As some of you know, I like working with videos (mostly YouTube Geek Tips). But each video source (screen capture, smartphone, camcorder, etc.) has its format, and converting them to other formats can be challenging. But that just got a whole lot easier with WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe from Digiarty Software.

View of the WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe opening screen

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is a complete HD video conversion program. From creating a DVD from your smartphone videos to converting some camcorder videos for uploading to YouTube. You can do all of this and more. I converted some videos from my Android-based smartphone, and they came out great. I then tried downloading and converting some of my YouTube videos, fantastic. I even converted a video created with the Windows Movie Maker to Flash format. All of the videos I converted came out as crisp as the originals.

View of the WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe queue

You can use the predefined settings (recommended) for different conversions or create your own custom size/aspect ratio. The advanced features include deinterlacing, high-quality rendering engine, force audio/video sync, and limiting how many processor cores the program uses. Here's a quote from their site:

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
Must-have Video Software to Organize Your MKV M2TS AVCHD AVI MP4 Youtube Videos

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe gives you ultimate control over your video files, packing 160 video codecs and 50 audio codecs, while working as all-in-one HD video converter, DVD burner and Youtube online video downloader. It has the powerful capability to meet all your video conversion requirements without assistance of any third-party codec.

This video software enables you to convert between all mainstream video formats, including High Definition video MKV, M2TS, MTS, AVCHD, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, and regular video AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, MOV, FLV, RM, RMVB, WebM, Google TV, etc. Moreover, it features unique technology to support Multi-track HD videos available in BDAV, M2TS, MKV, AVCHD, HDTV and MPEG-TS formats. Thus, without a second thought about format compatibility, you can play your videos with all Windows media players, iPhone/4S, iPad/iPad 2/iPad 3, iPod, PSP, PS3, Android, Blackberry and DVD player.

For more information on WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe, just follow the links below:

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

Digiarty Software

Being in the computer repair business, I find myself going between my workstation, netbook, and smartphone quite often. I need to view/edit files on all of my devices and have the changes synchronize back. I am talking about any file, not just MP3's and JPG's. I can do just that and more for free with Google Drive.

View of Google Drive from inside of Windows Explorer

Google Drive, a cloud-based storage solution, is the latest addition to Google's catalog of products. With the Google Drive application installed on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, you can view/edit files on that device using the programs installed on it. The files then sync back to the Google Drive servers when they are closed. I found it great to synchronize files/folders between my workstation, netbook, and smartphone.

View of Google Drive inside of a web browser

Or you can use a web browser to view/edit files directly on the cloud with the web-based Google Docs (you get instant access when you sign up for Google Drive). Google Drive integrates into Gmail, so you can e-mail and share files with one click. You get 15 GB's of space for free, with more extensive plans (up to 16 TB) available. There are also business plans. Here's a quote from the Google Drive website:

Google Drive. Keep everything. Share anything.

Access everywhere.
Google Drive is everywhere you are on the web, in your home, at the office and on the go. So wherever you are, your stuff is just...there. Ready to go, ready to share. Get started with 15 GB free.

Google Drive is available for:

• PC and Mac
• iPhone and iPad (coming soon)
• Android devices

Store your files in a safe place.
Things happen. Your phone goes for a swim. Your laptop takes an infinite snooze. No matter what happens to your devices, your files are safely stored in Google Drive.

Go beyond storage. Collaborate.
Google Drive lets you do more than just store your files. Share files with exactly who you want and edit them together, from any device. Google Drive gives you instant access to Google Docs, a suite of editing tools that makes working together better, even when your teammates are miles away.

Work better with the products you use everyday.

Gmail
Say goodbye to bulky email attachments. Send a link from Google Drive in Gmail and everyone has the same file, same version—automatically.

For more information about Google Drive, follow the links below:

Google Drive

Google Drive Features

Do you want to clean up and optimize your computer but don't know where to start? Maybe you want to clean out all of the temporary Internet files for security purposes. Or clean up all of the temporary files from other applications to free up some space on your hard drive. You can do all of this and more for free with CCleaner.

The Custom Clean tab inside of CCleaner

CCleaner from Piriform is a complete system optimization tool for Windows. It cleans out temporary Internet files from most browsers (Edge, Firefox, Chrome, etc.) and cleans out various Windows files (recent documents, temporary files, search autocomplete, etc.). It can also repair multiple areas of the registry.

The Registry Cleaner tab inside of CCleaner

CCleaner can also rename, delete, repair, or uninstall programs listed in the Add/Remove Programs section in the Control Panel and the Apps & features section of the Settings app. It can even manage the system restore points. Here's a quote from Piriform's website:

CCleaner is our system optimization, privacy, and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities, such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! Cleans the following:

Microsoft Edge
Cache, history, cookies, download history, form history, saved passwords, recently typed URLs.

Firefox
Cache, history, cookies, download history, form history, saved passwords, recently typed URLs.

Google Chrome
Cache, history, cookies, download history, form history, saved passwords, recently typed URLs.

Opera
Temporary files, history, cookies, super cookies, download history.

Safari
Temporary files, history, cookies, super cookies, form history.

Other Supported Browsers
K-Meleon, Rockmelt, Flock, Google Chrome Canary, Chromium, SeaMonkey, Chrome Plus, SRWare Iron, Pale Moon, Phoenix, Netscape Navigator, Avant and Maxthon.

Windows
Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files, Log files, Clipboard, DNS Cache, Error Reporting, Memory Dumps, Jump Lists.

Registry Cleaner
Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more...

Third-party applications
Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Windows Media Player, eMule, 7-Zip, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more...

100% Spyware FREE
This software does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.

CCleaner is available in three editions: Free (no support), Professional / Professional Plus, and CCleaner Cloud (business). For more information on CCleaner, follow the links below:

Speed up your PC with CCleaner

CCleaner Cloud for business

Have you ever wanted to edit or manipulate images but couldn't afford the hefty price tag of professional image editing software? Look no further than GIMP - the free, open-source image manipulation program that offers robust features and tools comparable to its expensive counterparts. In this article, we'll explore the capabilities of GIMP and how it can serve as a cost-effective solution for your image editing needs.

The GIMP user interface

GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, has gained popularity for its extensive range of features and its availability across different operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. With support for various file formats and the ability to handle tasks such as photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring, GIMP has become a viable alternative to commercial image editing software.

A logo created with a script in GIMP

You can do simple tasks like rotating and cropping photos and creating graphics from scratch. You can even convert the format of files and save compressed versions with ZIP or GZ extensions. Some of the features I like are the effect filters and layers/channels. The predefined scripts for buttons, logos, patterns, and web page themes that are available to download are pretty cool.

One of the standout features of GIMP is its customizable interface, which allows users to tailor the toolset and layout to their specific workflow. This flexibility caters to novice users who prefer a simplified interface and advanced users who require more intricate tools for complex editing tasks. Here is a list of some features inside of GIMP:

• Updated user interface
• HiDPI support
• GEGL image processing library
• Improved color management
• CIE and CIE LCH color spaces
• Improved selection tools
• Interface themes

In addition to its suitability for everyday users, GIMP also supports advanced image manipulation techniques, such as layer masks, filters, and customizable brushes, making it a versatile tool for professional graphic designers and digital artists. This wide array of features puts GIMP on par with its commercial competitors, offering a compelling option for those seeking professional-grade image editing capabilities without the high cost.

Furthermore, GIMP is supported by a dedicated community of developers and contributors who continuously improve the software and provide extensive documentation and tutorials. This collaborative ecosystem fosters a supportive environment for users to learn and enhance their skills in image manipulation and graphic design, thus expanding the reach of GIMP as a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced users.

In conclusion, GIMP offers a compelling alternative to commercial image editing software, providing a comprehensive set of tools and features suitable for a wide range of users, from amateurs to professionals. Embracing GIMP as a go-to image editing program not only saves on costs but also opens up a world of creative possibilities for digital content creation.

For more information on GIMP, follow the links below:

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

GIMP - Introduction

Last year Google introduced the Android Market for Android apps and later Google Music for streaming music. Recently Google added a couple of more products to their catalog and combined them with the Android Market and Google Music. You can stream not only music but also your favorite movies and books from the cloud with Google Play.

Introduction screen for Google Play

With Google Play, you can watch a movie, read a book, or listen to music on multiple platforms. You can access your movies, books and music from any browser with an internet connection. To view movies, books, and listen to music on an Android-based device, you'll need the Play Movies, Play Books, and Music apps from Google.

The main screen for Google Play

Remember that you have to have a Gmail account to gain full access to Google Play. Here's a quote from their site:

Play Anywhere

All your entertainment in one place
Google Play is your one-stop shop for all your favorite entertainment. With over 450,000 apps, millions of songs and books, and thousands of movies, Google Play has something for everyone. Before you decide what you want, sample a song or book for free, view app ratings, reviews, and screenshots, or watch a movie trailer. Google Play is a more connected, powerful experience.

The power of the cloud
How cool would it be if your entertainment was just available anywhere? Now it is. Buy a book on your Android phone and read it on the web at play.google.com. Buy a new album on your Android tablet and listen to it on your desktop at work. Rent a movie online and watch it anywhere on your phone. That’s the beauty of the cloud. You can read, listen and watch all your favorite content anywhere you want. No software required and no wires or syncing needed, and the best part - Google Play cloud is free to use.

Share what you love
Discover, shop, enjoy, and share music, movies, books, and apps anytime, anywhere. When you discover an amazing song, a nail-biting thriller or memorable movie, the first thing you want to do is share it with your friends. On Google Play sharing your favorite entertainment just got easier. You can easily share posts about your favorite books, music, movies, games or apps to your circles on Google+, email, or text message in a single click.

For more information on Google Play, follow the links below.

Google Play

Google Play Features