Found out about some handy apps over the last week while trying to do something else. Thought I’d share it, which is handily what the first app is about.

Simplify Media
For ages I’ve been trying to sort out a decent way of being able to access stuff on my media-server from other Macs/PCs in a way that keeps it organised, and doesn’t matter too much about which client I use to access it. Didn’t work that out, but instead found this app which lets you access your itunes/winamp library from anywhere else on the internet. Probably a bit grey legally, you can have it running on a media server at home, then access your music while you’re either at a mates house or at work. Setup is minimal, and you can add friends libraries too - Up to 30 other people, which is brilliant. Works on both Mac and PCs, to stop your anti-mac mates grumbling about anything. Get it here.

Zattoo
Zattoo is an IPTV client which runs on Windows, Mac and would you believe it Linux. It streams content from a bunch of channels direct to the client without having to faff about with firewall ports and because it comes straight from their servers it runs alot better than any others I’ve tried that rely on P2P connections from the back end of Afghanistan. Being a Swiss company seems to allow them to do anything they like, since the channels available are the main UK TV channels (even BBC!?) and most importantly of course, The Poker Channel. Again, this is a freeware app so there’s nothing at all to complain about. The streams are live content only which I think stops them getting sued, so next time there’s an international sporting event which inconveniently clashes with work*, this might well come in handy! Get it here.
* Not suggesting anyone should watch TV at work, I mean, seriously?