Freeware

What is it?......... How do I get it?........ How do I use it?

FreeWare is Software that is provided without charge by the author. As with all software, there is a licensing agreement. You are licensed to use the software under the conditions set by the author. This usually includes the right to distribute the software in it's original condition. Most authors do not allow other programmers to modify and redistribute their programs. There are some that do, especially in the software area of Unix and Linux which are operating systems that replace Windows.
If you think these are really free, see my discussion on spyware.

How do I get it?

There are many sites on the web that provide freeware. Many provide all 3 levels of software: FreeWare, ShareWare and Commercial. Check the links below for places to go. You can also search for freeware on any search engine like Yahoo, Excite, Lycos, AltaVista, etc.

Once you find the software you want by reviewing the description, you need to download it and install it. Click here for instructions on Downloading. One word of caution: Be sure the program you are selecting is made to work with the version of Windows you are using. Many older utilities do not work with Windows Me. Click here to see a warning about this.

Barrettism: Bookmark (Favorite) every page as you search. Sometimes you can't find where you were as you get lost looking around. Create a new folder just for the freeware search. You can always go back later and delete any you don't want. Click here for instructions on organizing your Favorites or Bookmarks.

How do I use it?

After downloading the software, be sure to check it with a virus checking program before installing and using it. I just did a virus check on my system and found a virus inside a program I had downloaded some time ago. Good thing I had not used the program.

Once the program is in your computer, it may have a compressed file that needs to be unzipped (or uncompressed, expanded, extracted, all similar terms). After unzipping the file, you should find a file called setup.exe. Double click the setup file and the program should install itself. It may ask you questions just like installing any software. Usually it is best to accept the default answers. Most software creates an entry in the Start, Programs list. Just go to the menu item and activate the program. If you don't like it, Uninstall it.

Barrettism: Install Go Back Before You Do Anything Else

This is the easiest way to uninstall anything.

Links to sites with FreeWare and some comments on use:

http://ded.com/nonags/index.html You can spend hours here. They have thousands of programs, fonts and other Windows elements. They claim to be virus free, but a check is still a safety. Requires a free membership to download.

http://www.download.com/ has a ton of software, some free, some not. Click on the category of program you want and it will take you to a list popular downloads.

You can sort by Operating system & price at the bottom of the page.

You will also note that files size is listed. The operating system is noted. A small description is given. To get to the download area, click the Download button.

Again, note the information available. You can go to the author's site. You can see all the sites that provide this program for download. You can look at the specs and you can come back and submit an opinion after you try it, providing you bookmarked it.

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/index.asp Categories are listed

One word of caution: FreeWare may not be free. See my discussion on Spyware

See my list of software sites from Feb 2005