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StatPlanet Map Maker provides a simple set of tools for creating a detailed map. While the main function was more tedious than we originally hoped, the results were still useful in the right situation.

The program's interface is simple to grasp, and its controls are intuitive. StatPlanet Map Maker's layout reminds us of pop-up maps we've seen on news Web sites. The program also includes an extensive User's Manual, which is helpful for inputting your own data. It gives you full control over your map view, with options such as choosing to view the entire planet … Read more

Graphing Calculator 3D from Runitor is a handy and free 3D graphing utility that plots graphs for two-and three-dimensional mathematical functions and coordinates tables. It supports parametric equations and Cartesian and polar coordinates in 2D and 3D, inequalities in 3D, and other capabilities. It boasts dazzling 3D graphs with seemingly limitless variations. You can change the color, shading, and appearance of graphs, add animation and other features, and rotate and zoom them in real time. You can define your own functions and variables or use one of over 20 provided functions.

Graphing Calculator boasts an attractive and functional if slightly … Read more

Aquarium Lab provides an incredible amount of control tracking the fish, tank, and other elements that complete an aquarium. Its comprehensive tools and simple navigation make this an impressive choice.

We liked the program's interface, especially how it listed every element that makes up an aquarium and allowed for quick glances at each one's status. We never touched the instructional Help file because the program was so intuitive. We were impressed that every element from the water's PH balance, to food, to the electricity used allowed for its data to be inputted and monitored for a comprehensive … Read more

Home schoolers, high school tutors, and students needing additional mathematics study will find this many-featured app a handy addition to their toolbox. It provides assistance for grasping two-dimensional function graphs with animation, analyzing functions, understanding analytic geometry, solid geometry, and more.

Math Studio launches a three-paned interface similar to the familiar e-mail client design: the upper-left vertical pane is a graph manager, the lower-left pane is a result editor, and the large pane on the right is a plotting area for displaying graphs. However, the cluster of icons in the three toolbars aligned along the interface's top may intimidate … Read more

Analysts and scientists dealing with a broad range of data sources might be tempted by this data-modeling application. FindGraph lets you capture and plot data and fit the result to one of hundreds of included functions. The application comes with a comprehensive Help file and 35 tutorials and sample charts.

One of FindGraph's most appealing features are the many options for entering data. You can type it in, upload a text file, or draw it by hand. Another impressive option is to "capture" an image and use a Wizard of Digitization to convert it to data. When … Read more

GS-Calc offers users an alternative spreadsheet maker by mimicking what the more famous versions do and adding little flourishes that many will like.

The program's interface will immediately be recognizable to those familiar with Excel. The rows, columns, and even commands feel like they are in the same place. However, if users need help with its slight difference, a Help file is available. The program functions almost exactly like the more popular spreadsheet option. Users input data into cells across various rows and columns. The data can be manipulated in multiple ways, including color-coding cells, rows and columns, sorting … Read more

At first glance, Smart Diary seems similar to many other planners, with various calendar views and the ability to set tasks. What really sets Smart Diary apart is its diary feature, which is unlike anything we've seen before in this sort of program.

The program's interface is attractive and intuitive, with a surprisingly sleek calendar design. It's easy to do all the basics, like adding events and tasks, scheduling reminders, printing schedules, and so on. Everything is neatly arranged with tabs and drop-down menus, allowing users to quickly find the functions they want. What really impressed us … Read more

I read with interest that open-source messaging vendor Open-Xchange is building a "meta-address book" service that brings together your contacts from various social networking sites into "one continuous stream of updating contacts." While promising, I don't think it goes far enough.

It's nice to have a centralized address book. It's even better to analyze the connections between contacts and deliver services based on that data, as I recently argued.

One area in which this information would be hugely valuable is in connecting enterprises through their respective employees. Think about it: most companies spend … Read more

Over the weekend news broke that IBM Research has been working with personal mobile phone records to map social networks. Some may complain that Big Brother is watching, but the real question is why some company hasn't formed already to blend mobile data with IM and e-mail traffic to map and profit from the social graph.

Think about it. My in-box already knows where I'm traveling, what I buy, etc. because my receipts go there. If someone were to merge this data with my phone records (easily had for the price of my AT&T login credentials), … Read more