Free GPS Software

I took a look at some of the online offers for free GPS software and found, like many "free" offers there were often limits and provisos involved. Often the freeware is a scaled--down version of purchasable products. Sometimes the free product has restricted functionality with features disabled, other products are trial--based and are disabled after a certain time (hours or days or use).

An example of limited free GPS software can be found at GPS Utility. The downloadable freeware is limited 100 waypoints and 500 track points. (There are 65,000 of each in the registered version of their program.) The free program gives you a good opportunity to try before you buy, and this is the benefit of most free programs. (continued...)

There are online sites that list various free GPS software and describe how to use the programs after you download them. Often individuals who have used the programs themselves develop the sites. These are great because they give you an unbiased interpretation of the benefits and disadvantages of the programs before you use them.

Using free GPS software you can download programs that allow you to retrieve and display aerial photos, topographical maps, USGS landmarks. There are programs available that allow you import scanned images and add latitude and longitude points and other data.

Free GPS software downloads are available for PDA units that are capable of communication with GPS receivers. With these downloads you can have a useful navigation assistant, location database manager, and GPS data converter.

Programs to manage GPS waypoint and route files are available for both PC and Mac users. The waypoints and route files can be saved or converted to various formats used by other mapping programs.

If you need to transfer information to and from your GPS receiver and your home computer or laptop there are several free programs that allow you to do so. There are also programs that allow Garmin GPS receivers to "talk" to one another.

Many of the programs listed here are directed at the hiking/trekker community, but there are also free programs available for auto GPS systems and marine navigational systems. I found a couple of marine navigation programs that allow you to download nautical charts and plotters.

There are free GPS software programs that allow you to download street maps that might not be included in your auto--navigation system. If you intend downloading in--vehicle software, make sure that it has audio capacity, an essential safety factor for motorists. One such program offers data for several countries with voice guidance in twelve languages.

Free GPS software is also available for downloading to your cell phone. This is mostly tracking software and can be phone specific. You might want to check with your carrier before downloading anything to your cell phone to make sure that it does not incur extra charges.

As satellites are constantly moving, it is helpful to know the optimal time for data collection in your area. There is free GPS software that includes an almanac to let you know the availability of satellites at any given time.

Some of the free GPS software is brand specific. Programs designed for a Garmin receiver may not work for a Magellan, so check out the specifications carefully, especially if you intend purchasing a registered version after your trial period. Other software works with most brands.

Anne King is a sports and recreation writer in Boise, Idaho. For a list of free GPS software, visit Maps GPS Info.com which also provides practical information on GPS and maps that everyone can use. The website includes product reviews and a maps/GPS glossary.

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Growing Your iTunes Music Library

iTunes. No question, it’s the worlds best and most widely used music management application.

The main function of iTunes is to store your entire digital music collection. Some people have 200 tracks, others have 50,000. But where do people get all their music? People with bulging MP3 collections surely can't buy every track they own, so where do they get them?

In this article, we will go over some of the common, legal ways to obtain music, and give you that music collection you have always dreamed of! (continued...)

Your Original CDs
Yes, all that money you spent on CDs, all that time you spent collecting them, was worth it. Import all of your original music CDs into iTunes. This way you have the original legal copy of the album, and the ability to import at any sound quality. Original music CDs are still the most popular source of music acquisition.

The Public Library
When did you last go to the library? Chances are, you didn’t know that most libraries now have hundreds, if not thousands of CDs available for loan. Most are free! You might want to be careful with copyright infringements though. If you don’t delete the music from your computer when the CDs are taken back to the library, you could be in some big trouble with the RIAA.

LP Records
You can buy hardware and software specific for importing all of your old LP records into iTunes. This is a time-consuming process though, as the music needs to import in real time.

iTunes Music Store
With over two million tracks available for purchase, the iTMS is your gateway to a huge music collection. It costs 99c per song, and $9.99 per album. It's a great way to purchase music, with loads of exclusive tracks, without leaving the iTunes application!

Torrenting
Torrenting is illegal, but you can find many unsigned, legal for download albums up on torrent websites. Torrenting is a fast way to download full albums and discover new talented artists.

Emusic.com
eMusic has thousands of songs available for legal download. They offer 50 free downloads. After that you pay $9.99 a month for 40 downloads (they have more expensive packages that lower the cost of each download even more). A pretty decent price, if you're interested in the non-mainstream tracks they have to offer.

Amazon
Amazon has a download section of the site with thousands of tracks from unsigned and upcoming bands. They also feature cool remixes and mash-ups for download. Worth a good look at!

Download.com
Download.com is the ultimate software and wallpapers on the Internet. Not many know they also have a great sub-section dedicated to music downloads. These are all legal and many of the tracks are from actual commercial artists who post exclusive studio recordings.

But the thing is, these are only the ways to “obtain” your music. Where do you actually find music that is worth keeping? Here are some ideas:

Listen to the radio. Not any of the stations that play music in the Top 40. Instead, check retro stations playing songs that didn’t hit the big scene. Sometimes, these can be the best songs of all.

Another way to find music that might not occur to most people is to find out the favorite artists of the artists you already listen to. Use the Internet to find bios of the musicians you like, and find out which bands they enjoy listening to. Chances are, if you like their music, you’ll like music that they like as well.

Enjoy your new music collection! But before you start, make sure you have the right reason in mind about music. Music is for personal enjoyment. Not to beat someone else’s track count. Keep in mind this motto. “Killer not Filler”. Enjoy!

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Access The Internet For Free With WiFi

In an increasingly wireless world, there are lots of places where you can connect your laptop to the internet when you are out and about. These places are called "hotspots," and if you know where to find them, you may never want to go home again.

How To Find Public Hotspots
The first place to look for hotspots is big public institutions. Libraries are increasingly offering wireless access. And, if you're a student, chances are that your campus is already wireless-enabled, or will be soon. (continued...)

Searching Out Private Hotspots
The private sector, though, is the real growth area in wireless hotspots. Businesses are falling over themselves to provide free internet access to their customers. Cafes, hotels and airports are all starting to offer wireless access to anyone nearby. All you need to bring is a wireless ready laptop.

You may wonder how it benefits businesses to offer free wireless internet access. They are willing to pay the minimal cost in exchange for the new customers it brings in, especially in areas where internet access is hard to find. Customers see wireless access as a big added value, and they vote with their feet and wallets for places that provide it.

Tracking Down The Hotspots
Even though there are thousands of hotspots, they don't advertise this service well. Doing an internet search for hotspots in your town could really surprise you. In a town of any size, it would be surprising if there weren't lots of hotspots to choose from.

There are plenty of websites you can go to to find hotspots. The most comprehensive, though, is generally thought to be JiWire.com. Or you can type your zip code into Yahoo Maps and choose 'WiFi Hotspots' from the menu on the right of the screen.

Can't be bothered with all this? Then just look for a Starbucks. They are everywhere, and almost all of them offer wireless internet access. Borders and Kinko's are also good places to try. Failing that, just ask at a place of your choice.

Not All Hotspots Are Free
Some of the larger hotspot networks require a small fee to a wireless Internet Service Provider to use them. You usually buy a prepaid card where the access is offered -- it's easy and affordable. If you want to save your money, just stick to the smaller, independent places.

Get Your Own Free Hotspot Software

If you like visiting hotspots, you might be interested in an easier way to find them. Just download and install hotspot locator software on your computer. This software has a database of known hotspots that you can search at any time, whether you're online or offline. Just type in a zip code or the name of the town, and the software will give you a list of the nearest hotspots, sorted by distance from you. Each time you make an Internet connection, the software downloads the latest hotspot list, to keep your database current. How cool is that?

This hotspot locator software is available free from hotspot provider sites. See the article further down on HitchHiker.

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