My new Freeware Home

[Hoppy]

Hello from Bonnie Scotland and a massive thanks for the hard work and dedication that makes this site,imo, the best.
I feel like an xxxxx for missing this site and came across it using a similar pages add on in my browser.
After spending a few hours looking at articles and stuff its brilliant to see that there is a site that promotes Freeware properly.

I am like a kid in a sweetie shop with so much to look at and i shall contribute my limited knowledge whenever i can.

I am Freeware crazy, i love trying programs out, its a bug i got from day 1 and i still get a kick out of it.
Yeh i probably need to spend more time with the wife and some would say get a life but its a habit i love because Scots have a reputation for being tight with cash.

Freeware's primary attraction is cost but for me there is much more to it because of its nature.

I laugh when people often comment that my pc runs a lot quicker and the programs i have are easy to use and the killer question, where can i buy that program?
I try and explain they are free and they then plug me into a lie detector and inform my missus that im smoking bananas and drinking turps..

Thanks for this site guys..

[MidnightCowboy]

Pleased you are enjoying the content.

If you ever feel like helping us out by reviewing some stuff yourself, let me know

[J_L]

They obviously haven't experienced quality freeware like those recommended here. Have you shown them the authors' sites, and this place?

Pleased to have you join us.

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by J_L

They obviously haven't experienced quality freeware like those recommended here. Have you shown them the authors' sites, and this place?

Pleased to have you join us.

The truth is they didn't have a clue about Freeware at all and thought that free meant inferior.
After showing them some quality Freeware they kept asking me what the catch was.
I made it clear there was no catch but if you feel the program is good then a donation of what "you" think is decent is a good thing to do.
A few months later i often hear people say that it changed the way they use software for ever, which makes it worthwhile..

A think most people have accepted that all software comes with a one year licence key, quite sad really that they dont think to google a simple search like "free programs", but maybe its just me but your average user today has become ultra lazy which Microsoft have to take some blame for,imo.

[miskairal]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

The truth is they didn't have a clue about Freeware at all and thought that free meant inferior.

That is so true! So many people think that if you don't pay for it you will get malicious, computer destroying things happen and that microsoft and google are the only computer companies. Isn't it wonderful to convert people

[golfingdude]

Just remember to be careful. Even the best freeware site can be duped. And freeware sites like this one are becoming less free all the time. Sorry, but I feel anytime a site begins to court advertising dollars they risk the possibility of their integrity being held hostage. The latest plug for the PDF to Word conversion software is a prime example, try downloading this and see how deeply the software company wants to sink its hooks into you.

Also there are studies, reliability unknown, suggesting that a vast majority of freeware is either adware or malware, which I am beginning to believe. And much of the freeware being offered is from China or Ex-Soviet block countries in Europe. Not to suggest some convoluted conspiracy, just raising a point that seems to be ignored completely by our Western - sometimes naive - mentality. They are especially adept at making system utility, backup, and security freeware; again not suggesting any covert theories for this, just a casual observation

[garth]

Originally Posted by golfingdude

Also there are studies, reliability unknown, suggesting that a vast majority of freeware is either adware or malware, which I am beginning to believe.

Care to provide some links to these studies?

[Remah]

Originally Posted by golfingdude

And freeware sites like this one are becoming less free all the time. Sorry, but I feel anytime a site begins to court advertising dollars they risk the possibility of their integrity being held hostage.

In principle, I believe that no human activity is completely free, that all actions have a "cost" or "undesired consequence" of some sort. Even casual throwaway comments like yours have consequences. I can understand your concern but it doesn't really justify your implied criticism of this site.

For the record, I can't find any evidence that the introduction of advertising on this site has affected the freedom and integrity of the people running this site. Of course, as an editor, I'm privileged to see the hard work behind the scenes that is not visible to most visitors.

In practice, I believe that it is better to give than to receive. Gizmo and his supporters are doing this. Advertising would not be necessary at this site except that most people prefer to receive rather than give. Very few donate either their time, their expertise, or their money. Those that make such a commitment tend to be serious about it.

After writing this and before posting it, I looked to see if you are making such a positive commitment to the site. I couldn't find any articles you've contributed but I did find your thread When Freeware isn't. The content and timing of your comment here makes it look like a continuation of that thread and it makes you look argumentative. I invite you to contribute more positively. A comprehensive analysis of freeware advantages and disadvantages would be really helpful particularly if it provided good references.

[wdhpr]

Felt compelled to add my two cents.

I always try to apply the old adage that says: "If its to good to be true it probably is" Of course their are some dishonest people who will try to deceive for profit and beware the hack sites that offer ways to obtain Registration codes for free. For that your most valuable safe guard resides under your hat. I have also learned there are just as many if not more that produce quality free and open source software. Some do it for the challenge of it, some do it to help their fellow man and some do it on hopes their product will become so popular that one day they will profit from it. Allot of freeware comes with options to purchase a license that unlocks useful features. In the end I tend to be trusting but with a healthy amount of skepticism.

Cheers

[Hoppy]

Originally Posted by golfingdude

Just remember to be careful. Even the best freeware site can be duped. And freeware sites like this one are becoming less free all the time. Sorry, but I feel anytime a site begins to court advertising dollars they risk the possibility of their integrity being held hostage. The latest plug for the PDF to Word conversion software is a prime example, try downloading this and see how deeply the software company wants to sink its hooks into you.

Also there are studies, reliability unknown, suggesting that a vast majority of freeware is either adware or malware, which I am beginning to believe. And much of the freeware being offered is from China or Ex-Soviet block countries in Europe. Not to suggest some convoluted conspiracy, just raising a point that seems to be ignored completely by our Western - sometimes naive - mentality. They are especially adept at making system utility, backup, and security freeware; again not suggesting any covert theories for this, just a casual observation

A don't want to be rude mate as i am new here but thats a strong post with very little facts backing it up.
We take chances with "any" software we use but i think Freeware is probably the safest you can use!
Freeware is tested to death by people who do it for free, provide a site with what they think and a forum to discuss or add input to.
You can't get any fairer than that and lets face it, if a program is malicious, its not long in getting out..

I don't doubt that there are some bad programs out there but some common sense and a little research goes a long way, its not rocket science mate.

As for having a go at the site's integrity,, cmon mate, have a wee word with yourself.

There is a lot more clever people on this site than me and it looks like a helluva lot of work has been put into it, If they wanted to make money a doubt they would have started a Freeware site.

If you wanna scream at a site then a suggest you go to Cnet,, then you would have reason to shout..

Please don't take offence mate, i'm on my 2nd whisky of the night.

Slangevar..