Sharky's Notebook

#downloads Firefox only (Windows/Mac/Linux): Firefox extension Less Spam, Please adds an item to your right-click context menu to automatically generate an anonymous, disposable email address so you can try out a new service without fear of spam. More »

#autohotkey If you do most of your editing in a plain text environment, you don't get to take advantage of time-saving features like easily replacing text with hyperlinks—but a quick AutoHotkey script can make it much easier. More »

#downloads Windows only: With all video converting apps out there, it can get a bit overwhelming. Freemake combines almost everything you need into a clean, simple, one-stop-shop for all your video converting, editing, and burning needs. More »

#downloads Windows: Whatever motivates you to abandon your mouse—tiny netbook trackpad, hatred of wasted arm movements, reluctance to replace a broken mouse—MouseFIGHTER enables keyboard-based control of your mouse for mouse-free navigation. More »

#downloads Windows only: Popular BitTorrent client uTorrent added a web interface, so you can remotely access your transfers from a web browser. Since then, they've added support for the web interface to the iPhone, and, more recently, iPad and Android devices. More »

#batchscripts Windows only: The SysInternals suite of utilities, including the excellent Process Explorer tool, are a must-have for any serious geek, but they don't come with a built-in way to keep them updated. Here's how to keep them automatically updated. More »

#autohotkeyanswers Earlier this week we shared a handy file renaming shortcut that works in Windows 7 and Vista (see video). Reader derilium put together a script that brings the same functionality to XP. More »

#downloads Windows: Shotty is a lightweight and portable screen capture tool that captures screenshots in Windows Vista and 7 while preserving the transparency of Aero-Glass effects. More »

#autohotkey It's no secret that we're huge fans of the simple but powerful AutoHotkey scripting language, and we use it religiously to automate Windows tasks and save time. Here's a handful of useful scripts and tricks to help you become an AutoHotkey expert. More »

#safari Windows/Mac: Safari 5.0.1 is out, and it's much more than just a bug fix. Installing the update activates Safari's new extensions platform, which has roughly 100 extensions available through the Safari Extensions Gallery. More »

#downloads Windows/Mac/Linux: Firefox is out with another beta of its improved and redesigned Firefox 4. This second early release gives Macs the same tabs-on-top look as Windows, and adds an "App Tabs" mode for sites you want to keep an eye on. More »

#windows The System File Checker (sfc.exe) is a command-line tool built into Windows that helps you repair corrupted system files. If you can't boot your PC, the Winhelponline blog explains how to use it from the install disc. More »

#downloads Windows only: Notes is a free, portable, no-nonsense note-taking application for Windows based on Notational Velocity (Mac only). It's fast, keyboard friendly, and in the beta release, supports syncing with Simplenote. More »

#downloads Windows: If you'd like to keep your shortcuts and favorite applications close at hand without jumping back to the Start Menu, Radian is an open-source application launcher that centers your favorite and frequently launched applications right around your mouse. More »

#windowstip Need to rename a lot of files in a folder and looking for the fastest way possible to do it? Lifehacker reader Platypus Man offers this quick, new-to-us Windows shortcut. More »

#featureddesktop Reader Mango Sango's Windows desktop takes theme design to the next level with a pixel-perfect visual style and the LiteStep alternative desktop environment, complete with a context menu launcher and custom taskbar. More »

#downloads Windows: Whether you want to launch an application when your computer goes idle or you just want to make sure that your speakers are muted so email notifications don't annoy your coworkers when you're away from the office, System Silencer can help. More »

#downloads Windows: If you always open the same programs, websites, or media files on certain days of the week, Start My Day will help you easily automate your daily routine. More »

#downloads Windows (AIR 2.0): HandBrake is consistently voted the best media converter and DVD ripping tool. DropFolders automates HandBrake slightly, having it watch a folder, convert what it finds, and drop it wherever you'd like. More »

#downloads Windows only: If you're a Chrome fan and want to see the very latest in features and fixes, even if potentially unstable, you've now got a Canary Build. It's an auto-updating, near-nightly build that runs separately from your standard Chrome installation. More »