Free MOV to AVI Converter: Pazera

Before we finally say goodbye to 2009 and welcome 2010, here is one free download that I believe most of you, guys, are going to find very useful. I know I do. It is a free software that converts MOV files to AVI files so that you can watch your videos on your computer without having to install any program or codecs from Apple, if you are not using a Mac.

Pazera MOV to AVI converter is one of the best mov to avi converter today because it is not only free but also user-friendly - that is, it is so easy to use. All you have to do is drag your MOV files to the main Pazera window then click CONVERT. It will convert the files automatically. If you want to adjust some settings, it should not present any trouble, too. All the options that you are going to need are in the main window, like choosing the folder where you want the converted files to be saved in.

One more thing, it can do "batch" conversion. This means that you do not have to convert one mov file at a time. You can go ahead and convert all of them at the same time.

Have fun converting!

Happy new year!

DOWNLOAD PAZERA MOV TO AVI CONVERTER HERE (FROM CNET DOWNLOADS)

Recover Lost and Accidentally Deleted Files

You are talking on the phone with someone (or somewhat absent-minded for whatever reason) while in front of your computer. Then, you started to tinker with the mouse buttons - right click here, left click there - while still on the phone. Unknowingly, you right-clicked on the Recycle Bin, then left-clicked on Empty Recycle Bin. Voilà! The files in your Recycle Bin are now completely deleted. Well, this is no problem because they are supposed to be deleted anyway, right? That is why they were in the Recycle Bin in the first place.

But what if one of those files is not supposed to be in the Recycle Bin? It will simply not be recovered anymore.

Or... let us make the situation even simpler. Let us say that you were eliminating old files - files that you don't think are still needed. Then, you confidently pressed Shift + Delete to completely delete the files you have chosen. However, one of those files, unfortunately, is still needed and is actually a very important file. By pressing Shift + Delete, you have just bypassed the Recycle Bin. This means that the file cannot anymore be recovered.

To a student writing his research paper or to an employee completing his quarterly report, or to anyone else for that matter, accidental deletion or loss of files means waste of time spent on creating that file (research paper or report, or whatever it is)... and sometimes, even of money.

Fortunately, this can be avoided with the help of Restore My Files Data Recovery Software. Restore My Files is a computer program that allows you to do exactly what its name says.


"Restore My Files is the only computer data recovery software you will ever need to recover deleted files, lost files emptied from the windows recycle Bin, or recover deleted or lost files due to the format of a hard drive, virus infection, unexpected system shutdown or software failure. Its perfect for recovering deleted files using software made just for you."

Restore My Files™ features:

1. Recovers files instantly from hard drives, floppy drives and other types of fixed media. If you are a home user or a network administrator, Restore My Files fills a critical gap in your data protection strategy.
2. Rapid scan engine - a typical hard drive can be scanned for recoverable files within minutes.
3. Scan all files and directories on selected hard drives.
4. Search for a recoverable file using part or all of its file name.
5. Utilizing a non-destructive, read-only file recovery approach. Restore My Files will not write or make changes to the section of the drive from which it is recovering data.
6. Batch file recovery (recovers multiple files in one action).
7. Works around bad-sector disk areas. Recovers data where other programs fail.
8. Supports standard IDE/ATA/SCSI hard drives, including drives larger than 8 GB.
9. Supports hard drives formatted with Windows FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS file systems.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN RESTORE YOUR LOST AND ACCIDENTALLY DELETED FILES

Audio CD's: Will We Still See Them in 2010?

Just a decade ago, audio CD's were the hype. They replaced the rather "conservative" cassette; but cassette tapes, I must say, died gradually.

The truth is audio CD's and cassette tapes co-existed in the music paradise at some point. Back then, there were cassette tape versions as well as CD versions of albums of famous [and not-so-famous] recording stars. I remember myself going inside a music store and going through the gruelling process of choosing between a CD and a cassette tape. Of course, cassettes were a lot cheaper initially but audio CD's eventually caught on.

Then, as time went on, less and less cassettes were placed on the shelves. That is when I realized that cassettes were in the dying process. Inevitably, audio CD's became the king of the music store.

Looking back, I can't help but compare the fate of the cassettes with the fate of audio CD's right now. Going even further, I think that audio CD's are now in the last stage of the process of disappearing... of death. Some may even argue that audio CD's are already dead. Well, maybe in some places that is true.

The point that I am driving at here is that things come and go, and so must audio CD's. They have had their share of the spotlight and now it is time to completely turn it over to digital media - to downloadable music.

I bet no one, except for die-hard fanatics (if any), at present would prefer to bring audio CD's wherever they go when there are digital versions of the same music that can be carried around saved in the libraries of their music players (like Zune and iPod). Audio CD's are just too fragile to carry around compared to digital files. Digital [music] files can also be backed up easily. These are but few of the obvious advantages of digital files to audio CD's. I am in no manner inclined to enumerate them because, honestly, there is no point in doing so. Everybody is in agreement here, right? Or am I just standing on a frail wooden floor of presumptions? Regardless, it is a fact that we are seeing the decline of audio CD's.

Truly, nothing lasts forever in this world. The type of technology we use is no exemption. For all we know, several years from now, we will also see the decline of digital music as we know it today, to be replaced by something better... more convenient.

I just have one question left bothering me though. Will the death of audio CD's bring about the death of music stores - the physical ones? Are music stores going to be dragged into the same grave along with the audio CD's?  (Actually, that's two, but I wish to believe they are counted as one.)

Online music stores are on the rise and they have been for quite some time now. That's for sure.

Best Sci-Fi-Movie Looking "Stuff" of 2009

A lot of gadgets made their debut this year - from phones and computers to e-book readers. There are also those that were already existing before 2009 but new models were launched this year sporting new features, like the constantly growing family of  iPods.

Now, year 2009 is about to end so I decided to give an award - the Best Sci-Fi-Movie Looking "Stuff" of 2009.

I ran through the new gadgets released and launched this 2009 and a lot of them looked so cool - the kind that you would never have thought ten years ago that will ever exist today. Well, that's how fast technology evolves with the  help of innovative minds!

So, to which do I give the award? If you guessed that it's a smart phone or a high-end computer, you are wrong!

The award goes to...

*drum roll*

...the Dyson Air Multiplier. Yes, you heard [or read] that right. It's exactly that!

The Dyson Air Multiplier is a home fan or an electric fan, but no ordinary fan. What immediately caught my attention was that it has no rotating blades which produce the air. No blades! It's a just a ring with a cylindrical base. Imagine a desk fan without the blades and grill, just a big ring sitting atop a cylinder; if you're imagining it right, that's the Dyson Air Multiplier. Well, I posted a picture here for your reference so that you won't have to imagine so hard and get frustrated in the end.

My first thought when I first saw this on the Internet recently was that it looked like something straight out of Star Wars or Star Trek or Hannah Montana. Oops, maybe not the last one unless it's storyline went like this: an alien craft made a crash landing to California and out came Miley Cyrus who disguised herself once in a while as Hannah Montana, a famous pop star.

Anyway, back to the Dyson. (I apologize for my very short attention span. I promise not to get sidetracked again.)

The Dyson Air Multiplier provides an uninterrupted jet of air unlike a conventional fan which needs rotating blades to push a stream of air which actually results in an unsteady stream of air, primarily because of the blades (see embedded video below). The ring of the Dyson is shaped into an airfoil, much like airplane wings, which allows the machine to release that sort of stream of air that you will not get from a conventional fan. The cylindrical base takes in the surrounding air then transports the air to the ring which then accelerates the air and releases it through the aperture in the ring.

One good thing about the Dyson is that it is so easy to clean and store. Cleaning a conventional fan is more difficult because of the need to open the grill and remove the blades, among other things. With the Dyson, you just wipe the ring and detach it from the cylindrical base to store it.

Although the Dyson is a bit expensive for a fan, it's being energy efficient might prove beneficial in the long run. In the end, not only will you be able to save up on energy consumption, you will also be helping the environment.

Another good thing about it is that you can push your arm through the ring even while it is switched on (if you have an unexplainable desire to do this). Obviously, you cannot do this on a conventional fan. Try doing it without hurting yourself on a conventional fan!

The down side: You cannot create that Darth-Vader-sounding voice on a Dyson - you can do that only on a conventional fan.

That's the Dyson Air Multiplier - very innovative and it will look good in my room.

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When I used the term "conventional fan", I was referring to bladed fans and tower fans

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Netbook or Notebook? What to Buy?

If you are planning to buy a computer (other than a desktop), you might be confronted with the question, "Which one do I buy - a netbook or a notebook?"

First, what is a netbook? A netbook is a type of laptop computer that is smaller and lighter than a regular notebook, but has a slower processor. Traditionally, in terms of the size of the display, netbooks have less than 12 inches of display. Well, this is a very generic definition so I guess it is best to find out how the manufacturer calls its particular product - whether they call it a netbook or a notebook.

However, with the latest developments in computing technology, some features which are originally found only in notebooks are now starting to be seen on netbooks, and vice versa.

Now, as to which one to buy, your choice should be guided by what you are going to use the computer for. If you intend to run "heavy" programs, go for a notebook. But if it's portability you are looking for, the obvious choice is the netbook.

There are so many sites giving more detailed distinctions between the two, but allow me to list down some of the aspects you may want to look into before making a choice:

1. Processor Speed

Netbooks have slower processors than do notebooks. As of today, most netbooks have Intel Atom N280 which is only capable giving 1.66 GHz, which works well on netbooks. On the other hand, notebook computers can have processors capable of more than 2 Ghz. So if you need a computer for photo and video editing, AutoCad, or other programs requiring more powerful processors, avoid buying a netbook. But if you will only use your computer for regular office programs, web browsing, and chatting, netbooks are the perfect choice (watching videos and listening to music are, of course, also possible in netbooks).

2. Display

Needless to say, notebooks have larger displays than netbooks. However, this does not mean that smaller displays are not good. In fact, they work just fine. It all boils down to your preference.

3. Keyboard Size

As with the display, keyboard size on notebooks is better than that found on netbooks - and by better, I meant larger and easier to type on. However, newer netbooks offer good-sized keyboard which people can easily get accustomed to (such as that on Dell Inspiron Mini 10 or Samsung NC10). The choice is up to you. The bottomline is ease and comfort.

4. Storage

A regular netbook in the market today only has 160 GB of storage (hard drive) compared to a much larger size in notebooks. A netbook's 160 GB is ordinarily sufficient for all your office files and music and some videos; but if you expect to save a lot of "big" files over time, 160 GB might not be enough.

5. Memory (RAM)

At present, I have not heard of netbooks that can be equipped with more than 2GB of memory. You won't be needing more than 2GB of RAM for regular office programs and web browsing. Notebooks can have as high as 4GB of RAM (or 8 maybe?).

6. Disc Drive

Netbooks do not have disc drives. However, you can install programs directly from the Internet or by using a USB flash drive.

7. Battery

A lot of netbooks now can run for more than 6 hours on battery on a single charge (Asus EEE PC 1005ha claims 10.5 hours). Notebooks, on the other hand, as they consume more power, can run on battery for maybe up to 5 hours (6-cell battery being the basis). Nevertheless, as I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, there are now features that are appearing both in netbooks and notebooks, which features were originally found only in either of them. Battery life is one of these features. There are now notebooks that can run for about 8 hours or so (Toshiba Portege T130 claims 11 hours of battery life!), as claimed by the manufacturers. Take note, nonetheless, that manufacturers oftentimes quote the maximum number of hours the computer can run on battery - that is, the computer running under maximum battery-saving mode. In real-world situations, however, these claims are higher by, more or less, 2 hours.

8. Portability

Netbooks win in this aspect over notebooks. But, again, this feature is becoming less exclusive in favor of netbooks considering that there are now ultra-light and ultra-thin notebooks in the market, just like MSI X600

There you have it!

As a final note, we cannot categorically say that a netbook is better than a notebook, or the other way around. It will all depend on the purpose the computer is going to serve... or your reason for buying a computer in the first place. Before buying a notebook or a netbook computer, analyze first your needs and choose the one that suits it.

Good luck on buying a netbook or a notebook (or both?)

[I personally recommend ASUS EEE PC 1005ha for a netbook if your primary concern is the length of time you can use the netbook unplugged. It has an excellent battery life by current standards.]

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COMPUTER SECRETS UNLEASHED

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Download TalkAndWrite Basic for Free

Skype is perhaps the best program there is for video chat because the video streaming quality is really good. Based on my experience [so far], the video does not freeze unlike in other programs that I have used, while using only a 5.0 megapixel web camera (a camera with a lower resolution will not affect the streaming quality of the video on Skype). In other programs, having video chat is like watching a slideshow.

Just earlier, I discovered that I can maximize the functionality of Skype. As it appears, I am not confined to using Skype on video chat or the conventional [text] chat. Skype can also allow me and other people to work on a document together - and this, while chatting or on video call.

This is made possible by TalkAndWrite Basic.

TalkAndWrite Basic is a software certified by Skype that allows "the interaction of up to 10 participants working together on a common document simultaneously." This means that the participants can write, draw, erase, highlight, and add texts on a document while talking on Skype via video call or video chat.

This is very helpful for those working on a collaborative project, like students. All of you can do the project together despite the physical distance with the help of TalkAndWrite Basic.

It is a free software and you can download it by clicking here.

Life-Sized Cardboard Cut-Outs

My friend and I were in the mall yesterday doing our post-Christmas shopping... apparently, taking advantage of the "SALE".

One thing I noticed while we were inside the mall was that life-sized cardboard cut-outs of celebrity endorsers are everywhere. I turned once to the right and saw one famous celebrity sporting a pair of signature jeans... well, she was a cardboard cut-out but I must admit that she looked so real at a glance. Just few steps from there, there was this athlete kind of inviting us to get inside and see for ourselves the new stocks of shoes offered by the store. He's also a cardboard cut-out.

Life-sized cardboard cut-outs of famous product endorsers are everywhere, as if taking over the world (an exaggeration obviously), because they are very good and effective tools in advertising.

But what if you want to make one for yourself, say, of your favorite superhero? Or the celebrity you have a crush on? Or even yourself? Yes, a life-sized cardboard cut-out of yourself!!!

Yes, you can!

It does not matter if it's for advertising or not. In fact, you can create your very own life-sized cardboard cut-out of anyone (including yourself) for any other purpose, such as birthdays, engagements, graduation, parties, or just for the sheer fun of it. Well, the truth is, you can even establish your own business out of it.

Create your own almost breathing life-sized cardboard cut-out. Click here for more information and to download the e-book containing the instructions, as well as the software. In just few minutes, you'll be on your way to creating your cardboard cut-out. Have fun!

Digsby: Free Download

If you are the type of person who has multiple accounts for Instant Messaging, E-mail, and Social Networking like me, then you probably understand that it can be bothersome sometimes to check each of them. It can even be very inconvenient to chat with a friend through IM, while at the same time checking your Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates, or your e-mail for a message you have been waiting for to arrive (from your boss, perhaps?).

It would be amazing to just gather them all in one place and see everything from there.

This is where DIGSBY comes in!

Managing all of your IM accounts (AIM, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, and Jabber) with just one program and seeing who's online (and chatting with them) and who's not from among your contacts in all those accounts would be effortless and trouble-free with Digsby. Aside from that, you get to be notified of new e-mails and of events on social networking sites.

Digsby makes multi-tasking easier and keeps you in touch with your friends... in real-time.

DOWNLOAD DIGSBY (IT'S FREE)

Learn Photoshop in a Day

We have already heard about the amazing things one can do with Photoshop. You can create artwork from existing photos or create a new one altogether. These and a plethora of other things!

Personally, I use Photoshop when I am making my school projects in order to make my projects attractive. My parents use it when they are making their reports. Just imagine what sort of impression you can make with the cover alone of your report or project!

You, too, should use Photoshop to your advantage - be it in school, office, or business. Don't worry about instructional manuals that tend to confuse you more than instruct you.

You can try Photoshop in a Day. The title kind of gives it away.

Whether or not you have previous experience on using Photoshop, Photoshop in a Day is going to be a great help.

Photoshop in a Day is the complete Photoshop guide for PEOPLE WHO HATE MANUALS. It is the easiest and quickest way to learn Photoshop, while still covering comprehensively the subject.

Check it out and find out for yourself. Click here for information and for sample pages.

Photoshop in a Day: Clear, Easy, Fast

Audacity: Free Download

I have been using Audacity for over a year now. So far, I am so satisfied with the program.

Audacity allows me to edit my audio files and recordings. It also allows me to add effects on my music files and recordings (fade in and fade out, noise removal, mixing music, changing pitch to make them sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks, and a lot more).

The best thing about it is IT'S FREE and there are versions available for Mac OS X, MS Windows, and Linux.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM HERE AND HAVE FUN USING IT.

*I'm not in any way connected with Audacity. I am merely sharing this because I believe it is a very nice and useful program.

Find the Most Current Drivers for your Computer

Do you have problems with any of the drivers on your computer? Do you want to fix it but you do not know which drivers are the most current and suited to your computer system?

If you answered yes to those questions, then worry no more. Even without enough knowledge on troubleshooting this kind of problem, you can actually address such problem all by yourself.

All you need is DRIVER DETECTIVE.

Driver Detective can identify your computer system and provide the appropriate drivers. It also allows you to create a backup of your drivers so you won't have to worry about it the next time you lose your driver or when your driver again encounters some problems.

This program is so easy to use. But if you still doubt your ability to use the program, there are always well-trained customer support staff to help you.

Why don't you try it and see for yourself!

Scan your Drivers now for Free with Driver Detective!

Computer Problem Fixed with Registry Easy

Few days ago, I forgot one very important thing - it was the deadline of our project in literature. Fortunately for me, I already did the project on my computer a week ago only that I did not print it yet for I was obviously procrastinating.

I barely had 20 minutes to print the project at home before heading to the school. I thought, "this should be a breeze."

I was wrong.

The computer took quite some time to boot and fully load all its components. That's more than 5 minutes wasted only for switching on the computer. I was already so worried that I might not make it on time.

Finally, the computer was ready. But, as if to add insult to the injury, opening the document also took about a couple of minutes or so. (I, of course, had to go over the document first before printing it out to make sure that it is ready to be submitted; that means few more minutes spent before printing.)

Yes, I was [barely] able to submit my project on time... but I had to go through so much hassle.

I told myself that this should never happen again. I was about to call a technician when I found Registry Easy on the Internet.

I checked out the site and did some scanning. Registry Easy found the problems. I then downloaded the program and since then, my computer has been working excellently.

It not only tackled problem with speed but also other registry problems. I am so happy that I found it. I did not, after all, have to call a technician and pay him every time I encounter this sort of problem.

Registry Easy can do it, nay, I can do it with Registry Easy. My computer is as good as new, performance-wise.

Scan Your Computer Now with Registry Easy... FREE