Sentry Page Protection
Tip Store: Computers: Software
Free and Discounted Software Everyday
This website has free and discounted software on its website everyday. I have used it for over a year and saved well over $20000. This is the site: http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/all-discount-codes
Contributed by Scott Van Leeuwen
Website: http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/all-discount-codes
Contributed by Scott Van Leeuwen
Website: http://www.bitsdujour.com/software/all-discount-codes
Going to Manufacturer's Webpage Saves Up To $150!
Approximate $ Savings: $39.99-$150
My netbook doesn't have a CD drive, so it can be difficult trying to download software from CDs. I've been borrowing my husband's computer to download things from CD and transfer them to thumb drive, before transferring it to my netbook. A long-winded and frustrating way that couldn't even work for downloading software from Microsoft Office I recently bought. The old software from our HP printer was useless, too, as it couldn't work with Windows 7 in my netbook. My husband suggested connecting a CD drive from an old computer to the netbook, using a special connecting cable. He saw the cable on the Internet for $29.99 plus $10 P&P. The same thing is on sale for $50 at the local computer shop. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately) it was out of stock both online and in the computer shop. My husband tried another option; he said I could buy something that would cost $150. I didn't want to pay that much just to have a printer and Microsoft Office installed using an external CD drive. I went onto the Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) to search whether they have the appropriate software I can download straight to my netbook without using CDs. To my delight, the software I need is available to download from their webpage. I only need to supply the software key from the Microsoft Office box I have already bought. I used the same approach for the printer. I went onto the HP website (www.hp.com.au) and searched for the updated software that's compatible with my Windows 7 and downloaded them, problems solved. By going to the manufacturers web pages I managed to save up to $150 by not buying more cables and gadgets. Less clutters with no damage to the wallet!!!
- Contributed by H. Fox, 31st August 2010
My netbook doesn't have a CD drive, so it can be difficult trying to download software from CDs. I've been borrowing my husband's computer to download things from CD and transfer them to thumb drive, before transferring it to my netbook. A long-winded and frustrating way that couldn't even work for downloading software from Microsoft Office I recently bought. The old software from our HP printer was useless, too, as it couldn't work with Windows 7 in my netbook. My husband suggested connecting a CD drive from an old computer to the netbook, using a special connecting cable. He saw the cable on the Internet for $29.99 plus $10 P&P. The same thing is on sale for $50 at the local computer shop. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately) it was out of stock both online and in the computer shop. My husband tried another option; he said I could buy something that would cost $150. I didn't want to pay that much just to have a printer and Microsoft Office installed using an external CD drive. I went onto the Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) to search whether they have the appropriate software I can download straight to my netbook without using CDs. To my delight, the software I need is available to download from their webpage. I only need to supply the software key from the Microsoft Office box I have already bought. I used the same approach for the printer. I went onto the HP website (www.hp.com.au) and searched for the updated software that's compatible with my Windows 7 and downloaded them, problems solved. By going to the manufacturers web pages I managed to save up to $150 by not buying more cables and gadgets. Less clutters with no damage to the wallet!!!
- Contributed by H. Fox, 31st August 2010
Simple Photo Editing
For simple editing try Irfanview. It's free and very useful in reducing the memory size of your photos by saving them as jpegs and using the reduce tool (ctrl +r). Our IT dept has even recommended it for use at work.
- Contributed by Clea, Currajong, 2nd January 2009
- Contributed by Clea, Currajong, 2nd January 2009
Photo Editing Program Doesn't Cost a Penny
I used paint.net from download.com. It has all the things that you really need from a photo editing program and it doesn't cost a penny.
- Contributed by Samantha, Melbourne, 30th December 2008
- Contributed by Samantha, Melbourne, 30th December 2008
WAV Format
Download a program called Free CD Ripper 3.1. Change the output in the top right hand corner to WAV and then rip any CD you have to give you the music you want in WAV format
- Contributed by Rosemarie, Moorebank, 8th July 2008
- Contributed by Rosemarie, Moorebank, 8th July 2008
Sites for Free Sound Effects
Try these sites for free wav files:
http://www.musicrobot.com/cgi-bin/windex.pl
http://wavcentral.com/search.htm http://www.dailywav.com/search.php or look on here: http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/
- Contributed by Neil, Mornington, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Neil, Mornington, 2nd July 2008
Copy Your Own Music and Sounds
WAV files are just the normal file on your CD's. You can copy your CD's to computer and then use them. Also MP3's can be converted to WAV using a music converter. This one is freeware which means it's free to download and free to use. www.freewr.com/freeware.php?download=dbpoweramp-music-converter&lid=967 Good luck and have fun!!!
- Contributed by Silvia, Port Kennedy, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Silvia, Port Kennedy, 2nd July 2008
Convert Midi Files
Why not convert the midi files to wav files? Here is a list of a couple of programs that can do this http://www.indezine.com/products/sound/mid2wav.html
- Contributed by John, Elanora Heights, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by John, Elanora Heights, 2nd July 2008
Millions of Free Sound Files
WAV sound files can be downloaded from the following addresses: www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds/Free_WAVs/ or http://musicmoz.org/Sound_Files/WAV/ Just type WAV sounds into your search engine. I got over a million results. Good luck.
- Contributed by Sue, Watsonia, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Sue, Watsonia, 2nd July 2008
Free Sound Files
I simply went to Google and typed "free downloads of WAV files to use in Powerpoint presentations" and found www.presentationhelper.co.uk/powerpoint_sound_clips.htm that had wav format and mpg format files for to use. It even has tips on how to add them to Powerpoint!!
- Contributed by Rebecca, Kensington Gardens, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Rebecca, Kensington Gardens, 2nd July 2008
Two Websites for Free Sound Effects
For free sound effects for your Powerpoint presentations try www.a1.freesoundeffects.com or www.soundeffects.com. The latter offers free downloads if you subscribe to their email.
- Contributed by Carolyn, Seaford, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Carolyn, Seaford, 2nd July 2008
Step by Step for Sound Files
In Powerpoint itself, click on the following: Insert Movies and Sounds Sound from clip organiser A window appears, in which the 3rd option is "results should be:" In that dropdown box select Sounds and then un-tick all options below that other than Wave sound, then return to the field titled "Search for" and enter what sound you're looking for. Absolutely no cost to you as it's functionality within what you already have.
- Contributed by Leanne, Cranbourne West, 2nd July 2008
- Contributed by Leanne, Cranbourne West, 2nd July 2008
Make Your Own WAV Files
.WAV files are just ordinary uncompressed music files (eg MP3 or MP4 are compressed music files). You can make your own .wav files from your cds very easily using the 'rip' function in windows media player. There are countless other programs available on the internet which will do the same thing but I find Windows Media Player is one of the easiest to use.
- Contributed by Debbie, Greenwith, 3rd July 2008
- Contributed by Debbie, Greenwith, 3rd July 2008
Search PC Finds Hundreds of WAV Files
I don't know if you want complete sound tracks i.e. music files but a search for ".wav" (without the inverted commas) on Google will give you quite a few websites. Also, try searching your own PC (make sure you are searching system files too). I did and found 571 files. Good luck, Chris
- Contributed by Chris, Bakers Hill, 4th July 2008
- Contributed by Chris, Bakers Hill, 4th July 2008
Free Excel Tutorials
A few months ago I found this website that emails free Microsoft Excel tips, www.ableowl.com You just have to sign up to start receiving free tips. I have a few past tips that I don't mind sharing if anyone is interested.
- Contributed by Lisa, Griffin, 29th March 2008
- Contributed by Lisa, Griffin, 29th March 2008
Blackle It, Don’t Google It
For those worried with energy consumption and all its downsides when your screen is white, being it an empty word page, or the Google page, your computer consumes 74 watts, and when its black it consumes only 59 watts.
Mark Ontkush wrote an article about the energy saving that would be achieved if Google had a black screen, taking in account the huge number of page views, according to his calculations, 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved. In a response to this article Google created a black version of its search engine, called Blackle, with the exact same functions as the white version, but with lower energy consumption, check it out. www.blackle.com
- Contributed by Leanne, Kalgoorlie
Mark Ontkush wrote an article about the energy saving that would be achieved if Google had a black screen, taking in account the huge number of page views, according to his calculations, 750 mega watts/hour per year would be saved. In a response to this article Google created a black version of its search engine, called Blackle, with the exact same functions as the white version, but with lower energy consumption, check it out. www.blackle.com
- Contributed by Leanne, Kalgoorlie
www.openoffice.org
Approximate $ Savings: Potentially hundreds A great saving for those in need of word processing software is OpenOffice. This is free software but those who are not computer savvy may not be aware of its existence. It is a very user-friendly word processor that is very similar and compatible with the main commercial programs. It has full functionality. I have had great success with it and would highly recommend anyone to try it before buying commercial word processing software, potentially saving hundreds of dollars. Go to www.openoffice.org
- Contributed by Julia, Berowra Heights, 4th February 2007
- Contributed by Julia, Berowra Heights, 4th February 2007
Computer Virus Scanner
After years of either paying through the nose for computer virus scanning programs or using programs that have been very difficult to use, we have come across a completely free program called Avast! (www.avast.com) that is quite easy to use. You do have to renew your membership each year and get a new reg code but that's small work for a free program! We also now use free spyware programs that don't pressure you to buy the program called Spybot, AdAware SE Personal and Windows Defender Beta version. So we fully protect our computer for free!! I like that.. \
- Contributed by Melissa, Traralgon, December 20th 2006
- Contributed by Melissa, Traralgon, December 20th 2006
Cheaper Software Available Online
Students and teachers can buy well-known software and hardware online at significantly less than commercial prices. Sites include www.studentdiscounts.com.au. The 'educational' versions of these products are claimed to be identical to the commercial versions, except for their price. They cannot be used for commercial purposes. All you need is student id. - Contributed by Edwina, November 18th 2006
Free Office Suite for Your Computer
Instead of paying $500 or more for an Office suite (word processor etc), download the free (open source) office suite from www.openoffice.org It is considered to be equal to, or better than the one you have to pay for. I am often surprised by the number of people who have never heard of it. You are encouraged to give copies of it away.
- Contributed by Jim, Morwell, September 14th 2006
- Contributed by Jim, Morwell, September 14th 2006