The Best Free Software of 2009

I am always on the lookout for free stuff and when I find it I always like to share. In this case I am referring to free software. After spending so much money on my computer and monthly internet fees, I may as well put some use to the bandwidth and download like there's no tomorrow. PCmag.com has recently listed 173 of the best free software of 2009 and here I will share with you my favorites . Why pay for Microsoft office when you can get something just as useful for nothing. My favorites are listed by category below.

If you are looking for software to download for free rather than free software, then there is a helpful link at the bottom of the post. (i.e. photoshop, office, corel paint...) I do not condone illegal software downloads, but I also am not a big fan of corporations either. As a disclaimer I will say that if you really use the software consistently, then consider purchasing.

Anyways, on to the list of Absolutely free and legal software. If you know of free software not listed here, please post a link in the comments. Enjoy.

This Has Been your find from the Search Whiz. Make Sure to Sign up for the blog and follow me on twitter. Trust me I do not disappoint!

Full list of 173 titles : PCmag.com

App Launchers

Circle Dock : (Windows) Places all of your desktop icons arranged in a circle. neat little app.

Quicksilver : (Mac) creates a desktop workflow.

Audio/Music

Mojo (Win/Mac) : Allows you to connect directly to your friends music library and download audio files onto your computer.

Wavepad Sound Editor (Win/Mac/PPC/Linux) : Recording software with plenty of effects plugins. You can even install a Pocket PC version and edit on your phone.

Backup (Win/Mac)

Mozy: this is an online backup system for free. (up to 2 GB). Better than an external HD. uploads discreetly in the background.

Blogging

ScribeFire (Win/Mac/Linux) : Firefox plugin that makes blog posting very simple.

Browsers

Camino (Mac): It's like firefox with more of a Mac style.

Calendar/PIMS

Communications/Email

Conferencing

DabbleBoard : (Web) Use it while conferencing as a virtual whiteboard.

File Sharing/Download

DownloadThemAll : A firefox plugin manages multiple downloads at once.

File Viewer/Converters

Finance

Fun/Home

Geni : (Web) Allows you to create your complete family tree online. really cool.

Springpad : (web) like an online notebook with ability to add pictures and maps. and then you can share with others.

Graphics

Artweaver : (Win) Like a free version of Corel painter.

FlauntR : (Web) online photo editor made for all the social network sites.

Gimp : Probably the best free alternative for Photoshop

Pencil : (Win/Mac/Linux) Wonderful free software for starting in animation.

Instant Messengers

Interface Enhancers

Local Search

Office

Buzzword (web): An online word processor

Google Doc (web) : googles online office suite

Open Office (Win/Mac/linux) : A Full Office Suite. very awesome.

Operating Systems

Networking

Air Raider: (Mac) Great wi-fi utility for Mac. very versatile

RSS Readers

Synchronization

Video

Cam Studio: Screen Video Capture

HandBrake: DVD backup software

As For the Source For free Software. Stay away from file-sharing programs because these files are usually bugged. Instead try TehParadox . You will find anything you're looking for. It Surely does not disappoint.

Thanks For Reading. Feel Free to Share.

Building your Website

Recently I have been looking into making my photography website, so I constantly search around to check my options. Most photographers out there have those really slick sites made with flash animation. At this point, as a photographer, you have to have a nice site. There are a few options out there:

1) Hire a web designer to create a unique site for you and then sit back and enjoy.

This is by far your best option, but it is the most costly way to do it. Generally getting a site professionally designed can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over 30,000. Your best bet is to search on sites for freelancers.

I recommend - Elance.com A database of qualified freelancers in many fields

Craigslist.org This is a more budget friendly source to find cheaper help

2) Learn the skills and do it yourself.

This option basically depends on your patience and time. If you have some skills and want to build on them, then it can be worthwhile to take this route. Not only will you save money, but you will add to your arsenal of digital skills. There are plenty of resources online to help you learn.

3) Take the simple route and use a website builder.

Most web hosting services also offer a free website designer program to get you started. This is the cheapest and least exhausting way to go. The site posted here is just amazing.

Free Website Design - Wix.com This is one of my recent online discoveries and was sent from above. It allows you to build a website using a simple drag and drop method. They have a bunch of themes that can be altered and also have flash based sites. If you choose to use the free account, then the site will have a simple banner along the bottom advertising wix.com. really not a big deal. If you upgrade (and pay them) the ads are gone and you can use a personal domain. They take care of the hosting. This is one site I guarantee will become popular.

This is also how I created my header for the blog. just thought it was fun.

These were just a few steps to help get you thinking. comment below for any questions. thanks for reading.

This Has Been your find from the Search Whiz. Make Sure to Sign up for the blog and follow me on twitter. Trust me I do not disappoint!

Alternative Uses For Household Items

In times like these, you want to make the most of everything. So today I have the perfect site to put that concept into use. AltUse.com is a site completely dedicated to showing you all the different uses that typical household items can have. It is categorized by products and also by uses so everything is easy to find. From Aspirin to Vinegar, they all have uses that you would not imagine. I never knew that using instant mashed potato mix could be used as a rat repellant. Or that adding vodka to your shampoo will increase the shine in your hair. Really interesting site worth checking out.

Hopefully, you might save a few bucks from what you can learn on this site. All I can say is that the thought of using products for something other than the intended use just reminds me of the father from the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" . Lol

This has been your alternative find from the Search whiz. Sign up for the blog to find more awesome stuff. please comment. I'm soooooo lonely in here.

DIY, How To, Make Anything

The site for today is quite popular among "Do It Yourselfers ", but is pretty much unknown to the rest of the population. The site is Instructables.com and has tons of user submitted tutorials on how to make just about anything. These projects posted on the site range from very simple household items to complex electronics projects. This website is a paradise for people who like to tinker with everything, but it doesn't stop there. For example there is a food section where people share interesting recipes such as "How To make Plum BBQ sauce and syrup". I have been a member of this site for a while now and I use it mainly for making at home photography gear and anything else I find.

To top it off, two days ago there was a contest on the site where a picture was posted up and people could submit a funny caption. The editor chose the winner and it was ME. YAY! I won a Spy camera that attaches to your sunglasses. They have these contests randomly so keep an eye out. My Winning contest Entry.

There is a lot to cover on this site, so let me know if you find something cool to make. With a little bit of ingenuity and skills you could make something really really cool. Like this computer keyboard.

This has been your fun find from the search whiz. Don't hurt yourself and subscribe to the blog. And start commenting people. It gets lonely in here.

Save Money at Restaurants

Hello to the three people who will read this blog. I'm back from San Francisco. Well I actually got back on monday night, but why does it matter anyways. So to make up for it, I am posting two special finds. Here is the first:

So after dining in restaurants all weekend in San Francisco, I needed to find a cheaper way to eat out. The obvious alternative is fast food, but I wanted to focus on restaurants. Even todays casual dining place (Bj's , Tony Romas, Chilis, etc. ) are pretty pricey with dishes averaging around 12 bucks. Add a coke for 2.50 and the tip and you just spent 16 dollars to eat a meal. What a damn rip off. I was searching for restaurant coupons and found something even better. Restaurant.com. Imagine paying 10 dollars and getting 25 in return. It sounds too good, but this is what the site is about. I entered my zip code and found participating restaurants who are willing to have me pay ten dollars and in return give me 25 dollars worth of food. These are all in the form of a gift certificate which are emailed to you.  I even found a discount code for half off which means I got a $25 gift certificate for 5 bucks. yea. 5 dollars. eat that subway! There is slight catch to using the gift certificate, but its reasonable. There is a minimum purchase ranging from 20 to 50 dollars. If you go to dinner with 3 or more people, the bill usually adds up to around 50 anyways. so this is a great way to save at lot of restaurants. search up your zip. go for it. restaurant.com

This has been one of your random daily finds from the search whiz. Subscribe please!!!!