Xara Xtreme Pro 3.2 : An alternative vector-based graphics suite

Xara Xtreme Pro 3.2Xara Xtreme allows designers to create vector-based graphics and illustrations to be used in print and Web-based publishing. It primarily a vector graphics software, but it incorporates bitmap and flash editing tools. It is an alternative to Adobe Illustrator CS3 and CorelDRAW X3 for th Windows platform, and has much prove! The layout is well-organized with handy tools and easy-to-reach menu bars-most beginners and intermediate users should be comfortable from the start. Xara Xtreme allows advanced bitmap editing options. Operations like crop, rotate, auto-enhance,etc. Can be applied to bitmap images.
Each stp in the process of editing is noted by a picture, so backtracking to earlier versions of the is possible. The flash tool is very similar to the bitmap tool; even the interface looks alike. The features available here are pretty basic, though. You get support for print and pre-press; you can set up multi-page documents and spreads. Xara Xtreme Pro documents can be exported to PDF. The is support for rich txt documents-meaning th formatting is maintained in the process. Linking to an external editor is possible: Xara automatically updates its own document when one saves changes to the file or image in an external application.
Effects are rendered very fast; memory consumption hovered around the 60 MB mark during our test-pretty good for a graphics suite.
Xara Xtreme Pro turns out to be moor thn just a vector illustration program.The Pro 3.2 edition packs in some exceptional features for print and Web designers alike. Considering that Adobe Illustrator CS3 retails at $599 and Corel DRAW X3 at $399, the pric tag of $249 is decent.
Beginners might want to try out Xara Xtreme (not to be confused with Xara Xtreme Pro). The feature set is reduced, but the price is unbeatable: $79

Popularity: 12% [?]

PG Dating Pro Social : Kick-start your own social networking site!

PG Dating ProPG Dating Pro Social is ready to go script-based networking software that can be used to host a social networking site an online dating service. The idea is to be able to get off the ground in the shortest time possible, assuming you have your business plan ready! Various Web site design templates are available -dating, family, adult, entertainment, etc.
The site can be managed using the administration panel (called the admin console).The tray icon allows access to the admin console along with the hosted Web site. The site will have a user-friendly layout. The site will, by default,have an English-language interface, but additional language support is possible using context management in the admin console.
Incorporation of RSS news feeds is possible using the same console. User feedback is an integral part of any Web site; a PHP-based forum and pull are available at your disposal for this Registered users can interact with each other using Flash-based IM, chat, and blogs, and can mail messages to each other. HTML and image advertisement banners can be attached to the bottom half or the left of all the pages excluding the home page.
Paid user access is set by default-users are clubbed into groups such as platinum gold, and so on. The site can be made completely free by deleting these paid user groups. The admin decides the cost structure on an hourly basis for paid users via the users management in the admin console. The script even allows the admin to choose the payment system for paid users-PayPal,E-gold,Authorize.net, among others.
The site’s contest management option binds a vulgar word list to the site, notifying the admin when such a word is used. the option to watermark photos hosted on the site prevents possible misuse of profile images. The 33 preloaded profiles are enough to start a Web site. There’s also an option to add chat-bots, if desired.
At $899, PG Dating Pro is available with its code as an open code license. This while having a developer at one’s disposal, would help in implementing additional features or modifying or upgrading existing features.
PG Dating Pro-$599 for the version without the code-is great for a Web startup, because it is priced right and has most of what you’d need.

System Requirements:
PHP 4.0 or greater
MySQL 3.23.0
Windows XP/2003/Vista
Windows based server and web hosting services

Popularity: 4% [?]

Cockos Reaper 1.8 : Fuse Audio streams

Cockos Reaper 1.8Rapid Environment for Audio Prototyping and Efficient Recording,” abbreviated Reaper, is a great multi-track editor allowing for the production of complete tracks from bits and pieces of audio loops. Reaper doesn’t look impressive-it has a Grey color scheme with an interface filled with buttons, so it doesn’t “feel’ like more mature audio editing tools such as Adobe Audition. Making things better are the colorful custom themes available.
The left half of the interface is filled with the channel array which allows one to add, delete, mute, and adjust playback characteristic and add effect to a particular channel. The center area is the largest, filled with visual tracks, allowing direct editing of envelopes of specific regions. At the lower left-hand corner, you’ll find the master fader/volume. Adjacent to it are faders for other channels along with VU meters, recording button, FX console, and more.
Excellent MIDI, DX, and VST plugin (VSTi and DXi) integration allows you to work with complex MIDI sequencers and import files into Reaper. The visual pane displays the progress of a track, and can be zoomed into or out of using the scroll wheel-so you can look at the entire project in a single snapshot. Pre-and post-FX effects on a particular channel are easy to apply, and most novices and semi-professions can manage them easily.There’s a handy grid for working write tracks and loops, allowing one to add loops and resize them. Markers are present as in most professional software, and allow fine-tuned placement of loops.
Overall, Reaper works great as a multi-track recorder-you can record single or multi-channel sessions using inputs from multiple channels or sources. loops-based techno and tracks are easy to sequence using Reaper. Reaper doesn’t turn your PC into a Digital Audio Workstation, though; mastering and audio editing software is still required. Reaper stays well under 30 MB while working with two or three tracks.
At $40 Reaper provides great value for the novice. The $200 commercial license isn’t justified. Cakewalk Sonar at $369 is a better buy for audio professionals, with Steinberg’s Cubase and Nuendo Mackie’s Tracktion also available in he same price range.

Popularity: 5% [?]