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CFS Weekly Newsletter #505: issued April 24, 2009
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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(does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid.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
Scorched 3D v42.1 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Scorched 3D is a modernization of the classic DOS tank battle, Scorched Earth, a turn-based artillery game. It features single & multiplayer modes, network gameplay, weapon upgrades, choice of tanks, excellent 3D graphics, variable camera views. tutorial, and more. This is a terrific artillery game with a huge selection of weapons to purchase, great 3D action, and good network gameplay. While Scorched 3D is essentially a multiplayer game (with up to 24 opponents), you can also play it against the computer as a single-player game. The terrain is generally quite challenging, with lots of very mountainous islands from which to attack other tanks. It has a comprehensive tutorial, plus a practice game, so you can master the game before venturing out into the world to battle other people. While the 3D graphics are generally excellent for this type of game, sometimes it is awkward to manoeuvre yourself around the screen to get a better vantage point to witness your attacks. The author points out that Scorched 3D "incorporates a lively three dimensional landscape that includes animated jets, naval vessels, water, and even birds, in addition to detailed tanks and projectiles". A fun, challenging turn-based artillery game, Scorched 3D gives players great value for the size of the download. We loved! Access this 47.4MB download from: Win95 General Games
Vista Services Optimizer v1.1.42.2 – Vista
Vista Services Optimizer is a tweaking utility that can improve the performance & security of Windows Vista with a single mouse click, automatically adjusting Windows services according to the way the PC is used and which software is installed. This is a dual-usage tool with a simple one-click option for novice users and a manual tweaking tool for advanced users. All you need do is to tell the program how the computer is being used, and if there are any conflicts between other programs and Vista. Vista Services Optimizer will then optimize your Vista settings for you. You can also undo any changes made by this program. We tried the automated approach for our Vista-powered Compaq laptop but did not notice any dramatic change in computer performance. This is not unusual as sometimes settings are made which only apply to specific actions within the computer and we may not have called upon the computer to carry out one of those actions. Probably more importantly, we did not see any degradation of performance so Vista Services Optimizer is unlikely to corrupt your Vista setup. We can therefore assume that, at worst, you won't see a change in how Vista performs but, at best, you will see an improvement. If you are stuck with running Vista then any effective tweaks are going to be of benefit. Worth a look! Note: we have been advised that this program is only suitable for Vista. Access this 1.85MB download from: Vista Enhancement
Javascript Menu Master v2.8 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Javascript Menu Master is a Web menu creation program to create simple but effective Javascript-powered pull-down menus. It features a choice of text type & color, optional graphics or text for "Go" (submit) button, optionally define default link, built-in preview, code saved to file & Clipboard, tutorial, and more. If you have a Website and wish to use drop-down menus, Javascript Menu Master is probably the simplest way of achieving professional-looking results. Add the links to the program, decide how you want the links to look (font, attribute, color, etc), decide if you want to use a text submit button or a graphic to tell your visitors where to click, preview the result in the program and make any tweaks deemed necessary, and save the code to a file and also place it in the Windows Clipboard. As this creates Javascript, part of the coding must go within the "head" tags on your page, and the remainder where you want the menu to be on the page (in the "body" of the HTML page). Simple! Javascript Menu Master only creates drop-down menus so is limited in what it can do. However, if this is the style of menu you require, it does a terrific job of putting it together for you without the necessity of learning Javascripting. We liked! Access this 2.09MB download from: Win95 Internet Related
QuotePad v2.0.3 – WinXP/Vista
QuotePad is a small utility that saves selected text, together with its source (Web address) and the date/time it was saved. It features a reminder function, export notes to TXT format, includes a search function, offers filtering, automatic database backup, checklist, note print, 12 color schemes, transparency option, keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys), optional autostart with Windows, resides as icon in tray, and more. This is a neat little note keeper that includes the source of text copied from the Internet – essential for anyone quoting external sources where the source of the quote must be included. Notes are editable, and can be printed. They are also saved with their timestamp so you know when you retrieved them. A "must have" for students, journalists, and other people who rely on quoted text, QuotePad is easy to use and very practical. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 906kB download from: WinXP Text Programs
PairMEM v1.2.0 – WinXP/Vista
PairMEM is an extended "Pair the Cards" memory game, with challenging levels, where you must find 2, 3 or 4 matching cards at-a-time. It features 4 levels of difficulty (including "Child"), a choice of 4 decks (colors, letters, numbers & geometric symbols), a choice of 4 cardback colors, an optional game timer, and more. This is not your normal memory game – specially when looking at the two harder levels where you must match up not two cards but three and four cards respectively. We also found the use of geometric shapes to add considerably to the difficulty at all levels. This makes it excellent for training children in memory retention as you can start with an easy combination (say, colors) for a specific level and then advance to geometric shapes for that level before moving up to the next level (where you would start, again, with matching simple colors). As a memory training aid, PairMEM is hard to fault but it suffers from a boring look 'n feel, and correctly matching cards does not expose a pretty picture or some other distraction to add a little eye candy and keep someone playing. Even adult players will quickly get bored with the bland look of the game and it would be easy to offer a choice of background images rather than just a plain beige background, or even allow the user to add his or her own background image. The cardback options could also be more interesting than simply a change of color and pattern. PairMEM offers much for anyone interested in memory-type games but its bland look 'n feel will turn off many users. If you like a challenge then grab a copy of PairMEM and try the Hard level using geometric shapes. It is fun to play. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 335kB download from: WinXP General Games
X2USBP v2.7 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
X2USBP is a tiny utility that prints the DOS command screen outputs to USB and parallel port Windows 32-bit printers. Normally you cannot output from the DOS command screen (which opens within Windows) to a Windows-driven USB printer, but X2USBP overcomes these limitations. It only prints to the default printer, and it is not always straightforward to use, but it does work, and that is boon for anyone who needs to print from a DOS command screen (often called a "DOS box"). X2USBP requires the use of DOS commands but there is ample assistance within the program and from the accompanying TXT file. It should be noted that this program requires Windows 95 or later to work – it will not allow pure DOS to print to a USB printer, only from a DOS box within Windows. Mainly for advanced users, X2USBP is a "must have" for people using DOS-within-Windows. Grab a copy now! Access this 25kB download from: Win95 Desktop Utilities
Danys Virtual Drum v2.0 – Win98/ME/XP/Vista
Danys Virtual Drum is a realistic drum simulator. It features 3 key sets (Realistic, Classic & Misc), a choice of drums or xylophone, optional music bases (can be downloaded), realistic sound effects, record your drumming (see below), and more. Offering realistic drumming sounds, Danys Virtual Drum is an easy way to practice drumming without driving your neighbors crazy. Rather than use sticks, foot pedals, etc, you just tap the keys and, while it may take some time to learn which keys do what, the results are excellent. Our biggest problem with Danys Virtual Drum was that the record function would not work for us – it created a WAV file when requested, but there were no sounds when we played it back. Most strange! We particularly liked the xylophone function but, again, recording did not produce any sounds (though the file was created). The recording problem aside, Danys Virtual Drum is a great tool for aspiring drum virtuosos. Worth a look! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 14.4MB download from: Win98 Multimedia Programs
Feudalism 2 v1.01 – Win9x/ME/XP/Vista
Feudalism 2 is a medieval-based RPG style combat Flash game where you must conquer the entire known world, one village or city at a time. It features dozens of weapons & skills, choice of 12 characters (each with different attributes) or create your own, a huge variety of units to recruit or battle against, lots of battles to win, good 2D graphics, 2 levels of difficulty, tutorial, optional on-screen help tips, and more. This is a terrific part RPG and part combat game, with a medieval setting, that is a continuation of the popular Feudalism game (also listed with CFS). You must conquer the 40 or so villages and cities in your known world, buying more soldiers when need be (you gradually lose your men in battle and they must be replaced), getting gold and weaponry (including magical weapons) from the soldiers you slay. The tutorial is helpful to get you started, but there is no better instruction than getting your hands dirty at the sharp end of a battle. Throughout the game you can carry out quests which are obtained from the city halls of towns and villages, but not all are cost effective. We loved Feudalism 2. It is a great game that will keep you playing for hours. A "must have" for anyone who loves medieval RPGs or combat games. Grab a copy now! Warning: contains some cartoon-style gory violence. Access this 1.98MB download from: Win95 General Games
UPDATE
SPAMfighter Standard – a spam/phishing filter – has been updated to 6.6.25 with a new, dramatically smaller download of 1.62MB. The author advises that changes in this version includes support for Mozilla Thunderbird. It should be noted that while Outlook and Outlook Express require Windows 98 as the minimum OS, Mozilla Thunderbird requires Windows XP or later. Get this new version from: Win98 Internet Related
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