How to get the Start menu back in Windows 8: install the slick, free Pokki

Windows 8, reviewed, can be used just like Windows 7 if that's what you want to do, but the absence of a Start menu is frustrating for those who don't want to use the new Start screen.

Stardock's Start8 is a good application, but if you're after something free, try Pokki. You can download and install it in about 90 seconds, so you won't have to wait until Microsoft brings back the Start menu in Windows 8.1.

How to install, configure and use Pokki.

Step 1: Go to www.pokki.com and click the blue Download Pokki button

Step 2: Run the downloaded file and the installer will do its thing with minimal input from you. Unlike some free programs, Pokki won't try and install toolbars or other crapware on your computer.

Step 3: Once installed, you should see a new icon on the left-hand side of your taskbar which looks a bit like an acorn. Click it and your shiny new start menu will pop up.

Step 4: Pokki will suggest a few programs which you might like to 'favourite' by clicking the star to the right of each one. Doing this 'pins' the app to the right-hand pane of the start menu so it's always easy to find.

Step 5: You can use the search box to find installed programs, settings, files and also websites. As in the previous step, you can click the star to the right of any search result to pin it to the start menu.

Step 6: When you want to shut down your computer, you can use the handy Shut Down button. The arrow pointing right works like Windows 7 and Vista: it provides options such as Restart, Sleep and Switch user.

Step 7: Pokki also includes an app store. These are like mobile apps, but for the desktop, and include notifications for some of the most popular websites (such as aFacebook and Twitter) and games (including Plants vs Zombies and Angry Birds).

YouMail Extends To Windows 8, Thanks To Third Party Developer

YouMail the provider of enhanced voicemail services and mobile apps, has a popular iPhone and Android application--but, like any other firm, has had to limit how many different platforms it ports its app to. So, how do get distribution of your services on other, not-as-popular platforms like Windows 8? YouMail appears to have cracked the code, by making its services available via an application programming interface. YouMail announced Tuesday that its services are now available as an app on Windows 8 -- thanks, not to its own team, but to a third party developer, MagikMail.

YouMail said that--due to having a small development team--it has had to limit the platforms it develops for, even dropping BlackBerry support from the app a year ago. However, in the meantime, the firm made an API available to third party developers, which resulted in an independent developer, Gilles Khouzam, building his own app to support YouMail on Windows phone.

Paragon Camptune X 10.2 Now Delivers Full Windows 8 Boot Camp Support

Paragon Software Group (PSG), a leader in data backup, disaster recovery, and data migration solutions, announces the release of a new update to CampTune X 10.2, ensuring the most up-to-date dual-boot user experience possible. Camptune X 10.2 solves the maintenance problem that Mac Boot Camp? users encounter when they run out of free partition space. With Camptune X, Mac users can redistribute available space between Macintosh and Windows partitions rapidly without data loss, adding free megabytes to partitions on either operating system quickly and easily.
Many dual-boot users face the problem of resizing partitions as the amount of data – either on Mac OS X volume or windows volume – increases over time. Paragon Camptune X is a next-generation utility that changes volume sizes in dual-boot Mac OS X/Windows systems by adding more space to one volume at the expense of another. Simple to use, Camptune X is a native utility that adjusts volume size in a few simple clicks without the need to boot to a special environment.
Traditionally, to solve the problem of free space relocation Mac users would need to back up the Boot Camp partition, delete the partition, recreate the NTFS partition with new size and finally, restore the Windows partition backup into this new NTFS partition. The whole process would take 2 to 5 hours. Now with Camptune X the same results can be achieved in a matter of minutes.
Paragon Camptune X has very easy and intuitive interface. There are just 3 simple steps to perform the resize:
1. Run Camptune X
2 Set the desired volume size by moving the partitions boundary
3. Perform the operation.
Camptune X Benefits:
    No need to perform many manual operations.
    No need to reboot Mac, thus you can continue your usual work while the resize operation is performed.
    No need to have third-party software or installation media.
    With Camptune X the whole resize operation is twice as faster.
Availability:
Paragon Camptune X is available for 19.95 USD (14.95 EUR).
About Paragon Software Group:
Paragon Software Group is an innovative software developer focused on two dynamic growth markets. The company's comprehensive product line for the data storage market addresses the needs of data security, storage and management for PCs, servers and networks. A second portfolio of products focuses on mobile productivity applications for handheld devices. Founded in 1994, Paragon Software has offices in the USA, Germany, Japan, and Russia delivering its solutions to consumers, small business and enterprise clients worldwide through a network of Value Added Resellers, distributors and OEMs as well as online through the company website. Paragon Software provides technology to a host of world class companies and partners including Cisco, Dell, Toshiba, NEC, Siemens, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, and more.

Panasonic's Windows 8 Toughpad and Toughbook

As much as we think the iPad is one of the best tablet computers around, you're not likely going to go using it in the rain, or throw it around on a building site.

But there are computers built for this sort of treatment.

Two of the latest are a "fully rugged" Windows 8 tablet and a "rugged" Windows 8 laptop from Panasonic.
The Toughpad FZ-G1
The Toughpad FZ-G1 tablet computer is the thinnest and lightest fully rugged tablet, according to Panasonic.

It is certified to IP65, which means should be able to withstand dust and powerful water jets but not complete immersion. It can withstand drops of up to 1.2 metres. So in theory, it should be ok if used out in the rain or knocked from a desk.

The FZ-G1 includes a 10.1in touchscreen with "outdoor display technology" and weighs 1.1kg. That is fairly hefty as tablets go, but that's the price of ruggedness. The price starts at $3,299.

The Toughbook CF-AX2
For those who like a keyboard, the Toughbook CF-AX2 convertible ultrabook features a 11.6in touchscreen that flips over so you can also use it as a tablet.

How tough is it? The CF-AX2 is "able to withstand drops of up to 76 cm and 100 kgf pressure on the screen without damage," according to Panasonic. There is no mention of water resistance that we could find, though. The price starts at $2,499.

Microsoft planning smaller Surface tablet?

 

The US media outlet has published a report today suggesting Microsoft is currently developing a new range of Surface tablets which will include a 7in model.

The smaller screen tablet is expected to go into mass production later this year and will compete directly withApple's iPad mini and the popular Google Nexus 7 tablet.

A 7in Surface tablet is likely to have a display with a resolution of 1024x768. Earlier this week, Microsoft lowered its minimal screen resolution requirement for Windows 8 certification from 1366x768 to 1024x768 pixels, effectively allowing Windows 8 tablets with smaller screens.

While not revealing any sources for the news besides "people familiar with the company's plans", The Wall Street Journal claims Microsoft has realised it needs a Surface product to compete with smaller tablet devices running rival platforms.

The report claims that 7in tablets weren't part of the Microsoft's strategy last year, but management executives recently realised the rising popularity of smaller tablets.