Data disaster can strike anywhere, anytime. If you're not making regular backups, you're asking for trouble. Trust me. In that spirit of doom and gloom, I've rounded up five free backup utilities for preserving different types of data. All of them are "set-and-forget" programs, meaning once you've installed and configured them, they'll do their thing in the background. Doesn't get much easier than that.

Freebie-software site Giveaway of the Day serves up another gem today in the form of A-one DVD Tools, which includes separate utilities for copying and ripping DVDs. It normally sells for $51.95, but if you download and install it before midnight today (June 7), it's free and clear.

A-one DVD Copy promises to duplicate even protected DVDs in as little as 30 minutes. A-one DVD Ripper will convert your DVDs to just about any format, including Divx, AVI, iPod, PSP, Zune, and 3GP. You can learn more about the two programs at developer Yaoming's site, but remember … Read more

Watch out, AmazonMP3: Rhapsody just joined the DRM-free MP3 club. The music-subscription service's new MP3 store sells individual tracks for 99 cents and albums for $9.99. And if you're one of the first 100,000 folks to create an account by July 4, you can get a free album.

Strings? You do have to provide a credit card when you set up your account, and you have to install Rhapsody's MP3 Download Manager (Windows only), which can automatically add downloaded songs to your iTunes library. With that done, you'll immediately find a $10 credit in … Read more

As a longtime fan of e-books (I used to read them on my PDA; now I read 'em on my smartphone), I've been waiting for a good deal so I could spread the word. Fictionwise answered the call: The Web-based e-bookstore is offering three complete Stephen King novels for free. Yes, there's a catch, but it's not hard to swallow.

Here's how it works: First, you create a Micropay account, which is basically a debit account into which you deposit funds from your credit card or PayPal. Next, you buy Carrie, Night Shift, and/or The … Read more

Many people already recognize video-streaming service Hulu.com as a great destination for watching TV shows (it has every single episode of Arrested Development, people!), but did you know it also offers movies? Over 100 of them, in fact, and some darn good titles, too. Here are my picks for the Five Best Movies to Watch on Hulu:

I didn't mention Sideways and The Big Lebowski because I think they're overrated--but they'… Read more

If there's a Krispy Kreme near you, don't be surprised if it's the nexus of a stampede. Today, June 6, is National Donut Day (who knew?), meaning you can score yourself a free circle of glazed goodness. Check the Krispy Kreme store locator to find a shop near you.

Alas, my closest KK is 18.77 miles away; the gas would cost more than the donut. What does any of this have to do with technology? Nothing... but it's a free donut, people!

Last month, freebie-software site Giveaway of the Day offered a great DVD-ripping utility. If you missed it (or didn't like the program for some reason), here's your chance to score one that's arguably even better: Xilisoft DVD Ripper Ultimate.

Normally priced at $55, DVD Ripper Ultimate promises to rip discs to just about any video format. It includes preset profiles for iPod, iPhone, PSP, Zune, Zen, and dozens of other devices. It can also rip DVD audio, great if you want to turn, say, a concert DVD into a batch of MP3s. Plus, there's a video … Read more

In celebration of 25 years of PC hookups, Laplink is offering its PCmover migration utility--normally a $50 product--free of charge. All you have to do is head to Laplink's site and download the program, no strings attached.

PCmover is designed to help you transfer files, settings, and even programs from one machine to another. You can make the move using a network, removable media (like an external hard drive), or an optional USB cable. A wizard-driven interface promises to make the process relatively painless.

CNET hasn't reviewed this version of the program, but PC World covered it a few months back. … Read more

You've probably heard of eMusic, the online store that sells DRM-free MP3s. If not, well, it's an online store that sells DRM-free MP3s. The service traditionally offers 25 or even 50 free downloads as part of its one-month subscription trial, but right now you can get a whopping 100 tunes absolutely gratis.

eMusic boasts a library of 3.5 million tunes, the bulk of them from indie artists like Sufjan Stevens and Belle and Sebastian, but also a fair share from mainstream names like The Raconteurs, Barenaked Ladies, and Taylor Swift. The service now offers audiobooks as well. … Read more