• trialware (unless, after the trial period, the user has the free use of functional and useful software -eg. Free Agent).
  
  
• crippleware, restricted demonstration software and the like.
  
  
• pirated or stolen software of any kind. All true freeware is entirely legal.

• the software has been fully tested and found to work as intended
  
  
• it contains no nasty hidden extras
  
  
• it is genuine freeware

• http://tinyapps.org/ This, as the name implies, specialises in programs of small disk size, though not necessarily small in performance, effectiveness or function. Not everything here is freeware but most programs are - quite a number are also listed at http://www.pricelessware.org.
  
  
• The Open CD-a CD image containing a collection of free and open source software for Windows, including Web browsers, office software, CD ripping and burning utilities. You can down-load the latest CD image from http://mirror.pacific.net.au/OpenCD/releases/2.0/iso/.

• new freeware
   
  
• problems with freeware
   
  
• freeware to avoid, either because it does not work well or because of the inclusion of spyware or malware

And Now for Some Specifics

I don't intend to make any attempt at a full review of available freeware -readers can readily consult the various sources mention earlier on this article for at least an initial impression. However, I would like to mention just a few of the programs (and not always the most obvious ones) that I find either useful or of special interest when using Windows.


AVG Anti Virus Free Edition http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php - a straightforward effective antivirus product which provides all the protection that most users will ever require. Real time scanning, mail scanning which works with any mail program, automatic updating and a clean clear control panel. A "must get"

Kerio Personal Firewall Version 2.15 (available as a direct download from http://www.pricelessware.org/thelist/sec.htm - many firewalls suffer from trying to carry out too many non core functions and simply end up bogging down the system. This version of Kerio simply acts as a firewall and nothing else - and with its simple, clean and flexible interface is ideal for most users. Works nicely with home networks.
 
Privoxy http://www.privoxy.org/ works with any Web browser to filter out banner ads, unwanted animations, popups and many other Web nuisances. A great example of a small efficient utility and a definite "must get"

Abiword http://www.gnome.org/gnome-office/ - Many users want a small fast word processor for personal letters and documents. Abiword is now part of the Gnome Desktop (one of a number of high quality applications ported from Linux) fulfills this role brilliantly.

Gnumeric http://www.gnome.org/projects/gnumeric/ - Gnumeric is a top rated Linux spreadsheet noted for being fast, reliable and having good compatibility with other spreadsheet programs. The appearance of a Windows port is therefore good news indeed. The current Windows version is still pre-release so expect a few rough edges initially. But definitely one to try. See Figure 2

Off by One http://www.offbyone.com/ - While Mozilla Firefox is deservedly regarded as the best Web browser available, do take a look at this tiny standalone browser. It's fast and efficient and, at 1.2 MB total size, certainly won't make you wait ages while it downloads. Try it. See Figure 3.

FoxMail http://www.foxmail.com.cn/ - Whilst there are a number of good freeware e-mail programs available, this program impresses with its clean simple design and good feature list. I've never quite warmed to Mozilla Mail/Mozilla Thunderbird and prefer to use separate programs for mail and news. FoxMail, while relatively new to me, certainly looks to be a 'keeper'. Try it.

XNews http://xnews.newsguy.com/ This newsreader seems to arouse more extremes of opinion than any other; some users hate it, others regard it as by far the best available. A quirky interface and the fact that it is essentially an "online" reader (doesn't store message bodies on disk between sessions) are no doubt responsible for these extremes. It is certainly my news reader of choice in Windows - fast and very efficient, particularly good on lower resource machines. Well worth trying but give it a little familiarisation time.

IrfanView http://www.irfanview.com/ - a graphics viewing program which also has a number of editing and enhancing tools. Professionals would require a much more sophisticated package but for average users, this may be all you will ever need. Fast and effective. A "must get".

TheGimp http://www.gimp.org/ - download the Windows version from
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html - TheGimp is the leading freeware image manipulation and editing program with all the facilities expected of a professional level package. As expected with this type of package there is a reasonable learning curve but a greatly improved interface over previous versions makes the task somewhat easier. Well worth a try - especially given the high cost of equivalent commercial packages.

VLC Media Player http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ - a fast efficient video and media player which, unlike Microsoft's Media Player, comes with most, if not all, of the codecs required for a wide variety of file formats, built in. Using this will save many frustrations when seemingly common video formats will not play in Microsoft's player. Highly recommended.

Burnatonce http://www.burnatonce.com/ - possibly discontinued, but is a surprisingly full featured CD burning program. Burnatonce has a simple no frills interface but works very well - provides all the facilities that most users would require. Get it.

And if you really want to sample the power of freeware - try Linux!

There's certainly a place for commercial software and shareware but do try the free alternative where available - if you haven't done so previously you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality and range - not to mention the savings.

Some Terms Used In This Article

Freeware - Software which is specifically intended for completely free release.

Open Source - Software where the underlying source code is also released to enabling others to make changes if desired.

Spyware - Software that sends marketing or other information back to the software developer (or some other party) using the users Internet connection. This may be done with or without disclosure.
 
Malware - Software which includes malevolent content, almost always not disclosed to the user. This may include key logging software designed to steal sensitive passwords such as those used for Internet banking.
 
Crippleware - Software which although free, has various essential functions disabled until the user registers (and pays for) the program.

Trialware - Software that works for a short period only, after which the user must register and pay for the program.
 
Port (ported) - adaptation of software from operating system (platform) to another.