Once a year I create an "MDH Technologies Freeware CD" to hand out to my clients. This year I have evaluated several free software products and made a determination as to what I will suggest to my clients in the areas of Document Management, Security, Entertainment, as well as some of my favorite website links.
Document Management
Everyone from time to time needs the ability to create a PDF document. With PrimoPDF you can do exactly that. (download) "PrimoPDF converts just about any file type to a PDF, using the print command from the source program the file was created in. In the latest version, the program comes with desktop icon that you can drag and drop files onto for quick conversion, as well as performance improvements and minor changes throughout the program" -CNET editors' review Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on October 08, 2009
Security Software
Why pay for antivirus on your home computer, when there are so many free antivirus software packages available? After using several free antivirus programs I have found Avira Antivir Free Personal Edition to be by far the best. It is important to note that the EULA prohibits using this free product for business purposes, and there is one minor catch. That is when the product automatically updates you will receive one ad after the update advertising their products for purchase. It has no adverse effect on your computer or otherwise annoyance after you close the ad, and in my opinion it's totally worth it. (download)
" Avira's AntiVir has been a player in the security world for some time; however, in 2008 its status boomed because of its remarkably strong detection rates. It still remains near the top of independent antivirus efficacy tests, but while the 2009 version more or less kept pace with the competition, the 2010 edition isn't quite as good as it could be." -CNET editors' review Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on March 22, 2010
There is a second piece of free software in this category that I have been using for some time now to aid in cleaning PC's that are infected with Malware or (malicious software) called Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. If you are getting those fake antivirus warnings etc. . this is the product for you, the paid version offers active protection and has very little impact on system performance. (download)
"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a surprisingly effective freeware antimalware tool. It's a relatively speedy malware remover, with the quick scan taking about 8 minutes even with other high-resource programs running. The heuristics engine proved on multiple computers during empirical testing that it was capable of determining the difference between false positives and dangerous apps". -CNET editors' review Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on February 10, 2009
Entertainment
We all enjoy having fun on the internet and our computers, after all the computers are not just tools for work but capable of so much more. The first piece of free software in this category is called YouTube Downloader and it does just what the name implies. It will take the embedded video from www.youtube.com and allow you to download and save it to your desktop. (download)
The last piece of free software I will discuss today is called VLC. VLC is a free open source program that will play DVD and other audio and video formats. They offer a version for MAC as well as PC and Linux! If you have ever reloaded Windows on your computer and later found out you couldn't watch DVD's without a DVD decoder this is the software for you. Usually companies want to charge you for the software but this little app does a fantastic job and there are several skins to choose from so you may customize the look and feel of your user interface. (download)
Some of my favorite LINKS
http://www.hulu.com watch free TV and movies and at great quality, if you missed an episode of your favorite show of just found one you like watch the entire season FREE!
http://www.sharebuilder.com a fantastic way to start investing in your future, there are no minimums and inexpensive trade fees stocks / mutual funds / etc . . . and its fun!
http://www.redbox.com rent a movie and for only $1 / day they will let you reserve movies and find where the box is located, best part is you can return to any location . . .
http://www.overstock.com great prices on all kinds of stuff and very reasonable shipping charges . . check it out to see what I mean.
http:/www.travelzoo.com signup for their e-mail I have used this site soooooo many times to go everywhere, on a shoe-string budget just sign up for the email you will see!
http://www.mdhtech.com and. . . . of course the best on-call IT computer service and network company around . . . especially in the Frisco, TX area!
I hope you enjoyed the information and that you will find it useful, as always I am here to answer question or replies to my post so please feel free to contact me and let me know what you would liek me to write about or if you just have a question I can answer or otherwise have something to add.
MDH
Matthew D. Hunn
-Consultant-
MDH Technologies
( (972) 800-9011
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