Ever have that horrible feeling when you go to your site and it’s down? HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN LIKE THIS? HOW BAD IS IT?

I just had a problem with one of my client’s sites, at the exact second I was showing it to him. Ugh! I ran to the hosting site and opened a trouble ticket.

Turns out, it was just a problem from my connection. We checked it on Downforeveryoneorjustme.com. The site lets you enter a URL to check and gives you instant feedback about whether it’s officially down. Awesome free tool.

Down for everyone or just me?.

I just downloaded FileHippo.com’s Update Checker. In minutes it gave me a list of the 6 applications on my desktop that needed updating, along with links to do so. Handy!

FileHippo.com Update Checker – FileHippo.com.

Ok, I’ll admit it… I’ve contemplated dating an IT guy just to have someone to call when my computer is ailing. But my boyfriend might take exception to that, so I’m very grateful for CrossLoop.

CrossLoop is a network of IT specialists who are standing by to help you. Seriously. All you do is create an account, search for technicians who have experience with your type of computer issue, and let them take over your screen to fix the problem. You pay their hourly rate (which varies by technician), and you can get first-rate advice without having to have dinner.

I used them once and really enjoyed the experience and the results (he couldn’t fix my problem, but that made me happy because I KNEW it was a horrible problem that was beyond repair, and it was!). Highly recommended.

CrossLoop – Simple, secure screen-sharing and trusted experts for computer help.

PDFVue is a web-based tool that lets you upload a PDF, add notes, make changes and share. I played around with it for a few minutes, and I couldn’t get it to actually change the text in one of my client documents, but I loved how I could add notes about the changes I wanted to see.

I also like the ability to create forms, add pictures and links, and generally get something handy for nothing.

PDFVue Beta : Edit, Annotate, and Share PDFs for Free.

On a business trip, have you ever had to walk around sadly with a thumb drive, hoping someone would take pity on you and print your document because you weren’t hooked up to any printers?

Xerox has solved your problem with the Mobile Express Driver. When you hook into someone else’s network, the available printers will appear. Pick a printer and print away. And the printer is saved the next time you hook into that network. Great for your quarterly trips back to company headquarters.

Xerox Mobile Express Driver: Free Universal Printer Driver.