Date: June 27th, 2008 6:08:04 a.m.

(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.)
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CFS Weekly Newsletter #479
[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 a superb selection of freeware for you below, including one of the best first-person adventure games I have seen. We also have reviewed a terrific tool to capture video being streamed into your computer, a small program to minimize any program to an icon in the desktray (next to the clock), a Visual Basic script compiler, a program to rotate or flip your images so they are the right way up, and lots more.

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

To get access to the best downloads, why not take a minute and become a member of arguably the best freeware-only site in the world. More details from our members' page:

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What are you waiting for -- become a CFS "lifer" now, or try out the site with a 1-month, 1-year or 2-year membership. We are still half the price of most other members-only sites and I think we offer the best value for your hard earned dollar.

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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See you all next week. 'Till then...

Keep smilin'

Regards

Graham Pockett
Editor
Completely FREE Software


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COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE

The Oracle v1.1 -- Win9x/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
The Oracle is a first-person perspective, photo-realistic adventure (also called "Interactive Fiction") photographed entirely on location in Canada and Portugal. It features over 140 screens, 8 different locations, logical & challenging puzzles (inventory, musical & interactive puzzles), save games using photo snapshots, in-game hint system, over 12 unique musical scores, over 75 realistic sound effects, and more. This is an awesome first-person adventure (similar to the early Sierra and Lucasarts games from the 90s) that relies not on cartoon-style drawn images like most similar games, but uses stunning photographs to create the scene. The puzzles are, in many cases, quite challenging but there is a hint feature which can help you move on to the next stage. Of course, it is always better if you don't have to rely on the hints... Undoubtedly the feature that hits you first are the excellent photographs but it doesn't take long before you are engrossed in the chase to the poin
t that even spectacular photographs are not a diversion. One of the best point-and-click adventures we have seen, The Oracle is well worth the large download. We particularly liked the use of a PDA image for the in-game menu interface and the options. Cool. Whether you just like to see great photographs, or if you are a hard-core gamer, The Oracle is the game to get. Definitely 10 out of 10. We loved! Access this 75.4MB download (we said it was big!) from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg1_w95.html#TheOracle32

Iconize v2.0.0.3 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Iconize is a small application that docks any program in the desktray, and quickly restores them with a double-click. It features an "undock all" command, you can select any running windows application to be docked from a right click menu, it includes a "minimize all" command to display the desktop, and more. This is a simple, yet highly effective utility. A desktop can get cluttered with lots of open programs and it is advantageous to be able to minimize some to the desktray (next to the clock) to help keep it clear, and Iconize is able to do just that. It can also rebuild the docked icons if Windows Explorer crashes. We really like the concept behind Iconize, and this little program carries out its duties without fuss or trouble. Worth grabbing! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 120kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/du2_w95.html#Iconize32

Debut v1.34 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Debut is a program to capture video from a Webcam, the screen, or some other capture device (videocam, etc) by using a USB capture device or TV capture card. It supports 8 popular video formats (AVI, WMV, FLV, ASF, MPG, 3GP, MP4 & MOV), optionally records audio, multiple video & audio encoder settings, ability to adjust resolution & framerate of the output video, color settings & video effects for the output video can be changed, transmit video files via the internet using FTP, send video via email once the recording is completed, and more. This is a sensational video capture tool that can capture and record almost anything that can be played or displayed on a computer screen. By using a USB capture device (like EasyCap -- which requires at least Windows XP) you can even capture raw video directly from a video camera, or use it to grab the video stored on a camera. Unfortunately, Debut does seem to have trouble with the widescreen format and is probably best used in 4:3 mode.
If you use the default output settings you can achieve 25 to 30fps but, if you expect it to perform at a larger resolution, the framerate will slow accordingly. The first time you use a particular output format you are likely to be faced with having to install the codec that supports it. This is done automatically if you are connected to the Internet though, if you wish to download all individual components offered by the author, the total download is about 10MB. We were most impressed with Debut. It can capture virtually any video (streaming or file) that the computer can display. It is perfect for, say, capturing video on a videocam, converting it to FLV format, and uploading it to YouTube. You can also use it to create a screen capture video (complete with snapshots). A must have for anyone working with video files. We loved! Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 417kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/mp1_w95.html#debut32

FreeFTP v3.0 -- WinME/XP (5 doves)
FreeFTP is an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client for uploading and downloading files between a remote server and a local computer (localhost). It features drag 'n drop, upload/download multiple files simultaneously, CERN proxy support, resume support for download & upload, download/upload complete directory structures, integrated local file browser, CHMOD support for changing permissions on UNIX servers, moves files & folders to another location on the server, and more. This is an unusual FTP client in that it does not offer a dual pane view (localhost on left, remote host on right) as does most other FTP clients. In this program, the remote host only is displayed and, if you wish to upload a file, a separate browser window will pop-up so you can select your file(s). You must pre-nominate the download location for any file you wish to get. Once the program has been used a couple of times, the procedure for transferring files becomes transparent and it becomes very simple to
use. You can set up your remote site(s) using a Wizard-style dialog box and save them in a Favorites section for re-use. It offers most of the functions of other, high-end FTP clients but generally without the bulky download. FreeFTP is an efficient and effective FTP client that should suit most users, but a few points should be noted. First, it is suitable only for Windows ME and XP -- the author won't make it 100% Vista compliant because he refuses to load Vista on his computer. Second, it requires an awkward download procedure, with a registration number e-mailed to the prospective user, so that it can be downloaded. This is free, but frustrating, and we wonder why the author requires your e-mail address... Third, it is free for non-commercial use only. Apart from the lack of Vista support, and the awkward download procedure, we found FreeFTP to be an excellent, if slightly unusual, FTP client. Access this 684kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/ir3_w95.html#setup-freeftp32

Alpha Catcher v1.0 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Alpha Catcher is a time-based word-based puzzle with 3 different levels. In the first you must click on the different ABCD... bugs in sequential, reverse, or random order. In the second you must find the correct letters of each word displayed on top. In the third, you must find the correct letters of each sentence displayed on top. This is a fun little game for anyone who enjoys word-based puzzles. The three levels represent different versions of the game with each level being harder than the one before. You have different time periods to complete each level and each has a slightly different look to the others. Terrific for improving language skills, Alpha Catcher is a great little game that can be played over and over. We liked. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 1.25MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg13_w95.html#alpha-catcher32

Visual Basic Script Compiler v1.00 -- Win98/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Visual Basic Script Compiler is a compiler which converts VBS or VBE Visual Basic files into EXE format files. It features a built-in ScriptPad editor (with spell checker), GUI & commandline run options, and more. This is a simple way of both creating VBS files using the built-in text editor, and converting VBS or VBE files into stand-alone EXE files. The spell checker included with the ScriptPad editor is very basic and does not include programming terms. As you cannot add words to its dictionary, this makes the spell checker virtually useless for programmers, though anyone using ScriptPad just as an ASCII text editor will find it helpful. Once a script has been written (or loaded), it can be compiled using the Make command in the Script menu (or pressing Ctrl-F9). Because the author's Website is in Vietnamese, we have provided a direct link to the download file. We have also offered a ZIP version of the program because the author has only presented Visual Basic Script Compi
ler in the less popular (though very efficient) 7z format from 7-Zip (listed with CFS). Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95. Access this 226kB download (269kB in ZIP format from CFS) from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gp3_w95.html#VBSCompiler32

ImageFlip v1.1 -- WinXP/Vista (5 doves)
ImageFlip is a fast image rotation tool to re-align "side-on" photos. It features thumbnails of each image for easier selection, supports the popular JPG format, loads entire folders for processing, has simple "left" & "right" buttons to rotate, auto-saves flipped images, and more. One of the biggest pains for anyone with a digital camera is the "side-on" photo. While almost every image editing program can rotate them, what is needed is a simple, one-function tool that can quickly carry out this task -- specially if it auto-saves the image once it has been flipped. ImageFlip is just such a program and we were really looking forward to reviewing it. This program did everything it claimed, but unfortunately it reduced image quality so much that the 1MB image we started with (from a 3.1 megapixel camera) became a 330kB image once it had been flipped. While the pixel size of the image had not changed, its quality had been reduced substantially and we were disappointed in the resu
lt. The final image was still good, but did not have the quality of the original. ImageFlip lacks any way of controlling the output quality so you are stuck with the author's idea on what represents suitable image quality. While JPG is designed for compression to reduce image size, it is a lossy format because any reduction in size reduces the image quality. ImageFlip had two other aspects we did not like -- the limitation of only JPG format images being accepted, and the "Left Flip" and "Right Flip" buttons seemed, to us, to be the wrong way around. While these other two points were minor, they were still annoyances which, we felt, could be easily rectified. However, the biggest annoyance was the reduction in image quality when an image was flipped. There were so many things we loved about ImageFlip it seems harsh to highlight just the negative, but these negative items became dominant when we reviewed this program. If the author can fix them (at least the quality reduction, preferably with an option to make your own image quality setting) he will have a winner. Without them, its potential is much reduced. It is a shame because we love the concept of ImageFlip and have been looking for a program like this for some time. If you don't mind the reduction in image quality, then grab a copy of ImageFlip. You won't be disappointed. Note: we have been advised that this program is not suitable for Windows 95, 98 or ME. Access this 879kB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/grp6_w95.html#imageflip32

Laseroid -- Win9x/ME/XP/Vista (5 doves)
Laseroid is a vertically scrolling, Japanese-style space shooter using high end vector graphics for 1 to 3 players. It features 4 levels of difficulty (Easy, Normal, Hard & Insane), choice of 5 craft, superb vector graphics, highly configurable, excellent sound effects & music, fast action, joystick or keyboard, and more. This is an fabulous space shooter with semi-abstract vector graphics. Its pace is frenetic and you must be quick to survive for any period of time. In this game you must select your spaceship and then you are into the action. Keyboard controls are typically Japanese -- shoot is the X key, focus is the Z key, and laying bombs is the C key. The arrow keys give direction. If there are two or more players, at least one must use a joystick as only one person can use the keyboard. By default there are 3 lives available when you start, and 3 bombs, but you can change these in the Setup screen. We were really impressed with Laseroid. It is one of the better vector-g
raphic space shooters and is highly addictive. We loved! Get this 9.54MB download from:

http://www.completelyFREEsoftware.com/gg6_w95.html#laseroid32


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

Q:
Can you explain to me what an MP4 is? I've obviously heard of MP3, but now there's an MP4?! I'm so lost and confused. Please help!

A:
Yes, there is! I know, isn't it amazing how fast the world of technology develops? It seems like we get caught up on one thing and the next day, there's something new to learn about. I mean, we shouldn't complain, because all of the technology we're surrounded by is what keeps some of us going each day, but it definitely is a little hard to stay on top of everything that comes about.

But even though understanding everything gets a little difficult sometimes, it's not impossible. I promise that after today, you will fully understand one more computer term and you will be able to check it off your "find out what this is" list! Alright, let's get right into it!

To start with a quick definition, MP4 files are compressed video files. Their main purpose is to make video files much smaller so that they are easier to work with and support. Video files used to be very big in size and they were very difficult to work with. But now, the same files are compressed with the same material and they go by the new name of MP4s.
MP4 files work very similarly to MP3 files in that they are compressed files that do not affect the quality of sound. (In case you're not sure, MP3s are music and audio files, so an MP4 is just taking that to the next level with videos.) The term MP4 is also known as MPEG-4 AVC, which stands for advanced video coding. Now, if you're still not sure how the whole MP4 technology works, make sure you keep reading, because it's going to get even more interesting, I promise!

Since MP4s deal mostly with video files, they are a little more complex than the MP3 music and audio files. But, they are still able to be compressed by using special coding procedures. For example, certain aspects of the files are minimized. Those are usually the temporal and spatial redundancies. The motion and intra estimations of the frequencies are usually transformed as well. And last, but not least, the file goes through a lot of compression and decompression, which is referred to as codec.

Now, I'm sure you're probably wondering if there's such a thing as an MP4 player, right? Well, yes there is. It works just like any other media player. You can purchase the device at any regular electronics store and you then just hook it up to your computer or television. It really is that easy, even if it doesn't seem like it!

Of course, as with everything else, the MP4 technology has its ups and downs. Let's start with the advantages. MP4s are able to produce videos with a DVD quality at a rate of 1 Mbps or less with a broadband Internet connection. (That's blazing fast!) So, if you were to get an MP4 player, you could get your videos and watch them in a matter of seconds. MP4 players can also play older MP formats, including MP3 audio files.

As for the disadvantages, there will more than likely be several piracy issues within the MP4 technology. The MP3 format went through this as well. As you may already know, there are pirated versions of movies on the Internet that are ready for download at any time. So, with MP4s mainly dealing with videos, the piracy problems are sure to get out of hand as this technology becomes more and more popular. Just keep an eye out for that!

So, there it is. The MP4 technology explained for you in as simple of terms as I could come up with. I do hope you have a better understanding of this now and who knows, maybe you'll be the next person to start MP4ing around!

[Source: Worldstart.com]


SMILE OF THE WEEK

(contributions for this section are most welcome)

=: Observations :=

1. Definition of a teenager? God's punishment for enjoying sex.

2. Transvestite: a guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary!

3. The difference between the Pope and your boss. The Pope only expects you to kiss his ring.

4. My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash and it is gone.

5. The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom.

6. I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once, the seat folded up, the drink spilled and that ice, well it really chilled her mood.

7. It used to be only death and taxes were inevitable. Now, of course, there's shipping and handling, too.

8. A husband is someone who after taking the trash out, gives the impression he just cleaned the whole house.

9. My next house will have no kitchen -- just vending machines and a large trash can.

10. The only thing wrong with a beautiful drive to work is that you still end up at work.

11. Americans are getting stronger. 50 years ago, you needed a station-wagon to hold $10 worth of groceries. 20 years ago, it took two people to carry ten dollars' worth of groceries. Now, a five-year-old can do it.

12. A blonde said, "I was worried that my mechanic might try to rip me off. I was relieved when he told me all I needed was turn-signal fluid."

13. I'm so depressed... My doctor refused to write me a prescription for Viagra. He said it would be like putting a new flagpole on a condemned building.

14. My neighbor was bit by a stray rabid dog. I went to see how he was and found him writing frantically. I told him rabies could be cured and he didn't have to worry about a Will. He said, Will!? What Will? I'm making a list of the people I wanna bite."

15 Jesse Jackson, Jim Bakker, and Jimmy Swaggert have written an impressive new book... It's called: "Ministers Do More Than Lay People."

[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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