Published on November 7th, 2008 by admin. Filed under Free Software, Utility | 1 Comment
Microsoft’s free PowerPoint Viewer allows you to read the .PPT and .PPS files that your friends and coworkers send you.
Description: A free and downloadable software utility from Microsoft. Shocking isn’t it? They actually have quite a few including Autoruns.
Compatibility – OS: Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, 98 SE, ME, Server 2003, XP
Compatibility – Program: Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003, 2002, 2000, 97
Necessary Info: Since not everyone needs to create PowerPoint Files, Microsoft has graciously (lol) allowed us to view them for free. This is a no-frills utility. All it does is allow you to view files. You can’t create them, modify them or even resave them in this program. But it does what it says which is why I give it 4 thumbs.
Rating: 
Conclusion: It is a free way to view PowerPoint files. Nothing more, nothing less.
Microsoft’s PowerPoint Viewer: Download free software HERE.
Thanks,
The Free Downloadable Software Fan
Published on November 5th, 2008 by admin. Filed under Blogging Tool, Free Software, Speed Up, Utility, security | No Comments
TrueCrypt is a free encryption software for Windows. And even if they charged for it, I’d recommend it.
Description: Encrypt sensitive data quickly and securely.
Compatibility: Windows 2000, XP & Vista, OS X 10.4 & 10.5, Linux – Check Here.
Free Encryption Software
Necessary Info: TrueCrypt is an free open source encryption program that has versions for Windows, OS X and Linux. There is almost no limit to the size of the programs that you can encrypt. Trust me, I had a 4 gigabyte encryption file. =)
From their own website “TrueCrypt is a software system for establishing and maintaining an on-the-fly-encrypted volume (data storage device). On-the-fly encryption means that data are automatically encrypted or decrypted right before they are loaded or saved, without any user intervention. No data stored on an encrypted volume can be read (decrypted) without using the correct password/keyfile(s) or correct encryption keys. Entire file system is encrypted (e.g., file names, folder names, contents of every file, free space, meta data, etc).”
There is a ton of documentation so I’m not going to cover it all here but do check out their documentation page.
LifeHacker has a great post on how to use truecrypt.
Rating:
Conclusion: TrueCrypt is good free encryption software for windows. Trust me, I use it myself! Don’t forget to use a strong password!
TrueCrypt: Download free software HERE.
The Free Downloadable Software Fan
Published on November 1st, 2008 by admin. Filed under Free Software, Utility | 2 Comments
FileZilla is a free FTP (file transfer protocol) program. It is free because it is Open Source and anyone can donate talent or money to the project.
Description: A decent FTP program.
Compatibility: Linux, Windows XP and Vista, Check HERE.
Necessary Info: FileZilla has many fans out there in the ether, but I don’t happen to be one of them. In fact, I’m not a huge fan of the whole FTP program genre. But as far as FTP programs go, FileZilla is a pretty good one.
Reasons to like FileZilla:
* Its free!
* It easily saves your previous successful login data to use again later.
* Auto Updates! Stay updated and stay safe, or at least safer.
* You can easily “Clear Private Data” just as in Firefox. And it gives you choices as to what you want to clear.
* It really has many relatively advanced options as far as FTP clients go.
* Can drag and drop to and from the desktop.
Reasons not to like FileZilla:
* Folders and files are located in small windows (which can be expanded).
* The visible file structure is a tree. I’m just not a big fan.
* You can easily create a network drive under XP and Vista for FTP servers that you use often. This is what I do and prefer.
Rating:
Conclusion: If you need an FTP program, get it. It is better than most. If you use certain FTP Servers often, just create the network drive.
Download free software HERE.
Thanks,
The Free Downloadable Software Fan
Published on October 29th, 2008 by admin. Filed under AntiSpyware, Computer Repair, Free Software, Registry, Speed Up, Tech Support Software, Utility, Windows Repair Software, antivirus | 3 Comments
AutoRuns is a free software utility that allows you to control which applications start when you boot up your computer. You can download AutoRuns HERE.
Description: MSConfig on steroids.
Compatibility: Windows 2000 SP4 through Vista
Necessary Info: When I say it shown you the programs that start up, I mean It shows you EVERY single process that starts up. This is great software for solving problems and speeding up your computer.
What AutoRuns does, essentially, is scan the registry in all places where files can be started. It then lists all possible startup programs and allows you to select which startup files to prevent. You have 2 options if you want to prevent a file from starting upon boot up. You can simply click and uncheck the box with the green check mark in it or you can right-click on an entry and choose to delete it. The difference is that, though both options delete the entry, unchecking the box moves the entry to another location in the registry where it will not be run. Simply rechecking it will put the entry back in its original position and upon reboot that process will start again. If you choose to delete the process there is no easy replacement of it. Be careful.
To speed up your computer, start AutoRuns and click on the “LOGON” tab. Then remove the programs that you think aren’t necessary. BE CAREFUL! Clicking on the wrong box with this tool can prevent your computer from booting up.
When used in conjunction with Process Explorer you have much more information available to you. We will discuss process explorer at a later date.
Rating:
Conclusion: I give this program 4 out of 5 thumbs because it is great but dangerous. With great power comes great responsibility. Use this one wisely.
Download Free Software HERE.
Thanks,
The Free Downloadable Software Fan
