Our Links
Below is our collection of quality websites that provide additional value.
Warning: When downloading various open source tools, you must be very wary of viruses and hackers. You should implement a reliable computer security system before you start downloading open source tools. If you have a question about software you downloaded that may be harmful to your computer or any other computer issues, contact us today at 321-626-6799.
I've been asked to list the product that I personall use. So, for those who are interested I have used the following products on my computers. Some of them I've used to over eight years and some I've used for only two years. However, if these products did not work, I would not be using them on my computers.
The best part of the software packages is, they are ALL FREE!
Software:
Mozy for free backup.
Both Mozilla Firefox and Safari as alternative to Internet Explorer.
Avast Anti-virus as my anti-virus software.
WinPatrol as my Registry monitoring software package.
ZoneAlarm Free as my firewall software.
OpenOffice Suite as a free alternative to Microsoft Office.
CD burner XP – It is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs.
Google Picasa – Download images directly from your digital camera, Plus it allows you to organize your photos.
Phone Services:
Magic Jack - Uses your broadband internet connection to provide unlimited local and long distance phone service. This service works, but it does have some issues. But then again, it is 19.95 for a YEAR. I use it a lot.
Vonage - Vonage uses your broadband internet connection to provide unlimited local and long distance phone service. It is MUCH better than Magic Jack, but then Vonage is $25 a month where MJ is $20 a YEAR.
Free Online Backup Services
Mozy - Mozy provides you with 2 GB of 100% free backup space to back up photos, music, and documents, on your home computer. No credit cards, no monthly payments or fees, and no expiration—just free backup software. This service does work and we use it at home. I highly recommend this free service! The first backup takes a very long time but then subsequent backups are very fast.
When you get to the Mozy home page, you need to click on the Product Tab and then choose Mozy Home. On the Mozy Home product page, there is a link for the 2 GB of free on-line storage.
Free Utility Software web sites
File Hippo - This is a trusted web site where you can obtain free software such as browsers, anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewalls and security, File Sharing, Cleaning and Tweaking, and other utilities. We routinely download software from this website.
Cnet - This is another reliable web site where you can obtain free utility software. We also routinely download software from this website.
Alternatives to tradition land phone lines using Internet Broadband
Magic Jack - Magic Jack uses your broadband internet connection to provide unlimited local and long distance phone service. This is an extremely cheap alternative to a traditional phone line. The initial price of $39.95 provides you with the hardware to connect to Magic Jack's phone service and one year of unlimited local and long distance calling to the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Annual subscription fee is $19.95. Yes, you read that right - per YEAR! However, there are some serious issues you must consider before you purchase this service.
Vonage - Vonage uses your broadband internet connection to provide unlimited local and long distance phone service. I believe its service is MUCH better than Magic Jack’s, but Vonage charges $24.95 per month ($300 per year) rather than Magic Jack's $20 a year. This is one prime example of “you get what you pay for”.
Computer reference web-sites
Computer Articles - Informative Computer Articles. Topics include Hardware, Software, Internet, I.T. Training, VoIP, Web Design and more.
Computer Hardware-explained - Computer Hardware Explained. This website has articles the provide information on all your computer hardware components. Explaining what they do in an easy-to-understand way.
Desktop Computer Guide - DCG is based on hardware information using introductions, previews, guides and step by step installation approaches. Made with a friendly voice and easy to understand, DCG tries to help the Internet community to better understand how their desktop computer works
Web Browsers
Mozilla Firefox – a popular and top-quality web browser. It is generally available regardless of your operating system. After downloading Mozilla Firefox, you will also have access to hundreds of other useful add-ons for writing, researching, design, web development, etc.
Google Chrome - Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier. You can search from the address bar by typing in the address bar and get suggestions for both search and web pages. It also provides thumbnails of your top sites 
Opera - Opera is Internet browser innovation. Our features, speed and security will give you the best browser experience available. More than 20 million people use Opera as their preferred browser of choice. Feel free to download and judge for
yourself.
Safari - It’s a browser. It’s a platform. It’s an open invitation to innovate. Whether on a Mac, PC, iPhone, or iPod touch, Safari continuously redefines the browser, providing the most enjoyable way to experience the Internet.
Antivirus
AVG – an effective, efficient, and reliable anti-virus software. You can opt for the basic free edition, which is very good, or you can pay a small (and worthwhile) fee to upgrade. I used the free version for many years and it caught all of the viruses that attempted to infect my computer. The only reason I changed is the newer version require more computer resources and it slowed down my computer. If you have a new dual or quad core machine with 3 or 4 gigabytes of memory, this software will 
work great.
Avira AntiVir is also a great free anti-virus software alternative. AntiVir stops all types of viruses, and eliminates ad/spyware. It also protects against rootkit threats. Look for the download button at the bottom of the Avira AntiVir Personal column.
Avast - Avast! antivirus Home Edition represents the best free antivirus protection currently available on the market. This edition is FREE OF CHARGE for non-commercial & home use. You can use the software for 60 days without registering it. However, the software will expire in sixty days if you do not register it. Once you register the software, Avast will send you an e-meil with a license key that is valid for one year. At that point in time, you can obtain another license number. This is a pain, but the software is worth it.
Spy-Ware Removal
Adaware – This is also a great tool to have in addition to AVG. Adaware is an effective and reliable spy-ware removal tool. The software can help protect your computer against viruses, phishing, and more. Look for the "Download Ad-Aware Free" button on the web page.
Registry Monitor
WinPatrol - WinPatrol alerts you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. Traditional security programs scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. WinPatrol takes snapshots of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that occur without your knowledge.
Fire Walls
Comodo Firewall - Comodo claim that their firewall is unique in that it passes all known leak tests to ensure the integrity of data entering and exiting your system. Comodo has put firewall through all kinds of sophisticated tests to ensure its firewall powerful enough to ward off these attacks with default settings. No other firewall has had to work this hard.
ZoneAlarm Free - ZoneAlarm is an easy-to-use firewall that blocks hackers and other unknown threats. It has an intrusion blocking that systematically identifies hackers and blocks access attempts. Its Stealth Mode automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet. Automatic Program Configuration provides safety and simplicity by automatically configuring programs. Automatically decides whether to allow or deny Internet access to individual programs. Its Expert Controls give savvy users precise control over security settings.
Please note that Zone Alarm web site currently refers to the "free" software package as both the "Free" and the "Basic Version". On the pages that contains the reference to the "Basic Version", it states that you can get the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite Full-Version for free. Yes, you can get the complete version for "free" if you purchase a product from one of the partners for a higher price. You want to click on the reference to the "Basic Version" and not the "free" Full Version!
E-mail
Thunderbird – an reliable email communication device. Enables you top easily organize your emails, is secure, and has various options so you can customize your email account. Thunderbird allows you to customize your email to suit your specific needs whether it’s how you search and find messages or listening to music right out of your inbox. Thunderbird users can increase Thunderbird’s functionality and appearance using hundreds of add-ons. A Thunderbird add-on can let you place voice over IP calls, listen to music, manage contacts, and keep track of birth dates all from your inbox. You can even change the appearance of Thunderbird to suit your tastes.
Gmail – Gmail is a new kind of webmail, built on the idea that email can be more intuitive, efficient, and useful. And maybe even fun. After all, Gmail has less spam since it keep unwanted messages out of your inbox with Google's innovative technology. You can read Gmail on your mobile phone. It also provide over 7,320 megabytes (and counting) of free storage so you'll never need to delete another message.
Document Editing
OpenOffice Suite – a document editing and management tool. The Suite includes a word processor, a spreadsheet tool, a presentation tool, and more. It is compatible with the widely popular MS Office and it can even convert documents to PDF format.
Personal Finance / Money Management
Geezeo and
Mint are fabulous online money management and personal finance software applications. They are completely online allowing for access anywhere, and yes they’re free!
Other Great Recommendations
3D Canvas – this tool allows you to create 3-D animation, modeling, rendering, and more. It’s great for creating presentations.
CD burner XP – It is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Everyone, even companies, can use it for free. It does not include adware or similar malicious components.
Google Picasa – Download, view, organize, and share your images directly from your digital camera. You can even share and organize your photos both on and off line. You can edit, print, and create a CD. Another unique feature is that you can chat about your photos.
Limewire – Peer2peer file sharing. Limewire provides a great way to download music, movies, television shows, and more. There is a basic free download, or you can upgrade and pay a small fee. Be wary of illegally downloaded material and watch for viruses. Scan all files (zips, jpg, exe, etc) before using or opening the files.