Save Money on Computer Software

This section, loosely titled Computer Software covers any item related to the Internet and your office. There will be more to come.

There are many expensive software products for protecting your computer against attack by a virus.

The main drawbacks for most of these are the expense and the fact that a lot of these products slow the computer down to such an extent that you wonder whether you are actually working on Broadband or have slipped back in time to the dial-up service.

Don't go to these lengths -

just take a look at two products the author has installed
on her computer, both of which are effective and save money.

1. AVG 8.0 free. This is issued by www.grisoft.com The free version offers Anti-Virus protection and is truly remarkable. Regularly checking your system and installing free updates. Grisoft also have a fee paying service that is also worth investigating.

The next on the list is Spybot to be found at www.safer-networking.org and according to PC World and PCMag.- is the best privacy software available.

2. Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer. Go to www.safer-networking.org

3. Another added cost is Broadband and it will pay you to have a look around and sort out a good deal for yourself. Don't throw your money away.

It will pay you to keep an eye on the amount of downloads you are undertaking. Some Broadband contracts only allow for 1 gigabyte (GB) or up to 1024 megabytes of data each month. This is the equivalent of about 1 1/2 hours of television programming or less than many feature films. Take a look at the small print on your contract before you run yourself up a mega bill. You can be charged up to £2 for each GB if you exceed your limit. Be careful, otherwise you will waste and not save money.

4. If you would like to test your Broadband speed, just click on the logo to the right. You may or not get a pleasant surprise depending on how close you live to a telephone exchange.

5. HowIPromoteMyWebsite.com - This site is a little gem if you are trying to establish a web site. It's unusual to find so much practical and genuine advice helping you to promote your own site given away for free online.

5. The next tip is not really about soft-ware but is for your Shredder. Once a month, or depending upon usage, drip a few spots of three-in-one oil onto a sheet of paper and pass it through the machine. This will keep the cutter teeth working well.

6. Another tip, again not on software but for computer cartridges. The following site gives excellent service and is worth a visit

Do you know of a good tried and tested free soft ware system? Why not pass it on to us via the Contact Us page