Windows 7 Tools » Visualization

Audio Editing Software

toolboy — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:56:46 +0000

There are many Windows 7 audio editing applications, some free, some commercial. In a future series we’ll review a few of the more popular applications.

[ad]

Some of the common features available in audio editing software include:

Recording audio from multiple inputs and storing the recordings in memory
Editing the audio timeline including the start and stop times as well as the duration
Applying simple and advanced effects including audio noise reduction, reverb, flanging, expansion, compression, and equalization
Playing back the sound after being mixed so that is can be sent to multiple output including speakers or additional processors
Converting between different sound quality levels and between different audio file formats

Good audio editing tools can perform these tasks in a non destructive and non-linear way.

Audacity is a free and very popular sound editing application that runs on pretty much everything including Windows 7. It does have some limitations (things like the ability to view and edit the spectra of two samples simultaneously) but it is a very good all around performer.

Record live audio.
Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files.
Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together.
Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

[ad]

Download Audacity here

Another free option I have heard good things about but have less experience is Jokosher. I haven’t had a chance to play with Jokosher yet so let me know if you have any comment on it.

WinShake

toolboy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:30:56 +0000

Get Windows 7 “Aero Shake” and “Aero Peek” Features in XP and Vista

[ad]

WinShake brings the Windows 7 functions, Aero Peek and Aero Shake to your Windows XP and Vista PCs improving the “Show Desktop” function of the Quick Launch bar.

This little tool, WinShake, imitates the Aero Shake and Aero Peek functions of Windows 7 which allow you to better see and manage your open windows, gadgets and widgets. Single windows, or the whole lot, can be made transparent in order for you to see, and access, the desktop below.

This is how it works
After extracting the zipped file, you need to drag and drop the “WinShake.exe” file into your Quick Launch bar next to the start menu (normally at the bottom left of your screen).

- Click on the icon to minimise and restore your windows.
- Shift+Click on the icon to “shake” the active window and minimise all others.
- Control+Click on the WinShake icon to activate the AeroPeek function and make all of the windows transparent, showing only their frames and gaining access to the desktop.

WinShake brings these great Windows 7 functions to your Desktop. This proves particularly useful when numerous windows are open.

Platforms: Windows XP,Windows 2000,Windows Vista,Windows Server 2003
License: Free
Version: 2.24
Size: 2088 (KB)

[ad]

Download WinShake (Rapidshare)
Download WinShake (Mediafire)
Download WinShake (Megaupload)

Taskbar Shuffle

toolboy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:07:16 +0000

Taskbar Shuffle is a simple, small, free utility that lets you drag and drop your Windows taskbar buttons to rearrange them.

[ad]

Here’s a full feature list:

Full 32-bit and 64-bit support
Reorder your taskbar buttons by dragging and dropping them
Reorder your tray icons in the same way
Reorder tasks in a grouped button’s popup menu in the same way
Middle-click to close programs on your taskbar
Works with UltraMon (version 3+ only) taskbars
Tweak taskbar button grouping

If you run more than a few applications at a time, you’ll definitely find Taskbar Shuffle useful, so give it a try!
Note: This software comes in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Requirements

64-bit OS

Platforms: Windows XP,Windows Vista
License: Free
Version: 2.5
Size: 900 (KB)

Download Taskbar Shuffle 32bit v2.5
Download Taskbar Shuffle 64bit v2.5

Seven Remix XP

toolboy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:57:36 +0000

Are you an XP user with Windows 7 envy? Windows 7′s eye candy definitely sets it apart from its older siblings. But this transformation pack makes XP’s buttons, boxes, icons, and Start menu look remarkably like the new OS’s versions.

Requirements

32-bit OS

Platforms: Windows XP,Windows Server 2003
License: Free
Version: 2.4
Size: 21522 (KB)

[ad]

Download Seven Remix XP

AeroSnap

toolboy — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:22:56 +0000

The free AeroSnap download brings the desirable capabilities of Windows 7′s AeroSnaps feature to both Vista and XP. When you drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen, the Windows 7 feature automatically resizes the window to fill that half of the screen. To “undock” a window, you just click and drag it away from the edge. This is a great perk for users who have widescreen monitors, as it lets you put a pair of windows side by side with two quick flicks of the mouse. And AeroSnap emulates another Windows 7 window treatment: When you drag one to the top edge of the screen, it maximizes.

System Requirements:

Windows XP / Vista
.Net Framework 2.0 or higher
500Mhz or faster CPU
10MB RAM free

Please note that alternate shells are not yet supported.

[ad]

Download AeroSnap