Do Free Anti-virus Work?

Many people wonder if it is worth it to download any of those free anti-virus programs out there or just go out and purchase one at fifty dollars. Most people would rather go with downloading the free anti-virus instead because of budget and convenience and that is just fine. There are small differences when it comes to the free one and the kind that you pay for. Free anti virus programs have less features and are usually downgraded from the paid for one, some slightly downgraded to others that only just detect and do not do anything about it until you pay for the subscription.

If you are not protected by any kind of anti-virus, there are a ton of disastrous things that could happen to your computer. Your hard drive could be wiped clean, files lost or damage, constant freezing, or worse, people could log on to your computer and steal your information. If any of this happens, more than likely you will have to replace any of your hardware that has been damaged. Even a simple free downgraded anti-virus can help prevent you from spending hundreds on replacement parts.

The conveniences of free anti-viruses help make it the more popular choice. You can just Google for free anti-viruses and you will easily find where to download one. It is also easier to install since it does not require CDs or any hardware to insert into your computer. All you would have to do is download it from the site, install, and set its settings. Most anti-viruses will run in the background and use as little resource as it can as to not bother you or slow down your computer.

The answer to the question, whether an anti-virus downloaded for free will work and help protect your computer, is yes it will. It may not have as many features as if you had gotten the paid subscription, but it will protect your computer from most of the malicious software out there. The anti-virus will scan your computer from any infected files and attempt to clean the files, quarantine or delete the file, whichever you choose. Along with the infected files, it will also search for any malicious software that have caused those files to be infected and get rid of them. These anti-viruses will not delete any file without prompting you what to do, so you don't have to worry about it accidentally deleting a file you need.

There is lots of free anti-virus software out there for you to download. The top rated three have been Avast!, Avira-AntiVir, and AVG. You can download these from their respected websites. They have been ranked as the top free anti-virus by many users and computer experts. Though be cautioned, they may not get rid of everything and they do not fix the speed of your computer. If that is what's wrong with your computer, it may be a completely different problem. To find which anti-virus is the right one for you, I suggest you try each one.


Source: articledashboard By: S Hassan



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Free Software, the pros and cons

Computers, with their processing power, mass storage and graphical user interface are all-singing and all-dancing creative and informative hubs in the heart of many people's homes. The one thing which makes your computer a useful tool at all is the software, which makes use of all that technology and translates it into the easy-to-understand format we use daily.

More and more people are using computers for much more than word processing and games these days. There is a widely diverse range of software available to fit most tasks and where there's a commercial application you'll inevitably find a free alternative. Free software has been around since the early days of mass computer use but never as accessible as in today's connected world.

There are three main types of free software...

Trial-ware, which is free to use for a limited time. After which you can purchase the paid version. Shareware, which is usually limited in function until you purchase the full version. And Free-ware, which is free to use and distribute.

Trial-ware and Shareware are good ways of testing the effectiveness of software packages prior to purchase and I've done this on many occasions. One of the pitfalls with such software is that some companies which offer these function or time limited software packages apply quite aggressive tactics once you've installed it. This can range from constant pop-up reminders to re-direction to their product page when you open your browser. Some even have no easy way of uninstalling so as to bully you into eventually buying.

True Free-ware, on the other hand, is free to install and use. There can also be pop-ups in free-ware programs, and reminders of other paid software by the same company.
Some unscrupulous companies advertise their software as free-ware when in fact, they limit functionality in the hope that once you've installed and used the program, you'll end up buying it. I tend to steer away from such software even if it's useful as these tactics denote the type of business to which I wouldn't trust my personal details.

The other major concern with both Limited Use and Free-ware software is the threat of viruses. The number one rule for finding free software is to download from a reputable location. I usually recommend 'Major Geeks' website or 'CNET' as reliable download sources. Once you've downloaded a software package you then need to manually scan the file for virus, trojan or spyware infections using your security software. No matter where you get a file from, this is a must.

There are, of course, a whole list of reasons why you should use Free-ware and some of these are..

Cost... It costs nothing so value for money couldn't be better. Availability... If you need the software and you're at a different location you can download it.
Some free-ware is for personal use only, with paid versions for businesses. This is a quite common and accepted practice especially with anti-virus programs. The type of Free-ware which is usually free for any use is 'Open source' software. This is software developed by communities who contribute to the programming of the software.

Source : goarticles by Bill H Robinson


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Codecs, where to download

What is a codec?

Many of you have heard of this word 'Codec' but have you ever wondered what Codec is? The common definition of codec that we all know is that codec's are some kind of files that are used to play audio or video files having different formats like avi, 3gp, etc. but only few of us know the exact definition of codec and its true meaning. A Codec is a device that performs encoding and decoding of digital signal. This term can also be referred as Compressor-Decompressor or Coder-Decoder. There are 3 main types of codec's namely Audio codec's, Video codec's and Data Codec's and each one of it has a different function to perform.

Where to search for Codec Downloads?

Finding codec's is not a difficult task and if you search on http://www.google.com you will any codec you want. There are several codec's according to their category like audio or video but you have to decide which codec you require according to your need and the type of file you want to play. There are several codec's like Apple Lossless, MPEG-4 ALS), Direct Stream Transfer (DST), FLAC, LA (Lossless Audio), Monkey's Audio (APE), RealAudio Lossless, Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless, AVI (Audio Video Interleave), H.261, H.263, H.263v2, H.264, KVCD, MJPEG, MPEG-1 Video, MPEG-2 Video, MPEG-4, etc. This http://www.codec-download.com/top.php website offers around 500 codec's that can be downloaded instantly.

Some of the most popular codec's that you can download are:

1. Windows WMV Codec 7 2. Nimo Codec Pack 5 3. AVI Codec 2.0 4. SLD Codec Pack 1.5.3 5. WM9-Codec for Windows XP 6. ACE Mega CoDeCs Pack 5.93 Pro 7. WMA-Codec 8 8. MPEG 4 9. Intel Indeo 5.11 10. Intel i263 Codec 11. AC3 Audiocodec 12. WM9 Codec for Media Player 7.1 up to 10 13.Nimo Codec Pack 5 Build 7 14. DivX 3.11 Alpha 15. WM9-Codec for Windows 98, ME and 2000 16. G 726 Audiocodec 17. Real Alternative 1.42 18. AVI Codec 2.0 d2 19. Codecs Pack 20. Codec Pack for Media Player 6.4 21. K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.34 22. Tsunami Filter Pack 3.9.9 23. Cole2k 5.52 Compact -Video 24. Nimo Codec Pack 5 25. All in 1 Codec Pack v6.0.2.7 26. DivX Total Pack 1.71 27. Codec Viewer 1.5 28. Ogg Vorbis Audio Codec 29. Elisoft Codec Pack 13.505 30. Intel Indeo 5 Video Codec

Summary:
A Codec is a device that performs encoding and decoding on digital signal or a digital data stream.

Source : goarticles by Colin Litchfield

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Codecs, What Are They?

Many of you have heard of this word 'Codec' but have you ever wondered what Codec is? The common definition of codec that we all know is that codec's are some kind of files that are used to play audio or video files having different formats like avi, 3gp, etc. but only few of us know the exact definition of codec and its true meaning. A Codec is a device that performs encoding and decoding of digital signal. This term can also be referred as Compressor-Decompressor or Coder-Decoder. There are 3 main types of codec's and each one has its own function. The 3 codec's are Audio codec's, Video codec's and Data Codec's.

1. Audio codec

An Audio codec is used to compress or decompress digital audio files that act as a medium to play files in players like windows media player, real player, etc. The requirement of codec's arises when your player is unable to play some audio files because it requires the correct codec to play the audio file. The new Windows Media Player 11 plays almost all audio files and has support for other audio codec's also. Some of the audio codec's are Apple Lossless, MPEG-4 ALS, Direct Stream Transfer DST, FLAC, LA Lossless Audio, Monkey's Audio APE, RealAudio Lossless, Windows Media Audio 9 Lossless, etc. | The audio codecs are used to compress and decompress any audio files, acting as a medium to play the files in many media players such as windows media player. The need for a codec happens when the player is not able to play an audio file because it needs the right codec to decompress and play the audio files. Windows Media Player 11 can play most audio files and supports more audio codecs if need be.)

2. Video Codec

The video codecs have the same function as the audio codecs, except for use with video files. Because of the growth in technology, data can be stored in digital forms, rather than earlier technology when data was stored on tapes, as an analogue signal. The new advancement has given birth to video codec's, and now you can use them to watch videos in different formats.

3. Data Codec's

Data codec as the word describes refers to compression/decompression of data with the help of data codec's as this process is not automatically handled by Quick Time Media operations. The quick time player automatically compresses/decompresses the audio and video tracks with the help of image and audio codec's but is unable to compress/decompress sprites. Therefore, the main use of data codec is to compress/decompress sprites, arbitrary blocks and 3D models.

So in simple terms. A codec is something that works with your media player to help encode and decode a digital signal or a digital data stream.

Source : goarticles by Colin Litchfield



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How to Clean Junk Files in Your System

After continued use, all computers suffer the effects of numerous damaged, corrupt or no longer useful junk files. Consequently, the computer's performance became increasingly slow and weak. You will be definitely frustrated by its bad performance. When you encountered such a problem, you should first make sure that whether the free space of your system disk has is decreasing every day. If so, you should know that one of the reasons cause the poor performance is the large number of junk files.

How did these junk files mess up your system?

With continuous usage, installation and uninstallation of software, Internet browsing, downloads, online chatting etc, a large number of junk files generate and accumulate in the hard disk which render the system unstable and crash-prone. At the same time, these junk files are harmful as they slow down the speed of your system by crowding the free space of hard disk.

There are two major sources of junk files: temporary files which are produced during the process of installing, uninstalling and running the applications, surfing the internet, watching videos, chatting on messenger and all kinds of fantastic things you can do online.

Another important source is the applications which we seldom use and the leftover of the useless softwares that are uninstall incompletely.

What kind of file is defined as junk file?

Some computer users would like to clean these useless files manually.
It is all right to do so, but only if you know what kind of file is defined as a junk file. Generally speaking, the following types of files might be: temporary files with suffix name like .tmp, ._mp), log file, other files with a suffix name like .gid, .chk .old*.bak.

As an experienced user, I don't recommend removing the junk files manually, because you might get into plenty of trouble and even some important system files might be deleted incorrectly. Plus, the cleaning job takes a lot of time and effort going through the junk file issue. Not only can this be a complex job, it is also a risky one.

But if you persist in removing them by yourself, you had better make a backup of your important files before you start the cleaning process.
But why do you invite trouble when you can choose a junk file cleaner for you? Many effective junk file cleaners can clean and optimize system for us automatically and accurately.

If you are in need of a reliable, genuine and effective junk file remover, then I recommend you Registry Easy confidently. This system caring tool helped thousands of users in optimizing their computer.

Notice every computer requires a regular scan to fix any problems and prevent the "trash" to pile up, even if it is brand new computer.


Source : goarticles by nika


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Spam. How to fight it

Internet is flooded today with undesirable advertising letters also known as spam. Both for an ordinary user connecting to Internet via dialup and for various companies paying for the dedicated line or using DSL spam equals wasted megabytes of information. The megabytes, which are paid for. And time, wasted on viewing advertising offers of unnecessary things or services.

Currently there are a lot of ways to guard your email box against unceasing attacks of “Viagra”, tourist reservations, commercial seminars and the best “windows and doors” in the world, which can be bought cheaply and simply. One of the cures could be changing the email account. But this is by no means a panacea: in a while the new box will be displaying nonsense newsletters from all over the world. You can of course use the server-inbuilt filters or paid resources which try to minimize the spam flow, letting through just the letters from “authorized addressers”. But the server filters block just a small part of proposals to “enlarge” or “relax”. And the powerful “authorization” protection is, first, expensive (plus a monthly fee), and second, is very inconvenient for people on the contact-list (they have to undergo a lengthy “authorization” procedure).

Ideal filter

To clean the mail account from spam a universal anti-advertising shield is needed which will save the money otherwise wasted on downloading weighty letters traffic and the time otherwise lost on viewing and deleting them. Such a shield is the programs which remotely check the mail in the user box without uploading them and block unwanted letters immediately at the server. Such programs are many. They differ in interface and functionality, but have one thing in common: obligatory check of email at the server. Without this feature there would be no sense in the blockers at all. To upload messages and check them locally is not a big deal. The applications differ in their settings, spam filtering ways, speed of work and different features enabling maximum efficiency. The most wide-spread way of blocking spam is by letter headings and continuously updated list of “illegitimate” addresses, which are known as harmful advertisements distributors.

What should an ideal spam blocking application be like? First, it should cope with its primary duties flawlessly. Second, it should have a nice interface, be simple to tune and work autonomously. Third, it shouldn’t prevent normal functioning of other programs, mail clients in particular. Let’s look into the interior side of a spam-blocking application and decipher the underlying basics.

Spam-blocking principles

Usually the application downloads message headers which undergo “partial enquiry”. Depending on the functionality of a certain “tool”, filtering is conducted by fields (header, sender, addressee etc.), black and white lists of electronic addresses in the database and a wider list of recognized spam generating servers. For checking lists are used, either created by developers or edited by users. Undoubtedly, the more thorough the home-made spam-blocking provisions, the better, but ideal work cannot be achieved without proper tuning of blocking and filtering rules. Of course a user setting the most rigid rules risks losing with the blocked spam useful and harmless letters. But in any case, it’s a private decision.

Apart from preinstalled blocking rules, user can make his/her own corrections, such as widening the “dangerous server” lists, editing black and white lists and creating his/her own lists conforming to certain rules (for instance, taking into account letter size plus filtering from “that particular left-most Korean server list). On installing the application and adjusting its settings (or you can leave everything as it is) and initial workability check, one can make a final decision concerning fitness of the filter for further use. It remains to decide which application to select.

SoftInform Spam Blocker

New spam-blocking application by SoftInform company - Spam Blocker – enables maximum efficiency by guarding the user computer (his/her mail box to be more specific) from spam flows, saving money and time on viewing useless messages and paying for the “mail advertisements” traffic. As a universal spam blocking tool Spam Blocker possesses indefeasible advantages compared to analogical applications. High quality (blocking 85 to 100% of spam), simple, exquisite and friendly interface, flexibility of settings make SoftInform newly released application the best in its class.

Are you not tired of endless spam? Have you lost track of newly registered (“clean”) accounts? Dozens of letters daily burn you and your company megabytes of far from free traffic? All you need to do is to install Spam Blocker, in such a way ridding your computer from persistent and useless e-mail advertising.

Source : softpressrelease@softinform.com

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How to Convert PowerPoint to MPEG

Sometimes, we may hear people ask: how to convert PowerPoint to MPEG. So, what is MPEG? Why do they need to convert PowerPoint to MPEG?

What's MPEG?

MPEG (a video file), which stands for Moving Picture Experts Group, is the name of a family of standards used for coding audio-visual information (e.g., movies, video, music) in a digital compressed format.

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4 are the most common extensions of a MPEG file, and they are often used for creating movies and songs to be uploaded and downloaded through Internet.

Usually, we can open a MPEG file with Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime Player, Roxio Easy Media Creator, Cyberlink PowerDirector, Cyberlink PowerDVD, and other Multimedia players.

Why Convert PowerPoint to MPEG?

PowerPoint is commonly saved with PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX file extensions. To view a PowerPoint file, we will either need PowerPoint or a PowerPoint viewer installed on the computer. Otherwise, we will not be able to view the PowerPoint file. Unlike a MPEG file which could be broadcasted through many media players.

Above is just one aspect of why convert PowerPoint to MPEG. Here I would like to list some other benefits of converting PowerPoint file to MPEG.

1. After converting PowerPoint to MPEG, burn the MPEG file to DVD with some third-party DVD burning tools. Thus, PowerPoint files can be viewed on TV through a DVD player.
2. Promotional PowerPoint or other kinds of presentations such as made for fun or sharing can be uploaded to the Internet after being converted to MPEG.
3. Converting PowerPoint to MPEG enables us to view PowerPoint files on some portable devices such as iPod, iPhone and MP4.

How to Convert PowerPoint to MPEG?

Now that there are so many advantages of converting PowerPoint to MPEG, how can we do it? Wondershare PPT to video is just such a PowerPoint to MPEG video converter, which can help us easily convert PPT, PPTX, PPS and PPSX to MPEG with all things in the original presentation retained.

Try it now, to expand the way you share your PowerPoint by converting PowerPoint to MPEG.

Source : goarticles by Andrea

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