Not everyone gets by with the default browser on their computer, and when it comes to picking an alternative, Firefox is one of the most popular out there, having clawed back support from upstart rivals like Google Chrome and Opera in recent years by switching to a rapid release cycle, ensuring major new versions of the browser are released every six weeks.

It’s true to say that individual updates often fail to deliver anything substantial, but cumulatively they roll together to produce a web browser that is radically different to the one – version 4 – that marked the start of a new era back in 2011.

Some of the landmark new features we’ve seen include a per-site Permissions Manager, enhanced Sync options, tabs on demand, silent updates and add-on enhancements. We also saw the launch of specific development branches including UX, which has led to the new Australis user interface, which sees a streamlined tab, revamped menu and customisation features.

One group particularly well served by the rapid release cycle have been developers, and a plethora of tools from Javascript Scratchpad (Firefox 6) to full-blown Developer Toolbar (Firefox 16) have worked their way into successive builds as Firefox courts this important community of users.

And underpinning this all are a constantly evolving set of performance improvements, standards support (HTML5 and CSS3 are constantly being added to, for instance) and bug fixes.

Firefox 66.0 is now in the stable channel. Improvements/changes include:

- Firefox now prevents websites from automatically playing sound.
- Improved search experience. Find a specific webpage faster when you have a lot of tabs open
- Smoother scrolling: Scroll anchoring keeps content from jumping as images and ads load at the top of the page
- Improved performance and better user experience for extensions
- A redesigned keyboard shortcuts section in about:addons makes it easier to view and adjust default shortcuts
- Redesigned certificate error pages help you better understand and resolve issues, including identification of certificate issuers for anti-virus software
- Added basic support for macOS Touch Bar
- Experimenting with an improved Pocket experience in New Tab with different layouts and more topical content
- Improved performance and reduced crash rates by [doubling web content loading processes from 4 to 8 [1]
- Easier, passwordless security: Added support for Windows Hello on Windows 10, allowing you to use your face, fingerprint, or external security keys for website authentication

Not everyone gets by with the default browser on their computer, and when it comes to picking an alternative, Firefox is one of the most popular out there, having clawed back support from upstart rivals like Google Chrome and Opera in recent years by switching to a rapid release cycle, ensuring major new versions of the browser are released every six weeks.

It’s true to say that individual updates often fail to deliver anything substantial, but cumulatively they roll together to produce a web browser that is radically different to the one – version 4 – that marked the start of a new era back in 2011.

Some of the landmark new features we’ve seen include a per-site Permissions Manager, enhanced Sync options, tabs on demand, silent updates and add-on enhancements. We also saw the launch of specific development branches including UX, which has led to the new Australis user interface, which sees a streamlined tab, revamped menu and customisation features.

One group particularly well served by the rapid release cycle have been developers, and a plethora of tools from Javascript Scratchpad (Firefox 6) to full-blown Developer Toolbar (Firefox 16) have worked their way into successive builds as Firefox courts this important community of users.

And underpinning this all are a constantly evolving set of performance improvements, standards support (HTML5 and CSS3 are constantly being added to, for instance) and bug fixes.

Firefox 66.0 is now in the stable channel. Improvements/changes include:

- Firefox now prevents websites from automatically playing sound.
- Improved search experience. Find a specific webpage faster when you have a lot of tabs open
- Smoother scrolling: Scroll anchoring keeps content from jumping as images and ads load at the top of the page
- Improved performance and better user experience for extensions
- A redesigned keyboard shortcuts section in about:addons makes it easier to view and adjust default shortcuts
- Redesigned certificate error pages help you better understand and resolve issues, including identification of certificate issuers for anti-virus software
- Added basic support for macOS Touch Bar
- Experimenting with an improved Pocket experience in New Tab with different layouts and more topical content
- Improved performance and reduced crash rates by [doubling web content loading processes from 4 to 8 [1]
- Easier, passwordless security: Added support for Windows Hello on Windows 10, allowing you to use your face, fingerprint, or external security keys for website authentication

LibreOffice has long since moved on from being an offshoot of the OpenOffice project. It's now the go-to alternative to Microsoft Office, enjoying regular development and a constant tweaking to keep it up to date, stable and secure.

While LibreOffice lacks the slick presentation of rival Windows freebie Kingsoft Office Suite Free and its Office-inspired ribbon interface, it has the major advantage of offering a full set of office applications, including database, drawing package and mathematical tool on top of the requisite word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool found in most free office suites.

While it’s definitely more navigable than before thanks to better placement of tools and visual previews of styles direct from the main toolbar, it still looks a little dated, despite the refreshed icon sets. Nevertheless, this is still a powerful suite capable of meeting most people's needs, making this zero-cost alternative to Office a valuable tool to have in your armoury.

Ever-improving support for third-party file types (including both new and classic Office formats) means you're not cutting yourself off from industry standards while cross-platform support means you can run LibreOffice on Windows, Mac or Linux without having to retrain yourself to a new way of working each time.

What else is new in LibreOffice 6.2.3 (see changelog for more info)?

- Provides over 90 bug and regression fixes

TeamViewer 14 is the latest version of the popular remote access/control program.

We handle support for novice computer users and you’ll be surprised how many of these customers do not understand the basics of computing. Sell them security software and many can’t install the new suite as they’ve never fully removed the previous suite. So frustrating.

The easiest solution is to employ TeamViewer and remotely advise the user via their computer than either over the phone or by email. It’s quicker to perform a task yourself than guide, which has made the likes of TeamViewer a godsend for any remote support facility.

As with previous editions, you can use it to access your own computer across the internet, maybe recovering some important document you've left at home. Or you can use it to remotely control another PC where TeamViewer is also installed; so if a friend's having technical troubles, you can log on to their system, even through most firewalls, and troubleshoot the computer as though you were sitting in front of it.

What's new in TeamViewer 14.2 (see the changelog for more info)?  

- TeamViewer-UDP now also works in IPv6-Only-Networks or where specific NAT-Technology prevent UDP via IPv4 from working.
- With a new access control for script execution for incoming and outgoing sessions that can be rolled out via policies in the Management Console the permissions can be set more granular.
- Script execution is now also possible when connecting to a Linux remote machine. The necessary scripts can be uploaded in the Management Console.
- Major performance improvements for TeamViewer Pilot connections
- Free-hand drawing of Pilot connection partner
- Improved the remote control performance by improving how TeamViewer leverages the network for optimal throughput
- Now the script menu within the session is updated while having a session if scripts are added, deleted or updated.
- Improved the way how TeamViewer handles CTRL keys in combination with other programs