(NewsUSA) – Looking to save money? There are ways to leverage great technology without burning a hole in your wallet.

Here are some safe, secure options — all of them free — that can help make your computer more productive, useful and fun:

* Firefox Browser:

(www.GetFireFox.com) — Get onto the Internet with this alternative to Windows Internet Explorer that is compatible with both Macs and PCs. It is fast and secure and allows you to download lots of free plug-ins that provide information, social media integration and multimedia capabilities.

* TweetDeck:

(www.TweetDeck.com) — This free program enables you to easily manage, monitor and post to all of your social media networks, including Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, from one place.

* Trillian:

(www.Trillian.im) — Not everyone uses the same instant message service. You might use AOL while your friend uses Yahoo. Trillian lets you combine all of your instant message accounts — AOL, Yahoo, MSN, ICQ and IRC — into one program. Recently updated, it can integrate your Facebook and Twitter accounts, too.

* LogMeIn:

(www.LogMeIn.com) — The free version of LogMeIn lets you securely access your computer from anywhere in the world. Want to check your home computer while you’re on the road? Go to a web browser from any Internet-enabled computer or mobile device, and log in to your account to instantly connect and access any programs, files, photos or music on your desktop.

* Windows Live Desktop:

(www.WindowsLive.com/desktop) — Windows 7, which will be loaded on many new computers and mobile devices this year, does not include its own email program. Instead, Microsoft offers a mail program as a free download from this site, along with other programs, including a photo organizer and an application for creating videos.

* Picnik:

(www.Picnik.com) — Picnik is a free alternative to Photoshop and offers photo-editing capabilities such as cropping, resizing, sharpening and red-eye reduction. You can add special effects, fonts, or various shapes to turn your precious memory into a work of art. Google’s Picasa is another good option for free photo-editing software.

Any or all of these programs will immediately add value to your Mac, PC or laptop — at absolutely no cost.

Do your homework first and check out product reviews from reputable technology sites such as CNET’s Download.com to find out more about free and safe software options before you install them on your computer.
City5nc Business Directory Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Holly Springs NC

(NAPSI)-Only 15 years ago, the world of personal money management changed forever with the introduction of online banking.

Today, with high-speed Internet access common and mobile phones even more so, people not only appreciate but demand the ability to bank “anytime, anywhere.”

While it’s possible to simply check your balance online or transfer money–among the first two services offered–today, most banks offer a wider variety of services.

Here are a few that may save you time and money and help the environment:

Budget: If you have trouble making ends meet each month–or if you want to get a better handle on what’s coming in and where it’s going–try online budgeting.

Many banks also offer the option to track your spending automatically with a tool such as Wells Fargo’s My Spending Report.

Save: It’s now possible to set up an automatic savings plan online to help meet a specific goal like a down payment, or a long-term objective like retirement.

Spend: Online bill-pay services enable you to pay bills quickly, cheaply and securely. And newer services such as person-to-person payments let you easily transfer money, making it more convenient to split the check at lunch or to pay your babysitter.

Go: New mobile banking services allow you to do all your banking on the go, and the newest–text banking, offered by some banks–don’t even require that you sign up online first!

The technological innovations that have revolutionized the way people manage their personal finances have changed small-business banking as well.

Jennifer Hogan owns a successful women’s accessories company called Toss Designs (www.tossdesigns.com) and once spent hours each month at the bank sending wire transfers and reconciling accounts.

“I thought the technology that allowed me to bank over the phone was amazing, but now we do everything online with Wells Fargo, which is even more amazing–I save at least 10 hours a week,” she said.

The ability to manage invoicing and receivables online can speed up payment and maximize cash flow.

Whether you’re an individual or own a small business, if you haven’t tried online banking in a while, it may be time to take another look. Today’s online banking is faster, cheaper, greener and more secure than ever before.

Down load Digital Products From Concept Products

The Environmental Management Commission, or EMC, has scheduled two hearings to gather public input on proposed rules to reduce nutrient pollution in the Falls Lake Reservoir.

The public comment period is open until Aug. 16.

Falls Lake Reservoir, the primary drinking water source for Raleigh and several nearby communities, is impaired for excessive amounts of chlorophyll a, an indicator of high levels of nutrients. Nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, can be carried by stormwater runoff into Falls Lake and the watershed streams that feed it. While nutrients are beneficial to aquatic plant and animal life in the proper quantities, excessive levels can cause algae blooms that impair aquatic habitat and may lead to fishkills, increase the cost of treatment for drinking water and affect recreational activities. In 2005, the N.C. General Assembly passed legislation which requires the EMC to adopt a nutrient strategy for Falls Lake.

In 2008, stakeholders from local governments, agriculture, environmental groups and other concerns began work with the N.C. Division of Water Quality to formulate a nutrient management strategy. The stakeholders used three years of lake watershed data and subsequent modeling to help form the nutrient management strategy. The draft rules were approved for public comment by the EMC in March 2010.

Read More:Mync.com

Wooden Birdhouses Made In Raleigh NC