Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #493 issued October 24, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Transformers: The Game (demo) – WinXP/Vista
Transformers: The Game is a 3rd person shooter where you, as an autobot, must destroy Decepticons who are trying to take over the world. It features sensational 3D graphics, challenging gameplay, multiple camera angles, gamepad or keyboard/mouse control, save game, customizable interface, various widescreen or 4:3 screen resolutions, and more. Transformers: The Game is an awesome 3D game based of the recent Transformers toys and cartoons (rather than the 80s versions). This is a US-based game that features lots of intense battle action set in a suburban region – with people scurrying out of the way, officers in police cars firing at you, vehicles crashing into each other and into you, and lots more high end, high quality action. It is a playable demo and is not the full (commercial) game which, we understand, is only available from Target in the USA. We did have a small problem running this game, two missing DLLs (d3dx9_31.dll & xinput1_3.dll) which we found at www.dll-files.com and copied into our Windows/System32 folder. Transformers: The Game takes some learning, and not every computer will be able to handle game, but it is very much worth the massive download if you have a broadband Internet connection and some patience. It takes up about 1.5GB of hard drive space so you need to have plenty of spare acreage on your computer. Transformers: The Game is a "must have" for all gamers. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 699MB download from: WinXP General Games

ExplorerView v1.0.3 – Vista
ExplorerView is a small utility that gives the user the ability to turn off the way Explorer attempts to auto-detect the contents of a folder. It can also disable the preview pane and the details pane, fixes the Windows update error, and adjusts the Start menu delay. Unfortunately, CFS was unable to review this program. The author says: "If you use Explorer very much, you know this feature (auto-detecting of a folder's contents) is not accurate, and can lead to frustrating file browsing." If you use Vista, give it a try. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98, ME or XP. Access this 298kB download from: Vista Enhancement

DVD slideshow GUI v0.9.0.6 – WinXP/Vista
DVD slideshow GUI is a tool that creates awesome slideshows from photos or movies that can be burnt to DVDs. It features 220 transitions, 72 effects, 15 motion backgrounds, animates overlapping images, add music/motion backgrounds/borders/subtitles, supports PAL/NTSC 4:3 & 16:9, supports EXIF data, and more. This is a superb slideshow creator that allows for the inclusion of JPG, BMP and PNG photos, and AVI or AVS videos. Background music (or a specially created voice-over) can be added using MP3, WAV or an M3U playlist. It offers so many transitions and other effects we cannot list them all – be it suffice to say that there is an excellent choice. DVD slideshow GUI uses Avisynth scripts so you aren't limited to just what the author has included. This biggest problem with this program, if it is a problem, is that it gives the user so many choices they can be, at times, overwhelming. That said, DVD slideshow GUI is not hard to use and even your first slideshow creation should look sensational. We were awestruck with this superb slideshow creation tool that will take your raw photos and give you a stunning DVD at the end of a relatively short period of time. A "must have" for anyone with a digital camera and the desire to share the images they have created. Grab a copy now! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 19.0MB download from: WinXP Multimedia Programs

Data Catalogue v1.0 – WinXP/Vista
Data Catalogue is a small program that catalogs all files and folders on a network, including local drives, removable media (such as CDs & USB sticks), and network drives. It features an integrated scheduler, offers fast file searches (file/folder name, file size, dates, etc), includes a reporting tool to track changes, and more. This is a handy tool if you wish to keep track on your files, specially if you want to know the changes made between scans. Unfortunately, the print function is not yet working, and it does not accept wild card searches (ie *.tmp to list all files with the file extension TMP). The lack of these two functions detracts greatly from this program and makes it much less valuable to users. Potentially, Data Catalogue is a valuable tool for anyone wishing to manage files, and file changes. If those two functions were implemented then it would be much more useful than it already is. We look forward to seeing later versions... Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 492kB download from: WinXP Desktop Utilities

Ice Climber v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Ice Climber is a vertical mountain-climbing platform game from Nintendo (1984). It features 1- & 2-player modes, original Nintendo graphics, various enemies, bonuses to collect, timed gameplay, and more. This is quite a challenging game in which you, as Player 1, control Popo, an Eskimo with a blue coat who must climb to the top of the mountain by using a club to beat his way through the various levels. In 2-player games, he is joined by Nana who wears a pink coat. Controls on the PC are primarily the arrow keys for movement and the X and Z keys representing the A and B buttons on the Nintendo gamepad. You also use the Enter key. The game starts with a bird flying vertically to the top of the mountain and, once there, it starts at the bottom with your character(s). Controls are somewhat awkward and, at times, quite frustrating as your character does not always do exactly what you expect him to do. Ice Climber is a typical platformer where you must avoid the enemies (or you can club them to death) and watch out for the falling ice. Because it uses an emulator, you must first open the emulator file (VirtuaNES.exe) and then open the game ROM (Ice Climber (JE).nes). From that point you are on your own. Ice Climber is a classic from every viewpoint and has a fun, retro feel that endears itself to players. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Get this 399kB download from: Win98 General Games

Cookie Killer v1.0 – WinXP/Vista
Cookie Killer is a tray-based program that automatically deletes computer cookies from unwanted Web sites through Internet Explorer. It features a whitelist & blacklist, optional auto start with Windows, optionally delete using DoD 5220.22 security algorithm, plays random sound when a cookie is deleted (over 25 sounds provided, or add your own), and more. If you are concerned that cookies you receive automatically when you visit some sites will open the door for a smart Web author to access your computer via the back door then you can kill them dead with Cookie Killer. It offers lots of functions, including an optional whitelist so you can accept cookies from nominated sites, but the bottom line is that it will zap cookies, fast. If you have a problem with cookies and feel the need to remove them from your computer then Cookie Killer is the way to go. Worth a look if you use Internet Explorer. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 2.42MB download from: WinXP Internet Related

CalendarPainter v1.0i – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
CalendarPainter is a picture calendar builder & printer. It features multi-month per page calendars (1, 3 or 12), 6-step calendar creation Wizard, holiday & birthday support, 22 different holiday templates (US, France, Germany, Italy, etc), supports BMP & JPG images, portrait or landscape printing, color & font selection, good Helpfile, and more. If you are looking to create your own picture-based calendars, then CalendarPainter is just for you. It offers a number of calendar styles, you can add holidays and birthdays, and you can add your own pictures for each page. The Wizard is easy to use and leads you through each of the steps required to create your own masterpiece. The only problem we found with the program was when we tried to create a 3-month calendar for October, November and December and ended up with one for December, January and February. That aside, CalendarPainter produces a lovely calendar that you can tweak to personalize. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 1.29MB download from: Win98 General Programs

Air Aggression v2.0 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Air Aggression is a 2D combat shooter where you, as a commando, must defend your region against an airborne assault. It features 8 enemies to destroy (parachutists & planes), 8 different bonuses to collect, 7 different weapons, multiple levels, and more. This is a fun shooter and terrific time waster. You blast away at everything that moves, as health, ammunition and a variety of weaponry are parachuted down. These must be collected to keep yourself in the game. In a politically correct world, Air Aggression probably has no redeeming features – but who lives in a perfectly correct world? If you are looking for a mindless way to kill some time then grab a copy of Air Aggression and be prepared to be under constant attack. A real blast. Access this 4.88MB download from: Win95 General Games
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