Tech Tips for the Traveler "Check our Special Offers"
Here we present some of the best tech news and solutions to help you stay on top of your technology needs whether on the road or at home.
Free Wi-Fi Finder App
If you are on the road because of work or vacation, and you are searching for a free Wi-Fi Hotspot, then try this handy Android App.
Over 150,000 Free Wi-Fi hotspot locations in 144 countries worldwide!
Why pay for data time or internet access when you can get it for free!
Recover your Smartphone for FREE
With so much of your life and private information on your smartphone, wouldn't it be wise to take steps to protect your phone and recover it if lost. There are a few Apps that are available for this, and they are free for the basic service.
"Where's My Droid" will turn up on a silenced ringer up and locate it on Google Maps.
"Find My iPhone" will track your phone and delete the information remotely.
But happens if you loose your phone and don't have tracking software? No problem, "Plan B" to the rescue. It lets you remotely install software and help you find your phone, after you lost it.
Flight Updates
Want to get up to date information on your flight and any delays? Most airlines offer phone, email and text alerts. Here are two websites that also provide you useful flight information, including time of arrival, gate and flight duration: Flight Stats and Flightaware
Opt out of Targeted Ads
Have
you ever noticed that just after you searched and visited a website of a
big company, that you see banner ads about the same item in your email
and search results. Well you are experiencing "behavioral advertising".
Behavioral targeting uses information collected by your browser and
displays ads relevant to your interests. Seem a little intrusive and
creepy?
If so, there is a way to turn it off. Go to the Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising.
Click on the link for the Consumer Choice Page
and the program will search for companies that are customizing ads for
our browser. Then can you select the ones that you want to turn off.
Tether Your Laptop to your cellphone for FREE 
If you need a bigger screen than your Android Smartphone while traveling and prefer to use your laptop, you can tether it to your cellphone.
This FREE Android phone App lets you use your phone's data plan without the extra charge from the cell carrier.
Amazon Cloud Drive & Cloud Player
Have you found yourself on the road without your favorite music or music player? Well Amazon has launched a new service that lets you store your music online on play it on any Mac, PC or Android device. Amazon offers 5GB of free storage with the ability to upgrade to hold more music.
Read More
Prey - Locate lost Phone or Laptop 
Prey lets you keep track of your phone or laptop at all times, and will help you find it if it ever gets lost or stolen. It's lightweight, open source software, and free for anyone to use. This free program tracks your laptop should anyone try and steal it.
Prey has plenty of features. You can activate the camera or Webcam to get a mugshot of the person using your laptop or phone. You can lock the device remotely and hide passwords.
Try it today ... after all its FREE: http://preyproject.com/
Locate My Laptop 
Protect your privacy and personal data when you travel. Track and monitor your laptop anywhere in the world. LocateMyLaptop offers a FREE service for individuals to track, locate and help recover their stolen/lost laptop computers.
Travel with peace of mind. Enhanced features let you delete files remotely.
GPS on your Smartphones
If you have trouble with directions then you are in luck. Most Smartphones now include maps and built-in GPS features, often for free. Android phones have audible directions to guide you to your destination.
Google Voice also allows you to search and select your destination for hands free operation, even if you don't know the street address or even the city.
US Government has Phone Apps for travelers
The US government has a smartphone App that comes in handy for travelers at home and abroad (no download required). This is especially handy now with new security screening regulations. "My TSA” gives you 24/7 access to information that passengers frequently request from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
“My TSA” gives you 24/7 access to information that passengers frequently request with a tool to find out if an item is allowed in your carry-on or checked baggage, information on ID requirements and liquids rules, tips for packing and dressing to speed through security, and real-time operating status for U.S. airports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
US Embassies 
Use your mobile phone to search, find, and contact the nearest U.S. Embassy anywhere in the world. The State Department’s gives international users maps and contact information for U.S. embassies and consulates along with access to travel alerts and warnings. The site is accessible on any Web enabled mobile device and requires no download of application software.http://m.usembassy.gov
Call globally for FREE
With a SKYPE account you can call anyone that has an account, for free anywhere in the world. Also, SKYPE offers some great savings for international calling. You can even call for free if you are able to connect to wireless. In fact, you don't even need a phone to stay connected. A brother-in-law recently called us from Katmandu in Nepal, using his SKYPE account on his I-pod, for FREE.
When you travel, it is important to be aware of your cellphone plan's rates while traveling abroad. Failure to understand your carrier's policy could result in a huge bill upon your return. Read story >
Remove data from old cellphones
Most people replace their old cell phones every few years. But it is important to make sure that your private information is properly deleted so you don't become a victim of indentity theft. This website provides instructions on how to correctly remove your personal information from most cell phones .
Don't get burned by your laptop
Today's laptops are getting bigger and running hotter. It is important to remember to shield yourself from the heat that is generated through the bottom of the case and exhaust fan. Make sure to add a laptop pad or some other protection when using your laptop for extended periods.
Read this article
Learn a New Language with this Fun Website
Digital Dialects is a handy website for learning a new language and having fun at the same time. Most languages are presented along with audio pronunciations. This is great for adults and children.
Translation Tool 
Google makes it easy to translate text from over 50 languages. Don't understand the menu in Italian? Not sure of how to ask directions in French? Well, just put the link on your smart phone and have this handy tool with you while traveling. It does a very good job of translation even if you can't speak the language.
Edit your pictures 
Smart phones can have limited ability to edit your pictures, but Photoshop Mobile offers a free editing tool to help. The tools allow you to enhance the color, ad special effects and much more. They even store your pictures for you, so you don't have to use the valuable storage space on your phone. Sign up before you go. Available for Android and iPhones.
Antivirus Protection in "The Clouds" 
Panda Security offers FREE next generation "cloud-based" anti-malware services for home users and small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs): Panda Cloud Antivirus is the industry’s first, free thin-client anti-virus for consumers, now featuring an even lighter footprint on PC performance. It is a fully hosted, managed security service for SMBs, which provides hands-off protection of endpoints and email. Try it
Are you getting the most from your ISP?
Is your computer slow when you surf or view videos online? Maybe your Internet service provider is not delivery the speed they promised.
Your ISP might not be to blame as there are a lots of reasons for slow connections. Regardless, you should check your speed at SpeedTest.net
There is also an App for iPhones
Get E- Books and music FREE at Project Gutenberg
E-books are the becoming very popular but you don't always have to pay for content. Project Gutenberg has over 100,000 titles for free.
They also offer audio books which you can legally download to your computer, music player or smartphone. The books are available in many languages.
Music lovers will enjoy the free music along with pictures and video.
BBC Documentaries
Long days away from home on the water doesn't mean you have to stay out of touch. The BBC has audio documentaries that you can download or listen to online with many fascinating topics from around the globe presented daily.
Make the Text "Bigger"
It seems the older we get the smaller the text gets. Nope, just our eyes aren't as good as we age.
But there is an easy solution. Your computer has very quick shortcuts to help Zoom in and out.
Press Ctrl and "+" to make the page bigger, or hold the Ctrl key as you scroll the mouse wheel.
To make the text smaller press Ctrl and "–". Then pressing Ctrl "0", to go back to the original size.
FREE Computer Programs
Want all the great programs but the budget is a little tight?
Try our list of favorite free computer programs below to help you stretch your pocketbook a little further. Browsers, PDF readers, anti-virus protections and more.
Browsers
Firefox
Not only is it more secure than Internet Explorer; but this browser offers things that IE doesn’t.
Chrome
It has a clean appearance with minimal menu bars on top. Plus it is very fast and runs on very little memory.
Office ProgramsOpenOffice.org
This program has a free suite of office products. Which includes word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and drawing programs.
Google Docs
A simple version of word processor and spreadsheet. Log into Google to access.
PDF SAM
Split and merge PDF documents
Erase Files
Wipe the drive with Heidi Eraser
Thunderbird
Use this Outlook replacement for email. You can download all your contacts and settings as well.
Create your own cards
Try creating your own mailing cards or labels
Adobe Reader
This program displays, navigates and printing PDF files
Foxit Reader
A secure alternative to Adobe Reader for PDF files
Photography & Photo Editing
Google Picasa
Organizing software that helps you instantly find, edit and share pictures
Pinta
Pinta is a free drawing/editing program modeled after Paint.NET, but better.
Paint.NET
An image editor with similar features to Photoshop
Infranview
Photo-editing, effects, presentations and much more
GIMP
Advanced features similar to Photoshop, for more advanced users.
Computer Security & Protection
Spybot Search & Destroy
This program finds and removes spyware and adware
AntiVirus
AVG AntiVirus software
Panda
AntiVirus in the Clouds
Zonelabs
Protect your valuable files with a firewall
Program Updates
Secunia
Run Secunia's to alert you to updates for third-party programs
Wireless Hotspots
WiFi Free Spot
This directory categorizes hotspots by state and city
JiWire
An extensive directory of worldwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Public Libraries
Most public libraries offer free connections