Hands-down, Skype is one of my favourite 'must-have' applications. Frankly, I don't much bother with MSN or AIM any more, and I have been on a mission to covert all my friends and relatives to using it.

Skype for Pocket PC is free and simple software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world with your handheld. Created by the people who brought you Kazaa, Skype uses innovative P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It is quick and easy to install and offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, free conference calling, and secure file transfer. Skype calls have better sound quality than your regular phone and are highly secure with end-to-end encryption.

Here is my post on the terrific Skype deal I got some months ago (U$2.95 a month - or 2 bucks for buying in 3 or 12 blocks - for 10 000 minutes of calling to landlines and mobile phones in Canada and the States). As a big mobile computing evangelist, I was very happy to learn that the just-released Skype 2.5 Beta for Windows Mobile now mirrors the features found in desktop applications.

What Skype does:

• Free Skype-to-Skype calls
• Free instant messaging
• Call phones and mobiles with Skype Credit or a subscription

New in this version:

• Improved sound quality
• Better stability
• Familiar Skype design

There is a version for both Pocket PCs and Smartphones and both versions can be downloaded as either .exe files (for transfer to phone via ActiveSync) from the skype site, or directly to a handheld via .cab file (tip: to save for future use, download the .cab and make it a 'read only' file before installing it). Visit the download page. Or check out the handy Download Guide for specific step-by-step tutorial.

I have previously written about mindmapping and mindmapping software. ConceptDraw MINDMAP is a very popular program in this marketspace.

ConceptDraw MINDMAP enables you to present information as a visual map taking full advantage of pictures, symbols, text and the color, to make documents easy to comprehend and remember. ConceptDraw MINDMAP provides versatile integration with MS Office and project management software along with complete support of mind mapping and brainstorming techniques.

The company has just released a new version (v6) which sells for U$199, and - like many companies before it - has decided to give away the previous version at no-cost. It's terrific PR and a great way to grab new users.


Key Features:

• The Outline and the Map views can be presented simultaneously
• Multi-page maps
• Multiple pages preview with possibility to navigate between pages and documents
• Renewed Brainstorm mode
• Customizable toolbars and floating windows
• Branches auto placement, automatic sorting and arrangement of topics.
• Text notes
• Callouts and Floating topics
• Topics support project task information: duration, resources and percent completed.
• Integration with ConceptDraw Project 4 and Microsoft Project
• Vector drawing tools
• Export of mind map, outline and text notes to iPod
• Converting mind maps into slideshows that are synchronized with iPod
• Export to HTML
• Export to PDF
• Export to Microsoft PowerPoint
• MindManager Import
• Support for popular file formats
• You can export the map outline to the MS Word rtf file.
• MS Outlook task list export/import will help you to manage your schedule task and be better organized.

If you're wondering what mindmaps created with this program look like, check the gallery (categories: personal, business, science and education). You can also find the community forums here.

After you download v5 from here (WinOS - 27.3MB) or here (MacOS - 59.35MB), register it here to get your free licence. The registration code will be sent to you by email (so don't put in a fake address), and will convert the 30-day free trial to a full, unlimited version.

Suggested System Specifications - Windows

• OS: Microsoft® Windows® XP /VISTA
• CPU: Intel Pentium® 4, 1,8 GHz or higher
• RAM: 1024 Mb
• HDD: 540 Mb disk space (1,5 GB during the installation)

Suggested System Specifications - Macintosh

• OS: Mac OS X 10.4.10 or later
• CPU: G4 or higher
• RAM: 1024 Mb
• HDD: 650 Mb

Miscellaneous Screenshots:

Floating Dialog - Symbols

Floating Dialog Cliparts - Business

Floating Dialog Cliparts - Management

Brainstorm Mode

Adding Information to Task

Adding Links to Task

Adding Notes to Task

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Short Fuze has announced the release of the first commercial version of their 3D movie-making software Moviestorm.

Moviestorm has been in pre-release since February, available as Early Access software to early adopters. The result of their feedback and extensive focus testing has resulted in a highly-polished consumer product that will be appreciated by casual and advanced users alike.

No longer in pre-release, Moviestorm 1.1 contains several major new features, as well as many improvements to its current feature set, including a new user-friendly interface, and a Quick Start Movie that serves as a fast but flexible introduction to Moviestorm. New users can produce their first movie in their lunch break!

Moviestorm version 1.1 is a completely free download (WinOS - XP and Vista, MacOS - Intel only for now). Go get it now and don't forget to tell your friends (and earn 300 points for every friend that downloads and installs the software)!

(Disclosure: I am currently working part-time as the company's Chief Blogger and Community Manager.)