Gizmo's Freeware: Top selections

Free Tool Tells You Exactly What Codecs are Used On Your Video and Audio Files

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:54:32 +1100

Downloading a video or audio file from the internet and then playing it on your computer is often fraught with difficulties. Mostly, Windows will play the file just fine. Frequently, though, you'll receive an error message about Windows not having the correct codec installed and thus being enable to play your file.

Most codecs can be downloaded for free but you first need to know what codec you need. That's where this free utility comes in handy. Just point it to a media file and it will tell you exactly how it is encoded. Once you know that it is usually easy to locate and download the codec you need to play the file.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/free-tool-deciphers-video-and-audio-encoding-methods.htm

Keep Track of Changes to Your PC with This Free Microsoft Tool

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 19:15:58 +1100

Do you ever wonder exactly what is being added or modified on your PC by that new application that you are trying out? This free utility from Microsoft does just that.

It's yet another of those wonderful Microsoft utilities hidden so deep in the Microsoft site that only insiders can locate them.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-keep-track-changes-your-pc-free-microsoft-tool.htm

A Handy Tweaking Tool For Windows

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 17:14:01 +1100

Our Hot Finds Editor says "I normally try to steer clear of system utility tools such as registry cleaners, generic Windows clean-up suites and so on, because in my experience they can do more harm than good. But this simple, free program seems to work rather well, and it's easy to reverse any changes because you can keep track of the selections you make. It's a 1 MB download, runs on anything from Windows XP to 8, and is free."

If you are a Vista or Win7 user check out a second free tweaking utility suggested by user "travis" in the comments. It is pretty impressive too.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/handy-tweaking-tool-windows.htm

Finds of the Week

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 19:31:52 +1100

This week our roving editor has found you some great websites sites including:

- A site dedicated to letting you know ways to say safe when surfing
- How To Synchronize Google Calendar With Mozilla Thunderbird
- A collection of free downloadable tech books from thet publisher O'Reilly
- A roundup of the top internet scams of 2011
- The Word Lover's Guide to New Words

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/finds-week-february-5-2012.htm

Wallpaper of the Week

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 21:34:37 +1100

Editor Rhiannon writes "This weeks wallpaper is a terrific vintage red (1920's?) GMC pickup truck abandoned on a desert plain at the feet of some jagged mountains. The image has quite a bit of color variation but I didn't have any difficulty seeing my desktop icons."

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/wallpaper-week-awesome-abandoned-vintage-red-pickup-truck.htm

Keep Tabs On How Much Data Your PC Downloads and Uploads

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 15:54:46 +1100

One of the most useful software tools that you can have on your computer is something that tells you how much information you upload to, and download from, the internet over a specific time period. And, of course, how fast those transfers are taking place.

Here's a little program that can help you achieve all this. It's easy to use, free, and available in a portable version so there's nothing to install. Just download it, run it, then delete it if you don't intend to use it again.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/keep-tabs-how-much-data-your-pc-downloads-and-uploads.htm

Free PDF Conversion and Online Virus Scanning Sites Now Provide Increased Limits

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 22:08:47 +1100

Here's are two unexpected bonuses for all PC users. First, our favorite free online virus scanning service has increased the maximum file size you can scan from 20 to 32 MB. Second, one of the best free online PDF to Word conversion services is now offering a free downloadable version that has no file size constraints at all. Go get it!

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/pdf-conversion-and-online-virus-scanning-increased-limits.htm

Updated: The Best Free Security List in the World

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:32:32 +1100

Ako and J_L, the editors of this amazingly complete list of free security apps, just keep the updates coming with more than two dozen new and updated products added since I last mentioned the list in these notifications. You'll find the latest additions on the first page of the list.

How to Allow Connections Through the Windows 7 Firewall

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:25:06 +1100

One problem that you may encounter with the Windows 7 application is that it sometimes blocks a program that you have just installed. Here is how to configure the firewall settings to allow the program to access the Internet.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-allow-connections-through-windows-7-firewall.htm

How to Run a Survey Using a Free Online Service

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:25:30 +1100

Editor "Bernardz" was looking for a free online survey service that could handle between a hundred and a thousand responses and between three to twenty questions. Few of the free services he looked at could do that but after a long search he found a site that provided just what he needed and it is a gem.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/doing-survey-online.htm

Cast your vote for the Best Free Game of 2011

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:24:03 +1100

The poll for the best free game of 2011 is now online. Have your say and cast your vote now.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/cast-your-vote-best-free-game-2011.htm

Three More Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster and Easier Use of Microsoft Word

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:34:07 +1100

If you are a regular Word user you really should check these out.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/three-more-keyboard-shortcuts-faster-and-easier-use-microsoft-word.htm

Play Transport Tycoon Deluxe on Your Windows PC

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:07:42 +1100

Our Hot Finds Editor says "A couple of days ago I told you about a great free arcade game for Windows. It proved popular, so here's another one for you.

If you ever played Transport Tycoon Deluxe on your old computer or console, and you'd like to play it again, then you Open TTD. It is, as the name suggests, a free, open source version of the original game. It runs under Windows XP and above, and is a 4 MB download. "

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/play-transport-tycoon-deluxe-your-windows-pc.htm

Wallpaper of the Week

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:08:16 +1100

This week's wallpaper is an image of the planet Saturn and its rings, one of the many taken by the Cassini spacecraft. This dramatic image of Saturn has crisp definition and the dark background ensures that desktop icons are highly visible. Drop dead gorgeous.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/wallpaper-week-saturns-rings.htm

This Great Free PIM Looks a Lot Like MS Outlook

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:48:44 +1100

This impressive PIM looks after your diary, calendar, notes, contacts, to-do list, and more. It even has an inbuilt email client so you can use it to read and send mail through your standard mail provider. There's even a section for you to make a secure note of your passwords. And if you've ever used Microsoft Outlook, you'll find the interface looks pretty familiar.

The full version of the program requires payment, but the free version (also available in both installable and portable versions) contains just about every feature you're likely to need, barring encryption and some synchronization capabilities.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/great-free-pim-looks-lot-ms-outlook.htm

How to add an Additional Layer of Security to Your PC for Free

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:23:17 +1100

Here's a useful trick that add another layer of security on top of your antivirus scanner. It's mainly of interest to high risk users or those who simply cannot risk a getting the computers infected. Note: This article is not suitable for beginners.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-add-additional-layer-security-your-pc.htm

Website of the Week

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:55:53 +1100

This week our Roving Editor Rhiannon has found you a website where "... you can find, and share, tutorials on just about anything. If you want to learn something new or share what you know, this is the place to be." Most impressive: free. useful and safe.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/website-week-instructablescom.htm

Understanding and Optimizing the UAC in Windows 7

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:40:29 +1100

If you have never really got your head around the Windows 7 User Account Control (UAC) security feature then this new article will set things straight for you. It is short, useful and written in plain English.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/understanding-windows-7-uac.htm