Freeware Roundup!

I always emphasize to everyone usually if something has FREE! or FREE or even just free in the title it's usually either a) Illegal or b) A Crappy Trail Version (Kinda like all the software that comes installed on your computer when you first get it). Wouldn't it be nice if there was truth to the word free. If you Google anything, do NOT put the word free in it. The word free most commonly comes up with trial software. The website designers use any keyword they can and free just happens to be very popular. Most people search for free software or such, but that won't work. One day I did a search for AVG Free (Investigation Only. I wasn't going to download it) and it can up with free (Well I'm not going to say it, but we all know what it is). Yeah. You heard me right. This is why I have a challenge for all my readers. I challenge you to not search anything with the word free in it on Google or any other search engine. It might actually reduce the use of the word free and then in a few years, we can search free in Google and get some actual results. In this article, I will be rounding up the best free (No trial versions) software out there. So cancel you illegal download, close your torrent program, get a cup of coffee (or tea!) and get those mice ready because there will be a lot of clicking to do!! Read More...

Before starting our roundup, let's talk about a little Google trick. I mentioned not to Google: Free again, but there is an alternative. You can Google: Free [Software] -intitle:trial. This will simply remove any results that contain the word trial. For a more advanced search try my free Soogle (Software Google. HaHa!!) Search:

Soogle Free Software Search:

Ok so to the roundup. There will be multiple categories for different kinds of software. If you have any suggestions or questions about the software feel free to post a comment or post a message on the forums. So here are the categories:

• Office Suite: Open Office (http://www.open-office.org) - Open Office is a great substitution for Microsoft Word. While it may not have all the cool looks, there are still some other ways it is even better (Hey, it's free! Does that count?) then Microsoft Office!
• Virus Protection: Avira Anti-Virus (http://www.avira.com/ Download Site) - Avira is a great free solution for those who want great virus protection without having to pay a monthly fee or subscription fee. They even have a sense of humor (Their virus scanner is called Luke Filewalker)! For more on Avira and other great virus protection solutions check out my virus protection article.
• Spyware Protection: Spybot Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org/) - While I haven't actually tried it yet I have heard great things about it and nothing bad (yet). For more on Spybot Search and Destroy and other spyware protection solutions see my virus protection article.
• Computer Optimization Tool: CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com) - I am a proud CCleaner (aka Crap Cleaner) user and I must say I LOVE it! CCleaner is an easy to use, quick, and compact computer cleaning program. Little know by most users: Your computer creates temporary files and folders when you run programs, browser the internet, and create files. CCleaner finds and cleanly deletes these files and folders and optimizes your computer. For more on CCleaner and other great computer optimization tools see my computer optimization article.
• Notepad Replacement: Notepad++ (http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/) - Notepad++ is definitely a great replacement for the simple Notepad that comes with your computer. It comes with features such as tabs, font support, scripting support (Fully fledged HTML, php, JavaScript, etc. Editor), and more!
• Email Client - Mozilla Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird) - Mozilla Thunderbird is a great solution to an expensive option such as Outlook. It has all the features that you would want with an email client and even has add-on support (like Firefox!).
• Audio Editor: Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/) - Ever want to start a record or just mess with some music. You find this really cool software that you want, but after looking at the price tag you decide it's not worth it. Audacity is a free audio editing software that has many of the features that professional editing software has.
• Video Editor: VirtualDub(http://www.virtualdub.org/) - Is Windows Movie Maker just not doing it for you? It's limited features are too little for you professional video editing skills. Then you need VirtualDub. It has a lot of those professional tools and features that you would expect from an extremely expensive editor. While it's not a professional editor, it's definitely better than Windows Movie Maker and some professional software. And who can beat the price, free!
• HTML Editor: AceHTML (http://software.visicommedia.com/) - While it might look complicated at first AceHTML is a professional solution minus the price of an expensive suite. It even has support for other languages such as Javascript, php, perl, etc.
• CD Burner: CDBurnerXP (http://cdburnerxp.se/) - You've probably noticed the very high price of some of those CD/DVD burners. They are really expensive, but usually are the only brands that people buy (Nero, Roxio, etc.). Why waste all that money when you can get a great (and possible better than some of the expensive ones), free CD/DVD burner. I must say, for free software, CDBurnerXP is incredibly professional. Note: Do not be worried about the XP on the end. It is compatible with all Windows Operating Systems.
• Web Browser: Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/) - Firefox is one of the best web browsers I have tried. It is said Firefox is nine times faster then Internet Explorer and (3.1) is three times faster then the previous one (2.0). Firefox is not only fast, but it has cool features like themes (Get that familiar IE Look again), and addons (Such as Ad-Blocker, and yes, it really blocks all ads).
• Photo Editor: GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/) - GIMP is a very good replacement for the very expensive Photoshop. While it doesn't have all the features Photoshop does it comes pretty close and it's good for those who prefer not to break the bank!!

All of the software listed above is free and there are no trial versions. I suggest not downloading them all at once, but if you do there will be no harm. All of the programs are relatively small. If you have any questions, comments, additions, or suggestions feel free to post them in the comments section or PM me through our Youtube Channel.