Broke In America » Technology

FREE Microsoft Courses for Techies

Lily — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:29:51 +0000

I am a techie, so I understand the necessity to be on top of the game. One has to keep learning about new technologies, new methods, new acronyms in order to keep up. I also know that it can be expensive.

As part of my “earn more” strategy I am going after some professional certifications. I discovered last year that I have the passion and talent for database programming, so I am hoping to get certified on SQL this year. As I surf the web looking for practice exams for 70-431 I came across some free e-Learning courses that Microsoft is offering. It covers a multitude of topics: SQL, Visual Studio, MIcrosoft Office, etc. I thought I’d share this link for fellow techies and techie wannabes.

Click here to check 0ut the FREE Microsoft e-Learning courses!

1,000 FREE Fonts For Windows & Mac

Lily — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:41:03 +0000

Tired of the off-the-shelf Windows or Mac fonts? Grab some free fonts at 1001freefonts.com. Here are just a few of their font categories:

3D
Calligraphy
Decorative
Graffiti
Handwriting
Medieval
Old English
Typewriter

To install the free font, click on the appropriate button: Download Win Font or Download Mac Font. A small pop-up will prompt you to Open or Save. I do not have a Mac so anything beyond this is for Windows users only.

Click Open then Extract All Files to a destination folder that is easy for you to remember. Frankly, I put all my downloaded stuff to my Desktop first and move it somewhere else later.

Next, go to the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel). If you have Vista, change the folder view to Classic View. In the Control Panel folder click on Fonts.

Right click anywhere in the opened Fonts folder and click Install Fonts. If you saved the font on your Desktop go to C:\Users, then to whatever your username is, and then Desktop.

The font installer will list the fonts available for installation from that folder. Highlight the fonts and Install.

You should be able to use your fonts from within Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Publisher, and any other editor that uses the Windows fonts!

Cable and Satellite TV Alternative: Xbox 360

Lily — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:55:50 +0000

In a previous post I talked about how we have set up our computer as an alternative to cable and satellite TV. It has allowed us to record our favorite TV shows like TIVO does, and with no monthly fee for the service.

The next step is to be able to watch live or recorded shows on the TV instead of the computer screen. This was crucial, as there are four of us and we could hardly gather around the computer to watch the same show at the same time. About two years ago, my son had gotten an Xbox 360 in lieu of having a birthday party. Windows Media Center can stream any digital content to the Xbox 360 via your home network. I decided to give it a try and it has worked really well for us.

You do not need to have computer or networking knowledge to do this. All you will need are:

Windows Media Center
Xbox 360
Network connection

You may view instructions on how to connect your Xbox 360 as a Windows Media Center Extender here.

Once everything is set up, you will now be able to stream any digital content (videos, recorded shows, photos, MP3′s) from your computer to your TV.

Fun hint: If you have guests, your Xbox 360 and your TV can play selected songs while displaying your photo slide shows!

More posts to come on cable and Satellite TV alternatives. Please check back soon, or subscribe to my RSS feed!