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Free File Format Conversion

by Matt Keelan

Have you ever received a document, image, or audio/video file that your computer cannot read? Have you ever had to buy or download software just to convert a file from one format to another? Have you tried to copy your favorite song from your iPod to your new MP3 player only to find that it's in Apple's proprietary .m4a format?

Zamzar (www.zamzar.com) is a free website that will convert files between 68 different formats. The site supports all of the most popular file types for documents, images, music, video, and file compression. You cannot, however, convert a DRM (digital rights management) file like .m4p to an unencrypted format like .mp3.

The free version of Zamzar can convert up to 100 MB of files at one time. The service works by allowing you to upload the files you want converted and selecting the format you want them converted to. Zamzar then sends you a link via email from which you download your converted files. Although you have to supply an email address, Zamzar does not sell them. Zamzar also has premium conversion services starting at $7 per month that offer larger and faster conversions, online storage, encryption and customer support.

So, stop slowing down your computer by installing software for every file format you encounter. Try Zamzar today! And, don't forget to bookmark the site in your browser.