convert

Zamzar Converts Your Files

~ randyaa ~ 2 Comments

Zamzar LogoA few days ago a friend asked me how to embed YouTube videos into a powerpoint presentation. I assumed it wasn’t possible but I went searching anyway. I didn’t come away with a miracle but I did come away with a new tool for my arsenal. Zamzar will convert any that you either upload or send it a URL to. Zamzar is also smart enough to convert embedded items such as YouTube and MetaCafe videos. They have a whole slew of other sites that are supported in a similar fashion. Don’t think Zamzar is just for videos though. Oh no, they support word processing conversion, compression type conversions, image conversions, video conversions and music conversions.

Zamzar is your one stop shop to convert your files.

The way it works is really quite simple and eloquent. You fill out the from on their main page (shown below), click ‘convert’ and wait for the E-mail. The E-mail will contain a link to the downloadable converted file(accessible by anyone who has the link, so feel free to forward it to friends or whatever).

Zamzar Convert Form

Be careful the converted file is only available for 24hrs. That’s probably how they keep their costs low. If you’re interested in storing your converted files on their system, they do have pay plans available with pricing for just about everyone.

Disclaimer: Like everything these days, the service is in ‘Beta’ and as such it might come with a few bugs. I also know the site has some pop-up ads so don’t turn off your pop-up blocker.

Instead of Burning try Converting

~ randyaa ~ Leave a comment

A few days ago I downloaded some software that came as a .UIF file. Assuming it was a disc Image I attempted using Roxio, Nero and even an ISO mounting software I use called Virtual CD-ROM Control Panel to open it with no luck. I then did some searching on the net and found out that UIF is a proprietary extension for a program called Magic ISO. Essentially it’s just a compressed ISO.

Magic ISO allows you to make Images and Burn them, however their free trial version only allows you to burn (or create) up to a 300mb image. My Image was slightly over at 430mb so I was out of luck (or so I thought).

I quickly did some searching and came across a handy little tutorial on how to convert UIF files. As it so happens Magic ISO also has the ability to convert the UIF files (basically extract them) into an ISO instead. This feature is actually enabled for any size file in the trial version so I was in luck.

In case the link ever goes dead all you need to do is:

  1. start Magic ISO
  2. click tools -> convert
  3. select the UIF file
  4. choose the output file name and location
  5. click ‘Convert!’