I accept that I’m a bit late to the party here but that’s only because I didn’t read the bumf properly and failed to understand that not only is Dropbox a free online backup service (up to 2GB) but you can also use it to synchronise specific folders between multiple computers. That means I don’t have to faff about e-mailing things back and forth or carrying them around on a USB stick. I just set up a Dropbox account, downloaded the software onto the PC and the MacBook, linked both to my Dropbox account and as they used to say ‘Bob’s your auntie’s live-in lover.’ I create a new folder every month and stick everything in there. At the end of the month I move everything out to its proper place, re-name the folder as the next month and start again. It’s fab.

Oddly enough, I rather like doing accounts. I’ve got a little database I wrote using FileMaker Pro that’s served me pretty well these last 17 years, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t looked elsewhere from time to time. Recently I tried out FreeAgent which, despite the odd name is a rather swish web-based accounts program for sole traders and small businesses. You’ll be able to read the review at IT Reviews is a few days. Meantime, check the site out. There’s a proper 30 day trial that doesn’t require you to jump through any credit card nonsense and once they lay on a proper tutorial, it’ll be the dog’s doodads.

Although I’m a huge fan of Tom Revell’s Stickies sticky note program, I’ve also been looking for a program that consolidates notes in a panel, uses tags and lets you filter notes in and out as necessary. I’ve just done a workshop on QuotePad for Computeractive which has many of the features I’ve been looking for. Check out the piece in an upcoming issue or visit the QuotePad site to see for yourself. And while we’re here, I also like the look of Cintanotes which does many of the same things but looks - to my eyes - nicer. Still in beta though.

Since someone in the office has just had their lunch delivered by post (yes, by post) I thought I’d mention this - MacGourmet Deluxe 1.2. It’s an impossibly detailed recipe and wine database that also lets you create and share a personalised cookbook. Over the top? Certainly, but the ability to go to great sites like Epicurious, find a recipe, highlight the URL and then have MacGourmet import it - pictures and all - directly into the database, is just fantastic. And I say so too in my article on IT Reviews.

When you go back as far as I do - WordStar on the CALText anyone? - it’s nice to come across a product that not only works beautifully, but also reminds you of - sigh - the good old days. Meet Writeroom, which takes all that lovely Macintosh screen furniture and chucks it away, leaving you with an empty screen and the text you type. It’s billed as ‘distraction-free writing’ and for anyone who needs to just get on and write, it’s brilliant. Less than $25.00 too. Read my review on IT Reviews.

Messing about with disk partitions usually makes people a bit queasy - there’s a lot frack up and Windows doesn’t necessarily make the job very easy. This software does. It’s completely free, works with XP and Vista and lets you create, resize, copy and delete partitions quickly and easily. Until I find something better it joins my list of essential software which I’ll write about in the next entry. Meantime, keep an eye out for the issue of Computeractive that has my workshop of Partition Master.

Pinnacle Systems has released three new versions of its Studio home video editing software. Mostly good stuff, though you'll need a machine with some oomph to get the best out of it. I know a lot of people fancy Premiere Elements, but Studio is a really good alternative (and a somewhat cheaper) and the Ultimate version has got some great new plugins, works in native Blu-ray and more. I've just spent some time looking at this and the review should be out in a few days and you can find it on the IT Reviews web site.

Just finished looking at this for IT Reviews. It's basically a friendlier, less flexible take on Band in a Box from PG Music, which creates auto-accompaniment based on the chords you type into a spreadsheet-like grid. Songsmith doesn't have the same musical smarts as BIAB but it's still fun and the six hour free demo lets you do everything before running out - just choose one of 30 styles, sing into the mic and it'll 'write' a song for you. Frazzled parents looking for something out of the ordinary for their kid's party should check it out at the Microsoft Research site here. Oh, and search for Songsmith on YouTube. It's worth it.

If you'd like to be able to send and receive e-mails that other people can't open, then I'd recommend having a look at Enigmail. It's an add on for the excellent Thunderbird e-mail program, which is a great free alternative to Outlook Express (or whatever Microsoft's e-mail program of choice is called this week). There are three steps. First, download and install the OpenPGP program which does all the work behind the scenes. Second, download and install Thunderbird - if you don't already use it, you should. Third, download and install Enigmail (which makes the two work together). I've written a full explanation of how it all works in an upcoming issue of Computeractive magazine.

Now, I'm a confirmed Rapidweaver fan. It's one of the reasons I bought a Macintosh at the end of 2007 and I haven't been disappointed. I like the restrictions the templates place on me and I like the freedom the plugins and community hints and tips afford me as well. But were I still PC-only, I'd be using Xara Web Designer right now. It's £39.00 and comes with enough templates, buttons, text boxes and other gubbins to let non-designers like me make attractive, brochure-style web sites. Check out my review any time now on IT Reviews.

I've been looking at Contour 1.1 from Mariner Software for IT Reviews. It's a software program that uses a strict format - and I mean strict - to help you construct story lines that can be turned into screenplays; though I suppose you could also use it to create plots for a book as well. It's not expensive and I'm rather taken with it. There's also an interesting site called Contour at the movies where they dissect current movies using the Contour structure. Seems to work pretty well.

Tags: entertainment, Macintosh