Fix Broken Adobe PDF Files

Occasionally I get given a PDF file that opens up, but refuses to print and just errors. Printing hasn't been disabled, there just something in the file that it doesn't like (a hidden layer or transparent image). First, get a full version of Acrobat Std or Pro (the trial is fine or download Acrobat 8 Pro for FREE from Adobe.com) and open the problematic file. Select Tools > Protection > Remove Hidden Information to remove the hidden text, layers etc and then save the file. Use Document > Examine Document for older versions of Acrobat. See: http://help.adobe.com/

Mozilla Firefox Plugin Checker

The Mozilla Firefox browser is now on version 15 with improved speeds and loads of new features.  Check which version of Firefox you have installed (I was still on 12) and once upgraded, use the plugin checker to see if you have any vulnerabilities.  See: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

Windows 8 Can Split the Desktop and New UI

A lot of people have been moaning about the new Windows 8 fullscreen app UI, but they didn't know it can be split to show one app reduced to 320 pixels wide and the second can be a full desktop program taking up the remaining pixels minus the 22 pixel vertical band.  On a 1366x768 pixel screen this would give you 1024, 22 and 320.  On my 1600x900 pixel screenshot, I get 1258 pixels for Google Chrome, 22 and 320 pixels for the One Note app.

FREE Web Based Interior Design Software

This FREE easy to use drag and drop interior design tool lets you design everything from your office layout to your kitchen. Fully web based, with no software to install, it lets you save and share your designs and even view in 3D. See: http://www.homestyler.com

FREE MP4 Video Converter

Martin Beeby (tweet @thebeebs) told me about the FREE Miro Video Converter yesterday which let me convert 1024 x 768 videos to MP4 without trying to change the size or aspect ratio.  Very easy to use with presets for popular phones, iPods, and other media players. See: http://www.mirovideoconverter.com/

Learn AutoCAD and Revit for FREE

Learn AutoCAD or just improve your skills for FREE with over 2000 online classes.  Download a FREE 30 day trial of AutoCAD or Revit, if you don't have the software.  See: www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/ 

Recover Files From A Damaged Hard Drive

Every hard disk drive will eventually fail, or more likely develop unreadable bad sectors that can stop your computer from working.  You may still be able to recover your files by using an alternative operating system that starts from CD.  Knoppix is a FREE Linux bootable CD that lets you copy your files to a USB memory stick or USB drive.  See: http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/

FREE Audio Editing Software

I've been using Audacity for all my audio editing and recording needs for years. Great for tweaking or splicing together audio. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux, see: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

FREE DNS Tools

Domain Name Servers assigned by your ISP may be slowing down your internet access. Check and optimise your DNS with this FREE tool from Gibson Research at: http://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm also test your DNS for Spoofability at: https://www.grc.com/dns/dns.htm

Find FREE Kindle Books Easily

Quickly find thousands of FREE Kindle Books and receive notifications of price drops with this website.  You don't even need to own a Kindle, there is a FREE Kindle App available for every major smartphone, tablet, and computer. See: http://www.ereaderiq.com/

FREE Online Parental Controls

Protect youself from fraudulent phishing websites by using the FREE OpenDNS Premium DNS.  Sign up for the FREE FamilyShield to block adult content and configure filters for up to 56 categories of websites. See: https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/

An Easier Way To Share Web Links

Bitly is more than just a FREE website link shortener, it lets you save, share and monitor your links. Also shows you public bitmarks from your Facebook friends and Twitter followers.  See: https://bitly.com/

CSS3 & HTML5 Resources

		Massive web design community website full of articles, forums, code snippets, videos and more. See: http://css-tricks.com/
		Online tool that lets you build, test and share HTML, CSS and JavaScript code snippets known as 'pens' with the focus being education and inspiration. See: http://codepen.io/
		A bookmarklet for Chrome and Safari that gives you an idea of what your CSS3 website would look like on older browsers that don't support it. See: https://davatron5000.github.io/deCSS3/

Developing Windows 8 Apps

FREE Microsoft Press ebook: Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (finished book - October 2012). See: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/microsoft_press/archive/2012/10/29/free-ebook-programming-windows-8-apps-with-html-css-and-javascript.aspx

FREE Wireframing & Diagraming Tools

	Moqups is an easy to use online wireframing tool that exports to PDF or PNG. Needs a HTML5 compatible browser (chrome, firefox or safari). See: http://www.moqups.com
	The Pencil Project diagraming and prototyping application can be run as a Firefox addon or as a standalone application available for Windows, Mac & Linux. Also has downloads for additional Stencils. See: http://pencil.evolus.vn/Default.html

FREE Microsoft IT Training

The Microsoft Virtual Academy is a FREE IT training resource covering major subjects such as Virtualisation, Azure, Windows Server, System Center and Office365. See: http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com

FREE Image Viewer & Printing Utility

I've been using the ACDsee image viewer for over 10 years, for printing contact sheets and images.  Now they've launched a free version. See: http://www.acdsee.com/en/products/acdsee-free

Official Microsoft Office Blogs

Microsoft have a blog for each individual Office program with Tips, How-to's and Videos. Great for learning how to get the most out of each program.

FREE Fonts

Over 500 FREE fonts are available from Google Web Fonts at http://www.google.com/webfonts for you to download and use in your documents.  You can also download the entire collection from http://code.google.com/p/googlefontdirectory/

FREE Cloud Based Timesheet Software

Apptivo is a cloud based suite of 40+ integrated small business apps covering timesheets, invoices, CRM, project management. A FREE account has unlimited users but only 500MB of database storage. See: http://www.apptivo.com

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TimeLive (Hosted) is a time management solution, available as a hosted cloud system and local install version. Includes timesheets, expenses, time off and QuickBooks integration. See: http://www.livetecs.com

FREE version has been withdrawn, 30% Off code: TS050145 valid until 25/10/2017

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Timesheet Portal offers a complete pay-as-you-go hosted solution, with options for rebranding. Prices start at £2.50 per employee per month (minimum charge £15) and expense reporting is 20% extra. See: http://www.timesheetportal.com/

Searching For FREE Software (Freeware)

These are the sites I've been using for years to look for free software (freeware).

		SnapFiles Easy to use menu lets you select or search for just freeware and includes software reviews by both the site and users. See: www.snapfiles.com
		Major Geeks Click 'Sort by: License' to filter the freeware to the top. See: http://www.majorgeeks.com/ Also includes deditcated Mac area at: http://mac.majorgeeks.com/
		FileHippo This site lets you download all the historic software versions as well as the latest version, great for troubleshooting. See: http://www.filehippo.com/

Convert PDF Files to Word or Excel for FREE

Convert your PDF files for FREE with these online tools by nitropdf.com, choose from either PDF to Word at: www.pdftoword.com or PDF to Excel at: www.pdftoexcelonline.com If you like the software and are thinking of buying it, use the online version first as they are currently giving $20 off the $120 price.

Microsoft Mathematics

Microsoft have released two versions of their FREE Mathematics program, choose between either a standalone version, see: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15702 or as an Add-In for Word and OneNote, see: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=17786