Google Toolbar has been recently updated - only the Internet Explorer version, though - and now includes an efficient Translate feature that will make web browsing easier, even in those websites you can’t understand. The new Translate feature is displayed as one more button in Google Toolbar, and one click is enough to make it detect the language of the web page you’re currently visiting and translate to the language you’ve set as default in the toolbar’s configuration menu.

Google Toolbar works surprisingly well, although the quality of the resulting translation depends on the language pair, and is never going to be as reliable as a translation done by a professional translator. The good thing about it is that it keeps on translating pages as you browse the site, and if you often translate from and to the same languages, Google Toolbar will remember your settings and translate web pages without having to click anywhere. The Translate feature supports 41 different languages and will soon be offered in Google Toolbar for Firefox as well.

But what if you don’t want to install a toolbar? There are other ways to turn foreign texts in something you can more or less understand. One of them is Google’s Language Tools, where you can paste text fragments for immediate translation or type in a web URL to obtain a complete web page translated to the language of your choice, while keeping the original design and layout as much as possible. Another option is using translation software, like the well-respected Babylon.

If you prefer online tools, you can check ProZ.com, where professional translators can solve your doubts, or IATE, a powerful online dictionary with support for all European languages that’s mainly focused on technical terms. Finally, I’d recommend WordReference as an excellent online dictionary with support for six languages, an active user community willing to help you and a special app for the iPhone / iPod Touch.

Since switching to Mac, I’ve abandoned almost all of the programs that I used on Windows with the exception of Microsoft Word. This is mainly because Word is so widely used by others that I’ve effectively been “forced” to install it even though I hardly use any other application in Microsoft Office. This is annoying for two main reasons: Office is expensive and takes up over 500MB of my hard drive. However, there are a selection of free and highly accomplished alternative word processing applications for Mac, some of which not only handle Word documents, but that you may even find improve on Word itself.

Writer Part of OpenOffice which is a cross platform multilingual Java based office suite that’s designed as a free replacement for Microsoft Office. Writer is the word processing component and allows you to open and edit Word documents (including .docx), export to PDF and even use it as a WYSIWYG editor for creating web pages. Some prefer to install NeoOffice which has taken OpenOffice and customised the interface for Mac.

AbiWord A better solution than Writer for those working on slower Macs. Like Writer, it allows you to open Word documents, save to .doc format and export to both PDF and HTML. The disadvantage is that it doesn’t support .docx format and may sometimes alter the formatting in Word documents so that they appear a bit messed-up. For those working on older Macs though, it’s an excellent alternative.

Bean Designed specifically for Macs, Bean is based on Cocoa so it looks great. Bean can also open and save in Word format but note that it can’t handle footnotes, images or pre-defined styles and is only partially compatible with Word’s file formats. In addition, it doesn’t work with .docx, hyperlinks are imported as text and exporting of tables doesn’t work well. However, in terms of speed and interface, Bean is excellent.

Google Docs Google’s online office suite is handy replacement for opening and saving Word documents. All you need is a Google account to get started. Google Docs features a clean interface, autosave feature, spell check and it can save your documents either to your account, publish it as a web page or automatically e-mail it as a Word document. You can even invite others to collaborate with you on a document.

ThinkFree Online The ThinkFreeOffice suite isn’t free but it’s online counterpart ThinkFree Online is. It only allows you to open and view any kind of Office document, including .doc and .docx and then embed, convert, share, upload or search them for free. You can perform basic functions for free but you have to sign-up for extra features such as the offline file management “Power Tool”.

BlackBerry: Not all of us have the memory of an elephant, and if you’re the kind of person who always forgets what you should be doing or where you’re supposed to be going then it’s high time you did something about it. Evernote is an application and web service that lets you capture, store and synchronize all manner of information on your BlackBerry, PC and online, all at the same time.

Mac: If you’re a fan of stunt car games then Crash3D widget provides a good fix of dare-devil fun directly on your Dashboard. Crash3D sees you take control of a stunt car as you race around a desert landscape hitting as many ramps and loop-the-loops as possible in an attempt to get your name on the high score table. You can play just for fun, or compete with players across the net and it’s 100% free.

Windows: As we reported yesterday, Opera’s latest build features Unite, a new technology that lets you turn your browser into a content server, sharing whichever files you like with other clients. Designed so that even novice users can enjoy it, Opera beta build 10.0.1589 has been the buzz of the week on software blogs. Give it a spin today!

Your desktop is the first thing you see when you start your computer, so why not use it for something more useful than just displaying a cute picture? There are some tricks - and software apps as well - for embedding interesting information (calendars, to-do lists, CPU data) on your desktop, so that you always have it at hand. Here’s a list of five elements you may want to have on your desktop, from a simple text file task list to a fully featured system monitoring tool.

To-do list

Embedding a to-do list in your desktop background is easier than it seems. All it requires is a simple text file that contains your list and an old Windows feature: Active Desktop. The trick consists of creating a very simple HTML document in a text editor with your list, and then using Active Desktop to show it on top of your wallpaper.

A sample HTML to-do list would look like this:

Now, open the Display Properties window by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop and select the Desktop tab. Then click on Customize Desktop and go to the Web tab. Here you’ll be able to select a webpage to display on your desktop, i.e., the HTML file you just created. Read the rest of this entry »

We all have a lot of work to do everyday. Some of that work consists of one-off tasks which you do and then immediately forget about and some of recurring events that you need to remember according to different periods of time. Inevitably, there comes a time when you need help organizing all these tasks and making sure you don’t forget any of them.

Just as in many other areas in our life, software can lend you a hand here. There are literally hundreds of apps out there which can help you organize tasks, create to-do lists and manage a personal calendar with reminders, so that you keep track of all your work and don’t miss anything important. I’ve been searching the web and found a few of them, each one with different characteristics, to suit different users and needs.

To-Do Desklist - The basic task app: create a list of tasks and events with diverse priority levels and the program will warn you with sleek desktop reminders on the set date and time.

ErgoNotes - A more advanced organizer that lets you manage tasks and lists in hierarchical trees, includes a calendar and a built-in search tool, and features support for encryption.

ReminderFox - Another way to manage work: this extension for Firefox and Thunderbird will remind you of all date-based tasks and events, without having to use a full calendar app.

ATnotes - A handy app for your pending tasks: create virtual post-it notes with them, with support for reminders and keyboard shortcuts. Oh, and they are fully customizable as well.

Chandler - A powerful task organizer for those who are looking for something else. It lets you share and track notes, manage tasks and events and includes a complete calendar tool.

ThinkingRock - The quintessential organizer, based on the famous GTD methodology. Manage all sorts of tasks, events and appointments effectively and don’t die trying.

iPhone: If you fancy yourself as a bit of a grandmaster then give iChess a try. This simple iPhone-based chess sim offers you the chance to pit your wits against an AI opponent with five differing difficulty levels. The app’s detailed statistics section offers you the chance to analyze your game in great depth. This latest update of the free version of the app, iChess 1.8 now includes an option for highlighting previous moves.

Windows: For those who are constantly copying and saving text snippets, CopyPasteTool can be a real time-savior. This handy app remembers everything you copy to the Clipboard (not just the last bit as usual) and lets you paste it anywhere. Simply copy with Ctrl+C as usual and paste with Ctrl+V, repeatedly pressing V to browse the Clipboard history.

Mac: If you’re a big Dilbert or Peanuts fan or just need a cartoon chuckle to get you through the day then take a look at freeComics Widget. freeComics Widget is an excellent little dashboard addition that features comic strips from all the major names such as Dilbert, Peanuts, Andy Capp, and Calvin & Hobbes.

Windows: Playing videogames can be fun, but sharing your glorious gaming deeds with your friends is even better. With WeGame you can easily record in-game videos with your greatest adventures, and share them online. The latest version 1.1.3 includes some improvements to logging and hooking systems, as well as fixed memory leaks.

Mac: If you’ve never tried mind mapping, then you might be surprised at what it can do for you. You’ll make connections and see opportunities that you may not have considered before. XMind is definitely one of the better mind mapping apps out there with the huge added bonus that it’s absolutely free. Just sign-up for an XMind account, get creative and then start sharing your ideas instantly.

Java phones: Want to get to the heart of the latest breaking news, current affairs and entertainment? Then try out Pocket Express Europe 5.0, an app which assimilates all the latest European news and information in one place. All of the information is available easily through the program’s ultra-simple main menu. You simply click on one of the nine icons to take you directly to that kind of information (e.g. News, Sports, Weather, Stocks, Entertainment, Travel, etc.)

Pocket PC : Using your mobile to watch online video? Why not give vtap a go? Search for videos without opening a web browser, or even visiting the site. Vtap pulls content from most major video sites, providing a convenient way to watch whatever you want from your Pocket PC.

Mac: If you’ve ever read Dave Allen’s Getting Things Done then the newly updated Things might help you put some of his advice into practice. Things is an innovative task management program for Mac which lets you easily create tasks and organize them by type and importance in guiding you to become a more efficient worker.

Windows: If an e-reader is a gadget too far for you, but you like the idea of reading an electronic newspaper in its intended format, The New York Times TimesReader may be an answer. It’s really readable, and beautifully presented. This may be the model for the survival of newspapers in the future.

Java phones: If you’re a Google Calendar user then you’ll know just how effective the application can be for organizing your life. But what happens if you want to use the program while you’re out and about? One option is to install GCal 0.3.5 on your Java-enabled phone. GCal is designed to provide a simple way of checking and editing your Google Calendar while you’re on the go.

Windows: If the Windows 7 RC ISO file is taking too long to download, you can try Seven Remix XP meanwhile. This comprehensive visual theme will transform your good old Windows XP into the brand new Windows 7 without hassle. It’s easy to install and uninstall, includes many goodies (skins, logon screens, wallpapers, icons and more) and doesn’t require a powerful system.

Mac: The Twitter client wars are going into overdrive at the moment and Tweetie surely ranks up there as one of the best yet for Mac. Tweetie has it all - good looks, threaded conversations, instant search, URL previews and much more. Added to a ton of preferences which make it highly customisable, Tweetie is a must-try Twitter client.

Java phones: Handling an accident or an emergency situation is something we all hope we never have to face. Even so, it’s something we should all be prepared for. First Aid is a indispensable guide to dealing with medical emergencies, which you can carry around at all times on your mobile phone. The program includes step-by-step instructions for 50 different first aid procedures.

Windows: Next time a friend needs computer assistance, don’t bother going to their place. Use TeamViewer Portable instead and you’ll be able to help them remotely, without moving away from your own computer. This remote desktop sharing tool doesn’t require installation and is dead easy to use. The perfect tool for remote tech help!

Mac: For Nintendo fans, or those who loved Super Mario, Secret Maryo Chronicles is a decent Mac adaption of the classic game - and it’s completely free. Secret Maryo Chronicles is an open source two-dimensional platform game in the side-scrolling style. The gameplay measures up reasonably well with the original and if you get bored at any stage, there’s a nice bonus of a level editor to create your own game.

Great news for those Mac users that have yet to try Microsoft Office 2008. The company are offering a free fully functional 30 day trial of the suite. Although Microsoft Office 2008 first hit the shops over a year ago, it’s only now that Microsoft are offering a free 30 day trial for free.

All that you have to do is register at Microsoft’s Mactopia site and you’ll be sent the registration key. Don’t worry if you’ve already got previous versions of Office installed - Microsoft Office 2008 runs alongside them and won’t overwrite them. During the trial period, users can upgrade to the Standard Edition or Home & Student Edition.

Currently, the Standard Edition costs a hefty $400 while the Home & Student Edition go for $150. This compares with Apple’s own iLife suite which currently goes for between $79-$99.

If you’re thinking of giving it a try, bear in mind that it’s a big download at just over 500 MB and installation can take a good 10 to 15 minutes so make sure you have a bit of time on your hands before starting. Once you’ve entered the registration key, you’re taken through an introductory tour of Microsoft Office 2008 to familiarize yourself with its powerful suite of tools namely Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage.

It’s hard to know where to start when describing what it all has to offer but highlights include the professional templates in Word’s Publishing Layout View, OfficeArt tools and the impressive diagrams you can create with SmartArt. Word is still the best and most intuitive word processing application out there in my mind and Excel remains popular with business professionals due to its power and formula creation possibilities. Check it out for yourself and let us know what you think!

Who needs Windows 7 when you can have a Commodore 64 laptop? [benheck.com]

Google Voice coming to iPhone soon. [Gizmodo]

Peter Molyneux: The greatest story ever told will be a computer game. [vg247]

Workers more productive if they mess around on the internet!  [University of Melbourne]

Journalist terminated by FoxNews.com for reviewing pirated movie. [New York Times]

Windows: Is your music collection a real mess, but you can’t even think about fixing all those files by hand? Jaikoz can lend you a hand. This complete tag editor analyzes your music folders and downloads all the necessary data from online databases. Your music will be properly named, tagged and organized without effort!

Mac: The technology is now here to turn any Mac into a pretty decent broadcasting tool that can be used to produce, edit and publish videos on air. BoinxTV is designed to help you turn that dream into a reality with a seriously comprehensive and feature rich multimedia package that takes time getting used to, but is definitely worth the effort if you’re serious about being an amateur broadcaster.

Symbian UIQ: When the rain falls outside it often seems like there’s very little to do and amusing yourself can become a problem. Well, instead of sitting there reading reviews of mobile software why not install play some board games to pass the time in a fun way? Whether you’re alone or with company, the collection of titles in Astraware Boardgames will keep you amused for hours.

Juggling the ever increasing number of social networks and media sites can be a time consuming pain. Logging into lost of different accounts, you can have a very busy browser before you’ve don anything constructive. I thought I’d look at the current range of solutions to this. I’ll start with some honesty: At the moment there is no one good solution, but there are some which do a reasonable job.

Notable stand alone applications AlertThingy, TweetDeck and Skimmer all offer to pull together your social networks. Skimmer is quite interesting, but it’s very much a beta product, and is the only one with Blogger support, but doesn’t feel finished! It’s something to keep your eye on. TweetDeck and AlertThingy are much slicker, although both are focussed on Twitter and Facbook. Both work very well for Twitter - you don’t miss any of the Twitter experience doing through either of these clients. Facebook is a mixed bag - you can’t do everything you can on the website from any of these clients. AlertThingy offers many more social networks, and they both look good, so TweetDeck loses out just by being a bit too limited.

Firefox has similar add-ons. These give you the more or less the same features as the stand alone apps, but are integrated into Firefox. The most flexible we’ve found is Yoono. It’s a bit of a monster, but can bring Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Myspace and more into the same space. On top of that it features instant messaging from Microsoft Messenger, Google Talk and Yahoo chat, plus the option to add feeds from your favourite websites. The amount of stuff can get a bit overwhelming, but you can choose exactly what you do and don’t want. The Facebook feed also gives you your news feed, not just status updates, which is great.

Online services like Zenbe bring your email together with Facebook, Twitter and more. I found this less comfortable than using either a Firefox add-on or a stand alone application. What is clear at the moment is that no one has a perfect solution. Everything I’ve seen can handle Twitter easily, but Facebook always feels like ‘Facebook lite’, and all of these social network aggregators suffer from becoming cluttered.  I am looking forward to Skimmer’s further development, as its Blogger support could make it the most complete package, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Last.fm starts charging for Radio service outside US, UK and DE [Last.fm]

Essential Outlook Xobni out of beta [WebWorkerDaily]

Facebook relents, lets users dictate design policy [TechCrunch]

Hulu going international [WSJ]

Jennifer Aniston ditched boyfriend ‘because of Twitter’ [Daily Telegraph]