Whilst iTunes is the dominant audio program for those with iPods, it can be rather limiting when it comes to managing your device. As a result, some users are turning towards a free iTunes alternative called Floola. Although it lacks a link to the iTunes store, most users find it not only works faster between your PC or Mac but offers much greater freedoms as far as managing your iPod goes.

All you need to do before using Floola is configure your iPod for use as an external hardrive. You can find out how to do this on the Apple website. You can either install Floola on your desktop or run it directly from your iPod. You should then be able to copy files to and from your iPod but if you’re experiencing any problems, Floola even features an bug fixing tool. It also supports podcasts so you won't miss out on your favourite broadcasts. The fact that it can be installed on your iPod also means that if you’re constantly using it between two computers, it definitely makes life a lot easier.

Be warned however that this program does have a tendency to hog your resources and on older machines, it may well slow down your system considerably outweighing any transfer speed benefits it may offer.

If you’re still not convinced, check out this screencast to learn more about how Floola works.

Registry errors are one of the main reasons for system crashes and poor PC performance. Your registry contains important information about your computer’s configuration and many malware or spyware programs can corrupt it. There are a number of commercial programs which can help such as Registry Mechanic but fortunately there are also a few free programs to help you.

One of the most downloaded is RegSeeker which as well as cleaning your registry, can also display information such as startup entries, installed applications and much more. You can perform searches within your registry and also tweak it to optimise your operating system and get rid of broken shortcuts.

Another excellent free alternative is EasyCleaner which searches specifically for obsolete backup and temp files that may be cluttering your registry. EasyCleaner can also go a bit further in managing startup programs, invalid shortcuts and your add/remove software list.

If speed is a major issue, then try Advanced WindowsCare. This goes beyond simple registry cleaning and tries to specifically target registry bottlenecks that are slowing down your PC. Finally, if there’s an awkward registry entry that you simply can’t remove, then HijackThis is sure to get rid of it. However, you must be very careful when using it as it allows you complete manual access to your registry and removing the wrong entry could end up corrupting your operating system!

The most painful moment of my daily PC experience, apart from a 10 minute startup waiting time, is probably the whole uninstalling process. Whereas in Mac all you need to do is find the application you want to get rid of and drag it in the trash can, uninstalling a program on a PC can drag on for ages. Sure, there's the "Add or remove programs" feature in your control panel, but more often than not you'll realize you're  stuck with remnants of a program you thought had been wiped from your PC. Hence the contradictory solution, of installing a specialized uninstaller to do the work for you.

Total Uninstall and Smarty Uninstaller are two very good tools. They generate a detailed list of all the applications and updates installed on your PC. If you can't find a program in the Windows Control Panel, there's a good chance you'll find it here. Another application we recommend is Norton Removal Tool. If you have Norton Ghost or any version of Norton Antivirus on your PC and want to get rid of it completely, the Norton Removal Tool will automatically browse your PC and remove all relevant files. Built specifically by Symantec, this program will clean your PC of all Norton files still lying in your PC. To avoid unnecessary clutter on your PC, the best advice is still to only install essential programs, remove applications you barely use, and clean your PC of obsolete files regularly.

Bandwidth speeds (or lack thereof) are often a mystery. Your provider says one thing but reality is often another. Sometimes problems will be due to the large number of people logged on at once, other times it's your provider cramming too many people through one data line. However, if you're suffering from some severely fluctuating bandwidth speeds that are really getting you down, it might be worth using a few bandwidth analyser tools to get to the bottom of it.

One analyser worth checking out is Softperfect Bandwidth Manager. This program aims to spot major bottlenecks where a network of computers are connected to the same server or router. The software monitors your network traffic and can even limit bandwidth according to parameters you specify. This can be really useful for small businesses that have lots of people connected at once but are experiencing bandwidth issues. It can also be useful for those people who perhaps share an internet connection with others at home. There's nothing worse than someone hogging all the bandwidth with P2P apps whilst it takes you ages just to check your e-mail. With this tool, you can limit bandwidth according to the user, meaning it's spread more evenly.

If the above intimidates you, then Actual Bandwidth does pretty much the same thing but in a more user friendly interface. The program presents information in easy to read graphs, numeric displays, and system tray icons that update in real-time. The developers also claim it works with just about any internet connection including good old dial-up.

If you need something that goes into a bit more detail about your TCP/IP stats though, then you'll be better of trying EMSA Bandwidth Monitor. This program allows you to view extended Net adapter interface settings, such as MAC address, speed and analyse data per interface or as a whole. It can also be set to automatically start when it detects an internet connection so it runs in the background while you get on with more important things than swearing down the phone at your ISP!

With so much downloadable audio visual material on the internet, people are getting more creative with their content. Just look at the millions of submissions to You Tube by wannabe directors and home movie aficionados. If you're not ready to take on heavy duty editing programs such as Adobe Premiere, there are a few cut and splice programs out there to help you.

One such example is Video Cutter and Splicer which can split the movie file into two parts at a certain scene and save them as two movies which could help you get your clips under YouTube's 10 minute limit. You can even save your favourite frames from movies as an image to make a nice thumbnail preview. This program allows you to cut and splice video in AVI, MPEG, WMV, ASF, QT, and MOV format but note that it can only output your masterpieces in AVI, MPEG and WMV format.

For something a little more versatile, you can try Quick Video Converter. As its name suggests, its main job is as a converter but it also cut part of a file, merge two or more files into one and even rip parts of a DVD/SVCD/VCD to video files. It also supports a huge amount of formats, including 3GP and MP4.

If you're looking for an altogether more powerful solution though, take a look at Video Workshop. Video Workshop is a digital video converter/editor for home video processing and for people who are just getting started with video editing. It also performs conversions but allows you to be much more creative including ripping audio from a film to mp3, mixing soundtracks and adding your own voice overs. A great program for those that want to assemble all their favourite clips in one place and merge them into their own film or mish-mash.

Have you ever been in the position where you’ve needed to access a PC from a different location? Maybe you urgently need a file from your PC, or a friend needs your technical help or maybe your stuck behind a firewall that will only let you access certain sites. Thankfully, there are a few programs out there that can help you establish a connection with another PC and allow you to do everything from reinstalling programs to simply just snoop around their desktop.

UltraVNC is one of the most popular applications for this task. Its fast, free and easy to use allowing you full access to a remote PC. One of the best things about VNC is that the other user does not need to install any other software to allow you access. Using Java, the desktop of the person you are connected to is displayed in a separate window on your screen. Be warned though that although its easy to use once up and running, you may need to consult the instructions to get the connection settings right. There’s a useful forum where the most common problems are reported and discussed.

Another option is Remote Desktop Control. This program is somewhat less popular because it doesn’t come with all the advanced features of UltraVNC but it is a little more user- friendly. One good feature is that more than one administrator can connect to the same computer which can be particulary useful when trying to solve tricky technical issues. Note however that the trial is limited to 30 days.

Finally, a slightly different take on the genre is AstroShare which attempts to be an all in one remote-control, video conferencing solution. Its aimed more at those who conduct regular business meetings and need to interchangeably use different computers. It also features file transfer options, voice conversations, instant messaging, and even a chalk-board to outline strategies. However, it's not for the faint hearted since trying to control all of these features in one program can become cumbersome.

When looking to maximize your PC's performance the first place you look is usually the hardware. Do you have a fast micro processor and is the latest sound card installed? What about your graphics and 3D cards? Are they up to scratch? Now upping your hardware is almost certain to cost you a hefty amount, and with the rate at which PCs improve (every 6 months processors double their strength) it's not always the best solution. Instead we suggest you run a number of applications to analyze your PC and improve its performances.

First of all, get hold of a system analyzer like PC Wizard and inspect the insides of your PC. Monitor the performance of your processors and compare your hardware to other models on the market. Ideally, you're looking to measure the limitations of your PC and understand what it can and can't do. If after running PC Wizard you find your PC is missing out, your best bet is to run to the PC store and grab that piece of hardware you're missing.

After dissecting your hardware, it's a good idea to clean up your hard drive of any unnecessary files and make some space. You can use Wash and Go to remove registry entries, corrupted files, duplicates and outdated Windows service packs (thought you'd never get rid of theses didn't you?). Once this little cleaning-up task is done, round it off by partitioning your disk with Norton Partition Magic. This application will rearrange your files and create multiple partitions. This prevents loss of important data and separates your information in well structured sections on your disk.

If you’re going on a long journey or are on the move a lot, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to take your favourite films with you without splashing out on a portable DVD player? Well if you’ve got an iPod, the good news is you can. However, you’ll need a decent conversion program to convert all those movies into something that will play on an iPod.

The most popular on Softonic is Free iPod Video Convertor. The program can convert DVD/VCD into AVI, MPEG, WMV, RM, RMVB, DivX, ASF, and VOB in just a few clicks. Like most of these programs, it's a simple case of dragging the file you want to convert into the conversion queue and clicking 'Convert' but remembering to remove components that you might not need. Most users rate this the best because it does the job in the quickest time with the least output errors although its certainly not perfect. Some users report there are certain files that simply won’t convert or when they have been converted, don't play properly on their iPod.

If you’re looking for something that goes beyond iPods too, then try Any Video Convertor . It can convert almost all video formats including DivX, XviD, MOV, RM, RMVB, MPEG, VOB, DVD, WMV, AVI to MPEG-4 movie format for iPods. However, it also converts for playback on PSP and several other portable video devices such as mobile phones. Whilst this supports more formats, the conversion time will be considerably slower for iPods although if you have many devices, it’s a better option.

Finally, a similar and equally popular alternative to Any Video Converter is AVOne Video Converter. This works in a rather different way however by utilising the timeline function common to video editing programs. The advantage of this is that you can cut and splice movies according to which scenes you want to watch. This way, you can store some of your favourite movie scenes on your iPod without putting the whole movie on there.

So there you have it. Go forth and convert!

You probably never really go through the hassle of backing-up your documents regularly. Unfortunately, if one day you lose all those critical files, you’ll be the only one to blame. Creating backups is far from thrilling, but should never be overlooked, no matter how reliable you think your PC is.

Backup4all makes copy creation a breeze by automating the whole process. The key is to properly setup your backups so that the application takes care of it all for you. When you launch the program, simply select the files or folders you'll need to backup. You can create individual backup profiles with a description, an icon and scheduling when Backup4all should save a copy. Set up filters to specify the type of file, the date and size of documents to save. Enable sounds and email alerts to notify you if a backup is successful or not.

If things continue the way they have been recently then we’ll soon have more celebrities in rehab than in the outside world. It’s not just hedonistic pop stars that need to get themselves clean though. Chances are, your PC is currently bloated with loads of unnecessary files that are causing a major health risk, slowing down your machine and exposing it to security breaches. Rather like a digitized rehab clinic, Jitbit System Purifier helps speed up your PC, protect your privacy by getting rid of obsolete files and deleting traces of your online activity.

There are four main actions available in Jitbit System Purifier: File Shredder to quickly erase unwanted files, Privacy Erasers to delete traces of your Internet activity, Disk Cleaner to remove temporary files from your drive, and Startup Programs to clean up the launching process of your PC. Each tool fared well in our tests and performed their tasks fairly quickly. We appreciated being able to carry out all of these tasks simultaneously, considerably reducing the time you spend cleaning up your PC. There wasn’t any problem running other applications while Jitbit is doing its job either. The Startup Programs option was particularly useful to find programs that we didn’t want to launch automatically.

There’s plenty of talk about how vulnerable PCs are to attack online but there's increasing concern over the amount of X-rated and violently explicit material kids are exposed to on the internet. There are various options for worried parents or teachers to protect minors from such material. Online options include Google’s Safesearch and iKeepsafe which make sure potential harmful sites don’t make it past your IP address.

However, if you’ve been left unimpressed by these efforts, there a few downloadable options too that may prove more effective. One example is Child Control which allows you to set time limits on internet surfing time, logs sites that have been viewed and blocks specific IP addresses that are known to host adult material. You can even customise it to notify you by e-mail when sites specified by yourself have been accessed.

Another option is Child Protector Pro which has less features but allows you to create tailored profiles for each of the children who use the computer. This useful tool means that you can specify limits according to who is using the computer instead of excluding all sites to everyone who uses it. It also can’t be uninstalled from your PC without the admin password so there’s no danger of curious minds circumventing it.

Of course, what you consider unsuitable for your child is a subjective matter. However, with adult sites becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they spam or target users, these simple programs give you at least some peace of mind.

During the last few months we've witnessed the progressive development of web applications as a perfectly valid alternative to traditional desktop software. Online bookmark managers, photo organizers, word processors and so on have entered the flow of our daily tasks to such an extent that some people have definitely switched to them and forgotten about downloading and installing apps.

Whilst it's positive to have different alternatives when deciding which software to use, we always run the risk of getting too involved with those eye-catching Web 2.0 style web apps. And then, if our Internet connection goes down, we'll have nothing to do except wait for the router lights to turn green again.

While we're still connected, here's a list of ten online applications we thought you might find useful. Feel free to try them and decide if they're good enough to replace your current desktop tool.

1. Helipad: flexible web notepad
2. Traineo: online weight loss and fitness tracker
3. Picnik: edit photos online in your browser
4. Extratasty: share cocktail recipes online
5. Comeeko: create your own comic photo strips
6. Bubbl.us: mind mapping online application
7. Meebo: instant messaging everywhere
8. Ninjawords: ultra-fast dictionary
9. Imagination at work: free-hand drawing
10. Buxfer: track shared expenses online

Picture the situation. You’re working on a top-secret presentation in Powerpoint and you want to protect it from prying eyes with a password. Days later and just minutes from completion, you go to open your masterpiece to realise that you’ve totally forgotten the password…

There are many password recovery programs out there but they won’t work with Microsoft Office for security reasons. That’s where Advanced Office Password Recovery (AOPR) can come in useful by searching for any passwords you’ve used to protect documents created in Office. This includes Word, Excel, Access (including user-level passwords and owner info), Outlook, PowerPoint and even lesser known extensions such as Project, Money, Visio, Publisher and OneNote.

An added bonus is that being Microsoft specific, it can also reset the Internet Explorer Content Advisor password. The program works by conducting “brute” attacks through backdoors (often the dictionary, apparently) and searching for decrypted Office files.

Note that there are two editions – Home and Professional – the latter allows you to unlock passwords in more Office components basically. In the test version, the unlock features are limited so if you are desperate to access a document, it's advisable to upgrade.

Health is definitely one of our most important worries in life. It's the first thing you ask for when beginning a new year, when having a baby, when meeting a three-wish lamp genie. It's therefore worth remembering that you can also use your computer to help take care of your health.

There's a wide range of software programs which can help you acquiring healthy habits, dropping the bad ones and improving your quality of life in general. So move on! Take a look at these applications and start taking better care of yourself right now. It's never too late and your own PC can make it easier than ever.

1. Homeopathy : learn more about alternative medicine.
2. Workrave : remember to take pauses at work.
3. Open Fitness : manage and track your workouts.
4. Kelpiesoft Food File : food database with calorie checker.
5. Body Mass Index Calculator : calculate your ideal weight.
6. Food Additives : find out exactly what you're eating.
7. RSI Warrior : prevent repetitive strain injuries.
8. Quit Counter : some help with quitting smoking.
9. Free Biorhythm Calculator : for your emotional and physical well-being.
10. Weight Tracker : take control of your diet's progress.

Anyone who works with images on a regular basis will be familiar with the default image viewer of Windows, and also with its very limited scope for doing anything meaningful. There is a healthy selection of alternatives but FastStone Image Viewer has come to our attention as one that deserves to be singled out not only because it is free but also because it brings to the table a strong combination of speed, usability and versatility.

While the viewing functionality is a no-brainer, FastStone comes with a range of methods with which to browse pics. First off, there is the standard file browser that displays thumbnails of your images with a preview window for the file that is currently selected. There is also an option to check out individual pictures at their original size in the "Windowed View", which is along the same lines as the default image viewer in Windows. Finally you can see images in full-screen, switching between files using the keyboard, the middle mouse button or the slide-in toolbar at the bottom of the screen.