This is the freeware that I always load on my computers:
- 7-Zip – Fast and reliable file compression
- Audacity – Full featured audio recording, mixing, and editing
- DeepBurner – CD and DVD burning so good I can’t believe it’s free
- Dorgem – High quality little Webcam application
- Filezilla – Full featured FTP client
- Firefox – Tabbed web browser with a zillion cool plug-ins
- Foxit PDF Reader – Smaller and much faster than Adobe’s
- Freemind – Brain storming and idea generation
- iTunes – Favorite music player even without an iPod
- MWSnap – Full featured screen capture program
- NetStumbler – Great for finding public Wi-Fi hot spots
- PDFCreator – Creates pro-quality PDF files
- Picasa – Google’s fantastic photo organizer and manipulator
- PureText – Utility for pasting text stripped of all formatting
- Skype – Best all-inclusive Instant Message and VOIP Phone program
- Startup Control Panel – An absolute must if you want to easily tweak which programs start automatically in Windows XP
- SyncBack – Fast and reliable file backup and synchronization
- Trillian (free version) – Replace AIM, Yahoo IM, ICQ, etc. with ONE program
- WordWeb – Best pop-up dictionary, can’t live without it
- Yankee Clipper III – Very good clipboard manager
These are my favorite (and most trusted) freeware sources on the web:
- FreewareGenius
- AumHa Freeware Portal
- The eConsultant "I Want Software to…" List
- The Pricelessware list
- Softpedia
- NoNags
- Freeware Pocket PC
- Freeware Palm
- Google Pack
This is a live list — check back occasionally because it will be updated. Remember there is a difference between "freeware" and "open source," which means you have to read freeware licenses if you are in a business environment. Lots of this software is only free for personal use, but in an office you’ll be required to pay for a license.
