clock

Alarm fails to sound

There are more than a few problems with this desktop utility, which had two identities and several features that just didn't work. Desktop Alarm, or Desktop Angel, as the interface states, primarily offers one-stop access to existing Windows tools, but this version fails to deliver.

A slim window is added that floats on your desktop. Most of the text was cut off, and we found ourselves annoyed by the animation on the interface. In one click, though, you can empty the Recycle Bin, access the Control Panel, and erase browsing history. The emphasis is on "can," because … Read more

Simple, reliable timer

This free utility has one purpose, and one purpose only--to time any task at hand. It performed its job and it performed it well.

Chronometer has a straightforward and simple user interface. It can be moved to any place on your desktop, and basically consists of a tiny window that displays the start and stop time and the time elapsed. All you have to do is click the Start button and off you go. We will say that the Options menu was a little vague and took us a little time to figure out, but ultimately it allows you to … Read more

Stay on schedule

Easy to use and reliable, this small alarm clock does its best to make sure you never miss an appointment.

Alarm Bluefive Software's small user interface is accessed through either the desktop or taskbar icons. You can choose to keep the interface on top of whatever you are working on, or let it run in the background. The time displayed on the interface resembles a digital clock, but you can easily adjust the color and size of the numbers. Setting the alarm is extremely easy, and is accomplished by simply entering the time you want the alarm to go … Read more

Custom desktop clock

This completely customizable clock lets you dress up its clock face with your own pictures. Though it took us a little time to load our picture, we found it a fun alternative to the staid system clock.

Custom Skin Clock appears on your desktop as a plain, analog clock with directions to right-click to add an image. Doing so introduces a menu that lets you adjust the clock's size and transparency. You can also choose to keep the clock on top of whatever you're working on at the moment. The Customize Clock option introduces a new interface that … Read more

Sony Dream Machine for cheap, humble dreams

With so many of us dreaming on a budget these days, it makes sense that Sony's latest Dream Machine clock radio (the ICF-C414) retails for a measly $20.

Granted, there aren't a lot of bells and whistles to inflate the price--no iPod dock, no CD player, no integrated sounds of pastoral splendor to rouse you from restful slumber. Nope, instead Sony's keeping this one lean and mean with an AM/FM radio, buzzer, automatic time set, daylight-saving time adjustment, snooze button, battery backup, and 1.4-inch LED clock.

The Sony Dream Machine ICF-C414 may be short on … Read more

Flickr video goes HD, tells time

A little under a year ago, Flickr began hosting video alongside its online photo service. One of its shortcomings was that it did not support high-definition video, which in the past year has become a major feature on point-and-shoot and digital SLR cameras, as well as popping up on major video-hosting services like YouTube. Video was also only available to Flickr users who were subscribed to its $25 annual professional membership.

On Monday, both of these limitations have been lifted. HD is now available to paying pro users, whose previously uploaded clips will be re-processed to fit inside the new … Read more

The Weekend Clock--for a saner work week

Unless you're a workaholic, how can you not want one of these? Like, hello, anyone in there? I mean, we love writing about tech stuff all day long at CNET. But there's got to be a work-life balance, right?

With weekends feeling way too brief, the week may seem a tad shorter with a Weekend Clock ($29.45) that helps you anticipate Friday with a countdown display. Speaking of which, what do you know, it's Friday already. TGIF!

(Source: Crave Asia via Geeky Gadgets)

Time for Unix nerds to celebrate 1234567890 Day

It's won't be the epochalypse of 2038, but 3:31 p.m. PST on Friday offers a moment notable enough for some Unix fans to raise a toast.

That's when Unix computer clocks will reach the time of 1234567890--1.2 billion seconds elapsed from January 1, 1970, the official beginning of the Unix epoch. The clock is used not just by Unix, but also by Linux, Java, JavaScript, Mac OS X, and various other technologies.

Various Web sites exist to help mark the occasion. Cool Epoch Countdown, which actually counts up, is the first I saw. 1234567890 Day … Read more

Valentine's Day downloads

With Valentines day just a couple of days away, why not get in to the spirit? We put together a collection of screensavers and Valentine's Day themed downloads to get you in the mood for the most romantic of holidays. Hopefully, it will also act as a reminder to those who might forget. Ahem.

Some of these downloads are paid and others are free, but any one you choose will certainly put you in the spirit of Valentine's Day.

Cool EasyCard lets you create Valentine's cards (or any type of greeting) with your own photos and the … Read more

Spring forward, fall behind

Remember that month in 2007 when everybody was talking about the Daylight Savings changes? You do? Well, so did Microsoft, which is why they released updates to address the changes. Now, if you're running an older system without the benefit of Automatic Updates, or if you just like to stay "off the grid," there's this handy tool to ensure your aging or isolated system doesn't spring forward too late, or fall back too early.

This is the simplest of tools. There's no installation--just run the downloaded file. There are only two buttons, so even … Read more