Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #399 issued July 28, 2006

Home > CFS Weekly Newsletter #399: issued July 28, 2006

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This electronic newsletter is registered – ISSN 1441-6840
Welcome to the CFS Weekly Newsletter.
The programs listed here are completely free for non-commercial use, even though some may be shareware or commercial products. None are time-limited and all are fully functional. If you know any that aren't exactly as specified, please let us know and they will be removed immediately.
If the link below does not work (does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid. Please use the CFS Site Search facility (above) to locate the program.
COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE

Dynamite Car Plane v1.01c – WinXP
Dynamite Car Plane is a hi-tech top-down 2D space shooter where you must retrieve the "Eye of Golorgia" from the evil Squaklians. It features a choice of 3 pilot characters to play (each with different attributes), 5 levels (called "Targets") plus a training level, a choice of 3 screen sizes, excellent ray-traced graphics, good sound effects, challenging gameplay, and more. This is a fabulous space shooter that utilizes both traditional concepts as well as some new aspects. Weapons' fire has some unusual features and you would be advised to use the excellent interactive training level to get some shooting skills before embarking on your quest. The game lists 6 "targets" and you can choose which one to play. Each target offers a list of objectives so you know what you must achieve to complete that level. While we did not complete the game due to time constraints, we did notice that there was a Boss level in the LEVELS folder when the game was unpacked so there are probably 7 actual levels (the Boss level only being accessible when all the other levels were completed), including the excellent training level. It is presented in three screen sizes – Small, Medium and Large (176x208, 352x416 & 704x832). Dynamite Car Plane is an exciting, innovative shooter that is quite challenging while still being "winnable". Presentation is excellent, gameplay is excellent, and graphics, sound effects & music are all very good. Dynamite Car Plane is a "must have" for all lovers of high quality 2D space shooters. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Get this 15.0MB download from: WinXP General Games

Smart Data Scrubber v3.1 – WinXP
Smart Data Scrubber is a small tool that wipes erased data from a hard drive so completely that it cannot be restored. It features an erased data search (drive by drive), file preview, erases selected files in a folder, erases files 100% by over-writing them, is simple to use, and more. This is a great tool that can be dangerous if care is not taken. It hunts down all deleted data on a drive and then allows you to delete it, folder by folder. Smart Data Scrubber is not fast (each file takes about 2 seconds to be erased), but it is very secure and is perfect for anyone passing an old computer or hard drive to someone else. Many people are not aware that even after programs have been deleted from the Recycle Bin they can often be restored by people using commonly available tools (even tool kits like Norton Utilities includes a file undelete function). Smart Data Scrubber gives you an opportunity to ensure that sensitive data can never be restored by you or anyone else. We had a couple of issues with this program. One, it does not always erase deleted files; and two, you can only scrub the contents of a folder making it a huge job to scrub an entire drive. It would also be a very slow job because, according to our tests, each file takes approximately 2 seconds to be scrubbed. A 100,000-file drive or folder (most C: drives have more than this) could therefore take over 55 hours to be scrubbed! We must stress that this is theoretical because we did not use it to scrub a drive of this size... Smart Data Scrubber is a tool with many security applications but it does not always carry out its tasks in a manner which we thought would be required by many users and, during our tests, it did not always erase deleted files. With those words, we still thought Smart Data Scrubber was a useful tool to have on hand. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 770kB download from: WinXP Desktop Utilities

Hamachi v1.0.0.60 – WinXP
Hamachi is a zero-configuration virtual private networking application that links multiple computers over the Internet as if they were connected by a physical network cable. It features full encryption, authentication, peer-to-peer, NAT-to-NAT traversal capabilities, and more. Unfortunately CFS was unable to review this program. The author says that it can be used for peer-to-peer file sharing, iTunes, as a remote desktop, for remote assistance, gaming, etc. "Hamachi is the first application to mix seemingly unrelated networking technologies in one powerful package to deliver an unprecedented level of direct peer-to-peer connectivity. ... Hamachi software contains no spyware, bannerware or any other -ware unrelated to its purpose. And it never will." If you are looking to use the Internet as a private LAN then this could be just the tool for you. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 782kB download from: WinXP Internet Related

VidBox v5.5 – Win9x/ME/XP
VidBox is a basic player that supports all the popular multimedia formats (including WMA, WAV, MPG, MP3, ASX, AVI, MID, GIF, AIF & AU). It features a "minimize to desktray" option, has 5 modes, supports NTSC & PAL, audio loop, play from, and more. This is a neat, if uninspiring, multimedia player that does everything it claims but lacks some of the better features found on other players, like support for playlists. However, as a basic, no frills player it does offer a "minimize to the desktray" option which means you can set it playing and go about your work without having it "in your face". While form might not have been the author's primary concern, function was and this player performs very well while retaining a tiny footprint – essential if you are multi-tasking and just want a background audio player for your MP3s. VidBox also displays some images but, again, lacks somewhat in that department too because it does not support JPG, BMP, TIF or PNG images. However, it does support animated GIF images which are often not supported by dedicated image viewers! It has a mixture of features, some good, some not so good, but overall it is a good player for all types of multimedia files. We see its main strength as an audio player but the lack of playlist support diminishes that strength somewhat. If you can live with its limitations, VidBox is a great little player and a worthwhile download. Access this 477kB download from: Win95 Multimedia Programs

YOOLines v1.25 – Win98/ME/XP
YOOLines is a strategic puzzle game where you must put tiles of the same color together. It features multiple levels, move counter, excellent graphics, challenging gameplay, suitable for all ages, and more. This is a good strategic puzzler that is reasonably easy to learn but which becomes more and more challenging as you play through each level. You are presented with two sets of colored tiles – the one on the left is the actual puzzle (one of the tiles has an X on it) and the set of tiles on the right is the target layout you must achieve to complete the level. YOOLines suffers initially because it has a very poor Helpfile but some experimentation will soon teach the rules. The game itself looks deceptively easy but, as you progress through the various levels (we don't know exactly how many because we never completed the puzzle to the end), it gets progressively harder. We enjoyed playing YOOLines. It has nice graphics that aren't visually distracting but give the game a polished look 'n feel. If you like puzzles then grab a copy of YOOLines – we think you'll like it. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 1.45MB download from: Win98 General Games

Light Map Maker v0.39 – Win98/ME/XP
Light Map Maker is a tool for 3D developers that adds realistic lighting to real-time 3D scenes, and it supports ray tracing lighting, realistic radiosity lighting, caustics, mirror, etc. It features a SDK (C++) for importing/exporting various data, supports some common 3D formats (3DS, AC3D, D3D X, Morfit World, Terragen Terrain, VRML97, Blitz3D, Wavefront OBJ & DXF) through plugins, and more. If you are into 3D modeling, specially if you create games, you will love Light Map Maker. It allows the 3D modeler to add excellent lighting effects to your project, and even includes a good Helpfile in HTML format and the author's site adds a tutorial. Even though this is still a beta program, it seemed very stable in operation. With excellent control over the various aspects of 3D lighting, Light Map Maker is a "must have" for anyone working in this field. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.05MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

nLite v1.0.1 – WinXP
nLite is a Wizard-run tool for the unattended installation, re-installation, or modification of the Windows operating system (remove components, integrate drivers & hotfixes, tweak, patch, etc). It features an option to create a Windows bootup ISO, it integrates service packs, it can remove (or not install) unwanted features, and more. This is an awesome too for anyone who has had to reload Windows on their computer. If you have, for example, XP with service pack 1 but already have service pack 2 installed on your computer you can not normally boot over the service pack 2 installation with a service pack 1 CD and have the system run properly. But, with nLite, you can integrate service pack 2 into an installation disk based off service pack 1 by using the program to create an ISO file that can be used to burn a new installation CD. Not only can you get a full, stand-alone service pack 2 installation disk but the program can also add your CD key, your personal details, your regional settings, etc and then create an ISO file that can burn into a disk that will install, or re-install, Windows unattended. In that new bootable disk, you can add other service packs or patches, add drivers, remove unwanted parts of the standard Windows installation, and more. This is fantastic! If, like us, you hate keying in that CD key every time you re-install XP (which we do regularly) you will love just that aspect of nLite. However, the power that it puts back into your hands is terrific and you don't feel quite as much a slave to Microsoft's Big Brother concept of telling you who you are and what you want. We loved nLite. It is a "must have" program for everyone who needs to re-install their version of XP. However, our tip is to create your bootable Windows copy now so you have it on hand for when you really need it (and, at that time, may not be able to run nLite). Awesome! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 1.80MB download from: WinXP Windows Enhancements

FG Time Sync v1.0.0.1 – Win9x/ME/XP
FG Time Sync is a small utility that synchronizes the computer's internal clock with an Internet-based atomic clock to keep it accurate. It features LAN or Internet use, works as server or client, can be used with any time source using protocol RFC-868, and more. This is a handy tool for anyone who has an earlier version of Windows that doesn't automatically maintain the correct time over the Internet. FG Time Sync maintains the correct time for you. Lacking virtually any bells and whistles, this utility only provides one Internet-based clock to get the time from, and this one is in Italy. However, you can get a list of US-based NIST time servers from http://tf.nist.gov/service/time-servers.html, or an Internet search for "time servers" might help you find one near home (the closer they are to you the more accurate they are). We liked FG Time Sync. It isn't fancy but it works well. Worth a look. Access this 112kB download from: Win95 Internet Related

Ocean Wolf v2.0 – Win9x/ME/XP
Ocean Wolf is a vertically scrolling shooter with a nautical theme where you must attack and destroy terrorists who are both land and sea based. It features good 2D graphics, lots of powerups, fun gameplay, addictive, and more. This is a standard 2D scrolling shooter with a good storyline. Unfortunately, the storyline does not bear much relationship to the action on the screen except that it is water based, but that is a minor concern because this is simply a no-brain shooter with minimum strategic aspects. However, it is not a bad shooter and most people who play it will enjoy the game for the shooter aspects, not for the storyline. In fact, Ocean Wolf is quite addictive and you will find yourself coming back for more and more. If you don't want to take your gray matter out for some exercise, grab a copy of Ocean Wolf and start blasting – but watch out for those shore-based batteries that will fire at you with all sorts of missiles, torpedoes and shells while you attempt to deal with the enemy ships coming towards you. Ocean Wolf is a fun way to waste an hour... Access this 1.63MB download from: Win95 General Games
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