To help protect that small fortune that you call a movie collection, there are a couple of apps out there that will help you backup these discs so that you can make a backup copy for personal use.

The folks at Digiarty are currently running a Facebook promotion through September 15, where they are giving away a free copy of their popular Blu-ray Decrypter app to any user that Likes their Facebook page.

This application allows you to save a copy or clone, of your Blu-ray disc to a hard drive. You can even use their companion App, Air Playit to stream these files to your mobile iPad, iPhone and other mobile devices.

All you have to do is head over to the Blu-ray Decrypter page, like their Facebook page and download a free copy of the app. Make sure to use the license code below.

Make sure to head to their site as soon as possible because this offer will expire by September 15, that’s a savings of over $50!

Here’s the activation code for the app: AR-TZTQTXHM-SMNZOO

The only catch to the free application is that you are not entitled to future updates.

WinX Blu-ray Decrypter is compatible with Windows 98, NT, 2000, 2003, XP, Vista (32 & 64 bit), Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit)

BDlot Video Converter is part of a greater suite of applications that allows you to convert videos to any of the supported video formats listed below.

This is a great tool for users looking for a way to watch media on the go or to play your favorite videos on media devices of your choice.

The folks are LotSoft are running a back to school promotion where they are giving away a free copy of the Video Converter application before September 10, 2011.

All you need to do is head over to their site, download a copy of the application and enter the following license code: BT-TNTXYYGV-QJFQFJ and you are set.

BDlot Video Converter allows you to convert from the following video formats: AVI, MPEG, WMV, MP4, FLV, AVCHD, M2TS/MTS, MKV, BDAV and MOV.

You can output to the following video formats: General SD/HD videos, video DVDs, mobile and console devices.

The only catch to using this free application is that updates to the application are not included.

You will have several options when adding movies to the database. You can add movies using information from 15 different movie databases (IMDB, Amazon, and others), you can also add a movie by scanning the barcode printed on every DVD/Blu-Ray case, or by manually entering the information. Once the correct movie is chosen the application will automatically add all pertinent information about the movie to the database, this includes cover art, synopses, casts lists, and more.

You will also have the option of adding movies to Wish lists, mark movies as seen, and keep track of movies that are loaned to others. Reports can be printed with this information as well as other information about the movies stored in the database.

Installation

Installing All My Movies was flawless. All you need to do is download the application installer from the Bolide Software page and run the installation file. All My Movies will only run on a PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 and has no additional requirements.

The trial version of the application it is only good for 30 days from date of installation after that you can purchase the full version fro $44.95.

Setup and Adding Movies

Users running All My Movies in Trial Mode will notice that there’s a movie database that has already been set up that contains several movies. You will have the option of creating your own databases (with the paid version) which can then be shared with other computers on a network or with friends. Because this guide covers the trial mode and the creation of the database is not possible, I’ll skip over to the adding movies section of this review.

To add movies to All My Movies is easy and the options are plenty. You can add movies using the Movie card which automatically pulls information from IMDB for the movie title you are entering. IMDB is not the only data provider available, if the movie that is being added does not appear in IMDB you can also use other online databases (in other languages)to locate the movie information you need. Did I mention that All My Movies automatically populates all the fields for you?

Movie Databases Supported

• IMDB.com (English)
• IMDB.fr (French)
• IMDb.de (German)
• IMDb.es (Spanish)
• KinoPoisk.ru (Russian)
• DVDEmpire.com (Large Cover)
• Amazon.com (Large Cover)
• Cinebel.be (Dutch/French)
• Moviemeter.nl (Dutch)
• FilmWeb.pl (Polish)
• FilmAffinity (Spanish)
• Film.tv.it (Italina)
• Blu-ray.com (English)
• Cinemovies.fr (French)

Screenshot of Movie Card

You can add DVD and BluRay movies by inserting the disc into your computer and asking All My Movies to read the information from the Disc. If you happen to have a ton of movies and can’t imagine sitting there for hours entering titles, selecting movie types, etc. then there is another option which makes movie entry much easier. All My Movies allows users to enter movies into the database using the barcode found on the DVD/Blu-Ray case using a barcode scanner.

I found that adding movies to the database using the IMDB option was the easiest. I also added a movie using the numbers on a barcode and found it to be quick and easy.

Browsing Movies in Database

You have added your entire movie collection to All My Movies, now what? If you’re thinking about buying a new movie or renting something you think you might have, all you have to do is perform a search to locate the movie on the database and save some money.

Screenshot of Search in All My Movies

Okay, so using All My Movies to track what movies you own isn’t that exciting. Remember how All My Movies pulls information from IMDB? Rather than visiting the web each time you want to find the rating or information about a film you can quickly find the information you are seeking about a film with All My Movies.

Screenshot of Movie Information in All My Movies

Movie Management

All My Movies allows users to track the movies that have been loaned out and returned, so if you have a relative who swears they never borrowed a movie  you can use the record on your database (with time and date) that says otherwise. I also don’t see a reason why a mom-and-pop video rental store can’t use All My Movies to manage their customer and movie databases. This application would be perfect in that scenario as well.

Screenshot of Movie Loan Status

Final Thoughts

All My Movies is a great application with a lot of potential. The program has an intuitive interface that makes adding movies a snap and has a great feature set that makes managing your movie collection as fun as it is to watch the actual movies. I don’t find the $44.95 to be an appealing price for an application like this especially when multiple licenses are needed in a single household. I think that if the developers at Bolide Software drop the price to something like $24.95 for the home user and offer a beefed up version for small movie rental businesses at a higher price, then pricing would be more reasonable. Other than price I think that All My Movies is one of the best options for users seeking a tool to keep their movie collection organized.

Publisher’s Description

All My Moviesâ„¢ is a personal movie database and intended for those who are tired of managing their movie collection manually or using difficult-to-use software programs. It is an easy-to-use DVD catalog program. You can use it to catalogue your personal collection of video files (AVI, MKV and other) Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, etc… You do not need to type all movie details; All My Moviesâ„¢ will download all the details from the internet movie database automatically!

All My Moviesâ„¢ is really a multilingual movie organizer application. It now supports English, Russian, Greek, Dutch, French, Belorussian, Latvian, Polish, Serbian, Italian, Portuguese, Finnish, Swedish, Spanish, Korean, Danish, Chinese, Slovak and German languages. You can help us to translate it to your native language!
All My Moviesâ„¢ is the best movie organizer available for a movie collector. Make your own movie catalog today! The program is Vista and Windows 7 compatible. You can catalog your Blu-ray and HD DVD discs with All My Moviesâ„¢ too!

Publisher’s Description via Bolide Software

If you are looking for a simple solution to this problem you can use FocusList, a simple and Zen like to-do list for your computer. The Zen likeness comes from the beautiful backgrounds used in the application window and the ability to enter only 3 tasks.

Using a list of 3 tasks instead of 40 helps you prioritize and focus on the most important tasks first. If you you’re like me and you do have more than 10 tasks due today, simply group those tasks into three to help you organize and prioritize these tasks.

The application is fool-proof and easy to use so give it a try.

Do you use a task list solution you recommend? Share with others in the comments section below.

Description from author:

“FocusList is a minimalistic to-do list founded on the philosophy of a zen master. It is extremely simple and effective.”

To add tasks, simply click on the Task # text and start typing. Repeat for additional tasks. FocusList allows you to enter up to three tasks.

You can also add notes to each task by clicking on the dark box that appears below the task list while editing a task. To complete a task, click on the check box.

Change Backgrounds

To change the background click on the icon in the lower left corner of the application window and it will change to one of the other two backgrounds pictured below.

Developer website Faction3. Download FocusList from the Adobe Marketplace, application is $7 and runs on Adobe Air so it’ll run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

In order to use FocusList you will need Adobe Air on your computer, download Adobe Air from Adobe.

As a road warrior, you take travel to a whole new level. Moving from location to location, you eat, sleep, and breath the land around you; there are places to go and things to see, and the goal is to get there as smoothly as possible.

In the day of modern technology, it’s only logical to use your computer to your advantage. Whether you carry a tiny pocket computer or tote around your full-sized laptop, these programs will make your daily activities easier and your trips more enjoyable.

1. Weather Exchange Network

Weather has a major effect on your daily activities, as well as your travel. Staying up to date at all time is necessary, as weather can change in an instant, and you need to know just when that happens. For that purpose, the Weather Exchange Network program from Ambient Weather is perfect. This free program provides a detailed weather forecast for any location you input, as well as information on the current weather. When minimized, a small temperature icon is displayed in the taskbar.

Download Here

2. Google Earth

Google Earth is like a compass, a map, and the entire world on your computer. You can search for specific directions, distances, alternative routes, view the landscape, and even look at user-submitted photos and videos. The perfect tool for browsing any part of the world in an instant.

Of course, Google Earth requires an Internet connection. Does this mean you won’t be able to pull over and check out a map of your location? Of course not. Increase the size of your system’s cache and then browse the location you’re going to be passing through while you’re still connected to the Internet. All those images will be in your cache, and you’ll be able to view them offline late. When you get to the next wifi hotspot, you can repeat. Another option is taking screenshots for later viewing.

Download Here

3. Farecast

If you stay in hotels, finding the best deals is imperative. This is where a hotel price aggregate comes in handy, combing several different sources and comparing prices to offer you the best deal possible.

Farecast will search for hotels in the area you wish to stay and compare them to the average price for the hotel/area, as well as comparing them to other hotels in the general vicinity.

Try Here

4. MyPhone Book

When you have access to the Internet, finding a phone number is as simple as typing the name store name into Google. Other times, however, it can be impossible. For that reason, a digital ‘phonebook’ is ideal, allow you to enter all the relevant data for various locations before you set out.

MyPhone Book is a small, free program that allows you to add personal contact info, phone number, address, email, web page, and company name, and then add it to your personal directory for easy access.

Download Here

5. Uploadr.py

This incredible little script will make it easy to upload photos from your trip. Whether you’re covering a convention and don’t have time to upload all your photos individually, or you simply hate wasting precious time, this script will make your life easier.

Simply install Python on your computer and download this script. Point it to a folder where you will dump your photos and set it up on your Flickr account. It will regularly check the folder and upload any new pictures added directly to your Flickr account.

Download Here

6. Mozilla Sunbird

Perhaps the easiest way to keep track of important dates, as well as specific times and locations to be is a highly-interactive calendar. Mozilla’s Sunbird is a free cross-platform calendar that features rich, allowing you to affix notes and alerts to each date, coordinate your calendar with different colors, export, and more.

Download Here

7. Easy Wifi Radar

Lets say you’re driving down the street, and suddenly realize that you have to get on the Internet for whatever reason. Normally, you’d have to stop at every parking lot, open your computer and refresh your wifi manager in hopes of a hotspot. With Wifi Radar, however, you can simply open your laptop and start the program. It will constantly scan for open hotspots and automatically connect to the first open network it can access.

Download Here

8. OpenVPN

When traveling, it’s always best to leave your sensitive data at home if possible. Setting up a VPN connection with your home or office system and accessing data via that method is a safer, easier method than toting an external hard drive. OpenVPN is an open source VPN program that is free to download and has a simple installer for Windows systems, as well as binaries for Linux.

Download Here

9. TrueCrypt

If you’re traveling with a laptop, it’s wise to assume  someone will try to steal it at some point. In the event of that happening, it’s wise to have your most important files encrypted so that unauthorized users cannot access them. With TrueCrypt, you can encrypt your most important files with the Blowfish or AES-128 encryption, which are all but impossible to crack.

Download Here

10. EasyGPS

Easy GPS is a free GPS program with a simple interface and expected features. Perfect for those times you need to hookup the GPS receiver and get a bearing on your location, Easy GPS will display data on topo, aerial, and even scanned maps.

Download Here