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PDF Editing & Creation: 50+ open source/free alternatives to Adobe Acro
2009-11-21 06:48:00
Looking for freeware alternatives to Adobe Acrobat? Check out this blog post:http://www.cogniview.com/convert-pdf -to-excel/post/pdf-editing-creation-50-op en-sourcefree-alternatives-to-adobe-acrob at/The above link will have links to the following free PDF programs:These simply and emminently usable programs will allow you to quickly create your own PDFs. 1. CutePDF: Create a PDF file from almost any printable document. CutePDF has an open SDK and doesn’t bog down their software with popups or watermarks. 2. PrimoOnline: The online version of the popular PrimoPDF converter. 3. PDF reDirect: The freeware PDF reDirect offers loads of robust features, including PDF creation, previews, encryption, and more, that go a long way to replacing Adobe. 4. doPDF: Install doPDF as a virtual PDF printer driver, and you can create PDFs using your printer function. 5. CC (Free ) PDF Converter: This printer driver can be used to create a PDF file from any printable Windows application. 6. PDFC...
More About: Open Source , Open , Source

Citations for Business Writing
2009-11-15 23:53:00
Harvard has a great citations guide for business writing. If you are in college or in an MBA program you will find this guide useful. You can get it here:http://www.library.hbs.edu/guides/ci tationguide.pdfor here:http://rapidshare.com/files/30757040 3/citationguide.pdf
More About: Business , Writing , Citations

China's Gross National Income
2009-11-15 22:47:00
I am in the process of writing a report for my strategic management MBA class - a tedious task. Anyway, I was looking up economic information for China a came across this cool tool from Google:That's right, Google public data - check out the Google blog entry on the subject:"We just launched a new search feature that makes it easy to find and compare public data."
More About: National , Income

Do You Know How Your Home Uses Electricity?
2009-11-04 13:34:00
Do You Know How Your Home Uses Electricity ? (courtesy of Duke Energy) When the weather turns cool, saving money on energy bills becomes a priority for many families. And saving money on energy bills puts the focus on energy efficiency. A good first step to becoming energy efficient is to identify which areas of your home consume the most energy. Typically, your home’s heating and cooling system accounts for the largest percentage of your yearly energy budget according to the 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book. But right after heating and cooling are your home’s water heater and lighting. How We Use Energy in Our Home Heating accounts for the biggest chunk of a typical utility bill Source: 2007 Buildings Energy Data Book, Table 4.2.1., 2005 energy cost data. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be. Electrical devices that either produce heat or keep things cool use the most electricity. Incandescent light bulbs, for example, burn hot.Compact fluores...

Supply-Side Economics: An Ideological Farce
2009-10-15 13:05:00
For those of you that don't know, supply-side economics is a farce. The Wikipedia definition of supply-side economics: "Supply-side economics is a school of macroeconomic thought that argues that economic growth can be most effectively created using incentives for people to produce (supply) goods and services, such as adjusting your income tax and capital gains tax rates, and by allowing greater flexibility by reducing regulation. Consumers will then benefit from a greater supply of goods and services at lower prices."I would disagree with the above definition where it describes supply-side economics as a "school" of macroeconomic thought. I would argue that any true academic study on the matter has been distorted for political gain. Even the elder Bush referred to supply-side economics as "voodoo economics." Of course it cost him a second term, but that is another matter.
More About: Economics , Side

Credit Card Charge: element5info.com
2009-10-01 13:59:00
element5info.comwww.element5info.comIf you see the above on your credit card statement, don't panic. Most likely you, or your spouse, ordered software over the internet. In my case it was my wife purchasing a 1-year Avast antivirus software license. Avast uses element5 to process its credit card transactions. If you need to see the actual invoice, you can go to the following site to get it:http://esales.element5.com/ccc/getinfo .htmlThey will ask for the email address and last four digits of the credit card number.
More About: Card , Credit , Charge , Credit Card

Convert A File To HTML Instantly With File2.ws
2009-09-05 05:53:00
File2.ws is a free website that converts any of your own files into a public online web page. Every converted file to a web page has a unique web address so you can share it with friends, or other people on the internet. This allows information to be shared quickly and efficiently to a large audience.Check out the excellent write-up for this site on makeuseof.com.Seriously, you can upload a Microsoft Word document and it returns a url link that you can share with others:I am uploading a Word document - conversion was relatively quick, maybe 30 seconds or so:And the conversion has completed and the HTML link is presented:You can check out what the document looks like here: http://file2.ws/mktg.Note what a nice job it did converting the font and tables. Not bad at all. Try other file types and please let me know how it works out for you!
More About: File , Convert

How to Rotate and Save Images In Acrobat
2009-09-01 16:10:00
How do I rotate a PDF document, save it, and then have it re-open in the properly rotated view?Oddly enough, rotating the image in Acrobat, even the Pro version, and saving it does not save the rotated view. Here is how I have done it:1. Rotate the image the way that you want it2. Go to print and select Adobe as the printer3. When you print the properly rotated image it will ask you where to save the file.4. Done - the image is now saved as a properly rotated PDF file
More About: Images , Save

Investment Portfolio Using Low Cost ETF
2009-08-31 04:01:00
I prefer using exchange traded funds (ETF) for my investments. There are several reasons for this:Low cost, especially when using Vanguard ETF which have the lowest expense ratios;Passively managed and perform as well as actively managed funds, but without the cost; andThey are easy to trade and without additional costs such as selling charges (i.e. no load).I am 33 and prefer the following portfolio:VNQ - Vanguard REIT - 15%VTI - Vanguard Total US Stock Market - 25%VEU - Vanguard World Stock (excl. US) - 25%VWO - Vanguard Emerging Market - 10%BND - Vanguard Total Bond Market - 25%
More About: Portfolio , Investment , Cost

How to setup a free VPN connection to your home computer
2009-04-26 01:38:00
Have you ever thought about setting up a VPN at home? Here is a link to a great article on how to do just that.http://www.computernetworkinghelp.co m/content/view/41/1/An excerpt:"VPNs or Virtual Private Networks continue to increase in popularity due to the rise of inexpensive, high capacity Internet connectivity. Therefore lots of people are now using secure VPNs in order to connect to their home based networks as well as their office networks. If you have stumbled across this article and do not know the meaning of the term VPN it would be as follows:A VPN is used to connect multiple private networks securely across an unsecured public network like the Internet. A private network in this case would be a network in which the traffic is not freely accessible by the public. If we break down the meaning of Virtual Private Network in the instance explained above it would be as follows. The two end points of this "network" are private networks that are seamlessly connected across a publ...
More About: Computer , Connection , Home , Free , Setup

Palit Sweepstakes Entry to Win Graphic Card
2009-03-19 17:21:00
Palit Graphic s Card contest. Follow this link to have a chance to win Palit products such as graphic cards, flash drives, and memory:http://www.winwithpalit.com/index. php?Plink=L1237478968185963496Not familiar with their products? Check this out at Amazon:

Timewarner Cable Accepts Credit Card Payments - Earn Miles
2009-03-15 15:38:00
I use the Delta Skymiles Credit Card - which I highly recommend given the ability to earn miles on Delta. They will also give you 10,000 miles annually towards your elite status if you reach a certain dollar amount in purchases. I also like their customer service - if you have a dispute with a vendor, American Express is on your side.Anyway, I just found out that you can pay your Timewarner Cable bill using your Amex card. That's 120 miles a month!
More About: Miles , Earn , Credit Card

7 Essential Security Downloads You MUST Have Installed
2009-03-08 20:21:00
From makeuseof.com: 7 Essential Security Downloads You MUST Have InstalledWhat security software do I need to have installed on my computer?What is the best security software available for my computer?What is the best free security software?Where can I download free anti-virus software?Where can I download free anti-spyware software?Where can I download free a free firewall?The makeuseof.com article includes descriptions and links for the following FREE programs:AVG Anti-Virus (Windows) MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (Windows) Spyware Terminator (Windows)Comodo Firewall Pro (Windows) NoScript - FirefoxLastpass (Firefox / Internet Explorer) WOT (Web Of Trust) - Firefox I personally use Comodo Firewall and MalwareBytes anti-malware software. For anti-virus software I use the free version of Avast, which you can register for here.

My Review of Q-Stor USB to Serial Cable 4-Port Hub
2009-01-25 03:28:00
Originally submitted at Meijer.comAdd 4 USB 2.0 hi-speed ports with this hub. It is fully compliant with USB 2.0 specs, supports up to 127 hi-speed devices, is backward compatible with USB 1.1, supports data rate at 1.5/12/480mbps, and supports plug and play installation.Q-Stor USB to Serial Cable 4-Port Hubnot a well-manufactured productBy mikealao from cincinnati, oh on 1/24/2009 1out of 5Pros: Easy to UseCons: Unreliable, Not Durable, Poor QualityDescribe Yourself: Value OrientedPrimary use: PersonalPlease note that this product is of poor quality. When you hold it for the first time it just feels cheap. In terms of reliability you might get a few months of use out of the product. Mine did within 2 months.(legalese)
More About: Review

Copy your files faster and easier
2008-12-31 18:49:00
TeraCopy is a compact program designed to copy and move files at the maximum possible speed, providing the user a lot of features: Copy files faster. TeraCopy uses dynamically adjusted buffers to reduce seek times. Asynchronous copy speeds up file transfer between two physical hard drives. Pause and resume file transfers. Pause copy process at any time to free up system resources and continue with a single click. Error recovery. In case of copy error, TeraCopy will try several times and in the worse case just skips the file, not terminating the entire transfer.Interactive file list. TeraCopy shows failed file transfers and lets you fix the problem and recopy only problem files.Shell integration. TeraCopy can completely replace Explorer copy and move functions, allowing you work with files as usual. Full Unicode support. Download TeraCopy – Free for Home UsersSee what Lifehacker has to say about it here
More About: Files

Great Site to Practice Stock Market Investing
2008-12-20 06:28:00
Yes, yes, I know, no one is interested in investing since the market crashed, but it's a great time to learn about investing. This site makes it easy and the competition aspect offers incentive to keep up with things. Give it a try.
More About: Stock Market , Market , Great , Site , Investing

American Express Delta Skymiles Card - Notice of Changes to my Account
2008-12-06 05:05:00
I just got a notice in the mail from American Express . Get this, they are making several changes - i.e. gouging their customers - "in response to the challenging environment and the increasing costs of doing business." Here are some of the changes:APR for cash advances is Prime Rate plus 17.99% for a total of 21.99%also no more "Always Double Miles" purchases - hey, what is the meaning of ALWAYS?foreign currency transactions incur a 2.7% charge now.You know what American Express? In response this challenging environment and the increasing costs of doing business with you I will no longer be using your card.You credit card companies ripped us off when the times were good, extended to us more credit than was reasonable, and now you want to charge us even more due to the environment that you yourselves created.Sincerely,An Irritated Consumer
More About: Card , Delta , Notice

How to Use a Wireless Connection with Your XBox 360 Without Spending $100
2008-11-22 06:09:00
Buy the Belkin wireless gaming adapter. I bought mine from Buy.com recently for $20. That is a lot less than the $90+ that Microsoft wants for their adapter. Check out the product page here:http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu ctPage.process?Product_Id=154416
More About: Wireless , Xbox , Connection , Xbox 360 , Spending

Online Virus Scanning Site
2008-11-10 16:06:00
Here is a link to another site that allows you to upload suspicious files for scanning and then scans the file using multitudes of virus scanning programs.NoVirus Thanks.org is a site that was born in 26/6/2008 with the intent to offer to users free services that will help them to prevent a computer virus infection and to identify possible viruses in their computer.Below is the list of virus scanners that will be used to scan your file.Antivirus Homepage Engine a-squared Emsi Software 4.0.0.23 Avira AntiVir Avira 8.1.2.12 AVG AVG Technologies 8.0.0.0 Avast! ALWIL 4.8.1229 BitDefender BitDefender GmbH 7.0.0.2555 ClamAV ClamWin 0.93.1.0 Comodo Comodo Group 3.0 Dr.Web Doctor Web, Ltd 4.44.0.0711200 Ewido ewido networks 4.0.0.2 F-PROT 6 FRISK Software 4.4.4.56 G DATA ...
More About: Scanning , Site , Online

How To Find Out Who Sold Your Gmail Address To Spammers
2008-11-10 11:04:00
source: betadaily.comWe hate spam and hate those spammers too. But how do we get spam? We get most of the spam from the spammers who buy our email address from the websites where we register and give out the email address. It is absolutely impossible for us to find out who sold our email address to those spammers who choke our inbox with unwanted emails. But now there is a solution to find out people who sell our confidential information to others. Gmail provides a not so explicit feature which you can use to find out which website is giving out your email address to spammers. This will not work for the previous websites where you have already registered but you can use it for future registrations. Here is how to use it: 1. While signing up for any new website enter your Gmail address as your_user_name+website_name@gmail.com. 2. Don’t worry, you will receive the mails as usual because Gmail doesn’t recognize any combination of words or numbers after the “+” sign. 3. Wh...
More About: Find

Thinking Machine 4: Play the Game
2008-11-07 05:43:00
Thinking Machine 4: Play the Game Great online chess game, check it out by using the link above.
More About: The Game

Online Alarm Clock
2008-11-05 13:53:00
Online Alarm Clock Online alarm clock. Designed to wake you up.
More About: Online

Can I use an wireless router as an access point for my Xbox 360?
2008-10-26 18:00:00
Source 1: http://www.anandtech.com/This howto is intended to help people who currently use a wireless router in their house, and also have additional PCs or devices without wifi cards which cannot be connected to the wireless router using a cable because they're too far from it (like in another room).This howto will explain how to use the wrt54g a to connect these remote PCs to the internet and your home network, without using wifi cards. This is possible using 3rd party firmware (sveasoft) which allows the wrt54g to operate in "client" mode, where it forwards packets from its connected devices to the main wireless router, using a wireless link.I got my wrt54g running in client mode - that is, it serves as a bridge between a PC attached to it and the main wireless router. Here's my complete setup, starting with the wired connections (markeded by ""):Room 1: Cable Modem D-Link DI-624 Wireless Router PC-1Room 2: WRT54G PC-2The DI-624 and the WRT54G connect to each other wirelessl...
More About: Xbox , Xbox 360 , Access , Point

My Review of Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl for PC
2008-10-24 22:52:00
Originally submitted at Meijer.comIn 1986, a massive explosion rocked the Chernobyl power plant, resulting in the worst nuclear disaster in history. Every since, the area surrounding Chernobyl has been plagued by mounting energy disturbances, rendering the region lethal to those with even the most advanced protective equipment. In ... Stalker : Shadow of Chernobyl for PCsends chills up your spineBy mikealao from Cincinnati, OH on 10/24/2008 5out of 5Pros: Great Sound, Engaging Story Line, Graphics, Easy to learn, Challenging, GameplayBest Uses: AdultsDescribe Yourself: Frequent PlayerThis game is awesome. The storyline and setting is downright creepy and crawling in abandoned buildings sends a chill up your spine. The hardware, i.e. weaponry, is impressive and you will enjoy making your way through the game and looting or earning ever better weaponry.(legalese)
More About: Review

Fake American Express Calls
2008-01-31 01:24:00
I got a message from American Express on my home phone the other day saying that I should call this number: 8883172720 or (888) 317-2720 or 1-888-317-2720This is a scam and phishing expedition. Only call the telephone number on the back of your credit card.
More About: Calls , Fake

7 Useful FireFox Add-ons
2008-01-16 00:02:00
Source: Code Sector BlogScrapBookScrapBook is a Firefox extension, which helps you to save Web pages and easily manage collections. Key features are lightness, speed, accuracy and multi-language support. Major features are: Save Web page or entire siteSave snippet of Web pageOrganize the collection in the same way as BookmarksFull text search and quick filtering search of the collectionEditing of the collected Web pageText/HTML edit feature resembling Opera’s Notes Flashblock Flashblock is an extension for the Mozilla, Firefox, and Netscape browsers that takes a pessimistic approach to dealing with Macromedia Flash content on a webpage and blocks ALL Flash content from loading. It then leaves placeholders on the webpage that allow you to click to download and then view the Flash content. ImgLikeOpera ImgLikeOpera allows load only the images that you want in Firefox browser. This extension is very useful for non broadband users. Features: placeholders for blocked images;(re)load im...

Freeware-Software.org
2007-12-31 17:33:00
source: http://www.freeware-software.org/Best Free and Freeware Software for Windows™ Office / PDF OpenOffice.org - is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is free to download, use, and distribute. OpenOffice.org is a collection of different applications that work together closely to provide the features expected from a modern office suite. Many of the components are designed to mirror those available in Microsoft Office. download page AbiWord - is a Free Software word processor licensed under the GNU General Public License. AbiWord has a similar user interface to Microsoft Word, intended to ease migration for new users. It is supported on Linux, Mac OS X (PowerPC), Microsoft Windows, ReactOS, BeOS and other operating systems. download page Mozilla Sunbird - is a free, open source, cross-platform, personal calendar application developed by the Mozilla Foun...

not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.CloseApp.a
2007-12-31 17:14:00
not-a-virus:RiskTool.Win32.CloseApp.aNoth ing to worry about, this file is not a virus. It is program that is used by applications to close programs (i.e. Vista transformation pack). It can also be used by malware to shut down an anti-virus program.My recommendation is to quarantine it and see what happens. If your system doesn't need it, don't worry about it. If you run into problems you can just go into your anti-virus program and restore it from quarantine.
More About: Virus

Reinstall Windows and outfit your system with all freeware programs
2007-11-18 18:59:00
Source: Freeware Genious Reinstall Windows and outfit your system with all freeware programs Author: Samer Description: I recently clean installed Windows XP on my laptop, and this meant that I had to re-install all the essential software that I use. It also presented an opportunity to write a posting about how you can outfit your computer with all the essential (and non-essential) software you need using strictly 100% freeware and/or open source titles.This posting could have been titled any of the following: How to never use a paid program again (aside from Windows).53 essential freeware programs that can take care of the majority of your computing needs. I am writing this from the perspective of myself clean-installing Windows and re-installing all the software I find to be essential afterwards. This post took a long time to write, please Digg and/or Stumble it ;). Pre-installation: before reformatting my hard drive, I used the foll...
More About: System , Programs , Outfit

Capital One Credit Card Late Fees
2007-10-13 15:10:00
I have kept a Capital One credit card for the past couple of years because I had a "fixed" rate of 4.99% APR. Recently the rate went up to 8.99% APR, which was still pretty good. I mainly use my American Express Delta Skymiles card because of the great customer service I receive from American Express and the other benefits that come with the card. Amex is not accepted everywhere though, so I also carry the Capital One card. I missed a payment last month due to my getting confused about managing payments on bill pay (I've been paying $400 - $700 per month on the card) and cancelled the $50 automated payment I have setup to avoid missing the minimum monthly payment. I was hit with a $39 late fee. I called to have it canceled and was told that they system does not allow the phone reps to cancel the late fee anymore. Instead, a request was submitted and I would get a response in about 15 days.Well, I'm not waiting for the response. I applied for a credit union credit card that ...
More About: Card , Credit , Fees , Credit Card , Late