Regardless of your politics, it’s always interesting to see which politicians are into golf. I have to admit Newt Gingrich is a surprise. I would pay to watch Newt and his belly try to swing a golf club.

I mention this because Donald Trump mentioned today that Newt is a member of of Trump National Golf Club in Virginia.

When real estate mogul Donald Trump welcomes former speaker Newt Gingrich to Trump Tower today, he will not only be welcoming another presidential candidate, but also a member of his exclusive golf club in Northern Virginia.

“I have a lot of respect for Newt,” Trump said. “Newt’s a member, so I love my members. I always love my members.”

Trump National is a prestigious club for high rollers, so perhaps this isn’t a surprise. Newt likes to spend the millions he makes from his cronies.

Ever since Tiger Woods let him go, caddie Steve Williams keeps putting his foot in his mouth. His latest gaffe seems particularly stupid, even if it was at a private event.

Anyone who has been computing for any length of time realizes that multimedia files — especially video ones — are very popular today. Everything from YouTube to those family vacation videos is coming at you left and right. Technology advancements have made it easier and easier for just about anyone to produce videos — it is no longer the bastion of professionals with high-end computing hardware and software suites.

However as users continually collect these files, many of us are running out of space on our hard drives. These files are usually large in size and we need to find ways to maintain our space. Aside from zipping the files for easy sending, you can also use Filezilla FTP program to keep them easily accessible on a great number of platforms.

One great application that can help you compress these files is the Open Source program VirtualDub. Not only will it help you compress your video files, it will save your budget as well. As part of the Open Source community it is offered to users free and its lightweight footprint does not require high-end computer hardware.

And it is easy to compress those video files. Take a look:

-Download and install your free copy of VirtualDub. You will also need to download the Xvid codec to assist in the compression.

-Once everything is installed, launch the VirtualDub application and load the file you want to compress.

-Click on the video, then choose the compression type you want. These will be displayed within the window. You can also configure the target bit rate for the compressed video.

-Click OK.

-You will now select a compression method for the audio portion of the video. You will do this from the Audio menu. Select the “full processing mode” option and then click on “Compression.” Then choose the MPEG code and click OK

-Next, go to the File menu and select “Save as AVI.” Then give it a new name and a destination. Click OK and you are done!

Do you ever have a need to connect to another user’s computer outside of the traditional networking method? This may be to do repairs on a family member’s unit, because you are known as the family’s computer specialist. However, you may be separated geographically and working via the telephone is frustrating.

Let’s take a look at taking control of that computer remotely through VNC or virtual network computing. This methodology will allow you to connect to a remote computer and work with it just as if you were right there. You will be able to control it with your keyboard and mouse and you’ll see what’s happening right on your screen. You will be able to access openoffice documents and transfer files using Filezilla server, if for instance you have an anti-virus program you wish to share with this person. This makes accessing files easily and helping out the technically challenged with their computer issues.

How is this done? One of the best solutions for computer remote control is a free, Open Source program called TightVNC. Yes, it truly is free because of its Open Source development background and its license under the GNU General Public License. You can also rest assured that it will not include any malware or spyware.

TightVNC is also a multiplatform program so it will work on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X based computers. So it won’t really matter if your family member’s computer is not the same platform as yours.

TightVNC comes in two versions: server and client. You will be acting as the server and will download the server version. The other party will download and install the client version. Don’t worry because installation is straightforward and easy for both versions.

Once you have both downloaded and installed the proper version, connecting to the other person’s computer is as simple as entering that computer’s IP address and clicking “Connect.” You may need to enter the computer’s password.

With this simple program, you will long continue to be the family’s go-to computer expert.

There was a time when people were actually required to drive to a library, and sit there to look through an encyclopedia, indeed a large set of them, just to research and study information on a nearly endless list of subjects. If you wanted to take them home and study, you were out of luck, since libraries did not allow the check out of these much coveted sources of information.

Fortunately, nowadays, we have the internet which is a literal source of much of human knowledge itself. The only problem, in fact, may be that there is too much knowledge available, which leaves some frustrated and overwhelmed when searching for a specific piece of knowledge. So instead of returning to the same confusing issue continuously for the same information, you can begin to create your own storehouse of knowledge that you, and others, can certainly appreciate. Aside from a reliable FTP server to transfer large files of information, open source software like Calibre and Audacity can help users obtain large electronic text files.

Calibre

Use Calibre to set up downloads in eBook format on content created on the timeline you choose. If you would like to receive a daily or even a monthly report on your topic of choice, Calibre gives you those options. Once you have downloaded the information you need through Calibre, you will then begin to create the audio form of your information.

Audacity

Using Audacity, and a bit of personal creativity, use the information you downloaded through Calibre to cover all of the important points on a topic. Go one step further and download appropriate background sounds or music and toss them in behind your speech to add to the tone of the audio files. Many people find it far easier to learn using sound or visual prompts, so a great audio eBook encyclopedia entry about Elephants, may include a trumpet blast and some bush drums to enhance the quality and learning experience in your created audio files.

SSH Communications developed a secure shell that is a program that enables users to log into another computer over a network, and subsequently, remove, or add files of their own. SSH will also protect your very important network from malicious attacks such as hijacks or takeovers. In addition, its security is well-guarded against those who may try IP source routing, IP spoofing, or DNS spoofing. All three defining attempts to gain access for malicious reasons.

Fortunately, SSH protects against false log in sessions as all passwords are encrypted, and this makes it near impossible for any hackers to collect passwords through SSH.

SSH usage is extremely widespread. The last count set it at over 2 million users currently using SSH, and those cover over sixty countries.

-Secure shell authenticates by utilizing at least one of the following.
-Kerberos (for SSH1)
-User public key (RSA or DSA, depending on the release)
-Password (the /etc/password or /etc/shadow in UNIX)

SSH has taken on quite a smart notion in that it never trust the net. It considers each and every item to be an malicious one until it can prove its innocent. This is far different from programs that wait for the user to run virus scanners and malware checkers on it, as by then the infected piece is already on your computer.

What operating systems will Secure Shell run on?

-Windows
-PalmOS
-OpenVMS
-WindowsCE
-BeOS
-Java

And so much more. The SSH1 protocol is no longer in development. However, SSH2 is currently developed as the standard. So if you are not already utilizing SSH2 you may want to head in that direction and be prepared for what lies ahead. However, growing support and utilization wile definitely send this technology off of the map soon.

There are so many options in P2P file sharing networks these days. Some people even go so far as to pay for their services because they offer faster speeds, more solid connections, higher peer seeder counts and so on. The fact is, if you pay for a P2P program, you have simply just thrown some money away. Cabos and Ares are two file sharing networks that are free to use for anyone, always.

Many peer-to-peer networks are laden with viruses, trojans, adware, malware, and spyware. And that is just to download the program. Once on the servers you are taking the chance with your computer. Cabos has their own system of security that helps to prevent some of the issues you may have with other P2P systems.

Ares Galaxy allows music lovers the opportunity to obtain hard to find music with a simple click. With a download like Ares p2p music files can be shared locally without the risk of viruses being transferred from computer to computer, or the hassle of having to wait for slower download software.

Utilizing Cabos’ optional security and speed features can turn your P2P from a patiently-awaiting-file transfer system, into one that you can rely on getting your files as quick as possible from. Its user friendly graphic user interface is simple to understand even for the most novice user. Cabos’ simple sidebar interface supports firewall to firewall transfers as well as UPnP, iTunes integration and IP2Country support.

Are you a Mac user? Cabos has full support for Mac OS X, and the same helpful configuration tools and features that Windows users enjoy. If that isn’t enough, Cabos also provides helpful information on their official forums for any users that may need assistance with common errors or issues associated with Cabos and other P2P networks.

You can always rest easy when you set a download to begin on Cabos, seeders are in abundance, and for each search you enter you are provided with a great deal of detail that will show you the file size, and the speed of transfer you can expect from that particular file.

If you are running a business during this recession you know how great free stuff can be. Fortunately for companies that rely on software like openoffice and filezilla for creating and transferring documents from one place to another, there is also free open source software that can help keep track of basic business expenses. Accounting software is extremely vital to a company as it allows for all imperative financial information to be recorded.

Unfortunately, its high cost can frequently cause business owners to take on this responsibility without the use of helpful accounting tools which can have extremely dire results for a business. Miscalculations, questionable mistakes, and other unusual issues may even get your business audited.

This is exactly why GnuCash was created. This open-source small-business or even personal accounting software can handle just about any accounting issue you toss its way.

-Financial Calculations
-Double-Entry Accounting
-Bonds, Stocks and Mutual Fund Accounts
-Scheduled Transactions
-Reports and Graphs
-Transaction Matching
-Small-Business Accounting
-Customers, Vendors, and Jobs management
-Invoices
-Payroll
-Accounts Receivable

And still more. GnuCash is based on the best accounting principles that will help ensure that your businesses books stay accurate and your reports reflect the correct information.

You don’t have to own a small business to need a program like GnuCash. Use this free program to budget your weekly paychecks, plan ahead for your Holiday budget this year, and any other aspects of your personal or family financial expenditures. Use it to create chore charts and graphs or even a helpful point system to keep those children in full awareness of their responsibilities and their rewards.

If you are one of those folks who hates to balance your checkbook, quite frustrating yourself scrawling letters and numbers into that tiny checkbook, and start using GnuCash to keep up with your checking and savings.

Don’t forget too that GnuCash can help you keep track of your stocks, bonds, and mutual accounts as well as their subsequent returns.

Flying to London for work or play can be very exciting. It’s less exciting if you spend too much, so you’ll want to find a low-cost flight if you can. Even if you can comfortably spend the money on a higher-priced option there’s really no need to. It’s better to get a lower price and save the extra money you would’ve spent on a plane ticket to shop in London for souvenirs. When you want to get the cheapest flights to London, you’ll also want to get good flights. It’s not a wise choice to fly with an airline you’ve never heard of, and you might have specific days you won’t be able to fly on.

If your trip is for business, even a day’s change in scheduling to get a better rate might not be possible. If you’re traveling for pleasure, some adjustments may save you a lot of money. Book as early as you can to get a lower price. Many airlines will offer you a better rate when you book early, but you still may want to check with several of the airlines that fly to your destination in order to find the one that has the best rate for you.

Keep in mind that the price isn’t the only issue. If you have to fly to London at a time that would be very inconvenient for you, it may be better to choose a different flight, even if it costs a little bit more. Especially if you’re traveling for business and someone is meeting you at the airport, it wouldn’t be wise to arrive in London in the middle of the night. Getting in during the workday makes a lot more sense. Keep the time difference in mind when you’re looking to see what time your flight would leave.

Millions of people everyday are looking for employment. There are dozens of people applying for the same positions and this makes finding a job all the more difficult. Perhaps you have a top notch education and a stunning resume with the better references you can find, but all that won’t always guarantee you a job. Sometimes in the search for employment it’s about the smaller things. One of those smaller things is your personal appearance. In a field of top level candidates, or run of the mill people for a minimum wage job, how you dress can mean just as much as the application in your hand.

First things first. Everyone should have a good outfit for interviews and job hunting. There is no way around this. Making the choice to buy some designer clothes to wear for job hunting purposes makes sense. The fact that you came in dressed better than the other applicants can say to employers that you want the job more than they do.

If you are a guy, then making sure that your face is well kept and groomed properly matters. Five o’clock shadow may be a fun style but few guys can make it look elegant and professional. So take the time to have a clean and close shave the morning of an interview so that when you walk in your face looks ready for employment. If you have a beard make sure you are educated in how to groom it. If you do not know how then make sure that you go see a professional to have it groomed.

Ladies, it’s important that you apply the right amount of makeup. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the makeup isn’t noticeable. If you can do that and present the best looking version of yourself you may be looking at a new job.