Some of the more common problems when you’re a Windows user includes getting the task manager disabled, recycle bin not refreshing, and a lot more. Nothing really major since you can just search for fixes for each problem you encounter. The thing is, you’ll probably end up going to different sites just to find the solution. While the probability of getting hit with all the common issues of Windows systems at one time is remote at best, wouldn’t it be nice to have the fixes sitting in your hard drive just waiting to be used?

FixWin is a free troubleshooting app for Windows 7 and Vista and can fix 50 of the most common Windows 7 and Vista problems. The app detects which version of Windows you have and displays fixes for your version.

FixWin reminds you to create a Restore Point before applying any of the available fixes. The solutions are separated into 5 categories namely: Internet & Connectivity, Windows Explorer, Windows Media, System Tools, and Misc. Additional Fixes.

FixWin is a 529 KB download and is a portable app as well. Did I mention it’s free?

Popular video sharing site, YouTube, recently announced that it has finally added parental controls with its Safety Mode. The move is a clear indication of the service’s desire to placate the growing number of parents concerned about what their children view on the site. To access it, users will need to scroll down to the bottom of any YouTube page and look for the link at the bottom left corner of the page.

Not really hard to find but not instantly viewable either. Users can click on the link to activate the feature, or they can log into their YouTube account before turning on Safety Mode so the feature becomes the default setting for their account. Any search done once the feature is activated will filter results with violent or adult content.

How effective this will be depends on the parents and the age of the children browsing YouTube. Still, it’s a step in the right direction and some praise should be given to the site although they could make the link more visible by putting it on the top of each page.

Here’s a video of how YouTube’s Safety Mode works:

Minipad is not your typical freeware Notepad clone. Aside from the Notepad feature, the application comes with a calculator, a launcher, a dictionary, text template, reminder, enhanced clip board, and an address list. Impressed yet? If you want to disable some of the features, the options menu lets you choose which ones you want. Users can switch between the treeview or the multi-page style.

The download size is only 297KB and does not require installation.
Runs on Windows.

If you look at most of the newer phone models these days, you’ll notice that they have something in common. They’re all touch screens. Sure, the technology is definitely useful and has a lot of potential, but have you ever wondered what the next big thing will be? Two words: gesture recognition. Take a look at this next gadget to see what I mean.

The Gesture Cube is a multimedia cube that recognizes hand movements which means you can access applications and media without having to touch the screen. With a wave of your hand you can sort and view your collection of photos, organize and listen to your favorite MP3s, look up the local weather, and even do some instant messaging.

Here’s a video of the Gesture Cube in action:

Impressive really, but what’s even more impressive is the potential for gesture recognition. Think of a house with touch screen and gesture recognition gadgets and appliances and you get the idea. A true geek paradise.

Gesture recognition? It’s all in the wrist.

There are quite a number of image editors available today. Some are free, and some cost an arm and a leg. Most people who have photos saved on their computer have most likely tried using some sort of photo editor to retouch their photos, or just to add some sort of effect. Regardless of which editor you’ve tried, there’s a good chance you haven’t tried this next editor I’m going to mention.

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If you’re a regular Facebook user, then you spend a lot of time looking through your friends’ photo albums and uploaded videos. If you’ve ever wished that you could browse through your friends’ albums without needing to be logged in you’re in luck.

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