NESpresso: Random Thoughts \ #005: Freeloader's Software Bonaza

Disclaimer: Some of the items listed in this article may be used to violate copyright laws OR pirate software not listed here. Since I cannot stop you from using some of this stuff for your own illegal ways, I'm writting this at the top of the page so I don't get into trouble for anything you do. In addition, I cannot be responsible for anything these programs do to your system. Even though these programs work for me, I cannot totally guarrentee that they'll work for you. There's an extremely remote chance that these programs will turn your computer into a giant paperweight, so USE THESE PROGRAMS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

As most people (& college students) have seen how expensive software can be, even if it's software that everybody practically needs to be productive. Thankfully, with the internet at most people's disposal, there's some software available that's completely free (excluding cost of internet connection) for private use. We are no longer slaves to Microsoft's outlandish prices for it's Office products or Systemantic's required subscriptions. Freeloaders may rejoice as the free software becomes a rival to the commercial way of life. Below are a list of free software that I'm certain you'll enjoy. Some of these programs are also available for Mac & Linux systems.

Firefox is the independant, open-source cousin of Netscape & it currently making waves online, eating away at Internet Explorer's usage share. Firefox is small, adaptable & more secure (as in less attacks directed at it) than it's rivals. If any security holes do pop-up on Firefox, the programmer consortium for Firefox can quickly work on a solution & crank out a fix faster than the corporate versions. The browser includes download manager (with pause feature), built-in pop-up blocker, password manager (w/ a Master Key, for added security), Tabbed Browsing, Browser Themes & Browser Extensions (add-ons to the browser, NOT plug-ins).

It will probably take some time to get used to Firefox & not all sites are compatible with it (like Launch!), but you'll wonder how you surfed the web without it.

Thunderbird is Firefox's e-mail counterpart. It's just as user-friendly as Outlook Express & a lot more secure (mainly because it doesn't use Active X, which viruses like to use). It has many similar features as Firefox & it includes a spam filter. However, the spam filter requires some time to train.

Zone Alarm is one of the most user-friendly firewalls that I've ran across online. After installation, you practically set the online access permissions for the programs you want to connect online & pretty much forget about it. It may be annoying for the first few days after installing it, but once all the programs that you want to connect online, you'll be protected from hacker attacks get into your computer & viruses or spyware from getting out to contact others you don't want to.

The Pro version (costs $30) also includes enhanced security, but it may seem to be overkill with the features in today's programs.

Avast! is one of the few FREE antivirus programs available for private use. It includes 14 months of virus definitions with every registration, which is renewable & takes only 5 minutes (pending on web traffic) to complete. Avast's resident scanner (aka Real-time scanner) checks not only your computer, but all IM systems (including Trillian), Peer-to-Peer networking systems (like Kazaa) & e-mail systems. The manual scanner includes comprehensive scans (including compressed / archived files) & clear notifications when something should go wrong. Avast! also uses a Virus Recovery Database (VRD) system (requires time to generate) so should a virus infect a file, the VRD system contains information about your files on your computer back to 3 updates to help repair your infected files. Avast! also includes a boot-time scheduled scan so you can scan your system for viruses or go after the infected files that Windows won't let you touch.

The Pro version (costs $30) includes other features that are standard in the big-name programs ( Norton Antivirus) like scheduled virus scans, but it also includes a "Pushed Update" feature. With the Pushed Update feature, the makers of Avast! will send you a special e-mail that will trigger Avast! to pick up a very important update.

Bit Torrent -- www.bittorrent.com
Download Size: UNKNOWN
CAUTION: POTENTIAL ILLEGAL USAGE!

Bit Torrent is a unique peer-to-peer system with uses the web to start-up downloads. Bit Torrent uses seed files (which are obtained by special website links) to start the downloads, then Bit Torrent users which that file start sending the files to the other users & in turn, you start sending data to people who are behind you in the download. In short, the more people who are downloading the file, the faster the download will go as the system uses a "trickle down" system. Bit Torrent is a good way to pick up a file quickly without exausting a site's bandwidth. Unlike other Peer-to-Peer systems, everybody who's using the same seed file will pick up an exact copy of the file & therefore it's nearly impossible to spoof a file.

Usage Caution: Bit Torrent is helpful to pick up big files quickly, but it can also be used for illegal purposes (like downloading music or programs). I cannot tell you how to use this program, nor I am responsible for what you do with this. Just try to use this program responsibly.

Open Office is a free, open-source version of Sun Microsystem's Star Office. Open Office includes the most commonly used office applications & a few less commonly used apps, but generally helpful to have. Open Office is completely compatible with Microsoft Office formats (like Word, Excel, Powerpoint) so you're not restricted just to the computers with Open Office installed.

There are a few annoyances that will take a few minutes to get past, but it's unlikely that you'll run into them. The one annoyance that you'll most likely hit is saving your work into other formats (like MS Word) so you can take your work to other computers, but you can change this in the system options as well... if you don't mind some losing some of your formatting. With that said, Open Office is a great & free office suite!

Winamp is one of the few applications that has remained free over the past 5+ years. Now with version 5.x out, Winamp has become a very comprehensive media player. As usual, it includes the standard player that supports all audio & most video (additional plug-ins may be required for some unsupported formats). It now includes a comprehensive media library to manage your exhausting list of audio & video files. Winamp features includes: Skinable interface w/ Color Themes, Media Library, Plug-ins (Visualizations, Input, Output, ect.), Internet Radio/TV support (internet connection required, Broadband suggested) & Shoutcast capable (separate download required).

The free version does have some restrictions, like maximum ripping & burning speeds of 2x as well as not supporting MP3 ripping (MP4 audio is supported). The Pro version (costs $20) removes all restrictions that the free version has, but there's other software that'll allow you to rip & burn music faster (but have more annoyances). With that said, I still support Winamp as an excellent media player.

Art Rage is a fresh art program that simulates real-life painting, but without the mess. With an arsenal of oil paints, felt markers, chalk, crayons & pencils to use, you can make realistic looking artwork. You can load your own pictures to trace them or morph them like an oil painting. This program is more enjoyable if you have a Tablet PC or a WACOM tablet for realistic controls, but it works just fine with other PC's.

JAlbum -- www.jalbum.net
Download Size: Approx. 10 MB's (Java Runtime 1.3 included)
Java Runtime 1.4 or higher suggested -- Download Separately

JAlbum is a cool application that turns your pictures into a great user-friendly photo album in mere minutes. All you have to do is drag & drop your pictures folder (input) & where you want the album to be built on your computer, then make a few choices before you hit "Build Album" & JAlbum gets to work building the album for you. JAlbum can also upload your built photo album online for you with it's FTP utility. Advanced options include minor picture editing (like rotating pictures) as well as including links to Shutterfly print services so others can purchase professional quality versions of your pictures. JAlbum includes Java Runtime 1.3 so JAlbum can work properly on your computer, but some album templates use Java Runtime 1.4 or higher (download separately).

Albums created by JAlbum do not require Java Runtime to view, but you will need an internet browser (like Explorer or Firefox) since the album uses HTML. However, most computers have an internet browser included with them.

Deep Burner is a free CD & DVD-burning program that does practically everything except making video CD & DVD's (they're working on it). A simple & barebones interface does most of the work for you. It also includes an autorun utility to help give your CD/DVD's that professional touch.