Blackburn Resources - Connecting you to the world

Tools to make your job easier

USB Disk Ejector
Thumb drives are also durable. But they must be treated properly. You can't just yank them from your computer’s USB port. Unfortunately, Windows’ "Safely Remove Hardware" option is cumbersome. You need to go through a couple of dialog boxes before you can remove a flash drive. You also get an annoying message when you’re done. This is a very useful alternative.

Irfanview
EXCELLENT free file viewer with some very useful image editing tools. Handles multi-page TIF and TIFF image files very smoothly. This file type is often created by fax services like Faxaway. Use this program in conjunction with Cute PDF Writer above to convert a TIF file to a PDF file. This way, your client won't have to download a separate viewer, just to look at the fax your send them via e-mail.

Irfan does nearly everything you need to edit pictures, and it does it simply. Has a "sharpen" filter that rivals Photoshop. Also has a great slideshow feature - send slideshows as a single executable file.

Photo Crunch
One-click optimizing to get the nicest photo you can get with the smallest file size. This will make your pictures load lightning-fast, and it's only $8.

Outlook 2000/2002/2003 Backup Free from Microsoft NO LONGER RECOMMENDED
This program can cause erratic shutdown behavior in Outlook. Microsoft should be ashamed for providing such shoddy backup support, with such a data-intensive program like Outlook. Many DOS-era programs had built-in backup, and yet . . . .

Microsoft USB Flash Drive Manager - Free from Microsoft

Use this application to backup and restore presentation, pictures, songs and applications from and to USB Flash Drive devices and take them with you. Use USB Flash Drives to store personal data, to keep your network configuration, or to share information with others.

Cute PDF Writer Solve your fax viewing problems with this solution - for best results, read it though

Create PDF documents from within any windows program. Cute PDF Writer installs like a printer. Turn a 1.5mb flyer into a 70kb Adobe Reader-compatible document. Easy to use, straightforward. It's reliable, accurate, and it's freeware! Make sure you download the free converter, too. The link to it is right next to the Cute PDF Writer link.

1. After you click on the Cute PDF Writer link, you'll see the screen below.
2. When you see the CutePDF™ screen below, download BOTH "Free Download" and "Free Converter"
3. After it downloads to your machine, install these programs by double-clicking on the file name.
(Yes, they are executable files, but they are safe.)

4. Windows will now see Cute PDF Writer as a printer, so when you want to create a PDF file:
     a) Open the document (for images, I recommend Irfanview (see information below)
     b) Go to File~Print, then simply select Cute PDF Writer as the printer.
     c) You see options in the Print menu like print range (which pages to print).
     d) Click on "OK"
     e) Choose a name and a location for file, shown in step 5 below.

NOTE: This is an image file ONLY . . . use the links above to navigate to their web site

5. When you see the screen below, give the file a name, and
put it somewhere you can easily find it, in order to attach it to
an e-mail for sending to someone, if needed.