Royalty Free Stock Photos from fotolia

Just because photos and images are on the Internet, does not mean they are free to use for whatever you want them for.  Some people get quite upset if/when you use their images without permission - even if you give them linkage and credit - so it's always a good idea to check the licensing before using.

The people at fotolia gave me a free 30-day trial subscription (5 images per day) to their site so I could try it out.  The site offers thousands, no millions of royalty free images.  The royalty-free license allows you to use images in your projects without limitations on time, the number of copies printed, or geographical location of use.

They offer two types of plans - Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription.  Anyone can sign up for a free account and begin searching for images.  They have a really great search function, and you can search for images by keyword, concept and category, color, and more - to find just the right image.  Fotolia will also suggest similar images or items in the same series, which would be especially helpful if you're doing a project and want the images to coordinate.  Save any images you like to your 'Lightbox' and organize them any way you like - perfect for finding the images you like again!

Once you're ready to buy images, decide what kind of plan you want.  The per-image cost is higher with the Pay-As-You-Go plan, but I think it's better, unless you need a lot of images.  The subscription I had was for 5 images a day, and that meant I had to go back every single day and download those 5 images, and then I had to wait until my time re-set to the next day - and go back again to download another 5 images.  I found that I did not really need that many images, and some days - even though I meant to go and download my 5 images - I just didn't get there.  They have a new monthly subscription plan that might solve that problem since they give you the whole month to download the files you want (you choose the number), and if you don't download them, they roll over to the next month. 

I did download several images during my month's subscription.  I just haven't used many of them.  I am going to keep adding images to my lightbox - because there are some great images there - and if/when I have a real need for a great royalty free image, I'll just buy some credits and do the Pay-As-You-Go thing.

If you're looking for images, be sure to check out fotolia.  If you'd like to sell some images, you can do that too.

Related articles

• A Picture's Worth 1,000 Links: How To Find and Cite Images (blueglass.com)
• Figure Out Where a Photo Originated (howto.wired.com)
• Photo Pin - Royalty-free Image Search (freetech4teachers.com)

Read Your Personal Documents on Kindle

This is such a great idea - send your personal documents to your registered Kindle device (or supported Kindle app) and read them on the Kindle.  If you're like me and really hate printing things (unless absolutely necessary) and don't really like to read documents on the computer, this is a great alternative.  Save paper, save ink, and still take your documents with you!

Kindle Personal Documents Service supports multiple file types, including:

• Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
• HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
• RTF (.RTF)
• JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
• Kindle Format (.MOBI, .AZW)
• GIF (.GIF)
• PNG (.PNG)
• BMP (.BMP)
• PDF (.PDF) 

There are a couple ways to add documents to your Kindle.  The Send to Kindle application for PC lets you right-click on files in Windows Explorer and select Send to Kindle or, from any Windows application that can print, select Print and choose Send to Kindle (documents are delivered in PDF format). You can also email personal documents to your Send-to-Kindle e-mail address. If you want other people to be able to send you files, add them to your approved contacts and give them your Send-to-Kindle email address.

The Kindle Personal Documents Service is available for Kindle Keyboard (with the latest software update, version 3.3), Kindle, Kindle Touch, and Kindle for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch (running Kindle app version 2.9 or greater). Kindle Personal Documents Service is currently not supported on other free Kindle reading applications - which makes me very sad, because I'm using Kindle for Android.  I downloaded the Send to Kindle PC app and tried sending a Word file to my Kindle Library in the Amazon Cloud, but that wouldn't work either.  I guess I'm just going to have to be patient... or buy a Kindle!  *grin*

See It, Save It, with Clipix

I spend a lot of time online, and I'm always finding interesting stuff.  The main reason I started this blog is to keep track of and share all the cool stuff I find.  Unfortunately, that hasn't happened quite the way I imagined.  Oh, I still find plenty of interesting things, but I don't always get around to actually sharing those things, and lots of times I find interesting things one day, but I forget to save them or mention them - and then I either forget or can't find them again.  Anybody else have that problem?
 
Well, I just found this new site called clipix, and I think it's going to be a big help.  Basically, clipix makes it really simple to save anything you see so you can find it and go back to it later.  Start by signing up for a free account - I used my facebook account, so it was just a matter of connecting and authorizing the app.  Then add the Clip button to your Bookmarks bar, and you're good to go.  Start clipping all the fabulous content you find every day.  They start you off with some basic boards - Books I'd Like to Read, Vacation Ideas, Gifts for the Family, Interesting Articles - just to get you started.  You can rename those if you want and create your own as you find things to save.  You can have as many clipboards as you like and organize them any way you like.I know I'm going to be using that Interesting Articles board a lot!  I'm always finding things I want to read but just don't have time to read right then.  I've added a few already, but I'm sure there will be many more added:
 

I like that clipix lets you choose from the images on whatever page you're saving, so it's a bit easier to remember why you clipped it in the first place, but if there are no images, simply type your own words in and give the clip a relevant title.  The web page and title are added automatically to the description, so you don't even have to type that in.  Of course, you can change it or add to it as you want.
 
Clipix also makes it really easy to share all the fun stuff you're finding - send an email, share on facebook or twitter.  Or, if you want to keep something to yourself, you can keep all your clipboards (or just some of them) completely private.  Working on a project with someone else?  You can set up what they call a Syncboard and everybody can add to it together and see everyone else's updates in real time.
 
I can see how this can be really handy and really addictive.  I wonder who's going to clip and organize the whole Internet first!  OK, maybe not, but at least we can all clip and keep track of the stuff we're interested in.  Visit clipix, sign up for your free account and start clipping!  And let me know how you're going to use clipix.  I think the possibilities are endless.
 
Just in case I've forgotten something important, check out this video explaining it all:
 

Promoted Post

Sprint 4-Day Sale

This post brought to you by Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
If you're thinking about changing your cell phone plan and getting a new phone, there's still time to take advantage of this limited time Sprint sale.  Through February 8, 2012, you can get a free or discounted phone when you open a new line of service or add to your Sprint account.
 

Choose the Nexus S™ 4G which features Android 2.3 , comes with built-in Google apps, integrated Google Voice™ service, 4G speed and a super fast processor.  You'll get full web browsing, internet calling and true multi-tasking with the mobile hotspot capability.  This phone is specifically designed to fit perfectly and comfortably in the palm of your hand.  Regular price is $549.99 - but with a 2-year agreement and new line savings (or eligible upgrade), it's free
 

If you're an entertainment junkie, you'll want the HTC EVO™ 3D - only $49.99 if you order it online - with a 2-year agreement and new line savings (or eligible upgrade).  It also runs on Android 2.3, features an oversized screen and lets users take, share and view 3D pics and flicks all at lightning-fast 4G speeds - no 3D glasses required.
 
These deals are only available online and for a very limited time.  You'll get free shipping, and they're even waiving the activation fee (normally $36) on new lines.
 

Save on the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.
 
The cost of prescription drugs can really add up, especially if your medical insurance does not include drug coverage.  Walgreens offers an option for those people who do not have drug coverage - their Prescription Savings Club.  Benefits of the Club include:

• Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and generic medications
• Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers, and diabetic supplies
• and bonuses on the purchase of Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

Right now Walgreens is offering a special discount on a Walgreens Prescription Savings Club membership. A family membership that covers everyone in your immediate family, including spouse, dependents 22 and younger, and pets is only $35 a year.  An individual membership is only $20 for a year.
 
Joining is risk free.  If you don't save more than the cost of your membership during the course of the year, they'll refund the difference.  Considering the cost of most prescription drugs, it probably won't take more than a couple prescriptions or refills to cover the cost of your membership - not to mention the other savings.  But it's good to know you'll get that money back if you don't.

Be sure to Like Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter to stay updated and learn about even more special discounts and savings opportunities.