Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #449 issued October 12, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Bubble Bug v1.1.0 – WinXP/Vista
Bubble Bug is a fun little arcade game using Adobe Flash. It features multiple levels, good graphics, can be posted on to a Website & played on-line, and more. In this game you must trap the bugs as they fly past by inflating a bubble around them so they are trapped. The bubble will then float upwards and you will receive the score. Each level has its own "passing percentage", the ratio between the total number of bugs and the number you must catch to pass that level. Failure to complete a level satisfactorily (with a passing percentage) finishes that game. It takes a little mastering to trap a bug within the bubble (the bug must not go outside the bubble as it is being formed), and it gets harder and harder each level as not only do you have to have a higher passing percentage, but the bugs move up and down more, making it harder to trap them totally within the bubble. Bubble Bug is advertiser supported with a nag screen style ad at the end of each game for more of the author's games. It also requires an active Internet connection or it will not play. Probably a better game than its description would indicate, Bubble Bug is worth grabbing. Try it for yourself. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 343kB download from: WinXP General Games

Doctor Spyware Cleaner v1.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Doctor Spyware Cleaner is a program that shields a PC from harmful spyware & adware. It offers full system scans, removes or quarantines malicious objects, can exclude objects not required to be scanned, includes Live Update to update spyware definitions, optional Active Monitor, manual or scheduled scans, and more. This is an excellent tool in your arsenal against malicious software (malware). It offers both a deep scan or a quick (shallow) scan, looking for harmful spyware & adware. It is recommended that a full scan be carried out once per week. Doctor Spyware Cleaner relies on the information in its databases, so must be kept updated from the Internet to ensure that the latest definitions are installed. It offers a good report from a scan, indicating questionable items and, in many cases, offering information about the items detected so you know whether to quarantine them (they can be restored) or keep them active in your system. We were impressed with the depth of shielding and protection offered by Doctor Spyware Cleaner. It is a worthy addition to your other anti-virus and anti-malware tools. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.98MB download from: Win98 Desktop Utilities

Poster Forge v1.01.01 – WinXP/Vista
Poster Forge is a program for creating over-sized posters in any of 3 templates (Motivational, Movie & Wanted) using your own photos. It features a choice of text/colors/etc, a choice of print size/font/color, it automatically sets up & prints multi-page posters, includes cut lines & glue margins, and more. Poster Forge is fabulous! Using any of the three templates, you can create your own multi-page poster suitable for hanging on the wall, or a smaller poster suitable for publishing to the Internet (myspace, livejournals, flickr, etc). Each of the poster templates lets you to supplant the default text with your own, personalizing the poster with your own photo and your own text (within the limits of the templates). Printing is handled by an ex-shareware program called ProPoster (listed as a "demo" but it isn't) which allows you to set the overall size of your poster then cuts it into page sizes, adds cut lines and glue margins, and then feeds it to your printer. This utility even includes a magnifier so you can see the detail of your image. Poster Forge is one of those programs you will use many times as you create fun posters to amuse and embarrass your friends. The only negative was that it could cost you a lot of money for ink... A "must have" for all fun lovers. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 2.61MB download from: WinXP Graphic Programs

WinTraceRoute v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
WinTraceRoute is a graphical tracert/traceroute program to display the network packets path. It presents the trace information with a Windows-based interface, offers configurable parameters (number of pings, hops, host timeout value & DNS address resolution), exports to CSV, and more. This is a simple tool that puts a prettier, Windows-style face to the old traceroute command and allows you to export the data or print it. A traceroute program traces the route a packet of information takes between your computer and the destination. Getting traceroute information is essential for network troubleshooting, and this is one of the simplest ways of getting that information and being able to store or print it. No fancy eye candy, but WinTraceRoute is a practical tool that all Internet users should have on hand for troubleshooting. Worth grabbing! Access this 447kB download from: Win95 Internet Related

Mad Max v1.0 – WinXP/Vista
Mad Max is an original top-down shooter from Nintendo (based off the 1980s post-apocalyptic movie of the same name). It features 3 levels (each with 2 parts, the Road War & the Arena), final Boss, retro graphics & gameplay, and more. This game was originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and has been ported to Windows using the Nestopia Super NES emulator (which, we assume, is why it requires Windows XP). Mad Max will suit retro fans. It has VGA graphics but is challenging so you don't notice the limited graphics as you become involved in the game. The object is to evade destruction, get water and food, and find fuel to power your Interceptor car. The author says: "Mad Max is a game that is based on the post-apocalyptic movie of the same name. The object is to survive life after the end of the world by battling survivalists and collecting valuable food, water, gasoline, and money in order to continue racing into the desert wasteland that lies beyond. In the game you start out as what appears to be a futuristic armored vehicle, but in the game there are hidden parts that attach to your vehicle and form a type of robot." We found the controls somewhat awkward (arrow keys for movement, Spacebar for firing) and there is a lack of on-screen information. We have been advised that to beat the final Boss you must get the special crossbow bolts found in a mine shaft in the Road War part of the game (and easy to overlook!). Retro gamers and fans of the movie will find this little game a lot of fun to play. If that's you, check out Mad Max. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 1.10MB download from: WinXP General Games

Free Screen Recorder v2.9 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Free Screen Recorder is an easy-to-use screen recording program to capture screen activities & sounds and save them to a standard AVI video file. It can record the full screen or a nominated rectangle, has hotkey support, optionally includes the cursor, offers control over audio quality, and more. One of the better screen recorders, Free Screen Recorder includes all the necessary features without overloading the user with excessive (and often confusing) information. It can be set to minimize when recording starts and the recording can be stopped or paused by using the hotkeys. As ther author says that it "is an ideal tool to make software demonstrations, develop videos for training and tutoring". Whether you need to capture the fullscreen or just a portion of it, Free Screen Recorder can do the job for you with ease. We loved! Access this 592kB download from: Win95 Multimedia Programs

UpdateStar v1.0.30 – WinXP/Vista
UpdateStar is a program that monitors software installed on a computer and reports if there are later versions. It works with all types of software (freeware, shareware, demos, commercial, etc), allows the user to personalize the updates, and more. This is a truly handy tool to help maintain the most up-to-date version of your various programs. Of course, not all programs are in its database but that database is growing quickly so more and more programs are being added. UpdateStar is impressive. It checks the current version of a program you have, and then checks to see if there is a later version. If there is, it notifies you so you can download it and update to the newer version. This means that security holes are plugged faster and you get the enhanced features of later versions. If you have commercial programs and you aren't interested in purchasing a more up-to-date version (like an anti-virus program that has been pre-paid), you can deselect that program from the list and it won't check for updates. While UpdateStar is not perfect (what is?), it does provide a valuable, and free, service. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 7.59MB download from: WinXP General Programs

Auslogics Disk Defrag v1.4.9.245 – WinXP/Vista
Auslogics Disk Defrag is a fast optimizer for modern hard disks that gives maximum performance by optimizing defragmented files. It features extremely fast file defragmentation, full report on optimization supplied once a drive has been defragged, disk fragmentation map, simple to use, and more. Auslogics Disk Defrag makes the disk defragger included with Windows look like something from Noah's Ark. It is not only many times faster than the Windows versions but, arguably, it does a better job. Degragging your disks is something that should be done at least once per month (more if you are a software junky who installs, and uninstalls, many programs each week). Fragmented files take much longer to load, which significantly slows down a computer. Auslogics Disk Defrag addresses the problem of massive hard drives and defrags them extremely fast, producing a comprehensive report on each drive once it has been defragged. It also looks good and is easy to use. We were most impressed with Auslogics Disk Defrag and consider it superior to the Windows' version. A "must have" for all computer users. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 1.50MB download from: WinXP Windows Enhancements

Rolling Thunder 3 v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Rolling Thunder 3 is a 1990 retro multi-scrolling, 2D platform shooter set in the world of Bond-style secret agents (a sequel to Rolling Thunder 2). It features 10 huge levels (plus 3 secret areas), 9 deadly weapons, futuristic settings, Internet gameplay, fullscreen & windowed modes, supports widescreen monitors, and more. The author says: "If you've played either of the first two games in this series, you know just how action-packed a game can be. In this chapter, you'll enjoy 10 levels of the most intense gameplay ever experienced! New moves and weapons will help you break Gelda out of Las Vegas, journey out to sea, and take on a pack of vicious terrorists. With nine new forms of firepower in all, this is truly explosive stuff. Hidden areas will keep you searching and guessing throughout the game, and the variety of locales is simply unparalleled. Race motorcycles, command a jet ski, and trek underwater in this massive expedition. The events in the third game in the series are synchronous with Rolling Thunder 2. At the end of the twentieth century, satellites around the globe are being shot down, disrupting communications. Secret agency Rolling Thunder discovers the organization behind the terror: Geldra. While agents Leila and Albatross are fighting the leader Gimdo (Rolling Thunder 2), agent Jay is instructed to bring down Dread, the second-in-command." Based on the 1993 Namco game, which was produced specifically and exclusively for the Sega Mega Drive, this version has been made available through an emulator so it can be played on a Windows PC. While the graphics are VGA retro, the gameplay is surprisingly fresh and holds up quite well against modern games with their far superior graphics. Gameplay is, in places, quite challenging and it is much more than simply a mindless shooter. There are puzzles to solve, and places to go. Rolling Thunder 3 is a rare game that works just as well in the 21st Century as it did in the early 90s. It uses a Macromedia Flash powered emulator that supports a wide variety of screen resolutions, framerates, and more. We really enjoyed playing Rolling Thunder 3. Definitely worth a look! Access this 1.24MB download from: Win95 General Games
COMMENTS
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