Mostly freeware programs I use, which you might find useful too

Over the years I’ve used several programs to do things Windows doesn’t do, or doesn’t do well.  I’m a scrooge, so I’ve always looked for the cheapest, um, free option.   Some I use frequently, other’s less so, and there will probably be one or two I don’t use anymore but would still recommend.

I’ve put them into categories otherwise this could be a very long post.  The categories are: Applications, Drivers, Internet, Media, Photo, Security and Tools.  For each program, I’ll describe it briefly, and point you to where you can get it, as best I know.

Without much more ado...

Applications – Part I

Ashampoo Burning Studio

Software suite to burn CDs and DVDs.  It does it all, as good as Nero or similar, but it’s free.   I think I originally got it off a computer magazine cover disk. You do get adverts and a bit of spam, but that’s controllable.  It will burn or rip anything – audio CDs, ISOs... as you like.  The free version, is a version or two behind the retail one, but I’m not bothered about that.  I burn so few disks, I just want something quick and easy to use.

Find out more here:

http://www.ashampoo.com 

Or get it here:

http://download.cnet.com/Ashampoo-Burning-Studio-Free/3000-2646_4-10776287.html

Convert

Convert just about any measurement.  Density (ounce per gallon to milligram per cubic metre).  Distance (miles to centimetres). Energy (gigajoule to BTU).  Flow.  Force.  Light.  Mass.  Power.  Acceleration.  Amount of Substance.  Angle.  Area.  Computer (Exabytes to nibbles).  Concentration (moles).  Pressure.  Speed.  Temperature.  Time.  Torque.  Volume.

There is no install process.  It’s just a little .exe file, so you could keep this on your USB flash drive and run it anywhere when you need to know how many litres there are to a bushel.  (35.23907!)

Get it here:

http://www.joshmadison.com/software 

Foxit PDF Reader

There was a time when Adobe Reader just got too big and was painfully slow.  Foxit PDF Reader was the answer.  I’m not sure if it’s still the answer, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Get it here:

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/

FreeMind

Draw mind maps quickly and easily.  This is a small, Java based program that allows you to enter your thoughts on a mind map.  You’ll need the Java runtime installed, but look in their Wiki / Asked Questions / Installation section how to do that if you don’t already know.

Find out more here:

http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Get it here:

http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download  (look in the list for “Windows Installer Max”)

GIMP

GIMP is an image manipulation program, very much like PhotoShop.  Except it’s built on free-ness.  It does pretty much all that PhotoShop does, although it’s slower and some things need workarounds.  But GIMP is free, and PhotoShop costs hundreds of pounds.  It will probably do everything you need to do quite comfortably.  It also needs Java runtime.

Find out more here:

http://www.gimp.org/

Get it here:

http://www.gimp.org/downloads/  (you don’t want the source – just the Windows installer)

Juice

If you listen to podcasts, but don’t have an iPod – or don’t like iTunes – then Juice will download and manage your Podcasts for you.  Once it’s set up to download, it just carries on in the background.  When you want your podcasts, just go get them from the download folder.  Easy.  No heavy overhead of iTunes.

Get it here:

http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/

Notepad2

If you do a bit of lightweight programming, or perhaps use Notepad more frequently than most, then Notepad2 might be for you.  It runs as a standalone program, so no installation necessary.  Put it on your USB flash drive.  It has far more editing functions than you could imagine.  And it shows line numbers, which is probably the most useful feature to me.

Get it here:

http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html

(edit: Sorry about the links not working.  Don't know what happened there.)