Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #488 issued September 12, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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.
COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE

Hellcarrier v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Hellcarrier is a 2D, top-down, helicopter shooter where you must destroy out the terrorists. It features 3 levels of difficulty, 4 weapons (Machine Gun, Normal Missile Heat Seeking Missile & Phosphor Missile), 3 different pickups (powerups), choice of 5 co-pilots (each with different strengths), various missions & sub-missions, addictive gameplay, HTML manual, and more. This is a missions-orientated game where you must help rid Europe of terrorists. It starts off easily, with just a couple of trial missions, but then you get up close and personal with the terrorists as you carry out your missions. These missions are assisted by a small gray triangle which gives the player the direction in which to fly. Technically a "flight simulation" (you must take off and land, albeit with just the Spacebar), Hellcarrier is a fun game to play but it does suffer from the 2D top-down graphics which makes the enemy soldiers quite small and therefore harder to fight. It also lacks realistic scenery, which would be much enhanced if the graphics were 3D. That aside, Hellcarrier is well worth grabbing and is an excellent little time waster that most will enjoy playing. We liked! Access this 3.21MB download from: Win95 General Games

Defraggler v1.02.085 – WinXP/Vista
Defraggler is a file and/or disk defragmentation tool. It defrags individual files, defrags entire drives, analyzes fragmented files/drives, checks drives for errors, provides a visual display of entire disk (drive map), has a progress indicator, includes update checking, and more. This is an excellent way to defragment (defrag) your files and therefore speed up Windows considerably. Because it can work with individual files you don't need to defrag an entire drive just to bring one errant file under control. Possibly the best part of the program is the full analysis of all the fragmented files on a drive, their size, and even the number of pieces that the file is fragmented into. Like most defrag tool, Defraggler is not happy working with Windows files because Windows protects its own files against sabotage and it cannot differentiate between sabotage and a legitimate function (like defragmentation). We were most impressed with Defraggler. It offers a better defrag alternative than the cumbersome tool provided with Windows. Grab a copy and try it for yourself! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 539kB download from: WinXP Windows Enhancements

Disketch v1.10 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Disketch is a small program that creates labels & covers for CDs & DVDs. It features 18 built-in templates, 2 included background images (or create your own background image), optional colored background, imports tracks names directly from audio CDs, prints to label paper, and more. This is an easy way to label your CDs and DVDs, and to print labels for jewel cases and DVD cases. Designed to be used with label paper (this has an adhesive back for affixing to disks) and plain paper (for the cases), Disketch allows the user to improve the presentation of their disks, and also to print information on the labels (like track information, artist, year, etc). It can keep the same background image on both disk and cover and, even though there are only two sample images included, you can create your own 1417x1417 background image and place it in the program's folder. Disketch supports templates for both data DCs and DVDs, plus audio CDs and video DVDs. Information required is different for each of the four template types. By removing the data normally included, it can be used with an image only. Unfortunately there is no way of amending the templates apart from changing the basic information (title, author, etc), and this is an area where we would like to see some changes. Of course, you could create your information in a graphic and just use a "background" image to present your information, but this is a clumsy way of working and most people will opt to use the built-in templates. Unfortunately, if does not work with Lightscribe labels, or with printers designed to print directly on to a disk. That said, we liked Disketch very much. It should suit most users as this is one of the easiest-to-use programs of this type we have seen. Worth a look! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 353kB download from: Win98 General Programs

Redirect Page Creator v1.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Redirect Page Creator is a small Java application that creates the HTML code for a redirection page. It features simple operation, full instructions, ability to change the visible text, and more. This is a handy little tool that provides the HTML for a redirection code so that it automatically transfers the visitor for one site or page to another. For example, if you went to a page that was now not available you could either let your server deliver a 404 message (page not found) or you could post this code using that page address (ie missing_page.html, where "missing_page" was the page name of the now defunct page). Visitors to that page would be automatically and instantly redirected to another page. This can also be done for Websites – great if you registered a number of common mis-spellings of your domain name and want to automatically redirect your visitors to the real site. An example of this is http://www.AnnointedLinks.com (with a double "n" instead of a single "n" – a common mis-spelling) which redirects visitors to the correct site, ie http://www.AnointedLinks.com. Redirect Page Creator creates the code to make that redirection and you can either copy and paste the resultant code into a blank page generated by your HTML editor, or save it as an HTML file (ie index.html for a site redirection, or missing_page.html as in our example above). The program offers the facility to type in the domain name or Web address where you want your visitors sent, and even the visible text if their Web browser cannot automatically redirect. Redirect Page Creator is an easy way to generate the code for page or site redirection. We liked! Note: this program runs under any operating system that supports Java. Access this 202kB download from: Win95 Internet Related

Cave Chaos 3 v1.2 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Cave Chaos 3 is a 2D puzzle game for 1 to 4 players where you must collect jewels and deposit them in whirlpools to advance to the next level. It features over 120 levels across 4 levels of difficulty, lots of hazards & puzzles, powerups, level editor, good Helpfile, addictive gameplay, and more. This is a grid-based puzzle in the style of Boulder Dash and, as the author says, you will encounter "falling rocks, monsters which you may have to avoid or kill, keys needed to get through doors, switches to activate other objects, land mines, explosives and power ups. You may even need to go underwater, or temporarily pause time for some levels." It offers many levels in which to hone your skills plus a level editor in case you wish to go to the next stage with this game (you can also download more pre-made levels). The challenges get harder and harder as you progress through the game but it is fun to play and therefore it keeps the player's interest. We enjoyed playing Cave Chaos 3. We found the graphics to be acceptable, though somewhat retro, but the whole game had a good solid feel about it and the challenge to keep on trying to see how many of the levels you can beat. If you enjoy Boulder Dash style games then Cave Chaos 3 is definitely one to get. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.73MB download from: Win98 General Games

Mobys Auto Shut Down v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Mobys Auto Shut Down offers timed auto system shutdown, plus timed restart or log off. It features timed shutdown (up to 12 hours), 1-click shutdown (forcefully closing all running applications), minimizes to the desktray (next to the clock), and more. This is a simple utility that has, as its prime function, a timed shutdown of your computer. This is handy if you, say, enjoy listening to music through the computer when you go to bed and don't want to leave the computer running all night. The author also claims that you could also use it to prevent children from using the computer beyond a certain time, but it is too easily closed for this to be a realistic function. While its functions might be limited, Mobys Auto Shut Down does what the author designed it to do, and does it well. The only serious complaint we had with the program is that you must register it on-line for the program to continue working beyond 14 days (this from its shareware background). At least you don't have to give the author your e-mail address (or even more intrusive information) just type the code number into the box on the author's site and you instantly get a registration key that you can copy and paste into the program to unlock it. If you are looking for a timed auto shutdown tool for your computer then Mobys Auto Shut Down is certainly worth checking out. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 2.76MB download from: Win98 Desktop Utilities

Image Analyzer v1.30 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Image Analyzer is an advanced image editor, with enhancement and analysis tools. It reads & writes to all popular formats (BMP, ICO, CUR, WMF, EMF, JPG, TIF, PNG, MNG, GIF, PCX & JPEG2000), scanner & printer support, built-in conventional & adaptive filters, color model conversion, morpheological operations, image tools (resize, rotate, crop & warping), red-eye removal, noise reduction, automatic color adjustment, includes a simple 3D modeling plugin, 4 levels of undo/redo, and more. This is an awesome image editor that includes most of the popular editing effects' filters and tools. Its feature list reads like a Who's Who of image tools, though it does lack two very important items. One is the ability to add text to an image, and the other is a manual or detailed Helpfile. It also only includes four levels of undo and redo and we would have liked to have seen many more levels. That said, Image Analyzer provides some very sophisticated editing tools and filters. There is one plug-in included, and more which can be downloaded. Due to its sophisticated functions, and the lack of a proper manual, Image Analyzer is probably more suited to experienced users, though intermediate users will still get much from this tool. A most impressive editor! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 1.24MB download from: Win98 Graphic Programs

iTurns v1.3.1.4 – WinXP/Vista
iTurns is a program that converts iTunes music into MP3 so it can be saved to a PC or portable MP3 device. It features the capability to port iTunes music or WMA (DRM) music to a new computer, does not bypass digital copy protection, and more. Unfortunately CFS was unable to review this program. The author says that: "It is the next generation of audio conversion software that will turn all of the music in your iTunes library into MP3, WMA so that you can burn them to CD or load them onto any mp3 audio device. iTurns virtually burns any music files to a virtual CD-RW drive named iTurns, where the converted music files are stored. The quality of the media will not be lost. iTurns emulates complicated ways of converting your iTunes in a amazing "One Step" process. Just burn from iTunes, Windows Media Player, Nero and other popular audio software. iTurns does not bypass any digital copy protection and conforms with all digital copy protection measures, provided that the user is legally entitled to listen to the music. With iTurns you can easy make a backup of your iTunes or WMA content and use this on your notebook or your new computer, with no difficulty." Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 5.46MB download from: WinXP Multimedia Programs

Magic Crystals v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Magic Crystals is an action puzzle game where you drag the cursor over 3 or more crystals of the same color to make them explode. It features 30 levels, lots of bonuses, timed gameplay, superb animated graphics, addictive gameplay, and more. This is a colorful game, with lots of bling, that is simple to play yet quite addictive. In this game you drag your cursor over crystals of the same color, joining them with an arrows. When you have at least three crystals linked, they explode and the ones above tumble down. Each level has different bonuses and, to get the best score, you must target the bonuses. The more crystals linked the larger the score and it is not uncommon to have over six crystals joined together in a chain. Magic Crystals takes only a few moments to learn and relies on quick reflexes and a good eye for color matching. The early levels are too easy but it does get a little harder as you progress. We enjoyed playing Magic Crystals. It was a pleasant diversion and a good way to recharge the mental batteries. Worth grabbing! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 8.39MB download from: Win98 General Games
COMMENTS
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