June 2010 Software Closet
Click the links below to download each individual item.
Bug Fixes
Selectively Disable Flash
Adobe Flash can be a powerful tool in the right situations, but it can also cause browser stability problems, create security issues, slow down your computer, and drain your laptop battery faster.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems when surfing the Web, you can block Flash content without uninstalling your browser’s Flash plug-in thanks to Flashblock (free) for Firefox and ClickToFlash (free) for Safari. Both block all Flash content on a Web page, but let you selectively view items by clicking them. To see if Flash is negatively affecting your computer, get BashFlash: it adds a menubar item that turns red when Flash uses 30 percent or more of your processor. Clicking the BashFlash icon disables the Flash content until you reload the page. Since some Web pages require Flash to navigate or view content, you’ll still be able to take advantage of those sites, but without having to deal with Flash’s other headaches.
Flashblock: www.tinyurl.com/ylesc96
ClickToFlash: www.clicktoflash.com
BashFlash: www.bashflash.com
Helpful Utilities
SWF & FLV Player 3.8
SWF & FLV Player 3.8 from Eltima Software gives you more power when working with Flash and SWF movies — which is useful when creating Flash content in QuarkXPress, InDesign, etc. It lets you create playlists for easy access, and includes controls to fast forward and rewind through movies, displays size, frame rate and other file data, fits movies to the current window size, and more. It is available in two versions: Free and Pro. The Pro version has a number of extra features, such as the ability to save online Flash movies or videos with the external resources they use; full-screen mode; making a screenshot of any moment of the video; and converting the whole SWF or FLV file to series of screenshots. Get it at www.mac.eltima.com/freeflashplayer.html.
Actions, Plug-ins, and XTensions
Illustrator Free-for-All
CreativePro.com has a collection of hundreds of vector brushes and seamless pattern swatches. The page also features scripts that extend Illustrator’s functionality, automate repetitive tasks, and even improve on existing features. Brushes range from brush strokes to swooshes and swirls, flowers, circular designs, abstract brushes, scatter brushes, retro tech-shaped brushes, locks of hair, and water splashes. The scripts help you create calendars, divide or join text frames, round corners, save layers as PNG or JPG, EPS, AI, PDF or PSD, and to resize all placed images back to 100% size or a specific percentage. There’s also an enormous collection of pattern swatches! Check it all out at www.tinyurl.com/yj8nyp6
Number Generator for InDesign
Indys Number Generator for InDesign CS3 and CS4 (free) is a script to automatically generate sequences of integers. The numbers can be pulled from selected items in a .csv source file and the resulting sequence can then be put into an InDesign file, or back into a .csv file. Use the resulting .csv file in conjunction with InDesign’s data merge feature for automated, numbered document creation. Whether you want to create a sequential string of numbers for forms or tickets, or random numbers on game tickets, this free script gives you control over those numbers. Get it at www.indystimer.com.
Free Fonts
Angelina
Chester Drawers
Ecofont
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