February 2016

Google launched Takeout in 2011, a service that provides Google users with the means to export some data. It enables you to export some data, Google Drive files, Contacts or Calendar data, for safekeeping or import to other services.

The service has been updated throughout the year with support for new Google services and features, and while it does not include all data that Google accumulated over the years, it does include some of the most important data such as Gmail emails, YouTube videos that you have uploaded, or Photos.

KeeWeb is a brand-new, open source program and web application that supports KeePass databases.

One of the shortcomings of KeePass, at least in the eyes of users who require the functionality, is that there is no web-based version available they can sign in to whenever they cannot run the software.

This makes it difficult to access the password database in situations where KeePass cannot be run, for instance because it is not allowed, not supported or simply not wise to run the program.

Slysoft, makers of the popular DVD and Blu-Ray copying software AnyDVD has closed shop effectively immediately.

The official homepage contains a short statement why AnyDVD is not available anymore: "Due to recent regulatory requirements we have had to cease all activities relating to SlySoft Inc." but no other content at this point in time.

BrowserAddonsView is a new application by Nirsoft that provides you with an overview of installed extensions in Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox.

It is quite easy to keep an eye on installed browser add-ons for the most part if you are just using one web browser, but as soon as you are using several different versions of the same or different browser, and maybe on multiple devices, it may not be that easy anymore.

Brendan Eich's new web browser Brave has finally been released as a preview for the Windows desktop.

Initially released only for Apple's iOS platform, Brave is now also available for Windows, Linux, OS X and Android.

Download links for all (but the Linux) version are provided on the official Brave website, with both Windows and Mac downloads listed as developer version.

Brave promises faster, safer and better browsing thanks to integrated ad-blocking and other privacy-focused features.

Vivaldi released a new build of the company's browser today, version 1.0.403.15 for those who keep record, which introduces several interesting tabbed browsing improvements and other changes to the web browser.

Probably the biggest feature that Vivaldi introduces in this build is tab session management. This is taken directly from classic Opera's playbook which supported the feature  -- probably -- first.

Pocket is a popular "read it later" service that has a strong connection with Mozilla and the Firefox web browser but is available for Google Chrome based browsers, mobile applications and a web-based service as well.

The service is free to use but premium accounts are available for $44.99 per year which add more functionality to the service such as backups of all saved articles and web pages, full text search, and advanced search operators.

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system provides virtually no option to change what the "This PC" in File Explorer displays. The menu displays all drives by default as well as default system folders like My Documents, Downloads or My Pictures.

While you could use the Favorites menu instead to add links to custom folders to the operating system, you may want to remove some links from This PC or add custom links to ad as well.

While download portals, sites that list and offer software downloads, have lost some appeal over the years, they are still highly popular on today's Internet.

Sites like Download.com, Softpedia, Softonic or Majorgeeks are popular and used by millions of users each day despite the fact that many became less user-friendly over the years.

I have visited many download sites over the years and found them useful services: they list new and updated software, and may provide downloads even if the developer site is no longer around or unavailable.

The default Windows Registry editor, much like many other default programs that ship with the operating system, is functional but severely lacking when it comes to features that it provides.

Search for instance is bare bones and does not provide you with an overview of all hits found, and there is no way to enter a key path directly to jump straight to it.