Zamzar: Online File Conversions that Actually Work

Just wanted to share a useful website you can use to convert files to different formats for FREE: Zamzar.  You just upload a file and select the format you would like it converted to, enter your email address and click convert.  Your converted file should be emailed to you within an hour.

I discovered Zamzar when I needed to convert some client-supplied .docx files to .pdf on my Mac.  Word 2007 .docx format files can be opened in OpenOffice with X11 or NeoOffice, both on the Mac.  However, when the files are opened the formatting is often missing and funky characters are likely to appear.  With Zamzar, the conversion is flawless.

Apparently, Zamzar converts much more than documents.  Images, music, videos and also compressed archives (.zip, .rar, tar.gz, etc.) can be converted from one format to another. For a full list of Zamzar’s capabilities, please check out the conversion list.  As long as the conversions are 100 megs or less, the service is free.  If you need to convert larger files, there are a few paid-service plans available.

You can also enter the url to a video from YouTube or other video-sharing site.  Pick the format you would like the video converted to and it’ll be emailed to you.

I almost forgot to say that they have some chameleons to look at while you are uploading your files!  Chameleons are cool.