Any recommendations for something that will convert my Word documents into jpg or png format? Not the "trial" version of anything. Just something FREE that works well. Thanks.

There's one that does exactly what you want but it's not free.

The other way converting your document into a picture is to take a screenshot [hit Print Screen button and then press Ctrl+c] of the text document and then paste [Ctrl + v] it into a new blank document in Photoshop [or any other image editing app -- even the MS Paint that comes built-in with Windows will do] and save it as an image file of your choice.

Thanks for taking the time, Machine.

Jimmy

I think the option Machine gave you is your only option for Free. Why not make them PDF format?

I'll actually turn that one back around on ya, because I don't know what the advantages/disadvantages would be of going the PDF way...? Plus I don't yet know how to do it, if it's a better way.

My uses for this process so far have just been to create a document (usually a simple flyer or other basic ad), then convert it to an image so I can upload it to a website, or incorporate it in a craigslist post, or something kinda like that. Maybe there's a better way to go about that... I learn from listening!

Might I suggest using an image editing prgram to create these fliers? It would save you the hassel of having to convert anything, and you'd have alot more freedom to do what you want with thiese images.
A couple great free image editors (that have more features than the standard paint that comes with windows) are listed on this website. (they show the free alternative to pretty much everything.
http://www.osalt.com/photoshop
Just scroll down to the green dividing bar in the center and your choices are there. I think Paint.NET would be the easiest to get into, but I've also used Photoshop before so I don't know from a (assumed) beginner's stand-point.

Absolutely, you might suggest. I appreciate it. And your assumption of the beginner's stand-point is quite correct. Also, thank you for posting that open source link.

I did get Paint.NET and Gimp, and have messed around a bit with images there; still very much in the self-teaching mode. I haven't seen a way to do a "flyer" as such through those programs because, if it's there, I haven't found how to write the text content into a new file created in either program.

@ bestjimmy: If all you want is to be able to create a flyer/brochure kind of a thing, then check out these apps. Most of these are not free, I should add.

I have sifted through a whole bunch of that stuff on the google link you gave me, and hundreds like them. Sifting lead quickly to sinking. So for me, this kind of forum where you guys who've already been-there-done-that is the best option.

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/TextTool.html
in paint.NET There is a text tool, and you can modify the color style, and alot more advanced options. I just wish they would have shown the button on their screen shot for you. Its normally a button with the letter A on it and with the "I" text selector thing.

Also on pixel2life.com they have tutorials for the gimp. http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/gimp/ at the top of the white section on that page, there are categories for withing the gimp category. The one you might be most interested in would be the text effects http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/gimp/text_effects/

I hope this helps some, I hate that there isn't a less advanced program I can think of since what your trying to do is pretty simple, but if you really learn one of these programs you could end up making really nice looking fliers. So maybe this is a good thing.