From Microsoft Bob to Edubuntu there have been a number of attempts at making computers of various sorts easier and more useful for young people. Another participant in this space is Kiddix, “a complete operating system and software environment for children, built from the ground up with your family’s needs and safety in mind.” Kiddix is built upon Linux, and aims to present things in a very “kid friendly” way. Through the end of June, Kiddix is running a “Pay What You Want” promotion, allowing you to pay any amount to buy their OS.

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Interesting. Maybe I can use that old PC of mine in the closet? Is it worth using this OS with the iPad so easy to use? Where are all the videos with kids using Kiddix OS? Just because you use primary colors and have a happy penguin means that kids will understand how to use an OS? Most 2yr olds can operate the iOS to some degree. Hmmm.... Maybe I won't install this OS? Thoughts?

I was only just talking about how long its been since Adobe released a new major update to its flagship Creative Suite product with an imaging professional friend, and now there’s a sign that we won’t have to wait much longer for said update to arrive. AppleInsider got an exclusive look at some of the new features coming up in various CS5 programs, some of which look mighty appealing to my hobbyist eye.

Photoshop CS5 will finally become 64-bit, for starters, something which Photoshop CS4 for Windows could claim nearly two years ago in 2008. The new 64-bit Photoshop CS5 has be completely rewritten in Apple’s Cocoa development framework, after Apple’s decision to scrap a 64-bit version of Carbon blocked the simultaneous release of a 64-bit Photoshop CS4 for Mac. But that’s not all. Many other new goodies are also forthcoming.

Many Behind-the-Scenes Improvements

As a frequent, though not very in-depth user of Photoshop CS4, I consider it by far the best iteration of Adobe’s image editor to date, and so I wasn’t too disappointed to learn that many of the changes made in CS5 will come as backstage enhancements. Like Apple did with Snow Leopard, Adobe’s engineering efforts with the new version of Photoshop were concentrated on taking better advantage of available system and software resources.

Those improvements will result in a nice little speed boost according to AppleInsider:

In its own internal tests, Adobe found the average 64-bit app to run about 8 to 12 percent faster than a 32-bit one. The primary advantage of 64-bit applications is their ability to address very large amounts of memory in excess of the 4GB limit of 32-bit apps.

Other changes will mostly affect users who do a lot of 3D work, which is something I’ve never even attempted. Few other details about these changes were revealed, although specific feature information about improved photo retouching, including smart object removal was part of the report. If it works as well as advertised, this feature alone will make the upgrade worth my while.

Flash, Dreamweaver and InDesign

Many of the changes being introduced in other software titles included in Adobe’s Creative Suite 5 seem aimed at shoring up and further entrenching Flash web technology, to the detriment of HTML 5, which threatens to eventually render Flash almost irrelevant.

Flash CS5 includes the ability to convert Flash apps and games into code that will be accepted by the iTunes App Store, though according to the sources for the report that isn’t yet working in the beta versions of the software:

This functionality is not working in the current beta versions. We don’t think serious developers will use Flash for creating iPhone applications. It also appears that Adobe continues to miss the boat with HTML 5, and is focused almost exclusively on trying to get users to depend more on Flash – even as the Web development community is looking elsewhere.

Finally, new InDesign features also try to reinforce the use of Flash, making it possible for layout designers to create web-based Flash tie-ins to their print content, or just making it easier to introduce Flash content into their InDesign-created websites. Testers were confused about why Adobe would try to shift focus for InDesign to web content creation, when Dreamweaver is so much better at that kind of task. Having used both, I have to admit I’m wondering the same thing. Perhaps the fear is that InDesign will become less appealing as print culture continues to falter.

Web Review Across the Board

While a lot of the new features revealed so far seem focused on righting the sinking ship that is Flash, some seem genuinely useful to all users. One such improvement is the introduction of web review across of the CS5 products. This will allow designers and artists working in the various creative suite applications to quickly and easily share proofs and samples with clients and coworkers who don’t have access to CS5 themselves. It should take at least a few steps out of the QA process, and anything you can do to simplify that headache of a process is plenty impressive in my books.

Look for Adobe CS5 to come to market sometime this Spring. No pricing details have been announced or hinted at.

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Tags: adobe, creative suite, cs5, dreamweaver, features, flash, indesign, photoshop

Filed in: Apps, Commentary

Every week we pose a simple, focused question to the Lifehacker readership about a specific topic: Which is best? From netbooks and malware removal to home servers and wallpaper, here's a look back at the most popular Hive Five topics of 2009.

The Hive Five asks the question "Which is best?" in a variety of topics covering hardware, software, and sometimes even a combination of the two. Although sometimes it's easy to predict the winner—Ubuntu has had its share of wins, to be sure—the real value in the Hive Five isn't actually its ability to elevate a single winner to a pedestal but to highlight all the great options that are out there.

Between the four runners up in each Hive Five and the other options highlighted in the hundreds of comments on both the Hive Five Call for Contenders and the actual Hive Five every week, it's easy to discover new things. If ever you're not sold on the winner of any Hive Five always make sure to read over the comments and see if any of them tip you off to a new and awesome product you'd never heard of.

Five Best Netbooks

Some months have elapsed since we asked you which netbook was best, but the newer models of the winner and runners up in that Hive Five are still the forerunners in the netbook market.

Five Best Malware Removal Tools

Nobody likes having their machine laden down with malware. Check out this Hive Five to find great applications for keeping things running smooth and malware free.

Best Home Server Software

Media files, data synchronization, and remote backups, oh my! Home computing has advanced to a point where it's practical to run your own home server, and we're running down the five best tools for the job.

Five Best Linux Distributions

There are many, many Linux distributions, and a lot of unique reasons to like them. Read on to see which open-source operating systems inspired our readers to provide our biggest Hive Five response to date.

Five Best Wallpaper Sites

Nobody likes staring at a boring desktop when they fire up their computer every morning. Keep your wallpaper fresh with the five most popular sites Lifehacker readers use to satisfy their wallpaper needs.

Five Best Free Data Recovery Tools

The best way to recover from unexpected data loss is to be properly prepared. With one of the following tools on hand, you'll always be ready to save your data from the Reaper.

Six Best Video Editing Applications

You want to be the supreme ruler of your own virtual cutting room? Better break out the checkbook—your film-chopping powers aren't going to come cheaply.

Five Best Web Browsers

It's probably the most important and debated piece of software on the modern computer. See how your fellow readers get around the net, and vote for your favorite web browser.

Six Best MP3 Tagging Tools

A well tagged MP3 collection makes everything from organization to playback easier. Keep reading for a closer look at your fellow readers' favorite tools for cleaning up their MP3 tags in this Hive Five.

Five Best Antivirus Applications

Computer viruses are increasingly sophisticated and pervasive. If you can't afford to run your computer without some sort of antivirus software installed, check out these five popular options to protect your PC.

Five Best Live CDs

Live CDs (and DVDs) are versatile tools, allowing you to boot into an operating system without installing anything to your hard drives. Let's take a closer look at the five most popular live CDs.

Five Best Disk Defragmenters

Your computer is a busy beaver, rapidly accessing and utilizing files all in the name of bringing you what you want, when you want it. Sometimes it needs a little help tidying up, and that's where these five disk defragmenters come in.

Five Best Portable Applications

Whether you got a shiny new flash drive over the holidays or your old thumb drive is looking for a new lease on life, pack it full of goodness with these five killer portable applications.

Five Best Instant Messengers

Instant messaging has become so ubiquitous, an entire generation of internet users is probably unaware there was ever life without it. Check out the following five most popular instant messengers to to help you communicate across networks and the world.

Five Best Free System Restore Tools

Backing up data is a great way to minimize losses after a computing catastrophe. But what about restoring your actual system right away? Here are the five most popular reader choices.

Five Best People-Search Engines

Need to do a little online detective work? Track down anyone from long lost schoolmates to the new friend whose number you've lost with this assortment of powerful people-search engines.

Five Best System Tray Applications

The Windows system tray can be so much more than a parking lot for programs you don't want cluttering up your task bar. Read on to see the five most popular tray tools readers can't live without.

Five Best Online Backup Tools

Local backup is a useful and necessary part of securing your data against catastrophe, but with the advent of broadband and inexpensive online storage, you've got little reason to not back up critical files to the cloud as well.

Five Best PDF Readers

Adobe's free PDF reader has long been a standard for handling its extremely popular document format, but you aren't limited to using it to view your PDF files. Let's take a look at five of the most popular PDF readers.

Five Best Video Players

We've come a long way since animated GIFs and video-game-style MIDI files were considered cutting edge computer-provided A/V entertainment. Take advantage of today's high-quality video with one of these five most popular video players.

Hive Five: Five Best Mind Mapping Applications

Mind mapping is a great way to add structure to brainstorming sessions and visualize your ideas. Check out the applications your fellow readers use to do their best brainstorming.

Five Best Windows Task Manager Alternatives

The Windows Task Manager is a functional but basic tool for keeping an eye on what your computer's up to. If you want to go beyond the built-in tool and for more in depth information and control, check out these five alternatives.

Six Best Portable Operating Systems

Why restrict yourself to merely carrying around your data on a thumb drive? Take your entire operating system on your flash drive with the excellent portable operating systems you'll find inside this week's Hive Five.

Five Best Portable Apps Suites

Once upon a time, easy remote computing was a pipe dream, now people routinely carry gigs of data around on flash drives smaller than a modest pack of chewing gum. Manage your apps and data with these portable application suites.

Five Best Virtual-Desktop Managers

Long before multiple monitors were popular (or financially feasible), there were virtual desktops—applications that allow you to swap your entire workspace with another for easy compartmentalization of your work. Here's a look at five of the most popular virtual-desktop managers.

Five Best Application Docks

Remember the days of digging through folders of shortcuts and menus to launch applications? These days many users prefer customizable, attractive docks for launching and keeping track of their favorite apps. Here's a look at five of the most popular docks.

Five Best Time-Tracking Applications

Where does the time go? Whether you need to know for billing purposes or just want a better idea of how your work day is split up, you can always answer that question with a good time-tracking application.

Five Best Software Update Tools

Rather than wait around for your software to notify you of updates (let's face it, a lot of applications never will), these five handy tools keep an eye on your apps, alert you when an update's available, and streamline the updating process.

Six Best Exercise Planning and Tracking Tools

Technology and exercise make an excellent pair; you can now track, plan, and graph your workouts more easily than ever. We're here to take a look at six of the most popular tools for the job.

Five Best Alternative File Copiers

If you do any serious file copying on a Windows system, you'll quickly discover that there are substantial limitations to the default file copier. Ease your file copying frustrations with these five alternative copiers.

Which is Your Favorite Hive Five Topic from 2009?(polls)

Have a favorite Hive Five topic from 2009 that wasn't highlighted here? Let's hear about it in the comments. If you have a topic you'd love us to cover in 2010, make sure to send an email with your suggestion to tips @ lifehacker.com with "Hive Five" in the subject line so we can add it to our list.

Send an email to Jason Fitzpatrick, the author of this post, at wnfba@yvsrunpxre.pbz

moc.rekcahefil@nosaj.

The Tool For Notes

 

Tinderbox Weekend Boston

March 13-14, 2010: Tinderbox for Law, Journalism, and Policy. From getting started with Tinderbox to exciting new techniques.

Tinderbox 5

It’s faster. It’s better. And it’s here. Tinderbox 5.0 !

Software event of the year” — S.F. Keydel

The Romero File

A new episodic Tinderbox tutorial explores Tinderbox in a legal investigation. Useful for novices and advanced Tinderbox users alike, with notes about research frontiers. New episodes weekly. Start with Episodes 0, and 1, or catch the latest: Agendas.

 

Tinderbox stores and organizes your notes, plans, and ideas. It can help you analyze and understand them. And Tinderbox helps you share ideas through Web journals and web logs.

VISUAL

Tinderbox maps your notes as you make them. Build relationships by arranging notes, organizing them with shape and color, linking them. Tinderbox lets you record ideas quickly and keep them where you'll find them again when you need them.

SMART

Tinderbox gives you maps, charts, outlines, and more -- and you can have many views open at once.

Tinderbox notes can have prototypes, saving you time and keeping your work organized. A note is just like its prototype -- except when you've said it's different. Change the prototype, and the change is inherited instantly.

ATTENTIVE

Tinderbox agents scan your notes continuously, searching for notes that meet your criteria. Agents can look for tasks that are overdue, or notes you need to complete, or topics that you find especially interesting. Tinderbox can even automatically update notes and RSS feeds from the internet.

SWIFT

Tinderbox is fast. Want to make a note? Just type! Want to edit a note? Just click. Need to search? Tinderbox starts looking for the answer as soon as you start typing, and often finds your answer before you finish.

STANDARD

With Tinderbox, your data is yours. Tinderbox files are XML, and Tinderbox shares notes with HTML, xHTML, XML, RSS, and OPML.

Tinderbox works beautifully with Web standards. The presentation assistant helps build attractive presentations for lectures and for use on the Web. The new Flint weblog assistant helps you design and build sophisticated weblogs using the latest web services.

Everything is stored on your own computer: you aren't dependent on a distant server. Write anytime: on airplanes, in cafs, at home or away. If you share notes on the Web, every aspect of your Web site is up to you. Your site looks the way you want. You can host it anywhere you please.

ACTIVE

Tinderbox is a deep program with an active and friendly user community. The Tinderbox Wiki hosts ongoing discussions and tutorials. Tinderbox weekends -- held throughout the US and Europe -- give Tinderbox users a chance to get together to share ideas and to explore Tinderbox with the Tinderbox developers in person. The Tinderbox Public File Exchange hosts a range of templates, assistants, and samples. You can arrange private Tinderbox training for you and your team.

PERSONAL

Tinderbox is personal. It works the way you want, and adapts gracefully as your needs change. It's small and agile, so you can get started right away, but it's got the power you'll need to handle all your notes.

Your Tinderbox agents work constantly to keep things organized. A rich portfolio of views -- maps, charts, outlines, and more -- keeps you in touch with your information. Work the way you want.

Cool application but spendy. I have used freemind which is open source and does a fine job mind mapping. It always good to know that there is software out there to help organize my mind.

Windows/Mac only: Free application Orb lets you access music, video, and other media stored on your computer from virtually any device (Wii, PS3, cell phone, etc.). It's been around a while on Windows, but today it's also available on the Mac.

We've been fans of Orb for years now, having used it to stream music to any PC and use our Wii as a media center, and now the same sort of great functionality is available to both Windows and Mac users. Using it is dead simple: Just install the Orb application, point it toward your media, then head to http://mycast.orb.com/. Once you log in, you can access any of your media through your browser or device-specific interface. (See our guides above for finer points on different devices.)

As Macworld points out, Orb is also now available as a $10 iPhone app or a free trial app. $10 isn't cheap, but it if you're an Orb user, the easy access to all your computer's media is a pretty sweet deal.

Orb is a free download, Windows and Mac only. If you've been a die-hard Orb user all these years on Windows, share your experience with Orb in the comments.

Orb [via Macworld]

Send an email to Adam Pash, the author of this post, at adam@lifehacker.com.