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This electronic newsletter is registered – ISSN 1441-6840
Welcome to the ‘Completely Free Software’ E-mail 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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.
We remind our visitors that they can obtain almost all the newly listed software from this site on the Completely Free Software “Master Freeware Collection” CD-ROMs plus get bonus software, and often free graphics, icons, fonts, etc.
COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE
1st Page 2000 v2.00 – Win9x
1st Page is a sensational and extremely powerful source code HTML editor which successfully caters for all Webauthors – from first timers to the professional, from people creating just a single page to those who have created a mega site. It features: customizable keyboard shortcuts; customizable toolbar buttons; three primary development modes (easy/expert/hardcore); 450+ Javascripts/VBScripts; re-usable DHTML scripts; full support for SSI, CGI, Perl, Cold Fusion & ASP; Javscript rollover images; Flash 4/Shockwave/Java/ActiveX support; six Javascript Wizards; calculates image sizes (height/width); drag 'n drop from Explorer; complete Web tag reference; spell checker; thesaurus; special/extended character list; etc. The feature list seems endless! This is virtually three programs in one. Firstly it functions as a basic HTML editor which is not too daunting for first time users. Larger icons in the main toolbar, limited tabbed toolbars and a simpler look 'n feel. The Expert mode is full of tabbed toolbars and other aids which can be accessed quite quickly. The third mode, Hardcore, is designed for creators of mega sites. It features a cleaner, less pretty screen but one where the user can really come to terms with creating sizzling sites. The main window has three tabs across the top for edit, preview (it displays the page like a browser) and reference (a full HTML 4.0 reference guide). At the bottom of the screen are the open file tabs – open multiple files and each can be accessed from those tabs. To the left is the Explorer-like window, again with a number of tabs to change its function, and to the right is color palette. With both left and right hand screens in place, the main editing window is a little small for our taste but both can be removed, leaving the editing screen virtually full width (there's yet another narrow toolbar down the left hand side of the editing screen, this one is for page control). 1st Page certainly tried to be all things to all people and, to a large degree, it is! The shear scope of this editor is mind blowing and a user will still be finding features in three month's time! We loved the spell checker and thesaurus, though the spell checker must be 'taught' HTML-specific words – like 'html'. We liked the colorization of the tags – different colors can be applied to a huge variety of tags – and the addition of a bevy of JavaScript and VBScripts (usually called 'iscripts') is superb. There was only one area which we didn't like – and that to us was a major problem. 1st Page cannot open more than one document from a list at a time using the File Open command. Open 10 files and you have to open them individually – you can't just highlight the 10 and have them loaded automatically. If only... The program also lacks a "last open file" list. If you want to see the next generation of HTML editors then grab a copy of 1st Page 2000 and be prepared to be impressed! Access this 4.95MB download from: Win9x Internet Related
Whirlwords v1.0.2 – Win9x
This is a terrific word chain puzzle where you are given start and finishing words and you have to fill in the missing words using the specified transition rules for each line. There are six separate transition rules and each puzzle level has a different combination. The game is supplied with over 100 levels, a puzzle editor for creating your own levels, and a 5,000 word dictionary. You can get a hint for each level if you want and you can select a game from the drop-down list. The interface is neat, easy to follow and the puzzles challenging (specially on the higher levels). We found Whirlwords quite addictive and a pleasure to play. Well worth the acquisition! Access this 572kB download from: Win9x General Games
CHIPSpeaking v1.0.18 – Win9x
CHIPSpeaking (Conversational Help for Individuals with Problems Speaking) is a terrific program for anyone who has trouble speaking. CHIPSpeaking offers people suffering from diseases like ALS a chance to voice their opinions either by pasting in text or by using the on-screen keyboard. There are even about 50 stock phrases which can be added from the menu to save constant writing. These are in the categories: Wants; Needs; Sports; Fun; Help from Caregiver; and Family life. The program requires a number of support files – MS Agent, a character voice (Genie is recommended but there are others available from the Microsoft site), etc – and the download size represents the total of everything you need to get it working. The entire program is well presented and easy to use. If we had any criticism it would be that the stock phrases appear to be hard coded into the program so they cannot be changed or personalized for individual users. Different people have different requirements and the ability to modify or add to the stock phrases would have been very handy. That aside, CHIPSpeaking is a superb program for anyone with difficulties speaking – specially ALS sufferers. The total download size for this program is 4.43MB. Access all four components from: Win9x General Programs
FREE 3D Icon Library – Win9x
This is a terrific library of 2D and 3D icons which are presented in GIF format with transparent backgrounds. While this makes them particularly suitable for use on the Net, they can also be used in many other places. The library comprises 273 3D-icons in 21 categories, mainly arrows of various shapes and colors, playing card symbols – hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades – and miscellaneous crosses, stars, ticks, etc. There are also 103 2D-icons, mainly objects like a bicycle, aeroplane, space shuttle, clock, traffic lights, etc. The last category comprises 184 flags of the world, each carefully crafted so that they are only 16 x 16 pixels in size. In most collections of images, if you can find a use for 2% you will be doing well. In this case you could well find a use for a much higher percentage because they are of outstanding quality and cover such a wide range of subjects. Included with the download is a series of Java-powered HTML pages for easily viewing the images in each category. These icons are well worth a look if you are a Web designer, a program author or, if you convert them to ICO images first, they can be used to inject some originality into your desktop. Access this 443kB download from: Win9x Graphics Programs
FTP Works v1.02 – Win9x
FTP Works is a very easy to use but rather basic FTP client which can upload/download directories, rename files and directories, make a directory on a remote server, etc. The interface is quite bland but easy to access and the program does exactly what the author has designed it to do. We felt that it lacked a few bells and whistles which could have turned it from a very basic FTP client to a more useful tool – specially in the hands of learners. There is no automatic mode selection when copying across a file – you have to manually set the mode to either binary or ASCII for each file (which makes it hard to upload multiple files of mixed type). Generally all text files (HTML, cgi scripts, etc) are transferred as ASCII text files, and all others (like images) are transferred as binary files. The Helpfile is very basic – maybe too basic – but most people should be able to work out how to use the program without too much trouble. A more descriptive Helpfile for first time uploaders would have been a good addition. Access this 721kB download from: Win9x Internet Related
No IQ v1.0 – Win9x
This is a platform game utilizing the Games Factory engine. This game is virtually a Lemmings-clone as you have to direct the fools (no IQ, get it?) away from danger so you can progress to the next level (there are 20). With built-in music, excellent between-levels graphics, and good gameplay, No IQ should become a popular game. The lack of basic instructions means that you have to fiddle around a little until you get the hang of the game and the comment in the Readme file under 'How to play' is "Use your brain, if you have enough IQ!!" which is not very helpful! Opening graphics are slow and even hurrying them up by clicking on the screen still seems to take ages. We enjoyed No IQ and found it sufficiently challenging to make it enjoyable. Access this 4.24MB download from: Win9x General Games
Sidekick 95 – Win95 (not suitable for Win98)
Sidekick 95 is a superb personal information manager which offers a huge selection of features in a simple, easy to use format which really does make Sidekick 95 one of the very best PIMs in the world. It has extensive calendar and diary functions; a cardfile system which integrates with Microsoft Exchange for sending e-mail messages; a notepad feature, Sidekick Write, which includes a spell checker, a mail-merge feature; a telephone dialer; a calculator with a tape streamer; a world time view which not only lists the current time in eight world capitals but graphically shows the earth as it is currently illuminated by the sun – and a raft of other features too numerous to mention. This is terrific! If you want to keep in touch with people through appointments and cardfile information then Sidekick 95 is for you. This is a full unrestricted commercial version (UK edition) which is offered free through PC Plus magazine in the UK. It is not suitable for Win98, only Win95 and NT3.51. Access this 2.25MB download from: Win9x General Programs
Color Cop v3.0 – Win9x
Color Cop is a handy little utility to convert from decimal RGB color values to RGB Hexadecimal Triplets. For example, white is represented as 255,255,255 in RGB decimal, and #FFFFFF as a Hexadecimal Triplet, the latter commonly used in HTML. If you are creating images in photo editing programs then Color Cop could be a terrific little tool for you to ensure color matching. The program has a color picker, color display, and an automatic 'copy to Clipboard' function. The interface is not particularly pretty but the utility is highly functional and very, very easy to use. Access this 9kB download from: Win9x Graphics Programs
Sonique v1.20.4 – Win9x
Sonique is an audio player capable of handling MP3 files, Microsoft Windows Media files, audio CDs, etc. It uses a dynamic, windowless interface and the menu systems is fully animated which looks really cool. Quoting from the author: "functionality includes a full-featured playlist editor, a variety of unique output visualization modes via plug-ins, and a robust control set featuring pitch, balance and amplification adjustment, as well as a 20-band equalizer with spline-based level adjustment. It supports many audio formats, including MP3, MP2, WAV, MOD, XM, IT, S3M, and CD audio and all MS Windows Media audio formats." Wow! The program's Website offers a bundle of skinz too (over 130 at the time of writing) so you can make it look like whatever you want. The original was fine by us... It was very hard to fault Sonique because it performed so flawlessly and offered so much. Even the fancy windowless interface works well and was extremely easy to navigate around (unlike some other esoteric creations which looked great but were very hard to use). The list of supported filetypes is impressive but probably what impressed us most was that the setup program didn't make lots of assumptions – it asked first. Most audio players automatically set themselves up as the default MP3 and audio CD player (which can be annoying), but not Sonique. We rated Sonique as "par excellence", we think you will too. Access this 2.53MB download from: Win9x Multimedia Programs
Boulder Dash – DOS (suitable for Windows)
This is based off the classic game of the same name which was around when Adam was a boy. It is a full screen DOS game that is very accurate to the original with virtually identical gameplay, levels, etc. Sounds are PC speaker only, and you have an audible 10 second warning before you run out of time. There is a certain attraction in those old games which seem to hang around much more than the modern crop of gee-whizz shoot-em-ups. They have a playable quality which transcends fancy graphics and other modern innovations. Try Boulder Dash. The download is tiny, the instructions virtually non-existent (start the game by pressing the right-hand Shift key, exit the game by using the Esc key) but the game is all fun. Grab this 14kB download from: DOS General Games
COMMENTS
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