Seesmic, popular creators of the Seesmic Desktop and Seesmic (for Windows) Twitter utilities, have partnered up with Microsoft to unleash a new way to browse the real-time Web. Don't roll your eyes just yet: I realize there are just about as many different ways to engage Twitter from a computer as there are tweets to track. I, too, was skeptical upon downloading the company's new Seesmic Look client. These fears didn't last long. It's clear that Seesmic has really put its time into a thorough analysis of the existing market, because there simply aren't any other Twitter clients that look quite like, well, Look.

Here's why.

You'll be surprised by the app's artistic interactivity when you first load it up. It's a big separation from the typical Twitter client layout, which is often some Adobe Air-based program filled with columns or floating windows. There's still a lot of floating going on in Look, but it's done more like a screensaver than a rigid information display. When you're using Look's "Playback" mode--one of three different interactive layers to choose from--new messages in the Twittersphere fade in and out of existence alongside giant, pulsating, transparent circles. The Timeline and Alphabetical features are just that--huge boxes of your Twitter friends' thoughts that are easily scrolled through via a standard mouse wheel or "I'm going to click a lot" technique.

One of Look's more unique features--and one that should be replicated in every Twitter client from now until the death of the service-- is its snarky, yet useful commentary regarding the day's most popular hash-tags or subjects. For the uninformed, hash tags are a way for users to categorize posts throughout the Twitter service. If you and I are both making commentary about how awesome Nathan Edwards is, we could simply offer up our thoughts and append #nathanrobot to the end. Thus, we now have an easy way to track all related posts throughout Twitter even if said posts don't directly reference a subject or name.

Anyway, clicking on the easily accessible "Trends" category on Look's left-hand table of contents pulls up a list of the most popular twitter topics of the present-time, of the day, or of the week. If you have no idea what "Follow Friday" or "Danny" refers to, just hover your mouse over the word. A handy little description appears to give you a bit more insight on what all these people are Tweetin' about.

Other than that, there are categories for Tweets you've marked as favorites, chunks of Tweets organized by predefined interests, Twitter channels based on popular brands or Internet presences (what, oh what does Red Bull's twitter have to say today!), and the usual laundry list of past searches you've made in the program. You can organize your friends by lists (that aren't linked to Twitter lists, mind you) to better keep separate Twitt... Twittizens you care about versus less helpful contributors. That's a lot of organization wrapped around Look's beautiful interface--but what is this app missing?

Looking For...

For starters, there aren't really any configuration options at all beyond the opportunity to select the Dark or Light version of Look's skin. The app has essentially locked you into its interface--frankly, I'd love the ability to be able to minimize the size of the large Tweet boxes in order to fit more onto the screen. You also can't select which Twitter-themed service you want to use for various add-ons like link shortening and what-have-you, as Look defaults to the TinyURL service for such things. Most frustrating, Look doesn't auto-complete a Twitter follower's name when addressing them a message. That's not quite as big a deal when you're replying to someone based on a message they've previously Tweeted, but it makes it difficult and annoying to reference someone out of the blue.

Oh, and Look places all new tweets on your timeline above the one you're currently viewing. Since the app doesn't automatically scroll to the top when new Tweets come in, you have to constantly grab your mouse and shuffle around your messages just to catch whatever's new. For a program that's as into the user interface as Look, you'd think there would be a better way to set-it-and-forget-it that isn't just the app's tweet-repeating Playback mode. The interface is big enough to see from an adjacent room, but there's just not a good way to let this program run on a laptop or computer without your constant input.

These criticisms aside, Look is still an awesome platform for interacting with Twitter in a more engaging, eye-catching manner. It's not the best Twitter client from a usability standpoint, but here's hoping that its omissions get fixed in subsequent revisions. It would be a shame for Look's powerful aesthetic to fade away because the software just isn't as practical as it could be for good ol' Twitter.

Ahh, the new year is nearly upon us. And, naturally, it's that time to start making a list of all the things that you'll likely end up putting off in 2010. The dreaded "New Year's Resolution" list is really just a fancy way of saying, "I'll get to it." Right? But it doesn't have to be. Post-it notes can be ignored and shopping lists can be misplaced, but there's no stopping a concrete digital solution from reminding you of all the things you promised yourself come the drop of the ball January 1.

That said, you don't have to use this week's batch of friendly to-do and reminder tools to just keep track of your resolutions. These various free and open-source software programs do much more than just that. From integrating with existing online tasks lists, to delivering GUI-free methods for organizing tasks, to tracking your online auctions (no less), these apps deliver a virtual smorgasbord of options for keeping your life in check. You'll never look at another Outlook calendar or Google reminder the same way again.

Google Tasks

Simple. Easy. Efficient. This lightweight Adobe AIR application calls up a miniature instance of Google Tasks right on your desktop. You won't need to pull open a Web browser just to access your task listings. And since this is literally just connecting to Google Tasks, you'll always have the most up-to-date list of things to check off whenever you launch this app--an ideal solution if you're accessing Google Tasks from multiple workspaces. Combine this program with the ever-useful Always on Top Maker to create a permanent window that lists the things you have to do! Google Tasks might not be the best application of Google Tasks in a desktop environment, but it's certainly one way to rip this feature straight out of your browser window.

Download it here!

Doit.im

Yes, it's another Adobe AIR application. However, Doit.im is a comprehensive project management application that delivers a bunch of different options for keeping track of everything from smaller to-do items to larger efforts. It even uses the power of the cloud to synchronize itself across multiple instances of the application, ensuring that you'll always be accessing your most up-to-date scheduling no matter which of your many computers you're using. Add multi-step tasks, invite friends into your project chain, and organize your tasks by time (to showcase the next actions you have to take, elements due by tomorrow, or elements due at some point in the future).

With mobile versions of Doit.im in the works, it's only fitting that you start integrating this useful tracking program into your daily routine. You'll soon be able to take it with you wherever you go!

Download it here!

TimeLeft

For more urgent to-do requests, TimeLeft is a basic alarm clock app that's been stuffed full of different add-ons and features. The combined result is a program that truly leaves no stone unturned when it comes to keeping track of your activities, be they time-sensitive or general "to-do" items. An integrated countdown mode gives you the exact time before a specific deadline hits, and the program's sticky-notes feature allows you to clutter up your desktop with any specific reminders you want. You can schedule events as one-shot items or as recurring elements--a number of complex rules built into TimeLeft gives you a wide latitude for customization. And when I said "stuffed full of add-ons," I wasn't kidding! TimeLeft even includes an auction countdown feature for keeping track of your online shopping.

Download it here!

Org-Mode

If you're totally into command-line environments (here's looking at you, Linux converts), then Org-mode might be the scheduling app for you. This program isn't for the faint of heart: Installing it requires you to first stick Emacs onto your machine. From there, you'll have to work through a variety of commands just to get the program up-and-running. And since Org-Mode is text-based at its core, don't expect to be able to just wave your mouse around and click on a few boxes to get your outlines or schedules working correctly. These challenges might be a lot to handle for an average user. However, Org-Mode delivers a commanding amount of functionality for being text-based. And just because it lacks a GUI doesn't mean that its stuck in the Stone Ages: Org-Mode users can even sync what they do in the program to their iPhones.

Download it here!

Evernote

I save this for last, as Evernote is really the Alpha and the Omega of note-taking, reminding, or whatever else you want to call "keeping organized." This super-simple application works on an awesome trifecta of platforms: mobile, Web, and desktop. You can type notes directly into the program, append pictures, organize your notes with tags, and even split your notes into multiple notebooks at the click of a mouse. Organizing and searching for your notes using Evernote's powerful interface is as easy as it is quick, and the program even transforms the very text or handwriting from notes you've inputted into the application into searchable elements.

I could go on, but just know this: Evernote will send your file cabinets and notecards trembling for the corners of your room. You will not find a more comprehensive application for note-taking, bar none. And don't forget to synchronize it across your mobile devices as well!

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

There's nothing wrong with the Windows 7 desktop per se. But for freeware developers, that's no excuse not to tweak, hack, and otherwise modify every possible piece of your screen. And it's not that difficult to add new functionality to your desktop that doesn't otherwise exist in the operating system. The hardest part is finding software that makes a substantive change to what you already have. After all, the last thing you want to do is install a ton of different freeware apps and find your desktop in even worse shape than it was before (if you do, take a quick trip to Revo Uninstaller).

The intensity of the following five free applications ranges from apps that completely revamp your desktop's look and feel to programs that add new ways for accessing common apps and folders straight off your desktop. How far you want to go with your tweaking is entirely up to you--these are just some of the more interesting tools I've come across that should go a long way toward raising your "Windows Power User" level a few notches.

Desktop Media

Here's an easy one. Desktop Media emulates one of OSX's most basic and useful features. Whenever you stick a new CD in the drive, connect a portable USB storage device to your system, or fire up a network drive (amongst other options), Desktop Media slaps a shortcut to said device right on your desktop. Remove the device (or take the CD out), and the shortcut automatically disappears. Fire this one up in front of your friends and they'll swear that you've built some crazy Mac/Windows hybrid--you'll be the life of the Windows 7 party.

Download it here!

StandaloneStack 2

I've always enjoyed how Windows 7 has managed to simultaneously de-clutter and improve the usefulness of the default Windows Vista and Windows XP taskbars. However, every icon on the bar at the little bottom of your screen still only represents one program. Sure, you can get some added contextual items to select if you click on an application's arrow icon on the Start Menu, but this isn't a universal feature for all applications--and you're still only interacting with a single program.

StandaloneStack 2 allows you to move one step beyond these features and create program "stacks," or graphical lists, based off of a single icon. When you click on this icon, you can use the ensuing menu of items to launch new programs, folders, or settings options. It's like having a number of different Start buttons that you can customize as much as you'd like.

Download it here!

7 Taskbar Tweaker

This app might be limited in its prettiness, but it more than makes up for it with its usefulness. As you might expect, 7 Taskbar Tweaker is a simple utility for adding additional functionality into your default Windows 7 taskbar. For example, you can switch between either a default jump list or standard window menu when you right-click an icon, toggle application grouping on and off, and make use of new middle-click functionality that either opens a new instance of a taskbar program, closes the window, or focuses the window. You can also disable thumbnail previews, should you so choose. It's not a weighty list of items to play around with, but 7 Taskbar Tweaker's modifications aren't normally customizable options in the Windows 7 OS.

Download it here!

MenuApp

Speaking of the Start Menu, let's suppose you have a ton of different files, programs, favorites, and shortcuts that you want to be able to access from a single location. Let's call this set of objects "work." Normally, you'd have to make a folder somewhere on your system or desktop and dump all of your pertinent files in there, as well as all of your bookmarked Web sites, shortcuts to all the programs you need to access, et cetera. To organize this folder, you'd have to use subfolders related to the items you intend to store. Fun.

MenuApp removes the ugliness from this organization by allowing you to create Start Menu-like hierarchies based off of a single icon on your desktop. Now, you can simply click on your newly created "work" icon and pull up all of your files, shortcuts, and other objects of interest via an easy-to-access system of menus without having to move a single piece of data around your PC. Just tell MenuApp where the documents you want to access are located on your computer and it'll automatically create menus based on the contents of those folders--from there, you can shuffle and create organized pathways through your data at your leisure.

Download it here!

Rainmeter

For the ultimate in desktop skinning without a ton of crazy configuration files to wade through, Rainmeter is an excellent tool for changing the look of your entire desktop without sacrificing a large amount of system resources. A recent update to the application adds a little feature called RainBrowser, which lets you run through the different skins you've installed for the application and tweak their settings or preview their look before you start changing up your desktop en masse. The Rainmeter developers do the best job of summarizing the coolness of this free app: "Every inch of a skin is completely customizable."

Or, in other words, the sky's the limit. Ha-ha!

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

Once a week, I feel like I'm either finding or running a large batch of programs in an effort to keep my computer as crap-free as possible. It's a never-ending battle. I defrag, I delete, I shuffle, I organize, I optimize, I scan... and still, what I end up downloading and installing over the next six days almost always leads me back to the good ol' "Sunday Purge," as I've come to call it.

And you? I venture that your habits are pretty similar to mine, as you're a Maximum PC reader with a thirst--nay, need--for speed. But we both don't have to waste a ton of time poring over our hard drives and giving them digital equivalent of a good flossing. There are tools, wonderful tools, that will automate this process--and automate it for free!

You're probably aware of quite a few of these applications, in fact. That's why I've cast my net over a wide swath of sites to find two little tidbits that you probably haven't heard of before. Check out the two awesome cleaning programs for yourself below, not to mention their three other freeware friends!

Belvedere

Created by our friends over at Lifehacker, this custom file-sweeping application is a great set-it-and-forget-it technique for de-cluttering your system's many leftover files. Here's how it works. Once you've launched the program, you assign folders for it to watch. You then brainstorm up some rules that you want to append to the files in said folders, guidelines that can encompass as wide a degree as, "If the extension is... then move it to" to "If the file is older than x days... delete it." The possibilities are quite vast. After that, you do nothing. Yep. Nothing. The program will watch over said folders and perform said maintenance actions without a need for any more input. True to its name, Belvedere is like having a butler for your digital mess.

Download it here!

USBDriveFresher

This one is, in a word, awesome. I realize that can be an overused phrase here at Maximum PC, so hear me out. Now that you've read about the customizable rules that you can apply to folder cleaning as a result of Belvedere, imagine having a similar functionality occur--automatically--to any USB-based device you attach to your system. That's USBDriveFresher. Although it's strictly designed for file deletion, this miniscule application runs in your system's background and automatically cleans unwanted files off any USB device. If you frequently switch between Apple and PC platforms, and can't stand the miscellaneous files that OSX dumps on your drive, this little utility is your key to a cleaner, er, key.

Download it here!

ManicTime

We're all busy. Now, suppose you're concerned about the amount of time you spend surfing the Internet versus conducting actual, paying work. Or, for that matter, perhaps your kind of work is the one where your boss wants to see an itemized list of what exactly you've been doing--for client billing, of course. Either way, ManiacTime is an excellent application for graphing out exactly what programs you use during any given day. Not only does the program record when your computer is idle or in use, but it allows you to assign labels to your exact patterns of use. Need to make an annotation for the 3 hours you spend surfing Slashdot? Try "research." Want to show your boss that you sweated bullets in PowerPoint to make that big presentation? Just look for your "working hard" label. Just finished an epic WoW raid? Try... uh. Try "brainstorming new customer engagement opportunities."

Download it here!

Process Hacker

Need more information for the various applications running in the background of your system? Tired of seeing the same-ol', same-ol' list of minor details in the default Windows Task Manager? You need Process Hacker. This open-source application gives you the same control over programs and services as Windows Task Manager. However, you not only get a wealth of information related to each running element, but Process Hacker also enables you to find hidden processes as well. While that might not sound very interesting for an average computer user who will never need this kind of direct access to an operating system's underbelly, it's a lifesaving technique to seek out and fix nasty rootkits or other untimely PC infections.

Download it here!

Immunet Protect

Using the power of a super-base of computers to detect, analyze, and report suspect virus activity is nothing new. And Immunet Protect is one more log in the antivirus fire, as this freeware application uses the power of cloud computing to provide PC protection. The interesting thing about the application is that it fully embraces the notion of cloud technology to deliver real-time, continual updates. You won't ever have to download a new batch of virus identifiers again--since you're in the cloud and seemingly connected to everyone else using Immunet Protect, you'll be ready to fight a new virus as soon as people worldwide automatically report it. It's too soon to tell how this program will fare against its free (and commercial) competition, but it's hard to say no to additional protection at a minimal cost.

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

We’ve all seen those perfectly wired high-dollar rigs with cables completely hidden beneath the motherboard tray and have wanted that for our home-brewed PCs. Unfortunately, unless you’re prepared to buy or make cables that are precisely the correct length for the components in your system, a Voodoo-quality wiring job is nigh-impossible to achieve. However, with some zip ties and a little patience, you can get close.

Before you start, you’ll need something to restrain the cables. Some enthusiast PC cases come with a package of ties, but they’re also frequently available in the cable-tie area of your hardware store or in Radio Shack. We prefer small plastic zip ties, which you can buy at most hardware stores in quantities of 100 for around $5; Velcro straps will also work, and twist ties are even acceptable in a pinch. You’ll also need wire snips (to trim the ends of the zip ties), and some adhesive cable wranglers are also handy for attaching the bundled cables to the case. We also use flex tubing and shrink tubing to bundle up smaller cables. You can find the tubing at most electronics stores, or online at Frozencpu.com.

As always, feel free to do as much or as little with your PC wiring as you’d like. This is a project that can take from 10 minutes (if you want to do it quick and dirty) to several hours (if you want every little wire in perfect position).

1. Assess the Situation

Before you get your hands dirty, it’s a good idea to consider your plan of attack. First, untangle your cables and separate them based on their source and destination. Obviously, you can bundle all the power cables for your videocards together, but you probably don’t want to tie your hard drive’s SATA cable to your optical drive’s SATA cable.

You’ll also want to suss out the cable-management features of your case. Many cases, especially high-end ones, feature channels and holes that let you run cables behind the motherboard tray. This keeps them tidy and out of sight. Many cases also include binding clips or hooks to attach Velcro strips and tie downs.

2. Run Power Cables

A typical enthusiast PC has power cables running from the PSU to the drives, the videocard, and fans, as well as the two traditional ATX power connectors. Often, the supplemental ATX power connector is a prime candidate to run behind the motherboard tray, provided it’s long enough. As a general rule, we like to have one main vertical cable run, along the drive bays on the inside of the case. Typically, the trunk of that run is the main ATX power connector. With that in mind, go ahead and bundle the power leads for your videocards and your optical drive along with the ATX power connector, but use something you can disconnect later.

After your power leads branch off of the main run, you can make secondary bundles to keep the whole thing nice and tidy. For example, we also used zip ties to hook together the two PCI-E power leads required by our videocards.

3. Bundle Your Front Panel Headers

Next, we’re going to bundle and run our front-panel headers. We use a woven cable wrap, sometimes called flex tube braiding, and shrink tubing to hold it into place. Measure the length of flex tube you’ll need, then cut it to fit (image A). Slide the wires into the flex tube (image B), then cut a 1.5-inch piece of shrink tubing (image C) and place it around the end of the flex tube. Carefully heat the shrink tube using a heat gun until it cinches around the wires (image D), being careful not to melt the insulation on the wires. If you don’t have a heat gun, you can lock the flex tube in place using black electrical tape. Connect the wires and move on to the next step.

(image A)

(image B)

(image C)

(image D)

4. Run SATA Cables

SATA cables can be a little tricky to run. While they’re definitely easier to manage than old-style ribbon cables, they can still be unwieldy. The easiest thing to do is bundle them together using some thin zip ties. Depending on the case, you can buy cables that are either short enough that there’s no slack to hide, or long enough that you can run them behind the motherboard tray, where the excess cable will be out of sight. We bought long SATA cables from Newegg.com and ran the excess behind the motherboard tray.

5. Tidy and Cinch Down

The final steps are simple. Take all the cable bundles you’ve made and run them wherever you can find spaces. We cinched our main run down behind the drive bays, but you may have to take advantage of other routes, depending on your case. We usually Velcro extra cables coming out of the power supply to the bottom of the case. Finally, close up the case, and see how everything looks through the case’s window. After all, a good wiring job is all about the parts that people can see; it’s OK for the areas that are hidden from public inspection to be a little messy. To see the finished project, check out the Stimulus Package.