New language learning site

Livemocha is a sort of mashup between a social networking and language learning site. Mocha describes itself as providing community, lessons, and motivation. Best of all it hooks up native language learners with interested accolytes. Total immersion is the best and most fun way to learn. This looks like a pretty convenient approximation. Languages include English, French, Hindi, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.

Learn to make a business plan

Planware publishes a free Excel based business planner, Free-Plan. The free planner works exactly like the (US) 29.00 paid version does except that it produces a two years instead of 5 years projection. This seems useful to someone who wants to make a business plan or learn how to make one, as it is based on templates and comes with formidable help files.

CNET wrote about Free-Plan:

“Writing a good business plan is the first step to success. But what if you don’t know where to start? Never fear; Biz-Plan can help. This Word template provides the outline of a business plan along with an excellent help file (in CHM and PDF format) containing detailed instructions and important hints. The template itself has helpful comments in each section. Colors and fonts greatly facilitate text editing, as does the automatically updated table of contents. Best of all, Biz-Plan is free; you just have to register by e-mail. Whether you follow it to the letter or draw on it for ideas, Biz-Plan is a great resource for getting a business off the ground.”

Watch a two-minute video tutorial on how to register PC only Free-Plan, here. You’ll need to provide an email address to receive the registration code. Securing a disposable email account for this purpose doesn’t seem in keeping with the spirit of the offer?

Investment Calculator

Sharebuilder publishes a research instrument that calculates how a stock would perform had you invested a certain amount on a specific day. Click calculator to begin second guessing yourself.

Declaration of Independence, & Constitution

If you’re wondering what the fuss has been over the last eight years and what this “voting” thing is all about, you might want to begin at the beginning by listening to voiceover artist, Debra Jean Dean’s readings of the The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Free MP3s of the recordings are available for download under a Creative Commons license. I’m hoping for the Magna Carta next.