Date: October 3rd, 2008 2:43:18 a.m.

(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.)
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CFS Weekly Newsletter #491
[ISSN 1441-6840]

Web Site: http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com
E-mail 1: editor@completelyFREEsoftware.com
E-mail 2: cfs@people.net.au
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Welcome to the 'Completely FREE Software' Weekly Newsletter.

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HOWDY

Great to be back with you for another week of fabulously fresh freeware.

We have an excellent selection of programs reviewed for you below and I know you will enjoy them.

We also have our regular columns -- Dr T's excellent Computer Tip of the Week, and our ever popular Smile of the Week.

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One small point. If you sign up for a Lifetime membership through 2CheckOut.com you might be surprised to see that, according to them, a "lifetime" is only 12 years. That is because the number 12 is the highest number option they have -- 12 weeks, 12 months, 12 years. Don't worry, at the end of 12 years you will NOT be cut off if you are a CFS 'lifer' -- your membership will continue indefinitely...

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Have a great week.

Keep smilin'

Regards

Graham Pockett
Editor
Completely FREE Software


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COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE

Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire v1.1 -- Win9x/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire is a remake of an adventure/role playing game hybrid, originally published in 1990 by Sierra On-Line. It features all original dialogs/Easter eggs/action, there are 3 characters from which to choose (Fighter, Magic User & Thief), massive broad canvas interactive gameplay, point 'n click mouse-driven interface, 25-page manual in PDF format, 23-page FACS (Famous Adventurer's Correspondence School) booklet in PDF format, and more. This is a massive game which has been kept true to the original Sierra version except for updated graphics (now SVGA instead of 16-color EGA) and the mouse-driven interface. This brings it back more in line with later Sierra games. Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire, the second in the Quest for Glory series, is a fully interactive game with a huge variety of options within the game to achieve the goal of finding Arus al-Din and restoring his rank to that of Emir of Raseir. Each of the three character types approach this
goal in different ways using their different strengths (and weaknesses). The game requires communication between the various characters in the story and not just fighting ability (which is also required at some points). It is played across a number of weeks, with 8 distinct time periods each day. Your character must sleep, drink and eat every day to survive. Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire is so much more than the ordinary adventure type RPG that it cannot be played in one or two sittings and judicious use of the Save key is essential to eventually complete the game. We were enthralled with Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire. It is an exceptional RPG, with the usual puzzles to solve and bad guys to kill, but painted onto such a broad canvas that it will challenge even the most experienced gamer. We loved! Access this 85.3MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg2_w95.html#Qfg2vga32

IE7pro v2.4 -- WinXP/Vista (5 doves)
IE7pro is an add-on for IE 7 which adds lots of features and extras, and makes IE easier, more useful, secure and customizable. It features Close/Open tab by double left click, switch proxy, set agent identification, block ads & flash, open new tab from address bar, apply super drag-drop, refresh tab automatically, recover session crash, manage tab history, view page information, save image files quickly, spell check, Google/Alexa rankings, server info, and more. This is an awesome add-on for anyone using IE 7 or later (and, we presume, version 6 too). It offers a massive array of options and enhancements, including an effective ad blocker, a download manager, a variety of tab tweaks, the ability to increase or decrease the viewed page size (content can be zoomed in or out), a fast way of grabbing images from a site, and lots, lots more. The spell checker (if you don't have OpenOffice.org installed on your computer you will need the special spell checker/dictionary files -- 1
6.8MB) works with multi-line forms so that if you are, say, sending a message to a site using a form, it will spell check it for you. Neat. Of course, there is always a downside somewhere and the "payment" for using IE7pro is that it will open a second tab when the program is opened that gives you a search tool (you can set it for almost any search engine you like). The author does get payment if you use this search tool. Apart from this second tab (which can be easily closed), IE7pro is a fantastic Internet Explorer add-on that all IE users will find valuable. A "must have" if you are still using IE as your Web browser. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 2.35MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/ir1_w95.html#IE7pro32

Nero InfoTool v5.3.3.0 -- WinXP/Vista (5 doves)
Nero InfoTool is a tool that provides information about the most important features of installed CD/DVD drives, inserted disks (actual manufacturer, etc), Nero software (if installed), and more. This is an excellent reporting program for anyone who has a CD and/or DVD burner installed in their computer. It gives terrific information about each drive, about any disks inserted into those drives, about the Nero software installed (including all version numbers), the drivers installed, and more. Information is detailed and exhaustive. The information supplied about each of our CD/DVD drives, the disks we are using, and the software we have installed on our computer is excellent. Nero InfoTool does not test the drives but simply related what the drives say about themselves. Burn speeds are therefore susceptible to many factors, not the least being inaccurate specs. It was also interesting to check different brands of disks to see who their actual manufacturer really is (sometimes
you can purchase identical disks, without the fancy brand name, but from the same manufacturer). If you have a CD or DVD burner then Nero InfoTool is a "must have". Grab a copy and see for yourself! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 1.65MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gp3_w95.html#Nero_InfoTool32

FocusViewer v2.1 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
FocusViewer is an image viewer and editor. It features 21 filter effects, supports common photo formats (BMP, JPG, GIF, TGA, PSD, PCX, PPM, WMF, ICO, etc), slideshow, red-eye removal, wallpaper with calendar, creates contact sheet, screen capture (timed & hot key), EXIF information, image cropping, image rotation, undo/redo, good Helpfile, and more. This is an excellent little image viewer, with some powerful editing functions, that also has some other nice features (like pre-formatting of images for printing). It is easy to use and highly functional, but it is the features that it didn't have which concerned us. For example, it does not support the very popular RAW image format, and it could not read our TIF format images (though it tried). It also could not read EMF files or EPS files, both of which are used in some areas of publishing. While it does offer undo and redo, it is limited to a single level so has more limited application than editors which offer unlimited undo/
redo. FocusViewer really is an excellent tool that, in most instances, would satisfy casual happy-snap photographers. However, for serious digital photographers, its lack of RAW support is a major concern, as is the limited undo/redo. We loved the wallpaper with calendar function, and the excellent built-in editing filters and tools. Overall, FocusViewer is a great little image viewer and editor which should find a home on many desktops. Worth a look! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 1.43MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/grp1_w95.html#fv32

ChessBin Chess v0.0.3.1 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
ChessBin Chess is a classic chess boardgame where you play against the computer. It features 5 ply depth search, clock, full stats (number of moves so far, valid moves for nominated piece, etc), 2 modes (training & game), choice of chess pieces (default & enhanced), highlighting of legal moves, move history, save game, save last move, and more. This is an excellent single-player chess game, albeit without many options at this stage (it is a very early version). It offers most of the important features of a good chess game -- powerful AI, full statistics, etc -- though it does not offer variable AI (important if there are novice players) or multi-player networked games. In fact, you can only play against the computer in this version. Probably our biggest complaint against ChessBin Chess is that you download an installer which, in turn, downloads the main program (not even 700kB!!!). Why? All the author is doing is adding one third to his overall download by using an installer
and making it hard for anyone to store a full copy of the non-installed game in case it needs to be re-installed later. You also cannot determine where you want the game to reside, annoying if, like us, you try and keep the C:\ drive just for Windows and a few other essential programs. That aside, ChessBin Chess is a superb little chess game that will, we hope, continue to get better and better. A "must have" for chess buffs. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 225kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg12_w95.html#ChessBin32

ATPad v1.0.108 -- WinXP/Vista (5 doves)
ATPad is a tabbed ASCII text editor (Notepad replacement). It features lines numbering, word wrap, fully portable (no installation required, runs from USB drive), unlimited filesize, fully customizable (colors, fonts etc), 99 levels of undo/redo, search/replace, bookmarks, returns to "last open" state, it can show whitespace information (line breaks, tabs & spaces), send documents via e-mail (even unsaved documents), has a good Helpfile, and more. This is an excellent little Notepad replacement that has many enhancements over the Microsoft version. For starters, it has no filesize limit and loaded our 10MB, 470,000 line test document in under 2 seconds. It also offers 99 levels of undo and redo. ATPad is also fully portable -- there is no installation required and it can run from any portable media (even a floppy disk!). Cool. There are some minor deficiencies within this program but, as the author has clearly stated, it is not trying to compete with other editors as each has
its own strengths and weaknesses. We were disappointed that ATPad did not offer global search and replace -- it will only replace text in the topmost "open" tab, not across all tabs. Also it does not offer syntax highlighting for programmers, it does not have a spell checker, and it does not offer "live" URLs or e-mail addresses. That aside, this is an excellent replacement for the aging Notepad and one that many, many users will find easy to use. In a word, excellent! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 105kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/tp2_w95.html#ATPad32

Quick Player v1.4 -- Win9x/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Quick Player is an audio player that supports MPG, MP1, MP2, MP3, OGG, WMA, ASF, WAV, MID, RMI, MOD, S3M, XM & IT formats. It features 6 built-in skins, optional always-on-top, variable transparency, playlist, minimizes to tray, repeat play, random play, make your own player, tags editor, and more. This is a nice little audio player that supports a good variety of popular audio formats. The CD player is a separate application but the desktop shortcut points at the C:\ drive, not the actual drive where the program is located! By amending the Properties of the desktop icon to reflect the actual location of the program we were able to access it. Unfortunately, it did not give us a choice of drives and the drive it chose to point to was one that does not have audio attached... Likewise the IE-based mini Web browser, included in the download, also had an incorrect desktop link, as did the Search tool. QuickPlayer lacks full playlist support -- you can manually add files, but not a
playlist file (M3U, etc). Finally, it is offered in the excellent, but not popular, 7-Zip format and you need to get a copy of the 7-Zip program (available through CFS) to open this 7Z archive. Yes, 7-Zip does create a smaller archive than standard ZIP but it is not the standard archive tool in the West. CFS has included a non-archived EXE version of the program on our server. This is an 8.45MB download. We had mixed feelings about Quick Player. We acknowledge the variety of audio formats supported, and it has some nice features, but playlist support would be beneficial, and a more universally accepted archived download file format. A nice player with some edges that need polishing. Access this 6.27MB download (in 7-Zip format) or get the 8.45MB CFS download (in EXE format) from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/mp3_w95.html#QuickPlayer32

Protozoa v20080912 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Protozoa is a frenetically paced, vertically scrolling shooter where you fight waves of genetically enhanced microbiological foes. It features excellent vector-based graphics, terrific special effects, addictive gameplay, mouse/keyboard control, windowed & fullscreen modes, and more. This is a fun game that came second under the category "Best Game on Intel Graphics" at the Intel 2008 Game Demo Contest. Rather than come from the home of vector-based shooters, Japan, Protozoa comes from Argentina. It is a stylish shooter that demands a lot from a player but also delivers lots. It is very fast paced, with lots of color and effects to enhance the gameplay. If like shooters (often called SHMUPS, an abbreviation for "shoot em ups") then you must grab a copy of Protozoa. It is an awesome game! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Get this 6.53MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg7_w95.html#protozoa32


UPDATE

MailDominion -- a tool that removes junk mail directly from a pop3 mail server -- has been updated to version 1.1 with a download size of 15.0MB. The author advises that this version includes a few bug fixes and it now runs in the desktray (next to the clock) with right-key click activation (as suggested by CFS in the original Review of this program). It still includes the full Java Redistributable (which accounts for its large size) and the author told us that including it is: "just easier than performing checks and download[ing] the right version if it's not available". He said that it is: "just a downside of developing with Java... until Sun decides to make it modular and allow developers to just include the parts they use instead of the whole thing". Grab this new, improved version from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/ir1_w95.html#MD32


COMPUTER TIP OF THE WEEK
from Dr T -- RTemlak4dds@aol.com

How To Get Rid Of... Malicious Ads

Many people use a pop-up blocker to prevent unwanted ads from opening in their Web browser, but most pop-up blockers aren't designed to handle one of the rising trends in malware -- malicious ads. And because many pop-ups, banners, and other forms of online advertisements install Flash-based or JavaScript programs (software that generates the animation or sound on an ad), malicious ads have the power to redirect your Web browser to a malicious Web site without you ever clicking the ad. Once your PC is infected with the attacker's malicious code, the intruder may be able to scan your computer's hard drive or spy on information sent over your network, such as any of the usernames and passwords you enter.

Another factor that makes banner, pop-up, and pop-under ads especially dangerous is that malicious ads have hit popular Web sites that most people consider trustworthy. For instance, last November, many visitors to the Major League Baseball and National Hockey League Web sites had their Web browsers hijacked by banner ads. The ads sent the sports enthusiasts to a Web site that prompted users to download ineffective antivirus software, which featured its own malicious infections.

To help you prevent malicious ads from taking over your PC, we'll cover how to tell if your system is being affected by advertising, show you how to purge your system of the ads, and examine ways you can prevent the poisonous pop-ups.

Exposure Level

Beware of ads that prompt you to download Flash-based, ActiveX, or JavaScript software.

According to Roger Thompson, chief research officer of AVG Technologies, "New malicious ads seem to pop up every other day, and although malicious ads are not a new method of delivery, it's a malicious attack that's catching on."

In the last year, malware-filled ads have been encountered on many popular Web sites, including Expedia, Rhapsody, and National Geographic, among others. We should note that neither the Web site nor the ad network publishing the pop-ups typically know the ads contain malware. According to Thompson, "Sometimes those who provide the ad use a bait and switch technique, so the ad will be innocent when the network publisher agrees to the ad, and later on, the ad provider substitutes the innocent content with malicious software."

How Malicious Ads Gain Control

Typically, malicious ads work one of two ways: The ads may pop up over a Web site and automatically redirect you to a Web page filled with malicious software, or the ad attempts to entice you to click a link, resulting in the loading of a malicious Web site. Either way, opening a malicious site may leave your computer open to any number of Trojan horses, worms, rootkits, spyware, or additional browser hijackers. Ads that automatically redirect your Web browser often use Flash technology (a common browser plug-in that lets your Web browser produce animations and sound). In most cases, Flash ads are harmless. But when the Flash technology is repurposed with malicious intent, the programs can force malicious content onto your computer.

Alternatively, ads that require you to initiate the attack through a mouse click generally use JavaScript or ActiveX software to create a pop-up applet with various clickable options. Interstitials (ads that load in front of the page you've opened and require you to click a link or watch the entire advertisement before it will close) are a popular malicious ad tool, because clicking the ad -- even to close it -- may allow the attactacker to load a malicious code and use a vulnerability in your OS (operating system) or Web browser to access data on your PC.

Identify & Stop Attacks

From Internet Explorer's Manage Add-ons screen, you can disable add-ons that may be opening pop-ups on your Web browser.

You'll know your system is being affected by a malicious ad if your Web browser is automatically redirected to a site that's not the Web page you intended to visit. Additionally, the new Web site will likely prompt you to download an application from the Web site. Although some Flash-based ads have the ability to generate an attack without your intervention, you'll typically need to click a link in the ad to "allow" the malicious code to install software on your computer. Therefore, one of the best ways to avoid malicious ads from infecting your PC is to close the ad by pressing CTRL-W on your keyboard. Clicking a button labeled "Close" or "No Thanks" on the ad may actually trigger the installation of the malicious software. If your browser is being hijacked, you can also press CTRL-W to close your Web browser.

Get Rid Of Infiltrators

Because malicious ads use JavaScript and Flash-based applications to infect your PC, the pop-up blocker, firewall, and anti-malware programs on your computer may not be designed to prevent the rogue application from installing additional malicious software on your PC. Therefore, it's essential you use antivirus and antispyware programs to scan your computer for malware. For more information on programs to identify malware and clean out your PC, read our antivirus software overview titled "Big Medicine" on page 63 and our antispyware software overview titled "Avoid Virtual Spies" on page 66. No matter which program you choose, remember that you'll need to keep your antivirus and antispyware software up-to-date for the security applications to be effective.

Excessive pop-up ads may also be the result of existing malware on your PC. For example, spyware installed on your computer may keep track of the Web sites you visit, and when you're surfing the Web, the spyware may open pop-ups related to your Web habits, hijack your Web browser, or change your home page settings. If you've scanned your computer with up-to-date anti-malware software and continue to see malicious ads, you may have installed a malicious add-on program in your Web browser. The Internet Explorer Add-on Manager allows you to enable or disable the add-ons you've downloaded. Click the Tools menu, select Manage Add-ons, and choose Enable Or Disable Add-ons. To disable an add-on, select the program you want to stop, and under the Settings area, click the Disable radio button.

Final Thoughts

If your Web browser is being hijacked, then the simplest solution is to close the browser as quickly as possible. Because the hijacked browser may be programmed to open a number of Web sites, you may need to close several windows. (To learn more about browser hijackers, see "How To Get Rid Of ... Browser Hijackers" on page 57.) To be safe, we also recommend running a scan with your antivirus and antispyware software to catch any programs that may have found a way inside your computer's defenses.

by Nathan Lake

[Source: http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2F2008%2Fs1905%2F25s05%2F25s05.asp]


SMILE OF THE WEEK

(contributions for this section are most welcome)

=: Literary Lumps :=

These "Weird Reference Questions" are from the Library Paraprofessionals Listserv. All of these are real and provide proof that a "better idiot" can be invented.

"Do you have a list of all the books written in the English language?"

"Do you have that book by Rushdie: 'Satanic Nurses'?" (Actual title: "Satanic Verses")

"I was here about three weeks ago looking at a cookbook that cost $39.95. Do you know which one it is?"

"Can you tell me why so many famous Civil War battles were fought on National Park Sites?"

"Do you have any books with photographs of dinosaurs?" Hmmm. (I don't recollect any camera-toting cavemen... do you?)

"I'm looking for information on carpal tunnel syndrome. I think I'm having trouble with it in my neck." (No...that's your brain miss-firing.)

"I am looking for a list of laws that I can break that would send me back to jail for a couple of months." (I know... how about shooting yourself? That would get you life in prison!)

"I need a color photograph of George Washington." (Ok... hold on... I'll check with the caveman!)

"Is the basement upstairs?" (Asked at first floor reference desk.)

[author unknown]


COMMENTS

We would like to thank the regular visitors to the CFS site who have told us their favorite freeware. If you have a favorite program which isn't listed on the CFS pages we invite you to share that information with everyone through this site and this newsletter.

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