pctoolbox.co.uk » Alternative

Foxit PDF Reader – An Alternative to Adobe

Alex — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:53 +0000

Nearly everyone that opens a PDF file will use Adobe’s Acrobat Reader. But have you ever wondered if there are any good alternatives to the widely used program? Here at PCToolbox we think we’ve found the ideal alternative in the Free Foxit PDF Reader (Download here).

The program involves a short and easy download/installation process. Once installed you can then get cracking.

Foxit’s has the usual features that Acrobat has…but of course the designers have put their own mark on the software by introducing new features. The actual interface (see right) of the program is simplistic with icons available to make the reader easy to use. You of course also have the option to use features through the usual menu/right-click routes.

A great feature is the annotation tool. This enables the reader to add comments and annotations to the pdf as they go along. It allows you to draw graphics, highlight text, type text and make notes. You can then either save the annotations or print a copy of with the comments included.

When you open the reader there is also a welcome screen (see right). This makes usage extremely easy.

One of my favourite features is the ability to use tabs (see below). I don’t know about you but if I’m using a PDF I don’t usually have just one open, I normally have several. Foxit have taken the idea of Tabs from the typical Internet Browser and applied it to PDF. So you can have several PDF’s open but in just one window! This means it’s considerably easier to move between files so the experience you have when using the software is much more pleasant.

Finally there’s the text converter. This ingeniously enables you to convert an entire PDF file into a simple text document. I think you’ll agree with me when I say that this feature can could definitely be a time saver!

I am tremendously impressed by Foxit and I really do think if people give it a try they’ll make it their first choice PDF Reader!

How To Enable Check Boxes for Items In Windows 7

Alex — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:54 +0000

Normally when we want to select multiple items we have to use the old ‘hold ctrl or shift and select’ trick. However, we’ve now discovered a far easier way…check boxes.

To enable check boxes do the following…

Click on the start orb and type ‘folder options’ into the search box. Then click enter.
A new window should then appear. Click the ‘view’ tab.
Scroll down and click in the box next to ‘use check boxes to select items’, so it has a tick in it. Then click OK.
You’ll now notice that you can click in check boxes by hovering over files and folder. (click on image to enlarge)
You can also select all by checking the box on the menu bar (Click on image to enlarge)
And it will also work on desktops

We like this feature and would recommend it to you! Any questions then ask below!

An alternative to Microsoft Office

Grae — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:00:37 +0000

You may have read on the Brandstar Blog many reviews about the latest version of Microsoft Office (2007). But some people want an alternative, either because the cost of Office can’t be warranted for their purposes or because they just want something that isn’t Microsoft.

A pretty brilliant piece of software called OpenOffice exists and is available free of charge! That’s right FREE! OpenOffice consists of applications much like Microsoft Office does. These being Writer (much like Word), Impress (like Powerpoint), Calc (like Excel), Base (like Access), Draw and Math.

You will notice that there is no equivalent for Microsoft Publisher, so if that is what you are after then you might have to cough up for that! Otherwise Open Office offers a decent package that looks and works much like the more commonly used Microsoft Office.

With so many people using Microsoft Office you need to ensure that choosing an alternative package isn’t going to cause problems sharing files. OpenOffice can open Microsoft Office files and can save as Microsoft Office files.

I could go on and on but if this might be of use then check out the website at www.openoffice.org and download it now! You can download it with or without the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You need this to run the software so if you don’t have it installed make sure you download the right version.

Personally I still prefer Microsoft Office (especially 2007), there is just a more finished feel to it. There is also one more application missing from OpenOffice, Outlook! And I use Outlook with the calendar function every day of the year so certainly couldn’t do without it!

But for those not doing a great amount with an Office package then this is a great way to save yourself some cash!

Enjoy and let us know what you think

Christmas Games: Elf Bowling

Grae — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:10:19 +0000

So Christmas is near and playing solitaire is becoming more and more frequent as you think about the Christmas shopping you should be doing on Amazon How about an alternative to Solitaire? A game that has been around for years is Elf Bowling and it is very addictive. Version 1 saw Santa bowling at Elves who shouted various insults when Santa missed! That version is still around and still as addictive. Check out Elf Bowling 1. The best bit is the cost…Free!

Elf Bowling 2 saw Santa bowling (more catapulting) an elf off a wooden runway with Sharks at the end. The close you got to the end the better the points you were awarded. Playing against Dingle who could also knock your previously thrown elves off! This version I could have sworn was free (maybe they changed it) but now you have to pay..but you do get 60minutes free to try it out

So…a challenge…my first score with Elf Bowling 1 today was 152! Can you beat it? On your FIRST go only

Discalimer: As tempting as this is to play we have to point out that it should be played out of office ours or during your lunch break. We don’t want managers chasing us because all their teams are competing for the best score

For a list of more games by NStorm take a look at the full list of games!