freebies

Just last week I told you about Zinio's new Z-Pass, a $5 subscription option that gives you a choice of three digitally delivered magazines per month.

You can try that free for a month, but here's an even better deal: a $50 Zinio credit absolutely free.

That credit is good for 18 single "subscriptions" (i.e. individual issues) or six mini-subscriptions (of three issues each). And you don't have to redeem it all right away; you've got until mid-August to use up your credit.

Let me mention right now that this offer comes courtesy … Read more

Remember CinemaNow? The company has been slinging digital movies since 1999. But although it got picked up by Blockbuster in 2009, it has never achieved what I'd call critical mass. Indeed, I kinda thought it had gone the way of so many Blockbuster stores.

Nope! In fact, CinemaNow (currently owned by Best Buy) appears to be working on a comeback, as evidenced by this new promotion: 10 free CinemaNow movies when you link to an UltraViolet account.

Don't have a CinemaNow account? No problem, it's free to sign up for one, though you can also use an … Read more

Greetings from 34,000 feet! Sometimes I still marvel at being able to get Internet access all the way up here.

So, funny story, yesterday I received a press release indicating that today, and only today, Laplink is giving away its Laplink Sync utility. It normally costs $39.99.

Update: Looks like Laplink's servers are on fire (figuratively), as many people are reporting problems claiming the offer -- not uncommon with a heavily promoted giveaway such as this. Hopefully the company will do the right thing and extend it so everyone can have a chance at it.

Or will … Read more

As a self-employed person who pays quarterly tax estimates and has lots of employers, April 15 is an especially rotten day of the year -- and not just because I once again waited until the last minute to file my annual return. It's because the whole tax system is insanely complicated, confusing, frustrating, and, duh, expensive. (Hey, government: I don't mind you skimming some off the top, but I do have some quibbles with how you're spending it. Call me, we'll talk.)

Thankfully, some companies are trying to make Tax Day a little less painful by … Read more

About a month ago, Marvel Comics set the Internet on fire with an offer that was downright super: 700 first-issue digital comic books absolutely free.

But the company quickly learned that freebies can put a fantastic strain on servers, as host Comixology immediately buckled under the demand -- and ultimately suspended the giveaway.

Avengers, assemble! (OK, that's my last superhero analogy.) Marvel has risen from the (cr)ashes to extend the offer once again: more than 700 free first-issue comics. Just sign up between now and 11:59 p.m. (ET) tomorrow, and you'll get on the waiting … Read more

You can't get something for nothing. There's no such thing as a free lunch. If you love something, set it free...

Oh, sorry, that last one doesn't really apply. And as it turns out, neither do the first two. Because today, you can get something for nothing -- and you'll save more than enough to buy yourself lunch. Dinner, even.

If you're a Mac user, head over to AppyFridays, where you'll find three Mac apps that have temporarily gone free. Their combined value when they're not free: about $32.

Here's a rundown … Read more

What's the best way to draw people to a new Web site? Give them something for free.

What's the best way to tick them off? Run a server that can't handle the load.

Deal Fisher is in the process of learning both these lessons. The just-launched deal wrangler is offering a free "feather" stylus for touch-screen devices, a $9.99 value. They'll even cover the shipping; all you have to do is register on the site and like Deal Fisher on Facebook.

A couple of problems, though. First, there appears to be no direct … Read more

It's been a fun series of freebies this week! Free seasons of TV shows (now expired, alas), free movies from Vudu, a free membership to ShopRunner -- and today, to top it all off, some free software.

Before I tell you about it, I'm going to ask that you please read the instructions as I've outlined them below, as these giveaways always seem to trip up some readers. There's nothing complicated here, but if you don't pay attention, you'll end up e-mailing me about what a fake or scam or screw-up this is.

So. … Read more

Like movies? Like free stuff? Then today is definitely your lucky day.

For what promises to be a limited time, Walmart movie-streaming service Vudu is offering 10 free movies when you sign up for a new account. (Just click the green Sign Up button and you'll see the promo.)

This is a surprisingly no-strings attached offer. All you need to create an account is your name, e-mail address, and date of birth. Or, if you prefer, you can sign up using your Facebook account. Although Vudu will ask for billing information, you don't need to provide it (though … Read more