OK. NOW how about ANY favorite FREEWARE program!! (Links too, if possible)

[sk]

Well, since everyone tried their best to boil it down to ONE FAVORITE freeware program, how about a listing of ALL your favorite freeware programs, with links if possible? (And please keep it to freeware only; I know I hate to click a link that bills itself as freeware only to find out it's not. I have nothing against shareware; there are some shareware programs that I simply would not even want to think about doing without, but it's an apples and oranges thing, and I think everybody here understands and accepts that. But I just wanted to mention it explicitly. Thanks.)
:D
sk

[the Tester]

Here are my favorite freeware programs. Spybot,Browser Hijack Blaster,Hijack This/Startup List,Win Patrol,Sygate Personal Firewall(free version),jv16 Power Tools,Spyware Blaster,MRU Blaster.All of these programs are available on the free tools page or in this forum thru the Javacool forum.I use most of these programs on a daily basis.They all have been stable and dependable for me.I agree that it's very difficult to narrow down these programs to just one or even two that I would call the best or my #1 choice.

[Douglas]

Mozilla. Using it with the hosts file I haven't gotten one popup. I don't find it slow or a hog on Win98 like some people do. And tabbed browsing can't be beat!
http://www.mozilla.org/

RegSeeker. It's a little more powerful than jv16 in its registry cleanup. And so far it hasn't done any damage.
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

Multilingual Speaking Clock. Announces the time in 35 languages. Hey, I know it's not a heavy duty app, but it sure sounds nice!
http://www.lux-aeterna.com/clock/

Empty Temp Folders. Quick and easy way to empty predefined or user defined folders. It says shareware in url, but it IS freeware.
http://www.danish-shareware.dk/soft/emptemp/index.html

Douglas

[octogen]

jv16 Power Tools at http://www.jv16.org
Proxomitron at http://www.proxomitron.org
Opera Browser at http://www.opera.com
Kerio PFW at http://www.kerio.com

[octogen]

Oh yeah! How could I forget Mailwasher at http://www.mailwasher.net

[sk]

And speaking of Mail Washer...
After using it for about a week now, I must say I feel more comfortable and positive about it, and increasingly queasy when I don't. I'd say that's a pretty good indication that I like it and will continue to use it. I get a mixture of already checked 'bounce' and unchecked bounce results (even though I turned off heuristic and the bounce from the account/option list), but I just uncheck those before deleting. All in all, I'd have to say it's a win! I've noticed no unwanted system interactions since installing it; it appears to be very well behaved, at least on my W2K system anyway.

sk

[MickeyTheMan]

http://members.cox.net/scotterpops/downloads/downloads.html
Can't go wrong by going there
http://www.thefreesite.com/ Or there

[Pieter_Arntz]

Just a few that have been mentioned in other threads. Might be handy to have them all in one thread.

I use this one a lot ;)
http://www.iespell.com/download.php

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/index.shtml

http://www.adshield.org/

http://www.xp-antispy.org/

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/web/htm/regprot.htm

http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm

And don't forget to take look at our downloads section (http://www.wilders.org/downloads.htm)

Regards,

Pieter

[sk]

Here is a really cool, 'small' little program that to me has always epitomized everything that was 'wrong' with MS and 'right' with freeware and 'the little guy'. It's a small freeware program written by Hans Nelisse called 'Byte Count'. After installing it with the self-installing .exe, there's no real setup or configuration; it simply adds a right click context menu item called "Byte Count". What it enables you to do is right click on any folder in the left hand side of Windows Explorer and, unlike 'Properties', not only does it tell you the size of the folder and all the subfolders, but it also lists each one instantly so you can see how much space is being occupied by each one at a glance.

The reason I say that for me, it epitomizes everything that's 'wrong' with MS is because I believe it's something that should have been implemented by MS years ago, and really hasn't to this day. While at the same time, a computer enthusiast was able - for our benefit, I might add - to have done it years ago, who then chose to share it with the rest of us for free. For someone like myself who has always been trying to hang on with both hands just to understand computers enough to get them to work in a way that makes sense to the way my brain works, I just love programs like this. This program has always symbolized 'victory' to me for some reason in the battle against the MS monopoly machine, and it's cool to be able to share it with everyone here, especially with some of the more seasoned folks who maybe haven't yet heard about it. Somewhat like Spider, it was written for Windows many versions ago. But unlike my old friend Spider, it runs on W2K and XP without causing any problems whatsoever. It's polite, installs and uninstalls without so much as even a hiccup. It just puts a smile on my face. :D

http://www.xs4all.nl/~hneel/


sk

(And speaking of my old friend Spider, for anyone running 98Se or below, here's the URL. It's still singular in its class for what it does in those versions of Windows, along with a shareware program called Directory Snoop, that used to be freeware when it started out. (And while I think there is still a site that has the original freeware version, it can't compare to the shareware version because it doesn't recurse directories. But even the shareware version was provided fully operational with no time limit, only a nag screen, and it was the first shareware software I bought because I appreciated how awesome it was. The problem now is that it doesn't (yet?) negotiate NTFS file systems.)

Spider:

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/


Added URL tags

[Douglas]

sk, what a brilliant idea to start these two threads.
I'm filling up my harddrive (all done in safe mode, of course)! :)
These are good programs you folks are suggesting.
Please keep them coming. There's no greater joy than trying out new software recommended by people you trust.

Douglas

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: octogen link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40057 date=1041920256]
Opera Browser at http://www.opera.com
<-QUOTE}

Opera is considered freeware? I don't think so.. Bah the people in these forums really love mailwasher..But is that freeware? (banner)?

[Douglas]

{QUOTE-> quoting: JayK link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40108 date=1041948797].. Bah the people in these forums really love mailwasher..But is that freeware? (banner)?
<-QUOTE}

Does that make it not free? You're not paying a cent.
If ads don't bother you, you're not paying emotionally either.

Douglas

[eyespy]

MTM,
Thanks for the very good links. Lots of neat proggies there !!

Is that (Montreal) Gazette Downloads ?? ;D


regards,
bill ;)

[octogen]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Pieter_Arntz link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40071 date=1041929183]

...http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml...

Regards,

Pieter


<-QUOTE}


Startup Control Panel is another one I forgot to mention. It is definitely a winner IMHO. Thanks, Pieter.

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40118 date=1041951553]

Does that make it not free? You're not paying a cent.
If ads don't bother you, you're not paying emotionally either.

Douglas
<-QUOTE}

And how do you know Ads don't borther me?

I've being hanging at alt.comp.freeware for far too long and they brainwashed me to jump when a statement like Opera is freeware is made. Opera is surely Adware? Or Adsupported software.

Okay so freeware here means, anything you don't pay for with cash but you can continue to use ( indefinitely unlike shareware usually. It can even be a "light" or crippled version.

My issues with mailwasher have nothing to do with the banner btw.

[Douglas]

{QUOTE-> And how do you know Ads don't borther me? <-QUOTE}
Obviously they do, but they don't bother many people.
So for them, the software is free.

{QUOTE-> I've being hanging at alt.comp.freeware for far too long and they brainwashed me to jump when a statement like Opera is freeware is made. Opera is surely Adware? Or Adsupported software.
<-QUOTE}
We can play with rhetoric here. The program is still free.

{QUOTE-> Okay so freeware here means, anything you don't pay for with cash but you can continue to use ( indefinitely unlike shareware usually. It can even be a "light" or crippled version. <-QUOTE}
I can't speak for others here, but as I said, the program is still free.
So there is no real reason to mock people who post about mailwasher and opera by posting:
{QUOTE-> Bah the people in these forums really love mailwasher.. <-QUOTE}

Douglas

[MickeyTheMan]

{QUOTE-> quoting: JayK link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40108 date=1041948797]
{QUOTE-> quoting: octogen link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40057 date=1041920256]
Opera Browser at http://www.opera.com
<-QUOTE}

Opera is considered freeware? I don't think so.. Bah the people in these forums really love mailwasher..But is that freeware? (banner)?

<-QUOTE}
You are absolutely right about Opera. It's not freeware. The adware version is also spyware, and i sure heck would not want to use it without Spyblocker on.
NOTE: Now before all opera dedicated followers start crucify my for saying so, just go to the Spyblocker's forums ad read the info there for yourself in one of the topics there that deal with that issue.

As for Mailwasher, the banner can't really be considered adware as it does not advertise anything other than a signage about mailwasher itself.

[sk]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40103 date=1041947416]
sk, what a brilliant idea to start these two threads.
I'm filling up my harddrive (all done in safe mode, of course)! :)
These are good programs you folks are suggesting.
Please keep them coming. There's no greater joy than trying out new software recommended by people you trust.

Douglas
<-QUOTE}Thanks, Douglas. I must admit that the 'brilliant idea' came from similar posts I've both seen and sometimes started on other sites. It seemed non-redundant here because the level of this site is in many ways higher than on a lot, if not most other sites. And I'm not saying that to be patronizing or pandering - it's just the way this site has been established from the outset and also how it has evolved. The input and feedback here is crisp, clear, timely, and very much on the mark. Many of the people here are the same innovators and developers and experienced tweakers (better than 'hackers', right? lol) who help out at other sites too; it's just that here, everyone is grouped together, and in many critical ways works together, instead of against, each other. It's like a natural anarchy alliance, and it's awesome. So I thought it would be cool to get the cream of the cream of the crop in terms of who is using what.

It also provides the opportunity for even this top flight group to go through their lists and find ones they haven't thought about for a while, or also to clear out old standbys, like Spider for anything past 98SE, or AdAware until they revamp.

It does also provide - unintentionally - the grist for the mill as far as what IS freeware and what is not. I am a paid up member at Marco's Webattack.com. I obviously like it enough to have joined the site for the past 2 years. But by the same token, I have voiced my very strong opposition to Marco's decision to include freeware products containing ads in the purely freeware sections. I have argued that they are not freeware, they are adware, and further, that he has a responsibility to differentiate between the two, just as Son Of Spyware does. Where it ended was that we agreed to disagree, but I still frequent - and like - that site, although I still think it's deceptive to place adware in a category that is being billed as freeware. And he maintains that if it's FREE, then by definition, it's FREEWARE. :-\

My point here is that obviously this is a touchy subject. And one about which people have very strong opinions. I have lived my life voicing strong opinions and continue to do so. But in this instance I would like to try to diffuse the current discussion and just refocus it back to the good energy of the good, free programs that are available out there that facilitate and enhance our computing experiences.


sk

[Douglas]

Hi sk,
For the record, I don't like adware and will not use it. My issue is that when newbies post, we don't need arrogant comments showing where they're wrong. We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language. So let's teach, but remembering we are ALL flawed in many areas of our understanding.

Douglas

[Acadia]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=15#40174 date=1041959474]
Hi sk,
For the record, I don't like adware and will not use it. My issue is that when newbies post, we don't need arrogant comments showing where they're wrong. We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language. So let's teach, but remembering we are ALL flawed in many areas of our understanding.

Douglas
<-QUOTE}

Well said, Douglas.

[octogen]

{QUOTE-> ...Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language... <-QUOTE}

That would be me and this statement is correct. I was even debating as to whether or not to include Opera.

{QUOTE-> We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. <-QUOTE}

Very well said. In fact, I thought we were splitting hairs as to what is truly freeware until I read MTM's post.

[sk]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=15#40174 date=1041959474]
Hi sk,
For the record, I don't like adware and will not use it. My issue is that when newbies post, we don't need arrogant comments showing where they're wrong. We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language. So let's teach, but remembering we are ALL flawed in many areas of our understanding.

Douglas
<-QUOTE}Thanks, Douglas. I consider myself to be pretty sensitive to exactly what you're describing, although in this instance I am not picking up on the same amount of criticism as you seem to be. Last night, by way of contrast, while checking out two freeware forum software programs I went to their respective help forums. One was super helpful, well run, and friendly. The other one was like a rolling WWIII, with the mods and admins blasting the members, and the members blasting back. Having gone to the nice one first, it really drove the point home. Frankly, I don't care if they have the best forum software since sliced bread, I wouldn't even consider that second product, given the readily available alternative.

I think the comments you are referring to are pretty mild and not meant in any way to be demeaning. But it's always a good lesson to try to keep in mind that we're all at different levels on a lot of things; no matter how much we might or might not know about some things, there are always things that we're newbies in; that's part of what makes life so much fun - nobody knows everthing about everything. And if we can all remember how it feels to be a newbie, we can probably be more effective than if we only want to see everything through 'expert' eyes.

Again, not to be pandering, but that is what impresses me so much about this site, particularly from the mods and senior members. If ever there were a site that COULD rest on its laurels and flaunt its accomplishments and achievements in the area of internet security it would be Wilder's. But I personally have found the most tolerant and instructive mods and admins here of any site I've been to. And it's pretty much the same with the members as a whole too. Sometimes I think passion and enthusiasm get misinterpreted, as you and I have talked about too. But as long as it's done with respect there is a place for acceptance and tolerance for that as well. So hopefully now that everything has been cleared out we can return to the fun task of posting all those secret treasures.
:D
sk

[discogail]

Some faves..........

Clipomatic is a clipboard cache program - it remembers what was copied to the clipboard even after new data is copied, and allows you to retrieve the old data.
http://www.mlin.net/Clipomatic.shtml

Cookies Manager http://home.nordnet.fr/~pmdevigne/

Free Surfer popup stopper....you can also enable/disable GIF and Flash animations http://www.kolumbus.fi/eero.muhonen/FS/

AIDA32 a system information, diagnostics and benchmarking program
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-features.php?bit=32

What's Happening shows all of the programs and dlls running in your computer.
http://www.turboware.com/WhatsHappening.htm

Sam Spade http://www.samspade.org/ssw/

jv16 PowerTools Including a registry cleaner, duplicate file finder, temp file finder & more
http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/jv16powertools.shtml

[JayK]

NUll

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=15#40174 date=1041959474]
Hi sk,
For the record, I don't like adware and will not use it. My issue is that when newbies post, we don't need arrogant comments showing where they're wrong. We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language. So let's teach, but remembering we are ALL flawed in many areas of our understanding.

Douglas
<-QUOTE}

The only "newbie" I see in this thread is myself Your answer to me was arrogant, and when I tried to make peace including the joke of being brainwashed by alt.comp.freeware , you continue to attack me.

I find your nicely worded post here in contradiction to your replies to me. Instead of arguing with me about english language, shouldnt you have expanded on what I meant? I would have done it myself...


For the record I agree with MTM mailwasher is not adware but Opera is..

[sk]

{QUOTE-> quoting: discogail link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=15#40187 date=1041963121]
Some faves.......... <-QUOTE} Thanks, discogail. These are definitely some of the best!

sk

[Douglas]

{QUOTE-> when I tried to make peace including the joke of being brainwashed by alt.comp.freeware , you continue to attack me.
<-QUOTE}
For that I apologize. I didn't see it as a joke.

{QUOTE-> Instead of arguing with me about english language, shouldnt you have expanded on what I meant? I would have done it myself...
<-QUOTE}
All I ask is you do it in your first post instead of saying things that can be taken as mocking or degrading.
Sorry I let this get out of hand, JayK.

Douglas

[Paul Wilders]

Gents,

I'm convinced you are able to sort out possible personal issues on this thread in a mature and adult way - knowing bot of you from your posts, there's no way around it ;).

regards.

paul

[Krusty]

C´mon guys......

These conversations became more like boring because of talking about " adwares, sharewares" etc whatever there might be more of them for free to load copies....I say it is not relevant. Do you pay money for the software or not is more relevant. Stick to this please.

Now kill me. http://skins.hotbar.com/skins/mailskins/em/062802/062802beat_prv.gif
*Ari*

[luv2bsecure]

I am not sure we have clearly made the difference between "adware" and "ad-supported" software. One, with hidden programs dropping ads unawares. The other, simply software with a banner - clearly not being deceptive in any way.

SK, Question for you: I'm not a member of WebAttack but have been giving it some thought for the organizational features it offers members. Are you saying the Freeware section of WebAttack includes AdWare - or Ad-Supported software? If the answer is the first, I will be more careful there in the future. But ad-supported software with a banner? I don't like it. But to me, it's kind of like watching TV on cable - I much prefer watching a movie on one of the networks without commercials during movies (like Turner Classic Movies and AMC used to be >:( ) , but that doesn't mean I simply will not watch a movie interrupted by commercials, because it's supported by advertisements. So it is with me with ad-supported software.

There's a big difference here, and SK, I'm looking forward to hearing back from you -- I would hate to hear that WebAttack is now listing true-blue AdWare!

John
Luv2BSecure

[sk]

{QUOTE-> quoting: luv2bsecure link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=15#40468 date=1042057944]
I am not sure we have clearly made the difference between "adware" and "ad-supported" software. One, with hidden programs dropping ads unawares. The other, simply software with a banner - clearly not being deceptive in any way.

SK, Question for you: I'm not a member of WebAttack but have been giving it some thought for the organizational features it offers members. Are you saying the Freeware section of WebAttack includes AdWare - or Ad-Supported software? If the answer is the first, I will be more careful there in the future. But ad-supported software with a banner? I don't like it. But to me, it's kind of like watching TV on cable - I much prefer watching a movie on one of the networks without commercials during movies (like Turner Classic Movies and AMC used to be >:( ) , but that doesn't mean I simply will not watch a movie interrupted by commercials, because it's supported by advertisements. So it is with me with ad-supported software.

There's a big difference here, and SK, I'm looking forward to hearing back from you -- I would hate to hear that WebAttack is now listing true-blue AdWare!

John
Luv2BSecure


<-QUOTE}As I understand it, John, Webattack sometimes puts ad-supported software in the freeware categories, and marks them Adware (their term for it, not mine.) As an example, they list EmC in their freeware group. I have heard some very reputable folks confirm that in their opinion EmC is a genuine ad-supported program that is not spyware and while possibly annoying because of its ads is not actively insidious in any other means at all. I have seen EmC listed in the freeware category, so I can speak to that program specifically. I have not gone through all of the other categories to ferret out any other programs. But if the other programs are similar to EmC, then I think it would fit your criteria of ad-support software/freeware. Hope that was helpful.

sk

[Tassie_Devils]

Hi guys:

Read the thread just now and will add my favourite FREEWARE [by definition, I did not pay for with Cash/Cheque/Credit Card] but I, also do NOT like ad-supported freebies that use *any* form of info tracking/gathering.

Star Rated out of 5

Javacool's Tools ~ THE LOT: [SpywareBlaster, Browser Hijack Blaster, ID Blaster, MRU Blaster, File Checker]. The man's a genius. Dedicated to keeping us safe, and happy in our surfing.
Rated: *****
Support: *****
Download: http://wilders.org/downloads.htm

Spybot S&D: Patrick Kolla's proggy is a prime example of selfless endeavour to help people in general surf safely, confidently, and spyware free.
Rated: *****
Support: *****
Download: http://beam.to/spybotsd

Kerio Firewall: Nice and easy to install, fairly easy to configure for a rules based FW. Very well recommended by a lot of people whose opinions I respect greatly.
Rated: ****1/2 [Little learning curve with rules]
Support: ***** [Good forum support at DSL Broadband's dedicated forum]
Download: http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html

MailWasher ~ email client vetting: Easy to use, upgrades freely, many configurable options. [Despite the "ad" which I consider to be NO hassle, only information about the author which is fair enough, after all it's free]
Rated: ****1/2
Support: *****
Download: http://mailwasher.net/

jv16 Power Tools: Very powerful array of tools for keeping your system Clean/Lean/Mean. Although one does have to look carefully when using, as it's easy to wipe something out quickly. Backups applicable, in case you do something silly.
Rated: *****
Support: No Comment. Haven't seen a forum, nor have I contacted the site itself as yet, needing support.
Download: http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/software.shtml
This site also has a lot of other "Tools" which I have not tried, but look promising.

SamSpade ~ Powerful Tool designed for Whois/Trace/Dig/Ping etc. etc.
Rated: ****1/2
Support: Not used, no comment.
Download: http://www.samspade.org/ssw/

RegistryProt ~ 100% free, standalone, compact, low-level realtime registry monitor and protector. Any changes, it will alert and you have option to Allow/Disallow. Just 94kb
Rated: *****
Support: Never needed by me.
Download: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/

IRClean ~ IRClean is a 100% free, standalone, compact (30kb total download), and easy-to-use anti-worm system designed to specifically combat worms that target or use IRC chat networks to propagate.
Rated: *****
Support: Never needed by me.
Download: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/

TaskMan+ ~ TaskMan+ is a free tiny utility that launches Windows Task Manager in a special way as to boost the security privileges of Task Manager, which in turn gives it a real unconditional license to terminate ANY process. Requires Administrator privileges. {QUOTE->
Rated: *****
Support: Never needed by me.
Download: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/
NOTE: I have it, but used only a couple of times when I could not get a process to stop. It worked. Have not used in a long while though by me. Try at own discretion.

and finally

TClockEx: A nice little app [see pic] to put a free clock/date in Sys Tray, with Calendar, etc. Very handy, easy to use, see at a glance. Configureable with different modes, colour, etc. Click once on it in SysTray and the Calendar pops up, right click to get Menu.
Rated: *****
Support: Not needed, even Stevie Wonder could configure this puppy.
Download: http://users.iafrica.com/d/da/dalen/

That's it from me. I do have a couple of others, but maybe not everyone's cup of tea. I do not want to recommend them as not applicable with all OS.

Cheers.

[sk]

Well, aren't YOU just a little devil?! ;D
Sitting on a veritable gold mine, eh, Taz?
8)
Thanks.

I would give your post:

***** for content
***** for style
***** for quality, and
***** for originality

Now come on the rest of you folks...this IS Wilder's, isn't it?
:o ::) ;D

(Or have we totally tapped out the entire freeware universe?)

sk

[Tassie_Devils]

LOL, thanks sk. ;D

Appreciate it. If I get/think of any more I will post.

I have truckload, but some of them I have only ever needed once or twice, but those times they sure came in handy.

[solarpowered candle]

Outpost firewall 1.0
(whilst im waiting for kaspersky to get there act together with there anti-hacker firewall )

proxomitron

mailwasher

spywareblaster

Sptbot-Search&Destroy

Gladiator scanner

fp-up

[sk]

{QUOTE-> quoting: azeuch link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=30#41163 date=1042287616]

Outpost firewall 1.0
(whilst im waiting for kaspersky to get there act together with there anti-hacker firewall )

proxomitron

mailwasher

spywareblaster

Sptbot-Search&Destroy

Gladiator scanner

fp-up
<-QUOTE} Well, I'm 4 out of 6 right out of the shoot here. I would imagine there is probably a core of about 10 or 20 proggies that we all use that constitute the 'best of the best'. Thanks for posting.

sk

[Uguel707]

Hi! :)

A list of my favorites softs:

1.Total uninstall: Its a soft. that erases completely any program you want to remove, no leftover keys in the register.

The main steps you have to do are:

Install a program along with Total Uninstall you keep it as you like it, and then, if one day you decide to remove that program, you open Total Uninstall, hit the name of the very program in the window, and you remove it. A spy program.

http://www.webattack.com/get/totaluninstall.shtml

2. Spybot (see Tassie_Devil's topic)

http://beam.to/spybotsd (http://beam.to/spybotsd)

This one is well known here ;)

3. Jv16 PowerTools. Useful for all other programs I installed before "Total Uninstall" which still leave useless keys when
they are removed.
http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/software.shtml

4. Pixia : light, quite easy to use. A good drawing pogram. Many filters and opportunities to add on more too.

http://www.ab.wakwak.com/~knight/

5. Easy Thumbnails: makes thumbnails of every kind of pictures or drawing you have. The original is kept by default. So you still have the original one + the thumbnail you made.

www.fookes.com/ezthumbs/index.html?2.53 (http://www.fookes.com/ezthumbs/index.html?2.53)

6.PowerArchiver: similar to Winzip but free. ;D

http://www.powerarchiver.com/

7. Serene Screen Aquarium: My best screensaver, almost free ;D, just have to hit the space bar and write a few letters and it starts up. If you pay for it, you won't have to hit anything.
Fish and sound are just like in real life!

http://www.serenescreen.com/

I think this is all for now!


Uguel

Now, we can add Photoshop plug-ins to Pixia. Many of them work very well!

[sk]

Wow. Super post, Uguel!! I use a lot of those same programs. And it also gave me some ideas of ones I'd like to try. That's pretty good considering how many posts there have been. Thanks a lot for these contributions!

sk

[Uguel707]

Thank you!

That's funny ! For I wanted to see a post like that but as a new member, I didn't know if that post had been there before. That's why I took pleasure in taking part. ;D ;D ;D
You see, I learn by myself and come here to get information . Most people I know don't like "computing" too much so, they won't give me any advice. But I get a little bit more "objective" by coming here. I consider what suits my computer and I. I try to get the best of it!
Good evening! Uguel

[sk]

And a good evening to you too, Uguel. I was actually thinking sort of along those lines when I took a saw that you hadn't had that many posts, yet your contribution was not only solid, but also at the front of the group. I definitely like the idea of the Uninstaller. I'd seen it at webattack.com, but never downloaded it. I just did, and I have you to thank. Again, thanks a lot and do come back and participate as often as you like.

:D

sk

[Tassie_Devils]

:) welcome Uguel :)

I had forgotten about Uninstall, darn, lol. See sk, I told you I had several more but forgot. >:(

Anyway, just looking at my quick launch I also see BigFix:
This is an extra proggy like "MS Windows Update" only it looks for more stuff you may, may not have on your system and tell you.

FREE. Download, install, FOLLOW THE TUITORIAL, "subscribe" to the Fixlet Sites [all in the tuitorial] then download and it will tell you what Hotfixes/Patches you need for your OS. [You have to subscribe to the site of YOUR OS]

http://www.bigfix.com/website/index.html

Download from this FIRST page on the left side. IF download elsewhere when browsing you may get the "trial" version for corporate/IT.

edit: Obviously sk, by my signature, 1 of those little people in my head must have been asleep, heh!

[sk]

That's a nice one, Taz. I had used Belarc Advisor. They supposedly were working together with MS and had their 'blessing' so to speak. And while I was looking for that proggie I also found this one, which I haven't seen posted yet, and which should be an interesting item for the more security minded members: SONORK! Supposedly one of, if not the most secure IM module. Check it out. It's free for up to 5 networked computers! (Comes in client and server versions, I believe.)
http://www.sonork.com/eng/default.htm

Belarc Advisor:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

And I want to add in FilZip, a freeware zip tool that is now compatible with XP so you can junk that thing that MS calls a compression utility completely. At first FilZip had some compatibility problems with XP, but now that's been patched. Works so well; I've been using this one for years. Ever since the other one I used got too bloated.
http://www.filzip.com/en/index.html

[Tassie_Devils]

Geeze sk. We must be "in the zone" with apps.
Yep got Belarc....

[sk]

Yeah, Taz, Belarc definitely appears to be a class act.

sk

[Tassie_Devils]

NOW here is a handy little app for Webmasters etc.

Called jpcleaner. http://rainbow.ht.st

It's FREE, and it cleans out hidden data streams in jpegs [especially from Adobe Photoshop] which decreases the jpeg file size.

help blurb: ~~ JPG Cleaner 95 is a Win32 program for cleaning JPG files from anything that is not picture data. Commonly used programs such as Adobe Photoshop are writing additional information into JPG file that isn't needed for correctly displaying the picture:
- Texts such asFile written by Adobe Photoshop, Creator: PolyView(R) Version 3.32 by Polybytes, LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01
- Picture previews (sometimes even bigger than main JPG data!)

- Color Management data

All this data is useful only when opening the file in program that created it. Other programs such as Internet Browsers are just skipping this data, so the data is downloaded ant then thrown away! Just use this program when publishing JPG files on the Internet and your JPG files become smaller (if they contain non-picture data) with NO QUALITY LOSS.
~~

Extremely easy, no installation. Unzip to a folder you just put into your directory [C:/ Drive] and away it goes. Make sure you read the Readme first, as it comes with 3 executables for different OS/application, etc.

there may be new versions, I have had mine since forever.

Must see and upgrade if there is when time permits.

Cheers. It's work time once again. >:(

[notageek]

I seen a lot of good freeware being posted here. But There is one missing and I'm shocked that no one put it in this post. Eraser by Same Tolvvanen/ Garrett Trant.m You can find it at http://www.heidi.ie/eraser.
Aslo a good program that checks you favorites is FavOrg from PC Magazine. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,108438,00.asp
Also a good tool is Script Sentry. http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/scriptsentry.asp
Can't for PGP 8.0 freeware.
Zone Alarm free is a good firewall for the newbie firewall user. http://www.zonelabs.com
FreshDownload is a good program. http://www.freshdevices.com
And last but not least freashUI. See above link

- Fixed a couple links - LowWaterMark"

[sk]

Goodness Gracious, Not-A. You're on fire! Absolutely awesome proggies. How did the rest of us miss them? Really good stuff, Not-A. And so as not to come empty handed, here is a group shot from none other than Foundstone. I must confess I can only point to Foundstone's world class reputation; the only program that I've used from them is BinText 3.0. (Although BinText is a real handy little utility for checking out .dat files; at least .dat files that are not currently being used by Windows. The best way to use BinText 3.0 is to right click on the .exe, copy, then past a shortcut in the 'Send To' folder in Windows, then all you have to do is find a .dat file that's not being used, right click on it, send it to BinText, and see what pops up. It's always an adventure when looking into .dat files. It's amazing how MANY of those little suckers MS has squirelled away on our systems! Heck. This little proggie might keep some of us busy for weeks!) But Wilder's has their Fport program listed (although it's misspelled as Fprot, but that's the program) and there are some posts here highlighting Foundstone as a leader in the security industry. So here's the link to their free tools page. (Wow. They've got some real interesting tools alright. Some that get right into the heart of exe files and everything. Have fun, kids! ;D And don't do anything you're not supposed to!)

http://www.foundstone.com/knowledge/free_tools.html

[notageek]

I'm back with a few more good freeware programs.

RegSeeker you can find it here: http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

Xen (not for newbies) you can find it here: http://www.x9000.net

XenTweak you can find it at the same as above.

Thats all for now.

[sk]

Wow, that's a new one for me, Not-A. I might start out with XenTweak first. All his stuff looks very cool! Thanks.
8)
sk

[notageek]

You're welcomed SK.

[peakaboo]

Anyone try script defender by Analogx? Good program?

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/sdefend.htm

How does it compare performance wise to Script Sentry?

http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/scriptsentry.asp

Also if one is using proxomitron, any need to install a script type protection program if using the following filter:

Name = "Disable All Scripts except JavaScripts (script tags)"
Active = TRUE
Multi = TRUE
Bounds = "< script*> "
Limit = 256
Match = "< script*LANGUAGE = (^$AV( (java|j)script*))$AV(\1)*"
"&(^*language="ShonenScript"*)"
Replace = "<!--killl [\1] --> \r\n"
"<script language="ShonenScript">"

[notageek]

I tried Script Deffender by Analog X and I thout it was an alright program. I just like Script Sentry cuz it runs in the background. You don't even know it's there unless you control+alt+del and see it there. ;)

[peakaboo]

Thanks Not-A!

Three final questions if you get a chance:

1) Does script sentry kick in defensively when you run either of these two on-line tests:

http://www.netcult.ch/elmue/Security.htm

or

http://www.lockdowncorp.com/bots/testyourbrowser.html

2) Also can you add or configure script sentry to intercept new script extensions as needed?

3) Finally, do you remember how much of a resource hog (light medium or heavy) script defender was ?


TIA

[notageek]

Hi Peakaboo , As for checking them links I know for a fact that if you click the lockdown and have avg resident running it will intercetp it as a vbs that can harm your computer. But I'll click and check them later when I have a little more time. As for the resourse i'm not sure If there's a difference. You can't add any EXE that's not already added to the list that Scrpit Sentry has on it.

[peakaboo]

{QUOTE-> quoting: notageek link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=45#43245 date=1043008311]
Hi Peakaboo , As for checking them links I know for a fact that if you click the lockdown and have avg resident running it will intercetp it as a vbs that can harm your computer. But I'll click and check them later when I have a little more time. As for the resourse i'm not sure If there's a difference. You can't add any EXE that's not already added to the list that Scrpit Sentry has on it.
<-QUOTE}

Thanks again Not-A!

I got the same intercept by my anti-virus proggie on the Lockdown IE exploit test.

Speaking of HTA exploits, for those interested, you may also want to check out the link below (free proggie from the authors of Boclean):

http://www.nsclean.com/htastop.html

http://www.wilders.org/HTMLobj-647/htastop.exe

Sounds to me like the script defense program (script defender or script sentry) if one chooses to use, is just another layer of protection in case IE security (ha ha), Proxomitron, your AV (or wormguard if using this) is defeated.

Also sounds like script defender may be a bit more flexible as far as configuration (my conjecture only), as I think you can add other extensions to be blocked for script defender. I have not tried it yet but planning on taking a look soon.

[notageek]

Hi Peakaboo, the only think I like about Script Defender is that you can add more exes. But I found that you had to keep the program opened to use it. With Script Sentry you don't have to keep it open for it to work. I'm going to try to get a look at them links and let you know it Script Sentry kicks into effect when I run a test. I hope Proxo don't get in the way. ;) Thanks for the links for htastop.

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: notageek link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=45#43299 date=1043029186]
Hi Peakaboo, the only think I like about Script Defender is that you can add more exes. But I found that you had to keep the program opened to use it. With Script Sentry you don't have to keep it open for it to work.
<-QUOTE}

Correct. It associates WSH,JS,etc files to Script sentry so if you run them on your computer script sentry comes into play. I'm surprised Script defender doesnt work the same way.

It doesnt work it seems , if IE runs the script..

Of course you could just associate any dangerous files to wordpad, but Script sentry tries to tell you what the script will do...

[Straight Shooter]

I ran this test...

http://www.netcult.ch/elmue/Security.htm

and I have IE Clean and Script Sentry installed ...

This is what happenned..

I was in complete privacy with IE Clean installed..

Then I disabled IE Clean, Ran the test again.. Script Sentry did not activate and I failed the test..

Then I reactivated IE Clean again..

Passed the test again..

Very Interesting....

[peakaboo]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Straight Shooter link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=45#43673 date=1043193663]
I ran this test...

http://www.netcult.ch/elmue/Security.htm

and I have IE Clean and Script Sentry installed ...

This is what happenned..

I was in complete privacy with IE Clean installed..

Then I disabled IE Clean, Ran the test again.. Script Sentry did not activate and I failed the test..

Then I reactivated IE Clean again..

Passed the test again..

Very Interesting....

<-QUOTE}

From what I understand script sentry (& script defender) only kick in after the nasty has penetrated your real time browser defense and made it to your hard drive.

It protects you from running malicious scripts on your machine unrelated to browsing.

You actually should run both defenses like you are doing.
You never know when some real time browser malady will make it past download function and onto your hard drive. Good example is some malicious script you might catch thru email.

Proxo does the same thing as IE clean, lots of stuff being picked off at that test site:

Kill Dynamic HTML JavaScripts
Disable JavaScript
Hide Browser's Identity from JS
Disable All Scripts except JavaScripts
Disable JavaScript

[Bah]

{QUOTE-> quoting: peakaboo link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=45#43682 date=1043195455]

From what I understand script sentry (& script defender) only kick in after the nasty has penetrated your real time browser defense and made it to your hard drive.

It protects you from running malicious scripts on your machine unrelated to browsing.

You actually should run both defenses like you are doing.
You never know when some real time browser malady will make it past download function and onto your hard drive. Good example is some malicious script you might catch thru email.

<-QUOTE}

Actually, I submit Script defender and the like are totally useless for filtering scripts that are run from IE. Those are usually embeded in HTML, so Script defender which only excutes on raw JS,WSH,Reg etc never ever kicks in.

The only way script defender kicks in is when a security flaw in IE /Outlook causes a script to be excuted on your computer..This is equalavant to you clicking on a attachment that says JS or reg to run it.

{QUOTE->

Proxo does the same thing as IE clean, lots of stuff being picked off at that test site:

Kill Dynamic HTML JavaScripts
Disable JavaScript
Hide Browser's Identity from JS
Disable All Scripts except JavaScripts
Disable JavaScript

<-QUOTE}

And more. A sample of what mine does include

Block referrers
Prevent link tracking
Adjust website rendering of my favourite sites
Filter well known webcounters
spoof "X-forwarded for headers"

The possibilities are endless

Proxo is a HTTP proxy, it can filter basically anything sent from the server to the browser and vice versa, hence it is very powerful espically in the hands of skilled users. The first and main line of defence in web-browsing for most people I suspect. <-QUOTE}

[notageek]

It's true, Proxo is a great program. Why waste time with Web Washer when you can run proxo. :) The best part of running proxo is i'm learning somnthing new about the program everyday 5 mintues lol.

[peakaboo]

{QUOTE-> quoting: notageek link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=45#43299 date=1043029186]
Hi Peakaboo, the only think I like about Script Defender is that you can add more exes. But I found that you had to keep the program opened to use it. With Script Sentry you don't have to keep it open for it to work. I'm going to try to get a look at them links and let you know it Script Sentry kicks into effect when I run a test. I hope Proxo don't get in the way. ;) Thanks for the links for htastop.
<-QUOTE}

Not-A,

You are welcome for the hta stop link.

I installed Script Defender version 1.02.

Nice program.

Just for the record, Script Defender V 1.02, the version I am using works similar to how you said Script Sentry worked.

Script Defender runs silent until one of the configured extensions tries to execute.

Apparently it is set to intercept execution calls.

The program comes with a safe Test vbs script if you want to test Script Defender once you have configured it.

When I executed (double clicked) Test.vbs, script defender jumped into action with the following message:

A request to execute a potentially dangerous script has been made:

Test.VBS

Script Defender then gives you the option of Executing the script or Aborting.

Nice thing about Script Defender is it is configurable (you can add extension) and it jumps into action only when one of your configured extensions attempts to execute.

The program default extensions are:

.VBS,.VBE,.JS,.JSE,.HTA,.WSF,.WSH,.SHS,.SHB,

I added the following extensions, and will probably add a few more later:

.CSS,.PIF,.CHM,.WSC,.SCT,.EML,.WMD,.ASF,.CPL,.CRT,.ADE,.ADP,.BAS,.BAT

For those who wish to try this program here is the link:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/sdefend.htm

______________________________________

on-line test for script/extension vulnerability:

Test page for Word documents in frames:

http://www.computerbytesman.com/acctroj/iframe.htm

the above link will test your Script Sentry, Script Defender, WormGuard, or other mechanism to defend against this vulnerability.


clue: you may want to add .DOC to your list of Script Defender extensions ;)

[Tassie_Devils]

I like Script Defender also. ;D
Had it for a little while and am pleased with it, so easy, light to use.
TAS

[Uguel707]

Hi peekaboo, tassie...

Would you please tell me if Script Defender works with windows xp? I read your posts and I'd be interested to know a little more about the program. Thank you! Uguel :D :D :D

[FluxGFX]

All analogx software are XP compatible ! ;)

[Uguel707]

Hi FluxGFX!

{QUOTE-> All analogx software are XP compatible ! <-QUOTE}


Thanks a lot! Uguel :)

[Primrose]

New Person's Guide to Free Stuff


1: www.freewarearena.com
2: www.webgrid.co.uk
3: www.under1mb.com
4: www.freewareposse.com
5: www.freeware-guide.com
6: www.hmdejong.myweb.nl
7: www.r2.com.au

[Vegikens]

Hello, I've discovered this site a few months ago, and it has been a great help in securing my box.
Anyways, I'm wondering why you haven't added the mother of all tweaking programs: X-Setup. It has way too many features to talk about, so go check it out @ www.xteq.com (http://www.xteq.com)
I get all my computer related stuff from this site: http://members.aol.com/axcel216/, if you're interested. Don't try visiting it with Firebird [aka Phoenix], because it tries to download the index.htm file. I would recommend using Opera or AvantBrowser [IE based].

Regards,

vegetasnj [aka Vege]

www.y4ls.vze.com (http://www.y4ls.vze.com)

[JayK]

http://www.pricelessware.org/2003/about2003PL.htm

[Douglas]

{QUOTE-> quoting: JayK link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=60#msg106777 date=1070548999]
http://www.pricelessware.org/2003/about2003PL.htm
<-QUOTE}

That's a great site, JayK.
Son of Spy did a great job starting it.
Do you think it's still as good in its choices?

Regards,
Douglas

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Douglas link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=60#msg106799 date=1070552363]
{QUOTE-> quoting: JayK link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=60#msg106777 date=1070548999]
http://www.pricelessware.org/2003/about2003PL.htm
<-QUOTE}

That's a great site, JayK.
Son of Spy did a great job starting it.
Do you think it's still as good in its choices?

Regards,
Douglas
<-QUOTE}

Fairly good I guess. As good as you can get from the LCD of a group of windows using people. Only a few of the guys who frequent the group, can be said to be even halfway competent though...

The last time I read the group, the advice given by some of the "regulars" were misinformed and full of half understood myths and urban legends at best, and totally wrong at other times and extremely misleading.

[Prince_Serendip]

:) Hi JayK!

{QUOTE-> The last time I read the group, the advice given by some of the "regulars" were misinformed and full of half understood myths and urban legends at best, and totally wrong at other times and extremely misleading. <-QUOTE}

Oh, I dunno about that. From the look of it, it would be comparable to any forum or board with which we are now familiar. LOL (j/k)

There are some very useful little freeware apps at that site. It has helped me to find things/apps that the commercial vendors do not want us users to know about. ;)

When Internet began, freeware and opensource were first because it was started by a bunch of scientists who wanted to share information. Commerce came along much later when they saw it had profit potential as more and more people were climbing aboard. There's a lot of excellent freeware apps, some far surpassing those purported to be "better" because you gotta pay for them.

I was on Internet back when it first started. Imagine Internet without Windows. LOL I had my Digital Rainbow 100+. All of my application software was freeware. We were all busy writing programs and routines in DOS and giving them to each other. Didn't need much. It still surprises me that people will pay for what they can get for free. I suppose it's a matter of choice, opinion and expertise.

My all time favourite freeware app would have to be IrfanViewer. Written in the spirit of the DOS pioneers! ;D

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Prince_Serendip link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=60#msg106892 date=1070570172]
:) Hi JayK!

{QUOTE-> The last time I read the group, the advice given by some of the "regulars" were misinformed and full of half understood myths and urban legends at best, and totally wrong at other times and extremely misleading. <-QUOTE}

Oh, I dunno about that. From the look of it, it would be comparable to any forum or board with which we are now familiar. LOL (j/k)

<-QUOTE}

Well there is bad advice..and then there is BAD advice. Someone who asked for a EE alternative to clean his tracks securely, is referred to myie2 is simply not acceptable.



{QUOTE->
There are some very useful little freeware apps at that site. It has helped me to find things/apps that the commercial vendors do not want us users to know about. ;)

<-QUOTE}

No question. I'm not doubting freeware can be good, or that the pricelessware list is bad, just that the group probably isnt worth joining regularly.

Alt.comp.freeware we are talking about is not full of the archtypical linux hacker open source gurus, it's majority of members are windows using people who just discovered there was another browser besides Internet explorer and email client besides Outlook recently :)

And get this, outlook might be getting into the pricelessware list this year... sigh...

[Prince_Serendip]

;) Hi JayK!

I see your point and you are right. The group at Pricelessware have become a bunch of greenhorns and this will change it into "Anyware: applications for the untutored and inexperienced users." Whee. :(

Maybe, with our combined expertise we could come up with a list of freeware apps, with links, which we consider to be absolutely excellent or close to it? I know Wilders already has a list of apps as an organization. I was thinking of a list compiled by people like us. What do you think? ;D

Another favorite freeware app is from that Wilders list, "NewDefrag." It's saved me a lot of time. :)

[tepi]

Favorite freeware? Anyone who doesn’t have the following two programs installed has my deepest sympathy because what it almost certainly means – IMHO- is that, unless you've figured out another way to do it, your paging files and Registry hives are in a mess and also that, one of these fine days, your Registry is is going to get badly mangled and you will have no simple, easy, safe and super-efficient way of restoring it ??? Or at least that’s what I think :) But seriously, guys, these really are two super programs that you should check out if you don’t already know them.

Details:

From http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pagedefrag.shtml

PageDefrag v2.21 by Mark Russinovich

One of the limitations of the Windows NT/2000 defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system.

PageDefrag uses advanced techniques to provide you what commercial defragmenters cannot: the ability for you to see how fragmented your paging files and Registry hives are, and to defragment them. In addition, it defragments event log files and Windows 2000/XP hibernation files (where system memory is saved when you hibernate a laptop).

PageDefrag works on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
-------

From http://www.webattack.com/get/erunt.html

ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.


ERUNT works on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
----------

Cheers

[FukenFooser 007.5]

;D


It's got to be the "BEST", not that you get a program but,

you do get answers to your ??? ??? :-[ :-X :-\ :'( :( >:(, computer issues.
You all know I mean "http://www.wilderssecurity.com"

I used to like "major Geeks" and still do but I never tried to use that forum.

THANKS AGAIN to all who help!!!!
ps: "vladd44.com" has a few good items there


l8r


ff

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Prince_Serendip link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=60#msg107175 date=1070641934]
;) Hi JayK!

Maybe, with our combined expertise we could come up with a list of freeware apps, with links, which we consider to be absolutely excellent or close to it?
<-QUOTE}

What do you have in mind?

[tepi]

{QUOTE-> quoting: sk link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#msg40099 date=1041945436]
Here is a really cool, 'small' little program that to me has always epitomized everything that was 'wrong' with MS and 'right' with freeware and 'the little guy'. It's a small freeware program written by Hans Nelisse called 'Byte Count'. After installing it with the self-installing .exe, there's no real setup or configuration; it simply adds a right click context menu item called "Byte Count". What it enables you to do is right click on any folder in the left hand side of Windows Explorer and, unlike 'Properties', not only does it tell you the size of the folder and all the subfolders, but it also lists each one instantly so you can see how much space is being occupied by each one at a glance.

<-QUOTE}

Hi sk:

Thanks a million. Byte Count is the kind of program I've needed for a long time. I've now downloaded and installed it and, as you say, it works just fine.

Regards

[Prince_Serendip]

:) Responding to JayK,

Would Wilders be willing to sponsor a Forums Freeware Listing?? Not asking them to act as a server for same. Rather than having these freeware links scattered all over the forum, have them all in one spot, with a short description and the link to where they can be downloaded. We could even hold a poll on it too and see if everyone else wants it? ;D

If that is not possible we could get together and write a webpage of our own for the same purpose??

What do you think? ;)

[JayK]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Prince_Serendip link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=75#msg107775 date=1070818741]
:) Responding to JayK,

Would Wilders be willing to sponsor a Forums Freeware Listing?? Not asking them to act as a server for same. Rather than having these freeware links scattered all over the forum, have them all in one spot, with a short description and the link to where they can be downloaded. We could even hold a poll on it too and see if everyone else wants it? ;D

If that is not possible we could get together and write a webpage of our own for the same purpose??

What do you think? ;)
<-QUOTE}

An interesting idea I think would be have our own "pricelessware" list, but instead of being voted on by the members of a newsgroup, it would be voted on by the people here.

Like the real pricelessware list it would cover more than just security related products. It would have to be freeware of course.

Just throwing some ideas around.

[Prince_Serendip]

:) They are good ideas JayK. I agree.

Wilders could have it's own Fantastic Freeware List voted on by the members, because they actually know what's really good!

Paul Wilders? Feel free to comment. 8)


Best regards,

Larry

[peakaboo]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Prince_Serendip link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=75#msg107786 date=1070820178]
:) They are good ideas JayK. I agree.

Wilders could have it's own Fantastic Freeware List voted on by the members, because they actually know what's really good!

<-QUOTE}

already have this somewhat:

http://www.wilders.org/free_tools.htm

&

http://www.wilders.org/free_services.htm

just add user rating and have someone keep the list trimmed of outdated software or services

[Prince_Serendip]

;) Hi Peakaboo!

Yes, we are aware of the Wilders.org list. Not all of those proggies are purely freeware. We are suggesting something a wee bit more visible out here on the Forums where everyone, including visitors, can see it. Most people do not like to dig for gold. They like to see it shine! ;D

[peakaboo]

Hi Larry,

I knew you knew...

just pointing out we can start from there...

don't have to reinvent the wheel

make it more prominent, add user input star rating & entry, keep it updated (for example the SSM (system safety monitor) on tools is so old it is a timed out beta), i'm sure there are other examples etc... have a forum type monitor to maintain the premise

pt is don't have to start from scratch 8)

[Prince_Serendip]

:) Hi peakaboo!

You're right of course. We don't have to start from scratch. Wanna help? Assuming we get some positive feedback from the powers as they be here?

There's a great many excellent freeware apps that are now available that aren't on the original list. Shall we revise and top it up? ;D

Thanks for the input and the interest. You like cookies? ;)

[peakaboo]

be glad to add my input...

hopefully one of the forum monitors can respond to this concept...

I think it is a great idea... ;)

karma good... back at ya my friend

[Prince_Serendip]

:-* Love cookies with coffee or tea! ;D

Thank you again for your commitment. It's appreciated. Perhaps we should send a message to our admin? Hmmm. I'll have more time later, after work. ;)

[Paul Wilders]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Prince_Serendip link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=75#msg107775 date=1070818741]
:) Responding to JayK,

Would Wilders be willing to sponsor a Forums Freeware Listing?? Not asking them to act as a server for same. Rather than having these freeware links scattered all over the forum, have them all in one spot, with a short description and the link to where they can be downloaded. We could even hold a poll on it too and see if everyone else wants it? ;D

If that is not possible we could get together and write a webpage of our own for the same purpose??

What do you think? ;)
<-QUOTE}

Larry - and all participating in this thread:

Suggestions are welcome as ever over here - we'll take a possible dedicated freeware software forum into consideration.

That said: since we are purely security/spyware related, such a forum would be limited to exactly those kinds of software. Furthermore, in principal we do believe such software has to be tested before putting a link up. Since this wouldn't be the case (from our point of view), we will not take any responsibility (as stated in our TOS) for post made and links posted.

Now, on a slightly different but related matter: we are seriously planning to start up an extensive Knowledge Base on a different domain, covering various subjects. "freeware/donationware"security an antispyware"could be one of those subjects, and (registered) members could submit and rate submissions. Just providing some of the possibilities. Merely thinking aloud now btw ;). Depending on the reactions over here, we might start a poll in this specific issue.

regards.

paul

[Prince_Serendip]

:) Hi Paul!

I understand and accept what you have said. In regard to a listing, with links, of freewares I understand the issues of potential and real liabilities involved. The security/spyware related freewares are not being tested in the laboratory but on our wild and often quirky operating systems. ;D I would not recommend something I have not tried myself, but others have their favorites too. This would need an appropriate policy/limitation of liabilty statement. ;) (I also understand, legally speaking, how those statements can fail.)

In a Knowledge Base, these freewares could be referred to in reference to means used to achieve particular levels of security (and if you need their links you can go "Google" for them). Even with a Knowledge Base a policy/limitation of liability statement will be required.

I like this idea of the Knowledge Database because it emphasizes that the way to better PC and Internet security is achieved through education of the users. It's not good enough, in my estimation, to just throw applications at a problem. The shotgun approach rarely hits the target directly.

I would really like to see either or both of these ideas implemented here at Wilders and would be willing to contribute. My forte is the written word.


Best regards from Larry :)

[sk]

Thanks, Paul. I know it's been a while since I've checked in, but I sort of fell away during/after the site had been having problems for a while. Glad to see that this thread is still kicking with some good ideas/interactions. Of course I understand the need to keep the focus on security programs, etc., but I like your input regarding a more generalized knowledge base elsewhere.

Regards,

sk

[Uguel707]

{QUOTE-> quoting: sk link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=75#msg111551 date=1071772375]
Thanks, Paul. I know it's been a while since I've checked in, but I sort of fell away during/after the site had been having problems for a while. Glad to see that this thread is still kicking with some good ideas/interactions. Of course I understand the need to keep the focus on security programs, etc., but I like your input regarding a more generalized knowledge base elsewhere.

Regards,

sk
<-QUOTE}

Hi SK,

It's great to see you around again. Hopefully we will see you here more often. You always had informative posts and it would be great to get your input here more often.


Uguel :)

[Paul Wilders]

{QUOTE-> quoting: sk link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=75#msg111551 date=1071772375]
Thanks, Paul. I know it's been a while since I've checked in, but I sort of fell away during/after the site had been having problems for a while. <-QUOTE}

Glad to see you're back ;)

{QUOTE-> Glad to see that this thread is still kicking with some good ideas/interactions. Of course I understand the need to keep the focus on security programs, etc., but I like your input regarding a more generalized knowledge base elsewhere. <-QUOTE}

Actually, a knowledge base is in the works. That said: it will be focussed on security, spyware and O/S related issues. Bear in mind setting up such a kb from scratch is quite a job - and we do need specialists for that.

regards.

paul

[Antti]

Hi everybody
I just recently registered to this forum. Have been reading every now and then though. A great forum I must say! :)

Just wanted to provide one of my favourite freeware programs:
pdf995

You can create pdf-files with this free tool using "print"-option. The program is free but every time you create a pdf-file your web browser loads a "pop-uppy" sponsor page. But still, the program's free, good, functions nicely and is able to create perfect pdf-files. Downloadable Pdf995 suite -package offers additional functions for free.

www.pdf995.com

Have a nice evening!

[yahoo]

Here are my favorite freeware:

1. Privoxy http://www.privoxy.org

A freeware similiar to proximitron but more flexible and with more functions(IMHO). It removes web bugs, banner advertisement, pop ups, annoying images, and many other annoyances from web pages. It can also be configured to keep your on line privacy. And more, it's open source software(Always trust open source :)).

2. Open office http://www.openoffice.org

Similiar to Windows Office. The beauty of it is that it can save file into PDF format, as well as DOC format. Only for this reason, it is enough for me to switch from Windows Office to Open Office. Plus, it is free and open source.

3. Dev-C++ http://www.bloodshed.net

A free C++ Integrated Development Environment(IDE) on Windows.

4. Eclipse http://www.eclipse.org

A free JAVA IDE on Windows.

5. FireFox http://www.mozilla.org

A cool free open source web browser

[Wiskonst]

Somtimes you ask yourself why a program is for free.
Such a program is Hex Editor XVI32.

http://www.chmaas.handshake.de/delphi/freeware/xvi32/xvi32.htm

Don't know if it was mentioned here yet.

_______
Wiskonst

[Prince_Serendip]

:) Use what you really like!

Wanna know how and why freeware exists??

The Internet was originally started by a couple hundred scientists who wanted to share ideas and developments. (A lot of them lived in Eastern-Canada btw.) They also started sharing computer programs and routines they had developed for their work, at no charge. Later, they got more organized, but that was the birth of freeware. The rest is history!

I have many favorite freeware programs. I got online just after the scientists, as a student in Astronomy. One of my current favorites, which is still available, is Proxomitron 4.5 (Naoko). Primarily, it gets rid of pop-ups and ads but it can do a whole lot more. In addition to the forum at Computer Cops there's a very active group at Yahoo. You can write/add-on routines to Prox that can help with just about anything you need to do with webpages. For more info go to: Proxomitron Online Help File (http://www.computercops.biz/modules.php?name=Proxomitron).

[Primrose]

Free Windows Utilities
http://jongrieve.net/

fonXL Call Display Screen Saver
http://www.fonxl.com/


This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from
http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm


Do yourself a favor and download this tool and you will not have to fool around with CTRL+ALT+DEL any more and you will be able to see everything that is really running on your PC.


http://www.turboware.com/WhatsHappening.htm

[notageek]

Hey Primerose. Here's a program for you. It's called Process Explorer and you can find it here. http://www.sysinternals.com

[Abrashea]

oh i love mailwasher ;D

[cl0ck]

wow, i hv discovered many unheard softwares through this thread, it's time to share the freewares i use

u guyz may hv forgotten to mention this:

1) Real alternative & QuickTime alternative
as the title say, great substitutes to the malware-infected real audio& quicktime. light in size & use few resources
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_Alternative.htm
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm

2) media player classic
from the same author of real alternative & quicktime alternative, this is needed when trying to install real&quicktime alternative. worry not coz this item is embedded when u try to install real&quicktime alternative

3) SiSoftware Sandra
an information & diagnostic utility. It should provide most of the information (including undocumented) you need to know about your hardware, software and other devices . http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/?dir=&location=pinformation&langx=en&a=

4) NTREGOPT
a 175 KB program to minimize the size of the registry files
and optimize registry access. it does NOT change the contents of the registry in
any way, nor does it defrag the registry files "on-disk"
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/

5) WMPopKill
it turns off Scripting in Microsoft Media Player http://www.bartdart.com

6) MWSnap
screen capture utility http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html

7) Font xplorer lite
font viewer program http://www.moonsoftware.com/freeware.asp

other freewares that i use: ad-aware,spybot,spyware blaster,webwasher,sygate,cookie wall, jv16, mru-blaster,avg,diskkeeper lite, eraser,xteq,xp-antispy

[cl0ck]

{QUOTE-> quoting: yahoo link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=90#msg134742 date=1077521922]
Here are my favorite freeware:

1. Privoxy http://www.privoxy.org

A freeware similiar to proximitron but more flexible and with more functions(IMHO). It removes web bugs, banner advertisement, pop ups, annoying images, and many other annoyances from web pages. It can also be configured to keep your on line privacy. And more, it's open source software(Always trust open source :)).


<-QUOTE}

i tried using privoxy but it is qute tedious, not-so-user-friendly :( and u need to set IE to port 8118, i hv uninstalled it anyway. guess webwasher is still my preferred choice ;)

[Robyn]

{QUOTE-> 6) MWSnap
screen capture utility http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html <-QUOTE}

I was interested in the above software but note the last update was July 2002, it can be downloaded but the other links on the site eg forum do not work. Is the program still OK to use?

Irfanview for fast and easy resize resample of photographs and pictures http://www.irfanview.com/

[cl0ck]

{QUOTE-> quoting: Robyn link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=90#msg144967 date=1079442567]
{QUOTE-> 6) MWSnap
screen capture utility http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html <-QUOTE}

I was interested in the above software but note the last update was July 2002, it can be downloaded but the other links on the site eg forum do not work. Is the program still OK to use?

Irfanview for fast and easy resize resample of photographs and pictures http://www.irfanview.com/
<-QUOTE}

yeah, i guess mwsnap has not been updated for some time, but its forum is still working http://www.mirekw.com/forum.html

actually i only learn about irfanview after i hv mwsnap on my comp, but i agree that irfanview has more features than mwsnap

[Robyn]

Thank you cl0ck for the link to the forum, I will have plenty to read there about mwsnap ;)

[Magica]

My favourite freeware programms have been already mentioned. This one was not mentioned though :

NeoTrace Express 3.25
http://www.networkingfiles.com/PingFinger/Neotraceexpress.htm


I use it to track the origin of the websites of spammers and to protest to the abuse emails of their internet providers about Unsolicited email abuse ;D I really enjoy doing that ;D

Another interesting freeware was proved 20/20
http://www.hotfreeware.com/2020/2020.htm

One can use this to work with images, convert bmps to jpgs, isolate parts of pictures pr enhance them.

But, is it possible to find free but good games on internet? Links to download free games (especially adventures) would be grately apreciated :) .

greetings

[manOFpeace]

I have Ad-aware, ZA, mailwasher, SpywareBlaster,RegSeeker,HijackThis,
jv16PowerTools,CodestuffStarter,StartpageGuard,BHODemon,PCForrestStart
Man,Gadwin PrintScreen, a lot of CamTech2000 stuff,plus a few more, all free. :)

[Paranoid2000]

{QUOTE-> I use it to track the origin of the websites of spammers and to protest to the abuse emails of their internet providers about Unsolicited email abuse ;D I really enjoy doing that ;D <-QUOTE}Get yourself an account at SpamCop (www.spamcop.net) man! This will process your spam, automatically reporting it to the sender's ISP (regardless of forged headers) and the ISP's of any websites linked to in the email - you can do this manually of course but it is far more work. :){QUOTE-> But, is it possible to find free but good games on internet? Links to download free games (especially adventures) would be grately apreciated :) . <-QUOTE}Check out JustAdventure (http://www.justadventure.com/) who have a (short) list of free games here (http://www.justadventure.com/Index_Subsets/Free_Index.shtm).

For useful freeware, I would like to nominate the following: System Safety Monitor (http://maxcomputing.narod.ru/ssme.html?lang=en) - Yes this is security related, but a very powerful and free tool nonetheless. It is an application firewall that intercepts calls between Windows programs and can detect process termination and DLL injection attempts. There will be a lot of popups to start with (especially if you use special mouse, keyboard or touchpad drivers that try linking into every other process) but the control it gives you over your system makes it effort well spent; SysInternals Freeware Utilities (http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/utilities.shtml) - A great set of programs here either for specific troubleshooting or for more general browsing of system activity; VDMSound (http://www.ece.mcgill.ca/~vromas/vdmsound/) and DOSBox (http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/) - 2 great utilities for running old DOS games under Windows 2000/XP. VDMSound has the more elegant setup (right-click on a file and select "Run with VDMS" to create a special shortcut) but DOSBox is more actively developed and offers better emulation in many cases; Daemon Tools (http://www.daemon-tools.cc/) - if you need fast access to CDs, then Daemon Tools can emulate up to 4 CD-ROM drives which can be loaded with CD images from your hard disk; GTRipple (http://www.gtdesktop.com/?page=gtdesktop_website/gtripple) - a program that makes part of your desktop wallpaper ripple, especially effective if used with wallpaper including water/sea like some of the beautiful ones from Digital Blasphemy (www.digitalblasphemy.com) (check out some of the free wallpapers here (http://www.digitalblasphemy.com/dbgallery/rf.shtml)); TweakUI (http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/PowerToys/Networking/NTTweakUI.asp) - many should be familiar with this Control Panel addon giving control over lots of little Windows features. Version 1.33 should work with all versions of Windows but XP users should check out version 2.10 (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/powertoys.asp); ZangbandTK (http://www.the-underdogs.org/game.php?id=3624) - last but not least, a game! If you ever played Rogue, NetHack or their many variants then this will be familiar - create a character, explore dungeons, find treasure, battle monsters and complete quests. This is a graphical version of Zangband (more info at Thangorodrim.net (http://www.thangorodrim.net/)) using Tcl/Tk (included) to provide a Windows GUI interface to a classic game. Well worth checking out...

[Pigman]

I would advise not playing Zangband. It is quite possibly the most addictive game known. :P

(Edited to add favorite freeware.)

- Spybot. Excellent stuff. Need I say more?
- HijackThis. Again, I shouldn't have to say much.
- Mozilla Firefox. Makes IE look like something invented by Dante.
- Adaware. Yeah, it's shareware, but it ain't $hareware - the unregistered version does quite enough, thank you.
- F-Prot. Great AV, even without resident protection.

[Marja]

A list of freeware that is SAFE and actually USABLE would be great!! The more I learn about what *&%^ is out there ruining everyones' computers and making life on the internet miserable, the less I roam, at least until I know more how to fight back! To actually have it all in one place would be wonderful, the usual "download" sites don't seem to work for me, always a few fiends, er, "friends" seem to come along and mess up my good time! I hate that!!>:( Like someone said on this forum, it's like the OLDE WEST on the internet,but, progress needs pioneers and sheriffs, not just ****slingers! I don't mind being on a pioneer wagontrain as long as there are Wilder's and the like as Sheriffs! But, a wagontrain needs direction too! Did that make any sense or do I watch too many westerns?:-\

[iceni60]

SatScape shows you the positioning of the major satellites, shuttles, and the space station at any given time, for your location or any location that you may want to enter. Using SatScape, you'll be able to know almost EXACTLY when the space shuttle will be observable outside in your location, as well as many other pieces of technology that float about. Think about it!! What a hit you'd be at the evening barbecue as you nonchalantly glance skyward and mention in passing "Gee..... there goes the space station!! Can I have another beer!?". heres a link...
http://www.buzzys.net/satscape.html
"Believe me, there are no shortages of calendar programs around for the windows desktop. You can find one at just about every freeware corner on the internet. Rainlendar sits in a class of its own with it's multiple skins and excellent interface. There are quite a number of features to this great desktop calendar as you will see which make it extraordinary! Here we go!"
http://www.buzzys.net/Rainlendar.html
this is from aumha.they say it works with ie6.it works for me
Web Accessories for Internet Explorer 5
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/previous/webaccess/ie5wa.mspx
i didnt want to give security software because you probably have it coming out of your ears,i hope i didnt miss the point :)
although i did have that web accessory above.it was this i was thinking of.its only for xp too,so sorry for confusion
http://www.jastek.net/programs.php

[Rita]

{QUOTE-> Hi sk,
For the record, I don't like adware and will not use it. My issue is that when newbies post, we don't need arrogant comments showing where they're wrong. We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything. Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language. So let's teach, but remembering we are ALL flawed in many areas of our understanding.

Douglas <-QUOTE}
thank you Douglas ;)
Rita

[Notok]

AutoPatcher (http://www.autopatcher.com) A collection of all windows updates and the full version (big download) has many many useful toys and tweaks. VERY handy to have when reinstalling windows, installs everything in one go, and you can add custom programs.


StartupMonitor (http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml) Monitors startup folders and registry keys and alerts you when something is added, allowing you to accept or deny. This is included in the full AutoPatcher download, but it's worth mentioning seperatly. It only takes something like 750k of memory!


PC Wizard 2004 (http://www.cpuid.com/pcw.php) Hardware, software, and system info with benchmarks and a few misc tools. A nice little utility to have around, and if you're a novice user that gets computer help from multiple people, it's a nice thing to have installed so they can see exactly what kind of hardware you have.


FP-Check (http://www.niksoft.at/fp-check/) Automatically update F-Prot for DOS


Acrobat Reader SpeedUp (http://www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/prods/misc/index.php - theres some other cool looking stuff on that page too) Dramatically improve Acrobat Reader's performance by disabling unneeded plugins.


CDCheck (http://www.elpros.si/CDCheck/download.php) Check your burned CDs for errors.


X-Cleaner free (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/xcleaner.html) Freebie spyware and adware scanner with system cleaner, password generator, and a whole bunch of other stuff. I don't know that I would buy the Pro version, but it's handy for the additional functions, as a backup scanner, and for cleaning up other people's machines (no install and it fits on a floppy disk)


Windows Worms Door Cleaner (http://www.firewallleaktester.com/wwdc.htm) Closes the doorways worms use to get in your system. Disables DCOM and a few others. Just don't disable RPC Locator with this, it shuts off RPC as well, which can stop a lot of legitimate programs from running, including Windows Update.


Bootskin (http://www.bootskin.com) Change the XP boot screen safely (without replacing the kernel)


SysMetrix (http://www.xymantix.com/sysmetrix/) Skinnable system monitor, media controller, email checker, and more. Very cool.
Ok, I'll stop now...

[bigc73542]

{QUOTE-> My favourite freeware programms have been already mentioned. This one was not mentioned though :

NeoTrace Express 3.25
http://www.networkingfiles.com/PingFinger/Neotraceexpress.htm


I use it to track the origin of the websites of spammers and to protest to the abuse emails of their internet providers about Unsolicited email abuse ;D I really enjoy doing that ;D

Another interesting freeware was proved 20/20
http://www.hotfreeware.com/2020/2020.htm

One can use this to work with images, convert bmps to jpgs, isolate parts of pictures pr enhance them.

But, is it possible to find free but good games on internet? Links to download free games (especially adventures) would be grately apreciated :) .

greetings <-QUOTE}



adventure game downloads
here (http://www.terragame.com/adv/index_1_sort2.html) and here (http://www.gamearchives.com/adventure.html)

[StevieV]

One of the best freeware programs I have come across, which I use every day, also has the best name ;D

Crap Cleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com

Does the same as Window Washer and a lot more

[iceni60]

i liked lots of the programs.but really loved paranoid's wallpaper and ripple progs.do you have any more?

[bigc73542]

At this site there are about 1600 apps mostly free apps (http://www.winsite.com/free/freeutil/) some very good programs here you just have to look for them. ;)

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> At this site there are about 1600 apps mostly free apps (http://www.winsite.com/free/freeutil/) some very good programs here you just have to look for them. ;) <-QUOTE}
i promised myself i wouldn't continualy add/remove progs after last install.my resolve has been weaked again. :o

[bigc73542]

{QUOTE-> i promised myself i wouldn't continualy add/remove progs after last install.my resolve has been weaked again. :o <-QUOTE}

There are a lot of good programs there, it is tempting ;D

[Notok]

{QUOTE-> i promised myself i wouldn't continualy add/remove progs after last install.my resolve has been weaked again. <-QUOTE}
That's why I originially downloaded Total Uninstall.. now if only I could remember to use it.

I also just recently found SnapFiles, nice big freeware section there:
http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/freeware.html

[Vaudeville]

Nice links everyone, I think most of my favorite programs have been named already, but I'm going to check out the links everybody posted. If I can think of any other good programs that haven't been already listed, I'll definitely post them up.

[dirty_mic]

spy bot s@d however i feel as if it has fallen behind in late (I could have hit donate) :-\


z-mud is great created by zugg soft.
If you like old school text game and like chatting I sugest a try at this, but it is hard to find a mud with people on now a days.

If you are bored with games that need you to buy a $200.00 video card, $15-$20 a month on multi player games such as everqueat and star wars or just long for the days of old school script games like zork with a twist download a mud program called z-mud or g-mud.
find a mud called "durismud.org" or if your all techy help out "age of insanoty" at newton.whit.org or it may be banchee.whit.org leave a post for ceribus but watch out he may get a bit cocky.

[MakoFusion]

FREEWAREE

Information
Information is usually free so take notes of anything in ()s and any listings I have seperated by commas. These are programs I install 100% of the time every single time I format my drive. If I posted something about what it can do then it mean I use that particular fucntion pretty regularly.

Spyware
1. SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) - Not a resident scanner but a program for preventing spyware before it gets on your computer. This is your freeware protection BETWEEN scans. What good is it if you scan from month to month and between those scans that spyware is chipping away at you?
2. Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) - Scanner (running processes, files, hosts file)/Also for logging currently running processes (at time of scan) to see if any fishy processes are running.
3. Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) - Resident scanner is a bit much/For full benifit use updated scans, host file tool (which adds a few entries not found by any other hosts file site), immunize tool (a few more spyware prevention entries just like SpywareBlaster), and 'block all bad pages siliently'.

Browsers/Filters
1. Mozilla FireFox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/) - Mozilla has fewer security expliots than Opera and especially I.E.
{QUOTE-> URL box type "about:config"
Filter box type "refer"
Three entries will remain...
Double click "network.http.sendReferrerHeader"
Change the setting from "2" to "0"
Click OK <-QUOTE}2. Proxomitron (http://www.proxomitron.info/files/index.shtml) - Download the June release! This is a filter for your broswer... Steep learning curve but powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
3. JD5000 (http://www.jd5000.net/) - Free 'guru' filters for Proxomitron. I currently use the advanced configuration. It is a little restritive at times but there are ways around that if you can add entries to the filters properly.

[TonyKlein]

Agent Ransack - File Searching utility; many advantages over Windows Find/Search (See features and screen shots). And so incredibly fast it has to be experienced to be believed...

http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx

Yankee Clipper - Clipboard extender. You won't know how you managed before you had it... I used this one before purchasing ClipMate, but it's very nice as well.

http://www.yankee-clipper.net/index.html


Metapad, a great Notepad replacement; many additional features, and, important, just as fast as the original:

http://www.liquidninja.com/metapad/


Note Tab Light: http://www.notetab.com/ Notepad replacement and HTML editor in one.
Too many features to mention; indispensable!

For those who occasionally or regularly edit the Registry:

Registrar Lite: multiple search results, bookmarks, and 10 times as fast as Regedit:

http://www.resplendence.com/reglite

[Close_Hauled]

America's Army (http://www.americasarmy.com) :o

[None]

I like this one:

http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/

and

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4083.html

Very cool tools. Use with caution!

[huit888]

PROCESS KILLER 1.41

This app save my %?&?% a lot of times, I can't live without it.

That's a free process killer with some unique features :
-invisible
-call it anytime with ctrl-shift-` --GREAT !
-very small (less than 100 k)
-stay on top when called (even when nasty multiple windows popupeternaly)--GREAT !
-Restart shell
-etc.
It miss some other features but it's very good

Process killer
http://alex-home-pg.nm.ru/eng/Process_Killer.dhtml
For details about it (1.3)
*****BUT***** :
go to
http://alex-home-pg.nm.ru/Process_Killer.htm
to download the latest version (1.41), looks like russian only, but is english. That version works perfectly.
No installation needed, just copy it in the folder you want.

[iceni60]

i didnt know if i should post this or not.but i think it is a brilliant program,so ill post with a caution.this program involves manually editing your registry,which means if you screw up you might have to reinstall os if you dont want to do it manually get x-Setup Pro.
http://windowsxp.homedns.org/xp/asp/twg/twg.asp
i forgot to say what its called-the tweaking experience
here are screenshots
http://windowsxp.homedns.org/xp/include/images/twg/screenshot-twg-6-b.gif
http://windowsxp.homedns.org/xp/include/images/twg/screenshot-twg-5-b.gif
and here is erunt a registry backup program
http://home.t-online.de/home/lars.hederer/erunt/

[iceni60]

i hope im not in the dog-house for my last post.well,heres a file recovery program that you should keep in a folder incase you delete something from the Recycle Bin.if you dont keep it on your HD or floppy and you delete something,then go and DL you could wipe the file you are trying to restore.its called Restoration,REST2514
http://www.collina.us/files/REST2514.htm

[gerardwil]

Rid yourself of spam and take control of your inbox!
Frontgate MX is the personal email filter that's effective and easy to use, and with its superior "one step" operation, it won't change the way you work. Best of all, Frontgate MX is free: http://www.presorium.com/index.shtml

Our freeware system information, system diagnostics and benchmarking solution for home PC users, based on the award-winning EVEREST Technology. It offers the world's most accurate system information and diagnostics capabilities, including memory benchmarks, hardware monitoring, and low-level hardware information: http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en
(former Aida)

Safe XP allows users to quickly tweak various security and privacy related settings in XP. The options include Media Player settings, Services settings (error reporting, time synch, remote registry etc.), as well as and option to remove items from the Start menu, network security settings and more.
Safe XP improves your system performance and makes Windows to run faster, more secure and reliable!
It is suitable for beginners and experts: http://theorica.click-now.net/safexp.htm

[bigc73542]

Safe xp is a pretty slick little program.

[gerardwil]

Might be a handy little tool:

MozBackup is a utility for creating backups of Mozilla, Firefox, Thunderbird and Netscape profiles. It allows you to backup mail, favorites, contacts, etc. This program is freeware.

http://backup.jasnapaka.com/

[Rita]

{QUOTE-> :) welcome Uguel :)

I had forgotten about Uninstall, darn, lol. See sk, I told you I had several more but forgot. >:(

Anyway, just looking at my quick launch I also see BigFix:
This is an extra proggy like "MS Windows Update" only it looks for more stuff you may, may not have on your system and tell you.

FREE. Download, install, FOLLOW THE TUITORIAL, "subscribe" to the Fixlet Sites [all in the tuitorial] then download and it will tell you what Hotfixes/Patches you need for your OS. [You have to subscribe to the site of YOUR OS]

http://www.bigfix.com/website/index.html

Download from this FIRST page on the left side. IF download elsewhere when browsing you may get the "trial" version for corporate/IT.

edit: Obviously sk, by my signature, 1 of those little people in my head must have been asleep, heh! <-QUOTE}
hi Adrian
this program big fix is a good one--ive had it for a couple of months and its good for updates and alot of other things--dont get the reconigition it deserves i wondered if anyone knew about it
Rita

[Ailric]

These are programs I use all the time.

File Manager
VCOM Powerdesk 5

POP Email Checker
Jet-Mail Monitor 6.1

Security
Ad-aware
Spybot S&D
Spywareblaster

Photo Viewer and Manager
Picasa

Check Bookmarks and Download Favicons
AM-Deadlink

Others:
Total Uninstall
End it all
Regcleaner
DVD Decrypter
DVD Shrink
Opera (Adware)

[ronjor]

Popcorn is a good email client. You can view your email on the server before downloading. Eliminate malware before you download email.

http://www.ultrafunk.com/products/popcorn/

Freeware for one account.

[bigc73542]

Firefox and thunderbird are two of my favorite. ;)

[gerardwil]

Defragmentation programs for NT and XP.

Buzzsaw:
On the fly defragmenting only when the disk is greater than 95% idle.

Dirms:
It is a command line utility that will defragment using multiple passes your hard drive.

http://www.dirms.com/

Gerard

[Bowserman]

The thread over here (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,11550319~mode=flat) has sooooo many freeware proggies that I feel like a schoolboy in a playground again ;D!

Best regards,
Jade.

[Galcoolest]

My favorite freeware is Fractal Explorer.

An awesome piece of software that will almost certainly delight any PC user. It’s a fractal generator that creates wondrous art forms from mathematical formulas. Fractal geometry mixes art with mathematics to demonstrate that equations are more than just a collection of numbers. Fabulously rich artistic imagery results from translating math into designs.

The basic formulas available for manipulation in the program are based largely on the Chaos Theory in mathematics, developed by John Nash, (about whom
" A Beautiful Mind" was written, and which earned him a Nobel Prize.) Simply put, with fractal geometry one can visually model much of what it is witnessed in nature. Rather like holograms that store the entire image in each part of the image, any part of a fractal can be repeatedly magnified, with each magnification resembling all or part of the original fractal.

This freeware requires no mathematical knowledge, although it will accomodate such expertise, and opens up the amazing world of fractal art creation to anyone. An example of a fractal is below....


http://www.eclectasy.com/Fractal-Explorer/download.htm

[AJohn]

My favorate freeware is Sonork. Rock solid application that has never in my life given me one error. I have been using it for 4 years straight. Sonork by default uses decent twofish encryption which is an extra. The people that run it are very friendly and outgoing. www.sonork.com (the client) way better than aim/msn/icq/yahoo messenger in my opinion, but I also use Miranda for those which is another great freeware at http://miranda-im.org/

Security wise I would have to say The Proxomitron

[bigc73542]

There were 1600 free programs win 98, 2000, me, and xp the last time I counted :o there are some good ones. If you check it out plan on spending some time there as there a lot of files to see. WinSite (http://www.winsite.com/)

bigc

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> My favorite freeware is Fractal Explorer. <-QUOTE}

Galcoolest, have you tried ChaosPro? i cant get to the site at the moment ??? , but its at this (http://aumha.org/freeware/mfmisc.php) link :)

[iceni60]

i didnt check to see which OS these work with, i have xp, but you'll have to check if you use something else :)

PC WIZARD 2004 is a powerful utility designed especially for detection of hardware, but also some more analysis. It's able to identify a large scale of system components and supports the latest technologies and standards. This tool is periodically updated (usually once per month) in order to provide most accurate results.

PC WIZARD 2004 is also an utility designed to analyze and benchmark your computer system. It can analyze and benchmark many kinds of hardware, such as CPU performance, Cache performance, RAM performance, Hard Disk performance, CD/DVD-ROM performance, Removable/FLASH Media performance.

http://www.cpuid.com/pcw.php


CPUSpeed, small standalone to test CPUSpeed :D
http://am-productions.yi.org/getprod.php?pcode=CPUSpeed
screenshot (http://am-productions.yi.org/images/screenshots/cpuspeed.gif)

RockXP allows you to retrieve your XP product key that you used when you installed Windows XP, as well as keys for other Microsoft products
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

NewOwner gives you an easy way to change your computer's registration information
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1559689,00.asp

Kana Checksum is a Windows' program that can be used to verify the file by calculating its CRC32 checksum or MD5 checksum. For easier access, it can be easily integrated with Explorer, so you can verify the file by right click that file and select Kana Checksum from the popup menu.
http://www.kana.homeip.net/index.php?doc=crccheck&page=features

change your clock to longhorn look, a calender and a countdown timer too :o
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092761816/1

[Galcoolest]

Icen----

I first learned about fractals with Chaos Pro- and then I found Fractal Explorer. FE is ten times easier to use and much better- it allows you to see a large thumbnail of your fractal in the corner morph as you tweak it and it is just so much more configurable overall..... Seriously, even without a really good help file (the authors are foreign and working on it), I'll never use CP again, this was such a breeze and more fun to figure out.

BTW- that IS me in this fractal, and some of my new pals around here would probably dig seeing that... but they'll have to be interested in freeware to get that chance, huh? LOL. I am so cocky.... (It's so blurry cus of having to be adequately small for the forum, but the original is sharp and pretty neat).....

[Jimbob1989]

Everythings freeware, if your willing to take the risks of piracy.

Jimbob

[AJohn]

Freeware is a lot different than Warez.

[iceni60]

{QUOTE-> Icen----

I first learned about fractals with Chaos Pro- and then I found Fractal Explorer. FE is ten times easier to use and much better- it allows you to see a large thumbnail of your fractal in the corner morph as you tweak it and it is just so much more configurable overall..... Seriously, even without a really good help file (the authors are foreign and working on it), I'll never use CP again, this was such a breeze and more fun to figure out.

BTW- that IS me in this fractal, and some of my new pals around here would probably dig seeing that... but they'll have to be interested in freeware to get that chance, huh? LOL. I am so cocky.... (It's so blurry cus of having to be adequately small for the forum, but the original is sharp and pretty neat)..... <-QUOTE}
thanks, Galcoolest. i have both somewhere, but havent really played around with them. i'll take your advice and use FE 8) when i do. :)

so thats you is it? i was going to use a picture of me for the time-travel thread, but i dont like to show off :P i picked the space man instead :lurking:
thanks for your help. good to have you around.

[iceni60]

two great programs -
ClearTweak, only for xp :( ClearTweak™ allows you to change the contrast setting of the ClearType® setting for Windows XP.
http://www.ioisland.com/cleartweak/

and PlacesBar Tweaker, not sure which windows OSs it works with, sorry. The Windows Common dialogs (Open and Save) have a PlacesBar that appears on the left side of the dialogs. PlacesBar Tweaker™ allows you to customize these locations in several ways.
http://www.ioisland.com/placesbar/

[crockett]

{QUOTE-> There were 1600 free programs win 98, 2000, me, and xp the last time I counted :o there are some good ones. If you check it out plan on spending some time there as there a lot of files to see. WinSite (http://www.winsite.com/)

bigc <-QUOTE}

Hi Big73542 ;)

Just clicked on the link http://www.winsite.com/ you mentioned, and I get a FW alert:
Block Once: Browser grover.winsite.com 8888 Outbound TCP

What's this connection over this 8888 port?

Rgds, Crockett 8)

[bigc73542]

I don't know what you are getting, I just now went there with no problem. I have used the WinSite for about two years with no issues at all. Try this link http://www.winsite.com/free/

bigc

[crockett]

{QUOTE-> I don't know what you are getting, I just now went there with no problem. I have used the WinSite for about two years with no issues at all. Try this link http://www.winsite.com/free/

bigc <-QUOTE}

Hi again....

Tried again with different browsers and Fw, I still can get to the site easily:
6:54:32 opera.exe TCP www.winsite.com HTTP Opera HTTP connection
but I still have to block that one:
6:54:32 opera.exe TCP grover.winsite.com 8888 Block All Activity

Dunno why this second parallel connection attempt...

Anyone else with similar result?

Rgds, Crockett 8)

[Paranoid2000]

{QUOTE-> Dunno why this second parallel connection attempt... <-QUOTE}It is because the links to grover.winsite.com specify that port 8888 should be used - if you check the HTML source you will find links like <a href='http://grover.winsite.com:8888/adrevolver/href?banner=76&url=http://www.inklineglobal.com/adsales/winsite/testing_winsite_cpa_468x60.html'>. These all appear to be advertising banners so I doubt you're missing much by having these blocked...

[3k3]

This is a sort of an all-in-one stop, not just one. My all time favourtie site for downloads (free, share, pay). Major Geeks =http://www.majorgeeks.com/ ;D