Praktic

Links for 2009-03-18 [Digg]

2009-03-19T00:00:00-07:00

Free PDF creator - Easily create PDF files
One application I have found particular useful in doing this is PDFCreator, which is a free, open-source software. You can create PDF files from documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, websites and virtually any file that can be printed. It works as a virtual printer so if you can print it, you can turn it into a PDF document.

Free PDF creator - Easily create PDF files

2009-03-18T20:11:00.006Z

Often you need to create a PDF file when sharing a document.

One application I have found particular useful in doing this is PDFCreator, which is a free, open-source software. You can create PDF files from documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, websites and virtually any file that can be printed. It works as a virtual printer so if you can print it, you can turn it into a PDF document.

To create a PDF file, when the software is installed, select to print the the document and select as a printer, PDFCreator.

Couldn't be any easier.

You can download the software here for free.

Links for 2009-03-17 [Digg]

2009-03-18T00:00:00-07:00

Easily backup your computer - save time and effort
There is probably nothing more frustrating than discovering that you have lost all your data on the hard drive or the computer has been stolen. Not to mention if it’s your life's work we’re talking about…

Easily backup your computer - save time and effort

2009-03-17T23:57:00.011Z

There is probably nothing more frustrating than discovering that you have lost all your data on the hard drive or the computer has been stolen. Not to mention if it’s your life's work we’re talking about…

I´m constantly surprised by how few people actually seem to backup their data. Maybe it’s because it can take time and very few expect their computer to crash or all of a sudden disappear. Trying to recover a failed hard drive can however be extremely costly and no success is guaranteed.

I have tried various methods and programs to back up my computer. The best and easiest solution I have found is a simple, automatic, secure online backup provided by Carbonite. It’s an unlimited online backup for one flat fee. It's extremely easy to use and they offer a free trial period. It’s like buying insurance for your data which in my opinion is worth it when you think about what a disaster losing all your data could be.

Carbonite is a small application on your computer that works quietly in the background looking for new and changed files that needs to be backed up. When the computer is idle, the software automatically backs up the new and changed files. You don't have to do anything and copy of your data is stored in a secure, remote location for safekeeping so in the event of disaster your data is still retrievable, which can be a lifesaver.

This couldn't be any easier. You can download the software here if interested.

Listen to your favorite music for free

2009-03-11T14:00:00.023Z

The following websites offer a music search engines where you can easily create playlists and listen to them, free of charge.

You don't even have to sign up to listen.

There is no need to download anything as you can stream the music directly from your browser.

Most of the services are pretty similar, at least to the average Joe. Enjoy!

Playlist
Playlist.com is an online community where 40 million users create and share music playlists. Playlist.com allows you to play your music on any social networking site or your own blog. They have built the largest music search engine on the web with the most popular music widget in the world.

Imeem
Imeem is the world's largest social music community, where you can, play & discover music, make and share playlists, embed your playlists anywhere online and connect with friends, bands and celebrities

MP3 Realm
Mp3Realm is an evolving search engine focused distinctively on audio in Mp3 format. Mp3Realm allows you to search for your favorite songs and clips, and filter them out by file duration. Your searches can be based on artist, title, genre or album. Mp3Realm also index's lyrics, so you can sing along to your favorite songs.

Skreemr
SkreemR is a search engine for locating audio files on the web. The website doesn't actually host any files, but indexes what exists on the publicly accessible reaches of the Internet. It currently indexes over 6 million mp3 files from over 100,000 web sites.

iLike
iLike is an online service that allows users to download and share music. The website makes use of a sidebar that is used with Apple's iTunes. The program and sidebar are not required in order to use the site but allow for ease in discovering new artists. Although the website is still in a somewhat beta version, it is open to anyone. This includes major label artists as well as independent artists.

Grooveshark
Grooveshark is a web-based music application built for anyone on the Internet to listen to music on-demand at no charge. Users have the ability to listen to single songs from the 7-million song catalog, save playlists, and embed both on other websites, blogs, and social media profiles via the Grooveshark Widget.

Seeqpod
Seeqpod is a music search engine, with over 12 million songs indexed. Seeqpod's player is embeddable and will automatically find music videos while you listen to songs. Users can also create their own playlists.

Deezer
Deezer is a free music streaming service. In September 2008, Deezer stated that there were 3.7 million songs available on their service.

YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. Unregistered users can watch the videos, while registered users are permitted to upload an unlimited number of videos.

Last.fm
Last.fm is a UK-based Internet radio and music community website, founded in 2002. Users can create custom radio stations and playlists from any of the audio tracks in Last.fm's music library, and are able to listen to some individual tracks on demand, or download tracks if the rights holder has previously authorised it.

Links for 2009-03-13 [Digg]

2009-03-14T00:00:00-07:00

Praktic
Save time & effort - Increase Productivity, Tips & Tricks, Software, Webware, Business ... and more

Chat with all your friends in one place …

2009-03-09T16:52:00.012Z

… no matter what different chat services they are using.

As there seems to be ever growing number of social networks, it can be quite handy to have everything in one place. That‘s were Meebo comes in. It is a web-based, so you don’t have to download anything, instant messenger program, which supports multiple instant messenger services, like MSN, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ, MySpace IM, Jabber and many more.

It‘s nice to be able to sign into only one browser window and have all the messenger services that you use and being able to access it in every computer connected to the Internet and no need to constantly switch windows based on what chat service your friend is using.

Another great plus about it, is that you can easily track every chat history, wherever you are. It can be quite handy... especially if you like to keep everything organized and in one place.

Well, check it out at least, at www.meebo.com

It’s very easy to sign up and not to mention this is a free service.

Links for 2009-03-11 [Digg]

2009-03-12T00:00:00-07:00

Listen to your favorite music for free
List of the best websites where you can easily search and listen to your favorite music for free.

Simple and effective email follow up reminder

2009-03-06T14:55:00.006Z

It is a quite common problem that a recipient hasn't responded to an email that needs a response. For people who send a lot of emails, it can be quite a complex task to see which ones have been responded to and which one not ... and follow up on latter if needed.

One method I have found particularly useful in dealing with this is adding my email address in the Cc line if I this message requires a response. By doing this, I receive a copy of the message which I then put in a folder I call „Follow up“.

Daily I just check in this folder, and delete the ones that have been responded to or follow up on the ones that I think are overdue.

Pretty simple but effective way.

Sending large files by email? -> Send rather a link

2009-03-03T18:05:00.010Z

Sometimes when I have to send rather large files by email (like Gmail for instance), I receive a delivery error because the file size is too large.

A great way around this problem is to store the file on the internet instead and just send the link to the recipient. Not everyone has access to a FTP server so the best service I have found dealing with this problem is by using Box.net. It is very easy to use and the service is free for 1 Gb size.

With Box, you can instantly share and send any type of file with family, friends, and clients including documents, photos, and videos that are too large for email. You can also access your files anywhere in the world. It is also ideal if you need remote access to your important files from multiple computers.

The service is completely web-based, so there is no software to download and install, unlike traditional remote access or online storage services.

You can try it out visiting box.net

Can't read a website now? -> Mark it as "Read It Later"

2009-03-03T13:09:00.001Z

While surfing the web I frequently come across interesting websites, articles, news, blog posts etc. As I don't always have time to read everything right off, I have come up with the idea of creating the folder "Read It Later" in Bookmark, where I bookmark the website.

By doing this I can cover all the interesting material I come across when there is time available by checking the "Read It Later" folder in Bookmark.

Keep windows always on top...

2009-03-02T00:01:00.000Z

One of the feature I have never quite understood why Microsoft hasn't included in its operating system Windows, is the ability to choose what programs you want to have always on top.

Well, I have found this very neat program, DeskPins (free of charge!), which can be used to make any application topmost, that is, to keep it above all other windows. You just grab a pin from the DeskPins icon in the system notification area (taskbar tray) and click on any window. This functionality is identical to the "Always on Top" setting found in some programs. With DeskPins you can add this feature to any program and save you time and effort!

You no longer have to switch desktop windows when working simultaneously in more than one program and save both time and effort.

Always Reading the Same Websites?

2009-03-01T16:53:00.000Z

I frequently read the same websites over and over again. In the morning it can be quite time consuming to click each and every link in the browser. You can of course use a RSS reader, like Google Reader, however, that's not always a possibility.

I have been looking for a way to make this more automatic and just recently discovered quite a brilliant service Widexplorer. It opens up, 7 websites you choose, in the same window, and you just have to scroll from left to right to see each one.

This is a very interesting solution as you just copy the link the service generates, and by copying it / making a short-cut, you can open 7 websites with only one link!

Sam Walton: Made In America - Book review

2009-03-01T15:04:00.004Z

Just finished reading Sam Walton: Made In America and I have to say, that I was pleasantly surprised. I found it very interesting. It is written in a conversational style and is a very straightforward reading. It covers how, through a mix of small-town America patience, friendliness, hard work, and a great learning adaptability, Sam Walton was able to create the largest retail vendor in the world and become the richest man in America, although he didn't seem to be very fond of that title.

Interesting points:

He admits it with a pride that he invented very few of the ideas that made the store such a success, instead borrowing the best ideas from every store he visited (and he visited a lot).
In it you also learn what the Wal-Mart Way was about. It's about hard work, passion for the job and thoughtful spending.
He refused to stop ever thinking of the customer. His obsession with keeping the customer happy is the secret.
Sam Walton was one of the first to give employees ownership in their company by giving them stock options and stock. He could not afford to pay them a large wage, and came up with a creative way to finance their salaries. Many of them realized the value, worked hard, and profited greatly many years later.
... and many more.

It is a simple book, but provides a lot of deep insight about business and I would highly recommend it for any aspiring entrepreneur who needs a little bit of inspiration.

Further information about the book:
Sam Walton: Made In America

Highly recommended (free) software

2009-02-28T11:53:00.000Z

Here I assembled a list of software I use frequently for various tasks with good results.

Best of all, they are free and don't include any spy- or adware.

VLC - Media player

Mozilla Firefox - Web browser

OpenOffice - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

Foxit Reader - A small and fast PDF viewer

Picasa - Organize, edit, and share your photos

Skype - Make free calls over the internet to other people on Skype

AVG - Antivirus and Security Software

Smart Defrag - Efficient Defragmenter which makes your PC work faster

Glary Utilities - Powerful and All-in-one Utility to Fix, Speed up, Maintain and Protect your PC

ZoneAlarm - Firewall that Blocks Hackers from Infiltrating Your Home PC

Great Webwares

2009-02-27T22:59:00.000Z

A list of my favorite web services - webwares I use frequently for various tasks.

YouTube - YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips.

Toggl - Time management tool.

Facebook - A social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.

Meebo - A web messenger that lets you access IM from absolutely anywhere. meebo supports msn, yahoo, aol/aim, google talk (gtalk), jabber and icq.

Google Calendar - Personalized Calendar

Google IG - Personalized Google

Google Reader - RSS reader

Gmail - Google Email

I listed all these links here to the right under "Great Webwares".

Move old mail from Outlook to Gmail

2009-02-27T15:57:00.000Z

As so many other users I prefer Gmail as an email client. It´s speed and easy of use, not to mention you can access your mail everywhere. So I decided to move all my old email to Gmail from Microsoft Outlook. In fact it's much easier than I thought.

The one that worked best for me after quite a research, was using these great directions.

Website

2009-02-27T08:33:00.000Z

Well, just opened a small linking-website - to mark the recession ... You can check it out by clicking here.