Groovy Freeware
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.
20070913 3:38 pm
Awesome! Thanks!
Don’t forget Trillian - best all-in-one chat program out there! Although, not 100% free, the basic version is and does almost everything the “Pro” version does
20070928 7:07 pm
Okay, I downloaded and used Trillian for a couple of weeks now, and you’re right. The free version has all the features I really need and it works great. I just added it to the list.