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Tired of having your desk cluttered with scraps of paper and reminder notes? Wish you could just figure out way to attach the ubiquitous Post-it note to your monitor without obscuring your work? The free program Stickypad might be just what you're looking for. Stickypad allows you to create small and tidy virtual notes that "stick" to your computer desktop. The notes are very versatile, and can be used for conventional reminders and lists, but can also be printed out or emailed. They can even be made translucent so they can float above a window you're working in, giving you access both the window and the note at the same time.

The notes have great visual appeal, right down to the little representation of a thumbtack in one corner. They can be made to appear to cast a shadow. The program will work on just about every version of Windows, starting with Windows 95. If one your your New Year's resolutions was to be more organized, this could be a step in the right direction.

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Scrapbooking has been all the rage for the last few years, and digital scrapbooking was the next logical step in the trend. Fujifilm is getting in on the action and offering a beautiful section of digital scrapbook kits, free for download from their website. The kits include backgrounds, borders, and embellishments which can be further edited in programs like Adobe Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro (or probably just about any photo editing software). You create a scrapbooking page by adding your photos and images to the layout, and then you print the page and add it to your scrapbook. It's a lot less fiddly than cutting and pasting with scissors and glue, and mistakes are much easier to correct.

The available kits are themed by season, and by holiday. Each is a .zip file containing a number of backgrounds, borders, and other add-ons like title tags and decorative photo corners. The papers even have a textured-look for authenticity. These are very attractive kits which you may even be able to modify for other purposes.

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Task List is a Mac OS freeware utility designed to help students manage their homework and assignments. Make folders for all your classes, then enter the projects due for each class. You can attach multiple files to projects (the program is compatible with iLife), and even prioritize projects so you don't miss something important. Handy links to reference materials are integrated, to help you with your research. The program will generate pie charts, bar graphs, and line graphs, and tying it all together are a finals calculator and GPA calculator so you can keep your eye on the big picture.

Backup and restore are one-click away, meaning you never need to worry about losing crucial work. If you're a student who feels like you're always one step behind your homework, this freeware program could be the helping hand you need to get ahead.

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If you get tired of the looking at the same old Windows GUI everyday, Window Blinds is the answer. It will help you create skins that can change the look of practically every Windows interface element, including title bars, toolbar icons, and the start menu. It does all this without modifying or altering system DLL files, so it's easy to undo your changes if you decide you don't like them.

Window Blinds has a simple configuration dialog, so there's no huge learning curve. You'll quickly be able to add animation elements to titlebars, and to change colors on the fly. The program offers support in a number of languages, and user communities have sprung up around the Internet so you can easily find and add new skins. The developer has extensive support forums available via the main website.

Window Blinds will work with Microsoft Windows versions 98, ME, 2000 and XP. No word on whether it will be Vista-compatible. The unlimited freeware version comes with all the basic functionality with no time limits.

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Circuit Weaver began as a 2D game where you would "move your energy mass around a circuit by rearranging the circuit elements". It sounds like a game only electricians would want to play, but it's now been totally revamped and re-released as Circuit Weaver 3D. Unlike its rather plain-looking predecessor, Circuit Weaver 3D has beautiful 3D graphics and arcade-like audio. To win the game, you must guide Robi the Robot safely across the surface of his home planet, trying to avoid evil robot interlopers in the process. The game's unique colorful 3D playing field is quite mesmerizing.

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GoodSync file synchronization and backup management software simplifies the process of protecting your data. While it's most easily used as an automated backup utility, its greatest strength is its file synchronization ability. Using GoodSync, you can sync files between a computer and an external storage device, between two computers, between a computer and a server, and even between two computers not connected to each other (using a USB storage device as an intermediary). GoodSync will sync the files either unidirectionally or bidirectionally, depending on user preference, and a number of specific "jobs" can be configured, each with its own attributes.

GoodSync allows jobs to be scheduled according to a multitude of conditions. Depending on user preference, the program will run automatically at a specified time, when a file change is detected, when the program is first started, when an external storage device is connected, or when a new user logs on. The interface is intuitive and the help guides are thorough. GoodSync has a multilingual interface, and supports over 20 languages.

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