Speed Up your Internet with SpeedGuide.net TCP Optimizer

If you want to increase speed of your Internet access, but not likely to purchase a new modem or upgrade service plan with your Internet provider, you may land on trying absolutely free software-based solution.

The SG TCP Optimizer is so-called "Internet Accelerator" which may help to dramatically boost your Internet speed. It optimizes Internet-related settings on your end of the connection (your PC), allowing for faster throughput.

The program works with any Internet connection, from dialup to leased lines, regardless of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). It is a completely free utility, that supports all current Windows versions, and it can improve Internet speed as much as 200% in some cases, at no additional cost to you. It is completely legal, and often recommended by ISPs as a tool to troubleshoot and optimize internet connections.

The SG TCP Optimizer works best for optimizing broadband Internet connections, however it will work for dial-up and LANs to a degree. Note that it is a program that optimizes your end of the connection, and you will still be dependent on the feed that your ISP provides.

There is no installation required, just download and run.

The program can aid both the novice and the advanced user in tweaking related TCP/IP parameters in the Windows Registry, making it easy to tune your system to the type of Internet connection used. The tool uses advanced algorithms, and the bandwidth*delay product to find the best TCP Window for your specific connection speed. It provides for easy tuning of all related TCP/IP parameters, such as MTU, RWIN, and even advanced ones like QoS and ToS/Diffserv prioritization.  

Website: http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Video Editor that can Change Speed of the Clip

Question from the Blog Reader:

Please advice an easy-to-use and free video editing utility, which can change the speed of the video clip.

There are numerous video editors on the market, but most of them do not pass the criteria you posted that it should be easy to use. In most cases, the video editor requires some time to understand all the software features and options.

I would recommend using the NCH Software's VideoPad Video Editor Professional as a full-featured video-editing tool, which was specifically designed by developers with making user-friendly utility, so the software is indeed surprisingly easy to use. It can combine numerous clips and soundtracks in a wide range of video formats into movie projects, or build an entire production out of a single clip. It supports drag-and-drop editing, real-time effects previews, format conversion, importing and exporting files, captions, narration, and more. While it does not have as many advanced effects as high-cost video editing software we reviewed, VideoPad allows you to rotate and crop video, add text, adjust the playback speed, insert over 50 transitions and more.

One great feature of the VideoPad Master Edition is the wide variety of file types it can import for use in your video. These formats include WMV, AVI, ASF, XviD, MPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MP4, DivX, MOV, OGM, 3GP, VOB, H.264 and RM.

It can burn DVDs, HDs, and Blu-ray discs and output video to portable devices. It can also capture video from camcorders and other devices.

When you download the software, you get 14 days of the full version use. After the 14 days trial, the utility gets downgraded to the free version, which is free to use at home and for personal purposes. If you wish to convert to the free version right away without waiting for the trial period, go to un-install it upon installation, and here you can downgrade it to the free version straight away instead of completely removing it.

System requirements

The minimum system requirements for a correct download and installation are the following:

* Operating System: Windows XP or later (32 Bit or 64 Bit)

* Processor: Intel Pentium II

* RAM Memory: 64 MB

* Graphics Card: Graphics card compatible with Windows

* Sound card: Sound card compatible with Windows

* HDD Space: 4.2 MB of free space

There are also Android and Mac versions:

* Works on Mac Intel OS X 10.4.4 and above

* Android version runs on 2.3.3 or higher

Screenshots

Website: http://www.nchsoftware.com/videopad/

7 Free Android Apps, allowing listening incoming SMS, as received

There are a lot of apps out there that can send text messages using your voice, including Google's own in-built Voice Actions. However, not many read your incoming messages out loud when they arrive.

Do not drive and text! Play safe!

In this post we will review several Android applications to read your SMS aloud and free you from checking them visually on the go.

1. SMS Reader

SMS Reader from Adroit Developers is an application that automatically captures incoming SMS and reads it aloud for you, while you drive or in any other occasions.

It supports the following additional features.

1. Read previous SMS's.

2. Read Caller name whenever you receive a call.

3. Delete SMS.

4. It can read text in 5 languages English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish.

5. Enable/disable reading SMS

6. Enable/disable reading Caller name.

7. Adjust Reading speed.

8. Send quick reply right from the popup window that shows SMS.

Cost: Free

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (1000 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adroitdevelopers.smsreader

2. Sonalight Text by Voice

Text by Voice allows you to safely text while you drive entirely through voice. There's no need to touch or look at the screen at all. Text by Voice will automatically read incoming text messages aloud and give you a chance to respond. You can also set an auto responder for incoming text messages, and have Text by Voice start automatically when you start driving, and make calls hands-free. Text by Voice lets you compose texts on the fly. It runs in the background so you can use other apps at the same time. Drive more safely with Text by Voice.

Cost: Free

Rating: 4 out of 5 (1000 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonalight

3. SMS Reader

Another SMS Reader from Braun Android is designed to read incoming text messages to you. It also announces caller names for incoming calls. You don't have to look at the screen anymore.

Open the app for Preferences or add the home widget to enable/disable reading. The preference dialog has a basic view to quickly change reading options. It also has an advanced view for more personalization.

With the home widget you can quickly switch through the most frequent reading options. Just tap on the widget and it cycles through silent setting, announcing names only and reading out the full text.

By default only the sender/caller name is enabled (for privacy reasons).

Cost: Free

Rating: 4 out of 5 (1400 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.braunandroid.smsreader

4. DriveSafe.ly Free SMS Reader

Drive Safe.ly free SMS Reader, developed by iSpeach.org, allows you to listen to your SMS and email messages. DriveSafely reads text messages, SMS and emails aloud and lets you respond by voice (with Pro version). iSpeech Text to Speech (TTS) will speak your SMS while driving.

Cost: Free (limited functionality)

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (7000 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.drivesafe.ly

5. SMS Listen

When you receive short messages, the SMS Listen, android application developed by Zhang Bo, will read them aloud, including the sender identification and the message content. It can also read the entire list of the received messages.

The app also can inform you on identity of the incoming callers. Auto SMS reading can be turned on or off. Delay time can be set to avoid ring voice conflict.

Seven languages are supported by default: American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese. Other language is also supported if it's supported by system speech engine.

Some of the features are not enabled automatically, but can be activated using points, which can be acquired for free, or by payment.

Cost: Free

Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (1500 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shoushuo.android.smslisten

6. Read My SMS

Read My SMS, developed by Kostadin Tonev, is an ultimate messages reader for your Android device. Equipped with clean user-friendly interface and lots of custom settings, this software is great addition for any application collection. Voice-To-SMS is also supported, which means that you can reply to the received SMS messages with your voice.

Cost: Free

Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (200 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cx.makaveli.readmysms

7. Listen my SMS

The Listen my SMS application from AAndroid has been created to improve the drivers’ safety by limiting the visual interaction between the driver and the phone by reading all incoming SMS. The notification icon will let you know when the application is running.

In the free version, you can adjust the pitch and the speed of the voice. If you want more settings and adjustments, review the commercial PRO version. Free version also has advertising. If you want to get rid of the ads, just buy the PRO version.

Cost: Free

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (100 installations).

Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.AAndroid.ListenMySMS