software [n.]

[mass noun] the programs and other operating information used by a computer. Compare with hardware

Oxford Dictionaries

This page looks at connections to a range of support for other major programs and processes and includes dictionaries and helpful lists, manual links and tutorials.

The First Page looks at the major operating systems - Apple, Linux and Windows. Included are Help Pages, distribution information, FAQs, forums, version information, tutorials, more.

Please note that it is not possible to cover every program or process available. In many cases, Help Pages can be found either through he program or in documentation that comes with it.

Links to computing magazines with reviews, advice and assistance covering hardware and software are only found on the Hardware Help page, which targets core hardware and related areas such as networking.

Other Information

Data Recovery

Services related to protection and recovery of software and data.

• CBL Tech Data Recovery
  ‘Data recovery services for failed hard drives in laptops, desktop computers, data servers, RAID arrays, tapes and all other data storage media. We Recover Your Data, Or You Don’t Pay’. Two locations in Australia.
• PAYAM Data Recovery
  Recover data from hard drives. Fee-based, but discounts to educational institutions and no-fee quotes. Best for Sydney and Melbourne, where there is a same day pickup.

Dictionaries & Helpful Lists

• Dictionary of Programming Languages
  ‘A compendium of computer coding methods assembled to provide information and aid your appreciation for computer science history’.
• File-Extension.org
  ‘A searchable, daily updated computer filename extension database with thousands of file extensions records. Every extension entry contains information about the file extension, a short description of the filetype and programs that use them. You can quickly search by extension, or click to view file type categories including audio and music files, multimedia, graphic and image file types etc’..
• Jargon
  The New Hacker’s Dictionary
• PC & Other Computer Shortcut Keys
  Can’t remember specific short cut keys ? This site will help with those for Windows and a range of Microsoft products.
• TechWeb
  Encyclopaedia of technical terms for all areas of IT. 20 000+ terms covered. Enter the term and it gives a definition.
• The File Extension Source
  Not sure of a file extension ? This site provides all you need.

General Sites

• Addictive Tips
  ‘Reviewing the best software and services from around the web’.
• AlternativeTo
  ‘AlternativeTo is a new approach to finding good software. Tell us what application you want to replace and we give you great alternatives, based on user recommendations’. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone, more.
• Ask Slashdot
  ‘News for Nerds’. Only for the really interested !
• Best Free Online Applications and Services
  For those who don’t want to install programs or even run them off portable devices, there is now a range of programs that can be used online, from anywhere you happen to be. They are grouped here in six directories, with details and a link provided for each program.
• Best PC Glossaries, Guides and Tutorials
  From Gizmo’s Freeware. Includes terms, White Papers, FAQs, and a range of tutorials. Many relate to web creation. Other How-to Guides/Tutorials from the same source can be found here. Many of these cover specific programs and tools. A further links is Gizmo’s Tech Tips, where ‘you will find tech tips, tricks and techniques unearthed by our tips editor Vic Laurie with the assistance of some of our regular software editors’.
• Black Viper
  News, features. Guides for Windows, Linux, other areas.
• CompInfo
  ‘The top one-stop reference resource for corporate IT, computer software, computers and communications’. Huge set of links on every aspect of IT.
• C|Net
  How-Tos. One of the oldest help sites on the net. Quality information.
• Compu-KISS
  A helpful site to ask questions on any aspect of computing. Sandra will provide the answers.
• Computer Hope
  Help for all areas of computing.
• Computers and The Internet
  ‘Includes links to online dictionaries, tutorials, Internet searching, safe surfing, email, software and graphics’.
  You now need to be able to log in to access this site.
• Computerworld
  Computers and the web. Chock full of information and help.
• Computing.Net
  How to, help for the novice, information, links for drivers, forums covering areas including specific operating systems.
• Dr Dobb’s Portal
  ‘The world of software development’.
• FreeAnswers
  ‘Lets you solve computer-related problems simply by asking questions in plain, everyday language’.
• Free Codecs
  Video, Audio, Codec Packs.
• Healthy Computing
  ‘The Premier Source For Computer and Office Ergonomics’. Avoid aches, pains, illnesses !
• Help2Go
  Allows several ways to access help. Titles such as Internet, FAQs, Buyer’s Guides. Free subscription. Good samples of help.
• How MP3 Files Work
  Just about everybody uses MP3 files, often without any knowledge of how it is happening. This site will tells all.
• Makeuseof
  Blog/website with articles, web application information, Cool Tools, tips, software reviews. Some are brilliant.
• UnLeash The Real Power of Google Chrome
  ‘This article lists Google Chrome Keyboard Shortcuts as well as other suggestion…’.

Top of Page

Manuals

• GreatManuals.com
  ‘At Greatmanuals.com users can easily find a huge collection of free software help manuals and a knowledgebase at one place’.
• Help Site Computer Manuals
  A bit of a misnomer with manuals more like articles. Covers many systems : Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix, ….
• MS Office Training Manual Download
  ‘We have made all our MS Office training manuals available to download for Free. The files are in PDF format. If you are not a Mouse Training client and would like to make use of the manuals, we kindly ask that you provide a HTML link back to our site from your company website’.

• Mr. Ed’s Computer Help Forum
  ‘Help from a group of very knowledgeable computer users’.
• OpenWith
  ‘OpenWith.org provides detailed information about most file extensions and links to free programs that can open and create each type of file’.
• PC Fix Review
  ‘Software reviews you can trust’. Multiple sections, easy to read, understand.
• Replacementdocs
  ‘Provide you with those manuals for situations when you really should’ve had them to begin with’. Mostly Game manuals.
• Technibble
  ‘Free resource for computer technicians and others in the computer business’. Articles, blogs, kits, forums. Aimed at the experienced and skilled.
• The Data Liberation Front
  ‘Is an engineering team at Google whose singular goal is to make it easier for users to move their data in and out of Google products’.
• The How-to-Geek
  Assistance for all operating systems, various versions, blogging, databases, more.
• The OS Files
  Your Total Operating Systems Portal. An amazing site for all operating systems that work with PCs, Win95 to DOS, Linux, other systems such as Darwin, Solaris and Unixware.
• Thinkmobile
  Information on handhelds/pda’s, wireless, notebooks, laptops. From internet.com.
• Virtual Drive
  Information, forums on computing including Windows, Linux, Mac, others.
• The Webby Awards
  What sites were awarded prizes in each of the wide range of categories. Some amazing sites chosen.

Movie Making

Both Apple and Windows. While there is a range of shareware, costware, probably some Freeware, if it is included in the system, why not use it and not have to worry about what is happening. The following give help with included programs for the listed systems.

• Apple - iMovie
• Create Movies
  With Windows XP Movie Maker.
• Using Windows ME …
  [Working with Video.]
• Windows Live® Movie Maker
  Overview, quick movie making, improved editing, slide show creation, web publishing. Includes the “Live” version.
• How to Use Windows Movie Maker - Basic Tutorial
  YouTube video [10 min.]. Also see Movie Maker Video Editing Tutorial [9 min.].
• Video Help
  ‘This site will help you to make your own DVD, Blu-ray, DivX, XviD, HD etc that can be played on your standalone DVD Player, Blu-ray Player or Media Center from video sources like DVD, Video, TV, DV, Cam or downloaded movie clips like AVI, DivX, XviD, WMV, Flash, etc. ’.

Top of Page

Security

• Definiton of Various Security Related Terms
  ‘Here is a compilation of short definitions of these common security related terms. All the info is compiled from Wikipedia’.
• Prevention, Detection & Cure
  ‘12 programs that will provide the best all-around security for you and your computer - for Free’.
• Probably the Best Free Security List in the World
  ‘The products are almost exclusively free with some exceptions : products where there is no free alternative, good products that offer a lifelong licence, and exceptional products’.
• The 25 Most Common Mistakes in Email Security
  ‘We’ve designed this article with the new internet user in mind, so if you’re an email expert, you may want to pass this along to your novice friends’.

Tutorials

• Cookie Central
  Everything you ever wanted to know about cookies. News, cookies, software, FAQs, message board, articles and more.
• Email Search
  Looking for email addresses ? This About.com site will help.
• FlashPerfection
  ‘Free Flash tutorials’ that cover all aspects and all levels. A second site that has tutorials from Getting Started to Video can be found at Flash Kit.
• Free Software Tutorials Online - Adobe, Microsoft, Apple & more
  ‘Every one of our 1 331 courses offers Free video tutorials so that you can get an idea of the course. Simply go to the courses that you’d like to try out. The blue tutorials are available to watch without a membership’.
• How E-mail Works
  Virtually everyone with a computer will use email at one time or another but, like driving a car, most will not know how it works. This site uses simple, direct, explanations to provide this knowledge.
• In Pictures : Online Computer Tutorials Based on Pictures
  ‘In Pictures online tutorials are based on pictures, not words. They’re the easiest way to learn computer subjects. There’s no complicated multimedia, just pictures that show exactly what to do’. Covers Office, Open Office, Web Layout and Web Programming.
• On-Line Practice Modules
  Covers common programs - Microsoft Office, IE, Dreamweaver, Hyperstudio, Works, Claris, Webquest, more. Then broken into specific areas, treated at basic and more advanced levels.
• TechTutor.TV Video Tutorials - Free Software Tutorials
  ‘Welcome to TechTutor.TV, home to Free, high quality, professional video tutorials on all your favourite software programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and more !’
• Using Dreamweaver
  Seven short tutorials covering aspects of the program and overall use.
• ZVON
  ‘The Guide to the XML Galaxy’. Tutorials, references, tools, downloads, …

Top of Page

© D & B Mann Webmasters. All rights reserved. Last updated - 27 April 2012.
Best viewed at a resolution of 1280 x 800 or greater. We use and recommend Mozilla Firefox as the preferred browser.