Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #425 issued March 16, 2007

Home > CFS Weekly Newsletter #425: issued March 16, 2007

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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Garfield: Caught In The Act – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Garfield: Caught In The Act is a time-based arcade game from the 1995 Sega original where Garfield is trapped inside the TV and must find all the pieces of the TV remote control unit to get out. It features multiple levels (including bonuses), challenging gameplay, bosses, a huge variety of enemies, multiplayer Internet play, excellent graphics, great music, windowed & fullscreen modes, and more. This is the original Sega game – complete with Sega graphics, music, etc – that runs through a Macromedia Fusion Sega emulator. The game itself is reasonably challenging and there are some excellent puzzles and obstacles to overcome. At times Odie becomes the enemy that must be conquered (the Evil Odie). Garfield: Caught In The Act can be played by one player on a local computer, or over the Internet as a multiplayer game. The basic movement controls are the Enter key, the arrow keys, the Spacebar and the Shift key, though there are lots of other controls either accessible by hotkeys or through the menu. While you don't have to be a fan of the Garfield cartoon series, it does add to the game and helps you become more involved. We loved Garfield: Caught In The Act. It has that wacky humor that makes a game all that much more enjoyable, and some of the puzzles and battles are quite challenging. Combined with excellent animated graphics it is a fun game to play that will keep you enthralled for hours. A "must have" for both arcade/puzzle and Garfield fans. Try it for yourself! Access this 1.68MB download from: Win95 General Games

DatePad v2.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
DatePad is a date-based text storage program for date-specific text (diaries, to-do lists, project management, recording thoughts, etc). It features RTF-style text attributes, optional tree view, optional docked calendar, text search, large-display digital clock, and more. This is an unusual text editor because it saves text as part of a timeline. You can have multiple files, each with similar dates, so you can save your secret thoughts in one file, your dreams in another, a to-do list in a third, etc even though many entries might happen on the same day. There is an optional calendar that is docked into the program's window and you can place date-based comments, thoughts or events into the future, or back-dated into the past using this calendar. Unfortunately, DatePad cannot import other text documents except through the Windows Clipboard, and it saves all text in its own native file format (DP2). This is an RTF-style format so you can include various sized text using different fonts and different text colors. You can also include images (pasted from the Clipboard) and these will be saved with the file. DatePad is an excellent tool for anyone who requires date-based text storage. We loved! Access this 3.61MB download from: Win95 Text Programs

UltraManager v2.3 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
UltraManager is a file manager that uses a graphic interface to create a unique replacement for Windows Explorer. It features a built-in designer to create your own look 'n feel, supports all major archive formats (ZIP, LHA, CAB, TAR, ARC, ZOO, ARJ, RAR), has a built-in image viewer (JPG, GIF, BMP, DIB, TIF, TGA, PCX, ICO formats), supports multimedia files (MOD, XM, S3M, ITZ, MID, WAV, MPA, MP2, MP3, IT, MTM, STM, MED, AVI, MPG, MOV), supports playlists, has a built-in text editor, supports plugins, has over 70 hotkey shortcuts, and more. This is an amazing project. It offers a twin pane, Norton Commando style file manager that looks and feels like no other. Highly graphical, the real strength of UltraManager is that you are able to change so much of the way it works yourself, in effect creating almost a new file manager that works the way you want to work. It has so many extra little features you may not find them for some time after you start using the program. Unfortunately, it uses about 11MB of system memory (in XP) which makes it a major user of what are sometimes very limited resources. We were also a little cautious about the overall practicability of this file manager. Rather than being fast and lean it gives the impression of a lumbering giant that will never win any races when compared to other file managers (even Windows Explorer). Of course, if you are looking for something unique, something to make your computer stand out from the crowd, then UltraManager could be for you (also assuming that you like twin pane file managers). It is hard not to be impressed with UltraManager, but we wonder if the practical aspects could outweigh the visual impact. This is one of those programs that you will probably either love or hate – but you could never be blase about it. UltraManager is a program you must download and try, even if just to experience its amazing interface. Access this 3.66MB download from: Win95 Windows Enhancements

YouTube Downloader v1.2 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
YouTube Downloader is a program that downloads video from YouTube and converts it to any one of 6 file formats (or provides a manual conversion). It supports iPod video (MOV), PSP video (MP4), cell phone (3GP), Windows Media Video (WMV), XVid MPEG-4 (AVI) & MPEG audio (MP3) formats. This is a simple-to-use tool that requires the user to select a video image from YouTube by capturing the address of the required video. The program will then download the resultant FLV video file and save it to a location of your choice. Once downloaded, it can be converted into any of the preset file formats, or you can manually convert it to the format of your choice (requires 7 user parameters). YouTube Downloader is a simple tool for YouTubers who want to save some of the clips posted on that site. Worth a look. Note: at the time of writing the author's site was unavailable but the program is available as a direct download from CFS. Get this 3.91MB download from: Win95 Internet Related

Njam v1.25 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Njam is a full-featured PacMan-like game for 1 or more players. It features 18 levelsets (of varying difficulty), 262 levels, duel games, cooperative games (players work together), customizable level skins, integrated level editor, network gameplay, and more. This is an excellent PacMan clone for everyone who loves maze games. The animated graphics are excellent for this type of game and, between the level editor and the customizable skins, you can have Njam look and feel like almost anything you want. Some of the levelsets are quite challenging and, with all the levels already included, you should find much you will like. We were pleased to see the various game modes available – everything from single player to player duels, played locally or across a network. One of the better PacMan clones we have seen, Njam is well worth grabbing. We loved! Access this 1.89MB download from: Win95 General Games

Freesky Video Splitter v2.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Freesky Video Splitter is a tool to split, cut or trim a large video file into smaller clips. It supports various formats (AVI, MPEG I/II, VCD, SVCD, DVD, VOB, DAT & ASF/WMV), splits files larger than 2GB, has an easy-to-use interface, and more. Unfortunately, CFS was unable to review this program. The author says: "Freesky Video Splitter is a powerful tool to split, cut or trim a large AVI(Divx, XviD, MPEG4), MPEG I/II, VCD, SVCD, DVD, VOB, DAT, ASF/WMV file into smaller clips in various format. The program does not require any technical experience and is very easy to use. It is an affordable and powerful video tool on personal computer." Its main features are reported to be: very fast and without any quality loss; support split AVI, Divx, MPEG-4 file; support split MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VCD, SVCD, DVD file; support split ASF, WMV, WMA file; support large video file, even large then 2GB; support save as AVI file; support save as MPEG-1, MPEG-2 file; support save as ASF/ WMV file; support save as DVD, VCD and SVCD (PAL, NTSC) compatible mpeg file; and a very user-friendly interface. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 7.05MB download from: Win98 Multimedia Programs

FxFoto v5.0.065 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
FxFoto (Standard Edition) is a program to enhance, organize, e-mail, print, share and archive digital photos. It features HHD photo search, import from digital camera or card reader, visual grouping & organizing photos, a host of processing functions to spruce up pictures (including red eye correction, lighting & image enhancement, blemish removal, & clone brush), and more. This is an excellent program, even though it is only a cut-back version of the full program. While it has more limited functions than its paid-for brothers, what it does it does so well you may want it just for tools like the red-eye removal function, or the image cropping functions (including freehand lasso, circles/ovals, etc). What is annoying is going to a function and finding that it is not supported in the free version. Of course, what the author wants is for you to get so frustrated you go out and spend money on one of its bigger brothers – and, if you are like us, you will be tempted! However, FxFoto is worth grabbing just for the functions that it does include, and these include automatically improving an image, image sharpen, image rotation, blemish removal, the cloning brush, the translucent & smudge brushes, multilevel undo/redo, and lots more. When the program loads there is a nagscreen, and also when it closes, but they can be closed quickly so they are not too annoying. We really liked FxFoto. It promises much, and delivers some excellent tools. It is just a shame that you constantly come up against a popup window that says: "[the function] is not a Standard Edition command". If these functions are used, the images cannot be saved, printed, e-mailed or uploaded in this free edition. If you are looking for basic editing functions, like red-eye removal, then FxFoto is worth grabbing. If you are just looking for a digital image organizer then it is well worth grabbing. We liked! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.36MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

Carbometer v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Carbometer is a quick reference tool for the carbohydrate content of foods. It features a database of over 800 foods with precise carb readings for each, includes fiber content & "net" carbohydrate content, a quick search function, you can add/edit food entries, there is a "WatchList" function, and more. Perfect for anyone watching their weight (does that mean just watching it grow?), Carbometer puts all the info at your fingertips so you can make sensible eating choices. You can keep track of the carbs you have already consumed, or are planning to, in the WatchList. Data can be edited, or you can add your favorite food to the list. There is a search function so you can quickly get the carb and fiber stats on the food you are eating. It includes links to three Websites which can give you more information about diets, and which includes recipes. We were disappointed that there wasn't a Helpfile with the program to explain a little about carbohydrates. We also had some trouble with the program locking up, but we suspect that it may be in conflict with one of the programs on our computer and we doubt that others would necessarily experience the same problem. If you are on a health kick, check out Carbometer. Access this 708kB download from: Win95 General Programs

Operation Spacehog v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Operation Spacehog is a 2D side-scrolling space shooter for 1- or 2-players. It features 6 levels of difficulty, choose from 3 pilot/ship combos, over 10 different weapons, lots of powerups, lots of levels, a level editor (a separate 128kB download), and more. This shooter follows the format of many other games in this genre but Operation Spacehog has an addictive element that brings you back for more and more. While this isn't apparent in the raw game info, once you start you want to keep on playing. Operation Spacehog has some unusual features for this type of game, like the choice of pilot and his or her spaceship, but the attraction is in the overall presentation rather than in any one aspect. You just want to keep on playing... As the game progresses, it becomes more and more important to upgrade your weaponry. Operation Spacehog possibly shouldn't be as good as it is, but the concept works and the game is lots of fun to play. Worth a look! Access this 714kB download from: Win95 General Games
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