Surf better
Firefox
The Firefox browser from Mozilla is the browser of choice for only about 16 percent of Web-surfing Americans, but it’s the preferred tool among the technorati. If you’re frustrated with your Internet Explorer browser, download the latest version of Firefox and see what the buzz is all about. Life-improving coolnesses: More than 1,000 free plug-in tools; manage your own privacy settings and browsing history; search shortcuts; built-it pop-up blocker. Cost: Free. Address: www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox.
Own your music
SoundTaxi
So you bought a bunch of songs from Apple’s popular iTunes music store and now you want to take them with you to the gym on an off-brand digital music player. Hello, frustration. Apples sells music on iTunes with a built-in copyright protection code that only iPods can read. You could spend hours hacking the problem with techno-geek freeware, or you can spend $15 and download Soundtaxi. Life-improving coolnesses: Cue up you iTunes music library, press the “convert” button and wake up in the morning to a truly flexible digital music library. Cost: $14.90 for an easy download. Address: www.soundtaxi.info.
Get your family organized
Google Calendar
Problem: A busy family with busy lives. Solution: A single calendar that everyone can access from anywhere, at any time. Google’s calendar is easy and intuitive. Life-improving coolnesses: Invite your family, friends and associates to compile group calendars with you. Then combine your multiple calendars into one personal view. Cost: Free along with the rest of your Google account. Address: www.google.com, then click the Sign-in button on the upper-right-hand corner.
Protect your computer
AVG Anti-virus 7.5 Free Edition
Most new computers ship with built-in virus protection (that you still have to pay for as subscriptions), but some of these packaged security programs can be pricey -- and almost as annoying as the bugs they’re trying to defeat. AVG’s freeware version is a lightweight, proven system that comes with regular automatic updates, so it spots new viruses just like the big-name systems do. Life-improving coolnesses: Who cares? You just want virus protection that works. Cost: Free, with the option to upgrade to the professional version for $29.95 a year. Address: www.free.grisoft.com.
Record your own audio
Audacity
There are all sorts of reasons to add a good audio recording and editing program to your toolbox, but a lot of what’s available is overly technical and wildly expensive. Audacity is popular with podcasters and techies, but it’s also a great download for people who are just starting to experiment with audio. Life-improving coolnesses: Record bedtime stories for your grandkids. Archive oral histories from your older family members. Send playable greetings to loved ones overseas. Cost: Open-source freeware, but donations are accepted. Address: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
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