Orange County Register

This is the Alt+Save weekly roundup of contests, deals and freebies I’ve gathered from contacts and searching the web. Check it out every Wednesday morning. Or search the archive.

Free international calls: Another web-based “phone” service has launched. Actai Networks, from Werl, Germany, offers C2Call, a PC-to-PC calls that is just like Skype. But unlike Skype, which is also free, Actai doesn’t require recipients to register or download software. Instead, C2Call sends the recipient a link through e-mail. Click on the link and it’ll open a web site so the call can be received. Of course you’ll need a microphone and speaker or headset and a computer. Works with Windows, Linux and Apple. Disclaimer: I haven’t tested this out yet.

Free music from Starbucks & iTunes … Next time you stop by Starbucks, pick up a card to get a free song of the week at iTunes. The songs feature artists picked by Starbucks Entertainment team. First Pick of the Week is Counting Crow’s new song, “Washington Square.” You have 60 days to redeem the card.

CONTESTS

Some of the best way to get free stuff is to win it — especially through contests that take some effort. Remember the guy who won Gateway’s souped-up gaming machine? There were only 38 submissions! So, here’s my weekly list of contests and other deals out there:

• Win $50,000 in technology (including an Area-51® m15x laptop from Alienware and a Cintiq 12 WX display) in the Battle of the SuperModelers from GameRecruiter. Just create an original 3D, real-time character model of a monster, creature, robot or alien and submit it by Aug. 15, 2008. Details HERE.

• OC high school seniors can win a $2,500 scholarship from Cox Communications by submitting a video essay about friends or mentors who have inspired them. Deadline April 21. Details HERE. …

• Get your face in DanceDanceRevolution. Konami Digital Entertainment’s DanceDanceRevolution design contest wants fans to design a character — their “inner DDR,” says Konami — for the game. The winner will get his/her character put in the game plus a DDR trophy. More DETAILS. Doesn’t this sound like work that Konami should pay you for?

• Another Mother’s Day contest: Win two JVC Everio GZ-MG330 hard disk camcorder, one for mom and one for you! Just upload a “brief video” to its www.videocontest.jvc.com and e-mail the link to mom in JVC’s “Here’s looking at Me, Mom,” contest. More DETAILS.

• Hey students: Win a $1,000 scholarship from the ATP EarthDrive for Earth Day 2008. Just tell your story on how you are helping the environment. Stories accepted through April 30. Runner-ups win a 2 GB ATP EarthDrive. More DETAILS.

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