Free utility to clean up your Mac OS X
Onyx is a free tool that allows you to verify the Startup Disk and the structure of its System files. It also runs misc tasks of system maintenance, configures the hidden parameters of the Finder, delete caches and temp files, and removes certain numberes of files and folders that may become cumbersome and fill up disk space.
Click here to download from MacUpdate.com : http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/11582
How To Open a .DOCX file in Office 2003
Many users still use Office suite 2003 and have yet to venture into the newer version Office 2007. If you receive a file from a user that does have Word or Excel 2007, you will not be able to open it without installing the compatibility pack. Its a quick download and this will enable you to open any .docx, .xlsx and .pptx files.
reference: How to geek *** Post most viewed this month *** original post date June 6 09
Free Parental software
A friend of mine asked me if i knew any good free parental monitoring software that they can install on their main computer to watch how their kids were using their internet use. I came across a free and easy to use software called K9 web protection.
On the Setup Page you decide what kind of protection level you desire. Protection levels include high, default, moderate, minimal, monitor, and custom. High protects against all default-level categories plus chat, newsgroups, and un-rated sites. Default protects against all adult content, security threats, illegal activity, sexually-related sites, and online community sites. Moderate protects against all adult content, security threats, and illegal activity. Minimal protects against pornography and security threats. Monitor allows all categories and only logs traffic. Custom is used when you want to select you own set of categories to block. There are numerous categories to choose from and you should choose which category fits your needs best.
Only negative is that you can’t install this software for specific accounts only, so that means if you’re also using the computer that has K9 installed – then you will be filtered and will have to put in the password or deactivate it when you are using it. Also i heard some users had difficulty shutting the software down or it would hang or freeze. Some of these bugs have been resolved, but if this happens to you try uninstalling and re-installing the software.
Remember it is a free software – so it is not completely safe from new websites or sometimes some sites might be catergorized wrong. You can send your input to their HelpSupport if you encounter a site that should be blocked.
Download K9 Web Protection
Changing your themes with Folderico
Folderico is a free utility from Shedko software that allows you to change your folder icons with ones they have available.
Check Folderico here for visuals and to download the app.
Easy software for animated photo slideshow
I came across a site called Animoto a while back and made some pretty nice animated slideshows with the pictures i had on my computer. The free version only lasts for 30 seconds but you can become a premium member and purchase unlimited time and added features. You can choose your music that you want in the background of your show. Animoto then sorts the photos to match the music. It then add effects to your photos. The more photos you add, the faster they’ll appear in the video. The free version sets everything for you – if you want other options, you’ll have to sign up has a full member. The video then takes about 5-10 minutes to render the video, depending how fast your internet speed is.
Rocket Dock
Here’s a new tool you can use to organize your favoirte icon shortcuts. Its alot like the Mac dock and you can install it to Windows. It pretty much does the same job as Quick launch on your taskbar, but alot more graphical.
I re-arranged my icons and deleted some old shortcuts on my desktop. I then added my more frequently used shortcuts on my dock. You can change the color, style, size, and the position – pretty much make it as custom as you like. Here’s a screenshot of my current desktop:
I placed my RocketDock at the bottom. I’ve added some icons and plan on filling it up as time goes on. Just simply drag and drop the shortcuts you would like to add to the RocketDock. You can place it on the top if prefer or on the left or right. Like i said above, there are many different options for you to play with. Here’s the site to download this neat free little tool!
Making your PDF file into Word
I found a neet little tutorial on the net on how to change your PDF file into a Word document so you can edit the file and make changes.
You can use the Online conversion by using the website Zamzar. Its pretty simple and has worked almost everytime for me. Second option would be to download a free PDF to Word converter. I use Free PDF to Word Doc. You can use it about 50 times before you’ll have to pay a fee or put in a registration code. Works well but it won’t work with the latest versions of Adobe. I think it stops at Reader 7.5. Enjoy the link:
Comment by raju
Hi, Checkout these free online applications for pdf convertion
Text to PDF - http://www.text2pdf.co.cc
WYSIWYG PDF Creator - http://www.pdfmaker.co.cc
Cd/DVD burning software
Here’s some free software that allows you to burn any type of cds and dvds. These applications will enable you to burn data cds, audio cds, dvd movies, ISO files, and other options. If you don’t want to buy Nero or if your program fails, these are good alternatives.
Click on each to download or visit website:
For Macs try this software:
LiquidCD
OpenOffice
If you haven’t tried or heard of OpenOffice yet – you should. Its an alternative software to Microsoft Office. Both suites have similar features and functions. The Word version in OpenOffice is called Writer.
I began playing around with version 2.4, and producing documents with it. It was fun and user f
riendly to use as its interface is almost identical to Word. You forget you’re using OpenOffice. Mail merge is there, along with making tables and other Word trademarks. Only thing i couldn’t find was the Thesauraus – but spellcheck is there.
Saving the document is also fairly simple. You’ll have the choice to which type of file you want to save it as. ODT would be the openoffice version, but if you’re sending this file by email to a Microsoft office user, then you can choose to save it as a DOC.
There is also the Calc which is similar to Excel and Impress which would be the equivilent to PowerPoint. Base is similar to Access. The version i downloaded was 2.4 which had no email software, but included in the 3.0 version is the thunderbird email client. I’m still in the process of testing it out and using it on an everyday basis. I like it so far, and look forward to seeing the new added features.
Free antivirus software
Biggest question i get is where can users download a free antivirus that is going to protect them fully from being attacked from trojans, worms and viruses. The answer is yes there is free software out there but No, you won’t be fully protected. If you’re going to take the route of installing a FREE antivirus software then best to have a very good anti-malware program installed on your pc along with it for extra protection.
AVG is the first one i recommend to any user. Followed by Avast-Antivirus. Both are good free programs that will find the most recent threats. AVG has updates regularly and i’ve had it running on one of my pc’s for about 4 years. So far so good but there have been known trojans that have past the security of AVG. When installing free antivirus – scan and update frequently just to be safe.
If you’re a little iffy on free software and would like to purchase a Full version of antivirus software, then here are some trial links you can use.
http://www.kaspersky.com/trials
http://www.brothersoft.com/norton-antivirus-25352.html
