Unearthing Value from Complimentary Resources

Jan 2
20:32

2024

Mike Jones

Mike Jones

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

This article will guide you on how to maximize the use of free resources without wasting your time, how to spot genuine deals, and introduce you to some of the best free programs and services. A quick search for "Free Stuff" on Alta Vista yields over half a million results. Here are some tips to help you separate the valuable from the worthless.

mediaimage

Avoiding Time-Wasters

Be cautious of programs developed by hobbyists and amateurs unless you enjoy experimenting with your computer. For business owners,Unearthing Value from Complimentary Resources Articles these programs can be time-consuming. Programs with basic readme files or little to no support files should be avoided as they can clog up your computer's registry files and may not uninstall properly. This kind of free stuff can degrade the performance of other programs on your computer. If you still wish to try them, consider keeping a separate partition on your hard disk for this purpose.

Steering Clear of Shareware

Shareware can be a distraction if you're not prepared to pay for programs. After a brief trial period, you're often expected to pay for the full version. Unless you're looking for something specific or the shareware program is exceptionally good, it's best to avoid spending time on these.

Subscribing to Informative Lists

Consider subscribing to a couple of good lists that keep you updated on free stuff. A good example is Jumbo, which delivers updates to your mailbox every week. Spend a few minutes looking through the headings and if something catches your eye, investigate using the criteria mentioned above.

Identifying Genuine Bargains

Real bargains come from professional, well-established companies. A quick glance at their website can give you an idea of the company's credibility. If a comprehensive help file is provided or regular updates are published, it's a sign that the program is reliable and worth investing time in learning. For instance, Pegasus Mail, a free program, offers all the features of Eudora Pro, a paid program, making it a real bargain.

Top Free Programs and Services

Here are some top free programs and services that offer great value:

  • Email Handler: Pegasus Mail is an excellent email program with multiple features.
  • Email Merge: WorldMerge sends personalized messages to mailing lists.
  • Traffic Analysis: Website Traffic Report provides a comprehensive daily report of your website's traffic.
  • Keyword Suggestion Tool: GoTo.com helps you identify popular search words and phrases.
  • Marketing Tutorials: Free marketing tutorials from Ken Evoy offer substantial content.
  • Graphics Condenser: JPEG Wizard reduces the size of your GIF or JPEG graphics files.
  • Autoresponder: GetResponse keeps its own advertising to a minimum.
  • Website Monitoring: Website Garage checks for dead links, browser compatibility, load time, and more.
  • Web Host Monitoring: HostWatcher alerts you whenever your web host is down, or the speed is slow.

While you can find value in free stuff, it's crucial to be selective to avoid wasting time. Follow the suggestions above to get the best out of free resources.