Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #431 issued May 11, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Guardian of Paradise v1.01 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Guardian of Paradise is an action/adventure RPG where you are Tela, a young boy who's sister has contracted a mysterious illness and who must find healing for her in Paradise. It features clever puzzles, 13 parts (levels), fullscreen & windowed (320x240) modes, good graphics, and more. This is a terrific little adventure RPG in the style of Zelda. The puzzles are sometimes quite hard and, in places, they are reminiscent of Sokoban (also known as Boxxle). It does not have a strong magic element and there are generally enough coins lying around to keep your MP index replenished. With 13 parts to this game (almost 13 separate games with the same theme!), it will not be solved quickly. Cursor keys are somewhat strange, with the Z and X keys handling most of the action, the arrow keys for movement, the C key and the Q key rounding out the hotkeys. Guardian of Paradise is a superb Zelda clone and one which most RPG enthusiasts will enjoy. We loved! Note: this version has been translated into English and is hosted on the CFS server. Get this 5.29MB download from: Win95 General Games

Object Fix Zip v1.6 – Win9x/ME/XP
Object Fix Zip is a tool that repairs and fixes corrupted or damaged ZIP archive files, including those which are not completely downloaded or partially damaged. It features simple Wizard interface, creates new ZIP archive and opens it for easy file extraction, can process multiple ZIP files, and more. This is a "must have" for all computer operators. At various times we all suffer from faulty or corrupted ZIP archives and, while Object Fix Zip may not be able to recover damaged files within an archive, it does have the potential to salvage the majority of the archive. Unzipping programs (including the Windows support for ZIP archives in later versions) usually just reports that a damaged archive cannot be accessed, and you are left with an archive that contains valuable information that is not accessible. With Object Fix Zip that may no longer be the case. This is one of those essential tools that every PC user should have. Grab a copy now! Access this 1.11MB download from: Win95 Desktop Utilities

CyberDefender Suite v2.0 –WinME/XP/Vista
CyberDefender Suite is an Internet security suite that finds infections other security software misses, offering protection from spyware, viruses, spam, phishing & Internet identity theft. It includes applets for spyware removal (identity theft defense), virus protection (catches viruses earlier), Spam removal (blocks dangerous Spam), e-mail protection (makes your inbox a safer place to work), and intrusion control reports. This is an excellent adjunct to your regular arsenal of malware (malicious software) tools – anti-virus software, firewall, etc. It offers five applets that help keep your computer safe though, on its own, CyberDefender Suite is not a replacement for your firewall and your anti-virus program. While it was very effective in identifying and removing malware, we had some issues with it locking up our computer while it was both scanning and updating itself with new definitions. It is also advertiser supported, which can be removed by purchasing the ad-free version (called CyberDefender Early Detection Center) for about $12. The system lock-up we experienced a couple times while we reviewed this program did worry us, but it may be a reaction to another open program so we were loathe to be overly critical because this is a very effective suite and one which we are still happy to recommend. Try it for yourself and, if you find it locking up your computer as it did with ours, simply uninstall it. Worth a look! Note: this program is not suitable for Windows 95 or 98. Access this 12.8MB download from: WinME Internet Related

Stair Dismount v1.0.3 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Stair Dismount is a crash-test dummy style game using ragdoll physics where you push a guy down a flight of stairs and get points for the most damage you can do to him. It features variable push strength, a choice of 13 push points, 10 different camera angles, replay, mouse & hotkey control, and more. This is an unusual game because you are pushing what is, ostensively, a crash-test dummy down a flight of stairs. Vary the amount of push, try pushing on different parts of the body, and view the fall from lots of different camera angles. You can also replay the fall. What you are trying to achieve is a high score for damage, even though he isn't damaged (well, he is a crash-test dummy!). The game uses ragdoll physics to simulate a rag doll falling – arms and legs go in different directions and the "body" finishes up at impossible angles. While this may sound like a one-play game, in fact it is surprisingly enjoyable and quite addictive. There are just enough variables to keep you coming back. We enjoyed Stair Dismount (also known as "Porrasturvat") and thought it well worth grabbing. Access this 2.20MB download from: Win95 General Games

PhotoFiltre v6.2.7 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
PhotoFiltre is an easy-to-use image editor. It features over 100 filters, offers vectorial selections, includes PhotoMasque & Automatisation modules, has an image browser, plug-in manager, offers TWAIN support, creates GIF transparencies, has advanced text effects (rotation, shading, bevel), offers several types of contours & textures, supports blending & assembling images, multiple levels of undo/redo, and more. This is an awesome image retouching tool that offers most of the major features found on commercial image editors, but without the big price. It has an excellent range of filters and effects and, if they aren't enough, you can add more through the plug-in manager. Controls are generally easy to use and whole program has a good solid feel about it. With its good HTML Helpfile (and an on-line tutorial), there is no reason why even a novice should not be able to produce exceptional results. PhotoFiltre can be summed up in one word: impressive. We loved! Access this 1.60MB download from: Win95 Graphic Programs

Freez Screen Video Capture v1.2 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Freez Screen Video Capture is a screen capture & screen recording tool to record screen activities & sounds into standard AVI video files. It features a choice of output video compressor (Microsoft Video 1, MPEG-4, DivX, etc) plus quality & framerate, audio format (PCM, ADPCM, MP3, OGG, etc), volume, visible cursor, optional hotkey activation, you can select the area to be recorded, and more. If you have a use for Freez Screen Video Capture you will find it fantastic. It records all screen movement – mouse moving around, windows opening, closing, scrolling, etc – and you can add your own commentary through a microphone or any other audio input. It is simple to use, just open the program, click on the record button and draw the area on the screen that you want recorded, and recording will start instantly. Click the Stop button to finish and then save the AVI file to the location of your choice. This is terrific for people making up presentations, for software authors and salesmen, for teachers – in fact, it can be used in hundreds of ways to show people what has happened on your screen. As the author says: "use Freez Screen Video Capture to create screen demos, training videos, animated tutorials, animated presentations, etc". There are many controls to adjust the framerate and the quality of the video, and you can also change the voice over (or background music) for your little presentation. The whole screen can be videoed, or just a portion of it. Unfortunately, it creates quite large AVI files (size is dependent on the quality settings) so they are probably not suitable for posting on-line. We thought Freez Screen Video Capture was an excellent tool and is one that many people will find useful (and a lot of fun too!). Definitely 10 out of 10! Access this 773kB download from: Win95 Multimedia Programs

Spine Page 07 v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Spine Page 07 is a TXT & RTF word processor. It features a variably transparent window, includes the most common RTF text attributes (bold, underline, font selection, etc), has an on-screen keyboard, one-click date/time insert, resizable workspace, and more. This is an unusual word processor. For a start it doesn't place itself in the system tray at the bottom of the screen so, if you open another program over it, it is very hard to get back to the program. Then you notice that it doesn't have a thumb bar down the right hand side of the screen when there is a large document loaded so the only way to scroll down and see text hidden below the bottom of the window (apart from using the mouse's scroll wheel) is to use the PageDown key. Very clumsy. It also lacks a spell checker so don't expect to be able to check your spelling from within this program. We did notice that it will load a large file so it doesn't have the 64kB limit imposed on Microsoft's Notepad but, while it does load a 4MB text file (albeit very slowly), it cannot load a 10MB file so there must be a limit somewhere between those two parameters. That probably wouldn't be very important anyway because, with the poor navigation within a document, you wouldn't want a very big text file to edit. We did like the built-in on-screen keyboard. For small letters and other documents that don't require a large screen (or the muscle of MS Word), Spine Page 07 could be worthwhile. It could also be worthwhile for novelty value. However, as a serious RTF-based word processor it falls far short of others. Note: it requires the Windows Installer (version 2.0 included with XP) and the RICHTX32.OCX file. Access this 570kB download from: Win95 Text Programs

Paradise in Trouble v3.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Paradise in Trouble is a 2D "shooter" where you, as an angel, must protect Heaven from the devils that are trying to take it over. It features 6 powerups to collect or avoid, good animated graphics, full screen & window modes, light-hearted background music & sound effects, keyboard & mouse control, and more. This is a fun, if somewhat shallow, 2D "shooter" where you don't actually shoot the enemy (the devils) but prick their balloons with your arrow so they fall into the lava pit, while trying to avoid having them pop your balloons with their tridents. Your angel is supported with 2 balloons (both of which need to be popped before you fall) and the devils are held up with just one balloon (they are obviously lighter than the angels!). Controls are a little vague and it takes a while to get used to the keyboard controls. We gave up trying to control the angel with our mouse. In many ways this is a challenging game, though it probably wouldn't be if the arrow key, or mouse control, was better (maybe if it was the game would be too easy!). Paradise in Trouble is supposed to be an advertiser supported game and, when it loads, you are faced with the MeMe! advertising cube screen which you must agree to install. However, when we installed the game we did not get presented with the MeMe! download (normally a separate download from this author, which means you can cancel it before it is downloaded and still get to play the game). Probably more annoying than the MeMe! advertising is the constant accessing of the MyPlayCity Website – when you initially install the game and then every time you close the game after having played it. We did enjoy playing Paradise in Trouble, even though its picture of Heaven and Hell (and the way angels and devils move around) is somewhat strange. It is a fun little game that is just challenging enough to bring you back for a second round, or two. Check it out yourself. Access this 2.66MB download from: Win95 General Games
UPDATE
Army Tanks – a tank-oriented combat game where you take your tank into wacky battles – has been updated to version "Gold" with a slightly smaller download size of 30.2MB. The author advises that the biggest change in this version is that the old registration requirement has been removed. Grab a copy of this latest version from: Win95 General Games
COMMENTS
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