electric shock." Yikes!

Verdict: 6
$10, www.lowes.com

Fuller Switch-a-Bit

On the one hand, Canada has given us some of the tastiest ham ever to grace our pizza tops, but the country's also responsible for Avril Lavigne. Because of this inconsistency, we didn't know what to expect out of the Canadian-made Fuller Switch-a-Bit. Would it be a resounding success, or an abysmal flop? What we got fell somewhere in the middle. We love how the turn-dial base releases the bits one at a time, and once secured to the tip, you never have to worry about one falling out. The Switch-a-Bit proved versatile too, able to remove screws recessed in our notebook's chassis. But like the other non-magnetized screwdrivers in our roundup, dropping a screw can quickly lead to high frustration levels, particularly when working in hard to reach places where it might not be so easy to catch a loose screw before it falls. We also don't trust the long-term reliability of the thin plastic handle.

Verdict: 5
$14, www.fullertools.com

Felo Series 370 Bit Boy

We've yet to come across a ratcheting screwdriver whose shaft doesn't wiggle, but the Bit Boy manages to keep this undesirable effect to a minimum. There's plenty more to like here, such as a comfortable rubberized handle with thumb rests, and seven extra magnetic bits hidden in the spring loaded base giving you eight in all. But should the spring wear out or the plastic tabs holding the telescopic depot break off, you'll curse this nifty design as a no-good gimmick, especially after spending almost $30 on it.

Verdict: 8
$28, www.bondhus.com

SmartPro Tools Four Function 19-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver

SmartPro Tools saw fit to include everything but the proverbial kitchen sink, and if they could have found a way to fit it inside the handle with everything else, we have no doubts they would have. But what you do get are 11 standard sized bits along with a pair of double-sided precision tips for tearing into handheld gadgets, a breakaway stubby screwdriver, and the only reversible ratchet in our roundup devoid of any shimmy. And while the tips aren't magnetic, SmartPro throws in a powerful retractable magnetic pick-up tool. But by the beard of Zeus, why saddle an otherwise spectacular screwdriver with a chintzy plastic handle?

Verdict: 7
$17, www.smartprotools.com

Borderex All-in-One Screwdriver

Borderex claims its All-in-One screwdriver is "ideal for cars and computer repairing," but when it comes to screwing, we've learned that one size does not fit all (see what we did there?). It's a shame only two bits are included, because the long magnetic shaft makes easy work out of maneuvering into tight confines, and the rubberized handle feels gratifying after extended use. A separate stubby screwdriver thrown in adds value, but the bits are the same size, and some of our testbed's screws showed a stubbornness to cooperate with the All-in-One. Oh, and good luck finding the All-in-One online. Borderex told us their screwdriver is imported by Titan, but couldn't provide us with an MSRP or a link to purchase one.

Verdict: 6

Klein Tools 10-in-1

At a glance, the 10-in-1 looks to be little more than an ordinary screwdriver with a rubber grip slipped onto the handle. But an easily removable shaft reveals eight bits and two nut drivers, and in a nod towards the baby bear in Goldilocks and Three Bears, the 10-in-1 weighs just right. It's not the most comfortable screwdriver in our roundup, nor does it have many amenities like magnetized tips or ratcheting action, but it's a solid all-around workhorse.

Verdict: 7
$13, www.kleintools.com

Vermont American 1551 All Purpose Multi-bit Magnetic Hand Driver Set

Long on name but short on features, we did manage to find an alternate use for the 1551's storage area. Instead of having the bits clipped to a contraption inside the handle, Vermont American simply left a hollow opening to store whichever three out of the four included magnetic bits aren't being used. But if you find yourself always using the same bit, you can throw anything you want in the handle. For example, we shoved exactly 16 orange flavored tic-tacs inside, giving us instant access to an energy boost equivalent to 32 calories. But while the storage mechanism helps keep our breath from offending, the constantly rotating cap makes it awkward to turn the screwdriver.

Verdict: 5
$11, www.vermontamerican.com

DuraPro 15 Piece Ratcheting Screwdriver Set

No marriages have ever taken place as a result of our podcast’s Dreamdate segments, but that hasn't deterred us from wanting to play matchmaker. Ported over to the hardware world, we'd like nothing more than if SmartPro and DuraPro would hook up and bear offspring. Both are molded almost identically and come with oodles of bits, but the DuraPro lacks a retractable magnetic pick-up tool. Instead, it throws in a magnetic bit extension, which solves the problem of picking up loose screws, but introduces a new level of wobble to the ratcheting action. With or without the extension, it's the longer of the two screwdrivers, but the DuraPro lacks the detachable stubby or rubberized thumb rest found on the SmartPro Tools version (or its own branded version, the VersaDriver).

Verdict: 7
$10, www.durapro.com

Husky Pro 33 Piece Ratcheting Magnetic Screwdriver Set

If a Greek Goddess of rubber exists, we're positive Husky Pro must have called upon her to fashion the company's cushion grip. Holding the handle can best be described as ethereal, we just wish Husky didn't leave nearly an inch of the plastic handle exposed. Almost three dozen magnetized bits means you can fix the PC, stereo, door handle, light fixture, and everything else without going back to your toolbox, and an optional attachment holds six bits for quick retrieval.

Verdict: 9
$20, www.huskytools.com

Olympia Tools 27 Piece Flexible Driver Set

If you're going to win a swordfight using a screwdriver, this is the one you’d want at your side. The flexible driver shaft adds over a foot of length allowing you to deal damage from a distance, and when you're finished saving the galaxy (or the living room), the shaft comes in handy for maneuvering into tough to reach places. This can be particularly useful if you own a poorly designed heatsink that expects you to contour your hand into unnatural positions in order to screw it in. A reversible ratchet, several extra bits, and an in-handle storage area round out the feature-set. It's just too bad Olympia didn't make the handle more sturdy and comfortable, and the lack of magnetic tips is a bummer.

Verdict: 6
www.olympiatools.com

Elemen'tary Design

Make this one your everyday screwdriver and you'll hold more wood than Heidi Fleiss. But before being grossed out (or turned on), understand we're referring to beech wood, which the company claims "will not encourage blisters." Both the main screwdriver and included stubby sport smooth wooden handles with a linseed finish. Sturdy construction and nine magnetic tips move the Elemen'tary towards the front of the class, but the high price tag knocks it down a grade.

Verdict: 8
$65, www.elementarydesing.co.uk

Barbara K 21 Piece Lighted Screwdriver Kit

Buy your wife a bowling ball for your anniversary and it might be the last one you celebrate. There's a much smarter way of playing the gift giving game, and unlike a 5 karat diamond ring, it won't mean dipping into your Dream Machine fund. Instead, get her this Barbara K screwdriver kit designed for women, and then tell her you're looking forward to spending more time together fixing things around the home. Chances are she won't take you up on it, but she'll appreciate the thought, and you'll have a new favorite screwdriver to play with.

An uber-comfortable handle hides a lightweight flashlight inside for working in dark quarters, and its removable should you need to get a closer look. Twenty bits are included in the magnetic shaft, inside which sits a 14-inch retractable magnetic pick-up tool. Best of all, despite being designed for the fairer sex, you'd never know it by the color scheme so you needn't fear ridicule from onlookers (just don't let them steal a glance at the Barbara K! logo).

Verdict: 9
$15, www.barbarak.com

Platinum Tools Precision Screwdriver Set

Perhaps you suffer from technophobia, the fear of technology, and break out in a sweat when getting too close to an electronic device. Or maybe you're just far sighted. Either way, that doesn't mean you have to forfeit your dream of starting a handheld gadget repair shop. With a precision handle that extends to 9.5-inches, you can fix all kinds of electronic doo-dads without getting too close. And with 30 bits and 3 ratchets to choose from, you'll never have to turn anyone away.

Verdict: 8
$19, www.platinumtools.com

Maxtech 39 Piece Multi-Driver Set w/ Precision Screwdriver Bits

Every Boy Scout dreams of owning a set as versatile as this, but Maxtech's kit ultimately falls short of earning a merit badge. But first let's focus on the good. Thirty bits (12 of which are double-ended) give you over 40 standard sized tips to work with. A reversible shaft with telescoping magnetic pick-up slides into a comfortable handle, along with a 1/4-inch socket adapter. A separate precision screwdriver with 5 precision bits complete the assortment of tools, and even the bit storage flips open like a tackle box. Use it to store case screws, a thumb drive, or even a Snickers bar (it fits!).

And you'll need it too, because you'll exert considerable energy getting the reversible shaft and bits to fit in the handle. Nothing slides in smoothly, and even a couple of the double-sided bits would oddly slide in just fine in one direction, but refuse to cooperate after flipping it around requiring an unusual amount of force. With a little more thought towards construction, this could have been the only kit you'd ever need to buy.

Verdict: 5
$13, www.Amazon.com

Swiss Tech Utili-Key 6-in-1

From Swiss army knives to Swiss chocolate, adding 'Swiss' to any product is usually a recipe for success. Not so with the half-baked Utili-Key. The Phillips head screwdriver comes in handy for impromptu notebook repairs, but was completely ineffective in our testbed PC. Same holds true for the flat tip, but we were most unimpressed with the eyeglasses repair tool. On two different sets of spectacles, the micro tip proved too fat to be of any use. The bottle opener is serviceable, as are the two included knives, but only when in a pinch.

Verdict: 4
$13, www.swisstechtools.com

General Tools 4-in-1 Precision Pocket Screwdriver

Let's face it, only nerds carry pocket protectors. But just because we're power users doesn't mean we can't appreciate a precision screwdriver disguised as a pen. That's just cool (and handy). For roughly the same price as a McDonald’s Happy Meal, the 4-in-1 pocket screwdriver fits neatly in your pocket, behind your ear, or wherever else you carry your favorite pen. But instead of writing your John Hancock, you'll instead always find yourself prepared to tear into notebooks, adjusting a loose set of eyeglasses, or replacing the battery in your MP3 player. And with a surprisingly sharp flathead tip, you can even gouge out your assailant's eyes. Not a bad deal for three bucks.

Verdict: 8
$3, www.generaltools.com

Black & Decker Alkaline Powered Screwdriver

You're not going to get much torque out of an Alkaline powered screwdriver, nor do you need much when working on a PC. If you run across a particularly stubborn screw, switching to manual mode leaves it up to your biceps to finish the job. And if that's still not enough, you should probably think about spending more time in the gym and less time in front of your computer. For everything else, Black & Decker's powered screwdriver will cut down on your build time, especially if you secure your optical drives with all eight screws. Depending on your case, you may need to keep a more nimble screwdriver handy for those hard to reach places.

Verdict: 7
$14, www.blackanddecker.com

Hitachi DB3DL 3.6 Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Screwdriver

Needs and wants are funny things. Do you really need a quad-core processor? Probably not, but it certainly won't hurt your encode times. You also don't need a top of the line graphics card, but with games like Crysis pushing the envelope, you may find yourself wanting an ATI 4870 X2. Or two. So what does this have to do with PC repair? Just as an uber high-end processor might be overkill, so too is a power screwdriver. But if you're going to get one, Hitachi's DB3DL strikes the right balance between and performance and aesthetics.

The dual-position handle comes decked out in a green, black, and silver color scheme. An adjustable dial gives you 44 in/lbs of turning torque so you can install your motherboard and mod your case at the same time, and if you're in a hurry, switch the speed from low to high (200/600 RPM). A red LED light lets you work in the dark, and an included backup lithium-ion battery leaves you no excuse for running out of juice midway through a job.

Verdict: 9
$66, www.hitachipowertools.com

Russian Cabal Infiltrating Large Networks, Causing Infections by the Hundreds of Thousands

Pulkit Chandna — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:47:35 -0500

Be warned, a cabal of Russian cyber criminals is on the loose and actively pillaging vast expanses of the internet. The gang slyly assumes the administrative responsibilities of large corporate and government networks and then quickly plants malicious tools on thousands of computers in that network. Security analysts reckon this to be the most well coordinated, systematic use of administrative tools for malicious purposes.

The group’s activities came to light when Joe Stewarts of Atlanta-based computer security firm SecureWorks found that a central program belonging to the Russian bandits was running at a Wisconsin-based Internet hosting facility. He estimated that 100,000 computers had been compromised. He promptly notified a federal law enforcement agency that proceeded to boot of the central program. But the gang, unfazed, quickly relocated the tool to a network in Ukraine.

According to a report, its central program called Coreflood infects computers with spyware that logs keystrokes and screen information. This puts sensitive financial data of users at great risk. The Coreflood software running at the Wisconsin facility accrued 500GB of sensitive data, according to Stewart.

Have you had your financial information like online banking passwords stolen and subsequently misused? If the answer is yes, you have your suspects.

Image Credit: News (Australia)

China Bows to International Pressure, Lifts Internet Curbs for the Olympics

Pulkit Chandna — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:54:13 -0500

The Chinese have acceded to international media pressure and agreed to loosen their vice-like grip on the internet just for the Beijing Olympics. The international journalists will no longer have to contend with a censored version of the internet. It is very unusual for a country’s premier to himself hold a press conference and more so for the Chinese President.

But Hu Zintao, the Chinese President, took it upon himself to warn journalists about the consequences of breaching Chinese laws in thickly veiled terms. He told them that they should not "engage in activities which are incompatible with unity or community and public interests." The media fears that the Chinese government might renege on its promise of a free internet for the duration of the games. But our tenacious, ingenious journalist friends from world over are expected to freely employ anti-censorship tools to circumvent any hindrances.

Image Credit: Lehman Law

Adobe Hands Over PDF Format to ISO

Pulkit Chandna — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:34:21 -0500

Just in time for Independence Day, Adobe has unfettered the popular PDF file format. Adobe has abandoned proprietary control over the popular PDF format. Now the International Organization for Standardization will assume development responsibilities of the file format, which will be developed as an industry standard.

The ISO 32000-1 Document management – Portable document format – Part 1: PDF 1.7 is the official ISO standard that lays down the ground rules for developers of PDF-related applications. Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch said that this move is in keeping with Adobe’s “commitment to openness.” The release of PDF specifications should lead to a much needed rise in the number of PDF creation and editing tools.