App yours – our list of FREE must-have netbook applications
Digsby
Too many windows, too little space. The typical netbook’s 10-inch display doesn’t offer nearly enough screen real estate to keep multiple instant messaging programs open. That’s where this nifty little programme comes in. Digsby lets you log in and chat via AOL Instant Messenger, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger - all in one centralized window. All your chat windows are condensed to a tab-based one; you can cycle through conversations by hitting Ctrl+Tab. Better still, the program also lets you view your recent e-mail messages (compatible with AOL/AIM Mail, Gmail, Hotmail and more) and your social networking updates (including Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter). We dig.
Gmailoffline
Now Gmail users can access their messages and attachments, even without a Wi-Fi connection, through Gmail Offline. Google caches your messages on your hard drive using Google Gears. When you’re not connected, simply fire up your browser to www.gmail.com, and you can see your inbox’s messages and write replies without a connection. You’ll be able to send and receive messages as soon as your netbook reconnects to the Web. It’s like Outlook, but better.
Google Chrome
Most netbooks with Windows XP are packaged with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6—a more than two-year-old browser.Do yourself a favour. Download Google Chrome. It is, simply put - the perfect modern-day browser for a netbook. In addition to boasting good memory management, but it also recognizes each Web page as a different process, if one site freezes, you don’t have to restart the entire browser.
Paint
Let’s face it. A high-end photo-editing program like Adobe Photoshop simply won’t run smoothly on today’s netbook. But Paint.Net can get the job done—for free. With an intuitive interface, the program supports layers, special effects, and a bag full of editing tools. Users can resize photos in a snap and easily adjust the brightness and contrast of any image. Better still, there are multiple images centralized in one interface, so you don’t have to manage lots of open windows.
Dropbox
“I need more space.” If we had a penny for every time we heard a netbook user say that, we’d have something of a retirement fund by now. Alas. What we do have is a solution. Dropbox prevents the tedious task of transferring files from your primary computer to your mini-notebook. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, Dropbox lets you upload up to 2GB of files to the cloud, and then access them from a Web portal or from a computer’s desktop. Download Dropbox to both your netbook and your regular notebook or desktop to create a folder you can access from either machine. Files dragged to the Dropbox are then accessible from any other computer by typing in your username and password.
Launchy
Forget digging through the Start menu to find programs with your netbook’s tiny touchpad. Launchy is a lightweight application that allows you to type the file or application you are looking for in a small widget on your Desktop. As soon as you type a few letters, Launchy autofills with options you can click to open. Plus, you can use Launchy to search the Web.
Prey
There’s no such thing as too secure. And while you might think you are the most responsible person you know, its better to be wary than sorry. Enter Prey. What does this sneaky little programme do? the Prey tracking software runs in the background processes of your notebook. It “wakes” at a specified interval, goes online (if your laptop isn’t already connected to the Internet, Prey tries to connect to the nearest open Wi-Fi access point) and checks in with a specified Web address. If your laptop gets flicked, you can sign on to your Prey account online and track the whereabouts your baby. Better still, the programme even lets you remote operate your laptop so you can take a picture of the thief using your webcam. It really lives up to its name.
Related posts:
- Chrome OS – Ready for ONLY cloud computing?
- Google Chrome OS for Netbooks
- Gmail optimized for Netbook Market
- List of Vista netbooks eligible for FREE upgrade to Windows 7
- Top 5 Reasons People Choose Netbooks Over Notebooks
Filed under: Applications