I often get asked by friends and colleagues "Do you know of any software for or does .....etc" so I though I'd share with you what I regard as the best and most importantly FREE software available.

It by no way a definitive list obviously there are loads out there but these are one I have either personally used or have had recommended to me. (All marked with * are ones I currently use) I also like to hear of any you've got that might be useful.

Enjoy :D

SECURITY

Firewalls (Only use one and turn off windows firewall)
Outpost Firewall * - clicky (http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php)
Zone labs ZoneAlarm - clicky (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp)
Kerio - clicky (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/kerio.cfm)

Spyware/ adware remover
Microsoft anti-spyware * (or defender as it will be known) currently beta - clicky (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)
Spybot search and destroy * - clicky (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/)
Lavasoft Adware * - clicky (http://www.lavasoft.nu/software/adaware/)

Anti-Virus
Grisoft AVG * - clicky (http://www.grisoft.com/doc/Programs/lng/us/tpl/tpl01)
Avast - clicky (http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html)
Hijackthis - clicky (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html) (scroll down)

Anti-Phishing
Earthlink - clicky (http://www.earthlink.net/software/free/toolbar/)

Privacy cleaner
CCleaner - clicky (http://www.ccleaner.com/)

Browsers
Mozilla Firefox * - clicky (http://www.mozilla.com/)
Opera - clicky (http://www.opera.com/)

E-Mail client
Mozilla Thunderbird - clicky (http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/)

Online security check
Shields up * - clicky (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2)
Symantec - clicky (http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym)
Security space - clicky (https://secure1.securityspace.com/smysecure/index.html?refid=975297074)

Process analyser
Itty Bitty Process Manager - clicky (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html) (scroll down)

Wireless network defence
AirDefence - clicky (http://www.airdefense.net/products/adpersonal/index.php)

VIDEO AND AUDIO

Video players
VideoLAN VLC player * - clicky (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) (plays almost anything)
Winamp * - clicky (http://www.winamp.com/player/) (also audio player)

File convertors/ re-encoders
eRightSoft SUPER * - clicky (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) (superb video and audio convertor - packaged with Adobe Premier Pro!)
Avi2Dvd * - clicky (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_tools/avi2dvd.cfm) (converts avi files to DVD compatable formats)

Video and audio capture/ edit
VitrualDub - clicky (http://www.virtualdub.org/)
Camtech MediaJoin * - clicky (http://camtech2000.net/Pages/MediaJoin.html) (combines individual video/ audio file into one single file)
CamStudio * - clicky (http://www.camstudio.org/) (screen recorder - capure all audio and screen activity on your pc to avi to flash)

RIPPING, BURNING and GENERAL DVD TOOLS
DVD Decrypter * - clicky (http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/dvd_decrypter.cfm) (the DVD ripping daddy will also burn very well)
DVD Shrink * - clicky (http://www.dvdshrink.org/what.html) (DVD backup in one package, can also shrink images to fit DVD's etc.)
Daemon Tools * - clicky (http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php) (virtual CD/DVD emulator - run your CD/DVD images without the disk)
Alcohol 120% - clicky (http://trial.alcohol-soft.com/en/) (ripping, burning and emulation software - registration after 30 days required but still free)

OTHER SOFTWARE
OpenOffice - clicky (http://www.openoffice.org/) (why pay a fortune for MS Office ?)
SiSoftware Sandra * - clicky (http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/) (system hardware anaysis tool)
Handy Recovery * - clicky (http://www.gold-software.com/download3032.html) AND clicky (http://www.softaward.com/text/free-download-3032.html) (recover deleted files works to at least 80% - 2 links as the free 1.0 version is not available from the manufacturers)
Konfabulator * - clicky (http://widgets.yahoo.com/) (now know as Yahoo Widgets - cool little apps on your desktop check the gallery)
Google Earth * - clicky (http://earth.google.com/) (do I need to comment on this ? - THE web app of the '00's)

OPEN SOURCE
Sourceforge - clicky (http://sourceforge.net/) (huge database of open source, sometime specialist, software)

Nice list. I love DVD Decrypter and DVD Shrink. Too bad DVD Decrypter was forced to shutdown so it will never be updated and DVD Shrink has not been updated in a long time.

I would like to add IrfanView (http://www.irfanview.com/) as one of the best and yet free utilities to view and edit any graphics file. Check it out for it does too much to list here.

I must also mention NoNags (http://www.nonags.com/) as one of best and most trusted sites to download freeware software programs. NoNags tests and rates all files before they are posted.

Dvd Decryptor makers were never forced to stop development, they just chose to move on in light of the action the p2p scene was seeing. They couldn't afford to fight Big Brother on that one, even if they were right, considering their software is free. The good thing is the software can't get much better for the time being than it is, especially when combined with DVD Shrink.

Privacy cleaner
CCleaner - clicky (http://www.ccleaner.com/)

Browsers
Mozilla Firefox * - clicky (http://www.mozilla.com/)

OTHER SOFTWARE
SiSoftware Sandra * - clicky (system hardware anaysis tool)


I like these spefically , although I didn't know Sisoft Sandra was freeware.

Did you know that some professional programs are free as well, like :
Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition, v 1.4.2 (J2SE)

Check this :
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html


Forgot to mention Knoppix :
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html

I like these spefically , although I didn't know Sisoft Sandra was freeware.
Oopsy yes your right it is not free - sorry

Forgot to mention Knoppix :
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html
Kinda forgot about Linux :p

Here are some other freeware programs that I use frequently :

Openoffice ( http://www.openoffice.org/)

Gimpshop Windows bèta 1 (http://www.zdnet.nl/downloads.cfm?id=44682)

XNview (powerfull image viewer): Link (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pierre.g/xnview/endownload.html)
Foxit (Very small and fast PDF viewer): Link (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php)
Powerpoint viewer (view Powerpoint presentation without powerpoint): Link (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=428d5727-43ab-4f24-90b7-a94784af71a4&displaylang=en)
Word viewer: Link (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en)
Excel viewer: Link (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c8378bf4-996c-4569-b547-75edbd03aaf0&displaylang=EN)

Too bad there isn't an efficient Access viewer out there. ;)

Too bad there isn't an efficient Access viewer out there. ;)
Yes there is Base (http://www.openoffice.org/product/base.html) which is part of the Open Office suite :p It supports most common databases natively ;)

Yes there is Base (http://www.openoffice.org/product/base.html) which is part of the Open Office suite :p It supports most common databases natively ;)

I'll have to have a look when I get a chance, last time I checked it out, it was in early developement stages and didn't look promising, but the features on the page state newer functionality.

Graphics - TheGIMP - works great as a photo editing program for me, without the cost of Photoshop.

Office Suite - OpenOffice.org, definitely. Works very well as my home office suite for me (though it becomes very boorish onn a giant database of all US FM stations I sometimes load).

Operating System - Probably SuSE Linux

SQL Prompt, intellisense add on for sql server.

http://www.sqlprompt.com/buy.htm?gclid=CLvU98SPrYYCFRxQQgodgUFPVw

I've downloaded a few new bits of software recently but the following one in in particular was excellent:

Video conversion tool

AutoGK - clicky (http://www.autogk.me.uk/) Yep another video conversion tool but this one is particularly good one. The reason I'll recommend this is because it can convert many file formats even direct from ifo or vob files to avi's (using either DivX or Xvid codecs) and you can define the output size to fit on a particular medium but most importantly the quality of the conversion if fantastic (though it does take quite a long time). There are hidden options as well to improve specific aspects of the video conversion eg:

Cartoon Mode - (a direct quote) "enables some mechanism in the motion estimation which drops (instead of encoding them) more macro blocks. The result is a more stable, a little less detailed image. Exactly what you need for cartoons like Futurama or the Simpsons."
Basically it will not encoded any video that doesn't change :cool:

Credits - It can cut the end credits (or reduce their quality if you want)

I recently got a Creative Zen M :cool: and am now happily watch 24 on it and boy does it look good (even on a 2 1/2 inch screen) thanks to Auto GK

There is an excellent program to know what programs are configured
to run during system bootup or login, and showing entries in the order that Windows processes them. It's called Autoruns.

Freeware at :
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html

Video players
VideoLAN VLC player * - clicky (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) (plays almost anything)

Another good one is MPC - MediaPlayer Classic


File convertors/ re-encoders
eRightSoft SUPER * - clicky (http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html) (superb video and audio convertor - packaged with Adobe Premier Pro!)

I can't get this to install on my PC, don't know why :confused:

File convertors/ re-encoders
eRightSoft SUPER * - clicky (superb video and audio convertor - packaged with Adobe Premier Pro!)
I can't get this to install on my PC, don't know why

Do you get any error messages ?

Do you get any error messages ?Yes.




Oh you want to know what they are? :p
Will try it again & see...

[EDIT:] OK, it gave me an error installing one of the files. So I tried re-downloading it.
Noticed on the download page it says "Don't use a Download Manager", I thought yeah whatever & did anyway... got an error installing a different file...
Downloaded again, still using my DM but forcing it to use a single thread... what do you know, this time it worked! :eek:
I've never seen a download stuff up because of a DM before :confused:
So yeah... pay attention to the download instructions!

my freeware finds:
Video mp3 Extractor (http://www.geovid.com/Video_mp3_Extractor) - a tool to extract soundtrack from video files;
Video Splitter (http://www.geovid.com/VidSplitter) - a tool to split large video files into smaller video clips in various formats;
Video Capturer (http://www.geovid.com/VidShot_Capturer) - a tool for quick screen video capturing, captures desktop, window, region...
enjoy! :)

CamStudio capture your activities on your PC CamStudio (http://www.brothersoft.com/Multimedia_Graphics_Screen_Capture_CamStudio_3944. html)

great stuff!

How about Avant Browser. It puts IE to shame with all it's features. i use it all the time.

www.avantbrowser.com

How about Avant Browser. It puts IE to shame with all it's features. i use it all the time.


Since you're using it, can you share some with us. Is it safer than IE ?
Are all necessary plug ins available ?
The tabs thing, is that the same as with Firefox ?

Would appreciate some feedback.

Cheers, Ron

Nice little browser...... No cookies...... No history.... Nuttin :D
I keep this on my thumb drive.... Great to use on any computer that isn't yours.
Without all the garbage this seems to run twice as fast as any other browser I've used.... Give it a try... small... like around 254K

http://www.browzar.com/index.html

Nice little browser...... No cookies...... No history.... Nuttin :D
I keep this on my thumb drive.... Great to use on any computer that isn't yours.
Without all the garbage this seems to run twice as fast as any other browser I've used.... Give it a try... small... like around 254K

http://www.browzar.com/index.html
LOLOL...this would be a great gift for my porn browsing friends :D

Cant forget the best browser in the world for developing web pages http://www.opera.com/. It lets you disable tables and show sturctured elements on any webpage. I found it useful for determining how websites are designed.

Hooks

LOLOL...this would be a great gift for my porn browsing friends :D

MsLady,

Without wishing to be personal, I am surprised you have such Friends! :D :D :eek: :confused:

Please don't be offended - a light-hearted jape.:)

My link is for something fairly pedestrian compared to the other nominated software, but I have found it invaluable all the same.

http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html

A screen grab utility that does what you would expect of a screen grabber if you had never seen one. Marvelous.

In a similar vein, something that I recently found a link to on this forum is Wink, a sequential screengrabber. Basically you can use it for creating training presentations. I haven't used it much yet but am very impressed to date. I apologize if it was on this thread that I got the link! It's late at night here. :eek:

http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

Very marvelous!

Wink is an excellent program, I have made one or two MS Access examples and posted them in the forum.

Here's one I made earlier! (http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=398885&postcount=4)

I saved this one as an exe file, which will put some people off, however you can also save them as swf files (Flash), you can load them on a website and use them in a web page. (no need to download)

Got sent this web site recently it has hundreds of free progs - I'm sure you find at least one thing useful :p

I want to..... (http://www.econsultant.com/i-want-freeware-utilities/index.html)

Hi guys,
I'm looking for a sound recorder to record vocals. Problem is it has to be for a Mac and I have no idea of them.
Any ideas?
Oh and I have no money, so naturally thats why I'm posting on this thread!

Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/) have a MAC (and Linux) version and you can record and then edit any input from your sound card (including what you are hearing :cool: ) and of course it's free :D Enjoy !

Hi Keith, you don't have to apologize. I enjoy laughing at a good joke.

50% of guys do anyways, even though y'all don't admit :o even pastors! MsLady,

Without wishing to be personal, I am surprised you have such Friends! :D :D :eek: :confused:

Please don't be offended - a light-hearted jape.:)

My link is for something fairly pedestrian compared to the other nominated software, but I have found it invaluable all the same.

http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html

A screen grab utility that does what you would expect of a screen grabber if you had never seen one. Marvelous.

In a similar vein, something that I recently found a link to on this forum is Wink, a sequential screengrabber. Basically you can use it for creating training presentations. I haven't used it much yet but am very impressed to date. I apologize if it was on this thread that I got the link! It's late at night here. :eek:

http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

Very marvelous!

Here's one I made earlier! (http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=398885&postcount=4)

I saved this one as an exe file, which will put some people off, however you can also save them as swf files (Flash), you can load them on a website and use them in a web page. (no need to download)that's very nice

I just came across a "new" media player called VLC Media player.
It plays almost everything (video's that is) and does the streaming thing as well. Certainly recommended.

http://www.download.com/VLC-Media-Player/3003-2194_4-10534878.html?tag=sptlt_s

I just came across a "new" media player called VLC Media player.

Erm cough - check the first post ;) :p - but your right it does play almost every type of video (without additional codec's) and video generally looks better as well.

Sorry Minkey, but that's what one gets if you post too many good links ;)

I'm still looking for a freeware/shareware program for CAD design things. Got any good link ?

I'm still looking for a freeware/shareware program for CAD design things. Got any good link ? but of course :p - OpenCAD (http://archimedes.incubadora.fapesp.br/portal) don't know if it supports the same file format as AutoCAD but give it a whirl.

You could also do a search for cad at Sourceforge (http://sourceforge.net/) and see what that turns up.

Yes, sourceforge is a goldmine of opensource (= free) software.

I was looking for something a little obscure - a sort of nullmodem-over-LAN program, and had only found expensive commercial programs.
Then I looked on SourceForge and voila! found the perfect thing.

Yes, sourceforge is a goldmine of opensource (= free) software.

True, I'm still surprised that a lot of people don't realise that you can have a fully functional PC with the ability to do everything* you need without spending a penny on software, you don't have to use Microsoft products.

*Well games can be a bit more difficult but not impossible :p

You want Linux on USB stick ?
Free download here :

http://featherlinux.berlios.de/download.htm

50% of guys do anyways, even though y'all don't admit :o even pastors!

MSLady,

I'd admit it if I did do it (surf porn sites etc). Unfortunately, the provider I use (state monopoly so there's no way round it) blocks objectionable material. If this was my route to getting my rocks off, whatever that actually means, I'd be a long time between drinks :)

To be honest though, when idle curiosity has directed me down that path in the past, the onslaught of spam, adware and spyware that followed made it not worth my while.

Regards,

Here's a couple of my favorites for Access work:

Smart Indenter - http://www.oaltd.co.uk/Indenter/Default.htm

MZ Tools - http://www.mztools.com

I've got another couple for you (and not just to give this thread a bump :p )

3 video editing/ effects software (all from the same guys)

Wax (http://www.debugmode.com/wax/) - video editing software with dynamic 2D and 3D effects.
WinMorph (http://www.debugmode.com/winmorph/) - video morphing software.
Wink (http://www.debugmode.com/wink/) - used to create tutorial/ presentation/ demos.

Diagram software

Dia (http://www.gnome.org/projects/dia/) - create Visio like diagrams

Haven't use any of them personally but all come highly recommended from reliable sources.

Diagram software

Dia (http://www.gnome.org/projects/dia/) - create Visio like diagrams



This Dia is great stuff Minky, unfortunately it's only for Unix/Linux. Is there a windows version somewhere ?.

This Dia is great stuff Minky, unfortunately it's only for Unix/Linux. Is there a windows version somewhere ?.

.....windows you say.....is that some other type of O/S ?? :D

OK my bad - how about Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) - it more of a graphics creator/ editor but should do the job. Or how about Draw (http://www.openoffice.org/product/draw.html) part of the Open office suite (http://www.openoffice.org/index.html).

....is that some other type of O/S ??



What's an O/S (ongelooflijke sukkel ?) :rolleyes:


how about Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/)


I downloaded Inkscape. Seems a pretty good program. Thanks for that .;)

My question is, can anyone recommend a widget that will extract or just create a diagram of a SQL server? I know visio pro supposedly can do this, but naturally I only have standard, work won't pony up the licence and I really don't want to have to create the diagram manually.

I was sure you could do this in SQL management (I'm not very hot with SQL just starting to learn) and came up with these links:

clicky 1 (http://www.learnsqlserver.com/VideoTutorials/Sql-Server-Video/315/Database-Diagrams-An-Introduction.aspx)
clicky 2 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C243A5AE-4BD1-4E3D-94B8-5A0F62BF7796&displaylang=en) - quote "Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is a free, easy-to-use graphical management tool for managing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services."
clicky 3 (http://www.codeproject.com/dotnet/ScriptDiagram2005.asp) a script for 2005 server.

Are these of any help ? - you did say which version your running.

EDIT - Just thought you might want to post this in the SQL Server forum (http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=57)

Oops, sorry it's SQL server 2000. I can print the diagram but if theres a way to export it, I haven't yet found it.

I just came across a "new" media player called VLC Media player.
It plays almost everything (video's that is) and does the streaming thing as well. Certainly recommended.

http://www.download.com/VLC-Media-Player/3003-2194_4-10534878.html?tag=sptlt_s

Great stuff

This site (http://www.sqlmanager.net/) has some really good database tools for Oracle, SQL MySql and others that they sell, but also have free lite versions that are just exe files and can be run from a flash drive.

if its video based toold and advice then you wont find a better site than this: www.videohelp.com check out the tools section there's an array of free video & sound editing tools as well as dvd extraction & burning, codec packs etc... best video players is still Media Player Calssic with ffdshow codec pack! With microsoft having to release the SDK for their products now except to see some free 3rd party versions of Office etc..

http://www.getpaint.net/index.html

a (much!) better 'paint'.
page is full of ads but the download link is top-right and info is near the bottom.