GoogleDocs for sharing documents

Google Docs is a great way to share your documents and even edit them online at the same time.  Use it to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations online.  Another advantage is that your documents are available online and whenever you need them just hop onto the Internet from any PC and connect to your Google account.

If someone at work shares a document with you using your work email address (fred@work_address.com), there’s no need to create another account to access those shared documents – just login to your Google account (fred@gmail.com): https://www.google.com/accounts/b/0/EditUserInfo?hl=en&service=mail
then in the “Add an alternate email address to your account” section
add your work or alternate email address fred@work_address.com email address.
Then “save”… easy as that!

I struggled a bit to figure out how to share a folder in GoogleDocs… but this article solved the problem – turns out you need to share a collection, then each document that you add to the folder will automatically be shared to a group of people.

Roaming using your Blackberry and don’t want to use Data Services from the cell phone network: SOLVED

So, you are travelling/roaming abroad and don’t want to be charged those horrendous fees for data services?  Using my Blackberry 9700 Bold this is what I did to ensure that I used free WiFi connections abroad:
1) Options->WiFi: and connect to your free WiFi service
2) Options->Mobile Network->Data Services: ON
3) Options->Mobile Network->WhileRoaming: OFF
4) Network selection->Automatic
5) In the BB Browser->Options->General Properties->Default Browser->Hotspot Browser

That should do it :)
Now my WhatsApp, BBM, browsing works

Thanks to this post that helped me figure this out: http://www.blackberryforums.com/general-9700-series-discussion-bold-2/235028-cant-connect-wifi.html

Of course, you could decide that you want to be mobile and not “tied” to the WiFi in your hotel or office – so you should then purchase a local SIM card and put it into your phone and use the local GSM network.   But remember that with a Blackberry phone - you need to buy a BIS package otherwise your phone cannot access the Internet AT all!

In other words, if you just buy a prepaid SIM card you can't use WhatsApp or Viber or similar - it won't work without a BIS package!  Perhaps you should then take another phone (eg: iPhone or Nokia or Android or whatever other non-BB phone) with you on holiday.

Giveaways of full versions of software for free

My first (and still favorite) giveaway site is http://www.giveawayoftheday.com where you get what it says: a free giveaway each day – you can download and install a full version of software for free.  So, what’s the catch?  Well, a small one – you need to install and activate on the day of the giveaway, and most giveaways are not for commercial use.  I have heard that people somehow crack the giveawayoftheday installer to keep it for future installations….  I love that site and have been using it for years

The reason for this article is to also list other sites that I have found and also use daily:
http://www.tipradar.com
http://www.brothergiveaway.com

http://www.twangoo.co.za   (for special offers in South Africa by Groupon)

http://dottech.org/category/freebies