Obtaining Vital Records (Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce)

Where to go for vital records in the U.S.

Find out where to go and who to call the next time you need vital records with the National Center for Health Statistics state by state contact information.

Just click on the state you need records for and you’ll get costs, procedures, contact info, and websites for each state in the Union. A great resource the next time you’re digging for vital records; you could also just Google this info (in most cases, state name + vital records ought to do the trick), but this is a nice hub of information. — Wendy Boswell

Where to Write home page [National Center for Health Statistics]

Source: LifeHacker

Smarter Google searches

Source: Smarter Google searches - Lifehacker

Tech-book site Informit.com wants to help you get better search results from Google. A new book excerpt offers 10 tips for smarter searches.

The average user enters a keyword or two into Google’s search box, clicks the Search button, and waits for Google to display the first page of search results. This is a rather brute-force method of searching, unfortunately, and typically generates a ton of mostly unwanted results.

The average user enters a keyword or two into Google’s search box, clicks the Search button, and waits for Google to display the first page of search results. This is a rather brute-force method of searching, unfortunately, and typically generates a ton of mostly unwanted results.

The tips range from fairly obvious (like putting quotes around multiple words to conduct a phrase search) to undeniably helpful, like fine-tuning your searches with special operators. Even seasoned searchers should find a nugget or two of Google-enhancing info. — Rick Broida

Ten Tips for Smarter Google Searches [Informit.com]

How to set up dual monitors

Source: How to set up dual monitors - Lifehacker

Tech mag PC World has a video demonstrating how to install and configure a dual-monitor setup.

The video shows how to upgrade your graphics card (which may or may not be necessary), identifies the difference between analog and digital connectors and explains when you might need to use an adapter. It also wisely suggests backing up your PC before getting started.

We’ve long been proponents of the productivity gains afforded by dual monitors, and this video offers a good introduction to this essential upgrade. — Rick Broida

How to Set Up Multiple Monitors [PC World]

Any Video Converter (Windows)

Windows only: Convert nearly any video format to nearly any other video format with the aptly named Any Video Converter.

The program supports just about every video format known to man, including AVI, DivX, FLV, RM, and VOB. It also comes with output profiles for devices like the iPod and PSP, though you can easily create a custom profile with the audio and video specs of your choosing.

AVC couldn’t be much easier to use, and it supports batch conversions—always a nice perk. You’ll definitely want to add this utility to your video arsenal (though don’t overlook Videora Converter, arguably a better choice for converting videos for mobile devices). Any Video Converter is free for Windows. — Rick Broida

Any Video Converter [Any-DVD-Converter.com]

Link to Download of the Day: Any Video Converter (Windows) - Lifehacker

Undelete Plus

Undelete Plus is a quick and effective way to retrieve accidentally deleted files, files removed from the Recycle Bin, in a DOS window, from a network drive, from Windows Explorer with the SHIFT key held down.  And, it’s FREE.

Undelete Plus works under Win 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003 operating systems. The program supports all Windows file systems for hard and floppy drives including FAT12/16/32,NTFS/NTFS5 and image recovery from CompactFlash, SmartMedia, MultiMedia and Secure Digital cards.

Click here to view screenshots

Click here to download 787 Kb

Undelete Plus