Program: Audacity
Publisher: the Audacity developers at http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Category: Sound Recording and Editing Program

Audacity, which is a free, open-source audio recording and editing software package, was one of my Shareware Picks of the Week.

The Audacity project is hosted at that home of open-source software SourceForge.net. SourceForge provides storage space, a version control system, bug-tracking software and more for open-source projects. Audacity is available for Windows, Mac OS9, Mac OS X, Linux and Unix.

What can I say about Audacity? WOW! I’m amazed that you can find many of the free open-source projects that are available.

In most cases, they are either small focused applications or they are complicated applications that appeal to a broad range of users. Audactity, on the other hand, is a complex program that appeals to users who want to record audio.

By that, I mean that it is complex programming — it is easy to use.

Read more in my article Software Review: Audacity Sound Recorder/Editor at Terry’s Computer Tips.

This week’s email and on-line newsletters are now available:

• free weekly Terry”s Computer Tips email newsletter
• weekly on-line Terry”s Computer Tips newsletter

This week’s online articles include:

• More Internet Explorer 7 Problems Reported
• Updates Last Week discusses updates from Microsoft and other software publishers whom I track
• Router Security — Wired & Wireless Routers
• Multiple Email Copies Received
• My Cellphone Choice: Motorola Razr V3xx
• My Computer Security Software Recommendations
• Cell Phone Internet Access

If you subscribe to the email newsletter now, you will get instructions on how to request automatic free copies of the two most recent issues.

Comment about these articles using the “leave a response” link below…

Ads by Terry

Slow PC? Clean It.
Tune Up Your PC with RegCure - Free Scan!
terryscomputertips.com/regc5

Free NetZero Dialup Account
Up to 10 Hours Per Month - Free! Great Backup for Cable Internet
terryscomputertips.com/NetZeroFree

One of my Terry’s Computer Tips subscribers wrote me recently to ask:

Now, how can I ignore those spam emails? How can I keep them out of my Inbox? You need a spam filter!

We’ve all tried the old way - using a “block the sender” function. Basically, this is a specific filter (called a “rule” by some programs) that says “if an email comes from him, put it in the spam folder.”

Whether you use Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora (like I do), Mozilla Thunderbird, or some other email program, they almost all provide a way to block or trash emails from specific individuals or domains. But, that doesn’t work any more…

Read the rest of the article Keep spam out of your Inbox

With AOL stepping back from the dialup market in the US, what’s left?

In most areas, there are local phone companies and other local companies offering dialup services. You might be interested in them for multiple reasons, including supporting your local businesses. Some even have arrangements to use the large dialup networks that the large ISP’s use, too.

One local ISP in my area seems intent on raising its dialup prices until they drive off their customers. Strangely, it’s the same phone company that sells DSL service to most of Baton Rouge, so they aren’t endearing themselves to their potential DSL clients. Bellsouth obviously has some really bright marketing people, or some really clueless ones, since they think this will work…

Personally, I like a free 10-hours per month dialup account from NetZero — it’s a good, cheap backup for my cable Internet access. Plus, it comes in handy when I travel, too.

Ads by Terry
Slow PC? Clean It.
Tune Up Your PC with RegCure - Free Scan!
terryscomputertips.com/regc5

Free NetZero Dialup Account
Up to 10 Hours Per Month - Free! Great Backup for Cable Internet
terryscomputertips.com/NetZeroFree

One of my Terry’s Computer Tips subscribers wrote me recently to ask:

I knew there was something else I had on my mental list for you.
I think I am in the market for an external hard drive to back up my files.
I have downloaded Karen’s Replicator as you suggested in one of your recent newsletters.
I now need a destination to save my files to, external to my desk top. I do it now periodically to the laptop, but want something else.
I have reviewed your Computer Tips web pages on backing up and external hard drives.
Your advice to get one with a USB connection is right on.
30-40 gigs would be plenty big for what I have.
Can you aim me or do you have a link where I could buy on the net via you?
Jack

Thanks for writing, Jack, and for wanting to give something back for getting my free newsletter!

You’ll find it really hard to find one as small as 30-40GB today.

Read more in my article Getting an External Hard Drive

Sunbelt released CounterSpy 2 last week. The new version features a new antispyware / antiadware engine aimed at providing much enhanced capabilities.

In addition, CounterSpy 2 has much improved memory usage and runs on XP, 2000, and Vista (32-bit only). I’ve updated my computers to CounterSpy 2.

Sunbelt has continued the 15-day free full-function trial version. At the end of 15 days, if you haven’t licensed your copy, it becomes disabled.

CounterSpy 2 is only $19.95 for one computer, with significant discounts for multiple computer licenses.

Read more in CounterSpy v2 Released - First Look