Since I am a very cheap bastard, I love freeware software.
By "freeware", I mean the following:
By "freeware", I mean the following:
- costs $0 to download, install and register (if applicable)
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- contains no spyware
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- contains no adware
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- isn't a "time limited" demo<>
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I have amassed a great many links to some awesome freeware goodies over the years, and I want to share them with you. Feel free to add to my list.
Some of these freeware utilities might require registration.
The very first thing you should be aware of when installing "freeware" software is that it might contain spy- or ad-ware (henceforth called "malware"). You don't want this kind of freeware, ever.
(note - None of the links in this post lead to malware. These utilities are 100% legit.)
Utilities to check for and delete malware
Spybot - Search and Destroy
AdAware
I recommend using both of the above on a regular basis. Malware can be just as devastating to your computer as the worst virus ever created.
VIRUS! OMG!
AVG
There are other freeware antivirus clients out there, but I've been so happy with AVG that I've never even checked them out. I also don't want to link to (or even mention the name of) something that I've never tried out for myself.
I used to have a commercial version of McAfee (now Network Associates or some such), and I hated it. Sure, it detected all of my viruses -- but it also lagged my entire system to hell. I couldn't use my computer for even the simplest of tasks while it was running. I ended up turning it off most of the time, which really defeats the purpose of using an antivirus utility.
AVG is small and unoticable (except when you need it).
I'd really appreciate it if someone else can offer some more input on an alternate free antivirus utility here.
FIREWALLS! Now with more "fire" and less "wall", or something like that!
A firewall is important.
Here are two freebies that do the job just wonderfully.
ZoneAlarm
Kerio
Don't EVER browse the web without a good firewall, antivirus, and malware-killer onhand.
Office Suite
openoffice.org
For casual users, Open Office is just as useful as the Microsoft version.
Image Editting
The GIMP
The GIMP is approximately equal to Adobe's Photoshop 4. For a freeware download, GIMP is a goldmine.
Internet Browser and E-Mail
Mozilla Firefox
Slim and sleek browser.
Opera
I hear it's awesome.
Thunderbird
Mozilla's e-mail client.
