Completely FREE Software - CFS Weekly Newsletter #495 issued November 7, 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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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

Tomb of Giza v1.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Tomb of Giza is a strategic adventure/puzzler (like a cross between a match 3 & block breaker game) set in Egypt. It features multiple levels, lots of powerups & bonuses, excellent animated graphics, highly addictive gameplay, and more. This is a stylish puzzle game where you must blast groups of three or more blocks and then catch the coins that fall when they explode – when you have captured enough coins the level is over. Much better than it sounds, Tomb of Giza is a great game that is surprisingly addictive. It starts off gently, adding more and more features with each completed level and getting harder and harder as you progress. The concept is simple, the game is quite easy to play but it is lots of fun for children of all ages. The author says: "As an experienced archaeologist, you expected a standard expedition to the Giza plateau, but during this dig, the angry spirit of Khufu has been awakened. Now trapped in the Egyptian tomb, your only escape is through capturing the Nine Sacred Jewels of Khufu. Collect the jewels by blasting blocks to gather coins. These coins are used to earn jewels as you attempt to flee the necropolis." Tomb of Giza is a great way to kill an hour or three. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 10.6MB download from: Win98 General Games

Deutz Engine Screensaver – Win98/ME/XP
Deutz Engine Screensaver is a screensaver showing an animated 3D construction of a modern DOHC 4 cylinder engine, displaying the various components being bolted onto the engine block. It finishes with an internal view of a 4-stroke engine in operation. This is an amazing representation of the construction of a modern engine that starts with a bare engine block, and then gets the pistons fitted to the crankshaft, the crankshaft fitted to the block, the bare head, the valves and camshaft being fitted to the head, the head being installed, and then all the components being added. It finishes with an internal view of the working engine showing, in graphic detail, how a 4-stroke engine works. The entire Deutz Engine Screensaver takes nearly 5 minutes to cycle through, and anyone with even the slightest interest in engines will be enthralled. It shows a series of animated 3D rendered images which look extremely realistic. The parts fly through the air (often after being rotated so that you can see them clearly) and locate themselves into their correct position, with their bolts, clips, etc flying in to join them to complete their installation. CFS has been able to obtain an extremely fine version of the original screensaver that includes an installer (there are some poorer ones available that don't even have the installer!) and we have added a Flash SWF version and a 3GP version (for mobile phones) so that Vista users can still enjoy the animation. The Flash and 3GP versions do not have the quality of the main screensaver. You don't have to be a rev-head to enjoy the Deutz Engine Screensaver – it is an amazing visual experience and worth grabbing. A "must have"! Note: we have been advised that this screensaver is only suitable for Windows 98, ME & XP – it is not suitable for Windows 95 or Vista. Get this 43.6MB download from: Win98 Windows Enhancements

POKATreader v1.3 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
POKATreader is a Java-based PDF reader that displays PDF files as a flip-page book. It features an auto-library (access all PDF files from one location), has a one-click library backup, you can drag 'n drop files into the program, it has a one-click zoom, you can change background colors, you can GoTo a specific page, it has quick print, and more. This is a nice PDF reader with the bonus of working like a flip-page book – the page flips over to the next page, displaying left and right pages as you would a real book. The free version lacks a bookmarking function, e-mail capabilities, highlighting on a page, a text copier, or a notes taker – all of which are available on the not-so-free Executive version. However, even without these extra features, the free version of POKATreader is a nice looking program that is a great way to display and share PDF files, and an easy, book-like way to read PDF (specifically, larger files). Our only area of question came when we saw that the author stated that the program would work with Windows 95 (and later), but needed Java. Unfortunately, to get Java now you need at least Windows XP, though there must be older versions of Java around that will work on earlier versions of Windows. That aside, POKATreader is a great program. Definitely worth a look if you use PDF files! Access this 6.57MB download from: Win95 Text Programs

Web Archives Viewer v1.04 – WinXP/Vista
Web Archives Viewer is an IE plugin for viewing the contents of ZIP & RAR archives while still on the server, and opening the files inside those archives. It features support for both HTTP & FTP download protocols, programs can be run & files opened without downloading them, runs from the IE context menu, and more. This is an excellent little tool for anyone still using Internet Explorer. It adds an entry to the right-click context menu within IE when you click on either a ZIP or RAR archive – the contents are displayed and the files opened without having to download the archive (you can view README files, start program installations, etc). The author points out that it does not support continuous and multivolumed archives. You cannot access the internals on archives stored in locked folders (like the CFS downloadable programs). We would love to see a Firefox add-on too! With the limitations in mind, Web Archives Viewer is still a "must have" for everyone who uses Internet Explorer. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 554kB download from: WinXP Internet Related

Maple Story v1.2 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Maple Story is a quirky, Flash-based platform game where you must kill the critters you find to collect the jewel they carry. It features 6 enemies to fight, multiple levels, time-based gameplay, excellent animated graphics, highly addictive, and more. This is really a good platform game where you must destroy all the critters to collect their jewels. Once you have all the jewels (within the specified time) you can progress to the next level. Critters must be hit twice with the sword (using the X key) to kill them and the jewel collected by pressing the Z key. Movement is through the arrow keys, and the Spacebar is for jumping. Maple Story has Asian text but there is sufficient English within the game for it to be easily played without having language problems. We really enjoyed playing Maple Story. It has a delightful feeling and is a game that you can play many times. Worth grabbing! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Get this 1.07MB download from: Win98 General Games

AmaRecCo v2.10a – WinXP
AmaRecCo is a video screen capture tool that saves to AVI format. It features the ability to set a maximum filesize, optionally captures the mouse cursor, you can preset the capture size (default is 320x240), it has a variable framerate (default 30 fps), built-in AMV Encoder (or use your own codex), it can keep up to 4 different setups, and more. On paper, AmaRecCo seems like an excellent screen capture tool, with lots and lots of customizable functions but, in practice, it is somewhat clumsy to use. We ran the program under Windows XP and, after some trial and error (there is no Helpfile) we were able to obtain some good AVI screenshots. We also installed it on a Vista-powered Compaq laptop and, even though it loaded, it would not capture the screen and save it to a video file. We can only conclude that it is not suitable for Vista though it may work in a different Vista environment. While we could not fault the quality of the output files, and the huge amount of customization you can do with the program, it did not feel comfortable to us. Possibly an English language Helpfile would be of more assistance but the author is Japanese and this is apparent throughout the program – nothing seems to FETH (fall easily to hand). If you have the patience to master AmaRecCo you will probably find it a superb video screen capture tool. We didn't. Note: we have been advised that this program is only suitable for Windows XP. Access this 534kB download from: WinXP Multimedia Programs

SeasideSoft Photo Resizer v1.1.1.4 – WinXP/Vista
SeasideSoft Photo Resizer is a program that resizes JPG pictures with high quality interpolation. It features batch resizing of images, resizing images by filesize or JPG quality, 14 preset image sizes (plus custom), drag 'n drop, can retain aspect ratio, choice of 4 interpolation modes, auto image rotation, and more. This is a simple yet highly effective way of resizing images. While you could use it to resize single images, its real value is in its ability to resize batches of images. Having set the desired output requirements, all you need to do is to drag 'n drop your images into the main window and then click on the "Save" or "Save All" button and your image(s) will be saved to the folder that you nominate. As we said, simple. While you can nominate your own, custom size for the output file, SeasideSoft Photo Resizer offers a choice of 14 preset image sizes – everything from a 32x32 thumbnail to 1600x1200. You can also nominate if you wish it to be saved in portrait (vertical) format. We were quite impressed with SeasideSoft Photo Resizer. While there are other programs that do what it does, it is the ease of use that really impressed us. If you own a digital camera and have need to bulk resize your photos, SeasideSoft Photo Resizer is worth a look. Impressive! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 506kB download from: WinXP Graphic Programs

Chaos Defender v1.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Chaos Defender is a Space Invaders clone where you must destroy the computer viruses before they breach a battery of shields and infect the computer system. It features choice of 2 ships, 2 powerups to collect, endless gameplay (gets harder & harder until you lose), excellent graphics, HTML Helpfile, and more. This is a standard clone of the famous classic, but is enhanced with excellent graphics which really does lift the game into the 21st Century. Instead of the attackers being aliens, they are computer viruses (or is that "virii"?) and you must destroy them before they infect the computer. You have a choice of two ships (called "debuggers" in this game) – one fast with light armor, the other slower with heavier armor. The menu system is not easy to follow but you soon get the feel for it, and the game is same old Space Invaders we have grown to love. We particularly liked the pseudo blue screen of death at the end of the game. A nice touch. Chaos Defender is a "must have" for anyone who collects Space Invader games, or who collects computer-themed games. The rest of us can just enjoy the excellent graphics and classic gameplay. We liked! Get this 5.32MB download from: Win95 General Games
COMMENTS
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