The Best Video/Audio Download Tool

Ever wonder how to rip a video from YouTube or just rip the audio. You may use the popular YouTube downloader, but it is very limited. Do you have software to burn a video to a disc or convert your videos directly to iPod/Xbox or any devices format? Well here you go! This is a review of the free software called Freemake Video Converter.

One program and it does many different things. Freemake is the best in my mind. I have used YouTube downloader, but it does not do nearly as much. I use Freemake to convert video to different formats such as avi, mkv or mp4 as well as converting to make it playable over my network and onto my Xbox 360. It is simple to use. It is so simple that you do not need a tutorial on it. I kid you not; it is that simple. If you want to burn to a disc or convert a file, click and drag it into the program and then select what file you want to convert it to. If you are downloading from YouTube, copy the URL and click the “Paste URL” button in the program. If you want to make a video into a music file, do the same thing but convert it to MP3.  

Do not forget to browse for the folder that you want to convert and save it. This box will pop up. If you want it to go straight to iTunes, simply click the “export to ITunes” box and then convert.

Unfortunately, this software is only available for PC for now. Sorry mac lovers, your time will come. You can download it from this website here. Be sure to download the Freemake Video Converter, as it will do almost everything that Freemake offers without the need of everything else.

Now that I taught you how to get music into iTunes from YouTube, you can now enjoy my previous post on creating iPhone ringtones a lot easier. Don't be afraid to use this for your BlackBerry's and Androids. Use Audacity to cut those files. Another tutorial to come in the near future perhaps?

Make Free iPhone Ringtones

Hey everyone! Just a quick tutorial post that goes with the posting coming up. This is for all of you iPhone users stuck with the basic ringtones and ones you have to buy. Have fun making your own!

Create iTunes Ringtones

YOUR INFORMATION IS NOT SAFE!

Ok, now that I got your attention I am going to say why your data on your computer is not safe. I don’t mean it is being hacked or someone has access to it. I am talking about backing up your information properly.

So I was checking out some blogs before I wrote this one, this doesn't happen often because I've been through many scenarios in my retail and personal days. I came across Scott Hanselman’s Blog and liked his rule of three…a little bit. First of all, I respect his post and you should take his advice as it is valid. Secondly I have my own rules I like to go by.

Rules

1.  A back up is not stored only one device/computer.
2. Rate how important it is and decide what the best method to back it up on is.
3. If it is that important, back it up on MULTIPLE devices (two computers do not count).
4.  Don’t cheap out! It is your information so keep it safe.

Forms of back up

1. Cloud storageInformation that is stored on the internet on a server that has security built in. Some you have to pay for, others are free and some are both (depending on the size).
2. External Hard drive (HDD)
   It has moving parts and is generally connected to your computer via USB. This is ideal for big items as they range from 500GB to 3TB, on average.
3. USB Stick/Flash Drive
   A small device running that is not mechanically driven. They are small in size and memory. They can be considered more reliable than external HDDs but you don’t get your bang for your buck in terms of memory size.
4. Disc Storage (DVD)
   There are different types of disc storage (CD, DVD and Blu ray). DVD is the most common and holds 4.7GB per disc. They can cost as little as 20 cents per disc and are not electronic. They are small in capacity size and hard to physically store sometimes.

What to back up to?

It really doesn't matter what you use to back up. Just realize that it is good to have different forms for your important information. Here is what I do:

Pictures, family movies, Microsoft office files (important files), and any other very important/irreplaceable information – DVD, External HDD, Cloud storage (www.mega.co.nz)

• Just pictures – DVD, 64-128GB flash drive, cloud storage
• Just movies – External HDD
• Just office documents and small files – 8GB flash drive, DVD

Movies to me are not that important because they can always be re-downloaded or ripped from DVD and Blu rays (see other blog post for how to rip DVDs). But for the cost of my internet per month and a hard drive, one back up wouldn't hurt. All my important information is backed up three times because it is important.

I hope you find this blog post insightful and getting you to think about backing up your information. I have seen too many people rely on external storage as a primary drive and have it fail. Technology is not full proof, KEEP A BACKUP!

Oh, before you go, look at my friend Deanna's blog, she gives great insight on money management for students. Some of it relates to everyone as well. She gives great tips as I refer to her quite often.

Router Purchasing Guide

Ever have a problem with your internet and think that maybe it is time for a new router? I am at my girlfriend's place for reading week and I can’t get onto the internet. My laptop is connected but the internet does not decide to work. I can restart the computer or the router and it will work again only for another device to do the same. This means you need a new router.

When looking to purchase a router you should ask yourself the following questions: how many devices do I have connected at the same time, do you play video games on the computer or game console and do I stream from the internet or Netflix. These questions are important because they depend how much you spend on the router. One thing when it comes to routers, you get what you pay for. You will not be for quality (how long the unit will last), you purchase features and what it can handle.

Below you will find a list of what to look for in a router and terms you will come across. Happy hunting.

Signs of a dying wireless router:

• When you keep unplugging and plugging it back into the power source
• Wireless devices keep disconnecting
• Everything is getting slower
• The range isn't what it used to be

Wireless Router Purchasing Guide by