Posted in Computers & Tech / Software / Freeware
Author: Sarah81 Total-Replies: 10

*Note: this seemed like an appropriate place seeing as you download the iTunes program for free.

Anyway:

First, you can get a free iTunes code from Geico. Actually, you get three free songs.

My question is: does anybody know where else I can get free iTunes codes?

I also went and did the WellsFargo newsletter sign-up thing, but I can't find the URL for it anymore (sorry)!

While I'm on the subject of iTunes ... I used to hate this program but when I got this laptop it was already installed. I sort of took my sweet time getting around to the uninstall-this-piece-of-junk-program point, then started finding free song codes.

Lo and behold, I don't hate this program so much anymore. But I'd love to read what y'all think about it.

Posted in General Discussion / Music (No post counts) / General Music
Author: Sarah81 Total-Replies: 8




I'm a big fan of iTunes, but it sounds like you're looking for a Web site, not a program.

But sometimes I get free codes for amplified.com - they're pretty good, I guess. The prices aren't bad (about the same as iTunes). And the selection's not shabby.

Posted in General Discussion / Music (No post counts) / General Music
Author: Sarah81 Total-Replies: 2



Let's see...I JUST got this computer, so I only have about a dozen MP3s/WMAs. I would have more, but finding free codes for legal downloads (usually through iTunes) is sort of a pain in the butt lately.

I have some Green Day (older stuff) ... Tori Amos (the reworked stuff from what amounts to her greatest hits album) ... some Celtic praise tracks (very cool stuff there) .... and other, rather eclectic tracks.

My iTunes downloads are automatically categorized for me, but the stuff through some of the other free download sites isn't. Those are just in the "My Music" folder until I can figure out a way to convert them so that I can dump them into iTunes as well.

And yes, I like the iTunes player. Free. NO learning curve. And it was preinstalled on my computer, so laziness encouraged me to give it a try.

Posted in Computers & Tech / What's New...?
Author: Sarah81 Total-Replies: 4



Yeah. One billion songs at a buck each ... before taxes, licensing/royalties, operating expenses etc. of course.

I'd say that they made tons of cash, yeah. Even though a lot of people (like me) just use the free codes that we find in various places, there were (and are) still quite a few more people who will gladly pay a buck per song.

I would too, if I had a few extra bucks *grins*

Posted in General Discussion / Music (No post counts) / Pop Culture
Author: JohnNitro Total-Replies: 12

I like how you can listen to music online. I was wondering if anyone listens to music on loine or if the download it. Is there any free music download site, if so can you post it here. Is it possible to add music to your site, well not just one music like a radio station.

Posted in Computers & Tech / What's New...?
Author: Sarah81 Total-Replies: 13

My biggest complaint about iTunes is that some of the most popular tracks are only available if you purchase the full album. Why is this so? Who made this decision - the record label or Apple? I don't know, but I DO know this: if Google's venture doesn't include that annoyance, then they'll have a one-up on iTunes right out of the gates as far as I'm concerned.

That and Google would probably offer free download codes...and the price per download might even be a little cheaper than Apple's .99 per track.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Software / Freeware
Author: TavoxPeru Total-Replies: 13

The GOM Media Player is an excelent free media player that supports the most popular audio and video codecs, is very simple to use and comes with a nice and clean interface.

With GOM Media Player you can reproduce the most popular audio and video files like XviD, DivX, FLV1, AC3, OGG, MP4, H263, AVI, MPG, MPEG, DAT, MP3, WMV, ASF, ASX, supports playlist like M3U, PLS, ASX.

The GOM Media Player comes with a lot of features including Audio Equalizer, a codec finder, Skins and Logo libraries, supports subtitles, and two features that i like a lot are that you have the posibility to include different media types on a playlist and also you can play broken avi files with a patented technology.

The GOM Media Player deserves an oportunity.

Best regards,

Posted in Computers & Tech / Operating Systems / War Of the OS World
Author: ruben Total-Replies: 6

Well, you seem to know Windows so let's start there:
It is the operating system by Microsoft, it is the one, that most home users use and it is also the one, that most games and stuff are developed for (maybe after game consoles like PlayStation etc.). Windows is a pre-compiled system, so you install a finished package on your computer and it is supposed to work right from the start. It can NOT be installed on any computer, not Power PCs for example.
The advantages of Windows: It is very common, so probably all your friends have one, this makes it easier to use them, for example for LAN parties etc.
Most applications come out first for Windows (especially games and such, applications for creative work are always released for Macintosh too).
The disadvantages of Windows: It is so common, that almost every virus out there is developed for it, so it is VERY vulnerable and if you surf the internet, you need extra software like Norton AntiVirus and a Firewall.
It costs money.
It is quite unstable compared to other operating systems.
The software that it comes with is quite bad, so a good user will use nearly only third party applications.

MacOS X:
This is a quite young system by the company apple, it is based on the first system: UNIX (very stable), but unlike UNIX it has a GUI (Graphical User Interface).
The current version is called OS X Tiger, it is also what I am using. OS X used to only work on special Apple Computers (the ones with the nice Design, iMac, iBook, etc.) but now they're making it compatible to the Intel-architecture too.
The advantages of Mac OS X: Very good look & feel, they invest a lot in design and user friendliness.
It is quite stable, because it is based on UNIX.
There are not that many viruses.
It comes with a lot of very useful applications (iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iCal, Mail, GarageBand, Safari (Web Browser), that many of the users use, because they are so user-friendly and nicely designed).
If you want to design and be creative (Programming, web-design, photoshoppin', Music mixing, etc.) then you got all apps that you need.
Gamers get satisfied a bit more every day, since Mac OS gets more users, but still there are fewer games available.
The disadvantages of Mac OS X: It is not compatible with all the HOT, NEW stuff like games, periphery etc.
It is quite expensive.

Linux:
There are MANY variants of Linux, so you can't really describe the Linux. The important thing to know: It is available under the GNU license, which means: you can look at the source code, you may change it, you may use it, whatever and it is free (as in speech, but also as in beer). A linux system is not something that you plug in your computer and it justs works, you usually compile your version to fit your needs (there are precompiled version though).
The advantages of Linux: You can adapt it to your needs very easily, it is getting better all the time and it's free. + you can help to improve it.
The disadvantages of Linux: Well, there are near-to-no commercial applications for Linux and GNU-apps are usually a bit behind, because they are, well, free. No real incentive to spend all your time on it, eh.
You have to learn how to use Linux if you are used to Windows.

That's a very summed up version and there are a LOT more sides to the subject and also more OSes but these are the three most common and now you at least have an idea, what the differences are, so you can read on :-)

Posted in Computers & Tech / Programming / Programming General / Misc. Programming Languages
Author: Tamer78Aly Total-Replies: 18

Ah, the usual beginner question! Don't get me wrong, I don't mean this badly.

Let's see... the first thing to consider is why do you want to learn programming! Being a programmer for your local community projects differs from being a programmer from Apple. Both are naturally different than doing it as a hobby, or for working freelance. Since I don't know anything about your circumstances, I'll assume you're doing this for fun, hoping it can build up into a business. Fair enough?

Alright. Let me tell you first and foremost that Programming IS, regardless of what programming language you may choose. By that, I mean that the main concepts of programming remain the same in every language; it's how you implement these concepts that makes a language different than another (faster, more effecient, easier, etc.)

This is a major source of relief for beginner programmers, since they can start out with a relatively easy language, and later move on to more complicated ones depending on their conditions and circumstances.

One of the easiest PLs out there is - arguably - BASIC. BASIC is an acronym for "Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code..." Sounds a little complicated for a beginner, doesn't it? Well, I assume Bill Gates came up with the acronym first and then tried to work out a meaningful sentence around it.

Anyway, this is a very easy language to learn, and it contains most of programming concepts. But it's too obsolete, some might say. I sort of agree. That's why many programmers-in-the-making opt for Visual BASIC. It's a huge step from its predecessor, and it works with Graphics more than with actual code. The HUGE downside is that it works SOLELY on Windows, nothing else. People might say it's Microsoft's way of monopolizing the market, and they might be quite right, but I digress.

Another fairly easy language is PERL. PERL used to be the absolute no.1 language for the Web, and it has been the no.1 scripting language (which a fancy way to say "programming" in certain occasions and environments) for UNIX (which is one of the greatest Operating Systems of all time, IMHO ). It works across many, if not all, platforms; it's versatile and can be easy to learn of worked at regularly; it's totally free; and it's supported with loads and loads of tutorials, sample code, Websites, etc. It's still pretty much in use today, but even if it wasn't, it'd still be a great introduction into programming. I trust some will disagree, but that's my opinion, anyhow.

Since I believe many will add their own opinion about the right introductory language, I think you'll have lots of choices, Knight17. But ultimately, if you want to be a programmer worth the name, you have to learn C, sooner or later. Personally, I think the word "Programmer" doesn't have C in it.

As you go along, you'll come across numerous information about other programming languages, their advantages and disadvantages, their uses, etc., and so you'll be better qualified to make an educated choice about your programming goals.

Trust me when I say, programming is a fun ride, if you're up to it. Just don't give up too early, ok?!

Posted in Computers & Tech / Software / Internet & Network Clients..
Author: qwijibow Total-Replies: 25



There are some Great Open Source Free alternativs to Triliian....
Gaim and Kopete are great multi-protocal chat clients that support all the usual MSN YAHOO ICQ JABBER IRC and a load more ive never heard of...

Gaim is available at gaim.sourceforge.net.. its FREE, and OPEN SOURCE... source code, and pre-compiled versions exist for download for Windows and Linux.

Kopete is a much better client in my opinion, and comes as part of the KDE-Network package from Kde.org
(only available for Every operating system except windows )

Firefox is also my Favorite Web Browser....
Also Thunderbird for email CLient.

I Hear that Firefox is Growing in use and popularity even faster than Microsotfs IE is being droped.

Posted in General Discussion / Computer Talk
Author: finaldesign Total-Replies: 20

my vote goes for winamp, cos really it's just an very goood player, that started with just mp3's, midi & mods and now it plays all and any playable multimedia format... It's just the best that can be, only one thing I dont like about winamp - it's not free anymore...

Posted in Computers & Tech / Operating Systems / MacOS
Author: chiiyo Total-Replies: 10

This board isn't all that mac-centric, but you should check out the macrumors forums. They have an entire subforum for Tiger, and we have like around 50 people who had their hands on a developer copy of Tiger from last year's WWDC, and they've been posting up stuff ever since. Which is why by now stuff like Dashboard and Spotlight seems old to me.

Funny moment there, I forgot that multi-person video chatting was only in the new iChat, because I watched it on the WWDC video a year back, and when I read the new iChat page, I was like, yeah but this isn't new? Took me a while before I realised it WAS a new feature for Tiger. Was already so geared up for Tiger and so used to seeing it everywhere that I forgot it was a new feature! *amused*

Yeah, I really liked the upgrade page, because there are lots of small things that matter to only a few people (like I REALLY REALLY wanted slideshows on Finder) that the Apple copy writers probably wouldn't write about much, and basically going down the list got me all excited for Tiger all over again. I'm talking euphoria, similar to what I felt when Tiger was first talked about on the boards.

Get a new iBook! But watch out, they say the entire hardware line might be getting a small upgrade (maybe speed bumps and lower prices) before Tiger is released, except maybe for the Powerbook line. So you should probably get the iBook and get Tiger free!

*bounces*

Posted in General Discussion / Computer Talk
Author: qwijibow Total-Replies: 23

some links to my beloved OGG vorbis...

http://www.vorbis.com/

Ogg vorbis Better than MP3 ??
http://www.vorbis.com/faq.psp#sound

compare for yourself !
http://www.xiph.org/ogg/vorbis/listen.html

and best of all, its free... no annoying patent issues.

Posted in Computers & Tech / Internet and Websites
Author: yordan Total-Replies: 10

Hi, theSman,
first of all, this post is not a real tutorial, so it should not be in the section "Free Web Hosting > Computers & Tech > How-To's and Tutorials > Internet > Internet Browsers ". That's why I moved it here.
Secondly, avoid double-posting, mods have to clean-up and most of them are rather busy.
Maybe the reason is that you could not see your own post ? Then you must take care of some facts.
If you want your post to be immediately visible, avoid posting in the "How to and tutorial" section. Tutorial have to be reviewed. So, they remain invisible until a moderator reads the tutorial and accepts it (or rejects it). So, for short posts or polls, put them in the normal forum sections and they will be immediately visible and you will immediately be able to have answers.
Regards
Yordan

Posted in Computers & Tech / What's New...?
Author: Grafitti Total-Replies: 11

I think it's especially nasty of Apple to ruin your phone with their updates. So what if you unlock it? you void your warranty. But that's the same with everything. You open, change, or take it apart, and you lose your right to free service. But you don't lose your right to use said product. Really this smacks of the exact same attitude that everyone rants on about Microsoft having. Apple is no different. But i'm sure the same guys who cracked the original iPhone protection won't take long to crack the update and release a patched version, which will run fine on an unlocked iPhone.