Speed Up Downloads

Download Accelerator Plus
Free ($39.95 for Premium edition)
SpeedBit

Key Benefits:
• Accelerated downloads of one or more files
• Organizational aids to help manage downloads

If you are frequently frustrated while downloading large or multiple files or you would like help managing your downloads, give DAP (Download Accelerator Plus) a spin.

DAP replaces your default download manager automatically, and when you initiate a download, it pops up. The program scans for the fastest download site and can initiate multiple download streams to speed things up. It supports simultaneous downloads in a tabbed interface. DAP also lets you schedule downloads, tag downloads for organizational purposes, and select the destination folder.

DAP miscategorized our Internet connection, so we had to open the Options interface (right-click the icon in your System Tray). You’ll want to visit Options, anyway; many default settings don’t give you a lot of flexibility. From this interface, for example, you can adjust the download settings, instruct DAP to run files through your antivirus software (if you don’t have built-in download scanning or it isn’t enabled), and more.

DAP Premium brings even more benefits and eliminates the ads that support the free version (which aren’t intrusive). With DAP Premium, you get even faster downloads and can password-protect, hide, preview, and auto-extract downloaded files. We think the free version will suffice for most users.

Web-Based Invoicing

Billing Manager

Free (fee-based enhancements available)
Intuit
(650) 944-6000
www.billingmanager.com

From the makers of QuickBooks, Quicken, and TurboTax comes Billing Manager, a basic but functional Web-based invoicing system. Users need only create a password, select one of the provided templates, and enter business, client, and billing data to create invoices.

Once the account owner creates an invoice, Billing Manager can send an invoice link to the customer via an email (with boilerplate or custom text) or display the invoice for printing. Billing Manager keeps tabs on provided payment data and can generate reminders for unpaid invoices. Those who want to create estimates or set up recurring invoicing can opt for an enhanced version and pay a $9.95 monthly fee. Users who want to accept credit card or electronic check payments can purchase the QuickBooks Merchant Services add-on for $14.95 per month plus a small fee for credit card payments. (Both services offer a 30-day free trial.)

It is disappointing that Billing Manager cannot interact with Intuit's other financial products, banks, or even Excel and other spreadsheet formats. However, a company representative says the product targets those with limited billing needs. We see this benefiting solo business owners with an urgent need to generate invoices or accept payments while they are away from their office computers