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Everything you wanted to know about PDF files

September 8th, 2009, 2:52 pm by

Stump the PC Club is a free tech-advice column written by members of the North Orange County Computer Club, which has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org. And don’t forget to stop by the Gadgetress’ home for the PC Club, at ocregister.com/link/pcclub, to find out how to ask a question and read past answers.

Hello readers.

I wanted to try something different today. Questions on PDF’s come up from time to time and many are the same. So I’m devoting a column to this subject to answer the questions and discuss the benefits of using this file format. One of the key benefits of PDF’ files is that it’s a simple way for people — Mac and PC users, Firefox and Internet Explorer fans — to view and share the same file. But more on this below.

Here are a few of the questions:

  • What are PDF’s and why do people send them to me?
  • How can I use them?
  • Can I create PDF’s?
  • Which programs do I need to install on my PC if any and what do they cost?

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Computers • Stump the PC Club • • • • • • • • | 1 Comment »

How to clean up your hard drive

May 12th, 2009, 4:17 pm by

Stump the PC Club is a free tech-advice column written by members of the North Orange County Computer Club, which has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org. And don’t forget to stop by the Gadgetress’ home for the PC Club, at ocregister.com/link/pcclub, to find out how to ask a question and read past answers.

QUESTION: When I click on “disk cleanup” it empties everything except “compress old files.” Even though it is checked and highlighted, over two million bytes of information remain after it runs. Is there any way to empty “compress old files”?

PC Club: Before we get to the answer to your question, let’s review why you should cleanup your hard drive periodically. Windows accumulates debris or what are known as temporary files for several reasons which can result in quite a bit of wasted hard drive space over time. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Stump the PC Club • • • • | 3 Comments »

Microsoft offers Windows 7 free for 1 year starting … now!

May 5th, 2009, 12:05 am by

Microsoft offers Windows 7 free for 1 year.Many consumers want to forget Windows Vista, Microsoft’s last major overhaul of its prolific operating system. Perhaps Microsoft does too?

Hence, today, it’s offering the brand-spanking new Windows 7 operating system FREE to anyone willing to download and install it on a computer. Try it, see if you like it, seems to be the thinking. This comes four months after opening the beta test to 2.5 million people.

The new  ”Release Candidate” version of Windows 7 will expire June 1, 2010, at which point you’ll need to install a paid version. (The official version should be available by January 2010, according to Microsoft.) The RC  is pretty much the final version of the software, minus any last-minute updates, fixes and patches. But as any computer user knows, software gets updated and patched long after the official launch. The RC is also the version that other hardware and software companies use to develop applications or make their products compatible.

Windows 7 is supposed to be a simpler, faster new operating system that is easier to figure out than Windows Vista. With Microsoft now allowing anyone to try before you buy, it’s definitely worth a look. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Computers • • • • • | 11 Comments »

Speed up a slow computer in 4 steps

April 28th, 2009, 10:37 pm by

Stump the PC Club is a free tech-advice column written by members of the North Orange County Computer Club, which has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org. And don’t forget to stop by the Gadgetress’ home for the PC Club, at ocregister.com/link/pcclub, to find out how to ask a question and read past answers.

QUESTION: I have a Dell Inspiron 6400 it has been running slow. Are there things I can do to clean it up? I am not smart when it comes to this and need easy directions. ~ Tami

PC CLUB: A slow computer is no fun and it’s one of the most frequent complaints that I run into. I sympathize with your need to keep it simple but this is one of those problems that does not lend itself to an easy fix. In spite of all of the programs advertised on the Internet to speed up your PC, there is no 1-click solution, so don’t succumb to any marketing hype. There are several things that you can do however. Here are the most likely causes for slow performance and possible solutions: Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Computers • Stump the PC Club • • • • • • | 2 Comments »

My own list of free tech stuff online

August 30th, 2008, 6:00 am by

Alt+Save: Deals and freebiesInspired by Kiplinger, which recently updated its list of favorite free stuff, I’ve decided to compile a list of my own of where you can find a good deal on technology online. So, in no particular order:

Free 411 service: Kiplinger mentions 1-800-FREE-411. I personally prefer Goog-411 (1-800-GOOG-411) because it’s ad-free and it’ll text the number to your cell phone so you don’t have to memorize it. I also wrote about this in May (“Free and cheap 411 alternatives“) and offered 2-second reviews of Jingle Networks (1-800-Free411), Microsoft’s TellMe (1-800-555-TELL or 1-800-CALL-411, and AT&T 1-800-YELLOWPAGES (1-800-YELLOWPages).

Free shipping: Kiplinger only mentions a few sites, such as Amazon, which offers free shipping for orders over $25. (If you’re a frequent Amazon customer, you probably know about the $80 Amazon Prime, which includes free 2-day shipping all the time.) There are a ton of deals sites that track free shipping offers, among other things. But one site, FreeShippingOn.com, keeps this on one convenient place. It’s part of the Deal Locker family of sites, which I wrote about in May (“Deal Locker guarantees (some) coupon codes“).

Find a LawyerFree legal advice: If you don’t know the first thing about getting a lawyer, Avvo.com is a good place to start. Plus you can submit a question and see if any of Avvo’s hundreds of active lawyers respond. The site also has reviews of lawyers. I interviewed the CEO in July (“Get legal questions answered for free by REAL lawyers“).

Free Wi-Fi: As I have in the past, Kiplinger’s mentions WiFiFreeSpot.com, which lists places nationwide with free Wi-Fi. I also like Panera Bread and Starbucks, the latter which offers 2 hours of free Wi-Fi daily to active users of its rewards card.  Read more about it at “Free Wi-Fi at Starbucks — with restrictions.”

Free software every dayFree software: Kiplinger mentions OpenOffice.org, which is a great (and free) alternative to Microsoft Word. For something different every day, I try to visit GiveawayoftheDay.com to check out what software is up for grabs. These are full-versions, not limited trials. I’ve spotted DVD-rippers, spreadsheet creators and anti-virus products. The catch is that you have to download and install the software by midnight or else the free code needed during registration expires. I mentioned this site in June at “Free software every day…” along with other daily freebie sites offering discounted Mac software, such as MacZot.com, Softpedia.com and Mac Update Promo (mupromo.com).

W3 SchoolsFree web training: While on maternity leave, I spent time learning more about web development at W3 Schools, whose motto is “The best things in life are free.” All the courses are free and delve into subjects like JavaScript, SQL and .net. Other sites that offer free or cheap online training include Lynda.com and WebdevelopersNotes.com.

Amazon Web ServicesFree online storage: Another crowded spot on the Web. For simple things, I just use my free Gmail account to store files, since I get a whopping 7 GBs! But for business use, my household uses Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service), which isn’t free but super cheap because it only charges for what you use (15-cents per GB, plus transfer fees). More importantly, it’s reliable.

Free music: Tons of stuff available if you know where to find it. But sites I’ve downloaded from lately include Paste Magazine’s (don’t miss its 100 Free Tracks for Summer 2008), C/Net’s Music site (with 111,052 free MP3′s), DayTrotter.com (with 1,200+ free downloads), ArtistServer.com (with 8,222 songs) and PureVolume.com (intersperses free songs within albums, which are free to listen to if you’re a registered user). Also try NoiseTrade.com, Ruckus.com, Amazon, and iTunes (has a Free Single of the week). I’ve been meaning to write separately about this so stay tuned (and feel free to send me your favorites to include).

Free design tools:

  • Fonts galore are available for free at 1001free fonts.com, but watch out for the annoying little search feature that takes you to not-so-free fonts.com site.
  • Photo tweaking: While Photoshop Elements is a bargain at around $100 compared to the original’s $650 price tag, the free Photoshop Express is good enough for newbie designers. Like the original, you can tweak photos, add touches of color and resize photos.
  • Free stock art: Sites like iStock charge just a few dollars for cool art and photos for web sites and beyond. But if you want it for free, there is SXC (stock.xchng) and EveryStockPhoto.com, a ‘search engine’ for free photos online.

Have a favorite of your own? Please share by commenting below!

Past Alt+Save posts:

Posted in: Uncategorized • • • • • • • | 4 Comments »

Make your Facebook profile scream with free tool

August 14th, 2008, 4:29 pm by

SRS Labs’ PhotogramFor those trying to clutter up their MySpace or Facebook page, Santa Ana’s SRS Labs just released a free widget that adds sound to any photo.

The SRS Photogram is pure decoration, but I got a kick out of the dozens of noises available, which include 1 scream, 4 different yells and 8 types of laughter.

Photogram software also will send your widget straight to your Facebook or MySpace account. Unfortunately, it doesn’t provide the embed code to easily add it to a blog or Web site. (Hence, you can’t hear the morse code beeps I added to my widget.)

But this being an SRS Labs’ product, the sound effects are “enriched with SRS audio processing,” so they’re supposed to sound better than a flat file. With my good headphones on, they did sound pretty good (but everything sounds good with the Sennheiser HD 433 headphones I use).

Check it out yourself HERE.

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Stump the PC Club: Organize DVDs, media with free database software

August 12th, 2008, 3:09 am by

North Orange County Computer Club Q&AThe North Orange County Computer Club helps The Gadgetress tackle the multitude of readers cries for help. NOCCC group has experts in Windows, Word and all sorts of computer topics. The club, which meets monthly on various topics, has been in existence since 1976. Visit the club’s site at noccc.org.  To get answers delivered to your computer automatically, sign up for the e-mail update.

Question: I’m trying in find a small “free” database program that will allow me to catalog my DVDs and CDs. I’ve use Excel, however prefer an old fashion database, somewhat like Dbase II. I’m sure I’m not the only one out here that has this need. I’ve checked the web and most start with way more bells then I would need. Does Windows have something in their bundle software?

NOCCC: dBase II may be old, but it is hardly old fashion in terms of capability. It is a full blown programming language with a relational database engine at its heart. Major corporations have, and still could, use it to run every aspect of their business, albeit, without the Graphical User Interface we have become accustomed to. Foxpro did a great job of taking the dBase language into the GUI world until Microsoft bought and then discontinued it.

If you really want that class of database program, and want it to be “free,” Open Office is a good choice. Go to openoffice.org and download the Open Office suite of programs which includes the database program Base. Arguably, that suite of programs is equal to, and compatible with, the high-dollar version of Microsoft Office.

If you can be happy with a program that is dedicated to the task of cataloging DVDs and CDs, here are two programs that you can download. Both are free at tucows.com: Media Organizer 3.0.1.9 and DVD Profiler 2.2.0. ~ Jim Sanders, NOCCC president

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Freebies for Mac and iPhone fans

June 8th, 2008, 1:36 am by

FastMac iPhone t-shirtsWith iPhone 2.0 news expected tomorrow, I’m dedicating today’s Free+Win+Deals post to Apple-friendly goodies out there.

Cool iPhone T’s free with purchase

FastMac, a Mac upgrade company, added five new designs to its Apple T-shirt collection. The new limited-edition iPhone designs will be handed out free outside the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco tomorrow, where Apple is hosting its Worldwide Developers Conference.

However, the company is also giving these T’s free to customers who purchase any TruePower iV battery product and enter the coupon code “iPhone 2.0″ at the checkout. Don’t forget to mention in the comment area the t-shirt design you want and what size.

Free Apple Camps!

Free Apple Camp!

Mac fans can send their progeny to Apple Camp for free! These 3-hour ‘camps’ are being held at neighborhood Apple stores. Kids can learn how to make a movie, compose a song, etc. Parents need to register their young ‘uns ahead of time and kids must bring a permission slip. Camps are for kids 8 to 12 years old. OC Apple stores are:

(Thanks for the tip to Fast Food Maven, who enrolled her little burger.)

iLounge releases fourth guide to iPods, iPhone

The next iPhone? Get a free book!

It’s too late to win the next iPhone, but iLounge’s “Design the next iPhone” contest has announced its winners. The big winner wins the next iPhone. Check out the winners at iLounge’s site. And don’t leave the site without the company’s virtual freebie: “The Free iPod + iPhone Book 4,” its ultimate guide to all things iPod. Download the book HERE.

Free label software for Macs

If you’re a label fanatic and Mac user, Avery Dennison Office Products (in Brea!) just released its Avery DesignPro Software for the Mac. It’s a free download, of course, that’s why I’m mentioning it here. Some cool features: Use photos from iPhoto for art, or music from iTunes to create a CD or DVD label. It’s also compatible with Apple Address Book and Mail to create mailing labels. (PC users can download compatible free DesignPro software HERE.)

Recent related posts:

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