Embrace the Flux

Fluxy Five: Pioneering 2010 Software

// January 19th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Technology

Sleek, efficient, easy, original and online. These seem to be the necessary components for most pioneering software schemas nowadays. It has to look good, it has to get the job done, it has to have a specific function, and, of course, it should connect to Facebook or Twitter or something else on the interweb. After a reasonable amount of searching, trying and evaluating, we’ve discovered five up’n’coming applications that seem to pass these criteria with flying colors. Look out for their names in the months to come; we think they’re here to stay.

Instant Messaging: Trillian Astra

Once a little known application driven by a small community of friends (during a time when when multi-client messaging was thought to be excessive), Trillian Astra has grown to be a unique and capable instant messenger. AIM, Windows Live, Google Talk, ICQ, Yahoo, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, E-mail and more – Astra certainly gets the job done. It’s pretty, too. While other messaging clients may win with regard to ease of use (Digsby) or customizability (Miranda), they certainly don’t have Astra’s bring-it-on looks. After four years of development marked by creeping skepticism and all around impatience, the wait is finally over. Head over to trillian.im to get your hands on the beta, it might just make your life a bit easier!

Multimedia Playback: Songbird

Songbird is an appealing iTunes alternative for the technically-adept PC/Mac/Linux user which, with the exception of iPod or iPhone syncing, can do just about anything iTunes can. The application jumps on the black-is-beautiful bandwagon (that way it looks different from iTunes) to bring us, above all, a user interface that is easily accessible (but not very original). To boot, Songbird provides the user with artist connections to YouTube, Flickr, and Last.fm; it notifies the user when his or her favorite bands are playing nearby; and, let’s not forget, it is fully customizable. If you’re one of those consumers who desires a more complete audio experience, Songbird might be the program for you.

Multimedia Conversion: Tunebite

Tunebite’s website says it all: “Need your entertainment in the right format? Tunebite can do that.” That is, if you need to convert those DRM-protected iTunes files into formats that can be copied to a DVD, or if you want to play around with that YouTube video but you don’t have the original file, Tunebite’s down for the cause. Having defined itself by means of a free-rider niche from the very get go, Tunebite’s hallmark has and will remain its amazing ability to (legally) remove copyright protection from multimedia files. Definitely a sleek interface, quick and easy converting, capable of dealing with lots and lots of file formats – Tunebite’s “Platinum” version (the one with all the good stuff) is probably worth the forty dollar cover price. Head over to audials.com to see what we’re talking about.

Social Networking: Fishbowl

Think Facebook already invades your privacy? Fishbowl is an application that transforms Facebook-the-website into a fully functional desktop program. Notwithstanding a potential haven for creepers, Fishbowl is a pretty cool program. It offers a similar user experience to Facebook-the-website (minus games and advertisements) with an avant garde, everything-at-your-fingertips feel. Sadly, Fishbowl by uxlabs@Microsoft is only offered as a trial program (the higher ups over at Microsoft don’t support it, that is), but we imagine that will change soon enough. If you happen to be a Facebook Power User, Fishbowl might just be the best thing that ever happened to you.

Operating Systems: Good OS

Linux based operating systems are beginning to generate curiosity in a growing faction of modern “computer enthusiasts.” Why should netbooks hog all the Linux fun, they say. Good OS (teehee) 3.1 is a prime example. gOS, simply put, proffers Mac based interface with Linux based functionality and Windows based efficiency. For the interface lovers: a Mac-like dock, Google Gadgets, a 3D window switcher and a clean and simple taskbar. For the functionalists we have an Ubuntu based operating system. And for the efficiency lovers: WINE 1.0 (compatibility with Windows software), web-based applications (Mail, Calendar, Picasa and more) and, of course, Open Office. Good OS does in fact seem to be the happy medium of operating systems. But is a happy medium something the average computing consumer wants? Head over to thinkgos.com and give their product a whirl – if you’re feeling adventurous, that is.