Whilst on holiday recently we were provided with a Home Plug solution to internet access in the cottage we were staying in. This was great for my laptop, but no so good for my phone or my daughter’s iPod Touch. After a search I came across Connectify – Windows software that will turn your PC into a wireless hotspot.

Sadly, I couldn’t get it to work whilst on holiday, but right now it’s working without any kind of issue.

There are 2 versions, a Lite and Pro, the former being free. The Pro version allows you to fully modify the SSID name (otherwise it’s prefixed with “connectify”) and also use your computer as a repeater (by which I mean it uses the same details as your wifi router and will allow anybody to move seemlessly between the two).

Installing the Lite version, you need to give it a reboot at the end. When it restarts you choose an SSID and password and then which connection you wish to use. So, right now, I’m testing it (a bit pointlessly, I’ll admit) by connecting it to a nearby public wifi. After a few seconds connecting my phone recognises the new SSID and connects (after supplying the password). I can then access the internet. Of course, the real advantage would be connecting the laptop to a wired connection and then transmitting that.

Another difference between the Lite and Pro versions is that only Windows 7 works with the Lite. Vista and XP work with Pro, but only in ad-hoc mode. For this reason I’d only really recommend Connectify for Windows 7 users.

The Pro version is $29.99, but if you use the code EARLYBIRD you can get £10 off this price.

Summary of Connectify

If you’re a Windows 7 user I’d recommend everyone have at least the Lite version  installed, just in case – it could prove invaluable

Reviewed by David Artiss on 10th September 2011.

Launched only in 2008, Groupon has become big, quickly. The idea of it is that they have a deal each day and, if enough people sign up for it, the deal is given. It works much like the ill-fated “dot com” startup LetsBuyIt.com.

Starting in the US, it spread quickly to other countries. Google offered $5.3 billion for it last year but were turned down. Instead, Google are launching their own equivalent, “Google Offers”, as is Facebook. Indeed, there are 500 similar sites already offering a similar offer. However, what Groupon has that the others don’t is the number of customers and the number of companies queueing up to use them.

So, using Groupon is simple – sign up, specify your nearest city and they’ll email you each day with their current offer (or, alternatively, visit their website – there’s no requirement to receive emails from them). If you decide to accept it, and enough other people do, you have your deal. Most of these offers are usually around dining out and health & beauty products and services, but you’ll usually save over 50% if not a lot more.

When you have signed up, and assuming you like their service, if you recommend a product to a  friend (and they buy the product) you’ll receive £6 credit to your account!

At the very least, it’s worth a try – you really do have nothing to lose!

I’ve spoken about Quidco numerous times in the past and how you can earn easy cashback with their service.

Well, now they’re working on an Android app to go with their iPhone version. As well as providing you with in-store offers (including vouchers that they can give you over the phone) there are also some check-in offers, where you simply get paid for visiting a shop.

A beta version is available to some users and, apart from the fact that it looks a bit too much like an iPhone app, it works really well. There are numerous ways of serchi – a manual search, show on map, a list (and the list can be alphabetic or based on shops nearest). You can also access your Quidco account.

Check out some of the screenshots below for further information.

If you’re interested in trying it yourself visit their Facebook page for more details. If you’re not a member already click here to sign up and earn yourself an extra £1.25!