Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #446 issued September 21, 2007

Home > CFS Weekly Newsletter #446: issued September 21, 2007

Any Word All Words Exact Phrase

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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Wave MP3 Editor v10.5 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Wave MP3 Editor is a full-function audio editor & recorder that supports WAV, MP3, WMA, OGG & CDA (CD audio) files. It features a wave form editor, 27 effects, 7 filters, a built-in iNet radio broadcaster, 2 CD rippers (simple & advanced), a CD writer (audio and/or data), an MP3 ID tag editor, text 2 audio (converts text into speech), tune library & player, and more. This is an excellent audio editor that includes a multitude of accessories. It records any output through the computer's speakers (if you can hear it, you can record it) and there was no stupid 60 second limit like with the Microsoft Sound Recorder (included with Windows). The download includes two versions of this program, version 10.5 for Windows versions up to XP, and 11.3 for versions up to Vista. The author says that even though the 11.3 version will work with other Windows versions, the 10.5 version is more robust and is therefore better for XP (which is why we reviewed the 10.5 version). Because of the vast number of functions, features and add-ons, we cannot comment about all individually but it is worth mentioning that loading CD album information (from the Internet) in the advanced CD ripper consistently produced inaccurate results (the album information was incorrect). That aside, Wave MP3 Editor appears to be an excellent audio editor and recorder. The iNet radio function worked well, as did everything else we checked (a broad coverage of the features). Wave MP3 Editor has a variety of tools that makes it almost a total audio toolkit. We liked! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 21.2MB download from: Win98 Multimedia Programs

Squib Ball v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Squib Ball is a Pong (or paddle) game with a lot of action and speed. It features 4 modes of play (Classic, Squib, Pro & Teams), single & multiplayer modes, highly configurable, game replay, good graphics, and more. The author says that it is "based on the classic game of Pong but with lots of modifications and improvements, transforming it in an aggressive and challenging high-speed pong game". Squib Ball uses the arrow keys for paddle movement, and this presents the problem of paddle control. We found that the paddle movement was awkward and feel the game would be improved dramatically if the mouse or a joystick was used to control the paddle, rather than just the keyboard. You can play Squib Ball against the computer, or against a human opponent, with a good choice of game styles and variations. We liked Squib Ball, but with the reservations about keyboard control which we found detracted from the overall game. Possibly it is better in a human to human game where both sides have the same limitation. Even with that small criticism, we thought Squib Ball worth a look. Access this 5.58MB download from: Win95 General Games

Repetition Detector v1.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Repetition Detector is a small text tool that processes blocks of text and detects repetitions of words. It has no size limitations, offers a word & letter count, lists the most frequently used words, highlights repetitions (identical words which are close to each other), it is highly customizable, and more. This is a neat tool for anyone needing to get the properties (text statistics) from a block of text. It offers the textual properties in a variety of ways and can be customized to suit the user. Repetition Detector processes text pasted into the program from the Windows Clipboard and appears to have no actual limit to the number of characters it can handle, though the memory (RAM) and processor speed of your computer could slow down processing very large documents. Knowing text statistics is essential for various forms of formal writing (including some letters, essays, thesis, etc) where an overuse of some words or phrases could be considered detrimental. Repetition Detector does all of this, and does it well. We were impressed. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 445kB download from: Win98 Text Programs

Taphoo v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Taphoo is a puzzle where the object is to find a path from 'Start' to 'Goal' and destroy all fields along the way. It features 60 levels, level editor, simple but challenging gameplay, challenging obstacles (includes teleports, doors that must be unlocked, etc), and more. This is an interesting puzzle where there are numbered blocks, and every time you pass over a block it reduces its number until a block marked "1" will disappear once you have passed over it. This means that you have to pass over some blocks multiple times, but other blocks only once (after they have disappeared the path is broken and you cannot return along that path). The first few levels are quite easy but, once you have passed them, Taphoo gets very challenging. You can select which level you want and there is no requirement to complete levels in order. While Taphoo lacks somewhat in eye candy, it makes up for by being an intriguing puzzle that should give many, many hours of challenging fun for anyone who likes to exercise their gray matter. We loved! Access this 1.80MB download from: Win95 General Games

Glary Utilities v2.2.2.66 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Glary Utilities is a suite of powerful and easy-to-use System tools & utilities to fix, speed up, maintain & protect a PC. It cleans common System junk files plus invalid Registry entries & Internet traces, manages IE browser add-ons, analyzes disk space usage, finds duplicate files, manages installed shell extensions, encrypts files, splits large files, optimizes memory, manages broken Windows shortcuts, manages programs that start at Windows startup, manages uninstall software, identifies active processes to help find rogue programs (trojans, spyware, etc), offers secure file deletion, finds/removes empty folders, and more. This suite is sensational! It offers a huge range of essential tools which are suitable for all Windows users – from novices to geeks. Glary Utilities comprises 17 modules in 5 categories, and many of the modules have numerous controls. For example, the Process Manager module in the System Tools category doesn't just duplicate the wimpy Task Manager processes listing but offers basic information about each process, allows you to block or end a process, and even has a Google link so you can find out more about the process. The Google link goes to the author's site where, in many cases, the information is already available. On that page is a Google link for more information. This is essential when you see a strange active process and don't know if it is legitimate or not. Within a couple of minutes you know everything you need to know about that process and can then decide if it should stay, or go. The list of modules, and what each does, would take up too much space so we can only recommend that every Windows user grabs a copy and looks for him or herself. Every tool and module we ran on our test computer worked perfectly. Glary Utilities is highly recommended by CFS and a "must have" suite of tools. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 3.81MB download from: Win98 Windows Enhancements

Sky Battle v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Sky Battle is a World War 1 air battle flight simulation. It features a choice of 29 English or 29 German missions, a choice of 10 English or 10 German vintage planes, a training mode with 3 levels of difficulty, excellent 3D graphics, 3 camera views, supports widescreen monitors, and more. This is an excellent flight sim that gives the player the choice of a huge variety of planes and missions, and even allows the player to choose what side he or she want to fight on. Controls on the aircraft are basic with the arrow keys used like the joystick in an old plane, the Spacebar used for dropping bombs and the left Ctrl key for firing. There is a target 'floating' in front of the plane so you can see what you are aiming at (other planes, buildings, fuel dumps, etc) but to accurately use the bombs you need to select the overhead camera view so you can see exactly where you are in relation to your target. The planes are highly maneuverable and you can even do some basic aerobatics. Audio is excellent and you can hear the plane's engine struggling as you climb, and roaring when you dive. The scenery is better than most sims of this type, though it still lacks the quality of expensive commercial flight sims. We were very impressed with Sky Battle. It offers a huge choice of missions and planes and, while it is not a true flight sim (you don't take off from an airstrip, a mission starts with you in the air), it does a creditable job of combining the shooter genre and the flight sim genre into one, very playable game. We also liked the support offered for widescreen monitors, with a good selection of resolutions to choose from. Sky Battle is a game that will give you many, many hours of fun. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 13.2MB download from: Win98 General Games

WonderWebware Screen Ruler v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
WonderWebware Screen Ruler is a tool to measure anything on the screen in pixels, millimeters or centimeters. It features horizontal & vertical guides, customizable translucency, customizable tickers, stay-on-top option, screen edges snapping, it remembers last state (position & options), it has mouse & keyboard moving/resizing, and more. Handy if you need the dimensions of an object on the screen, WonderWebware Screen Ruler is a tool you may not need every day but, when you do need a screen ruler, you'll be glad you grabbed a copy. We found WonderWebware Screen Ruler a little cumbersome to use and was somewhat disappointed in how hard it was to get an accurate measurement because it works on an overlay concept and everything must be aligned accurately to get an accurate measurement. Fortunately the program's window can be resized (up to fullscreen size) so that it can overlay an object of any size on the screen. The best part of tool was that you did not have to measure twice to get horizontal and vertical measurements – both could be obtained from the one alignment. If you need a screen ruler then try WonderWebware Screen Ruler. Access this 454kB download from: Win95 Graphic Programs

The Hunt for Red October v1.0 – WinXP/Vista
The Hunt for Red October is an original Nintendo 1991 game (based off the movie of the same name) with deep sea combat, side-scrolling action & cinematic sequence. It is powered by the Nestopia Super NES emulator, it has retro graphics & gameplay, is fun to play, and more. This game was originally released for ZX Spectrum, Amiga, Atari ST, IBM PC, Amstrad, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES and Game Boy computers, and has been ported to Windows using the Nestopia Super NES emulator (which, we assume, is why it requires Windows XP). The game itself will suit retro fans, with gluggy VGA-style graphics but with a challenging aspect (more so as you progress). The object is to evade destruction and eliminate saboteurs. The author says: "The Super NES version is one of only a few games that use the Super Scope accessory, though it is only used to play bonus stages that put the submarine in first person view, where the player has to destroy a number of enemies and projectiles. The use of the Super Scope is merely optional." We thought the opening title sequences too long and we could not hurry them up much – you'll have to be patient if you want to play this game. Retro gamers and fans of the movie will find this little game a lot of fun to play. If that's you, check out The Hunt for Red October. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME, but we assume it is suitable for Vista. Access this 1.13MB download from: WinXP General Games

Startuplist v2.02 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Startuplist is a tool that lists every auto starting program on a system (better than Msconfig). It is commonly used to troubleshoot malfunctioning systems, trojan/viral infections, new spyware/malware, and similar. This is a truly exhaustive list of everything that loads with Windows – and you will probably be surprised at what it finds. This powerful little tool helps track down programs that you want loaded (specially malware & spyware) so that they can be eliminated. Fortunately it displays information under headers so you can quickly identify BHOs and other potential risks. Information can be copied to the Windows' Clipboard for pasting into documents. Startuplist puts the power back in the hands of the user. We loved! Access this 159kB download from: Win95 Desktop Utilities

Professor Fizzwizzle v1 – WinXP/Vista
Professor Fizzwizzle is an excellent platform/puzzle game where you help the Professor employ his navigational skills & gadget knowledge to win. It features over 230 levels in 4 sections (Regular, Advanced, Kids & Alphabet), sensational graphics, good challenging puzzles, tutorial, and more. This is one of the best platform style arcade puzzle games we have seen. In this game you must overcome the obstacles to win each level, pushing barrels and crates over a variety of surfaces (each with its own attributes) to get to the goal and move on to the next level. Challenges often appear impossible (specially as you progress to the higher levels) but there is a cheat mode so you can see how to defeat a level if you get really stuck. Unfortunately, Professor Fizzwizzle is spoilt with a huge download and advertising. To download this game you must first get a small 671kB helper file that, when launched, downloads both the game browser or agent and the game. We are unsure of the size of these two programs, but the game itself claims to be 19.48MB, though we noticed over 90MB of traffic when this file was being downloaded and installed! The game browser (which you can use for other games from the same publisher) is a further 11MB. This makes Professor Fizzwizzle a massive download. The game browser installs itself in the Startup folder and loads every time Windows loads. We suggest that you delete the shortcut to this game browser so that it only loads when you want to play the game. The advertising is, at the time of writing, not very invasive and you get to view some comedic television ads (which has nothing to do with this advertising – it appears to be an attention getter). At the time of doing the review, clicking on those TV ads simply tries to sell you some games (ie it is a house ad). This could change at any time. Both the agent and the game are slow loaders, even with a fast computer, and this can be most annoying. Even with all the negative aspects (including the download size and the advertising), we loved Professor Fizzwizzle. It is a terrific platform game and a "must have" for all fans of this genre. If you have the patience (and a broadband connection) try it for yourself. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 671kB download (the helper file) from: WinXP General Games
COMMENTS
We would like to thank the regular visitors to the CFS site who have told us their favorite freeware. If you have a favorite program which isn't listed on the CFS pages we invite you to share that information with everyone through this site and this newsletter. If you are an author of a freeware app (or would just like to suggest a program) and would like it listed on these pages, please fill in the Submit Software form.
If you enjoy the Completely FREE Software site please don't feel shy about letting others know.