Computer Resources

Accessibility

From Text to Speech.com

The "From Text to Spech" website provides a free online Text To Speech (TTS) service with natural sounding voices. Convert any English text into MP3 audio file so it may be played on any portable device.

NVDA

Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system. Providing feedback via synthetic speech and Braille, it enables blind or vision impaired people to access computers running Windows for no more cost than a sighted person.

Analysis

Crucial.com

The crucial.com website houses and online utility which determines the number of memory slots, the total memory capacity and the current memory status of your computer without having to remove the cover..

CPU-Z

CPU-Z is an analytical application that can provide you an impressive amount of information, all of which is related to your hardware resources.

Open Hardware Monitor

Open Hardware Monitor is a free open source software that monitors temperature sensors, fan speeds, voltages, load and clock speeds of a computer.

Backup & Recovery

CloneZilla

Clonezilla is a free and open source software for disk imagiing and cloning.

Create Synchronicity

Create Synchronicity is an OpenSource computer backup/restore software package.

DART

The Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) is a powerful set of tools that can help you diagnose and troubleshoot computers.

EaseUS ToDo Backup

ToDo Backup is an easy backup & recovery solution for home & home office users.

Recuva

Recuva is a software application which recovers files deleted from your Windows computer, Recycle Bin, digital camera card, or MP3 player. And it's free!

SyncToy

SyncToy is a free Microsoft application that synchronizes files and folders between loctions.

Darik's Boot & Nuke

DBAN is a free erasure software that automatically deletes the contents of any hard disk it detects. Ideal is you're recycling a computer.

Hiren's BootCD

Hiren's BootCD is a completely free bootable CD that contains useful tools to analyze, recover and repair your computer when the primary operating system is inaccessible. Complete details are on the author's website.

WinToFlash

WinToFlash starts a wizard that will help pull over the contents of a windows installation CD or DVD and prep the USB drive to become a bootable replacement for the optical drive. It can also do this with your LiveCD.

Connectivity

Down For Everyone Or Just Me

"Down For Everyone or Just Me?" is a website that determines if a particular website is down for everyone or just you.

Downtector

Downdetector offers a realtime overview of status information and outages for all kinds of digital and Internet services.

DSLReports.com

DSL Reports provides a broadband internet speed test. Measure your DSL connection speed.

FAST.com

Created by Netflix, FAST.com provides a broadband internet speed test which allows you to determine if your ISP is throttling Netflix or YouTube.

NetShell Utility

If you're having Internet connection problems, you can try resetting TCP/IP by running Microsoft's NetShell utility.

Nortex Communications

Nortex Communications provides an opportunity to test the speed of your internet connection.

PC Welt

Test your internet spped to see how svelt it is.

SpeedTest.net

SpeedTest.net provides a broadband DSL connection speed assessment tool.

TOAST.NET

TOAST.NET's Internet Speed Test.

Website Working

Tests to see if a specific website is currently available.

Desktop Enhancements

Icon Finder

Icon Finder is an excellent resource for finding icons for your desktop applications or website.

OblyTile

OblyTile is a user-friendly program specifically designed to help users create tiles to their Windows 8 Start screens.

Facts, FAQs, Tech Support & Tutorials

10 Way To Speed Up Windows 7

A TechRepublic how-to to assist you in speeding up your Windows 7 PC.

5 Things You Must Do on Your New PC

This article is a guide to setting up your new personal computer.

10 Cool Technologies to look for in your next PC

An Adobe file whose title says everything you need to you about the article.

10 Steps to Increase PC Performance

This article provides some information to improve your computers performance.

100 Windows 8 Keyboard Strokes

A printable PDF file outlining numerous Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts.

Ask Bob Rankin

If you ask Bob Rankin, he'll likely have the nswer on his free technical support website.

Computer Performance

This website contains a multitude of tutorials on how to optimize settings and how to troubleshoot computer problems.

DD-WRT

Reuse an old router to bridge wired devices to your wireless network.

Driver Verify Manager Tutorial

Troubleshoot driver problems in Windows 7 with Driver Verifier Manager.

File Extension Information for Windows

This web site allows you to get information about which Windows software can open a specific file extension.

Flash Player Help

A full guide to using Flash Player.

GitHub eBook Collection

A comprehensive collection of free programming eBooks on a wide variety of topics available on GitHub.

Home Networking Guide

As the title suggests, this guide explains the basics of home networking.

HOW-TO delete Windows pagefile.sys

A fect sheet entitled "How to Clear the Windows Paging File at Shutdown".

Inside Windows DebuggingGuide

A zip file containing the Inside Windows Debugging Guide.

IT Security Survival Guide: 2nd Edition

This 202 page PDF is packed with helpful strategies anhd tips for security enterprise computers systems.

Microsoft eBooks

Largest collection of FREE Microsoft eBooks ever, including: Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Office 2013, Office 365, Office 2010, SharePoint 2013, Dynamics CRM, PowerShell, Exchange Server, Lync 2013, System Center, Azure, Cloud, SQL Server, and much more!

Powershell for Newbies: Getting Started with Powershell 4.0

A quick start guide for IT professionals who want to learn about Windows PowerShell. Courtesy of Veeam.

System Restore FAQ

Microsoft Windows System Restore: Frequently Asked Questions.

Understanding Windows Firewall

Microsoft Fact Sheet expalins Windows Firewall Settings.

Windows 7Windows 7 is a comprensive tutorial on the Windows 7 operating system.

Windows 7

Windows 7 DLL File Information

This site lists all DLL files located in the system32 directory of Windows 7 and provides information for each DLL.

Windows Secrets

Everything Microsoft forgot to mention. Resource filled free mailing list available.

Windows Hardware Dev Centre Archive

Looking for content about earlier versions of Windows? Then check out these archived topics.

Windows XP DLL File Information

This site lists all DLL files located in the system32 directory of Windows XP and provides information for each DLL.

Facebook Specific Resources:

How To Change Your Facebook Settings To Opt Out of Platform API Sharing

In light of the Cambridge Analytica debacle, this may be something you wish to consider.

LInux Specific Resources:

Linux Foundation Online Intro to Linux Course

This course covers the various tools and techniques commonly used by Linux programmers, system administrators and end users to do day-to-day work in Linux.

Windows 8+ Specific Files:

Best Articles for Using and Configuring Windows 8

This article provides links to a collection of links to Windows 8 use and configuration articles.

Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8 & Skip the Start Screen

This article provides a software-based how-to allowing you to boot your Windows 8 machine to a fmailiar desktop.

Boot Windows 8 Directly to Desktop

This article provides another how-to alternative to boot your Windows 8 machine to a fmailiar desktop.

Cheat Sheet

100 Windows Keyboard Shortcuts.

Complete Guide

A complete Guide to Using Windows 8.

God Mode

Invoke god mode to take control of settings in Windows 8.

Windows 8 Cheat Keys

Windows 8 Cheat Keys helps to teach the keys and other tips that allow users to get around quickly in Windows 8. Find shortcuts for this familiar features as well as many, many new and handy ones.

Windows 8 For Dummies: Pocket Edition

Dell is offering the pocket edition of Windows 8 For Dummies free of charge.

Windows 8 Shutdown Menu

Add a shutdown menu in Windows 8.

Windows 8 Tips

The Ultimate Conpendium for Windows 8+ Users.

Windows 10 Specific Files:

12 Tips to Get More Out of Windows 10

A handy Windows 10 guide by Tech Republic's Ed Bott.

A Comprehensive Windows 10 Article

Compiled by Ottawa's National Capital Freenet resource staff.

How To Use Windows 10

A useful article with links to further how-toguides, including 100 Windows 10 tips and tricks.

Shortcut Keys for Windows 10

From Microsoft, a comprehensive list of Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts.

Windows 10: Streamline your work with shortcuts.

A helpful article from TechRepublic in PDF format.

File Compression

Universal Extractor

Universal Extractor is a program designed to decompress and extract files from any type of archive or installer, such as ZIP or RAR files, self-extracting EXE files, application installers, etc.

File Sharing, Storage, Synchronization & Cloud Services

ADrive

Adrive is a cloud storage service. Unfortunately they no longer offer 50 GB of free cloud storage so they're no longer on my personal favourite list.

Amazon Cloud Drive

Amazon Cloud Driver offers a free 5GB online backup, storage and file sharing service. Supports Win PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. (Free 5GB pakcage available.

BOX

Box offers a 5GB online storage and file sharig option for personal home use in addition to their robust business and enterprise options.

Comodo Backup

Comodo offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, iOS and Android devices. (Free 10GB package available.)

Dropbox

Dropbox offers onnline backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices. (Free 2GB package available.)

Google Backup & Sync

Google Backup & Sync offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, Linux (coming soon), iOS and Andriod devices. (Free 5GB package available.)

HiDrive

HiDrive offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, iOS, Androids and WP7 devices. (Free 5GB package available.)

Hubic

Hubic offers a free 25GB backup or storage space with apps to support several platorms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows, MaxOSX & Linux.

IDrive

IDrive offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Suupports Win PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. (Free 5GB package available.)

MediaFire

MediaFire provides users with 10 GB of cloud storage space.

MEGA

MEGA is Kim Dotcom's newly launched Mega cloud storage service with its free 50GB of storage space!

Memopal

Memopal offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and Blackberry devices. (Free 3.5GB package available.)

MiMedia

MiMedia offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC and iOS devices. (Free 10GB package available).

Onedrive

OneDrive offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, iOS, Android and WP7 devices. (Free 7GB package available.)

pCloud

pCloud is another cloud storage alternative who offer 20GB free space.

Safecopy

Safecopy offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. (Free 3.5GB package available.)

Syncplicity

Syncplicity offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, iOS, Android and Kindle Fire devices. (Free 10GB package available.)

TeamDrive

TeamDrive offers online backup, storage and file sharing services. Supports Win PC, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android devices. (Free 2GB package available.)

Internet Tools

Google Apps Toolbox

Google Apps Toolbox offers a collection of debigging tools.

MXToolBox

MXToolBox offers a collection of diagnostic and internet tools to track, debug and analyze internet sites.

DNS Alternatives:

DNS Advantage

DNS Advantage provides an alternative Domain Name Service (DNS) for any user connected to the Internet.

Google Public DNS

Google Public DNS provides an alternative Domain Name Service (DNS) for any user connected to the Internet.

OpenDNS

OpenDNS provides a free, alternative domain name service that separates your DNS operations from your ISP and gives you faster, more reliable Internet access. OpenDNS speeds up your Internet access by connecting you to high-performance DNS servers that are faster and more reliable than the DNS service provided by most ISPs.

IP Addressing Tools:

What Is My IP Address

This service provides you with your IP address for a specific session along with other network tools.

You Get Signal

This web-based resource is an excellent tool which allows you to diagnose open ports on your network connection, display the location of a network, visually trace the route to a network address, find the location of a phone number, find the sender of an email, and reverse IP domain checking.

Ports:

PortForward.com

Portforwarding.com is an excellent resources which outlines which ports various programs may need open and how to do so in your particular router.

Proxy Alternatives:

FreeProxyServer.ca

Free Proxy Server provides a way to bypass content filters. Visit the sites that you want, when you want to, without restrictions. Surf the web through an intermediary to prevent unauthorized parties from gathering your personal information. Pierre Poutine certified!

Proxy4Free

Proxy 4 Free is a free proxy list and proxy checker providing you with the best free proxy servers. It allow you to bypass firewalls and content filters and browse your favorite websites, without revealing your location (IP address).

VPN Solutions:

CyberGhost

CyberGhost VPN lets you surf anonymously by hiding your IP address and replacing it with that of the server you choose to connect to, making it impossible for hackers, third parties or other organizations to track you or meddle in your business.

Mail Clients

DreamMail

DreamMail is a POP3 mail client (no support for IMAP or Exchange) which can be configured for use with multiple accounts by multiple-users.

Evolution

Evolution is the Linux equivalent of Outlook. Evolution offers email, calendar, tasks, contacts, memos, LDAP compatibility, multiple account support, plugins, intelligent junk mail, powerful folder search, built-in encryption support, collaboration server support, and much more. It is only available for Linux and is free (and open source).

i.Scribe

i.Scribe is a small and fast email client with an intergrated contact database and calendar. It supports all the major internet mail protocols and uses international standards where possible. i.Scribe doesn't required installing or uninstalled and can be used from a removable drive without reconfiguration.

Thunderbird

Thunderbird is a free email application that's easy to set up and customize - and it's loaded with great features!

Office Suite Software

AndrOpen Office

AndrOpen Office is a free office suite for Android and a fork of the Apache OpenOffice projec.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a powerful and free office suite used by millions of people around the world.

Microsoft Office Online

Do you want to use Microsoft Office without paying for it? Try Microsoft's free Office Online editition. As the name indicates, Office Online is an online version of Microsoft's popular software suite.

OpenOffice

Apache Open Office is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases and more.

Online Tools

Keyboard Tester

Simple, fast, efficient and free, KeyboardTester.com allows you to test every key on your computer keyboard within the comfort on your own browser.

PDF2JPG

PDF2JPG is a free online resource which allows you to convert PDF to the JPG image format.

Operating Systems

Lubuntu

Lubuntu is a fast and lightweight operating system with a clean and easy-to-use user interface. It is a Linux system, that uses the minimal desktop LXDE/LXQT, and a selection of light applications. Because of this, Lubuntu has very low hardware requirements.

Ubuntu

Super-fast, easy to use and free, the Ubuntu operating system powers millions of desktops, netbooks and servers around the world. Ubuntu does everything you need it to. It'll work with your existing PC files, printers, cameras and MP3 players. And it comes with thousands of free apps

Zorin OS

Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Windows users who want to have easy and smooth access to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular desktop Linux operating system in the world.

Privacy

DoNotTrack+

Do Not Track Plus is a browser addoon which blocks your interenet movements from being monitored.

Tor Browser

Tor browser uses the Tor network by connecting through a series of virtual tunnels rather than making a direct connection, thus allowing both organizations and individuals to share information over public networks without compromising their privacy.

Raspberry Pi

40+ Raspberry Pi Projects

Several projects well suited for the Raspberry Pi.

Buy A Pi

As one of Canada's leading retailers of microcomputers and micro-controllers and their related peripherals, buyapi.ca is Ottawa's primary Raspberry Pi distributor.

Raspberry Pi Projects

Several projects for the Raspberry Pi.

Cloud Storage Pi Solution

Build a your own personal system using a Raspberry Pi and OwnCloud. OwnCloud is a personal cloud storage system which runs on your own server giving you freedom and control over your own data.

Raspberry Connect

Raspberry Connect is a site for the Raspberry Pi community to post articles about their Raspberry Pi projects and activities in a categorised directory or promote websites in the web directory.

Wireless Access Point

Turn your Raspberry Pi into a wireless access point.

XBMC Solutions for the Raspberry Pi

XBMC is one of our favorite media center solutions, and the Raspberry Pi makes a dandy XBMC machine for $35. With three different builds for the Pi, though, which one should you use? They're all a little different and have various strengths and weaknesses. Here’s how to pick the right one.

Retailers

Computer-Shop.com

Computershow.com houses a wide assortment of refurbished and end-of-line computers and components.

Canada Computers

Canada Computers is a Canadian computer retailler with locations Ottawa, Orleans and Kanata.

RefurbDepot

RefurbDepot provides discount prices on refurbished electronic merchandise.

Tiger Direct

TigerDirect is an electronics discount retail warehouse.

Security Software

Ad-Aware

Ad-Aware offers a free anti-spam product.

Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager

Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager allows you to run Adobe Flash securely.

AMTSO

Anti-Malware Testing Standard Organization have developed a website with a number of tools for anti-malware testing.

AuditMyPC Firewall Test

AuditMyPC Firewall test checks your computer for ports that are commonly left open which could otherwise leave your computer compromised.

AVG

Grisoft's popular AVG free antivirus program.

AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner is portable freeware that targets and removes adware, toolbars, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs).

Belarc Advisor

Belarc Advisor builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, network inventory, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, security benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser.

BitDefender QuickScan

Bitdefender QuickScan is an online tool which uses .in-the-cloud. scanning to detect malware running on a PC very fast, usually in less than 60 seconds.

CA Online Threat Scanner

CA Online Threat Scanner scans your computer for viruses and spyware and can detect malware threats from within your web browser.

Comodo Cloud Scanner

Comodo Cloud Scanner is an online scanner which comes as a standalone program. Its user interface offers plenty of settings and options and it's one of the few online antiviruses that we've tested which lets you run both quick and full system scans, as well as custom scans..

EMET

EMET is the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit utility which helps prevent vulnerabilities in software from being successfully exploited. It can be downloaded directly from Microsoft.

ESET

ESET provides a full featured online virus scanner that supports 64-bit operating systems. A personal favourite!

F-Secure

F-Secure provides a complete full-featured online system scanner. A personal favourite!

herdProtect

HerdProtect provides an antimalware, multiplatorm scanning platform in the cloud. (Currently being updated so offline.)

Hosts

Hosts provides a replacement "hosts" file for your Windows OS to control sites you may not wish to see.

Immunet

Immnunet's antivirus software adapts rapidly to protect against tody's theats.

Kapersky Free

With basic antivirus and threat protection, Kaspersky Free defends your PC against common viruses, infected files, dangerous applications and suspicious websites.

Kapersky Rescuse Disk

Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 is designed to scan and disinfect x86 and x64-compatible computers that have been infected. The application should only be used when the infection is so severe that it is impossible to disinfect the computer using anti-virus applications or malware removal utilities running under the operating system.

Kaspersky TDSSKiller

Kapsersksy TDSSKiller weeds out nasty rootkits with this antirootkit utility.

Malwarebytes Anti-malware

This popular and free antivirus solution utilizes Malwarebytes powerful technology to detect and remove all traces of malware including worms, trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware and more.

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

The Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool checks later versions of the Windows OS (XP and later) for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software and helps remove any infection found.

Microsoft Safety Scanner

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. This on-demand scanner works with, and in conjunction to, your existing antivirus software.

Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft Security Essentials is Microsoft's free antivirus software program relevant for those still running the now dated Windows 7 of the operating system.

Panda ActiveScan 2.0

A comprehensive online scanner for detection of all types of malware, vulnerabilities and unknown threats.

Panda Cloud Scan

Panda Cloud Cleaner is an advanced disinfector based on Collective Intelligence (scanning in-the-cloud) that detects malware that traditional security solutions cannot detect. The FREE DISINFECTOR.

ShieldsUp!!

ShieldsUp! benignly probes the target computer at your location to check for vulnerabilities in your IP address.

Stinger

Stinger is a standalone utility by McAfee used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but a specialized tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with infected system.

ThreatFire

ThreatFire gives you the ability to block installation of malware by indentifying bad behaviour on the network.

Trend Micro Housecall

The Trend Micro's Housecall online scanner supports 32 and 64-bit operating system.

VirusTotal

VirusTotal is a free online service that analyzes files and URLs enabling the identification of viruses, worms, trojans and other kinds of malicious content detected by antivirus engines and website scanners.

Windows Defender Offline Beta

Windows Defender Offline Beta can help remove such hard to find malicious and potentially unwanted programs using definitions that recognize threats.

Windows Live Onecare

Windows Live Onecare (now generally referred to as the Microsoft Safety Scanner) is a full-featured virus scanning application that may be downloaded from Microsoft. Microsoft Safety Scanner is a scan tool designed to find and remove malware from Windows computers. Simply download it and run a scan to find malware and try to reverse changes made by identified threats.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol takes a snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge.

Zone Alarm

ZoneAlarm is a free firewall program from Zone Labs.

Software (Miscellaneous)

Download.com

Download.com houses a vast assortment of software which provides a place that allows you to download a variety of freeware and shareware programs.

daFONT

daFONT houses a large collection of free fonts available for download.

Giveaway of the Day

Giveaway of the Day offers one piece of software FREE every day.

Gizmo's Freeware

Gizmo's Freeware is a web-based resource which reviews and rates some of the best freeware.

Intrastar Freeware

Intrastar Freeware houses a large collection of ONLY freeware, organized by category.

NirSoft

NirSoft houses a unique collection of small and useful freeware utilities including: Windows Password Recovery Tools, Network Tools, Streaming Video Capture Tools, Windows Registry Tools and Domain/IP Lookup Tools.

PCWorld

112 best free downloads, sites and services (Dated 2010)

PowerPoint Alternative

Five top alternatives to Microsoft PowerPoint.

ProduKey

ProduKey is a small utility that displays the ProductID and the CD-Key of numerous software programs. This utility will recover keys from more than 1,000 software titles.

Snapfiles

SnapFiles allows you to download a variety of freeware and shareware programs.

SourceForge.net

At SourceForge you can find, create and publish open source software for free!

StartIsBack

Start Is Back provides Windows 8 a full featured start menu and start button, behaving exactly like the ones in Windows 7.

Tucows

Tucows houses a variety of freeware and shareware programs.

YouTube Downloader

The YouTube Downloader tool is, as the name suggests, a software application designed so you may download and convert YouTube videos.

Videos

DefCon 15 - T112 - No Tech Hacking

DefCon 15 - T112 - No Tech Hacking is a description hacking video by Johnny Long on "No Tech Hacking"

DefCon 17 - Three Point Oh

DefCon 17 - Three Point Oh, is another Johnny Long video on Hacking

How The Internet Works

A neat little video that gives an artist's perspective of the flow of Internet packets.

Virtual Technologies

Microsoft Virtualization Tools

By heading over to Microsoft's Virtualisation Tools page, you can download virtual machines that run IE6 through to IE10 across a combination of Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 platrorms.

Oracle VM VirtualBox

Oracle's VirtualBox is a powerful Cross-platform Virtualization Software for x86-based systems whcih allows you to create and run multiple Virtual Machines, running different operating systems, on the same computer at the same time.

VMWare Player

VMware Player is the easiest way to run multiple operating systems at the same time on your PC. A personal favourites!