Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #490 issued September 26 2008

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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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Poofik v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Poofik is a run 'n jump 2D scrolling game in a forest/caves setting. It features 11 worlds, lots of bonuses to collect, powerups, excellent animated graphics, mouse or keyboard control, save game, world-wide high scores, and more. In this game you must direct the raccoon to find the treasures hidden in the mines. This is a fairly standard run 'n jump game with bonuses to collect, enemies to avoid (or kill), and obstacles to overcome. However, it lacks the frenetic pace of similar games – like Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog – but it has charm in its more leisurely pace. Some of the obstacles are challenging but this is simply a fun way to kill some time and lacks the real intensity of a game that will keep you enthralled for hours. There are some inconsistencies between the program and the author's Website. The README file with the game says that it is suitable for Windows 95 and above, and requires DirectX 8.1, but the Website says that it requires Windows XP or higher and only requires DirectX 5.0. The README file, under the heading "Description" describes another game (it talks about tanks and armor, and "40 levels created in three different settings"). While we had been told that this was version 2.0, paperwork with the program said it was version 1.0. You can make up your own mind whether the details in the README are correct, partially correct, or entirely inaccurate... (we opted for scenario two – partially correct). That said, we really enjoyed playing Poofik. It has its own built-in elegance, and an addictive aspect that will bring you back for more and more. We loved! Access this 7.54Mb download from: Win95 General Games

Vista Sprint v1.00 – Windows Vista
Vista Sprint offers a way to improve system performance. It uses a 7-part Wizard incorporating a series of manual steps and the installation of a Registry (REG) file. This is a strange program in that it offers to install a Registry file (without telling the user what it does) and then offers some general advice on what to do yourself to speedup Vista. Most of the advice is worth taking and, yes, you should experience a leaner, meaner Vista than you had before. However, not all advice is either accurate or clear. For example, in one screen it advises the user to type services.msc into the Start/Run box and "set a the services that you dont need that are automatic to manual" (sic). What services don't you need? The author of this program does not say... In practice, Vista Sprint did seem to speedup Vista slightly but, as we had already made many of the suggested changes before running this program, we cannot say the overall effect of tweaking an unmodified version of Vista. We caution against doing too much unless you are confident that you know the results of any changes you might be tempted to make. This is specially important in areas where the author does not make any specific suggestions on what you should change. If used with caution, by an experienced PC user, Vista Sprint could help to turn your slow old Vista cart horse into a not-too-decrepid thoroughbred. Worth a look. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98, ME or XP – and possibly it might not be suitable for future versions of Windows. Access this 2.84MB download from: Vista Enhancements

Photoscape v3.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Photoscape is a deluxe photo editor. It features an image viewer, image editor (resizing, brightness and color adjustment, white balance, backlight correction, frames, balloons, mosaic mode, adding text, drawing pictures, cropping, filters, red eye removal & blooming), batch editor (edit multiple photos), it can merge multiple photos, makes animated GIFs, print multiple photos on one page, offers screen capture, a color picker, a batch renamer, it converts RAW to JPG, includes over 500 icon images, offers 12 paper textures, and more. This is an awesome image tool – actually, a suite of tools – that is specifically designed to work with digital photos. It supports JPG, GIF, TIF, RAW, PNG, etc file formats, and can combine your images into a single animated GIF image. The editor has a wide variety of effects, and can even crop to a circle! The print functions include multiple images on a page (with a huge variety of sizes, formats and numbers of images per page). You can add a speech balloon to an image and insert text into it, and there are over 160 balloon styles from which to choose. Everywhere you look with Photoscape you are amazed at not just the depth of tools being offered, but the backup support with lots of icons and other images which can be incorporated into your photos. Any one of the 13 main functions within the program would be the worth the download, but combining them into one suite is fantastic. Photoscape is a program you have to try for yourself because there just isn't the space to fully describe every aspect of every feature. To say that we were impressed would be an understatement. Let's just say that we loved Photoscape and know that everyone else who tries it will be equally enthusiastic. Grab a copy now! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 13.1MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

RapidTyping Typing Tutor v2.1.1 – WinXP/Vista
RapidTyping Typing Tutor is a skinnable touch typing tutor for adults and children. It features extensive training statistics for each user, customizable lessons, a choice of keyboard layouts, includes 124 lessons (another 144 can be downloaded – 79kB), includes 2 skins (another 6 skins can be downloaded – 493kB), a portable version is available (1.31MB) with those extra lessons (163kB) & skins (710kB), supports 12 languages & their keyboards, and more. This typing tutor includes more features and options than many professional tutoring programs. You can choose if you want the keyboard displayed with the program (probably essential for new users) and even if it displays "hands" to show you where fingers should be positioned. RapidTyping Typing Tutor is a fun way for anyone to learn touch typing, or just improve their typing skills. Graphics are bright and breezy with good animation to encourage younger users to continue. We did have a problem with RapidTyping Typing Tutor. Sometimes when we typed the correct letter the program reported an error. We did not know if this was a problem with our system configuration or with the program itself but we suggest you check it out yourself before letting a child use it (children could get unnecessarily frustrated if they thought they weren't improving and could then abandon learning how to touch type altogether). This was the only blight on what we considered an excellent program which was on par with some very expensive commercial programs. If your typing needs to be improved, then grab a copy of RapidTyping Typing Tutor. A "must have" for most PC users! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 994kB download from: WinXP General Programs

Gravity Launch v1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Gravity Launch is a 2D spaceship launching game where you must complete your mission by successfully landing a spaceship on the target. It features 5 progressively harder levels, realistic gravity algorithms, challenging gameplay, instructions included, and more. This is a fun, if somewhat challenging game. Fortunately, there are no penalties for losing, you just try again, and again, and... The idea is to adjust the power and elevation settings to launch a spaceship and complete your mission – and adjustments are needed to make changes to the trajectory. You can play Gravity Launch directly from the CFS Program Review or download a copy and play it on your computer. Gravity Launch is an excellent 2D gravity-based time waster. Gameplay is challenging but the rewards are there for those who can make the grade. We loved! Note: even though this game is hosted on the CFS server, it is freely available for everybody to download (and share), not just CFS members. Get this 1.24MB download from: Win95 General Games

CopyCat v1.5.0.0 – WinXP/Vista
CopyCat is an advanced tool to copy, move and archive folders. It can pause & resume the cut/copy process, archive folders (WinRar only), ignore/include specific file(s) & folder(s), has an optional shutdown when done, it can skip file(s) with copy/move error, copy/move from multiple sources to one folder, drag 'n drop source & destination folder(s), save file(s) & folder(s) list to a text file, and more. On paper this is an awesome file management tool but, in practice, it does not always perform as you would expect. For example, it does not support wildcards and it has no Explorer context menu integration. However, for us the biggest problem with CopyCat was that it works only with folders – it cannot process individual files. This utility should be great to use for backups but, without any means of scheduling transfers, or any way of copying only changed or new files, its role as a backup tool is much diminished. CopyCat is still a handy program to have around but it would be a much, much better program if it was more versatile. Try it for yourself. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 4.29MB download from: WinXP Desktop Utilities

Usman MP3 Player v1.6 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Usman MP3 Player is an MP3 player with many other functions. It features an MP3 encoder (ripper), tags editor, MP3 cutter & joiner, voice recorder, MP3 searcher, audio CD player, supports M3U playlists, increases/decreases volume, changes the playback speed, and more. In spite of its many, many functions, we were a little disappointed in Usman MP3 Player. Our first problem came when we wanted to listen to an audio CD and found that the program "chose" our secondary CD player – one that didn't have audio connected to it. Our primary CD player is set up with audio, not that one. There was no option to change drives so we ended up not listening to a CD. However, we could have "ripped" that CD from our primary drive because the MP3 Encoder (the ripper) does give the user the option of which drive to use. Most strange. Actually, the ripper itself was of limited value because (a) it made us rip one track at a time (there was no option for ripping the entire CD), and (b) it does not link with an on-line database and therefore does not automatically add information about the CD. We were also surprised to find that, when it played through a selection, it kept on repeating the last track – endlessly, over, and over, and... Well, you get the picture. Finally, our last gripe was that the program does not display itself in the system tray or in the desktray. If you minimize all programs on the desktop you minimize it – and then have no easy way of getting it back into view. Usman MP3 Player has lots, and lots of features and functions but we would have preferred to have seen fewer functions and more functionality. Maybe we are being a little harsh about Usman MP3 Player because the basic tools are good, and work well. We specially liked the speed control and the MP3 file cutter and joiner. You certainly couldn't say that it lacked features! Try it for yourself. Access this 2.64MB download from: Win95 Multimedia Programs

LBreakout2 v2.4.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
LBreakout2 is an excellent Arkanoid-style paddle game. It features 1- to 4-player modes, 47 levels (1,440 more can be downloaded), level editor, 3 levels of difficulty, Internet gameplay, 18 powerups, 8 powerdowns, 7 types of brick, fullscreen or windowed modes, full HTML manual, and more. This is a superb version of this popular Breakout game. It has a huge number of options, and additional levels and themes can be downloaded. Gameplay is typical of the Arkanoid/Breakout style with a number of bricks of various types which must be destroyed by the ball (controlled by the paddle). Powerups (and powerdowns, also called "malus") rain down and you should try and grab the good ones and avoid the bad ones. Unfortunately, when you first start to play they are hard to differentiate and there is a learning curve to be overcome before you can know all the various items you should be collecting, and the ones you should be avoiding. LBreakout2 has great animated graphics, an easy-to-use interface, and a guarantee that it will consume more of your leisure hours than it should. We loved! Access this 3.03MB download from: Win95 General Games
COMMENTS
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