Our FREE.99 special for today: Softwares. The computer programs that make your computer run. From photo editing to word processing, these softwares are guaranteed to bring the goods, without burning a whole in your pocket. If you know more, be sure to sound off in the comments.

OpenOffice.org :: multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project. Compatible with all other major office suites, free to download and use.

Paint.NET :: image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows.

Microsoft Security Essentials :: real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

iTunes :: The world’s best digital music jukebox.

Digsby :: Manage all your existing IM, email, and social network accounts from one easy to use application.

Windows Live Essentials :: suite of freeware applications by Microsoft which aims to offer integrated and bundled e-mail, instant messaging, photo-sharing, blog publishing, and more.

Let’s get ready to Blog ;D

Wordpress

Wordpress.org. Why am I leading off with Wordpress? Because I love it! Chances are, if you see a website you like on the Internet, they’re using Wordpress. And why not? The many, many features jam-packed into Wordpress alone, would make anyone’s head spin. Very user-friendly interface, customizable themes, widget support, add plugins, embed videos, image handling, user registration, stat tracking, and the list literally goes miles long – proving time and time again why they are the best in the Blogging Business.

Wordpress.org is a great service for those interested in creating a blogsite that they can host themselves. But what if you don’t want to spend money on your own domain name, server, etc..? Enter Wordpress.com!

Before I took the plunge of hosting my own Wordpress.org blog, I was using the Wordpress.com blog. It’s great. Free hosting, many themes to choose from, widgets and plugins, and a lot more. You also have the option of paying for more options if you want it (e.g. creating your own domain name w/out the Wordpress extension) . The only reason I wanted to make the jump from Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org, was because I wanted to tweak and personalize my blogsite more. Thus, the jump. But for those starting out, Wordpress.com is a great first choice.

Naming Convention:
Wordpress.com Hosted :: your_username.wordpress.com
Self-hosted Wordpress :: your_domain_name.com

Blogging on Wordpress: Create a post/entry. Share useful/vital/important information with others. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Blogspot

The Google based blog service, Blogspot, is pretty BadAzifug! In fact, this is the first blogging platform that I used when I started to blog. Why? Because its from Google! And if you don’t have an email account ending in @gmail.com, then WHY NOT? Blogspot is a very robust blogging platform, providing full blogging functionality: user-friendly interface, create posts, host different file types, HUGE servers, HUGE audience, the list goes on and on.

If you are looking for a place to get your feet wet, you should really consider Blogspot.

Naming Convention: your_username.blogspot.com

Blogging on Blogspot: Create a post/entry. Share useful/vital/important information with others. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Facebook

Wait a minute. Facebook isn’t a blog tool, is it? You betcha. Think about it. Why do we start blogs in the first place? I don’t know about you, but for me, it was a means of documenting my journey while living in MN to friends and family back home in CA. Key phrases: friends and family. And since my ENTIRE Social Network of friends and family currently reside in Facebook, doesn’t it make sense to blog on it?

Naming Convention: facebook.com/your_username

Blogging on Facebook: Create notes/posts, share anything you want with friends and family, tag friends and family, create dialogue. Import more blogs. Create more dialogue.Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

Posterous

Posterous‘ strong point is the convenience. With Posterous, you create your content just once – and then share your content many times over all over the Interwebz. All from one place.

Naming Convention: your_username.posterous.com

Blogging on Posterous: Create a post/entry. Be sure to include fotos! Share useful/vital/important information with others. Share it to the MANY websites that Posterous has the ability to post to. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Tumblr

Tumblr. Another blogging platform. In my experience, most users have been using Tumblr as an online journal/diary. You know, the Heart of blogging.

Naming Convention: your_username.tumblr.com

Blogging on Tumblr: Create a post/entry. Share useful/vital/important informatin with others. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Drupal

Drupal. Many websites use Drupal in lieu of Wordpress. And like Wordpress, offers a variety of themes and user-customization to make the user’s blogging experience – unique.

Naming Convention:

Drupal Hosting :: your_username.drupal.com
Self-Hosted :: your_domain_name.com

Blogging on Drupal: Create a post/entry. Share useful/vital/important informatin with others. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Whew. Those are a few blogsites to get you started, ya? For those of you who have already started blogging, or have been blogging for a while, have any advice for the rest of us? Tips or tricks? Do you know of any more blogging platforms not mentioned here? Because I’d Love to hear it in the comments.

Ustream Mobile allows you to experience live interactive streaming while on-the-go. View, record, broadcast and send updates to Twitter, Facebook, Ustream and YouTube to instantly activate your audience and easily interact with your viewers through chat and social stream.

And since we’re on the topic of live streaming, see that little ‘U‘ icon in the NavBar? Yup, that’s the EDOPENO LIVESTREAM. So come join us! Who knows, maybe we’ll even take requests. ;D That may come in handy later down the line. Or perhaps, opening up a whole new can of worms. Hmm…

Exciting news, right?!? Make your way to the USTREAM.TV page for links or search for it in the App Store on your iPhone. See you online! Be sure to leave your Ustream, YouTube, and/or Facebook info in the comments so we can check you out too!