Mediaboss Marketing

Enlarge / It finally exists.

Blizzard Entertainment

A long-rumored StarCraft remaster for computers was finally unveiled on Saturday by Blizzard Entertainment, set for launch in "summer 2017." No pricing info was announced, but Blizzard has confirmed quite a few other details about the 4K-friendly release.

For one, it will be preceded by a patch to the 19-year-old StarCraft: Brood Warclient, and this new 1.18a client will reportedly not change the mechanics of the game. To prove that out, this patched version will still be able to connect to players using the existing 1.16 patch (which came out all the way back in 2009). Among other tweaks, like better compatibility with newer versions of Windows, the new patch will include two important updates: the ability to connect to and play against owners of the upcoming remastered version, and the change to a wholly free product. Once the patch goes live, the original StarCraftAnthologywill be free-as-in-beer to download and play in both single- and multiplayer modes.

Some of the original designs, like the Carrier, look a little weird in this redrawn form.

Here's the original Carrier design, for comparison's sake.

But other refreshed designs, like the Overlord, look quite good with more detail and new art.

Old Overlord.

New Zealots.

Old Zealots.

Original Marines.

New Marines. Move out.

The new Hydra.

The OG Hydra.

This actually looks like the right way to redraw the very '90s sci-fi design of the Battlecruiser.

Original Battlecruiser.

Blizzard fed the patch's details to the community site TeamLiquid, and these indicatethat the patch (and the associated price change) will launch first for Windows players on March 30.

If you pay for the remaster, which will launch on both Mac and PC, you'll get the exact same game logic and content as the original game, only with completely redrawn 2D graphicsdesigned to scale for 4K resolutions and widescreen ratios. Whether the redrawn artwill be your cup of tea is another question; early footage includes some monsters, ships, and buildings that look a little odd when directly compared to the original sprites. The remaster will also fully retouch the assets of the game's six campaigns, complete with new "comic book" intro panels and re-recorded dialogue.

StarCraft remaster trailer

Preview videos advertise the ability to zoom heavily into the new 2D sprites and also far out to view the entire battlefield, but it's unclear whether this zooming will be allowed in online play. We'll have to wait for Blizzard to show us more footage, which we hope will also clear upwhether these redrawn assets are ultimately the right fit.

Read more:
StarCraft remaster unveiled, and original SD version becomes free-as-in-beer - Ars Technica

Forbes

Google's New Free Software To Speed Up The Internet Forbes The common JPEG could be about to get a lot smaller thanks to Google's new software. This could lead not only to a faster Web, but also to direct savings on storage costs for everyone from hosting services to hobbyist photographers and especially ... and more »

Read the rest here:
Google's New Free Software To Speed Up The Internet - Forbes

There are few things as frustrating as losing important data on your PC. Whether the information was accidentally deleted, lost, or formatted away, the recovery often required solutions that cost time, money and effort. Today, the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free 11.0 is a free recovery software system that promises to bring back lost data on your laptop, computer, or removable device fast.

The recovery software is downloaded to your computer and can be used to get back files, images, and video from several different devices which include the following;

The hard drive data recovery software works for many different situations that range from accidental deletion to hard drive failure to system crash, RAW partition, formatting difficulties, loss of partition and more. What helps make this software so effective is its versatility. This means that your original data may be retrieved under the most common of deletion circumstances.

There is a quick-scan mode which helps find data that has been accidentally deleted where a fast recovery is possible. And, there is a deep-scan mode that makes it possible to bring back documents, files, images, and media that have seemingly been thoroughly deleted such as with formatting.

There are several advantages to the EaseUS Data Recovery software, especially for those with little to no experience in using such software before.

Easy to Use: The entire point of this recovery software system is that it takes you through step-by-step in the recovery process. All you need to know is the type of files that you want to retrieve so that the software can start searching for them. The simplified process makes it easy for anyone to get back their deleted files.

Saves Time: You can bring in or export out the scanning results whenever you need them. This means that you can import the scanning results that you have saved while continuing with the recovery without having to rescan yet again.

Preview Before Recovery: As part of the recovery process, you can preview the files that the software has identified before having them recovered. That way, if you have misidentified what you want, it makes it far easier to change and get the right files for your recovery effort.

Price: Its really hard to beat free and all you need to do is download the software system into your computer. However, you can upgrade to a more advanced EaseUS Data Recovery software level that provides you with additional features. Of course, you can stick to the free version if you want with no further obligation.

There are good reasons to have this software system on your PC, laptop, or another compatible device, but the bottom line is that this is a free recovery system that can save your files that accidentally get deleted. Few people think of the consequences of losing precious files until the worst occurs, so you can preempt that by downloading this simple, easy-to-use software recovery system. The EaseUS Data Recovery software free is perfect for getting back what you have lost on your computer, laptop, or device.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free 11.0

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EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a free software that backs up your digital life - KnowTechie

Here's tax software to give you the biggest bang for buck

Danielle Serino, WKYC 3:40 AM. EDT March 25, 2017

(Photo: USA TODAY)

With so many software programs available, you may be wondering which one gives you the best refund. Wellnone of them. With these programs you either owe money, or you don't. The difference is in their price and how easy they are to use.

More than half of Americans, myself included, lack the confidence or skills to file taxes on their own.

And if your return is complicated, the chances of making a mistake are even higher, which means you can get you into quite a bit of trouble.

I've had two or three clients over the past years that have used Turbo Tax, checked the wrong boxes, missed something or didn't add something, and they were criminal cases and they were prosecuted. So you really have to be careful, said Tax Attorney Robert Fedor.

But if your tax situation is simple, you worked and got a W2, have minimal investments or deductions, a 1040 EZ may be easy breezy with one of the tax programs out there.

Turbo Tax Turbo Tax seems to be the favorite among do it yourselfers...simply because it's the closest you can get to hiring a real life preparer.

-It has easy prompts and questions that make mistakes less likely. -You can text with an expert if you have questions -And it's very easy to navigate through the filing process.

The downsides: -It's pricey. Even with the free version you'll pay $30 if you want to file a State return. -Their Premium version costs $80 plus another $40 to file a State return. -And users say they're constantly interrupted with upsells for things like investment help and expert support if you get audited.

Tax Act Tax Act offers many of the same features as Turbo Tax.... but for free. -In fact their free version is just thatcompletely free. -And their Plus version is 43 dollars less than the comparable version of Turbo Tax. -Email and Phone support are free. -So is their Doc Vault app, which stores and organizes important documents.

The downsides: -It's not the easiest program to use if you have a complex tax situation. -The questions and prompts are not as detailed as with Turbo Tax and H&R block, which could lead to mistakes or missed deductions. -And because of that it takes more time to complete.

H&R Block The last big player is H&R Block, which is very similar to Turbo Tax, but which offers real life tax preparers if there is problem. The pros: -You can try before you buy. Unlike the other software, you don't need to register just to see if you like it. -It's the only software whose free version lets you to itemize deductions. -And it offers in person audit help.

The downsides: -Like Turbo Tax, it's expensive, although less so. With its most expensive software $20 less than Turbo Tax's. -But it's Premium version costs $80 dollars, plus another $40 to file State returns. -And it's not as easy to navigate. The questions are sometimes harder to understand than with Turbo Tax, which again could lead to mistakes or missed deductions.

One of the things you really need to be careful about with all of these programs, is dealing with your municipal taxes like RITA or CCA. Make sure the software supports the city you live in. If not, you're going to have to file those separately. And don't ignore them, because they will find you. Below are links to several software programs, as well as to ones that will let you file free depending on your income:

Turbo Tax

Tax Act

H&R Block

Credit Karma

TaxSlayer

Jackson Hewitt

IRS Free File: Do your Federal taxes for free

Which tax software is best for you?

2017 WKYC-TV

Read more:
Planning to do your own taxes this year? Here's software to give you biggest bang for your buck - WKYC-TV

Raleigh, N.C. Last tax season, 40 percent of those who filed electronically did not use a paid tax preparer. Many used one of the three most popular tax software products.

I need something quick, easy, get it done, Julia Brown said. Because my tax situation is straightforward, I think its a good solution and a safe solution for me.

TurboTax, H & R Block and TaxAct are all pretty good for simple situations.

Smartphones make it even easier. All three products allow users to automatically upload their W2 information by simply taking a photo.

If your tax situation becomes more complicated, if youre self-employed, you would likely have to upgrade. That could cost around $10 to $60.

You can likely get a deduction if you correctly itemize your return. Consumer Reports said all three have tools to help make itemized deductions easy.

Even without an upgrade to a more expensive version, Consumer Reports said any one of the at home products should get the job done for most simple returns.

Of the three, Consumer Reports found TaxAct has the best value for people who itemize, own a home or have simple investments.

The turn-around can be quick, and the federal refund can be automatically deposited into a bank account just 10 days after filing.

Read the rest here:
Free tax software products offer great option for simple tax prep ... - WRAL.com