Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #467 issued March 14, 2008

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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

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COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE

Echoes v1.03 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Echoes is a stylish space shooter (Asteroids meets Geometry Wars) with a psychedelic look. It features 10 levels of gameplay, 3 levels of difficulty (slow, normal & fast movement), 3 powerups to collect, an unlockable mini-game (Crack!), excellent graphics, addictive gameplay, optional Joypad control, and more. This is a superb space shooter – as the author describes Echoes "it's a bit like Asteroids hyperactive, drug crazed brother displayed in blur-o-vision and viewed through psychedelic sunglasses in a cheap nightclub". In this frenetic shooter, you have an excellent number of options covering everything from graphic display (FX & motion blur) to which controls, or combination of controls, you wish to use (you can use partial mouse & partial keyboard, full mouse, full keyboard, etc). There are 3 different type of powerups to collect, and the various "enemies" exhibit different traits and require different strategies to kill. The ring around your spaceship indicates the amount of energy left – when it becomes red you are in your death throws and the game will soon end. There are no specific number of lives to lose, just the progressive loss of energy (which can be increased with the energy powerup). There is a locked mini-game within Echoes and you need to achieve a 50% level of "Zoots" (or Zoo Trials) which can be quite challenging to achieve, like collecting 100 powerups in a row, or scoring 175,000 without moving. You don't need to be a fan of Asteroids (or Geometry Wars!) to love Echoes. It has enough pace to keep you playing, without feeling like it is an impossible dream to achieve level 10. You can make it marginally easier or harder by changing the speed of movement (it varies from slow to fast). We loved Echoes. It is one of those games that is truly addictive. Don't wait to get your copy! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 10.9MB download from: Win98 General Games

a-squared Free v3.1 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
a-squared Free is a program that removes infections of Trojans, Spyware, Adware, Worms, Keyloggers, Rootkits, Dialers and other malicious programs. It features a choice of ignore/quarantine/delete found malware, there are 4 different scan options (Quick, Smart, Deep & Custom), an updater, it is easy to use, and more. This is an excellent tool for detecting, and deleting, malware (malicious software). It offers manual update and scan facilities (the full version does these automatically) and it offers four different scan types, depending on what you want (and how long you have available). Ideally, a-squared Free should be updated and run daily to keep your computer as free as possible from deliberate external harm but, because most people don't have the perseverance to do this every single day, most regular users would probably gravitate to the full version. It should be noted that it does not remain in memory and provide an on-going monitoring of your computer – you open it, update the malware definitions, run the a scan, and then close it. You receive no on-going protection so you can still be vulnerable to attack between scans. For that reason, a-squared Free is not a replacement for your regular anti-virus program, though it does provide another level of protection and it does pick up some items that regular anti-virus programs will ignore. We liked! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 22.0MB download from: Win98 Desktop Utilities

Fox Magic Audio Recorder v1.00 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Fox Magic Audio Recorder is a small program that records sounds played through the computer's soundcard and saves them as MP3 or WAV files. It features an adjustable bitrate, 8 or 16 bits per sample, 8,000 to 44,100 samples per second, mono or stereo selection, variable encoding quality, built-in audio player, includes the Lame DLL, offers timer recording, auto adds sequential numbers to saved file, and more. Unfortunately, CFS was unable to review this program. The author says: "Fox Magic Audio Recorder records sounds as MP3, WAV files. It is able to use various audio devices/audio inputs for recording. You can generate file names automatically or manually, play the recorded files in the internal audio player, start/stop the recording on timer events, adjust audio settings, set the audio volume, etc. Easy to use and easy to learn." Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 809kB download from: Win98 Multimedia Programs

Cube Lines v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Cube Lines is a 3D variation on the classic "Lines" game. It features 2 modes (Normal & time-based Arcade), superb 3D graphics, a choice of 5 cube faces, multiple levels, 3 bonus cubes (Bomb, Destroyer & Colorizer), next block indicator, tutorial, and more. This is an excellent version of the famous game. While the basics are similar to other Lines' clones, in this game you must position four similar cubes in a 2x2 arrangement (a square) for them to disappear. You can get bonus points by creating the special pattern displayed to the right of the game board. There are also fixed blocks in later levels that add greatly to the game. The three bonus cubes are a fun addition, and the whole package is wrapped in a fabulous 3D world that much enhances gameplay. If you are looking a great puzzle to kill an hour or two then grab a copy of Cube Lines. We loved! Access this 6.54MB download from: Win95 General Games

Free url site submitter SpX v1.01 – WinXP/Vista
Free url site submitter SpX uses the Internet Explorer engine to help assist in submitting a Website to over 560 search engines and directories by opening up their submission pages within the program so that a site can be submitted to each one. This program includes the major search engines (like Google and Yahoo!) as well as many minor directories. Free url site submitter SpX is like a limited-use version of Internet Explorer where the addresses of a huge number of search engines and directories have been added to a Favorites-style list, each of which can be readily accessed by using the "click here to go to next site" button. At each page you must re-insert the appropriate information (usually just the site address, your e-mail address, but sometimes a category and even a code). This is slow without using a macro program (like AllChars) or a Clipboard extender (like Yankee Clipper Plus) which can quickly insert the information without laboriously typing it out each time (and risk making a mistake). Free url site submitter SpX uses, we believe, a better system than most other site submission programs which don't allow for individual requirements on some sites and which don't allow you to skip listing sites should you feel them inappropriate. While it is not the fastest way to submit your site to the world, we feel that this type of submitter is one of the best. Worth grabbing if you have a site to promote. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 614kB download from: WinXP Internet Related

Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard v1.03 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard is a terrific program for easily printing multiple images on a single page (helps save expensive paper). It features 12 different templates (from 1 image per page to 30 passport-sized photos), 4 print-quality levels, a choice of 6 effects, portrait or landscape orientation, and more. This is a fabulous way to print a number of images on a single page. Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard offers an amazing selection of templates, which give you lots and lots of combinations of images that can be printed on a sheet. These include montages of different sized photos (you could frame the whole page and still have it look spectacular), and there are a number of effects you can add, like drop shadows, rounded corners, borders, etc. The only aspect we didn't like was the lack of choice when it comes to the printer – it will only print to the default printer! Pos Multiple Image Printing Wizard is one of those "must have" programs for anyone who owns a digital camera and wants to print copies of their pictorial artwork. Grab a copy quick before the author realizes just how good this program really is! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 5.47MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

Urban Strike v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Urban Strike is a helicopter combat game set in various locations around the world. It features 9 levels (3 are on foot), various pilots & gunners to utilize, password-enabled save, mission briefings, good graphics, good storyline, and more. This is a fun little game which was originally released for Sega back in 1994 by Electronic Arts. It is set in the near future in 2001 and, interestingly, it shows a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in 2001 (although this time with a laser weapon). This version of Urban Strike is played through an emulator but the game itself is the original version. Graphics are a little dated by today's standards, but not dramatically, and the game itself is as playable today as it was 14 years ago. Urban Strike was the third, and last, in a series of Strike games which started in 1991 with Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf and was followed up with Jungle Strike in 1993. We enjoyed playing Urban Strike. It is an unpretentious game that has a fun, retro quality but is still good enough to draw you back again and again. Worth grabbing! Access this 1.55MB download from: Win95 General Games
COMMENTS
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