Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #429 issued April 20, 2007

Home > CFS Weekly Newsletter #429: issued April 20, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Ain v4.0 – Win9x/ME/XP
Ain is a 2D space shooter in comic book style. It features 1 or 2 human players, a choice of up to 4 computer combatants, a choice of 6 ships, good graphics & sound effects, bright & breezy background music, and more. Presented in the Batman style of visualized noise effects (wham, zap, boing, etc), Ain is a basic space fighting game where a single player can play against up to 3 computer combatants, two human players can play against each other plus up to two more computer combatants, or you can just let two, three or four computer players fight it out amongst themselves. Played locally with the human players sharing the one keyboard, it is quite good fun, specially with the cartoon-style visual noise effects, but you cannot change the control configuration and, if you are playing on your own, you must play as Player 1 and that means you must use the W, A and D keys for movement, and the spacebar for firing. A second human player gets the arrow keys and the right hand side Ctrl key for firing. We would have liked to have seen the ability to change the control keys so a single player could use the arrow keys for movement and the spacebar for firing. We would have also have liked to have seen TCP/IP network play. That aside, Ain is a good space shooter and one that many people will get a lot of fun playing. Worth a look! Access this 1.98MB download from: Win95 General Games

Argus Panoptes v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Argus Panoptes is a search tool for finding text strings inside files that may or may not be an exact match to your search query. It features 4 editable search templates (Exact, Extensive, Phonetic & Regular Expressions), 3 editable filter templates (All but executionables, All Files & Text Files), and more. Not just another search tool to find text within files, Argus Panoptes includes search templates that allows you to find words, even though you might have misspelt them. For example, search for the word "Favorite" using the Phonetic template and it will list words like: favorite; Favorite; favourite; Favourite; favor; favour; etc. It even includes a tool that creates custom macros to launch a search result with your favorite application. It can be launched from a commandline, and the results can be exported to CSV, plain text, HTML or XML. Argus Panoptes is a powerful search tool that all PC users will find helpful, but it has one questionable aspect – the author chose to insist on it being registered (free), and for that registration to only last 6 months. Once you have registered the program for 12 months consecutively, your third registration key is permanent and you do not have to worry about doing it again (or you can make a donation at any time and get a permanent key). This is not something we like, even though we understand the author's reason for implementing it, but the program itself is so good we thought it worth the inconvenience. If you can put up with the three registration demands over a period of 12 months, Argus Panoptes is worth having. We were impressed! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 828kB download from: Win98 Text Programs

Ac Browser Plus v4.00 – WinXP/Vista
Ac Browser Plus is a file manager with integrated image viewer & converter, and encryption/compression/mass renaming tools. It features an FTP client, tabbed MDI interface, a file finder, 'editorial renaming' (renaming files just like in a text editor), true multi-threading, calculating folder sizes 'on the fly', instant preview of image & multimedia files, file splitting & merging, a simple script engine, zooming in/out, thumbnails, file operation queueing, and more. This is an excellent file manager that offers three pane, twin pane or single pane views. The three pane view includes a quick access bar plus the standard twin pane view (like Norton Commander). However, we preferred the Explorer-like "single pane" view (includes the folder pane) because Ac Browser Plus offers a tabbed MDI (multi document interface) access. It not only includes an FTP client for uploading your files to the Internet, but it also offers full ZIP archive management (creation of ZIP archives, creation of self extracting archives, and more). Different file types are highlighted in different colors (a nice touch) and the entire package is well presented and easy to use. There is a paid version but the only limitation of the free version is that it is "unable to open more than 3 browse windows at a time". A worthy replacement for the archaic Windows Explorer file manager, Ac Browser Plus is an excellent file manager, with lots of extra features to make file management much easier. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 2.84MB download from: WinXP Windows Enhancements

Recovery Toolbox for CD v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Recovery Toolbox for CD is a program that recovers files from damaged, corrupted and unreadable CD, DVD, HD DVD & Blu-Ray disks. It uses different algorithms, which considerably increases the amount and quality of recovered data, and works with media format problems, scratches, exposure to liquids, etc. This is an excellent tool for recovering problem disks. We took a very scratched DVD-RW disk with a large (911MB) audio file on it that we could not recover (or copy from the DVD drive to our hard disk) but Recovery Toolbox for CD was able to not only copy the file, but also recover over 98% of our previously lost audio file. We were impressed! The license agreement with the program (the one that is supposed to be able to be used in a court of law) says that this program is a demo version and that payment is required. However, the author's Website says: "But what is most important – all these brilliant features are absolutely free of charge! From now on you have an available, simple, but still powerful tool for data recovery that does not require any money!" We are less than impressed with any inaccurate license agreement with a program – a license agreement is either a legal contract, or it is not. We hope the author quickly rectifies this problem... That aside, Recovery Toolbox for CD is a "must have" program for every PC user. Get a copy now! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 659kB download from: Win98 General Programs

Flying Model Simulator FMS v2.0 alpha 8.5 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Flying Model Simulator FMS is a 3D model aircraft flight simulator. It features a choice of 6 aircraft (fixed & rotary wing), a choice of 17 landscape models, offers variable camera angles, has auto & manual zoom, optional aircraft indestructibly, optional height/speed display, some control over weather conditions, optional crash simulation, good sound effects, 16- or 32-bit color, keyboard or joystick control, and more. This is a fun flight simulator that, while not quite on the same level as Microsoft's Flight Sim, offers most of the main attributes and controls. There are an enormous number of controls you can access, but remembering a few basic keys will get you flying. There is an aspect of reality to this sim because your aircraft really has to be flown – there is little "set and forget" about flying these models. For example, when taking off you must keep the wings level and provide elevator control to get your plane off the ground. We were disappointed that the rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) were not able to hover, and behaved more like their fixed wing counterparts, but this is a small criticism in what is a terrific simulation. If you like flying, or simply want to try it out without spending big money on commercial flight simulators, grab a copy of Flying Model Simulator FMS. You'll love it! Access this 5.78MB download from: Win95 General Games

MuralPix Wallpaper Changer v1.07 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
MuralPix Wallpaper Changer is a program that automatically creates Windows wallpapers (background images) from selected JPG images and changes them at a specified period of time. It features an optional calendar, huge control over the look 'n feel of the wallpaper, screensaver functions, various transition effects, and more. This is one of the best wallpaper changers we have seen. It not only offers a massive number of options to control the wallpapers, but it will also allow you to create screensavers from your images and, again, offers good control over how often they are changed, etc. There is a basic version of MuralPix Wallpaper Changer that includes 5 wallpaper images, and an "extended" version with 52 images. The basic program (5 images) is a 3.78MB download, and the 52-image version is a 10.5MB download. All supplied wallpapers are of exceptionally high quality and, unless you only want to use your own images, we suggest the 52-image version. Images are of landscapes and flowers. With such high quality images included, and the enormous degree of control it offers, MuralPix Wallpaper Changer is a fabulous tool for dressing up your desktop. Grab a copy now! Access this program from: Win95 Graphic Programs

WinCleaner AntiSpyware v5.58 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
WinCleaner AntiSpyware is a tool that protects a computer against pop-ups, slow performance & security threats caused by spyware, adware & other unwanted nuisances. It features real-time protection (51 'Active Shields'), IntelliQuick & full scan options, quarantine for selected items found during a scan, auto-updates, and more. This is a great anti-spyware program that can scan your computer on bootup (a quick scan only takes a few seconds). It flags problems and can quarantine them (quarantined items can also be deleted). It is worth activating the auto-update feature and getting it to check for updates every couple of days. We were most surprised that this isn't set as the default and would urge new users to activate it immediately. WinCleaner AntiSpyware found one "nasty" on our test computer, a Registry key labelled .B3D, which is surprising because we run a number of similar programs and none of those had flagged this particular key. Unfortunately there is no way of telling what the problem was with this Registry key because this program does not have a database that users can access to learn more about items detected. That minor criticism aside, we found WinCleaner AntiSpyware to be an excellent program and yet another arrow to fire at purveyors of malware (malicious software). We loved! Access this 1.90MB download from: Win95 Internet Related

Sonic Black – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Sonic Black ("Sonic Black: Quest for the Four Black Emeralds" to give it its full title) is a frenetic, side scrolling action adventure game based off the original Sega MegaDrive "Sonic The Hedgehog" games. It features 4 levels, password protection for each level, good graphics, fast action, and more. This is a fun, retro game where you control Sonic Black as he collects rings, jumps on baddies, and zooms around at his own crazy pace trying to get the emerald (there is one at the end of each level). It retains the look 'n feel of the original, including the same tinkling sound as you grab a ring. A great concept that only seems to get better as the years pass. Go grab a ring. Access this 1.13MB download from: Win95 General Games
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