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.)

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.

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

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.

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

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]

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

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

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)?

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 ??


regards,
bill

[octogen]

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

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

Regards,

Pieter

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

[JayK]

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

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.

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

Obviously they do, but they don't bother many people.
So for them, the software is free.

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.

We can play with rhetoric here. The program is still free.

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.

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:

Bah the people in these forums really love mailwasher..

Douglas

[MickeyTheMan]

quoting: JayK link=board=19;threadid=5970;start=0#40108 date=1041948797]

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

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]

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

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

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]

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

Well said, Douglas.

[octogen]

...Whoever posted about mailwasher was perfectly correct in his understanding of the English language, incorrect in his understanding of computer language...

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

We need posts like yours or MTM's above. That's the way to learn, and teach, in anything.

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

[sk]

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

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.

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]

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

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..