Here is a list of quality tools that I personally use and the best part is they are free:
#1 - Animoto (creates entertaining videos from your pictures)
http://www.animoto.com
You upload your digital pictures and Animoto creates a movie like presentation with music. If you want to create a longer video, they charge a fee but the short version is free and still fun to play with.
#2 - MovieMaker by Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
This is a great tool for creating movies with videos, pictures and slides. There’s a learning curve but once you get it down it’s very powerful. This is excellent for creating YouTube videos.
#3 PhotoStory 3 By Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx
This is a cool little tool for creating stories with slides or photos. I use this program when I am trying to narrate a slideshow. The program records your voice on a per slide basis so it makes it easy if your are doing some type of recorded presentation. Once again, great for YouTube.
#4 - PrimoPDF (creates PDF)
http://www.primopdf.com
Most free PDF creators that I have tried are buggy and don’t work well. PrimoPDF is solid and works every time at no cost.
#5 - Audacity (MP3 editor)
http://audacity.sourceforge.net
If you use MP3 audio at all, you will love Audacity. This is a great program and allows you to edit, splice and join audios. If you do teleseminars and want to edit the out the coughs and add music — Audacity is your tool.
#6 - CamStudio or Jing (records your computer screen)
http://www.swftools.com/tools-details.php?tool=8162413051
http://www.jingproject.com/
This is the light version of the $300 Camtasia program. It will get the job done when you need to record your computer screen. Jing is a free program that is in beta right now and does something similar. Both are good tools.
#7 - Statcounter.com
http://statcounter.com
I like this program better than Google Analytics. It provides real-time data for traffic to your website. Note: there is a fee if you want to increase your traffic logs but I don’t find it necessary.
Hope you enjoy,
Tyler
