Here`s my top 5 free browsers of 2011, remember this is just my opinion :D
1. Google Chrome - why? Data sync, speed and layout.
2. Opera - Why? Most customization options.
3. Firefox - Why? Most tweak-able.
4. Internet Explorer - Why? Updates through Windows update.
5. Safari - Why? Its on this list because so many other people love it, i have no idea why lol :D
Linux Mint 11 is a linux distro based off Ubuntu, Its free and can be downloaded here
After downloading you can use Linux Live USB (download it here its free!) to convert the .iso to a live USB image. This means if you reboot your laptop/pc with USB plugged in and the boot order set to boot from USB first, then i can use Linux mint without even installing it. Do not install Linux Mint unless you have read into it and understand dual boot partitions etc, My advice is while in windows so before rebooting use Minitool Partition Wizard Home edition (download free here) to create a partition around 20gb to install linux mint. Linux mint has tools for this its just the way i do it.
Anyway lets go back to rebboting after rebooting you will be presented with a screen like this but with an extra icon on the desktop for installing linux mint:
I think the default wallpaper and theme are rather nice, i am glad its very customizable though. There is a few themes and wallpapers included here is a darker looking setup:
One of the best features Linux Mint is the start menu it has a very good layout and is quick and simple to use:
You will find a great selction of programs already installed like Firefox:
Or the great alternative to Microsoft Office, Libre office:
Installing software could not be easier you can just use Linux Mint`s Software Manager. This handy program has lists of 1000`s of programs you can install in a few clicks:
So now to way up the good and bad. Linux mint is a great free operating system that is very easy to use, the only downside is the same downside to all Linux Distro`s compatability. Windows will always have the largest compatability but Linux has alternatives to Windows exclusive programs and can even run most Windows programs using Wine, which can be found in Linux Mint`s Software manager.
(*if you have card/paper, ink and glue)
If you find yourself looking at your shelves wishing they had something from your favourite tv show, film or video game, then this might be the perfect hobby for you! Papercraft is a free/cheap hobby that i myself am very passionate about. You download free 2d patterns print them out cut, fold and glue them together to make fantastic shelf fillers! Much of the reason this blog is not as frequently updated as i wish it was is because i spend so much time designing papercrafts for my teams site here, so i feel i have the knowledge introduce this hobby to you.
There are many sites out there for downloading templates biggest range can be found at Paperkraft.net or Papercraft Paradise, although you may find it easier to search Papercraft Museum for models. Just make sure you start with something simple. Me and my fiancee wrote some guides we hope will help beginners they can be found here and here. Good luck and i hope you enjoy this new hobby :D
Windows unless free with your PC or laptop is a very expensive operating system, there are free alternatives out there though.
They may be a bit different to what your used to but Linux operating systems are definitely worth considering. The best part about most recent Linux distros is you can preview them from a live cd/dvd/usb without even installing them. A great so hear about all the lates Linux news, releases and reviews is DistroWatch a great place to start looking is on their Major Distributions page which shows yo the top 10 distro`s. I find the best way to try a distro out is using a usb stick and this handy free program Linux Live USB you can use this to make live usb`s to try distro`s out. Just run the program and it will have steps for you to follow when done just reboot your machine and try Linux with no effect to windows at all as long as you don't install. Most distro`s work very well in a dual boot setup with Windows so you could even have both or several installed. So go ahead try out a Linux distro it wont harm your machine or your wallet and its free, i personally recommend Linux Mint.
At the time of writing this review Blender 2.58a is the latest version available for Windows, Linux and mac. Blender 2.5x is much more user friendly to new users and remember its free! This review will be split into 4 sections -
1. The interface
2. The Noob factor (beginners user-ability) basic use and tips.
3. The verdict
The Interface
When you first download Blender from here this is the interface you will see when running it after installation.
This interface is completely customizable my personal interface looks like this.
I liked the standard 2.5x user interface so i only changed it slightly by removing the timeline, as i don't animate at the moment. Then changing the theme this is done in user preferences and is very easy you just assign different colours to different parts of the interface. Everything can be moved, re-sized, removed and of course you can add stuff this will be covered in more detail later in part 2 and 3 of the review. It is worth mentioning blender has several built in layouts for different tasks, these can be found by clicking on the icon between "help" and the box with "default" in it. Overall to keep this section short and sweet its hard to find anything wrong with a user interface that's completely customizable, the only thing i will knock it down on is the initial "OK this is different" when you first use the program. Even that one tiny complaint goes away after using the software for a while so for this part of the review blender scores 4.5/5
The Noob factor (beginners user-ability) basic use and tips.
Although as i have already mentioned Blender 2.5x is more user friendly to new users, I'm not going to lie its very unlikely you will know where to start but don't worry there is a lot of help out there and even built into blender :D
First things first are you using a three button mouse its recommended but not essential, Blender is set up by default for a 3 button mouse so if your using a laptop touch pad for instance the first thing you want to do is go to file, user preferences, then under the input tab put a tick in the box next to emulate 3 button mouse. Also worth mentioning you can emulate a numpad if you don't have one too.
Ok so now you have default blender setup to use with the hardware you have, time to learn the golden rule. One hand on the keyboard the other on the mouse - You will hear this everywhere throughout tutorials etc
Now i will cover where people new to blender can get help, I recommend at least a quick browse of the manual which can be found under "help" on the top toolbar. That manual alone would give you all you need to start with blender. Problem is not many people like reading lengthy manuals (myself included lol) So what else is out there well lots and lots of tutorials written and videos some with example files. You can use your preferred search engine to find many just make sure you search for Blender 2.5 tutorials. I really suggest checking out these tutorials (work from the bottom to the top of the page, these are his beginner tutorials you can also find more advanced tutorials on his site. I learnt the most from these videos and whats best is they are free. Several other sources for free help - http://blendernerd.com/ http://www.blendernation.com/category/education/tutorials/ http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDude3585 http://www.katsbits.com/tutorials/ http://blenderunderground.com/forums/index.php http://www.blenderguru.com/category/tutorials/ http://www.blendercookie.com/category/all/tutorials/ http://blenderartists.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?32-Tutorials
and there is plenty more out there too :D
Quick and ultra easy box to egg tutorial.
Just a quick tutorial showing how to change a box into an egg. Rotation controls are as follows if your using a 3 button mouse hold the middle mouse button and the left mouse button if your emulating a 3 button mouse hold alt and left click. I will have more tutorials on this blog soon for blender this is just a sample of the program for the review.
Overall with all the help there is out there for beginners, i think blender is a very good program for [people even new to 3d modelling. 5/5
Verdict
Blender is a great program and this review did not even scratch the surface, there is so much more it can do. Though this review is for people new to blender and therefore covers the basics. A great free program with lots of free resources and help that's what Zero Dosh strives to find and in Blender it was found.
Ok here's a great start to doing things The Free Way, I`m going to tell you about a great site that shows you alternatives to software you already know about. This site is called alternativeTo you can find it here, check it out play around or read on for tips. If your still here the best tip i can give you is to do a standar search using the "search apps" box in the top right corner, then here's the important bit click on filter by license and set to "Free and open source". This will now only show free alternatives to the software you searched for :D Just one more tip sometimes searching for one of the alternatives will give you different alternatives to your original search.
alternativeTo is a safe site i double checked with avg free antivirus for you guys :D
What is Zero Dosh?
Zero dosh is the free way (no not a road) the legal free way to get things done :D
Get what done?
All sorts of things, mainly using free software to do tasks that are usually done in expensive software! But expect to see other free bonuses :D
Who are you?
Just a guy with way too much time on my hands, that wants to encourage people to use free things.
Why encourage people to use free things?
Simply because of the insane prices of some software.
