Do you need to send or share large files???

More and more I run across email systems that have file size restrictions for sending attachments. While this may be good for email traffic, it can present a challenge when users want to share large files, such as "giga-pixel" images from the newest digital cameras. The good news is that FREE online options are available.

Of course, before you attempt to send any large file, it's always good practice to use a utility to compress the file (or folder). On the Mac, this is easily accomplished by "zipping" the file or folder:
1) Click once to select (highlight) the file or folder icon
2) From the File menu, select Create archive of "selected_file"
3) The archived file is created, (look for "selected_file.zip")

If the compressed file is still too large for your email system, check out: Openomy.com, dropload.com or yousendit.com. (credit and thanks to the wonderful "techtips" posted by Miguel Guhlin).

Of these, my favorite is YouSendit.com, a free service that's as easy as 1-2-3:
1) Pick who you want to send a file to (anyone with an email address - and multiple addresses can be entered).
2) "Browse" to select the file on your computer (up to 100 MB in size) -- it can be music, photos, documents, or anything. Your file will be stored by YouSendIt without ever filling up your recipient's mailbox.
3) Click the Send It button. YouSendIt will automatically email your recipient a link to your file stored on the YouSendIt server.

* Files automatically "expire" in 7 days.
* No sign-ups, no passwords required, although signing up provides additional features.
* Advertising supported (this is why it is free).

Another company, 4shared.com provides a 1 GB virtual drive (with individual file size limits of 50 MB). Once loaded, you can set files to be public or private. Note that if you do not login for 30 days, your account and all files are removed.

AP Government Review Goes National!

Adlai E. Stevenson High School Government teachers Andy Conneen and Dan Larsen are taking their Advanced Placement Government Review Show to a national audience on Sunday, May 6. After hosting the country’s only AP Radio Review show on WAES-FM (Stevenson's local radio station) for the last four years, the “2Regular Guys” will take their radio review to Chicago-based WLS-AM 890. The nationally syndicated radio program “Beyond the Beltway” with Bruce Dumont will team with the Stevenson teachers and dedicate its entire program on Sunday (from 6 to 8 p.m.) to helping prepare students for the AP Government test on May 7.

The program also will feature Stevenson seniors Michael Levine and Megha Shankar, who will help a national audience of students prepare for the exam by discussing the political news of the week -- and explaining how the current issues relate to exam topics such as federalism, separation of powers and executive authority. Vanessa Lal Steinkamp also will be an in-studio guest.

Students can contact the show with questions about exam topics by calling 800-723-8289, by emailing BTB@museum.tv, or by joining the online review community at http://citizenu.org. Students will find an excellent online U.S. Constitution Review guide on the blog, and each Friday, these "2Regular Guys" publish the CitizenU podcast, available through iTunes at: pcast://feeds.feedburner.com/CitizenU

Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont is a live, weekly program that takes America's political pulse and provides a fresh and balanced perspective of national politics. The program is produced every Sunday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. The radio version of Beyond the Beltway is heard on more than 60 stations from coast to coast. The audio also is streamed live every Sunday at http://www.beyondthebeltway.com.