Originally Posted on Lifehack.org by Kim Roach

The Internet is loaded with free software, making it hard to know which one’s you really need. This article will act as your guide to the top 20 free applications (Web and Windows) for increased productivity.

These programs will make your PC faster, stronger, and more productive.  Here the are.  Get the details at the article at Lifehack.org.

1. Launchy

Launchy is the best free program launcher. It allows you to launch your documents, files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes. Launchy is also packed with a few extra features. You can use Launchy’s keyboard shortcuts to:

• Search Google
• Check the weather
• Search other sites
• Browse your computer
• Use the built in calculator
• Index your music, pictures, bookmarks, and folders
• and much more…

2. AutoHotKey

When it comes to raw power, it doesn’t get much better than AutoHotKey. This software can automate just about anything by capturing your keystrokes and mouse clicks. This free utility allows you to define your own hotkeys, enabling you to launch an applicaton with a single key press.

AutoHotKey is a bit more technical than Launchy, but it’s well worth the effort. Fortunately, this application does come with a built-in macro recorder.

3. AVG AntiVirus

If you’re looking for free antivirus software, nothing beats AVG Antivirus 7. This product has been continuously improved and updated since 1991.

4. SpyBot Search and Destroy

There’s nothing worse than spyware to cripple a computer. For years, millions of users have relied on SpyBot Search and Destroy to keep their computer running smoothly.

5. Ad-Aware

Ad-Aware works perfectly along side SpyBot Search and Destroy to help protect your computer against harmful spyware.

Other good choices include SpyWare Terminator and Win Patrol.

6. Free Download Manager

Free Download Manager is a highly recommended download accelerator and manager. Don’t waste time waiting for your files to download. Free Download Manager will instantly increase your download speed by up to 600%.

7. BK ReplaceEm

Have you ever needed to replace a certain string of text in multiple files? If so, then you know what a pain it can be. Fortunately, there a number of free search and replace utilities that will help you get the job done quickly.

BK ReplaceEm is one of the most powerful search and replace utilities, allowing you to operate on multiple files at once.

8. Google Web Accelerator

Speed up the Web with Google Web Accelerator. This simple program will allow you to enjoy faster web browsing in seconds.

9. CamStudio

CamStudio is free recording software that will allow you to create demonstration videos, online tutorials, or even video-based information products. The possibilities are endless with this professional software. Fortunately, it doesn’t have the price tag that goes along with most streaming video software.

10. Audacity

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. You can use Audacity to record live audio, edit sound files, mix sounds together, and much more.

11. Foxit PDF Reader

Here’s a small PDF reader that loads in a flash. It’s an excellent alternative to Adobe’s slow, bloated PDF Reader.

12. 7-Zip

7-Zip is one of the best file compressors available. This open source software will allow you to compress a number of different file formats.

Another excellent zip utility is IZArc, which supports nearly 50 different archive file types.

13. CCleaner

CCleaner is a simple program that will help keep your computer running at its peak. This freeware utility removes unused files from your system, freeing up valuable hard disk space.

14. OpenOffice.org

OpenOffice is the number one open source alternative to Microsoft’s Office Suite. OpenOffice includes a word processor, spreadsheet software similar to Microsoft Excel, web page editor, photo software and a presentation program similar to Microsoft Powerpoint.

15. Skype

Skype allows you to talk to people across the world for free. This program is perfect for business application as well as personal use.

16. Gmail

Gmail is hands-down the best email client available. It comes with built-in Google search technology, 2.6 GB of storage, and a number of excellent features.

Gmail allows you to apply labels to your email, create filters, and presents your email messages as threaded conversations.

17. Better Gmail

To enhance your Gmail for optimum productivity, then you will need to download the Better Gmail Firefox extension. Better Gmail adds a number of features, including:

• Google Calendar in the folder list
• a number of new Gmail skins
• saved searches and…
• additional macros

18. FileZilla

FileZilla is a fast and reliable FTP client that packs a ton of useful features. This is by far the best free FTP client that I have found.

19. RoboForm

RoboForm will help you navigate the Web with ease. It is the top-rated password manager and web form filler that will allow you to browse the Web faster than ever.

20. Google Calendar

Organize your life with Google Calendar. You can use Google Calendar to set up automatic event reminders, add important events with a single click, and use the built-in search tool to keep track of all your events.

Kim Roach is a productivity junkie who blogs regularly at The Optimized Life. Read her articles on 50 Essential GTD Resources, How to Have a 46 Hour Day, Do You Need a Braindump, What They Don’t Teach You in School, and Free Yourself From the Inbox.

SITE: Education World
URL:  http://www.educationworld.com/

The Education World website claims to be the “educator’s best friend.”   Being packed full of more content, tools, projects, reviews, and templates than you can shake a mouse at, this is not hyperbole.  Though geared for the K-12 community, this place has enough stuff for anyone who wants to use technology tools – or wants to get up to speed with technology – to teach or learn or just play around with.  The site offers areas specifically for teachers, administrators, lesson plans, technolgy, professional development, tools and templates, subjects, worksheets, standards, and scads more stuff too numerous and detailed (and illustrated) to name here.  Bookmark, save and otherwise tatooo this site to your person if you have anything to do with education and learning.

—  J. A. Seay

*****************************************************************

Website description of itself:   In 1996, the founders of EducationWorld recognized the need to create a home for educators on the Internet, a place where teachers could gather and share ideas. They wanted to create a complete online resource that educators could visit each day to find high-quality lesson plans and research materials.

The result is EducationWorld.com, a resource that includes

• original content, including lesson plans, practical information for educators, information on how to integrate technology in the classroom, and articles written by education experts;
• Web site reviews;
• special features and columns; and
• employment listings.

The EducationWorld team works hard to produce this FREE resource for educators. In order to keep the site free for all visitors, EducationWorld is funded by corporate sponsors and advertisers.

EducationWorld Corporate Headquarters is located at:
5471 Kearny Villa Rd.
Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92123

Let’s see, what was I supposed to do today…it’s on the tip of my tongue…rhymes with binder, finder, kinder…Oh, that’s right! Send a reminder for next week’s Study Skills Seminar

• Memory Matters!

• Wednesday, October 27 at 6 pm

• Thursday, October 28 at 4 pm

• ECTR 118

• Snacks served!

If your students indicate that they are spending hour after hour studying for tests, but are not achieving the results they want, perhaps they need to examine their studying techniques: are they relying too heavily on rote memorization techniques (like mnemonic devices), when they should be developing and practicing memory strategies that encourage application of information and critical thinking? This is hard to do, and takes time and practice, but at this week’s Seminar we will examine some ways to ‘tweak’ or adapt current study methods to match more closely to the types of questions that appear on college exams. Using these techniques on a regular basis helps students retain information for the long haul (final exams!), and may help them become better equipped to apply information in new ways on tests and quizzes.

Tie a string around your own finger, and please remember to encourage your students to join us this week!

Lindy
Lindy Coleman

Coordinator, Study Skills program

Center for Student Learning

colemanm@cofc.edu

843.953.5635

Next week’s study skills seminar from Lindy Coleman at the Center for Student Learning.

Ah, the lazy days of fall break….where did they go?? Students (and faculty, no doubt) hit the ground running when they returned to campus on Wednesday, and now fall break is just a memory. As students prepare for their next round of tests, papers and projects, as they eagerly (or anxiously) await the posting of mid term grades, as they become aware that the semester is barreling ahead toward final exam week….well, they might become a little over-stressed. Thank goodness for this week’s Study Skills Seminar,

• Contents Under Pressure! Managing Stress in College! (with CASAS—Counseling and Substance Abuse Services)

• Wednesday, October 20 at 6 pm

• Thursday, October 21 at 4 pm

• ECTR 118

• Snacks served!

where students will meet professional staff members from our excellent campus resource, Counseling and Substance Abuse Services. They will take a virtual tour of the center and explore its many services, and also learn ways to be better managers of their own stress.

This topic is a valuable one, as it helps students become more aware of their stressors, and become better equipped to manage themselves in positive and productive ways—I hope you will encourage your students to attend!

Lindy

Lindy Coleman

Coordinator, Study Skills program

Center for Student Learning

colemanm@cofc.edu

843.953.8180

Special LITE Guest Star Bobby Hollandsworth / Business Librarian, Clemson University Libraries

Presents:

What You Need to Know about Plagiarism

This is a virtual session interactively-cast from Clemson University. Participants will use iClickers for in-presentation survey and quiz responding.

Thursday, April 8
Addlestone 120
3 – 4:30pm

Feel free to drop in Today at 3pm!

What is plagiarism anyway? Why is it important? How do you avoid it? Why would you want to? What will happen if you don’t? Plagiarism comes in many forms and is often done inadvertently due to inexperience and not knowing what plagiarism actually is. This virtual session will answer these questions and teach practical ways to identify and avoid plagiarism. Participants using iClickers will learn what plagiarism actually is and how to avoid it with paraphrasing, summarizing, direct quotations and citations.