14 posts tagged “software”

Changes Meter is a program that helps you to monitor changes on a web site, similar to an RSS feed. I wasn't all that impressed myself, but a web master might find it to be a useful tool.

http://www.intuiware.com/Products/MacOSX/ChangesMeter/

Changes Meter is a program that helps you to monitor changes on a web site, similar to an RSS feed. I wasn't all that impressed myself, but a web master might find it to be a useful tool.

http://www.intuiware.com/Products/MacOSX/ChangesMeter/

So, you want to use a Mac or Linux, but, you're afraid of spreading a virus to your co-workers, friends and family. Well, never fear. Despite the stunning lack of viruses for the Mac operating system, if you want to protect others, or if you are just paranoid, you can use Clam Xav. This is open source anti-virus, its been used on Linux servers for quite some time now. So why should you use this software:

1) Its Free
2) It protects other computers on your network
3) You wont be spreading any viruses
4) On the off chance that someone makes a Mac virus that works with OSX, you will be protected.
5) If you run a virtual PC (widows on a second partition) on either your Mac or Linux machine you will be protected from data loss.

I tried this program, and found out that my co-workers (all Windows users) were passing all kinds of viruses to me, which I was forwarding, unaware of the dangers to others. My computer remains blissfully, but not shockingly, infection free, but I'm much more popular now.

So go out and give it a try. If you hate it, the worst end result is an uninstall.

Its happened to us all, you needed some piece of information from a web site, that you didn't print (why waste the paper for one line) figuring you can pull it up at your destination.

But, Much to your horror - No Wifi! No Connection of Any kind!

You could pony up to the nearest hot spot, and get out your credit card -but with one little prep step you could have side stepped this all together.

Just get your self Site Sucker.  Site Sucker allows you to save web pages, images, movies and even backgrounds for your own personal use later on, off line.

I tested it out, and its really simple to use - this one looks like its for Mac only, sorry to my loyal Linux readers - Just pop in the URL, and away it goes.

You can get Site Sucker at : http://www.freemacware.com/sitesucker-2

I was recently asked by a friend and co-worker, why do you do this?  Do you really hate Bill Gates so much?

The answer :

No, of course I don't hate Bill Gates - I've never even met him. I don't agree with many of the things his company has done, but Hate - well I just don't have the time and energy.

So - Why do I do this?

Well:

1 - Doing business should not be a high expense proposition. I know big business is bloated, and we have this notion stuck in our collective heads that more cost equals more quality, but real small businesses run on shoe string budgets all of the time.

2 - Good software is essential, and out there in abundance. People and companies who try to limit consumer choices in order to boost profits irk me. Thats called a monopoly - and most nations have laws against that for a reason.

3 - Developers work really hard, and give us the gift of free software - its rude to turn down a gift.

4 - Sometimes, you cant find what you want from Microsoft - and free ware fills in the gaps nicely.

In the end - its all about choice, freedom and the right not to have to pay bloated software costs.

And if sometimes I make fun of Bill - well thats all in good fun

You need to back up your important files and data, but you don;t want to shell out for an expensive service. Then just use Mozy.

Mozy  can be used for Mac or Windows - and when you sign up for a free account, you get 2GB of free storage, enough for critical documents. If you really need more, then you can get more for a mere 5 dollars a month.

I have used this (the free account) happily for months, by storing encrypted disk images, and files from my Mac Book.

Its worth checking it out. www.mozy.com

Get the free account.  If you hate it, you didn't pay.

What is it?

Its free 3D graphics rendering software.

How does it run?

The package installs easily, and I found it to be quick to load and run. I use and abuse this program frequently, and I have never had a problem.

How do I use it?

The controls can be a little hard to master the first time out, so read the quick start tutorials before you go at it (http://www.blender.org/tutorials-help/quickstart/ ) unless of course, you are an experienced graphic designer, who can just figure it out by looking.

What Does it cost?

 Nothing, Nada, not a cent

 Where can I get more info?

http://www.blender.org

What systems will it run on?

 Linux, Mac and Windows versions available here: http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/ 

So, you already want to migrate, but you don’t want to lose your programs. Well, have no fear, this is why crossover exists.

This handy dandy little program lets you install your windows based programs on a non-windows system and go to town!

For 39.95 you can download the software immediately and migrate all of your windows based programs to a Linux computer, and have them working for you.

 I have used this myself, and I can tell you it works. It really works, and it doesn’t take a lot of time, or frustration to get it to help you install your windows products (just remember to start crossover before you begin your install, I learned this after many annoyances)

 Don’t believe me (or just want to read another firsthand account of using crossover) then check out this link www.eweek.com/article2/0,,1886920,00.asp

 Now your wondering, will it work with my program. Well if your programs are on this list http://www.codeweavers.com/compatibility/browse/rank/ then yes.

 Copying the whole list would make this posting to long (there were 506 listings), so here are some of the highlights.

Office 97, 2000, XP, 2003

Lotus Notes

Photoshop

Quicken

DreamWeaver

Direct X

Project 2000

Frammaker

Acrobat

Quickbooks Pro

I tunes

Picasa

Aol IM

Corel Draw 8

Page Maker 7.0

Photoshop Elements 2.0

FileMaker Pro 6 and 7

What is it?

This is a great tool that lets you fill in a PDF file by overlaying text, and then you can save it with the new text entered. No scanning and no hassle.

How hard was it to use?

Not hard at all. Save the PDF, then drag it onto the formulate icon, and you can fill in from there.

What system does it run on?

Mac

What does it cost?

No cost – free = J

Where can I get it?

http://adlr.info/?Formulate