Free Programs
There is a lot of good stuff on the web that companies give away for free for the home user in order to make their “for sale” products more visible. Often the free stuff is really all you need for home use.
All the files listed in this directory are free of ad-ware and spyware. All the programs are freeware. The sources for information about these programs are PC World and Smart Computing magazines.
+ - Do Before Loading a Program
Do a Windows Restore Point (XP) before installing any new program – it is quick and easy! Even though these programs are safe, you never know when you will have an interaction problem with a program already running on your PC.
Directions: Start, Help and Support, Click System Restore then select “Create a restore point”.
+ - Internet
FireFox is an alternative browser for the web. You use it instead of or in addition to IE. It is by nature more secure than IE since it does not allow activeX programs to run. However, some legit sites use activeX, it is easy to switch to IE for those sites. It is also faster than IE and tends to be less problematic.
Roboform is the top-rated Password Manager and Web Form Filler that completely automates password entering and form filling. RoboForm memorizes and securely stores your online and offline passwords, so you will never forget them again. It automatically logs you into online accounts and completes online registration and checkout forms with one click.
PwdHash is an browser extension that transparently converts a user's password into a domain-specific password.
This is an html editor for the FireFox browser. You can edit any html file either locally or on a server. It has had great reviews.
Amaya is a Web editor, i.e. a tool used to create and update documents directly on the Web. Browsing features are seamlessly integrated with the editing and remote access features in a uniform environment. XP only.
Core FTP allows you to transfer files across the Internet. It features an Explorer-like, customizable interface and supports drag-and-drop functions. It offers a wide range of features which allows reliable and secure file transfers (SSL/TLS).
+ - Science
The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. Works best on computers with newer graphic cards. Celestia is expandable. Celestia comes with a large catalog of stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft. If that's not enough, you can download dozens of easy to install add-ons with more objects.
+ - Voice Over the Internet (VOI)
The Voice Over the Internet (VOI) services work great IF you have broadband. They don’t work well on dial-up, especially slow dial-up. If you need to make international calls, I recommend using a service like Net2Phone (http://www.net2phone.com). You use your land line phone to make calls which then uses Net2Phone’s high speed servers to make the call over the internet. The webmaster has used this service for years with good results. The service can save you a lot of money.
+ - Skype
Skype is a small software program that enables you to make free calls around the world. You can call all your friends and talk to them for hours with an excellent sound quality. With Skype you can use a webcam to watch your buddies while you chat to them, talk to more than one friend at the same time, set up chatting rooms, exchange files, view the history of your contacts and even set up customized voice mail messages to record messages while you are away from your computer.
+ - Trillian Chat
With so many different chat mediums such as MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ and IRC available today, there needs to be a single unified program for people to communicate with. With Trillian, all these chat networks are combined into a powerful, easy to use program. Trillian currently supports AIM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, IRC, and Yahoo Messenger. The program can be skinned and has an easy to use modern interface. Additional features include file transfers, Mail and Message Alerts, EmotiSounds and more. The BEST multi-network messenger you can find!
~ IM all your friends in one place: www.pidgin.im
~ File Tools / Word Processors / Diagram Creation
+ - Photo
IrfanView is a fast and simple image viewer and editor that supports all major graphic formats, including BMP, DIB, JPEG, GIF, animated GIF, PNG, PCX, multipage TIFF, and TGA. In addition, it features drag-and-drop support, directory viewing, TWAIN support, slide shows, batch conversion, and modifications, such as color depth, crop, blur, and sharpen. Enjoy taking advantage of this great software.
Picasa is software that makes it easy and fun to view, organize, edit and share the digital photos on your PC. Picasa won't delete your pictures or put them online without your permission.
The undiscovered gem for fans of free, open-source alternatives such as Office.org, Paint.NET is indispensable. This image editor has layers, special effects, infinitely customizable palettes, and even editing histories. And get this—Paint.NET is a robust image lab that doesn’t make you drill five menus deep just to eliminate red-eye. Finally!
Photo Story 3 XP Only, 256 MB RAM, 400 MB Disk Space
Free slideshow program form Microsoft. A basic program but very good! Create slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions. Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Watch them on your TV, a computer, or a Windows Mobile–based portable device.
Bulk Rename Utility is a free file renaming software for Windows. Bulk Rename Utility allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible criteria.
+ - Games
+ - Windows Power Tools for XP
PowerToys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. What are they? PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released.
~ www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
+ - Clocks / Timers
Marxio Timer is an easy to use, yet versatile timer, reminder and scheduling tool that you can use to execute more than a dozen different task types (turn off PC, restart, lock screen, display text, run selected application, send keystrokes etc.).
+ - More Software
Don't see what you need? Try these sites, they have software that is both free and shareware (small fee). These sites are safe for downloading. That is, the files are free of adware & spyware.