Taskbar Tweaker: Free App to Make your Life Easier (Windows 7 and 8)

http://rammichael.com/7-taskbar-tweaker

This is a great little app. I use it for two things (but there are many more features):

1. Double click anywhere on the blank part of the taskbar and it shows the desktop (minimizes everything else). No more searching for the bottom right-hand corner spot.

2. Scroll your mouse up and down while hovering over the taskbar - it gives you the volume mixer and you can increase or decrease with your mouse. No more looking for that little volume icon.

These are small things but big annoyances when you do them all day long. 

See the above pic for my settings but do as you like. Works on Win 7 and Win 8.

Windows 8 is practically the same as Win7 but every new OS makes me find new apps to make life productive and easy.

Best Freeware for 2013 (Windows, Mac)

Back in 2009, I compiled a list that I keep updating. With 2013 upon us, now is the time for an updated list of the best freeware for both Windows and Mac. If you have suggestions, please respond in the comment section.  I've tried ten or more programs for each software type and this is my "Best of" list. If you have your own favorites that you think are better, let me know. But at least try the ones here before you say yours is better! (I may have "been there, done that" already!).

Without further ado, here is my list for 2013 (both Word and PDF):

http://sdrv.ms/WNtbV0

Frankly, it is difficult to think of commercial alternatives that are better than these freeware programs (Microsoft Office is a notable exception but the educational price is only $10 for five licenses!). I do pay for some programs, particularly those with lifetime licenses if I think the program is really helpful to me and those I routinely assist. Examples include: Clipcache Pro, Copernic Desktop Search.

That's about it. Everything else I use is free.