GIMP is not Photoshop, but it is an amazingly powerful and efficient open-source bitmap-­editing package that can look just as confusing as Photoshop if you open all its floating toolbars and sidebars. You’ll need to get used to its nonstandard menus. If you make your living from graphics or photo editing, you’ll probably go commercial, but GIMP gets the job done free.  Get it here:  www.gimp.org

Here are two good (and of course free) options for manipulating audio files.

dBpowerAMP lets you rip CDs, convert files, and record audio. It supports MP3, MP4, M4a, WMA, OGG, AAC, APE, FLAC, Apple Lossless, and more. This app integrates with Windows, so you can simply right-click on a file to convert it.  Get it here:  www.dbpoweramp.com

CDex is a CD-ripping and file-conversion app for the extremely picky. It includes many different ­encoders, including LAME MP3, Fraunhofer MP3, MP2, APE, OGG, WMA, WAV, VQF, and FAAC. It also has jitter correction for error-free CD ripping and works with the CDDB database.  Get it here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdexos

Audacity is a powerful audio editing/recording software package that doesn’t require much training. It works on Linux, Mac and Windows, and it handles many file types, including OGG, MP3, AIFF, AU, and WAV (but not WMA or AAC). Its features include 32-bit/96-KHz recording and editing (up to 16 channels), independent speed and pitch control, noise removal, a spectrogram mode, and tons of built-in effects. But it’s also perfect for quick ­recordings and editing long files.

Get it here:  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Do you depend on instant messaging to stay in touch with friends, family or business associates?  Do you end up with Yahoo, AOL, MSN and ICQ all running (or wish you could)?  Well here are two different (and yes free) choices to put all your IM’s and IM identities in one place.

The first one I will talk about is Trillian.  My daughter uses the free version because some of her friends use AOL and some do not PLUS it keeps a log off all her conversations.  (No I am not nosey but if I get worried I want to be able to see who she is talking to if not necessarily the content.)  Their are few things that do not translate like text color changes but other than that it works very well.  You can get it here: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/downloads/

The other software is GAIM.  I have not had a chance to try it yet but from what I have seen and read it looks every bit as good as Trillian maybe more so.  It’s a multiprotocol instant-­messaging client that works with Google Talk, AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Lotus Sametime, and Zephyr networks.  Get it here: http://gaim.sourceforge.net/

Have you ever tried to figure out the name of a font with nothing more to go on than what it looks like?  Just wait until a client sends you a piece of work they either ran across and liked or someone else created for them and they want you to use that same font.  They don’t know what its called and they don’t care either.

Well I have had this happened and it took me hours to find something close.  NEVER AGAIN!  Check out www.identifont.com and never waste time blindly searching for fonts ever again.

It is really easy to use.  Click “Identify A Font” answer a few questions about the shape and characteristics of the font you are looking for and it does the rest.  It also has a secondary tool that helps you identify the specific font.  Just type in the name of the font and Identifont will tell you what programs (if any) it comes with and several places you where can order or download it.

Do you have a favorite cool tool?  I would love to hear about it.  Email it to me at blog@outsourcingpro.com

Anyone who has used Adobe Reader knows it is a huge resource hog.  On a older system or one with limited resources AR can slow you to a crawl or stop you altogether (actually this true of every Adobe product I have ever used!!!).  Well here is a sweet, sleek alternative:

Foxit Reader
www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

It runs small and swift, either as a standalone app or from within your browser.

Today I am going to tell you about my favorite FREE PDF convertor – CutePDF.  In spite of the sugary name it is an excellent piece of software and it is super easy to use – if you can print you can make a PDF.  I especially like the fact that you can create a PDF from virtually any type of file.  This is especially handy for me when I need to create a proof of a postcard or other design project for a client.

Here is what the creators Acro Software say about their product:    Portable Document Format (PDF) is the de facto standard for the secure and reliable distribution and exchange of electronic documents and forms around the world. CutePDF Writer (formerly CutePDF Printer) is the free version of commercial PDF creation software. CutePDF Writer installs itself as a printer subsystem. This enables virtually any Windows applications (must be able to print) to create professional quality PDF documents with just a push of a button.

Basically, this software installs inself as another printer on your system.  Open the file you want to covert, go to File/Print and choose CutePDF from the list of available printers.  When you click print it will direct you to name and save the new PDF.  That’s all there is to it!!

To get CutePDF go here:  http://www.acrosoftware.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp 

Download and install BOTH files (Free Download and Free Converter) on the left side of the screen.  That’s it your ready to PDF!!!!

I have a section in my Favorites folder that I use to keep shortcuts to some of my favorite online tools.  These are thing I have found that help me save time and expedite certain tasks.  Periodically, I will post a review of different tools and tricks that I hope you to will find helpful.

Do you have a favorite cool tool or a great time saver?  I would love to hear about it.  Email it to me at blog@outsourcingpro.com