The Annual Best Free Software List (Kristen's Picks)

I do it every January, my free software fiesta. It involves me, a computer, an Internet connection, lots of install screens, uninstall screens, and a bowl of nachos.

I spend my time uploading and downloading, installing and uninstalling, reading reviews, testing things for myself, and putting together a list of my favorite free, free, free software to start off 2008. (I love free stuff!)

So far my list has over 50 awesome programs that are good enough to rival those expensive, professional ones (at least if you're just a small business or home user, which most of us are). The list will keep growing throughout the year.

Go get your free software at
http://www.kristensguide.com/Computers/favorite_software.asp

Ummm... I was just practicing.

Failure is just a learning experience.

When something works out, it's a success. When it doesn't... well, it was just a practice run. (A good philosophy for any setbacks in life.)

So the previously version of the Kristen's Guide Community forum was... a practice run (i.e. too many people couldn't log in). So I set up a new and improved Kristen's Guide Community forum where we can all share our problems, ideas, goals, dreams, progress, ask questions, make suggestions, etc. so that we can all sort out our crazy lives and start creating the lives that we really want.

Just go to http://kristensguide.forummotions.com and PLEASE let me know if you have any problems with it. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed.)

Of course, since I just set it up, it's currently empty, so I would absolutely appreciate it if everyone just dropped on by and added something to get things started. (Doesn't need to be much unless, of course, you want it to be.) I posted my my introduction and can't wait to learn more about all of you.

Another Tip to Reduce Computer Frustration

Have you ever suddenly not been able to access a website? Especially a website you desperately want to access? It was there yesterday, but now it's gone, and you just feel like pulling your hair out and screaming at your computer because of it.

Well, here are a few ideas to help you see those websites and restore your sense of happiness again (no hair pulling required):
http://www.kristensguide.com/Computers/Networks/cant_see_websites.asp

"I just want to be important."

This week I've been working on an article about a key component of happiness: feeling significant.

Let's face it, at the end of the day, we just all want to know that we are important to somebody. Some of us strive to be important to others while some of us just want to prove our importance to ourselves.

Learn why we desperately want to be important and how you can develop your sense of significance (even if other people don't recognize how important you are):
http://www.kristensguide.com/Happiness/feeling_significant.asp

This One's for You Juan!

Juan (a Kristen's Guide reader... hi Juan!) asked me to make a list of things that inspired me, helped me get through my depression, and motivated me to create the life that I wanted. Tonight I decided to do that. The list is by no means complete, but it's a start. I'll keep adding to it whenever I get a bit of free time.

Check out my favorite inspirational stuff

Mostly Free Services that Will Help You Save Time

Let's be honest. One of the reasons why I'm so efficient is because I'm lazy. To help all of my fellow lazy people, I've put together a list of my favorite time-saving services.

Hate running errands? There are services to do them for you.

Need to multi-task? Send emails while you drive (using your speaker phone... no texting of course).

Shopping around? Get it all done in one place, and get the best prices at the same time.

You can even get people to help you get rid of your clutter.

See the list of my favorite time-saving services at
http://kristensguide.com/Organizing/Time_Management/time_saving_services.asp

Stop Procrastinating and Start Achieving Your Goals

Have you started your New Year's Resolutions yet? Have you finished any of those chores that you've been meaning to get to? Is your deadline creeping up, but you haven't even started to work on your project?

Maybe it's because you're procrastinating.

Stop procrastinating and start moving things from your "still need to-do" list to your "oh yeah, been there and done that" list.

Learn how to do it at
http://kristensguide.com/Organizing/Time_Management/procrastination.asp

IE7 Users Are Having Problems -- Take 2

I've recently heard from people having problems logging in at the forum. Right around the same time, my husband was complaining that he can't get his office network software to work. And then another friend was mentioning that he couldn't log in to one of his favorite sites.

What did all of these people have in common? Internet Explorer 7.

If you're having problems using the forum (or any other sites on the Internet), IE7 may be your problem. (Bummer, isn't it?)

As for the forum, I've changed it so that guests can contribute to forum posts, even if they haven't logged in.

But if you want your posts connected to your user profile, you'll need to try using a browser other than IE7 (I know it's annoying). I recommend Firefox (my favorite), so I put a link to it on the forum.

Please feel free to come on back to the forum and try again.
http://www.kristensguide.com/forum

Happy day!

How Interpreting Dreams Can Change Your Life

Start 2008 by getting in touch with your deeper desires. You can even discover them while you sleep... in your dreams. Dream interpretation isn't about looking up symbolic meanings from a novelty dream symbolism dictionary. It's about becoming aware of the hopes and fears you may be ignoring while you're awake. Increase your awareness of your subconscious desires and you'll be one step closer to being your authentic self (which we all know leads to authentic happiness).

Learn about dream interpretation at
http://kristensguide.com/Happiness/dreams.asp