Tuesday, November 25, 2008

DOWNLOADING & Converting FLV Video Files

I wanted to make a DVD of various YouTube Christmas videos and music for friends and family to enjoy.

The problem is that the format on the web is FLV which will not work to make a DVD. The format has to be converted to AVI or some other format which can be imported into a program to make the DVD.

There are many out there, some paid and some free. I always try the free first. Why pay if you do not need to? Just because they cost something does NOT make them better.

I found one that works very smoothly. It is called Pazera Free FLV to AVI Converter found at http://www.pazera-software.com/products/flv-to-avi-converter/. I had some 58 videos to convert and the program did them all flawlessly.

Then of course, you need to use software to make the DVD. Since almost all DVD burners come with that kind of software, I will not discuss much about that. However it is safe to say that two FREE products stand out in my mind. They are Ashampoo's Burning Studio 6 FREE. They will bug you about upgrading to V8 but it is worth the bugging to get such a simple straight-forward product. Also CDBURNERXP deserves honorable mention as another free product I often use. Both of them work seamlessly and well.

Two places on the web have come to my attention where downloading and conversions are possible.

WWW.keepvid.com will help you download, convert to many formats and play flv files.

Tubegrip.com will download videos as well. There also is a free desktop downloader with limited conversion formats.

I have not used either of the above, but try them out and let me know if they work for you.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Useful Tips

It is possible that the most important thing you can do about computer security is NOT JUST to get the best antivirus or internet security product, BUT to keep your computer up to date.

If you have automatic updates enabled on your computer, that is good. However there are many common programs for which you may NOT have the latest updates which often are created to plug holes which could allow a hacker to mess up your computer.

One solution is a free utility, called Secunia found at http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online. You can choose to download the desktop version or run a scan while you wait online.

Internet Security - Antivirus - The BEST Solutions

I use Vipre on one of my systems. I need to restrict it to one so that I can keep testing OTHER internet security systems on the other computers that I own. I use Vipre which is much newer but comes from Sunbelt Software who Microsoft bought their original technology from for Windows Defender. Problem being that Microsoft did not keep developing it like Sunbelt does. [See left sidebar for trial copy or to purchase]

Sunbelt also owns Kerio Personal Firewall which they have now renamed Sunbelt Personal Firewall. There is a free version and a paid one. Soon I believe you will see Vipre become complete by incorporating their firewall into Vipre.

It is very inexpensive and protects against viruses in email and from other sources as well as Spyware. So far it does not have a built-in firewall. Most people don't need a firewall but it never hurts to have one even if just to make yourself feel better.People like me who have zillions of websites and blogs and are on the internet for hours every day, NEED a firewall because they are obvious targets for BAD GUYS!

I use Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 on the computer I am typing this on. It is my main system. It is so complete and stays in the background keeping my whole system secure that I use it here.

In addition, Kaspersky has the FASTEST RESPONSE TIME when a NEW VIRUS is found. Sometimes as soon as 20 minutes later, they are updating your system with the solution. Fast I like! If two days go by or even 24 hours, a lot of havoc can be created on your computer while the slow guys are trying to find a new solution to the NEW VIRUS. Do you really want to take that chance? [see banner link on left sidebar]

Other good products are BitDefender and NOD32. Unusual name, NOD32. However both products are very good. I will write about them later.