Let’s say you want to merge several PDF files together. Well, that’s pretty difficult [...]]]>

Of-course, everyone’s used Adobe Acrobat at one time or another. I use it from time to time when I simply want a PDF to load or print out an old manual. What if you want to do more with your e-books?

Let’s say you want to merge several PDF files together. Well, that’s pretty difficult to achieve with Adobe Acrobat, unless you’re willing to cough up some cash for Acrobat Pro. It seems unfair that you should have to pay so much for one simple function, doesn’t it?

Most people just one to do one or two things with their PDFs, but can’t afford to pay a whopping  $449.00 for the simple ability to rotate, merge, or copy and paste. I’ve recently encountered this problem myself. Now, I’m going to invest some time and try to track down the best free tools for editing, managing, and utilizing .pdf files.

Please comment if you have any insight. We’d love to hear your input!

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Introduction

I know, it’s frustrating. You hate reading. And, by now, you’ve probably tried everything under the sun to protect your system from the nasty critters that [...]]]>

I’m terribly sorry about the delay with this post. I promised to post this as of two weeks ago, so unfortunately I have been delayed until now.

Introduction

I know, it’s frustrating. You hate reading. And, by now, you’ve probably tried everything under the sun to protect your system from the nasty critters that are funking up everyone’s PC including yours. Well, hopefully this is an end-all solution for you. It was for me…

Crap

To start, it’s important that you clean out all of the cache your Windows – based PC builds up over time. Every time you visit a webpage you download (potentially) megabytes of data which adds up to gigabytes and so on. Some or most of that data is stored as cache to prevent you from having to re-download that stuff later on, thus speeding up your day-to-day business of web surfing. Unfortunately, an end-result can be slower performance, and the hogging of HDD (Hard Drive) space.

To help clean up your system from all of this “crap” that builds up, I recommend Crap Cleaner (CCleaner) which can be downloaded at Piriform.com.

Virus & Trojans

As for actually protecting your computer, you need more than one form of Antivirus. My two favorites are currently two of the most popular free antivirus products out there. AVG, and Panda.

What you need to know about AVG is that there is more than one company using the name “AVG”. The second is that there is more than one type of product and/or service that AVG provides. The basic antivirus is free. It comes with a resident (a program that runs in the background keeping viruses from loading into memory and essentially restricts their movements. Kind-of like an anklet on a convict. AVG Free Antivirus is very popular because it doesn’t take an incredible amount of memory to use passively. Even scanning runs at a minimal pace, unless you turn the toggle up raising its “priority” devoting more resources to its scan.

The second form of antivirus is called Panda Cloud Antivirus, and it also, is free. Just like AVG’s version, there is a free, as well as a paid antivirus client. You shouldn’t need the pro version unless you run a company-owned machine, or you just want massive overkill for your computer. Remember the more you pay for, the more is running, and the less resources you have in the end.

Panda Cloud Antivirus uses cloud-computing. I won’t get into the long description, but it can be summed up by saying: Cloud computing is using more than one machine, computer, or server’s resources to produce results. Basically meaning Panda isn’t just running on your PC, it’s running on some odd million others. When one person gets a virus, every other client gets updated with new criteria for a similar threat. How? It uses a database accessed via internet. Not-to-say that Panda is useless while offline, but it is seriously limited in its capabilities while not connected to the internet.

(Inhale)

Now, running AVG Free Antivirus side-by-side with Panda Cloud Antivirus isn’t a problem unless they’re both scanning at the same time. You may end up with an access violation, or a resource issue. It’s best to scan with one at a time at first, and see how long it takes. Then, schedule regular scans leaving a good buffer of time between each client.

Spyware

Now we’re down to the easy stuff. I want to introduce you to one of my best finds ever. Spybot Search & Destroy. What Spybot does is, well, it gets rid of spybots! From experience, this tool can find most adware, spyware, trojans, trojan downloaders, and a host of other nasty products that do nothing but get in your way from having a good day.

Spybot can scan your computer before windows is allowed to load, giving it the ability to get rid of a lot of bugs that other products like AVG and Panda can miss, since they’re not designed to do that anyway. Spybot also allows you to closely examine your startup list, giving you updated and descriptive information on what each entry is, and what it does. You’d be surprised. Read all of the entries’ info. You’ll find some surprises.

It also includes a basic set of tools to turn off BHOs (browser helper objects) for Internet Explorer, getting rid of some of those pesky ads and toolbars, and a somewhat annoying registry checker. I’d recommend sticking with CCleaner though. If you don’t believe me,  try it once. You have to delete each registry entry manually. (click x 457 = FUNK)

Summary

So, there you have it. The best combo of antivirus; at least that I’ve found, and is free. If you find something better, post a comment, if not, let me know how it works out for you.

Download

(Download.com or download.cnet.com scans files while they’re still on the server, preventing you from getting a virus in the first place)

CCleaner - http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/

AVG Free Antivirus - http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition-2011/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

Panda Cloud Free Antivirus - http://download.cnet.com/Panda-Cloud-Antivirus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10914099.html

Spybot S&D - http://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

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For the longest time I had been hating life, and my phone. The HTC Tilt 2 commercial caught my eye and my wallet. As it turns out, you don’t always get what you pay for. The Windows Mobile OS left me wanting with the utter lack of apps and games [...]]]>

Image via Wikipedia

For the longest time I had been hating life, and my phone. The HTC Tilt 2 commercial caught my eye and my wallet. As it turns out, you don’t always get what you pay for. The Windows Mobile OS left me wanting with the utter lack of apps and games to play with. Media was troublesome at the very least, but I did manage to figure out how to play .FLV and .MOV files. Unfortunately, my massive 16gb card went unspent since most downloadable videos via Limewire come as MPEG4s leaving my WiMo in the dust.

So the decision plagued me, should I get an iPhone? Everyone’s doing it they (the infamous them) and apparently it’s a blast… But I put my hormones in reserve and went with a feistier candidate, the HTC EVO 4G. With the massive power of that 1GHZ Snapdragon processor and that insanely huge 4:3″ screen, how could you go wrong? Turns out, I was right.

Everyone is dying to know, out of the thousands of apps available on the Android Market, which ones do it right? Give me your feedback and I’ll do the dirty work. I’ll investigate the apps you’re curious about or can’t afford to try because of the price tag, and give you the solid on whether it’s worth the wallet-dump. Keep in mind, there’s a plethora of awesome apps out there that don’t require you delving into the depths of your savings.

And while we’re talking about apps, dive into the Apple app bank and us about your favorite finds.

Follow or retweet me on Twitter @asoldier.

A near-complete all-in-one IM solution, and VOiP [...]]]>

Windows Mobile “WiMo” is becoming very powerful. Many people never tap into the full potential of their WiMo enabled devices, and this tends to produce a technology downfall. So, you want to get the most out of your gadgets, right? Here’s a few apps that will empower your experience.

1. Fring

A near-complete all-in-one IM solution, and VOiP solution for WiMo (as well as other OS enabled) devices.

Fring has a flexible UI adapting to varying resolutions (screen sizes) and supports I.M. protocols gTalk, MSN Live Messenger, Yahoo, AIM, and ICQ;  as well as VOIP including Skype and SIP networks. (Save a few bucks with your SkypeOut minutes).

Fring also includes a Facebook and Twitter app. (NO support for Facebook IM, yet.)

Fring relies solely on your data plan, and defies the need for standard SMS text messaging.  If you have a smartphone or Pocket PC, Fring will be essential in minimizing your need for a large text messaging package.

2. Waze

If you don’t need it, you want it. If you don’t want it, it would probably help anyway. GPS navigation is becoming more and more essential, especially when navigating congested urban areas or isolated rural locales.Waze is a full-featured GPS Navigation app that gives you turn-by-turn directions, a 2D or 3D view, and incorporates some social features as well. You can view or report various events such as police traps (speed traps), traffic standstills, accidents, construction, etc. You also get incentives (a points system) for travel to or through certain areas.

Waze allows you to search for a route via your data connection, and will automatically recalculate your route if you stray off course. Voice directions make finding your turns a breeze; as well as visual instructions including the direction of your next turn, and the distance in miles and feet.

Waze also has an automated error reporting system which resumes the last route you searched/selected prior to the app failing or an error occurring; an instantaneous log and report sent to to Waze; and a polite apology.

3. My Mobiler

My Mobiler is a downright simple app to operate. Once installed it works via your bluetooth or USB connection and quite simply enables direct access to your WiMo device via your PC. Once you’ve connected, you can control your phone directly from your computer, including navigation, text input, copy and paste, etc. You can also record video and take screenshots of your activities on your WiMo device. This app has a very light footprint on your machine. It’s definitely worth it if you have a lot to do on your phone, and you’re tired of thumb cramps. I consider this to be a hidden tool for Getting Things Done (GTD).

4. Evernote

Everyone forgets… Whether it’s one of your zillion passwords for your various online accounts or social networks, or that email address from your coworker, everyone at some point forgets something important to them or someone else. Stop forgetting, start Evernoting.

Evernote instantly saves whatever you write, type, or record. You can capture video, audio, text, and handwriting using Evernote for WiMo as well as for your PC. Anything you enter is securely synced to your account online. As soon as you install the app for your PC or WiMo and log in, everything on your account will show up, and will download once you select a notebook.

5. oMarket

I never liked spending days trying to find software for my WiMo phone, even when I upgraded to the awesome HTC Tilt 2. What bugged me worse is most of the “freeware” out there, was just shareware waiting for its trial to run out so it could scam you into paying for a license when it should be free.

oMarket brings you a mass of freeware, free of charge (pending your data plan of course) and allows you to manage your freeware right from your fingertips. Direct .cab downloads, and it even notifies you of outdated versions.

The only requirement for this handy app is that you register an online account. No worries, it’s free and you can do it right on the spot. After that you have full access to all of the freeware, and you can leave your mark by posting reviews and ratings of software you’ve tried out.

Apps are sorted by category, but if you’re looking for something in particular, you can search for it.

6. ClearTemp

If you’ve ever used CCleaner for Windows, then you know that having a good “Crap Cleaner” is nearly a necessity. Unless you like spending your spare time trying to find every last cache of temporary file nonsense that’s bogging down your phone or PDA, I recommend getting ClearTemp.

It gets pretty much everything. You can select which folders you want affected individually, or hit “Select All” from the menu option, and it does the hard work for you. It’s free, so there isn’t much to knock.

The preview pretty much explains the function of the program. There are some pretty nifty auto-selectors under the “menu” though.  You can set a few custom folders (i.e. for your app download folders or your unsecured personal files you need to quickly delete in the case of an emergency… ex girlfriend EHEM) and uh…

7. BsB Tweaks

It’s a fairly thorough tweaking utility for getting the most out of your device. Think of it like Glary , but for WiMo.

With the right settings, you can speed up your device, get better quality from your graphics, save some juice (battery life), and generally get more bang for your “buck” (it’s free).

This app comes in handy when you don’t want to spend a bunch of valuable time scrounging around your settings menus trying to find those settings that either don’t exist, or are to darn hard to find to make it really worth it.

BSB Tweak allows you to adjust some settings which are either hidden, or extremely hard to find. It does everything but God Mode (we can only hope one day) like in Win 7. I’m sure someone’s working on it.

In the meantime be sure to take advantage of the thumb-friendly UI, and a  whole bunch of customized yummy time-saving settings.

8. pTasks

Syncing up your Outlook tasks is pretty simple. You connect your WiMo device and ActiveSync and your Device Center do the rest. What sucks is using Outlook for your To Do list. The bland and uninteresting interface is repulsive. Add the disregard for GTD with a sense of style, and a bit of jazz, and there you have it. pTasks helps out in this department.
Strip out the nonsense, and add a Manilla-style skin to it, and you’ve got pTasks. There’s a mass of sorting options, and it’s very touch-friendly. Oh and it’s free. Uses next-to nothing for resources. If you have a lot to do, and you wanted to use your WiMo device for your To Do list, here’s one more reason to.

It also helps to have text that’s easier to read, and a little softer to the “touch”. Tasks are automatically highlighted (and sorted if selected) by category/importance/date due etc. There’s quite a few features to this one, but be careful with the updates. This might turn into a retail app should the creator decided to release the next update as such. You can turn off the update checking ability in the menu, so that takes care of that (fingers crossed).

9. Klaxon

The alarm screen with WiMo 6.5 is pretty boring, and not so touch-friendly. Getting those little minute and hour hands to go just where you want them can be a real pain in the arse. Klaxon is a real remedy to the massive headache. Setting the time for your alarms is easy as a couple of taps or a finger-slide, and naming your new alarm. Not to mention the pretty nifty UI.

Aside from the obvious features, you can use any .mp3 file as an alarm. From personal experience, once an alarm is set, the app can be completely closed, and the alarm will still go off, repeatedly, until you get off your ass and turn it off.

It does its job pretty well. Not to mention you don’t have to pay a dime. If you’re willing to spend a little cash, you can always pick up g-alarm. Do you need it? Not really.

Using Windows Search can be tiresome, takes much longer than it should, and tends to bog down resources. Well kiss Windows Search goodbye, and say hello to Everything… quite literally.

If it’s on your computer, connected to your computer, and in some cases, near your computer, Search Everything will… search…. [...]]]>

Image via CrunchBase

Using Windows Search can be tiresome, takes much longer than it should, and tends to bog down resources. Well kiss Windows Search goodbye, and say hello to Everything… quite literally.

If it’s on your computer, connected to your computer, and in some cases, near your computer, Search Everything will… search…. everything…yeah that’s about it.

No seriously…

When you type, your results appear automatically. It could be a folder, a file, on an external drive, a thumb drive, local, hidden, doesn’t matter. Everything will find it, index it, and the next time you search for something it’ll find it even faster.

Oh, and did I mention it’s free?

Download Everything

Everything Homepage

There’s a growing need for organization in our complicated lives. Without it, we waste time, lose productivity, and become unhappy soon thereafter. In order to combat the chaos we need friends, skills, knowledge, and power tools to help us cope, and take advantage of the mess. One tool that lets [...]]]>

Image via CrunchBase

There’s a growing need for organization in our complicated lives. Without it, we waste time, lose productivity, and become unhappy soon thereafter. In order to combat the chaos we need friends, skills, knowledge, and power tools to help us cope, and take advantage of the mess. One tool that lets us do this is RememberTheMilk.com. ?

One of the awesome things about RTM (RememberTheMilk) is that it’s not just a bare bones to do list. It’s lets you know when you have appointments coming up via email or a plethora of other services… you can sync it between your phone, home computer, and of-course the web, and you can integrate most facets of your life without expending much more than a few minutes a day. And did I mention, it’s completely FREE?

Say you want to add a new task…

That’s simple enough right? Well there’s a lot more you can do. You can make tasks repeat, send emails, connect to links, and tons more. I haven’t even started on the 3rd party services available.

• Supercharge Remember the Milk task manager with browser plugins (pheedcontent.com)
• A Bit Better RTM Enhances Remember The Milk for Google Chrome [Downloads] (lifehacker.com)

Don’t forget that you can enhance RememberTheMilk with Google Gears, which means you can run it offline, even as a Chrome desktop app, and ultra-fast to boot!

If you find something better, let us know. I mean for this price (free)…

If you’re looking [...]]]>

I’ve been stumbling with this one for a minute.  Fortunately the awesome people at ThemeShaper.com have posted this delightful tutorial series titled “How To Create a WordPress Theme: The Ultimate WordPress Theme Tutorial” Fortunately just in-time for one of my other ventures “Frag League” to spin up. Check it out at FragLeague.com.

If you’re looking for a better tutorial, with the right steps, without shelling out the cheese, check this tutorial out.