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Welcome to the Small Business Growth Center Newsletter
The purpose of this newsletter is to point small business owners and their employees towards free resources and tools that can help improve business operations and make their lives easier.
This issue is focused on no-cost software you can use to create documents and presentations, work with graphics, open and convert different file types, and share files with others.
As always, welcome your comments and suggestions. Enjoy!
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Free Office Software Suites
The most commonly used office suite package is Microsoft Office. So if you select to use an alternate, it is important to choose one that can open and export standard Microsoft file types (.doc, .xls, .ppt). The following two free alternatives to Office fit the bill.
If you want an office suite that is installed on your computer, then take a look at OpenOffice.org. This completely free open source package has been around for quite some time. It uses an interface similar to Microsoft Office, so if you're familiar with that package learning to use OpenOffice should be a snap. The package includes Write (word processing), Calc (spreadsheet), Impress (slide presentation), Draw (graphics), and Base (database). And, its available for Windows, Linux, Solaris and MAC. Download it Now!
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Free PDF Creation Tool
Writing and publishing press releases is a great way to get free exposure for your company. Simply writing your press release and posting it on your website is not enough -- you need to have it distributed to the press, published on reputable third-party websites and blogs, and indexed in search engines.
PrimoPDF, supported by Windows 98 and up, is a free program that enables you to convert any type of document into a .pdf file. It is currently a top download on CNET, a great source for free and trial business software.
You can even watch a short video about PrimoPDF before you decide to download and install it, or read reviews from CNet and other users. Get PrimoPDF Now!
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Free Tools to View, Edit, and Convert Image Files
Software programs for working with digital graphics are fast becoming an essential part of the basic small business tool box. Here are two free applications to try:
If you want a program to install on your computer, FastStone Image Viewer is great for basic photo and graphics editing needs. It is compatible with Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and Vista. Download Now!
For a hosted online application, try Sumo Paint. The Flash-based program provides basic and advanced editing tools. You can import and edit images from your computer and save them back. Or you can open an account and save images to Sumo Paint servers. However, the application only supports import of .jpg, .png, and .gif files, and you can only output to .png or .jpg. Go to Sumo Paint Now!
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Free File Conversion Tool
Nothing is more frustrating than getting a file from a friend, colleague, or customer and not being able to open it. Sure you can go find a viewer, but wouldn't it be easier to simply convert the file to a format your computer is already set-up to read?
The free Zamzar service is just what you need. For example, you can:
- Convert a .pdf file to a .doc file
- Convert a PowerPoint file (.ppt or .pptx) to a .swf Flash file
- Convert a Windows Media (.wmf) or Windows Audio (.wav) file to MP3 or MP4
- Convert a .tar archive file to a .zip file
- Convert a CAD .dwg file to .jpg, .pdf or .tiff
- See the full file conversion list
The process is simple, go to Zamzar and...
- Upload your file (up to 100MB for free)
- Select the format you want to which you want to convert
- Enter your email address
- Click the "Convert" button
- Look for an email from Zamzar with a link to your converted file. The linked file will be available for 1 day after your upload.
Give it a try the next time you're faced with a file you can't open!
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Small Business Growth CenterProvided by: Creating Platforms
that Help Stars Shine
In our view, Small Businesses are the stars of America. If they thrive,
our world is a better place--more jobs, improved economy, and more people
become empowered. When people are empowered, communities are empowered,
and these people become the mentors of the next generation.
PaySimple strives to bridge the gap for small businesses by providing technology that enables them to bill, collect, and manage their customers' payments under one user-friendly system. Best of all, PaySimple is designed for small businesses' needs and budget, so it requires no technical knowledge to set up or customize. Learn more at www.paysimple.com.
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