Get your resume graded

I came across this web tool today that automatically grades your resume. This is an interesting service as it appears to be based on an algorithm that is developed with the input from hiring managers. The great thing about this tool is that after you put your resume through the algorithm it gives you 1 tip to improve your resume. That's great for people that have been searching for a job and want to give a touch up to their resume before sending out another batch. It's a free service and it doesn't ask you for any information (you are already giving them a wealth of it), yet it is asking you if you want to be contacted. Overall a fun little tool that I would recommend people.

http://rezscore.com/

Free Software Options: GIMP (Photoshop-like photo manipulating)

So I've been running Ubuntu Linux 11.04 for about a month now and I am glad that I chose this operating system, as it forces me to learn a few new things about computing and explore a different approach to computing. Particularly the software that I use on my machine is all Free, in both senses of the word. I don't pay for it but it also is not restricted by proprietary rules and restrictions. 

I have tried Ubuntu before and it was decent, but too complicated  and lacked certain little functions that I needed, like MS Word compatibility, which OpenOffice didn't really have at the time, so I uninstalled it after about 2-3 weeks. This time around things are different, my needs are different and the functionality is expanded.

I have recently tried to use GIMP, which in the past was vastly different from Photoshop. Photoshop is without a doubt a standard for photo editing on computers, it does everything and everyone knows how to use it (well everyone who wants to use it). There's a lot of internet support and tutorials for it. It's probably one of the most pirated software packages out there. Just look it up on torrents. Since I was Ubuntu, I didn't want to install through Wine, and wanted to see what GIMP has been up to. GIMP 2.6 blew me away. They have refined the UI and made it more intuitive for a Photoshop user. Which is great for me, I was able to edit a picture and even use Photoshop tutorial, applying a little common sense and ingenuity. 

I think GIMP 2.6 would work well for personal use at home. Feel free to download it and give it a try.

http://download.cnet.com/GIMP/3000-2192_4-10073935.html