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Create stunning graphics and edit images for free with GIMP

Updated July 22, 2024

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
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
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

Play movies, read a book or listen to music from the cloud with Google Play

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
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
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

Try Windows 8 for free with Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Note: the Windows 8 Consumer Preview program expired on 8/1/12 and is no longer available.

You would think that doing computer repair for a living, the last thing I would want to try out is a beta operating system. But I have to admit that I love playing around with new operating systems (been doing it since Windows 95). And now it's time to try out Windows 8. And you can try it out, too, for free, with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Desktop interface inside of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Desktop interface inside of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

The first thing you will notice is that the Start button is gone. It's been replaced by a row of charms that appears when you swipe away from the right side of the screen. And the Start menu from previous versions of Windows is also gone, replaced by the Metro interface. You can access it by clicking on the Start charm on the ride side of the screen or pressing the Windows logo key.

Metro interface inside of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Metro interface inside of the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

The Metro interface inside Windows 8 is more touch screen intensive, incorporating gestures like pinch/stretch and press/hold. But with a little customizing, I made the Metro interface work for me on my desktop computer without a touch screen (I'm a big Windows logo key user). Here's a quote from the Microsoft website:

It's Windows reimagined and reinvented from a solid core of Windows 7 speed and reliability. It's an all-new touch interface. It's a new Windows for new devices. And it's your chance to be one of the first to try it out.

See what's new

Swipe, slide, and zoom
Touch a full-powered PC. It's fast and it's fluid. Take natural, direct, hands-on control.

Apps, front and center
Apps in Windows 8 work together to get things done faster. Get them from the Windows Store.

Your Windows, everywhere
Windows 8 can connect you to your files, photos, people, and settings, wherever you sign in.

Wall-to-wall web
Internet Explorer 10 Consumer Preview brings you immersive web browsing on screens big and small.

The familiar, made better
Still devoted to your mouse and keyboard? Windows 8 makes the tried-and-true feel brand new.

Geek note:
Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a beta version of Windows 8. Fun to play around with but in no way should you use it in a production environment. It is recommended to install it on a virtual machine like VirtualBox or a non-production computer. And remember that some of the features and functions may not work correctly.

Optimize your website for free with the Search Engine Optimization Toolkit from Microsoft

Updated November 23, 2020

If you have been following our blog, I have written about creating websites for free with the Microsoft Web Platform. And with creating a website, you need to think about search engine optimization (SEO). One of my favorite free tools for this is the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Toolkit from Microsoft.

Violation summary inside of the SEO Toolkit
Violation summary inside of the SEO Toolkit

With the SEO Toolkit, you can analyze your website for search engine friendly content. It can check links site-wide, with or without 'noindex' and 'nofollow' tags. It can check page titles, page descriptions, metatags, images, etc. And it breaks down the site analysis report into four (4) categories: violations, content, performance, and links. It's a full-blown website crawler!

Content summary inside of the SEO Toolkit
Content summary inside of the SEO Toolkit

The Search Engine Optimization Toolkit is an add-in for Internet Information Services (IIS). The IIS is a website server, and the SEO Toolkit is a website crawler (it only crawls websites hosted on the IIS). If you have installed the Microsoft Web Platform, you have IIS installed. It is also a feature built into Windows but not added by default. Here's a quote from the IIS site:

The IIS Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Toolkit helps Web developers, hosting providers, and Web server administrators to improve their Web site’s relevance in search results by recommending how to make the site content more search engine friendly. The IIS SEO Toolkit includes the Site Analysis module, the Robots Exclusion module, and the Sitemaps and Site Indexes module, which lets you perform detailed analysis and offer recommendations and editing tools for managing your Robots and Sitemaps files.

For more information on the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Toolkit, follow the links below.

Search Engine Optimization Toolkit

Getting Started with the SEO Toolkit

Troubleshoot your computer and more for free with Sysinternals Suite from Microsoft

Updated July 23, 2023

Are you looking for a program that tells you what apps are starting when you start up Windows? Or a presentation app for zooming and drawing on your screen? How about one you can use to find out what files, registry keys, etc., are currently open? These are a few of the free utilities included in the Sysinternals Suite by Mark Russinovich and from Microsoft.

The Autoruns program from the Sysinternals Suite
The Autoruns program from the Sysinternals Suite

Sysinternals Suite is a collection of handy utilities for Windows. I have been using them since Windows 95. From an everyday user to a computer repair technician, you will find these utilities indispensable. There are currently over seventy utilities included in the Sysinternals Suite.

The Process Explorer program from the Sysinternals Suite
The Process Explorer program from the Sysinternals Suite

For the everyday user, there are Autoruns, Desktops, and ZoomIt. With Autoruns, you can see what programs are configured to start when your system boots automatically. Desktops allow you to create up to four virtual desktops and switch between them. And with the presentation app ZoomIt, you can zoom in/out and draw on the screen.

The TCPView program from the Sysinternals Suite
The TCPView program from the Sysinternals Suite

For the computer repair technician, there is Process Explorer, Process Monitor, and TCPView. With Process Explorer, you can see what files and folders a program has open. Process Monitor is a real-time monitoring tool that provides detailed information (PIDs, path, etc.) for files, registry, and processes. And TCPView gives you a detailed listing of all network endpoints, local and remote, with addresses and port numbers.

For more information on Sysinternals Suite and all the free utilities included, check out the Sysinternals Utilities Index. To download the Sysinternals Suite, click on either of the following links.

Sysinternals Suite - Microsoft website

Sysinternals Suite - Microsoft Store

Free computer diagnostics

Repairing a PC can sometimes be expensive, and that is why we offer free basic in-shop diagnostics. Give one of our professional and experienced technicians a call at (602) 795-1111, and let's see what we can do for you.

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Geeks In Phoenix LLC, BBB Business Review

Customer service is #1

Here at Geeks in Phoenix, we take pride in providing excellent customer service. We aim to give the highest quality of service  from computer repair, virus removal, and data recovery.

Bring your computer to us and save

Repairing a computer can be time-consuming. That is why we base our in-shop service on the time we work on your computer, not the time it takes for your computer to work! From running memory checking software to scanning for viruses, these are processes that can take some time.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at (602) 795-1111  and talk with one of our Geeks. Or you can send us a message from our contact page , and one of our Geeks will get back to you as soon as possible. Or you can stop by and see us. Here are our hours and location.

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