The PopDownloads Blog

· May 09, 2011
Audio Player, Media Playback, Video Player
Having a reliable and lightweight multimedia player is one of the essential applications everyone should have in their arsenal. While iTunes and Windows Media Player have cult followings, we wanted to highlight the following three non-proprietary media players. These media players cover all your multimedia needs and are flexible with file formats for audio and video playback. Don’t see your favorite media player on the list? Tell us about it in the comments section.VLC Media Player: VLC Media...
· Apr 15, 2011
Anti-Virus, Desktop Security, How To
We are launching a new weekly 'How To' feature on the PopDownloads blog. To kick things off, this week we are discussing the basic things you can and should be doing to protect your personal computer. Don't wait to learn the hard way--actively protect your system against the constant threat of phishing, viruses, and spyware by following these five simple ways to beef up security Install an Anti-virus: Every computer should have an anti-virus program installed to head off threats and scan for...
· Apr 12, 2011
Instant Messaging, Web Software, Webcams
With more and more people utilizing webcams as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family it is no surprise that software companies have been working on developing applications to jazz up the experience. We have gathered together links for five of our favorite webcam effects applications. Is your favorite missing from the list? Let us know in the comments section.ManyCam: With ManyCam, users have the ability to add text to webcam video windows, add animation, display CGI effects in the...
· Mar 25, 2011
games, kids
According to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids are spending an average of an hour and a half each day on the computer. While this may seem like a negative statistic, the good news is that there are a lot of great options for engaging and educational computer games. for children. We have rounded up some of our favoritesLEGO Digital Designer: A digital version of a childhood favorite. LEGO Digital Designer allows players of all ages to create and build with Lego blocks in...
· Mar 25, 2011
business productivity, business software
If you’re like me, when tax time comes around you swear that next year you will take a more organized approach with your finances to make filing as seamless as possible. Follow through this time and keep your finances in order over the course of the year with the following personal and small business finance management programs. Quickbooks Simple Start:   Small business owner? Consolidate your accounting and bookkeeping needs in one place with Quickbooks Simple Start. Quickooks Simple...
· Mar 25, 2011
optimization, utility
With the arrival of Spring comes the instinct to scrub, scour and dust everything in sight. We throw out clothes we don’t wear, store Winter clothing, and wash the floors--why not spend some time cleaning out your computer? We have pulled together some of our recommended software programs for optimizing and streamlining computer performance.Disk Defrag Screensaver: If you have a hard time remembering to periodically defrag your hard drive, install Auslogics Disk Defrag Screensaver. This program...