Free books can be found at Project Gutenberg. All 16,000 Project Gutenberg eBooks are free for anyone living in the United States for personal use.
Free PDFing Software
PrimoPDF will allow you to print from just about any application by selecting the PrimoPDF printer at print time. www.primopdf.com
The Sourceforge Project PDFCreator is another utility that creates PDFs from any Windows program. Use it like a printer in Word, Open Office or any other Windows application.
Widgets for Windows: Konfabulator
Pixoria’s Konfabulator, a widget tool for Macs and PCs, is now a free download. It had cost $25. Buyers of Konfabulator 2.0 and above will receive a refund.
Microsoft’s Free Sync Toy
As if Microsoft had predicted my need for this tool – Microsoft released v1 beta of it’s SyncToy PowerToy for Windows XP Professional Edition 
systems. Billed by Microsoft as “The Smart Way to Copy Files.SyncToy v1 Beta helps you copy, move, rename, and delete files between folders and computers quickly and easily.” This has allowed me to eliminate duplicate file entries across network drives, clean up my home and office workstations and.. organize a previously untame-able mp3 collection.
The new tool relies on an XP themed wizard-style interface to walk users through the copying process. It will copy files from one folder to another, keep both folders in sync, and automatically delete files in one folder when they’ve been erased in another.
One of the features that Microsoft is touting with this application is “intelligent renaming.” This is the process whereby SyncToy detects renamed — but otherwise unchanged — files in one folder, say on a network drive, and then automatically renames those same files in another folder, say on my workstation.
Because SyncToy belongs to the Windows PowerToy division, it’s not officially supported by Microsoft through normal technical support channels. However, as with just about any popular app there is a user-to-user forum available at the Microsoft Professional Photography site.
Posted by Twist as Tools and Utlities at 11:33 PM PDT
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Even years after becoming a staple of electronic correspondance, for many people, electronic mail is still a novel experience. Countless new accounts are created daily by those just starting out with computers. The tips and tools below have been put together to help new users avoid as many of the common “newbie” mistakes as possible.
Partly due to the widespread use of email, virus writers have targetted the medium as ideal for the transmission and delivery of Virus and Trojan applications.
The payload of an email virus can be nasty. Typical “features” of email borne viruses can range from (and are not limited to) one or all of the below:
- Spreading by sending copies of itself to each email address in your email client’s address book.
- Install a Trojan application on your system that permits unauthorized access to your system without you knowing.
- Prevent people who get an infected email from you from warning you about your infection by faking (or spoofing) an email address.
- Disable application or operating system software while also damaging or deleting personal files.
- Scanning other computers on your internal network looking for vulnerable computers that it can infect.
Almost in spite the remarkable sophistication of the computer viruses, neutralizing or avoiding them is actually easy. The best defence is to use multiple layers against viruses, crackers, spam and the kid next door. A multiple layered defense means using a number of different layers of protection, usually with each being different to the previous one (thus making it more difficult for the same trick that beat one layer from also getting past a second).
Virus Scanner Software
Online virus scanning services, like those listed below, offer free virus scans and are an excellent option if you suspect an infection and currently don’t have a current (or any) antivirus software.Online scanners typically operate via a small ActiveX control that is downloaded before the scan initiates. This control then searches your hard drive(s) for known virus signatures (or patterns). If an infection has been detected, the scanner might be able to clean the file, occasionally this is not the case and a good indication the a standalone antivirus application is needed.
Microsoft’s Malware removal tool
Trend Micro Housecall
Symantec Security Check
RAV Antivirus Scan
Grisoft AVG
Bit Defender
Panda Active Scan
Sophos Antivirus
Time limited antivirus trial software
Creating a multilayer defense against viruses, crackers, spam and the kid next door should be a standard practice not only in the workplace, but also at home. Some of the products above will strip SPAM out of your inbox and offer AntiVirus as well as firewall which is a good combination of functionality to have on a home computer. In addition to preventing against known viruses and spamming techniques, Microsoft offers it’s users additional utilities to further close down Windows to threats.
For additional tips, tools and resources check out Microsoft’s Security Essentials site.
Posted by Twist as Tips and Hints, Tools and Utlities at 3:18 PM PDT
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