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Your Favorite Freeware Applications?
MV:
I'd like to know what everybody's favorite freeware applications are. please describe them and link to each of them. also, please do not mention apps that either expire or employ nag screens, etc. that's not freeware. i'm going to make a contribution to this thread after i construct a coherent list of freeware apps i use.
MV:
ok, as promised, here are some of my favorite freeware apps:
ReactOS
ReactOS is a free, open source Windows operating system clone. Built from scratch and based on Windows XP/2003, ReactOS will hopefully one day enable you to run Windows without paying for Windows! And since it's open source code, that means potentially millions of contributors/developers/testers compared to Microsoft's thousands. If you have an OUNCE of programming prowess, I would strongly encourage you to participate in the development of ReactOS. I'm very excited to see where this project will go in the next 5 years or so. Watch out, Microsoft. Your years of OS dominance are potentially approaching their twilight.
http://www.reactos.org/en/index.html
Audiograbber
Over a decade old, this utility, IMO, is still the best thing out there for ripping audio from CD to MP3.
http://www.audiograbber.com-us.net/download.html
CCleaner
Freeware app for cleaning your computer's cache, and generally erasing your tracks. Also fixes registry problems and does some other handy things too.
http://www.ccleaner.com/download
Defraggler
A disk defragmenter that operates by defragmenting on a file-by-file basis rather than attempting to sloppily shuffle the whole damn drive all over the place. Far faster than the defragmenter you get with windows... far more efficient.
http://www.defraggler.com/download
^^^^^ Not Necessary with vista/win7 ^^^^^
DVD Decrypter
EASILY rip DVDs from disc to hard drive while simultaneously removing copy protection.
http://www.ufoship.com/dvddecrypter.exe
DVD Shrink
Convert ripped dvds to .iso files, or re-author and compress them to fit on a 4.7GB DVD. This is what you would use after you use DVD Decrypter.
http://www.ufoship.com/dvdshrink.exe
Faststone Image Viewer and Photo Resizer (Separate Apps)
The image viewer allows you to edit photos, crop them, etc. The resizer is my personal favorite. I use it all the time. It features multiple output formats. Very niiiiiice.
http://www.faststone.org/index.htm
Filezilla
Need a good FTP client? Forget all others. Try Filezilla.
http://filezilla-project.org/download.php
Flightgear
Flightgear is an open source flight simulator. 10 years in development, it's quite advanced and has some surprising features for a freeware flight sim. Advice: you will probably have to take your time getting started with it, since it's very realistic. In other words, most people don't manage to just install it and fly within 3 minutes. After all, most people wouldn't be able to do that in a real airplane, either.
http://www.flightgear.org/Downloads/
Foxit Reader
I HATE HATE HATE Adobe PDF reader. It's bloated, slow, and constantly nags you to update. Use Foxit. You won't regret it.
http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
KeePass Password Safe
I am horrid when it comes to managing passwords. KeePass generates complex passwords for you, and saves them all under one password. You can even take the database file with you on a thumb drive, etc., and use your password database on other computers.
http://keepass.info/download.html
K-Lite Codec Pack
If you are tired of trying to play video files only to find your player can't play them because a codec is missing, try installing this. You should be able to view almost any type of video once you do.
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_lite_codec_pack.htm
MagicDisc
MagicDisc allows you to mount disc image files (.iso .cue .nrg) in an imaginary disc drive. In other words, you can use the disc image files without having to burn the images first to a physical disc.
http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm
MP3Gain
Level out the volume of all of your MP3 files with one click. Best of all, this app doesn't re-dither the audio, so there is ZERO quality loss.
XP Users: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/mp3gain/mp3gain-win-1_2_5.exe?download
Vista Users: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/mp3gain/mp3gain-win-full-1_2_5.exe?download
Quicktime Alternative and Real Player Alternative
The Quicktime Player makes me puke. So does the Real Audio player. Itunes requires Quicktime to run. It will work with Quicktime Alternative. Sooooooo... uninstall them and replace with the following:
Quicktime: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/quicktime_alternative.htm
Real Audio: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm
AVG AntiVirus
If you need a free antivirus app, use this. It's just as good as the others (McAfee and Norton) who require a subscription for updates.
http://free.avg.com/
^^^^^ Just get Security Essentials from Microsoft. ^^^^^
Portable Apps
This site is loaded with software you can install TO and run directly FROM a USB flash drive. Yup. Take your programs from computer to computer.
http://portableapps.com/
I'll post more to come. Hope some of you find these freeware applications useful.
EvB:
--- Quote ---Quicktime Alternative and Real Player Alternative
The Quicktime Player makes me puke. So does the Real Audio player. Itunes requires Quicktime to run. It will work with Quicktime Alternative. Sooooooo... uninstall them and replace with the following:
Quicktime: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/quicktime_alternative.htm
Real Audio: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm
--- End quote ---
THOU ART GOD and I am not worthy.
DAMN I hate those programs too - now I can KILL 'EM
Oh frabjous day, Kalloo Kallay!
[she] chortled in [her] joy
MV:
--- Quote from: EvB on August 12, 2008, 12:43:00 AM ---THOU ART GOD and I am not worthy.
DAMN I hate those programs too - now I can KILL 'EM
Oh frabjous day, Kalloo Kallay!
[she] chortled in [her] joy
--- End quote ---
great feeling, eh?
Max:
ubuntu... and all software related..
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