Four (Software) Freebies

Folks, I recently became aware of some software titles you may want to check out, as they are (currently) free, and they seem useful.

I do not know anything about these companies or these titles. I have not tried them out, nor even bothered researching reviews (I don’t review software any more), except to see if the websites are safe (they seem to be) and if there’s major scam complaints (I didn’t see any).

So here you go:

* Protect System & Data in Windows PC and Server with FREE Backup Software
AOMEI Backupper 1.6

• One-click backup your system drive to ensure system security
• Backup disk & partition, create disk images and clone hard drive
• Support Windows 8/7/Vista/XP and Server 2003/2008/2012 (32/64-bit)

Also from AOMEI, Partition Assistant Standard (formerly Home Edition)

Completely FREE for Private and Commercial Use

“Hunting for an easy-to-use software to fix hard disk partition problems for Windows OS? AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard is the right one for your PC, guaranteeing you get the full features for creating, resizing, deleting, merging, splitting partition and more… “

Next up are two PDF tools from Investintech.com, that are being given away in a “social media” promotion (aka the “buying Facebook ‘Likes'” game). They are available for Windows, Mac and Linux

“Users who enter can get not one, but TWO PDF software programs for free: Able2Doc PDF to Word Converter 7.0 and Sonic PDF Creator 3.0.

Able2Doc accurately converts PDF images and text to Word and Open Source formats, while Sonic PDF Creator offers advanced PDF creation and editing options. Put together, they form a full featured package of PDF conversion and creation software.

Each PDF tool is valued at $49.95 retail price, but to get both for free users will only need a Facebook and Twitter account. Here’s how it works:

· By Liking our Facebook page, users will get an Able2Doc download code to unlock a full version of the software.

· When they Like the page, users will also get a timed pop-up dialog with directions for getting Sonic PDF Creator via Twitter” You can check out the details here.

So .. there you go.

And, I’m curious..

Today’s quote: “For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” ~ Wallis Simpson

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Sunday Beauty #135

Here’s another interesting image for your Sunday.

Click on image to see more by this artist (reco’d)

“Boy on Cable-Car; Junge auf Seilbahn” by Thragor, courtesy of Flickr Commons

* Here’s an idea for you: why don’t you do something like this today, if you’re able? So what if you “look a little foolish”.

* I was speaking with someone this morning who was really, really excited that October is here tomorrow. Because they are big, big, wwaaaaay “into” Halloween. I mean.. a Real Fan.  Loves everything about it. Me? Not so much. (I lived for a while in SF, where every day is Halloween. Seeing a costume is nbd.) So.. a quick-e-poll, if you don’t mind.

In the spirit of today’s image.. how ’bout some more fun? It has been long-debated whether Stairway to Heaven or Freebird is the greatest Rock’n Roll song of all time. But my vote has always gone to another Led Zepplin song (and Robert Plant’s fave) Kashmir. Here is a “cover” performed this summer by some rather famous artists in their own right..

( I should say.. some days my vote goes to Stranglehold. And some days it’s anything by AC/DC.. )

A little tech: 19 Tips You’ll Need to Master iOS 7 (slideshow)

“From privacy settings to getting notifications, here’s what you need to know about Apple’s newest operating system.” Read more…

*    *    *

Today’s quote: “If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.” ~ Lucy Larcom

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

A reading reco, and a FF video too

This article by Ed Bott looks at the new generation of devices that have now reached market, and are changing the way we compute (now that the PC is dead).

* The Windows ecosystem in 2013 is more diverse than you think

“Just what is a PC, anyway? In the past year, the traditional definition of a Windows-powered PC has been blurred as a wave of decidedly nontraditional devices appeared on the market. Here’s what I’ve learned after using more than 20 of those devices.” Read more..

[ this is one of those where the reader Comments are worth the read as well {all 4 pages of them}.]

And, a day late is better than a dollar short, right? Here’s this week’s Friday Fun video.

Kinda sorta related Additional Reading:
* Social Media Demographics: The Surprising Identity Of Each Major Social Network

“Each social media platform has cultivated a unique identity thanks to the demographics of the people who participate in the network. Some platforms are preferred by young adults, who are most active in the evening, others by high-income professionals, who are posting throughout the workday.” Read more..

Today’s quotable quote: “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” ~ Nido Qubein

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

This week’s items of interest.

Howdy folks. Here are a few items I found interesting this past week.

* What’s right (and wrong) with the new Kindle Fire HDX and Kindle Fire HD

“Amazon has unveiled a new lineup of tablets to take it into the holiday season. These tablets being superb hardware at a price that will make you do a double-take, but as with all things, not everything is perfect. ” Read more..

* Apple Gets Failing Grades on New iPhone Security

“In the fanfare of publicity for the iPhones 5s and 5c, and for iOS 7, a persistent and unusual motif was heard: security, security. ” Read more..

* Norton, Kaspersky, and Bitdefender Rule New Antivirus Test

“Researchers at German lab AV-Test keep twenty-odd antivirus products under observation constantly, collating and reporting their results every couple months. They cycle between testing under Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8, sometimes using 64-bit editions. The latest results relate to testing under 64-bit Windows 7. Some products scored much better than when tested under the 32-bit operating system; others lost points galore.” Read more..

* Tech companies have highest turnover rate

“According to PayScale’s most recent survey, employee turnover rate among Fortune 500 companies is greatest in the IT industry.” Read more..

[ Doesn’t surprise me.. ]

* What if Verizon succeeds in killing the Internet?

“Verizon is making a big push to begin actively blocking content and competition from its network. This is a bald-faced attack on the Internet in general. It’s abhorrent. But what happens if Verizon wins?” Read more..

* Design lab finalists reveal gadgets of the future

“From breathing walls to holograms and intelligent kitchen appliances, Electrolux Design Lab’s eight finalists reveal how we might be cooking, cleaning and improving our home environment in the future.” Read/see more..

*    *    *

.. if you only read one.. read the Verizon one ..

Today’s quote: “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” ~ Buddha

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Sunday Beauty 134

Here’s another pretty picture for your Sunday.

Click on image to see more by this artist (reco’d)

“IMG_7427” by xfrf, courtesy of Flickr Commons

Today’s quote: “We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.” ~ Roderick Thorp

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

A Few Items (for your Friday)

TGIF

Folks, here a few items for your consideration:

* The transparent citizen – How can I actively prevent others from misusing my data?

“The Internet has become the primary means of communications in many people’s lives. This, however, comes at a price: it is impossible to completely remove anything once it has been uploaded.

• How much information should I disclose about myself?
• What does the Internet know about me?
• How can I actively prevent others from misusing my data?

These are important questions that we would like to address.” Read more..

[.. it would be nice if the answer wasn’t “you can’t”.. and nicer still if people had realized that fact a little sooner.. ]

* Four privacy settings you should enable in iOS 7 immediately

“If you downloaded and installed iOS 7, there are a few privacy settings that are turned off by default that you should enable right away.” Read more..

* Five things missing from the iPhone 5s you can get in Android smartphones

“The new Apple iPhone 5s will sell millions and require long lines this Friday, but as we read through the reviews we see Apple held back quite a bit with the latest high end offering.” Read more..

[If you are thinking of buying a new iPhone.. uh, well, read the article. I really don’t care that it comes in gold.. it’s last years tech at next month’s prices. And, yes, I’m sure it will sell quite well… ]

And let’s not forget Microsoft.. Microsoft Rushes Emergency Fix To Address Internet Explorer Attacks

“Microsoft said targeted attacks are attempting to exploit a remote code execution vulnerability impacting all supported versions of the browser.” Read more..

[ if you have Internet Explorer installed – and 99.9999% of Windows PC users do – read that article and implement the “Fixit”. ]

From the It Was Fun While It Lasted Department:
* BlackBerry Reports Nearly $1 Billion In Losses, Begins Layoffs

“BlackBerry reports up to $995 million in losses for its fiscal second quarter and says it will layoff 4,500 employees.” Read more..

Fiday Fun (Video):

Today’s quotable quote: “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~ Christopher Robin to Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Everyday cybercrime — and what you can do about it

Folks, here is an “educational” Ted Talks video I think everyone should see. I hope you will forward this on to your less-savvy friends and family (and urge them to watch it).

Today’s quote: “It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” ~ Mark Twain

Copyright 2007-2013 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.