Struggling to open an audio file on your computer or smartphone? Here’s a compilation of tools featuring the best free audio converters for both Mac and PC platforms for online and offline use.

Whether you’re dealing with MP3, WAV, or other audio formats, these converters help you quickly transform your audio files and use them as you like.

The Best Free Audio Converter Tools (Online & Offline)

We handpicked some of the best and easy to use audio converters available for different platforms that you can use for free, so you can select the one that suits your needs most.

1. Zamzar

Available for: any OS – Windows, macOS, and Linux

Zamzar is one of the best online audio converter tools, surpassing mere audio conversion. You can access it via your web browser on any operating system. Zamzar supports a wide array of audio file formats for both local and online files. What’s particularly helpful is its clear listing of compatible formats for seamless conversions, reducing any confusion.

One downside is that its conversion speed might lag behind other online converters, occasionally leading to slower processing times. Plus, there are some limitations – only two conversions per session and every 24 hours, with a cap on file sizes for free users (not supporting files over 50 MB).

Nonetheless, you’re bound to appreciate the app’s user-friendly approach. The upload process is straightforward: select your files and choose from a range of input and output formats, including MP3, WAV, AAC, and more.

Despite potential slower speeds, the service ensures you can directly download the converted file without waiting for an email. This flexibility extends to compatibility across various web browsers and operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can even convert files through email by attaching them to a message and sending them to a designated email address.

2. Convertio

Available for: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS

Convertio stands out as a user-friendly online audio converter with a sleek and modern interface that ensures a quick and hassle-free experience. The platform offers convenience by enabling file uploads not only from your computer but also directly from cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive.

One of its time-saving features is the option to input the URL, eliminating the need to download the original track before converting it to another audio format. With support for thousands of different formats, Convertio is likely to accommodate your conversion needs. It is accessible on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, or iPhone.

While some users may prefer a standalone app, particularly for converting large files with slower internet connections, Convertio compensates with its extensive feature set and intuitive interface. The software is free to use and operates entirely online. To convert files, simply visit their homepage, upload your audio file, and select the desired output format.

To protect user privacy, both the original and converted files are deleted within one month. Upon completion of the conversion process, your download will directly commence in the browser, or you can opt to receive an email notification once it’s done.

3. Movavi Video Converter

Available for: macOS X 10.10 or higher, Windows 7/8/10 (versions for older operating systems also available), or any OS if you’re using the online tool

Movavi Video Converter, despite its name, extends its expertise beyond video files, capturing audio and images as well. The interface is ad-free, intuitive, and user-friendly. What sets it apart is the option to select a device instead of a format for the output, erasing uncertainties regarding file formats suitable for specific devices.

Movavi Audio Converter efficiently converts audio files to popular formats and extracts sound from video files, ensuring high-fidelity conversions. It’s fast and reliable due to consistent support and optimization. The app supports numerous input and output formats, including AAC, MP3, WAV, and more, and offers bulk importing to convert multiple audio files simultaneously. You can also rename files pre-conversion and save them back to the original folder.

Movavi video converter is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, and macOS, the software also smoothly operates on Windows 11. It caters well to beginners with its simple interface, over 200 presets, tutorials, and available customer support.

The free version converts MP3 files, and the full version’s free trial allows audio editing and manipulation to meet varied needs.

4. Hamster Free Video Converter

Available for: Windows

Hamster Free Video Converter is another audio converter you’ll enjoy if you appreciate simplicity and ease of use. Installation is quick, and its straightforward step-by-step interface makes conversion effortless. It efficiently handles bulk audio file conversions and offers the additional capability of merging multiple files into one.

This converter supports multiple input and output formats, such as AAC, MP3, WAV, and more. It simplifies format selection and suggests formats based on device compatibility. For instance, you can choose Apple, Microsoft, HTC, or other devices rather than specific file formats like OGG or WAV.

While it’s advertised for Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, it functions smoothly on Windows 11. However, it might encounter issues with certain video formats like MKV.

Hamster Free Video Converter streamlines audio conversions without overwhelming you with complex features, making it a user-friendly tool across various devices.

5. Fre:ac

Available for: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Fre:ac is a comprehensive desktop audio converter with a multitude of features, albeit with a slightly intricate interface. This program is ideal for users seeking advanced options. It supports an extensive range of input and output formats, including both audio and video formats, enabling users to extract audio from videos seamlessly.

Some useful advanced features include import by pattern, metadata editing, signal processing configuration, CD ripping, encoder settings adjustment, input/output verification, and auto-deletion of original files post-encoding.

Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, Fre:ac receives regular updates addressing user-reported bugs, enhancing the overall user experience. It’s open-source, available in multiple languages, and allows users to run it directly from a flash drive. This app is a versatile choice for varied operating systems and user needs.

6. FreeMake

Available for: Windows, macOS, and Android

FreeMake is a multi-purpose audio converter designed for Mac, PC, and Android users. The app offers the capability to merge separate audio files into a single audio file quickly with ease.

With support for a wide range of input and output formats, including MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, and more, FreeMake allows lossless audio conversion and simultaneous file conversions, enabling users to convert multiple files at the same time.

Besides typical conversions, this tool empowers users to combine files of different formats into a new audio file. Additionally, FreeMake can seamlessly sync with cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. So you can use it to automatically transfer newly converted audio files to your preferred cloud storage.

7. FileZigZag

Available for: Windows, macOS, and Linux

FileZigZag offers an online platform for audio file conversion, eliminating the need for software downloads. On the downside, you can’t use this app for offline audio conversion. FileZigZag supports various file formats and allows users to convert multiple files simultaneously up to 150 MB each.

This free converter service can efficiently handle common audio formats like AAC, MP3, WAV, and more. Simply upload your original audio file, select the desired output format, and wait for the download button to appear.

Supporting a wide array of input and output formats, including AAC, MP3, WAV, FLAC, among others, FileZigZag works across different operating systems through web browsers like Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Despite occasional downtime and a daily limit of 10 conversions, FileZigZag is still a reliable choice for quick and simple online audio conversion. If you prefer hassle-free online conversions without the need for software installation, FileZigZag is worth considering.

8. Switch Audio Converter

Available for: Windows, macOS, Android

Switch Audio File Converter is another great option for converting various audio formats into a single codec. With extensive compatibility across Windows (8, 10, Vista), Mac, and Android platforms, it supports a wide range of inputs, from AAC to WMV.

Switch comes with a number of advanced features such as preset conversion formats, automatic file deletion post-conversion, and audio normalization. While it mirrors the primary functionalities of other top converters, its ability to fetch song details from online databases adds a convenient touch.

Available for free download, Switch caters to both Mac users and Windows/Android users seeking efficient audio file conversions.

9. MediaHuman Audio Converter

Available for: Windows, macOS

MediaHuman Audio Converter stands out for its simplicity and functionality across Mac OS X 10.6 or later and Windows 2003 or later. One notable feature this app provides is automatically splitting audio files via .CUE files. This converter easily handles different audio formats like AAC, ALAC, MP3, FLAC, and more.

With a straightforward interface, the app can help you manage diverse audio conversion tasks. It excels in splitting tracks, extracting audio from videos, and seamlessly exporting to iTunes. Overall, the MediaHuman is a valuable tool for all types of music enthusiasts.

This converter is especially suitable for users with well-organized music collections stored in folders. It can smoothly execute large batch conversions while also preserving the original folder structure.

10. Audio Convert

Available for: any OS

Audio Convert proves to be a top choice among audio converter tools due to its browser-based functionality, absence of file size restrictions, and support for batch conversions.

The site offers a straightforward process: upload files from your computer, Dropbox, or URL, and convert them into various formats directly on the website.

It supports multiple input formats like MP3, WAV, OGG, MP4, and M4A, and provides a wide range of output formats such as AAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV, and more. The converter allows you to customize individual settings for each file, including format, encoder, quality, sampling rate, and channel.

After finishing the conversion process, you can save the converted files individually or in a ZIP archive, making it convenient for managing multiple files. Despite the presence of banner ads and the inability to save back to Dropbox, its clean design and user-friendly interface make Audio Convert a favorable online audio converter option.

Choose the Best Audio Converter Tool for You

There’s no shortage of audio conversion tools available online for different platforms and devices. We picked tools that are reliable, easy to use, and can handle any type of audio file. Depending on your needs and which device you use, you can select the tool from our list that works best for you.

The post 10 Best Free Audio Converter Tools (Online & Offline) first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Here are several simple tournament bracket tools, whether you want a generator to save or print the bracket or a template for Microsoft Excel or Word that you can reuse each season.

Tournament Bracket Generators

If you need a tournament bracket quickly or for a one-time competition, you can use an online generator to set up the participants.

1. Edit.org Tournament Bracket Maker

On Edit.org, you can start with a template to generate your bracket. You’ll find a nice selection for basketball, football, soccer, martial arts, and generic tournaments.

1. To begin, do one of the following:
   
2. To jump right into the editor, select Edit a tournament bracket on the main page and then pick a design on the left.
   
3. To start with a template, choose See bracket templates and pick the one you want.
   

4. Either way, you’ll end up in an editor which resembles Canva’s editor.
   

5. Select a text box to type your text for teams, names, titles, websites, addresses, and other elements on the bracket design.
   

6. When you finish, you can download or save your bracket by creating a free account with Google, Facebook, or an email address. Just choose an option on the top right of the editor.
   

2. Print Your Brackets

With Print Your Brackets, you’ll find fillable tournament brackets you can complete and download.

1. Choose the tournament style and number of teams from single, double, consolidation, or game guarantee blind draw or seeded with the number of teams you need.
   

2. You’ll then see a preview of the bracket on a new page. Select Fillable PDF File or w/Games Numbered, per your preference, to open the form in a fillable view.
   

3. Use the blue boxes to complete the bracket with your teams or names. When you finish, use the print, download, or save option, depending on your web browser.
   

3. Bracket HQ

If you’d like to create a few brackets for different tournaments, submit scores throughout the competition, and choose from attractive themes, check out Bracket HQ.

1. Select Create Bracket on the main page to set up your bracket in the editor.
   

2. On the Bracket Information tab, give your bracket a name, choose the type, add the sport or game, and optionally include a description.
   

3. Then, use the other tabs on the left to add the Participants, pick one of the Themes, and adjust the display Settings.
   

4. When you finish, select Save or Download on the top right. If you choose to download your bracket, you can pick the file type, layout, and format.
   

Bracket HQ offers additional tournament brackets in both the free and paid plans. The free plans give you unlimited brackets with up to 32 participants and basic themes. If you need more participants, want additional themes, or would like other features, you can look at the paid Pro plans.

4. Diamond Scheduler

One more online tournament bracket generator to consider is Diamond Scheduler. With this option, you get a blank bracket to enter the team names in an editable PDF document on your computer.

1. Start by entering the number of teams and optionally picking a tournament type. Select Generate Printable Bracket.
   

2. You’ll then see the bracket matching your customizations and can select View Bracket. Alternatively, you can pick a bracket option beneath with options for different numbers of teams and tournament types.
   

3. Select Download Editable PDF to fill out the bracket or Download Image if you prefer to print the blank bracket.
   

4. If you choose the PDF option, you should see the file open directly in your web browser, where you can complete it and download it.
   

Tournament Bracket Templates

You may plan to use a tournament bracket for various sports or want to have one handy for every season. You can easily edit and reuse an Excel or Word template anytime.

5. Vertex42 Excel Bracket Templates

Vertex42 offers a few tournament bracket options for Microsoft Excel. You’ll see a bracket specifically for March Madness and a single or double-elimination bracket.

For example, this double-elimination tournament bracket template provides a workbook full of sheets for various teams. Start on the Instructions tab and choose if you want to see seed and game numbers. Then, select the number of teams, and you’ll jump right to the sheet.

Next, you can add the title and dates of the tournament and the team names. As the tournament progresses, insert the scores in the gray boxes.

6. TemplateLab Excel and Word Bracket Templates

A great spot for both Microsoft Excel and Word tournament brackets templates is TemplateLab. You can choose from single, double, and triple eliminations, round robin, March Madness, blank brackets, and more.

As an example, here we have an Excel tournament bracket in green and gold (template #01) with first and second rounds, the Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final Four. You can add the winners to the next round with a simple drag and drop from the previous round or just type them in.

For Microsoft Word, check out this 64-team bracket template (template #15). Each of the nine pages includes the tournament name and division at the top, with spots for eight teams and the group’s grand winner.

7. Microsoft Excel Bracket Template

One more template available for Excel comes direct from Microsoft, so you can use it on the web or in the desktop version of Excel.

Enter the title and date of the tournament and then each of the 16 team names. The template provides color-coded boxes for each round and a spot for the overall winner above the trophy at the bottom.

Let the Games Begin

With these free tournament bracket generator and template options, you’ll be set when the games begin. Whether a major sport, school competition, or fitness match, get your bracket ready to go.

If you’re having trouble with a TV screen that’s blurry or fuzzy while watching your favorite sports, we have ways to help you fix it.

The post 7+ Free Tournament Bracket Generators and Templates first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Here are several free online word cloud generators to create an attractive word-filled image.

1. Free Word Cloud Generator

When you visit FreeWordCloudGenerator.com, you can create an eye-catching word cloud in just minutes.

To get started, paste, type, or import a CSV file with your text. You’ll see a default word cloud that you can then customize with the below options.

Customization Options

• Narrow down your word list by removing stop words, numbers, or special characters.
• Select a font style from seven options.
• Choose up to five colors or use a premade palette.
• Use a white, black, or transparent background.
• Use the slider to select the number of words.

When you finish, open the Download menu to obtain your word cloud as a PNG, JPEG, or SVG file. With a free account, you can also save your creation for future use.

2. PresenterMedia

With PresenterMedia, you can create a word cloud by choosing from a variety of free shapes. This is ideal if you want your words inside of a tree, key, trophy, butterfly, crown, or other symbol.

Choose the shape you want to start with but keep in mind that you can change it later if you like. Select Create List to type or paste your text. You can then customize a number of settings for your word cloud.

Customization Options

• Turn on or off the Repeat Words option.
• Rotate the words or choose from perpendicular, crisscross, or random.
• Scale the words in the cloud.
• Adjust the weight for each word and remove those you don’t want to use.
• Change the text, shape, and background colors.
• Choose an attractive font style.
• Pick a different shape and customize its appearance.

When you’re done, you can download a PNG or JPG in one of three sizes or save the word cloud to your free PresenterMedia account.

3. WordClouds.com

WordClouds.com helps you create the ideal word cloud with a few extra options for adding a word list and customizing the image.

To begin, select Word list at the top. You can then type or paste your list, upload a PDF or Office document, or extract the words from a URL. You’ll see the default word cloud with plenty of options for customizing it.

Customization Options

• Choose from a huge selection of shapes, including icons, colored shapes, maps, and text, or upload your own.
• Pick from a variety of fonts and use more than one style in the word cloud.
• Select the direction for your word list like vertical, horizontal, uphill, downhill, and more.
• Choose the colors, use a gradient, or pick a premade theme.
• Apply a mask and select the opacity, color, or invert the mask.
• Pick a drawing mode that includes text shadowing and canvas padding.
• Use the Auto Fit, Repeat Words, and word cloud ratio options.

You can create a free WordClouds.com account to work on your image over time or download it immediately as a JPG or PNG. You can also select the dimensions for a portrait or landscape view download.

4. Word Art

With Word Art, you can not only create your word collage with terrific features but look at products to show off your word cloud art.

Select Create on the main page to begin and then Import to type, paste, import, or obtain the text from the web. You can update your word list at any time, including adding, removing, and rearranging the word order.

Customization Options

• Choose the size, color, angle, and font style per word.
• Pick from a variety of shapes like animals, hearts, emoji, nature, toys, and more.
• Select a font style with some options providing bold and italics.
• Choose the layout, word amount, and density.
• Pick the colors for the text, background, and shape, and adjust the color emphasis.
• Use an animation to make words pop when you hover over them and customize the animation speed, rollover, and box colors.

When you finish, save or download your word cloud as a PNG or JPEG, post it on social media, embed it on a web page, or share it via email or URL.

You can also check out HD quality images with a premium Word Art pack and review products using your word cloud by selecting Order at the top.

5. WordItOut

If you want a simple word cloud maker without too many options to get in the way, have a look at WordItOut.

Select Create at the top and then type or paste your text in the box. You can filter words immediately by selecting the Settings option. When you’re ready, hit Generate to see your word cloud.

Customization Options

• Choose a font style or use the random generator.
• Pick the word and background colors with color blending, how to vary the colors, and the number of colors.
• Select a portrait or landscape layout along with the aspect ratio.
• Choose how to vary the sizes of the words.
• Pick the minimum frequency and letter case for the words.

Save your word cloud with a title, description, and optionally a related link. You can also provide public or private access and manage your word clouds using an email address. You can then download the image as a PNG, embed it, or share it.

6. TextMagic

TextMagic offers a text messaging service for businesses but also provides a free word cloud generator that’s fast and user-friendly.

You can start quickly by typing, pasting, or importing your text. Then, select Generate to see your word cloud.

Customization Options

• Choose a light, dark, or blue theme.
• Pick a font style from almost 10 options.
• Select the word and background colors.
• Choose the number of unique words for the cloud.
• View the frequency and percentage for each word.
• Remove individual words from your list that you don’t want in the collage.

When you’re done, you can download the image as a PNG, SVG, or PDF. You can also obtain a shareable link to it.

7. Sun Catcher Studio

Another free word cloud tool you’ll want to check out is from Sun Catcher Studio. With ideas for projects, you can make monograms, stencils, fonts, signs, and of course, word clouds.

To begin, type or paste your text in the box on the top left. You’ll see a sample of your word cloud to the right which you can then customize.

Customization Options

• Choose from a premade color palette or a monochromatic color for the font.
• Pick the rotation angle of the words.
• Select a shape for the cloud, such as a symbol or letter.
• Choose a background color and fill color for the shape.
• Manage your word list by removing common words, picking the minimum and maximum font sizes, and selecting the font weight and padding.

When you’re happy with the word cloud, you can print, save, or download the image as a JPG, PNG, PDF, or SVG at the height of your choice.

8. MonkeyLearn

MonkeyLearn offers data visualization and text analytics tools, so it makes sense you’d find a word cloud generator on the site too.

To get started, type or paste your text in the box or upload a text file. Pick Generate cloud and get ready to customize your image.

Customization Options

• Display your word list by relevance or frequency.
• Choose one of five premade color schemes.
• Pick the text and background colors.
• Select a font style from seven options.
• Choose the word quantity using the slider.
• Check out extra features including a sentiment analysis, keyword extractor, and NPS feedback analysis.

When you finish customizing your word cloud, you can download it as a PNG or SVG file. You can also download the datasheet as a CSV if needed.

See Your Text as an Image

Similar to graphs and charts, word clouds provide graphical representations of data, but as text. They allow you to easily see the words you need for analysis, creation, or exploration when text is the main focus. Hopefully, one of these free online word cloud generators is exactly what you need for your text-based image.

For more, look at tools to create professional infographics too.

The post 8 Best Free Online Word Cloud Generators first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

While you can find many similar generators on the web, we’ve handpicked these tools for their unique naming options and additional features. Finding the perfect name takes time, so peruse them all or pick one or two to discover the ideal name for you.

1. BrandCrowd

With BrandCrowd, you enter a description and optionally choose a length from short, medium, or long. As a bonus, you can pick a style like modern, professional, creative, or funny which is great for focusing on your underlying concept.

Once you obtain your name suggestions, you can get logo ideas too. Choose one of the names and then see how it looks on several different graphics.

You can then download the logo if you like it as-is or edit the image using BrandCrowd’s built-in editor.

For an online tool you can use to find a product, service, or business name and get a logo at the same time, BrandCrowd is a true winner.

2. Convas

Convas is more than a product name generator. The company helps businesses with customer feedback to better their products and services. The name-generation tool is just an extra feature they offer.

Enter a keyword or two for your product and select Generate. You won’t find hundreds of ideas, but the ones you do get are distinct from similar tools.

You can swap out your keywords and continue to generate new ideas until you find one that suits your product.

After you see the names Convas generates for you, if you would like to look into their other services and features, just use the navigation at the top.

3. NameLix

NameLix can help you find the perfect business name using its artificial intelligence tool. Get ideas, filter your results to narrow them down, and then save the names you like.

Enter your keyword, select Generate, and then use the filters right off the bat. You can choose a style like compound words or brandable names. Pick how random you want the name, optionally add a business description, and use additional settings for blacklist words and domain settings.

You’ll then see your results, complete with font styles and colors for a terrific start on your logo. Use the hearts on the bottom to save those you like and return to them later.

You can also check domain name availability and register the domain directly from NameLix, which takes you to Namecheap to get started.

For a business name generator and domain assistance all in one, head to NameLix.

4. Shopify

Similar to NameLix, you can generate a business name and grab the domain in one spot using Shopify. Along with a free name generator, you can take advantage of the site’s ecommerce features for selling, marketing, and managing your business.

Enter a word or two for your company, select Generate names, and view your results. Depending on your keywords, you can receive up to hundreds of different options.

If you see a name you want to use, select the arrow to the right to create a Shopify ID and get started. Then, set up shop or market your business with Shopify’s tools or simply jot the name down for safekeeping.

5. Squadhelp

With Squadhelp, you can view tons of business or product names and check domain availability from the start.

Once you add a keyword and select Generate, you’ll see your results. You’ll notice that names come complete with logos to give you some inspiration.

If you want to narrow down your results, use the suggestions at the top for things like modern, classic, witty, or edgy.

You can see if a domain is available or select the name to check the domain availability. You then have the option to purchase a domain name from Squadhelp if you like.

Squadhelp is simple, fast, and provides unique name ideas.

6. Business Name Generator

Aptly named, Business Name Generator can help you with exactly that. You can then get the domain, download a logo, or have your name ideas emailed to you.

Enter your keywords, select Get Started, and view your results. You can then use the filters at the top for choosing an industry, language, or style like a single word, short phrase, or alternate spelling.

Select More below the name to see domain extension availability, get logo ideas, or provide your email address to receive your saved names.

Business Name Generator does just what it implies and you’ll appreciate the distinctiveness of the name ideas.

7. Turbologo

With Turbologo’s name generator, you can get invented, compound, and multiword names for your product, service, or business. This gives you a nice variety to choose from and with fine-tuned results.

If you want more ideas, select Show more at the bottom of a section. Then, choose See details for a name, and you can see the domain availability, logo ideas, alternative similar names, and the option to search the business name on Google.

When you find one or more names you like, you can add them to your favorites for quick access any time.

Turbologo does more than provide logo ideas as its name suggests. Find a product or business name, get the domain, and work with a logo idea right on Turbologo.

8. TRUiC

On TRUiC, you can generate names, get help with business ideas, find information on forming an LLC, and create a logo.

Enter keywords, an industry, and optionally a location. Select Generate to see a plethora of results.

You can mark your favorite potential names, get discounts on the domain, and generate a logo design for free.

Be sure to take a look at everything TRUiC has to offer for your business beyond its name generator and logo creator. You’ll find helpful articles, FAQs, and reviews for things like website builders, incorporation services, and small business insurance.

9. OpenStore

When you want the best product name, OpenStore’s name generator is super helpful.

Enter a description, select the tone, and choose the level of creativity. Select Generate Product Names and you’ll see your product name ideas.

Choose a name you like to copy it to your clipboard so that you can paste it in your notes app or business plan. If you want more ideas, select Get More Names to receive another batch.

You can then check out OpenStore’s blog, get help running or selling your Shopify store, or look through some popular brands for inspiration.

10. Names4Brands

One more site you’ll want to look at for your company name is Names4Brands. This one works differently than the others on the list by providing creative business names based on your settings. It’s ideal for coming up with an invented name.

Choose the Custom tab on the generator and enter a word or part of a word. Then, use the drop-down boxes to choose an add-on like a prefix, suffix, or random word and the number of characters for that add-on.

When you select Generate, you’ll see your results. Expand one of the names to see the domain, trademark, and company name availability along with the numerology value.

You can also use the Random tab with a prefix, word, suffix, and number of characters for completely random name ideas. This is great for a catchy product name or truly unique business name ideas.

If you want to create a business name based on your city, state, first or last name, nickname, or even your pet’s name, Names4Brands is the generator to use.

Get Help With Brainstorming

Whether you have a new product or a startup, finding a distinct name for it is an important starting point. Using these free tools, you can search for a great name that helps instill brand identity with your potential customers.

For more, look at how to easily create a business card in Google Drive.

The post The 10 Best Free Product and Business Name Generators first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Each of these virtual whiteboards is web-based and perfect for team collaboration. Beyond brainstorming, use one for project planning, displaying a workflow, or getting input from your remote team members. If you work alone and don’t have a physical whiteboard, you’ll enjoy the ease-of-use and pleasant interactive whiteboard experience.

Miro

Miro is one of the most popular and full-featured online whiteboards. You get the exact tools you need with a pen, highlighter, and eraser plus sticky notes, shapes, text boxes, lines, and arrows. However, Miro goes the extra mile with its standout features.

Notable features:

• Templates for flowcharts, brainstorming, roadmaps, and more.
• Smart drawings that turn your sketches into perfect shapes.
• Integrations with apps like Slack, Asana, Jira, and Microsoft Teams.
• Collaboration with comments, voting, video chat, reactions, and a timer.
• Simple sharing of your whiteboard with a link.

You can use Miro Lite and create a whiteboard without an account that expires in 24 hours. You can also sign up for free and get three whiteboards, more templates, and basic integrations. If you want additional boards and features, check out Miro’s paid plans.

Canva

You may have used Canva for creating invitations, infographics, or social media banners. Canva also offers an online whiteboard that you can use with or without an account.

Notable features:

• Templates for timelines, mind maps, flowcharts, and more.
• Upload your own image, video, or audio file.
• Select whiteboard graphics, stickers, photos, audio, charts, tables, and collections.
• A notes section for capturing thoughts for Presenter View.
• Sharing with a link to download, view-only, present, or to the template with optional restrictions.

To save your whiteboard, sign in or create a free account with Canva. If you want to use Canva’s other features or get premium content, you can look at Canva Pro which offers a 30-day free trial.

Whiteboard Team

For a hassle-free way to capture and share ideas, give Whiteboard Team a try. This online whiteboard tool stays free and doesn’t require an account. This makes it ideal for a quick brainstorming session with collaborators using the in-app messaging feature.

Notable features:

• Templates for brainstorming, calendars, business models, and more.
• Export the board as an image, the sticky notes, or the comments.
• Upload items from your device or with a URL.
• Lock items to prevent editing.
• Share by inviting collaborators via email or link with access control.

You can create a whiteboard without a Whiteboard Team account that is removed in 30 days or sign up for a free account to hold onto your board for as long as you like.

Browserboard

For another option similar to Whiteboard Team, look at Browserboard. You can make a board without an account, use the basic tools you need like a pen, marker, and sticky notes, and draw shapes, lines, and arrows.

Notable features:

• Upload images from your device with a free account.
• Lock the whiteboard to prevent editing.
• Zoom in and out or pan the width of your board.
• Download an image of the board and choose the scale and a transparent background.
• Share your board with custom links for view-only, editing ability, and owner access.

You can create a whiteboard that expires in seven days without signing up. To save your board, create more, and get additional features like custom templates, sign up for a free Browserboard account.

Explain Everything

While geared towards teachers, Explain Everything gives you features that the other boards either don’t offer or don’t offer for free.

Notable features:

• Add media like photos, screenshots, images, videos, files, clipart, or GIFs.
• Lock, arrange, group, and ungroup objects.
• Record video and audio with editing options.
• Create a web video link, export your board, or use the broadcast feature.
• Choose from different workspace layouts including a custom option.

You can try Explain Everything to see if you like it by selecting Try It Now on the main page. Then, sign up for a free plan with three projects, one-minute videos, and collaboration up to 15 minutes. You can then view pricing for the paid plans to get additional features.

Google Jamboard

While Google Jamboard may not have as many bonus features as the other whiteboards on this list, it is a convenient option. If you use the Google Meet whiteboard feature, Jamboard is the tool you’ll see. Plus, your boards are saved automatically with your Google account and accessible via the Jamboard site or Google Drive.

Notable features:

• Choose a background image to make your notations stand out.
• Create separate frames on the same board and switch between them easily.
• Add images from your device, a URL, a webcam, or Google Images, Drive, or Photos.
• Download your board as a PDF or a frame as an image.
• Share with the same options as other Google apps, with email addresses or a link and restrict access.

Google Jamboard is free and offers real-time collaboration via the web, mobile app, or a Jamboard device. Check out our how-to for complete details on using Google Jamboard.

Pick Your Free Whiteboard

If you’re looking for the best free online whiteboards for your project or brainstorming session, these options are top-notch. They have you covered with the basic tools you need and those extras you’ll appreciate.

Simply open your favorite web browser, warm up your cursor, and create your own whiteboard.

For more, look at how to use the Windows 10 Whiteboard app.

The post Best Free Online Whiteboards for Brainstorming first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

You can select a catchy design or customize an existing template to create your unique envelop style. Most sites even let you upload your own artwork, allowing you to print large quantities of envelopes showing off your brand logo. Here is a selection of the best envelop printing websites on the internet.

1. Envelopes – Best Overall

Focusing entirely on its namesake product, Envelopes.com offers a greater variety and freedom of customization than any other envelop printing site. You can start with a predesigned template and modify all aspects of it, even adding your own images.

Then there is its recipient addressing service, which takes an uploaded data file and prints out all the delivery addresses in digital calligraphy. This saves you an unbelievable amount of time without sacrificing the personalized feel of a handwritten invitation.

The pricing differs based on the paper size, color, and paper stock quality, but Envelopes.com commits to a production time of five business days – three if you elect for a rush order. The shipping, of course, takes additional time and expense.

2. VistaPrint – Best for Quick Shipping

Popular for its business cards, VistaPrint also provides a custom envelop printing service. In addition to customizing templates and uploading your own designs, you can also utilize VistaPrint’s design services to create a professional design from scratch.

Not that it’s needed – there are plenty of great templates to choose from already, and you can print on both sides to further set your selection apart. This also includes the option to print return addresses, with matching return address labels should you need it.

Prices start at $5.99 for ten envelopes, with extra shipping charges varying by speed. You can opt for the Standard 8-day delivery, or cut it down to 3-4 days by paying a premium Express delivery fee. These timeframes include printing as well as shipping, so you can print envelopes from VistaPrint at short notice.

3. Staples – Best for Office Use

A leading destination for office stationery, Staples is another great site for custom envelope printing. True to its roots, Staples specializes in envelopes meant for corporate usage, with envelop sizes ranging from regular correspondence to large mailers.

There is also a great deal of variety in the quality of paper available. You can get some low-cost paper for day-to-day communications, as well as premium thick envelopes for a luxurious feel in promotional materials.

The best part is the unique design elements meant to facilitate official use, like window envelopes to avoid double printing or security envelopes with tinted patterns on the inside to conceal sensitive contents. The pricing scheme, however, is geared toward bulk orders, with a minimum quantity of 250 envelopes.

4. Cards & Pockets – Best for Invitations

There are many websites to order custom-printed envelopes from, but what about laser-cut envelopes? Cards & Pockets offers the unique option to customize your envelopes with laser-cut designs, creating delicate patterns that are impossible to replicate with printing alone.

This comes in addition to full-bleed envelope liners to enhance the effect of the cuts and give a more premium feel to the envelopes. With rich colors and high-quality papers used, the envelopes of Cards & Pockets are the ideal choice for sending cards and invitations.

There is also the standard option with printed guest addresses and customized envelope designs. Prices vary by the design, but the good thing is that the envelopes are shipped worldwide, and processed in just two-three business days.

5. GotPrint – Best Online Designer

GotPrint might not offer anything that the other options on our list don’t, but it sure has an amazing online envelope designer. The web app allows you to visually customize the layout, adding patterns and messages to both sides of the envelope.

Built-in scales give you an accurate look at the dimensions of every design element, making it easy to gauge the look of the final product. Even the folding flaps are represented, leaving no aspect a mystery.

The service leans a bit toward bulk orders, with order quantities starting at 100 pieces. The production timeline is also much longer, taking around ten days to ship the envelopes. Still, if you are ordering in bulk and are willing to wait, GotPrint is a good choice for custom printing your envelopes.

What Is the Best Site to Print Custom Envelopes?

Envelopes.com is the best option if you are looking to get custom-printed envelopes instead of printing them yourself. If are in rush, go for an Express order with VistaPrint, perhaps even leverage their design services to craft the perfect look.

For laser-cut designs, Cards & Pockets is the perfect option, while companies intending to get business envelopes for official use might want to try Staples. GotPrint is great for those seeking precise online customization, though its production process is slower than others.

Specializations aside, any of the sites listed above are great for envelope printing. Whether you are a small business owner looking to give a premium feel to your correspondence or an individual sending out invites, you can pick one and go with it.

The post 5 Sites That Let You Print to an Envelope first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Now, jobs for teens aren’t limited to traditional jobs. They can find jobs in data entry, as customer service representatives, as lifeguards, and more. The internet makes looking for job opportunities easier than ever before and gives teens the chance to earn real-world work experience.

Snag

Snag was once known as Snagajob. It’s an excellent tool for teenage job seekers. While anyone can use the tool, it specifically has a module built for teen job seekers. You can search by zip code, too. Jobs are tagged as full-time, part-time, and/or teen, making it easy to see which positions might be right for you at a glance.

All teens have to do is enter their zip code and a keyword relating to their job. They can then filter by the menu options at the top of the screen.

Hire Teen

Hire Teen is a service aimed specifically at teenage workers, offering employment in various categories. Teens can search by keyword, city, and state, and age, or they can specifically look for jobs in their age range. For example, jobs for 15 year olds might include food service, camp counselors, dishwashers, and more.

Teens can also search by categories that include amusement parks, government agencies, restaurants, retail stores, and even modeling jobs for teens. Taking an entry-level job helps build up experience for post-graduate employment.

Teens4Hire

Teens4Hire is a site aimed at helping people aged 14 to 19 find seasonal, volunteer, or part-time jobs. High schoolers have to register with an account. Employers also have to register to list jobs online. It also has information tools for preparing for interviews and impressing in the office.

Recruiters can use the site as a way to find prospective employees, too. Teens4Hire is an organization, which means many of its staff work on a volunteer basis with the interest of kids at heart.

Survey Junkie

If you aren’t looking for a traditional job, then Survey Junkie might offer a solution. It’s like an online job; teens sign up and build a profile, after which the site matches them with surveys that best fit them. Completed surveys are worth a certain amount of points, which they can redeem for PayPal or gift cards. No bank account is required.

There are articles on how to monetize social media accounts, as well as how to seek out self-employment. If you’re trying to get a job, but none of the standard job listings seem right, then Survey Junkie offers an alternative.

Summer Jobs

As the name implies, Summer Jobs aims to connect people with potential seasonal work. This is ideal for minors who might not qualify for jobs in other fields, but it’s an easy way to get work as a lifeguard or summer camp counselor. Sometimes, summer jobs can even entail babysitting for a working family or just mowing the lawn for nearby businesses.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a social media platform broken down by neighborhoods and zip codes. You must prove you live in a specific area to take advantage of the platform. If you have extra-curricular activities or other responsibilities that get in the way of the job search, NextDoor is an easy way to find odd jobs to earn a little extra cash.

Anyone interested in finding work on NextDoor can post in the For Sale & Free section of the site or make a general post in their neighborhood with the services they’re offering.

Fiverr

Fiverr is an online freelance website where vendors can offer services of nearly any kind, from drawing and animation to programming and writing. You can even offer online tutoring. Fiverr is an excellent choice for teens because the age requirement is only 13, unlike other freelance outlets like Upwork.

At a time when traditional job openings might not suit the specific type of job a teen is looking for, freelance options are the way to go. Fiverr also has a mobile app on which a teen can track their work. In addition, freelance work can help build up an impressive portfolio that someone can use in the future when applying for a more traditional job title.

The post The 7 Best Sites With Lists of Jobs for Teenagers first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

This article will show you the best sites for fantasy baseball and a few good resource websites as well. Also, if you’re a sports fanatic, check out our article on how to join an online fantasy football league. Scratch that competitive itch!

1. MLB

MLB.com is the official web page of Major League Baseball, so it’s naturally one of the best places to play fantasy baseball. This website relies heavily on statistics and data from real players and is perfect for DFS. During the baseball season, games are run every day, all day long. MLB.com offers free fantasy leagues, and you can try your league for the whole season free of charge.

The MLB site also has free team management options. That said, most people complain about the outdated design of the team management tools. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for those just starting their fantasy baseball journey. They also offer the MLB Play app available for Android and iPhone.

2. ESPN Fantasy Baseball

This website always ranks in the top five. It has real-time updates of player news, stats, and rankings that will help you make decisions for each season. After all, ESPN has a significant presence in the world of sports. It usually has the newest baseball content to offer as soon as it’s released. Free leagues are available through ESPN, but it will cost you if you want detailed player info or additional help with DFS.

ESPN makes it easy to track players’ performance and discover patterns in the game. This website has many helpful tools such as individual player stats tracking, customizable league rules, drafting options, waivers, live scoring, customized updates, and more. ESPN is a great place if you want to make your own decisions based on available season data and be completely independent.

3. Yahoo! Fantasy Sports

Yahoo was the first website to host the fantasy baseball league in the 1980s. It has offered its users a great way to play the game. Fantasy baseball is free to play on Yahoo! Sports and has a very user-friendly interface. But if you want more features, you will have to pay a subscription fee. Yahoo Fantasy Plus users will have an advantage in winning the game because they can tap into lineup management, new research tools, advanced stats, trade insights, and more.

You can join pre-existing leagues or create new ones on Yahoo! Sports. The website will help decide the scoring format for the style of play of your group. Then, you can choose between Points Only, Rotisserie, or Head-to-Head. Yahoo! Also has fantastic tools to help you manage your league. They are draft strategy, daily matchups, and player news and updates. Yahoo! Sports is a detailed website that can be very helpful for new players.

4. CBS Sports

CBS won many awards for being the best fantasy sports game provider on their website or through mobile apps available for Android and Apple. Besides baseball, they also feature fantasy football and fantasy basketball. The best part is that CBS is devoted to both beginners and advanced players.

If you are a high-level player, you can opt for a subscription that will bring you new customization options. By subscribing, you can access the “Commissioner” version of the fantasy game. It will bring new drafting, scoring, wavering, scheduling, and league management options.

CBS also has a free version that provides new players with more than enough features for a successful start. Among them is access to a message board, instant messenger, joining private leagues, or owning them. CBS also hosts a Fantasy Baseball podcast that offers its listeners great advice about the players. Here you can learn who were the best pitchers and hitters in the season, or you can hear the latest news about players.

5. FanDuel

If you want to step up your fantasy baseball game and start earning money, FanDuel is a great place to start. This website has one-day fantasy baseball leagues, and your entry fee can be as low as $1. Start by choosing your league for an entire tournament or for only one day. Once the game starts, you can watch it in real-time. If you place high in your league, the potential to win cash prizes will be great.

The advantage of the FanDuel website is that it will limit unpredictability. You have to choose a league each week, which means no more worries about players’ injuries or bad draft selection. FanDuel is an excellent place for those who can’t commit to the whole season but would choose when to play instead.

6. Fantrax HQ

If you are looking for a wide range of options for your fantasy baseball game, the Fantrax HQ platform might be the right place. Here you can access four league styles: Commissioner, Best Ball, Draft and Hold, and Classic. You can participate in a mock draft if you want to practice your fantasy game strategy. 

On Fantrax HQ, you can track player standings, statistics, scoring, matchup schedules, player injuries, news, and transactions, all up-to-date. Also, this platform pulls the most relevant MLB headlines for fantasy baseball, just so it can advise you on your play throughout the season. All of the content on Fantrax HQ is completely free and regularly updated.

The Best Fantasy Baseball Resources

There is a ton of information on Fantasy Baseball, and it can be tricky to pick up the valuable resources. It seems as if podcasts and websites about fantasy sports pop out every day. Which ones are the best? Where to search for the most reliable resources about fantasy baseball? Here is the list of resources that will provide you with everything you need to win your games. Keep in mind some of these websites come with a paid subscription, but that doesn’t mean that free ones are any less worthy of your attention.

1. Razzball

Razzball features a heap of information and statistics on fantasy baseball. It was launched in 2007, and since then, it has become one of the most visited resource websites. During the busy MLB season, this site will post more than 30 times. During the off-season, it continues posting, though not as much. If you are new to fantasy baseball, RazzBall will provide advice and tips on picking up the best league and managing your team. 

This website also hosts a weekly podcast that you can download and listen to anytime. For premium content and tools, RazzBall will ask you to subscribe for only $6.99 per month or $27.99 per season. There are other subscription options worth checking out.

2. Fangraphs Fantasy Baseball

Many people will agree that Fangraphs is simply the best free resource. If you need to do some player research, this website has all the information on individual athletes. Fangraphs will allow you to make custom leaderboards for each player.

They also have excellent writers and in-depth analysis articles that will help you learn all you need to know about the players, teams, statistics, dynasty league management,  and more. Fangraphs also has a weekly podcast led by two men who discuss all the new information about players and how that can influence fantasy baseball games. 

Although Fangraphs is free, you can choose to support their work by paying a membership. There are various membership options, with the basic monthly fee being $5 and yearly $25.

3. NBC Sports Edge

This is the website where you should research all the news and notes on individual players. NBC Sports Edge used to be known as Rotoworld. Still, it rebranded in 2021 when it was integrated into the NBS Sports tv programming. 

Most of the content of this website is behind the paywall, but the news is not. Here you can have all the essential headlines in one place. Their journalists are making it worthwhile for all fantasy baseball fans too.

Aside from news, this website will offer you a mock draft simulator, major league betting, season tools, and many other options that will help up your game. You can also listen to a podcast called “Circling the Bases”, where you can listen about stats, players’ injuries, wins, and losses.

4. Baseball Savant

Baseball Savant is a perfect place for everyone who loves looking at beautifully and neatly presented stats. It is a go-to place for all the data you need for player research and is free. Baseball Savant uses colors and infographics to bring the percentile rankings and statistics in an interesting and easy-to-understand way. You can study various categories for each athlete, such as hard-hit rate, exit velocity, or sprint speed.

This website will allow you to sort the leaderboards as you see fit. Baseball Savant details some of the statistics other resource sites often neglect. Among them are in-depth analyses of hitters and pitchers that will allow you to go really deep in your research of players. Savant’s game feeds will bring you all the vital stats at your fingertips while you are following the live games. This is precisely why you should use Baseball Savant regularly. 

The post The 6 Best Sites for Fantasy Baseball first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this article, we will explore sites and apps for finding travel deals where you can get significant discounts for your next flight, vacation rental, and car rental. Finding last-minute travel deals is simple nowadays if you know where to look. You can save a lot of money on your trip to Las Vegas or your family’s favorite vacation spot.

1. Last Minute Travel

As the name suggests, Last Minute Travel is all about the deals you can get on last-minute flights, hotels, cruises, and even car rentals. If you become a member of the Last Minute Travel Club for $50 per year, you can benefit from exclusive hotel deals available only to the members. You will also collect points that you can later use on free travel.

If adventurous, you will love the “Undercover Hotels” feature. Super low travel offers will keep the hotel’s identity a secret until you complete the booking. However, you won’t go through the booking process blindly. You’ll know the hotel’s general location, rating, and review score. With “Undercover Hotels,” you can get up to 65% discounts on your hotel room.

2. Priceline

Priceline lets you customize your travel package if you don’t like the hotel room or the flight times they have offered. But keep in mind that every change will come at a cost. That said, flexible travelers will be awarded Express Deals that give up to 60% discount on hotel stays. The only downside is that you won’t know the hotel’s exact location or name until after the booking is completed.

For those who don’t want to take the risk with Express Deals, Priceline offers a very detailed and easy-to-use map that shows all accommodations available for your last-minute trip. Once you hover the cursor over the location (labeled with the price), a pop-up display will tell you the hotel’s rating, name, and guest review score.

3. Kayak

Kayak is a search engine that will allow you to find flights, but you won’t book them with Kayak. The search engine will not charge any fees for the booking, and there are no hidden charges you need to worry about. You can use many filters that Kayak has to offer to narrow down the search to match your exact criteria.

Since you can’t book through Kayak, you won’t have any loyalty programs. However, if you are a frequent flier, you can earn airline points by searching for flights through Kayak.

4. Travelocity

Travelocity is a website where you can book everything you need for your last-minute trip. There are options to book a flight, a hotel, and a car, and if you choose a combination of two or more items, you’ll get a discount. You can even add excursions after you finish the booking process. Travelocity is a great platform to plan your whole trip.

Once you register on the Travelocity website, you will receive a 10% discount on hotel stays. The website also has a price match guarantee, which means that if you find the same hotel, car, or cruise on a different platform that offers a lower price, Travelocity will refund the difference. 

5. Groupon Getaways

Groupon is a well-known online marketplace that offers its customers great deals. But many have wondered if last-minute vacation packages offered on Groupon Getaways are worth it. It is essential to know that travel agencies or individual travel agents run these travel packages, and they are fully planned. That means you will not be able to make any hotel, flight, or trip changes. However, if you’re a first-time traveler, this could be a great option for you.

International travel can be very stressful, and having it all planned out for you will take the edge off. But be aware that the dates are set in stone, and the accommodation might not live up to your expectations. The excursions can add extra costs on top of the price displayed for the travel package. Read carefully about what you’re buying and check for any hidden fees.

6. Travelzoo

Travelzoo will find the best deals from other websites, so you don’t have to search multiple platforms. It serves as a link between you and an appropriate booking website. Travelzoo has a vast database, and members benefit from special deals. However, these deals are time-limited.

The Top 20 Deals page changes every week, so you have access to only the best packages. The Travelzoo team tests these deals and verifies them. Some of the deals you find through Travelzoo are fully refundable.

7. Orbitz

Using Orbitz, you can find vacation deals that include any combination of flight, hotel, and car rental bookings. The website will even allow you to book accommodation for a part of your travel period. The search is very detailed, and you can browse hotels by their cancellation policy or specific amenities such as spas or free Wi-Fi.

Orbitz has its reward system for which you need to register. It will allow you to collect Orbucks which you will be able to spend on a hotel room. Orbucks can be collected through flights, travel packages, and hotel bookings through the Orbitz app.

8. Expedia

Expedia is both an online booking platform and a mobile app. Through Expedia, you will be able to easily find suitable vacation packages, cruises, hotels, excursions, flights, and car rentals. You can search for a vacation package by simply entering your desired location, duration of the planned trip, and the location from which you’re departing.

Expedia has a very generous reward system. You will get one point for every dollar spent on your travel plans (apart from flights). Flights will give you one point per $5 spent, but only if you hold a Silver or Gold membership. The points will be doubled if you’re booking through the mobile app. You can spend accumulated points to get free travel.

9. CheapOair

If you are in search of cheap flights, CheapOair might be the right solution for you. An online travel agency, CheapOair offers up to a 20% discount for booked flights. You can also book hotels through this online agency, and members can receive up to a 55% discount.

CheapOair also has a reward program based on a point system. You will receive your first 500 points just for signing up. Then, the site will add another 500 points to your account after your first booking, hotel, or flight. After you collect these initial 1000 points, each dollar spent through CheapOair will land you another 1 point. You can also opt for a CheapOair credit card that will add $7 for each dollar spent.

10. Google Flights

If you want a simple and clean search engine with some handy filters for finding last-minute flights, Google Flights might be what you’re looking for. Use the map view to see the prices all over the world. This is particularly useful for flexible travelers who don’t care much about the destination.

If you already have a set destination in mind, you can use Google’s price graph to find the dates that have the cheapest flights. Just keep in mind that booking is not done through Google. Instead, Google will direct you to the airline. 

That said, Google Flights has a flaw that you have to be aware of. Sometimes it displays cheap flights that are no longer available.

11. Hoteltonight

Hoteltonight is a booking service that will allow you to find a hotel, book it, and go straight to it, all on the same day. This is a fantastic option if you’re searching for last-minute hotel deals. The service works both in web browsers and as an app for smartphones.

That said, Hoteltonight also lets you plan your last-minute vacation, not just book a hotel on the same day. It will allow you to book a hotel room up to seven days in advance. The later you book a room through Hoteltonight, the better hotel deals will be available.

12. Hotwire

Hotwire is a booking website that promises cheap travels that you won’t regret. You can book flights, hotels, car rentals, or any combination directly through Hotwire. They even have a mobile phone app. In fact, if you want the lowest possible prices, additional discounts are available if you book through their app.

The Hotel Rate tool will allow you to be adventurous and book an undisclosed hotel within a specific rating range. However, some hidden fees might be a problem with Hotwire, so read all the details carefully. 

13. Airfare Watchdog

Airfare Watchdog is a great solution for people looking for last-minute flights or who are flexible with their travel dates. The company employs real people that will search various websites to provide you with the best flight deals possible.

The best feature of Airfare Watchdog is its capability to track the prices over time. If you sign up for air alerts, Airfare Watchdog will send you updates on flight prices through an email. This will help you decide when to book a flight to get the best deal.

14. Cruise Direct

Cruise Direct can be an excellent solution for people looking for affordable cruise deals. Last-minute cruise offers usually happen due to a cancellation. Someone opting out of the trip can be your way into a luxury room at great bargains. Keep in mind that prices will fluctuate depending on how long until the cruise departure.

Cruise Direct doesn’t charge booking fees, and it offers a price match guarantee. However, the website doesn’t offer any exclusive cruises to its users.

15. Tourradar

Tourradar is a digital travel agent with over 40,000 tours offered worldwide. From the Caribbean to the East Coast of Australia, Tourradar has so many travel sites and tours to offer. You can even personalize your family’s vacation by opting for a private tour that Tourradar will tailor just for you.

Last-minute deals are only a tiny part of what Tourradar has to offer. Using this online tour agent, you can spend less on your next vacation with Early Bird Savings and 2 for 1 deals. However, returning customers have no benefits as the booking is never done directly with the tour operators.

16. Booking.com

Probably the best of all accommodation booking sites, Booking.com will provide you with an excellent search experience with many filters to narrow down your next vacation spots. But Booking.com doesn’t limit itself only to hotels. It also gives you the option of choosing between apartments, entire villas, and some very unique properties at discounted prices.

Booking.com will also let you book flights, car rentals, airport taxis, various activities, tours, and museums. It also has a reward system called Genius that will give you a 10% discount if you book a hotel through their service twice in one year. You can get even bigger discounts and other benefits such as free breakfast, or free room upgrades with the Genius perks.

The post The 16 Best Sites for Last Minute Travel Deals first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

There are numerous sites online where you can get married, or at least where you’re promised that you can be legally married. We looked for the best services to conduct legal online marriages in the USA and some worldwide. If you’ve heard about so-called “zoom weddings” held using video conferencing technology and want to know where to begin, read on for all the details.

The Difference Between Legal and Ceremonial Marriages

There’s a big difference between legal and ceremonial marriages. Simply undergoing the marriage ceremony of your culture or religion doesn’t have any legal force. You need a marriage license from the authorities for the marriage to be recognized by the state.

In the US, you need to conduct a wedding ceremony with a wedding officiant to complete the legal marriage process. However, the ceremony itself doesn’t have to be anything in particular. As long as the officiant witnesses it and signs the license before sending it to the government clerk to have the marriage recorded and a marriage certificate issued.

Who Can Get Married?

Before the question of getting married through virtual weddings, a more critical question is the minimum requirements for marriage, regardless of whether that marriage happens online or not. In the USA, you have to be 18 years of age to get married without permission from an adult. However, there are exceptions in some states, such as Nebraska (19), Mississippi (21), and Puerto Rico (21).

If one or both of the people who want to get married are under the legal age in the state where the service is provided, they’ll need permission from a parent or legal guardian. In addition, you’ll have to provide certified copies of identification documents. This could be an ID card, birth certificate, or driver’s license. Be sure to check the marriage laws in the applicable state for any other limitations on who can get legally married.

Is Online Marriage Legal in Your State?

Suppose you’re a US resident or citizen. In that case, local state laws governing marriage are of utmost importance if you want your marriage to be legally recognized. Also, the marriage official must have the legal powers to conduct the wedding, and a remote marriage must be legal where you live.

One potential issue is that in many states where remote online marriages are legal, this has happened through an executive order by that state’s governor to enable social distancing. In other words, it’s not a law passed by the state legislature. This means the next governor could reverse the order. In many cases, these executive orders have time limits and need to be renewed at the government’s discretion.

The best strategy is to contact the county clerk’s office or the city clerk’s office and confirm whether you can get a marriage license online. This is complicated if the couple is in different states when they want to get married. It may also be an issue if the officiant is outside of state lines.

Online Weddings for Immigration Purposes

Suppose you’re looking for a way to get married for immigration purposes. In that case, we strongly advise that you clear this with the relevant immigration office first. The wedding services listed here are generally aimed at US residents within the USA who want to get married.

However, your situation can be more complicated, and you specifically want to get married so you can accompany your partner to their country of residence. In that case, we strongly advise that you get professional legal advice from an immigration lawyer.

Proxy Marriages

Some sites, such as Proxymarriage.com, use a special legal marriage method known as a “proxy” marriage. This is where a person stands in for someone at the wedding and signs the marriage license on their behalf. It’s also possible to do a double proxy marriage, where neither of the actual people getting married need to be present for the ceremony.

This is usually reserved for people in prison, the military, or other situations where they cannot physically be at the wedding. Still, the wedding has to be made legal. Therefore, we have refrained from listing sites that offer proxy marriage services. They are generally not meant to help conduct the virtual marriage service people are looking for.

A Small Disclaimer

The sites we’ve listed below appear to be legitimate places to get married online. Of course, we didn’t get married on these sites ourselves to test that. Ultimately the final responsibility lies with you to ensure that whichever service you choose has the legal authority to marry you.

That includes getting third-party confirmation from marriage license issuers in your region before paying anything to a third party. As mentioned above, the situation is time sensitive and may change by reading this. For example, all New Yorkers (in the whole state, not just New York City) received temporary permission to have online weddings. However, that ended on June 25, 2021.

1. Simply Eloped

To “Elope” means to run away and get married in secret without permission, which makes it a weird term to use if you’re selling online weddings, but the rest of the service is so well-thought-out that it makes up for it.

Simply Eloped defines “eloping” as a wedding with 20 or fewer guests. They guide clients through the entire process of planning their online weddings from start to finish.

That includes everything that happens during the actual ceremony, such as hair, makeup, flowers, video, photos, and everything you’d associate with wedding planning. Except that Simply Eloped refuses to call itself a wedding planner.

As for the legal aspect of the process, the company has an individualized approach to marriage licenses. The site provides advice to each couple based on the state where they reside.

2. WebWed

WebWed is a name that came up multiple times during our online search for legal online marriage services. Unfortunately, WebWed doesn’t make the best first impression with a popup that pleads with the US government to reject all online weddings not performed by WebWed. But based on various third-party reviews we’ve read, people are getting legally married with success.

The company states that all of its licenses are issued by US courts, and they also cater to international couples. WebWed works with states that do not require residency. Although this isn’t stated anywhere on the WebWed website, third-party sources speculate that Utah may be one of these states since that state has implemented fully-digital marriage license applications and issuing since 2019. WebWed also offers Apostille licenses for international couples who need their marriage to be recognized outside the USA.

3. Utahcounty.gov

If you don’t need the specific extra services that WebWed offers, you can go straight to the Utah government website and apply for a marriage license there. As we mentioned in the WebWed entry, Utah is the only state that doesn’t require the couple to visit the clerk’s office.

Of course, this website won’t give you any services related to your wedding ceremony, live streaming, or anything else. It just handles the legal aspect of getting married. So you still need to get an officiant and comply with the minimum requirements mentioned on the website.

This is the most cost-effective solution since you can make your ceremony as cheap and simple as you like, as long as the officiant recognizes it. Then after the officiant submits the documents remotely, and after a waiting period, you’ll get your marriage certificate without ever stepping foot in a government office.

4. Wedfuly

Wedfuly isn’t a service aimed at the legal side of getting married. Instead, this company sells professional live streaming services for weddings. The Wedfuly crew will help you put together a multi-angle, high-quality live stream that as many guests can attend as you want.

While you won’t get a marriage license from Wedfuly, you must have the license before your ceremony. The company provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete the marriage license process. After your ceremony, the officiant must sign the license and return it to the government clerk. Then sometime later, you’ll receive a copy in the mail.

Although you’re mainly on your own when it comes to getting the license, Wedfuly’s process means that you will be legally married. They have excellent resources on their blog to ensure you know what’s needed to make the marriage above-board from a legal angle.

The company recommends an Arizona marriage license at the time of writing since it’s legal in all US states, and Arizona allows online or postal marriage license applications. At least for the duration of stay-at-home orders.

5. MarryFromHome

MarryFromHome is another big-name we repeatedly ran across while looking for legit sites to get married online legally.

MarryFromHome’s rather attractive and simple website lists a host of services you can enjoy if you want to get, as the name says, married from home. Like WebWed, the service is open to anyone, not just US citizens. The service offers facilities to run the wedding event remotely and have events after the ceremony itself.

MarryFromHome handles all the paperwork with bureaucracy, for a price, of course. You have to fill in their booking form, upload all the necessary documents, and share the private Zoom link with up to 90 guests. The ceremony takes about 30 minutes, and you have the option to have the certificate signed by an Apostille to help legitimize it outside of the USA.

Happily Ever After

While getting married online might not be the fairy tale wedding you’ve always wanted, it’s the right option in many circumstances. It may even be preferable to a traditional wedding for some people.

If you get a professional video streaming package to cover your wedding day, you’ll have an excellent high-quality record of the day you said “I do,” which will last a lifetime if you back it up properly!

The post 5 Legit Sites to Get Married Online Legally first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

From multiple choice geography quizzes to more interactive world map games featuring Google Street View, we’ve come up with a list of excellent online geography games that will quickly turn you into a geography expert.

1. Worldle

The release of the viral word game, Wordle, spawned an avalanche of other games inspired by the daily puzzle, including Worldle. In this game, you’ve got six tries to guess the correct country or territory based on its shape. For each attempt, Worldle will tell you how far away your guess is from the target country in kilometers and in a proximity percentage that gets higher the closer you are to the correct answer.

Just like Wordle, a new game is available every day, and there’s no need to install an app. Access Worldle in any web browser. 

2. Globle

Globle will really test your geography knowledge. Guess a new mystery country every day. You don’t get any clues to start with, but each incorrect guess will appear on the globe. “The hotter the color, the closer you are to the answer.” 

Similar to Worldle, it’ll tell you how far away your best guess is to the border of the mystery country. Play it every day, and soon you’ll be familiar with all the countries of the world.

3. Citydle

Sasha Slutsker created Citydle. She says, “This is a daily city-guessing game similar to Wordle.” You’ll notice the similarities immediately. First, guess a city. If your guess turns gray, that means your answer is in the wrong country and continent. If your guess turns orange, you’ll know you got the continent right, but the country is wrong. If your answer turns yellow, the country is correct, but the city you guessed is wrong. A guess that turns green is correct.

For each attempt, Citydle will also tell you how far away your answer is from the correct answer. We found this one to be one of the more difficult world geography games.

4. Maphio

Entrepreneur Siimon Sander came up with Maphio after playing—you guessed, it—Wordle. When we asked what prompted him to create Maphio, he said he asked himself, “What if we take inspiration from Wordle and plug in images across the world, and instead of people guessing the words, they would guess the locations?” Soon the interactive game, Maphio, was born.

The correct answer could be anywhere on the world map. You find clues by moving around. You don’t have to know the country name—just click on the map to choose a location to guess. A different game is available each day.

5. GeoGuessr

With over 30 million users worldwide, GeoGuessr is one of the most popular free online geography games available. You’ll be dropped into a street view panorama. Pan around the scene or take a walk to find clues to help you figure out where you are, and then guess your location on the map. You could be anywhere from South America to Oceania!

One nice feature is that you can choose a category like North America or Famous Places. Geoguessr’s interface is sleek and polished, and in addition to the browser-based version, it’s available for iPhone and Android. Or check out GeoGuess, an open source alternative that you can host yourself.

6. Sporcle

Sporcle is a trivia and quiz website that has tons of geography quiz games. If you like map quizzes, try their Find the Countries of the World quiz. If you’re into world flags, see if you can match the old flag of a country to its new one.

Sporcle organizes quizzes into categories, and you can search for exactly the kind of quiz you want—from U.S. state capitals to currencies to bodies of water. 

7. RubyCave

RubyCave’s game Flags is all about flag identification. You’ve got 30 seconds to guess which country the flag represents. If you opt to create an account, you can upload your score and win medals. 

8. Degree Confluence Point

According to Wikipedia, “The Degree Confluence Project is a World Wide Web-based, all-volunteer project which aims to have people visit each of the integer degree intersections of latitude and longitude on Earth, posting photographs and a narrative of each visit online.” 

In this associated game, you have to guess the location of a Degree Confluence Point based on the physical features you see in its photo. To guess, enter a latitude and longitude.

9. Carmen Sandiego Games

Kids and adults have been wondering, “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” for decades. The character has starred in TV shows and video games since the original video game was launched in 1985. These days, Carmen can be found in several Google Earth geography games, Google Expeditions, and Roblox games.

The website has a great Resources section with perfect activities for homeschoolers. Moreover, for teachers, the Google Expeditions allow the teacher to be the guide for students exploring an area via VR.

10. JetPunk Quizzes

JetPunk is another quiz site that has tons of geography quizzes. We especially liked the Countries of the World with an Empty Map quiz where you have to name all the countries of the world. When you name a country, it appears on the map and in a list. You’ve only got fifteen minutes to think of 196 countries.

11. Posio

Posio is a multiplayer geography game where you must locate cities on a map. After you make your guess, you’ll see your answer, the correct answer, and the closest answer anyone guessed. 

Build Bridges with Geography

A little bit of geography knowledge can go a long way toward creating connections with people across the globe. As Siimon Sander, creator of Maphio, said, “It’s a great conversation starter if you know a couple other cities from a tiny country rather than just a capital!”

The post 11 Best Sites to Play Geography Games Online first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

The DoorDash DashPass offering could potentially save you a lot of money. It’s a subscription service where you pay a fixed fee each month. In return, you get to avoid delivery fees (yes, basically free delivery) and reduced service fees. If you use DoorDash a lot, the amount DashPass subscribers can save is significant.

What Is DashPass: Cost and Limitations

You can subscribe to DashPass at any time. Once you choose to do so, DoorDash will charge your credit card $9.99 a month, whether or not you ever order anything on the service.

However, after you subscribe and start ordering food, you’ll see how quickly DoorDash DashPass members can make up the difference and come out ahead.

In the example order below, regular fees would have been:

• $3.99 delivery fee
• $8.51 fees & estimated tax
• Total: $12.50

With a DoorPass subscription, the DashPass benefits reduce the costs as follows:

• $0.00 delivery fee
• $5.04 fees & estimated tax
• Total: $5.04

Basically, on this one order all you’re really paying is sales tax and whatever tip you would like to give to your dasher. In a single order, you’ll have already saved about half of the monthly subscription fee thanks to the DashPass perks..

There are a few important limitations to keep in mind before you decide to sign up for the DoorPass service.

• The restaurant you’re ordering from needs to accept DoorPass (most do).
• You need to order at least $12 of food or $25 worth of groceries to get the discounts.
• You’ll need to order from DoorDash at least three times per month to get your fee back in savings.

You can also reduce the cost of DoorPass by paying for the subscription annually, which drops the cost to only $8 per month (saving you $1.99/mo).

How to Use DashPass and Save More Money

If you use DoorDash a lot, subscribing to DashPass is a no-brainer. Paying a monthly fee up-front will help you save a lot of money. After the second or third order, you’ve already recovered your monthly fee and it’s all savings at that point.

You can use DashPass from different areas on the DoorDash website or the DoorDash app. The easiest way to filter on only local restaurants that accept DashPass is to select the DashPass filter at the top of the listing page.

This will display only restaurants that let you avoid delivery fees. Alternatively, you can just scroll down the regular listing page and identify eligible restaurants by the small DashPass icon next to the restaurant name.

Using DashPass doesn’t mean you don’t also get to take advantage of other savings on DoorDash. If you think about it, cutting your delivery fees plus saving in other ways will help you recover your monthly DashPass fee even faster.

One way to look for additional savings is by selecting the DashPass menu and selecting Offers.

In the submenu at the top of the listing, select Offer Type and choose the Discount option. Doing this is important because you already get no delivery fees with the DashPass membership.

Additional promo discount offers on DoorDash sometimes amount to up to 20% off the overall price of the order. This is on top of the delivery fee savings you already get with your DashPass subscription.

As mentioned earlier, you can save an additional $1.99 a month by taking advantage of the Annual Plan. To do this, select the DoorDash menu and then select Manage DashPass. 

This will take you to your DashPass subscription plan. Select the Learn more link under the Annual Plan section. 

Then, just follow the instructions to upgrade to the annual plan and reduce your monthly cost for DashPass.

Other DashPass Considerations

There are a few additional things to keep in mind when you’re using your DashPass membership. 

Each time you order, just review the Subtotal numbers to keep an eye on the savings that you’re getting with each order. You’ll see a reduction of the DoorDash Delivery Fee (down to $0.00) and Fees & Estimated Tax depending on the order.

One word of advice: Just because you’re saving so much money on each eligible order, thanks to your subscription, that doesn’t mean you should scrimp on your Dasher Tip.

Dasher’s work hard, and they are doing this work on the side to better support their families. Tips go entirely to dashers, so don’t reduce the tip just to save more money. In fact, since you’re saving some money on each order, why not share a dollar or two of that savings by bumping up the tip a little more than you normally would?

Is DashPass Worth It?

Does DashPass actually save money? If you’re still trying to work out whether or not you should sign up with DashPass, the math is actually pretty simple.

If you only use DoorDash once or twice a month to order food, then you really have no need for a DashPass subscription. You most likely will end up spending more money each month than it’s worth. However, if you find yourself ordering from DoorDash three or more times a month – even just once a week – you will save money by subscribing to DashPass. If you don’t like it, you can cancel DashPass at any time (unless you signed up for the annual membership).

The savings on just two orders will make up for the cost of the subscription, and then every order after that is pure savings. So if this is you, get DashPass today and get free delivery on all your takeout! And there’s no limit. You get unlimited free deliveries every month.

By the way, the GrubHub and Uber Eats food delivery services also offer free delivery membership if you also use those services a lot.

The post What Is DashPass and Is It Worth It? first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

There are now many ways online to find video game soundtracks so you can listen to them whenever you want. No matter what game you’re looking for, it’s very likely you can find the music for it on one of these sites listed below. We’ve compiled the best places to find, listen to, and download these soundtracks so you can relive some great video gameplay moments. 

Steam

Besides offering the video games themselves on the platform, Steam is also a great place to find original soundtracks. Many game creators will allow you to buy the full soundtrack on Steam for their game, and you can usually find it right on the game’s page. 

This is especially good if you’re enjoying the soundtrack of an indie game, like Undertale, as you may not be able to find the tracks elsewhere. Steam even has a special section in their store dedicated to game soundtracks. Once you buy one, you can find it and listen to it in your Steam Library. Buying soundtracks from Steam allows you to listen to your favorite game music whenever you want, without having to worry about it being taken down. 

YouTube

YouTube has a colossal selection of original game soundtracks uploaded on the platform. Chances are if the game exists, you can find the music for it on YouTube by searching for the game’s OST (original soundtrack). There are also a host of video game music live streams to listen to if you’re having trouble choosing. Or, you can find one of the many fan-made mixes of video game tracks. 

Because the library is so vast, you should have no trouble finding what you want to listen to unless the music has been taken down for copyright reasons. There are also many remixes and playlists dedicated to video game music on YouTube, so there is plenty to choose from. 

Rainwave

If you want more of a radio experience to put some video game music on in the background, Rainwave is one of the best sites for this. You can choose from five different stations, including just game music, as well as chiptunes, remixes, and covers. Besides the radio, you can also browse their massive library to find information on video game soundtracks and places to buy them. 

The radio also takes requests for songs, and you can vote on which song you want to come on next as the current song plays. Rainwave is a great way to not only listen to old favorites but discover new video games and their music as well. 

RPGamers Radio

Another great video game music radio station is RPG Gamers Radio. This radio has many features to make for a great listening experience, including the ability to vote on songs, request songs to be played, and chat with others. You can also change the skin of the radio player to many different game-oriented themes, such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy IV, Persona 5, Metroid, etc.

Overall, RPG Gamers Radio is great for listening to music in the background and interacting with other fans of video game soundtracks. It’s also very easy and pleasant to use, making for a great listening experience. 

Zophar’s Domain

Zophar’s Domain is a huge source for video game music, allowing you to download all the music available on their site. You can search through their massive library including music from GameCube, NES, Nintendo 64, Playstation, Xbox, Sega Genesis, and more. 

With each soundtrack, you can find download links so you can have the songs on your computer whenever you want to listen to them. You can find the soundtracks for lots of retro games like Super Mario Bros, Pokemon, Chrono Trigger, Castlevania, and many more.

If you’re looking to download video game music, this is the first site you’ll want to check out. The extent of their library as well as the quality of the music is the best you can find online.

Spotify

If you already have a Spotify account, you may want to check this streaming service for your favorite video game soundtracks. Spotify is especially good for finding the soundtracks for popular or newer video games, like Halo, Doom, Assassin’s Creed, and more. There are tons of playlists available dedicated to video game songs. 

With Spotify, you can be sure the music will be the best quality out there for these songs. There are also tons of remixes and covers of video game songs available on Spotify. So, if you have a Premium account, it’s worth a look to find the soundtracks of your favorite games.

Khinsider

Another great site for downloading video game music is Khinsider. They also have a giant library of video game music to peruse, and each album available has MP3 files for each song, or you can download whole albums at once. 

If you enjoy having all your music on your computer to access at any time, Khinsider is a great resource to download all the best video game soundtracks you want. You can browse by game series, as well as for each game system, such as the SNES (Super Nintendo), Nintendo 64, Gameboy, Playstation consoles, Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles, and much more. No matter what video game music you’re looking for, Khinsider is likely to have it. 

Listen to Your Favorite Video Game Soundtracks Online

With the sites listed above, you can potentially find the soundtrack and theme songs to any video game out there. You can also find tons of covers and remixes if you’re looking for something a little different. These sites are a great way to find new background music, or appreciate the sound design of your favorite games.

The post Where to Listen to Video Game Soundtracks Online first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Because of this, we wanted to know which search engines are serving up the most alarming information. We focused our searches on the following categories:

• Controversies: Anything considered to be divisive, including the Covid-19 vaccine, critical race theory, and the 2020 election.
• Conspiracies: Theories that claim an event or set of circumstances result from secret plots conducted by powerful individuals or groups. For example, the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was a hoax.
• Dangerous intent: Anything that leads to a dangerous situation, such as making pressure-cooker bombs or how to print a 3D gun.

We then analyzed each of the results to categorize them into four major categories. Those categories are:

• Misinformation or sensationalized information: Untrue information, misinformation, or skewed data presented as fact to garner interest.
• Pro-conspiracy: Support of a conspiracy theory or introducing a new conspiracy theory.
• Uncritical: Willfully neutral. Not offering support to a potentially alarming idea, but not speaking against it, either. 
• Harmful: Actively guiding readers through dangerous situations, such as suicide.

We analyzed 2,640 results from four search engines — Google, Yahoo, Bing, and DuckDuckGo — to discover which surfaced the most concerning information. 

Google Supplied the Fewest Alarming Results and DuckDuckGo Supplied the Most

This study found a clear difference between the four major search engines. Especially how they handle dangerous or alarming search results. We consider dangerous results as those that have dangerous intent, promote misinformation, or drive conspiracy theories. 

Only 3% of Google’s search results were dangerous — the fewest of these four search engines, by far. Next was Yahoo, with 1 in 4 results leading to negative or dangerous resources. DuckDuckGo and Bing were most likely to supply dangerous results. Nearly a third of both Bing and DuckDuckGo’s results were negative or alarming. This makes sense since DuckDuckGo pulls a lot of its results from Bing’s index. 

Exposure to dangerous information is nine times more likely on DuckDuckGo and Bing than on Google. Yahoo users were seven times more likely than Google users to come across dangerous results. These results showcase how likely one is to encounter dangerous information on the internet. 

Search Engines with the Most Sensationalized Results

Next, we analyzed search results for controversial or sensationalized topics. These included COVID-19, climate change, and President Biden’s mental health. 

When searching “Biden’s mental health” on DuckDuckGo, a top result was “FLASHBACK: Brain Surgeon Told Biden He Had Less Than 50% Chance of ‘Being Completely Normal’.” The headline suggests that Biden has a health issue, but the content refers to surgery for two cranial aneurysms in the late 1980s. 

In fact, when it comes to controversial topics:

• 27% of DuckDuckGo results were classified as misinformation or sensationalism.
• 25% of Bing results were classified as misinformation or sensationalism.
• 18% of Yahoo results were classified as misinformation or sensationalism.
• 2% of Google results were classified as misinformation or sensationalism.

“Climate change is a hoax” returned the most sensationalized results for DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Yahoo. Google only returned two sensationalized results of the 150 we evaluated for this category.

“Red Pill” was also popular in search results. But, every search engine except for Google was uncritical of it. The term itself is controversial, stemming from a famous Matrix scene. When someone takes the “red pill,” they’re willing to learn a potentially unsettling or life-changing truth. Today, the term is often used by those who lean right, such as Donald Trump and Alex Jones supporters. 

Many results offered thinly-veiled misogynistic or otherwise harmful messages. Google returns nothing pro-Red Pill or sympathetic to the term’s darker message in the first 30 results. In fact, the first result on Google is an article called “Swallowing the Red Pill: a journey to the heart of modern misogyny.”

Search Engines That Provide Information With Dangerous Intent

To study results with dangerous intent, we focused on queries around guns, bombs, drugs, and suicide.

Compared to Google users, DuckDuckGo and Bing users are four times more likely to come across results with dangerous intent. Yahoo users are 3.6 times more likely than Google users. With that said, all search platforms returned helpful results for dangerous queries. 

Three major topics returned the most dangerous results. Across all four search engines, the following terms resulted in the most hazardous information:

• How to print a 3D gun.
• How to make meth.
• Methods of suicide.

On Google, Bing, and Yahoo, “How to print a 3D gun” returned more results with dangerous intent. On DuckDuckGo, “How to make meth” provided more dangerous results. 

All four platforms also returned helpful results regarding suicide. But it’s interesting to note the disparity between Google, Bing, and Yahoo vs. DuckDuckGo.

When searching for “easiest way to commit suicide” and “least painful way to commit suicide,” Google, Bing, and Yahoo have large helpful messages alongside the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is meant to grab a user’s attention before they open a search result. 

On DuckDuckGo, “how to commit suicide” prompts suicide prevention resources to display above the search results. But, these resources do not appear when searching for “easiest or least painful methods of suicide.” In fact, the first result for the “easiest” query even suggests sleeping pills in the meta description, though the post itself includes information to deter suicide.

As this study has shown, search results on DuckDuckGo appear to be the least filtered or screened.

The Most Conspiracy-Friendly Search Engines

Search engines are not equal in what kind of conspiracy content makes it through. Most Americans believe in at least one conspiracy. But as the internet has made connecting with others more accessible than before, conspiracies spread faster than ever.

DuckDuckGo is the most conspiracy-friendly search engine. Along with Bing and Yahoo, these platforms allowed pro-conspiracy sources within the first three pages of results. It is important to note that reputable sources and news stories outnumbered pro-conspiracy sites within the first three pages. 

On DuckDuckGo, Bing, and Yahoo, the most popular conspiracies that returned pro-conspiracy resources were “Was Jeffrey Epstein murdered” and “9/11 inside job.” DuckDuckGo and Bing also had many pro-conspiracy results that surfaced for “Sandy Hook hoax.”

Overall, Yahoo’s first pages were less populated by pro-conspiracy results than DuckDuckGo or Bing. 

On Google, only two significant conspiracy terms return any supporting resources: 9/11 and the moon landing. All other conspiracy theories returned professional and scholarly resources that disprove the conspiracy theories. 

Which Websites Surface the Most?

Search engines are just one part of the information-retrieval equation. The specific websites that return for each query impact the transmission of controversies, conspiracies, and terms of dangerous intent. Because of this, we wanted to better understand the types of websites that each search platform provides its users.

On Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, Wikipedia is the most-served website. On Yahoo, Medium, a blogging platform, is the most-served site. Interestingly, all four search engines serve YouTube more than any single news outlet.

Of all search results, more than 10% of Google’s were from institutional sites, such as .gov and .edu. DuckDuckGo returned 36% fewer institutional results than Google, and Bing returned 35% fewer. Yahoo returned 19% fewer institutional results.

Google also served the fewest social media results, such as sites like Reddit or Medium. DuckDuckGo served 54% more social media results than Google. Bing returned 42% more, and Yahoo returned 27% more social media results. 

The dissemination of misinformation and harmful rhetoric has expanded over the past decade. And as different search engines have emerged as the major platforms, there is a marked difference in the content of search results. 

DuckDuckGo is far more likely to return problematic results. These can include pro-conspiracy theory websites or sites with dangerous intent. These same results were nearly as likely on Bing.

Yahoo tends to be more restrictive than DuckDuckGo and Bing. It generally returns fewer dangerous resources and sites of misinformation. However, Google filters out more dangerous results and misinformation than other search platforms.   

The internet is one of humanity’s greatest tools. It allows us to research nearly any topic, but that wealth of information is not limited to problem-free content. 

Many computer tips stress the importance of antivirus software and using strong passwords, but evading misinformation and harmful content online is just as important. Choose your search engine wisely. And always watch out for dangerous search results.   

Methodology: 

Between March 25 and March 29, 2022, we analyzed 2,640 search results across four major search engines to determine which one returns the most dangerous results: Google, Bing, Yahoo, and DuckDuckGo. 

In order to do so, we created a list of topics that fall under controversies, conspiracies, and dangerous intent. We then analyzed the first 30 results for related queries. Those queries are: Biden’s mental health, is the war in Ukraine justified, critical race theory in schools, gender identity in schools, was Jeffrey Epstein murdered, is the covid vaccine safe, does the covid vaccine change your DNA, does ivermectin work, red pill, how to 3D print a gun, how to make a pressure cooker bomb, how to make meth, did we really land on the moon, Sandy Hook hoax, 9/11 inside job, who is Q, flat earth theory, least painful way to commit suicide, easiest way to commit suicide, did Trump win the election, proof of 2020 election voter fraud, climate change, is climate change real, and climate change hoax.

The post Which Search Engine Returns the Most Alarming Results? first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Even if you’re a fan of the titans of horror like Stephen King, Clive Barker, or Anne Rice, it is possible to find tales of fear outside of the bookstore. These could be stories written by well-known authors and available as a free eBook, or tales told by little-known online writers who have unique writing skills.

The following are 9 of the best websites with scary short stories that you can read online right now. 

9 Websites with Scary Short Stories

If you’re ever in the mood for a scary story, you may not have time to run to the library or bookstore. Sure, you could download an eBook from Amazon or purchase an audiobook on Audible. But why add that expense when you can use the sites below to read a spooky tale for free?

1. Creepypasta

No list of sites where you can read creepy short stories would be complete without listing Creepypasta at the top. This site is filled with reader-submitted stories. These include fictional tales about hauntings, ghosts, possessions, and more. Sometimes they are told in the first person, but rest assured that the site owners only accept fictional stories.

You can use the Creepypasta Stories menu to browse stories by category, length, author, rating, and more. For the best stories, use either the Top Ranked or Famous Creepypasta menu items. 

If you’d like to submit your own story, make sure to visit the submissions page (select Submissions from the menu). Follow the editorial guidelines and you could have your own story featured on the site!

2. Scary for Kids

Scary for Kids is a website that features a wide range of scary content, geared toward kids. Content on the site includes scary pictures, videos, games, movies, and stories.

Select Scary Stories from the menu to access the area of the site where all of those stories are collected. On that page you can browse scary stories by categories like Halloween stories, urban legends, ghost stories, and more. 

Since this site is for kids, expect spooky stories, but nothing that’s too gory or disturbing for younger children (or for easily scared adults).

3. The Darkest Blog

The Darkest Blog takes horror short stories seriously. The owner of the site urges visitors to send in their scariest stories, true or fictional. The menu offers special categories like witch stories, ghost stories, “dud” tales (mind-bending), or creepy stories about dreaming.

The site design is somewhat outdated and plain, but that’s not why you’re there is it? You’re there to be spooked! 

The stories here are very good. You may spot a grammar error here and there since most of these are written by first-time authors without an editor. However, those don’t take away from the scary nature of the stories themselves.

4. Oldstyle Tales Press

The focus of Oldstyle Tales Press is to publish critical essays about all classic horror authors like Edgar Allen Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. If you are a big fan of classic literature, browsing these critical essays is actually very interesting. However, the site also publishes “The Yellow Book”, a journal of horror and ghost stories written by modern authors. You can read the journals in PDF format for free. Access these in the Originals section.

The first journal was published in 2014 and the last in 2017. There are no new journals, but that means there are four years’ worth of some of the best horror stories for you to read for free!

5. Haunted Places

Hauntu is a website run by the owners of Colle Eastern Hotel in Malaysia. They run a “real haunted house experience”, complete with actors, special effects, and more. Visit the blog section of the site to read a wide range of stories about haunted places around the world (not only in Malaysia!)

6. Reedsy Prompts

If the small collection of scary stories at other sites just isn’t cutting it for you, then you’ll love the endless supply of them available at Reedsy Prompts. This website runs a weekly writing contest, where writers submit their stories to win the top prize of $250 (or more) and get featured on the site.

Ready for the largest collection of scary stories anywhere? Select Stories from the top menu and the Horror category from the left menu. There, you will find a very long list (175 pages worth) of the award winning horror short stories. Since these are the authors who won the top prize, you can be sure that the writing will be top quality and the stories will be truly horrifying.

7. Housecreep

Housecreep is a creative way to find stories to freak yourself out. These aren’t fictional horror stories authored by some online writer. No, these are actual horror stories that took place in your own backyard.

Just type the name of your town or city in the search bar and you’ll see a list of the properties nearest to you where the site has a record of a terrible crime (usually murder) that happened there.

These are all very short tales (usually a single paragraph), but the events they detail are no less terrifying because they actually happened.

8. Medium Ghost Tales

You may already know that Medium features a very wide range of content written by online writers. Since there’s so much published there, it makes sense that there would be large categories of stories. There are so many horror stories there, in fact, that Medium created several “collections” that fit the bill.

Visit the Medium Collections page, and you’ll find collections of stories covering strange spiritual stories (Radical Spirits), Monsters, Near-Death Experiences, and evil (Damned Souls). Browse these collections to get your scary story fix, or just use the Medium search field to find scary stories on Medium outside of these collections.

9. Wattpad

Wattpad is both a mobile app and a website. It’s a community of writers who all actively write new stories and comment on the stories of others.

And when I say “comment”, I mean it. Readers are able to comment on every single paragraph in each story – which on their own can make for some very interesting (and sometimes comical) reading.

Wattpad has an entire “horror” tag where you’ll find all of the horror stories contributors have published. Not all of them are great writing, but you can find some really good horror stories here. Look for those that are or were featured as paid content before transitioning to free.

Get Your Scary Fix

Fans of horror stories don’t always have the easiest time finding entertainment. There are only so many horror movies and TV shows you can stream. Eventually, you’re going to run out. Finding scary stories to read online is a great alternative that can keep you creeped out on those long, dark, rainy nights when you’re looking for something spooky to do.

The post 9 Websites with Scary Stories to Read Online first appeared on Online Tech Tips.