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slideshow

Friendly but pointless picture viewer

PicViewer is a perfectly nice image viewer, but it offers few features beyond the native functionality of Windows.

PicViewer integrates Windows Picture and Fax Viewer into a Windows Explorer-like interface. It is easy to navigate and offers standard Explorer features such as the ability to Favorite a folder. It also provides a bit of automation, such as a menu option to move or copy images to another directory, and the ability to create a list of external applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, to open a selected image. But the few seconds you might save using PicViewer's pull-down menus instead … Read more

Animoto's slideshow tool gets video support

Music video slideshow tool Animoto is venturing into new territory Tuesday night with an upgraded tool that supports video clips. Alongside photos, users can now upload videos up to 200MB in size, including segments that are in high definition. These exist seamlessly beside the photo content, and get the same Animoto treatment with transparency effects, reflections, and other eye candy.

Unlike the way Animoto handles importing photos from third party sites like Flickr, Facebook, and SmugMug, the same cannot be said for videos. If you want it to grab a video you've already uploaded somewhere else you need to … Read more

Relaxing screensaver

Ripple Pool Screensaver gives users' computer screens the effect of raindrops falling on water. The program's multiple settings allow users to customize the effect to suit their own tastes.

The program's settings are accessed through the Screen Savers tab in the Display Properties menu. All of them are fairly intuitive, which is a good thing, given the lack of a Help file. Users can select from three background images that are included with the screensaver, choose images from their computers, or simply have the program use the computer's current desktop display. The screensaver takes whatever image(s) … Read more

Basic Lil Wayne screensaver

Lil Wayne Screen saver is a basic screensaver consisting of a collection of Lil Wayne photos. While it's not the best screensaver we've ever seen, it does include some options for customization, and fans of Lil Wayne should be happy with it.

The program features numerous photos of Lil Wayne. A lot of the photos aren't quite high enough resolution for this application and appear a bit pixelated, but overall the quality of the photos isn't bad. The screensaver includes a multitude of different effects for changing the images, and users can select the ones they … Read more

Basic Hannah Montanta screensaver

Hannah Montana Screen saver is a collection of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus photos. While it's not the best screensaver we've ever seen, it does include some options for customization, and fans of the show should be happy with it.

The program features numerous photos of Miley Cyrus both in and out of character as Hannah Montana. A lot of the photos aren't quite high enough resolution for this application and appear a bit pixelated, but overall the quality of the photos isn't bad. The screensaver includes a multitude of different effects for changing the images, … Read more

Approachable, but basic

Functional freeware that's aimed squarely at the casual consumer crowd, Microsoft's Windows Live Movie Maker easily turns photos and video clips into slideshows and movies on Vista and Windows 7. However, its toolset and interface lack a certain sophistication that users of all levels would appreciate. The app comes bundled into the bulky Windows Live Essentials suite of apps; to separate it out, you'll need to uncheck the other boxes before installing.

Like Microsoft Office 2007 apps, Windows Live Movie Maker tucks its actions and menus into a visual ribbon. You'll get started dragging and dropping … Read more

Easy slideshow tool

Magix Slideshow Maker provides users with a fantastic tool for quickly creating a slideshow of photos and music. With a simple layout and excellent results, this is a great choice for computer users of all skill level.

The program's interface is delightfully simple thanks to the step-by-step instructions. By breaking the process down into easy steps and shepherding users through their photos and music, novice users and experts alike will get the job done quickly. If any questions arise, there is also a great Help file available. Creating a slideshow begins with choosing photos and videos in the first … Read more

Way-too-intimate pics of NEC 22-inch monitor

While I would not call these pics of the NEC MultiSync EA221WM creepy per se, some of them are pretty intimate. I feel the NEC and I really got to know each other during this photo shoot. Really, I think I've made a friend for life.

Hey, I guess that's what you get when you combine a couple of bottles of wine, friendly debates about David Sedaris books, and some good-natured teasing thrown in for good measure.

Anyway look for a review of my new BFF later this week, but for now, behold...your muse!