1. Use only trusted sites. The following steps are based on the website www.download.com
2. Browse through the categories to find the one that covers what you want. This could take some browsing as the category names aren’t always descriptive of what software is included in the category.
3. Read the titles and descriptions of each program carefully to determine if the software is what you need. Click on each one to read the full description.
4. Check to make sure that the software is FREE. Some software programs are SHAREWARE - they have a limited time usage before you have to pay. On this website, there is a filter located at the bottom of the page that can eliminate all programs on the list that are not considered free. However, “free” software may include ads, additional software that you may not want, or have other catches.
5. Check that the software program is suitable for your version of Windows – 98, ME, or XP.
6. Note how many times the software program has been downloaded. The more popular a program, the more likely it is to be useful and a safe download.
7. Read the reviews written by Download.com and also those written by other users. The user reviews are sometimes more helpful and descriptive than the professional reviews and will include any glitches that the average user might run into.
8. Once you have decided on a program, click on “Download Now”. Follow the usual steps for downloading and installing a software program.
   
   
   
   
   Some Favorite Free Software Downloads:
   
   EPrompter – automatically and simultaneously checks and receives E-mail from up to 16 accounts.
   AdAware – finds and removes adware and spyware.
   Spybot Search & Destroy – detects and removes adware.
   CutePDF Writer – enables Windows applications to create PDF documents.
   Zip Reader – allows users to open files that have been compressed with ZIP software.
   Legacy Family Tree – genealogy software.
   

FREE STUFF - FEDRUARY 2006

F 2/14/2006
Why is there free Software available on the Internet and can it be trusted?
Why:The entire concept of the Internet was created as a free software idea. It was designed to share
information between learning centers and benefit mankind. It linked them and allowed the transfer of ideas
and data between these centers. It soon became apparent that a search tool was necessary to find specific
information and the University of Illinois students created a Browser that could search and display the
information is a universally usable manner. This was the creation of Mozilla an open source browser. That
meant anyone could use it and add features to it. The feature would be reviewed by the group and if they
found them useful they would be incorporated into the browser. Others decided to sell these modifications as
commercial products, and make the changes secret. ( Internet Explorer, AOL etc)
Along with the browser, other programs were created. Word Processors, Spread Sheet and Database
programs. Anyone could use and improve these program. It may sound strange but, there are many people
who are more intrigued by solving problems then selling things. Their reward was recognition by their peers
and having a improved tool.
TRUST:There are many sies that collect these programs and store them for easy download. These site test
the software and many have reviews not only by their staff, but by average users. They can generally be
trusted and will report problems with the programs. Pop up ads that offer free software are not to be
trusted, they are probably spy ware or viruses.
Trusted Site for Downloads:
http://downloadsquad.com/ Downloads with opinions on quality
http://softpedia.com/ List of free and share ware
http://www.tucows.com/downloads/Windows Old favorite for free stuff
http://www.download.com/ A good download site
The site normally break down the lists by types of programs ,(Utilities, Photo, Business, etc). Then it is up to
you to select the software that fits your needs. Here are the web addresses the I've found useful.
Photo and Media:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pierre.g/xnview/enhome.html Lets you open and view 40 types of media files
http://www.debugmode.com/wink/ Create learning tool by creating a flash graphic of step by step process
http://www.brothersoft.com/Multimedia_Graphics_Screen_Capture_CamStudio_3944.html Allows you torecord the computer screen moves as a movie. (AVI)
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ The finest Music editing program available. Allow not by note editing and assembly
Utilities:
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/ Browser that is somewhat safer then I.E.
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptdirprn.asp Print files with details and controls
http://www.intelexual.com/products/ multi clip board. Allows several clips to be stored.. Select the YC3version.
Business:
http://www.openoffice.org/ Complete Office Suite for free- Includes Word, Excel, Presentations, and Drawing
http://www.go2pdf.com/product.html A PDF Converter.
Games:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ Penguinswing.html Penguin slapping to make up for "March of the Penguins"
http://www.download-free-games.com/war_game_download/americas_army.htm. A war game developed by the government several years ago for training, I guess, and made available free to anyone (kids).
For information on Free Stuff see: It may take a while to load.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1864655,00.asp