Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #445 issued September 14, 2007

Home > CFS Weekly Newsletter #445: issued September 14, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Abogadro Ex v1.06 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Abogadro Ex is a Japanese vertically scrolling space shooter. It features 8 stages, 4 powerups, 4 levels of difficulty (from Very Easy to Hard), windows & fullscreen modes, good graphics, sound effects & music, and more. This is an excellent, if somewhat basic, shooter with typical Japanese pace. There are eight stages (or levels), each with its own look and each with its own Boss. You get three ships, and three bombs per ship. You can use the bombs to clear a path for you when you start to get overwhelmed, or if there is an unbroken line of destruction coming towards you that offers no other escape. For that reason, you need to use the bombs wisely or you will use them up early and be stuck without any bombs to save you from an otherwise impossible situation. In typically Japanese style, the firing button is the Z key (which is also the "accept" key for menus), and the bombs are activated by the X key. The normal arrow keys provide movement. The author's site is in Japanese and the author's download is an LZH archive file. CFS has offered a ZIP archive version with an English translation (through WorldLingo) of the Readme file (only in Japanese in the author's version). The CFS ZIP version is a smaller download at 3.12MB (ZIP generally produces smaller archived files than LZH). Abogadro Ex is an excellent example of this genre. We loved! Access this 3.81MB download (LZH version) from: Win95 General Games

AIV Startup Protector v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
AIV Startup Protector is a program that protects from unusual or unwanted auto program startups (programs that start automatically when Windows starts). It features real-time protection when a new program tries to be added to Startup, you can manually add or delete programs from Startup, it displays all running processes, you can use it to kill unwanted processes, and more. This is a great little program that is yet another layer of protection against spyware, trojans, etc that try to get themselves loaded every time Windows is loaded. It also allows the user to prevent legitimate programs from being auto-started (some authors do not give the user the option to auto-start). Because it protects your computer in real-time, plus you can use it to add programs manually or remove unwanted programs from the list, AIV Startup Protector is an essential tool for all PC users. We liked. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.77MB download from: Win98 Windows Enhancements

PCB Artist v1.0.17 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
PCB Artist is a user friendly, integrated schematic capture & PCB (printed circuit board) layout tool. It features creation wizards, parts list reports in CSV (Excel), manufacturing checks in design rule checking, single-side auto-routing, design rule check error report, autoplace, tutorial, auto component rename, ratsnest connections optimized "on the fly", relative coordinates, design status report, pan & zoom with mouse wheel, moved component tracks remain connected, more than one grid (screen & working), split powerplanes, library structured as parts with manufacturer's names, and more. Unfortunately CFS was unable to review this program. The publisher offers a PCB manufacturing service and PCB Artist is an adjunct to that. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 23.0MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

SCREEN2EXE v1.1 – WinXP/Vista
SCREEN2EXE is a small program that captures what is happening on the Windows' desktop and saves it as a stand-alone EXE file. It features high compression rates, records fullscreen or just a part of the screen, offers optional audio recording (through the speakers or a microphone), records the mouse cursor, there is a choice of 3 levels of recording quality, if offers variable framerate (1 to 4 fps), a Wizard-style interface, and more. Most screen demo tools (programs that record what is actually happening on the screen in real-time) save their movie files to AVI, which can often create problems with (a) the final filesize, and (b) the compatibility of codecs. SCREEN2EXE creates it own stand-alone EXE file that is much smaller than an equivalent AVI file and is easier to share because codec compatibility is not a problem. It offers all major setting options – if you want audio included, the framerate, the picture quality, etc – but is extremely easy to use and requires no special tools or files for either the recording or the playback. While the program is recording it minimizes to a desktray icon (next to the clock) and recording can be stopped by either pressing the F10 key or by clicking on that desktray icon. Once recorded, it can playback the capture so you can view it without having to save it first. SCREEN2EXE is a superb tool, but it does have a couple of negative points. First, it has a fixed window for playback of 700x600 pixels (actual capture area is displayed at 700x550). For anyone with a widescreen monitor it presents a fullscreen capture in a letterbox-style window with black top and bottom. Reducing a 1600+ wide screen to 700 means a loss of quality and clarity. Likewise, if you select an area significantly smaller than 700x550 it expands the image to either 700 wide or 550 high (depending on the dimensions of the recorded rectangle), again causing a loss of quality. Ideally, you should try and capture an area as close to 700x550 as possible so that the screen is displayed in fullsize without it being shrunk or expanded to fit. This size limitation is a problem with SCREEN2EXE and is the one area we would like to see rectified. The other problem was the quality of the recorded audio. If you record your own voice-over through a microphone, the sound quality is aceptable. If you wish to play background music it is very poor. That aside, this is an excellent screen capture tool and a great way of showing someone else how to carry out screen tasks or even what a program (like a game) looks like when working. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 425kB download from: WinXP Multimedia Programs

Crazy Money v1.0.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Crazy Money is an unusual, money-based puzzle where you must link up coins of the same amount to convert them into a coin of a higher value. It features 5 levels of difficulty, 5 levels of play, excellent graphics, addictive gameplay, good music, and more. In this game you must re-arrange the coins so that coins of the same value are together in any of the four directions (up, down, left or right). When the coins equal the preset amount for that denomination they morph into a coin of that total value. When two $500 coins are linked you get $1,000 added to your score and the coins disappear. All the time, more coins are being added from the top. While this is similar to a number of other games, it has some unique qualities that separate it from the others. Groups of coins can be moved so that the required number of coins for that denomination can be achieved. Having various numbers of coins required to achieve the goal of converting it into a coin of the aggregate is a little confusing at first, but you soon learn how many of each coin is needed to upgrade them to a coin of that total value. For example, coin values are $1, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $500. Therefore to convert $1 coins into $5 (the next highest denomination) you need five coins. To convert $5 coins into a $10 coin requires two, etc. Basically it works on twos and fives. Confusing as this may sound, it is not hard to understand while playing and you soon find yourself totally involved in Crazy Money. A fun way to kill some time. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 6.14MB download from: Win98 General Games

DCCExplorer v2.03 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
DCCExplorer is a small utility that password protects files and folders on both a USB drive and a fixed hard drive. It features an Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm to encrypt & decrypt data, supports encryption file masks, compresses files while encrypting them, drag 'n drop, fully portable (no set up required, can run off USB pen drive if required), and more. This is a handy way of protecting valuable files and folders from prying eyes. You can use it to encrypt or decrypt entire drives, folders (plus sub-folders if required), or individual files. While encrypting a file or folder it compresses it and the result is up to nine times smaller than the original. DCCExplorer does not hide files, it simply encrypts them and adds a DE extension to each filename. Every time you open the program you must supply a password, and then another (or the same) password for each file or group of files for them to be either encrypted or decrypted. DCCExplorer is relatively simple to use but, if you lose your passwords, you have lost your data. We liked. Access this 398kB download from: Win95 Desktop Utilities

Date Keeper v2.0 – WinXP/Vista
Date Keeper is a simple appointment notifier. It features provision for a reminder note (which is always displayed), displays notification of an appointment to the screen at the preset time, displays a 3-month calendar, has a "today" indicator, and more. This is a basic appointment notifier that lacks many of the bells and whistles of similar programs. Date Keeper allows you to select a day and time, write yourself a reminder note, save it, and it will popup a small window (with a fanfare) to remind you of that appointment. The reminder window remains on your screen until canceled (though not always-on-top). The 3-month calendar display shows the current month and the next two months, though you can move the calendar forward or backwards many years. Date Keeper has a couple of negatives. For a start you cannot create a recurring reminder – each reminder must be created individually. Secondly, there are no options with this program – it tells you where it is going to install itself, you cannot change the appearance of the notification window, or even the sound notification without replacing the default sound file (tada.wav) with another and then renaming it to the default filename. Very clumsy. It would have been much nicer if you could set up different sound files for different appointments, change the look n' feel of the notification window (the author's default popup window is not attractive), and possibly even change the colors of the main program. However, we did like the way that it hides in the desktray (next to the clock) when not in use so that it is out of sight until required. Date Keeper is good, but could be better. If you are looking for a basic appointment notifier then Date Keeper is worth checking out. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 422kB download from: WinXP General Programs

QJot v5.7 – WinXP/Vista
QJot is a lightweight word processor that supports RTF, MS Word & Wordperfect file formats. It can insert images & objects, insert file into text, auto-saves user settings, set paragraph/line spacing, word count, stay on top, 100-level undo/redo, auto-URL detect, drag 'n drop, recent documents list, block indent/unindent, save selected text to file, page setup, integrates with WordWeb, print preview, and more. This is an excellent word processor for all jobs that don't require extensive formatting. While it supports MS Word DOC formats (up to Word 97), and Wordperfect WPD/Doc documents (up to 6.x), it cannot offer all the advanced features of those formats. It also supports, in a limited way, many other formats, like Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, MS Works, etc. However, its native format is RTF (rich text formatting) and it supports all standard RTF conventions, plus more. It is also an ASCII text editor that supports HTML. While QJot dopes not include a built-in spell checker, the Readme file with the program describes how you can use TinySpell as your spell checker (TinySpell is listed with CFS). It also integrates with WordWeb, a dictionary/thesaurus program. QJot includes internal links to both Google and Merriam Webster websites and will automatically look up a highlighted word. To crown an already superb tool, it can be run from a USB pen drive. QJot is not a full replacement for your heavyweight word processor (MS Word, etc) but it is a complete replacement for Wordpad and adds many, many features you will wonder how you lived without. We loved QJot. It is a sensational lightweight word processor that could possibly handle 98% of an average home's word processing needs (without having to wait while Word or Wordperfect loads!). A "must have" text tool. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 962kB download from: WinXP Text Programs

Intense Racing v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Intense Racing is a sophisticated 3D motor racing game where you race the best tracks in the world. It features a choice of 17 tracks (from Barcelona to Albert Park, from Indianapolis to Nuremburg), a choice of 8 cars (4 GT & 4 open wheelers), 6 driver teams, 3 modes of racing (Grand Prix, Single Race & Training), excellent animated 3D graphics, realistic effects, good music, and more. This is an awesome racing game with excellent effects and seven different camera angles. You can choose the number of cars you race, the track, the race car, etc and then go battle your computer opponents and see who wins. The racing is surprisingly realistic for this type of game, with tire marks and sound effects when you accelerate too quickly, and great 3D graphics. There are a good choice of tracks, from Australia to Monaco, a good choice of racing cars (each with its own stats), and lots more. Intense Racing plays somewhat clumsily using the keyboard, with the arrow keys providing direction and acceleration (down arrow is reverse) with braking carried out by the Spacebar and the Tab key providing extra power. The various tracks provide different degrees of difficulty and each track has an overhead view so you can see where you are and what bends are coming up. Not just for rev heads and other car racing fans, Intense Racing is fun for everybody. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 16.8MB download from: Win98 General Games
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