MusTech.Net!

I have a secret that is no longer going to be so after this post.  If you are a PC user, your desktop administration life is about to get wayyyyy easier.  For over two years I’ve been using a program that literally allows me to forget about where and when I put all of my files on my computer -even what I named them!  It’s called Copernic Desktop Search, it’s a dream, and it’s one of the flagship software programs found at Copernic.com:

Quite frankly, it’s amazing.  I’ve tried a number of “desktop search” engines over the years and honestly -NOTHING compares to the power and simplicity of the Copernic Desktop Search Engine.  Did I say NOTHING?  Yes, it’s true…
NOTHING I’ve found, whether freeware, open-source, payware, or otherwise, compares to the power of file management and search capabilities that this piece of software provides me.

Here’s the best thing about it.. It’s free for Home and Non-Commercial use.   Although the free version is a somewhat tamer version of the professional (@ $49.95 U.S. ) it is nonetheless amazing and there are not any nag screens or lack of useful features.

Copernic’s interface is totally useful, and easily allows you to find all of the files you work with on a daily basis: Word, Excel, Docs, PowerPoints, PDFs, HTML, Word Perfect, Text Files, Zip Files, music, videos, pictures, etc.  In addition, it will locate email attachments as well as index the words of all of your email (and all other supported file types) on your computer if you use Outlook, Express, Eudora or any of the Mozilla clients.

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I’ve been an active proponent of Finale Notepad since its inception and “birth” into the computer world.  I was very disappointed by Finale’s self-reported “exciting news” about the product and their subsequent charge of $9.95-$19.95 US for their latest version of Finale Notepad 2009.    Although, there have been a couple of fair freeware music notation programs, most notably Musette a French software initiative for PCs and Rosegarten for Linux, until my latest discovery of MuseScore, I was not very happy with what would be available for people or schools, financially crippled, to use as a Finale Notepad Replacement, nor did I know of many good alternatives.

Presenting MuseScore:

MuseScore

I am thrilled to say that the folks at MuseScore have not only stepped up to the challenge, but I believe that this open-source music notation program, in time, will come close to the level of notation excellence achieved by both Sibelius and MakeMusic with their programs (Mark my words!).   This program could not have “emerged” at a better time as musicians and educators are clammering for a new alternative for their ”simple” music notation needs at no cost.  While I do legally own copies of Sibelius 5 and Finale 2008 as well as have both of these software programs in our Music Technology lab at the college, you can bet I will also now have copies of MuseScore on them as well, not unlike my copy of Audacity that resides with the amazing shareare Goldwave and payware Adobe Audition.

MuseScore in a nutshell via bullets:

1. Cross Platform (Linux and Windows) and GNU GPL
2. WYSIWYG editing
3. Wizard Setup funtions
4. UNLIMITED number of staves
5. 4 voices (or parts) per staff
6. Easy and fast note entry with mouse, keyboard or MIDI (Note: Windows users, I’ve talked to the people at MuseScore and the MIDI entry will be available very soon!)
7. Import and export Music XML
8. Automatic note head positioning
9. DRUM NOTATION INCLUDED!!!
10. Cross Staff beaming ability
11. Unlimited time and key changes
12. Pickup note measure supported
13. Slur editing
14. Unlimited Lyrics
15. Unlimited Chord names
16. Grace Notes
17. Part extraction
18. Plugins are supported!
19. Midi/XML/PNG Export
20. Mixer function
21. Soundfont capable
22. Partial interpretation of Expressions and repeats

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Music Educator’s Freeware Toolkit
Visit all of our Freeware Toolkit here:

http://www.mustech.net/category/freeware/

Title: Launchy

Description: A time saving tool to find and launch frequently used programs and files on your computer.

License: Open Source

Screen Snapshot:Tested On Which System (before posting): XP Professional

Launchy!

Platforms Supported: All Windows and Linux

Expanded Description: Although not a Music-Specific program,  Launchy is unbelievably useful for expediting the launching and finding of frequently used programs.  It is always ready to go (TSR) and updates its indexes every ten minutes (selectable).    This program is so useful that I’ve installed it on all of our MIDI computers in the Music Technology Lab.  

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Music Educator’s Freeware Toolkit
Visit all of our Freeware Toolkit here:

http://www.mustech.net/category/freeware/

Title: PrintConductor

Description: Easily batch-print multiple files from within a GUI drag and drop environment.

Screen Snapshot:Tested On Which System (before posting): XP Professional

Drag and Drop!

Platforms Supported: All Windows

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