For the past six months or so I’ve been receiving a lot of flyers in postal mail touting, "If you sign up for internet service with us, you get a new netbook computer!" For many U.S. residents they’ve been seeing the same, and maybe this is even happening in other countries.

Everybody knows that in order to get the computer, you have to subscribe to the ISP. And of course this never applies to the "basic" internet plan. You’ll almost always have to go with the mid-to-premium plan.

In some instances, getting the computer requires you to jump thru a lot of hoops, such as is the case with Sprint. Where they nail you with first is the mail-in rebate. As you know, once you mail that sucker in, you’re the sucker because yet another company has your mailing address to send junk mail to. And then comes the fact that the broadband modem is embedded in the netbook, so you can’t move the service from the netbook to another computer whatsoever.

Very crappy. This is not a "deal" at all.

There was a time not-so long ago when certain ISPs tried to hock supposedly "free" computers, so this idea is nothing new. Back then the PC you received was annoying slow, riddled with built-in spyware/malware and did nothing but make your computer experience nothing short of a nightmare. The modern variant of this is the netbook, but instead of spyware/malware, they lock you in with ISP-specific proprietary hardware.

Note that not all ISPs who offer free netbooks are shady. Some do deliver on their promise and you do legitimately get a new netbook with no hassle or any up front cost for the computer. But I’d still recommend buying a computer outright instead of receiving anything via an ISP "deal."

This is yet another one of those instances where you have to read the fine print, because if you don’t, well.. you know what happens.

The default Windows XP theme is called Luna. This is the rather disgusting blue taskbar, program title bars/borders and the big green Start button. It looks awful.

Luna can be changed to either Olive Green (equally disgusting) or Silver (the only which looks good out of the set for Luna).

Many people can’t stand Luna and switch to the “Windows Classic” theme. But wouldn’t it be great if there was a theme in between Luna and Windows Classic that feels “just right”? HmmXP is it. It’s got the perfect blend of form and function as far as an XP theme goes.

HmmXP works for Windows 2000 (will not work in 2000), Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. I guarantee you will like it.

The video below shows exactly how to get it installed and running. It only takes a few minutes and it’s easy.

New software from Microsoft, Hohm, is a free web-based tool that you can use calculate how to save on energy costs in your own home.

Defined:

Microsoft Hohm is a free web based application (running on the Windows Azure platform) that enables consumers to better understand their energy usage by utilizing advanced analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide home owners with personalized energy-saving recommendations.

See this video for a better explanation (warning: it’s 23 minutes long but worth the watch).

This is good stuff, especially if you’re looking to cut energy costs.

For you gamers out there with not a lot of cash, or just want something different in the MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online game) arena, here are 5 free ones for you to try out.

Twelve Sky

Type: 3D Fantasy, oriental style, martial arts

2Moons

Type: 3D Fantasy, action

4Story

Type: 3D Fantasy, medieval style

5 Street

Type: 3D Music/Dancing

9 Dragons

Type: 3D Fantasy, martial arts

These are all MMO games, so if you’ve got the gaming itch but want something you can download now, now you have 5.

Each of these games routinely has many users playing, so you won’t have to worry about entering the "world" and not having anyone there.

Free is a relative term because it doesn’t necessarily mean "no money required". If to get the free access you must do something decidedly inconvenient, that costs you time and effort. But in these times, some are willing to be inconvenienced if it means saving a buck or two.

Method 1: Hotel parking lot.

Many hotels offer free wi-fi, and most have no security in place on access whatsoever. It’s completely open.

Method 2: Coffee shop, some restaurants

Shops like Panera Bread have free wi-fi. As long as you’re a customer you can sit with your laptop, have a coffee and check your email.

Other chains that have free wi-fi in most of their stores are Chick-Fil-A, First Watch and Hooters. Some independently owned Subway shops also have free wi-fi, but you have to call and check.

Method 3: RV campground areas

RV means Recreational Vehicle. Many campgrounds have free wi-fi on the premises. And no, you don’t need an RV to drive on one of these properties.

Method 4: Retail stores

All Apple stores have free wi-fi as do Office Depot stores.

Method 5: Airports

Most larger airports will have free wi-fi access.

Method 6: Vacation rental properties

Most of these rentals will openly state on the internet if the location has free wi-fi or not. All it takes is a drive over, start up the laptop and see if you can connect.

Method 7: Free Dial-Up

There are a few ISPs that offer dial-up for absolutely zero dollars. One of them is FreeDialup.org, available in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Method 8: Driving around (literally) using NetStumbler

I have not seen a better wi-fi scanner than NetStumbler for the Windows operating system. All you have to do is turn on the laptop, enable the software, set it on the passenger seat and just drive around slowly until your hear a tone telling you there’s a wi-fi nearby. When you hear it, take a quick glance at the screen. The software will tell you instantly whether it’s protected-access or not. For the open ones, save the settings for later use.

Disclaimer: Don’t do this. Using a laptop while driving is dumb.

Do I have to say it?

Spam.

Or at least that’s what Symantec says, so you can take that for what it’s worth.

Spam is one of those things that’s constantly changing to bust the roadblocks we put up against it. However we as email users are smarter now and we also have better tools to fight the junk.

What’s the best way to filter spam out?

This depends on how you get to your email.

With web-based mail, staying in the browser is the best way to filter the junk out. This mail environment is designed in such as way where the interface is in that "Let me do that for you" mode of operation. And yes, letting the environment take care of the spam on your behalf is the best option.

Using a client on the other hand requires more manual involvement. This is how I use email and I personally like it better. For example, in my setup I have SpamAssassin running on server-side. But I also have the built-in junk filter running on client-side with Mozilla Thunderbird. This combination of local and server is very effective. SA gets rid of most of it while the local filter catches whatever SA doesn’t (and not much gets through). Thunderbird also "trusts" SA which makes it work even better.

With a local client there are many ways to use junk filtration.

Here’s a few:

Mailwasher

There are free and pro versions of this. Works with Incredimail, Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, Gmail, AOL Mail, Yahoo Mail and Hotmail. It’s got all the bases covered.

OnlyMyEmail

This service does not require any software as its handled directly from the web site. Not free. It’s won several awards for its performance.

Cloudmark

Some of you may remember Cloudmark from the past. They’re still around and still doing a great job. Not free, but with a free 15-day trial.

POPFile

Free. Some say this is better than most paid email spam-blocker products. I can honestly say this is the "geekiest" of the bunch as it has a very powerful interface where you can control every single thing that happens. This is, said honestly, a spam filter on steroids. But for some, that might be exactly what you’re looking for. I strongly suggest reading the Quick Start Guide if you want to try it out.

Ordinarily I am very, very against "skinning" a web browser because it usually makes it perform like absolute crap. Usually what will happen is that some internal menus won’t work and sometimes it even interrupts web site loading.

However, when I saw that Personas was actually developed by Mozilla Labs themselves (i.e. the guys and gals who made the browser), I gave it a try.

Said honestly, it works great.

When you first install Personas and restart FF, you get this:

(click for larger)

I like the fact that right as you restart you notice a difference and it looks good. At the bottom left is a small fox icon that it tells you to "click to get started". When you do, a menu pops up where you can instantly change the look without restarting the browser – and that’s very much appreciated because restarting just for a theme/skin change is annoying.

Not all the skins look good obviously, but some are pretty snazzy like the "Firefox Robot" one from Firefox:

 
(click for larger)

Side note: If you want a hidden easter egg for Firefox where you see the robot, type about:robots in the address bar, press enter and watch what happens. Mozilla has a thing about robots.. whatever.

This is a nice fun way to customize Firefox’s look without breaking anything, so I definitely give it the thumbs up, and marks the first time I’ve ever recommended a "skinner" for a browser.

And by the way, yes you can create your own skins – and easily. Go to Persona’s Preferences, check off Show Custom Persona in Menu, click OK, click the fox icon, click Custom Persona then Edit. Start your edits from there and customize however you like.

Fun and important “Did you know?” fact of the moment: The only true authorized source to get a free annual credit report under federal law is AnnualCreditReport.com.

Here’s where the funny (as in good funny) part comes in. The FTC themselves released two videos explaining why this is:

So yes, you can actually get a free credit report without any b.s. involved. You just have to know the right place to go to do it. And now you do.

And if you’re thinking, “Okay, smart guy.. how do I know that AnnualCreditReport.com isn’t yet another scam site?”

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt156.pdf

There’s your proof.

In addition, yes it’s true http://www.youtube.com/FTCVideos is run by the FTC:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/freecredit.shtm

Before the dot-com crash of the early 2000s, the industry was replete with internet business moguls of the time stating (or rather, yelling) GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY! THE CUSTOMER WILL RECIPROCATE!

Well, we all know that went over like a lead zeppelin. Nobody reciprocated at all and the industry took its lumps in grand fashion (to the tune of losing their shirts).

With today’s internet we have a relatively even mix of paid and free stuff.

Here’s my short list of stuff that’s worth paying for and what isn’t.

Flickr

Worth paying for? Yes.

Flickr, a Yahoo! company, is worth the yearly subscription fee for avid photographers whether amateur or professional. The best part about Flickr is that you can basically try everything on a free account before actually buying. Normally what most sites do is block specific features unless you pay. Not Flickr. You get access to it all and are more or less paying for more ability to upload and unlimited storage. If you need it, it’s there and the yearly subscription fee is fair.

Email

Worth paying for? No.

It was once true that people used paid email accounts primarily for larger storage space. But now all providers has gobs and gobs of email storage. The only thing you truly pay for in email is to remove ads – and simply put, that’s not a good sell. Sure, you may get other features like POP access, larger attachment ability and some other odds and ends, but the primary reason people do it is for ad removal. Not good enough.

Online Dating

Worth paying for? Yes.

Those looking for love online already know about the freebies Plentyoffish, OkCupid and Craigslist. They’re all terrible because they attract the bottom-of-the-barrel dregs of society. And no, I’m not accusing you of being one if you use those sites, but you know that there are more bad apples than good ones at those places.

Those who pay for online dating generally do meet better people. Whether it’s Yahoo! Personals, Match, eHarmony or the like, if you’re willing to put some green into it, the results are usually much better.

Video Sharing / Broadcasting

Worth paying for? No.

Video sharing sites fall under the same category as email in the respect that paying for it doesn’t really get you that much more. Vimeo Plus for example gives you 5GB of upload space per week, the removal of ads plus other features. But is that worth almost $60 a year? To most people it isn’t.

blogTV has also recently introduced a pro account. Once again, the allure of "no ads" is present, a "badge" (which is worthless), 8 new emoticons (also worthless) and some other features that most likely aren’t worth whatever the cost is.

Web Hosting

Worth paying for? Yes.

If you have your own web site or blog with your own domain name attached to it, yes it’s worth paying for basic virtual hosting. It’s better than running your own web server out of your house, you can install additional things like forums, experiment with PHP and MySQL, manage email lists, install lots of different apps (many of which are free) and a whole plethora of other stuff. Web hosting is not technically an "app" but rather a whole bunch of apps.

Web hosting is admittedly a geeky thing. But you have to be geeky to run a web site anyway so it’s par for the course.

I’ll put it to you this way: There’s a lot you can get for web hosting for just 5 bucks a month.

Didn’t get enough games in part 2? Here are some more!

Neverball

Described as “Tilt the floor to roll a ball through an obstacle course before time runs out. Neverball is part puzzle game, part action game, and entirely a test of skill.”

Basically speaking you keep rolling a ball by tilting the table before time runs out.

Nexuiz

This is a first-person-shooter, 3D, “deathmatch” style and has been around since 2005.

Here’s a video of the gameplay:

Pretty cool if you asked me.

Pingus

If you know Lemmings, you know Pingus.

Runescape

Runscape is role-playing style game – and the cool part is that it runs completely in the browser. For those with higher-powered computers, let me tell you – it’s not too shabby once you go full-screen with it. Very few in-browser games do a good full-screen mode, but Runescape does.

To note: While it’s free to play there are paid options as well. But at least you can play for free to see if it’s your thing or not.

XEvil

This is a 2D side-scroller game with possibly the most interesting description of the lot:

O.K., kids… let’s get this straight. XEvil is not for meek, peace-loving, “I love you, you love me…” types of people. The fans of XEvil enjoy it because of its shameless displays of blood and violence, of people getting lit on fire, getting shot, being ripped up by chainsaws, getting high on drugs, and burst open by aliens.

If that doesn’t say “wholesome”, I don’t know what does.

Did you get your fill of games from part 1? We didn’t think so! So here’s part two.

Freeciv

This has been mentioned on PCMech before and definitely gets a spot on this list because, well, it’s the best Civilization clone there is – and very addictive.

Freecol

If you liked Civilization, you probably liked Colonization as well. Freecol is a clone of the old Sid Meier classic.

Frets On Fire

Ever hear of Guitar Hero? Then you know what Frets On Fire is.

Globulation 2

This game is billed as “…an innovative Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game which reduces micro-management by automatically assigning tasks to units.”

For those that like strategy-type games, Globulation 2 will fit the bill nicely.

Gunbound

No, this is not a first-person-shooter. It’s a turn-based game and very “cutesy” in nature.

Strong warning: Highly addictive.

Stay tuned for part 3!

Here’s a list of free games you can get right now. All of them are ready for download and don’t cost a dime.

I’ve made a point to choose games that are at least somewhat recent (if not very recent concerning releases) so that they run a-okay on your computer.

Note: Many of these games run on Windows, Mac OS X and/or Linux. It’s not just “Windows only” stuff here.

Continued

If you’ve ever delved into the world of having your own web site, you will inevitably have a need to send and retrieve files from your server via FTP.

FTP is really (and I mean really) old and still widely used. While it’s true you can send or receive files from the command line in any OS, the GUI way of doing it is much easier because you get things like drag’n'drop, mass uploading or downloading with subdirectories with just a few clicks and so on.

Filezilla

Where to get it: http://filezilla-project.org/

Supported OSes: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux

Whether you’re using Windows, Mac OS X or Linux, Filezilla is a rock-solid reliable stable FTP client with many features and an easy-to-use interface. Most people if given the choice of which free FTP client to use would most likely opt to go with Filezilla first.

WinSCP

Where to get it: http://filezilla-project.org/

Supported OS: Windows

WinSCP has also proven itself to be stable and reliable. Its drawback is that it’s Windows-only but definitely gets the job done. If you’re a Windows user you may prefer this over Filezilla as the interface is a bit easier to understand.

Core FTP

Where to get it: http://www.coreftp.com/

Supported OS: Windows

Core FTP has many features with command line support, but its single largest drawback is that it looks terrible. In addition there is a small "nag" screen each time you start it. But it’s free so you really can’t complain.

Need more choices?

A list of many FTP clients (both free and paid) are available here.

Sometimes there are freebie games released that are just plain frickin’ awesome and TrackMania is one of them. This is a racing game. While it’s true it has little to no driving realism to it, nobody cares because it’s just a blast to play.

For you old-school arcade gamers out there, remember Pole Position? Think of TM Forever as Pole Position on steroids, just as cool and a whole lot more.

TrackMania runs via the Steam client.

Looks like this once installed:

What does it look and play like? I recorded a solo round that I played, so see for yourself:

(to see a better quality version of this vid, go here)

NOW YOU’VE GOT TO ADMIT – this is pretty darned good for free, right?

Oh, and for nostalgia, here’s what the original Pole Position arcade game was like:

First and foremost: This is not a new idea. Others have made wallpaper before purposely put into a grid-like fashion in this manner.

Why would you use wallpaper like this? Simply put, it’s easier to organize your stuff with it. If you’re the type who has a ton of icons on your desktop, you will find these wallpapers very handy to use.

Each wallpaper here can be clicked on to view full size so you can try it out.

To note: If you’re decent (or even semi-decent) with a graphics editing program, anyone can make these.

Plain Black (Standard)

Plain Black (Widescreen)

Colored Squares (Standard)

Colored Squares (Widescreen)

Aged Paper (Standard)

Aged Paper (Widescreen)

Patterns (Standard)

Patterns (Widescreen)