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kasapres

Note: Yet another reprise of a valuable collection:

TOP IDF50 DOWNLOADS

Moderators: Kasapres, Biga, (with special thanks to Dr. Mac, the ShangriLa Kid)

----Updated 04/ 08/ 2004---Additional programs added

And herewith ... yet ANOTHER free service to all our members!

A list of the top IDF50 "approved" downloads.

Grateful appreciation to fellow-moderators Kasapres and The Kid for testing,
suggestions, more suggestions and admirable dedication in assisting me with this whole project.

Our aim is to present you with a list of programs that are :

1) Spyware free
2) Free of time-limits and other restrictions
3) Genuinely useful
4) Useful to a large number of IDF50 members
5) And, of course ... FREE !

Obviously, there are many programs that meet the above criteria and
we encourage members to tell us about your favourites in the Computer Forum.

However, with the built-in default programs that come with Windows, and with these "Top IDF50 Downloads",
you will be able to keep your PC in tip-top health and enjoy many other facilities and benefits.

============================================

SYSTEM UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE

Disk Cleaner

An excellent utility to clean up lots of junk on your hard drive that can slow
down the computer. Full "how to use it" details are in Computer Clinic 15.
Download the version that has ALL the plug-ins.
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mp2004/a_install/dcsetup.exe

End It All v. 2

Many---if not most---running programs should always be closed down before,
installing or uninstalling any new items, or doing a Scandisk or Defrag etc.
End It All makes it very easy "three-click" operation to do so.

Direct to .Zip file download:
http://safsquad.com/Files/EndItAll2.zip

End It All v. 1

Version 1 is a more "gentle" program in that it does not have the option to "Kill" running programs!
Also, it does not close down as many running programs as Version 2 (above) does,
but it is still "good enough" to use before installing a new program, running Scandisk, doing a Defrag etc.
Ideal for the more timid user!
http://www.jfwlite.com/enditall.zip

More details about EndItAll are in Dr. Macs Computer Clinic 5 and 6.
Please note that the pictures in these Clinics are for Version 1.
Version 2 is a much more powerful program.

Ed. note July 4, 2004:
Ziff-Davis--dba PC Magazine have 'purchased' the rights to EndItAll and
EndItAll2 and have gotten their noses in a snit about it being FREE for some reason.
They have proposed/threatened to revoke the Freeware versions.

Please advise Kas or Biga if the links provided are not successful.

Reg Cleaner

Over time, your Registry also accumulates a lot of junk. This
is a "one-click-clear-it-out" program. Complete details on how
to use are in Computer Clinic 30. You are STRONGLY advised
to study this Clinic thoroughly BEFORE trying to use Reg Cleaner!
Download the file called "RegCleaner WITH INSTALLER"
http://tinyurl.com/3fem2

RegSeeker

More powerful and comprehensive than RegCleaner but with fewer 'lists'.
Regseeker has several other very handy categories including a''Tweak' section,
to make it easy to set your right click menus, auto-play functions and many others convenient changes.
Once downloaded, just copy the .exe icon/file directly to your desktop with Right click> Send to> Desktop....
Be sure to tick the 'Backup before deletion' option (lower left corner) before running you scans.

http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

INTERNET AND E-MAIL

AnalogX 'POW'

A small program which stops most 'ups and unders' (pop-ups and unders)
before they get to your screen and permits you to add any new ones to the
block list as they present themselves. You make your own updates.
Very easy to understand and use.
http://www.analogx.com/files/powi.exe

AnalogX 'CookieWall'
A very easily configured cookie blocker.
Can be set for manual or automatic blocking...or to Allow,
Delete or Prompt you when cookies attempt to implant themselves.
CookieWall will then create lists of the good 'uns and the bad.....and
continue to block the persistently bad ones. The lists can be revised at any time.

http://tinyurl.com/1mnr

Cookie Spy

Lists all cookies inserted during an online session then enables deletion of any
or all at any time. Can be used in conjunction with Disk Cleaner.
It also can be very informative re: who is sending these cookies ... and when,
and with what programs.

Note:
The latest version of CookieSpy now includes a cookie blocker and a very strong cookie cleaner.
Should you choose to install this version, be extra careful when choosing which cookies.
to allow and/or which to deny.
Many cookies are harmless and, in fact, are necessary for proper access to and viewing of most web pages.
CookieSpy is available here:
http://camtech2000.net/Pages/Cookie_Spy_SE.htm

Download Express

This program helps to prevent download disasters.
The Microsoft download manager will NOT resume downloads if you
are unlucky enough to have your internet connection cut off
half way through a download. Download Express will RESUME a
download from where you left off ... or got cut off.
Further "how to" is in Dr. Macs Clinic 25.
http://tinyurl.com/dh36h

MailWasher

Want to sort your e-mail while it is still on your server...before
it gets to your system? With this great mail program YOU decide whether
a message is a 'Friend' and allowed through, or added to your 'Blacklist' and
blocked and/or deleted from the server. You can even bounce the more
offensive stuff right back to the sender, leaving them to believe your address
is invalid. All future messages from these sources will be sorted and marked
accordingly. It even identifies some of the junk mail for you!
http://www.firetrust.com/products/

This program is no longer freeware. It does offer a 30 day fully functional trial period.

MailWasher version 1.33 is available from the link below.
This was the last stable freeware version of this program that was not a beta version or payware version.

http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page2.html
1.33 Improvements:
• Hyperlinks in the text preview of emails.
• Heuristics now look for the Outlook bug exploited by viruses such as Klez.
• Minor interface improvements and functionality added.

1.33 Fixes:
• Many minor bugs fixed.

FILES AND FILE MANAGEMENT

Chain Saw

It's good to make backups. But what if that file you want to
save is too large to fit onto a floppy? You need a chain-saw to
slice it into smaller bits! And that's exactly what this program
does. You have several options and can set the size of each
chunk yourself. A .bat file is automatically generated which
joins all the pieces together again. Very easy to use. There's
even the sound of a chain-saw when your file is being "sawed up" !
http://www.frankenwandern.de/chainsaw.zip

Microsoft WORD Viewer

To view (read) Microsoft Word files you need to have Microsoft
Office (or Microsoft Word itself) installed. But it's a pretty
expensive program. If you do NOT have Word installed, then you can
download this free viewer from Microsoft that will allow
you to read/view Word (.doc) documents.
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/fsp/wd97vwr32.exe

The two relevant downloads posted by Microsoft are:

1. Word Viewer 2003
http://tinyurl.com/64atx

Quote:
System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP
This download applies to the following Office applications:
Microsoft Office Word 2003
Microsoft Word 2002
Microsoft Word 2000
Microsoft Word 97

2. Word 97-2000 Viewer
http://tinyurl.com/3qdu

Quote:
System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT

WinZip

The most downloaded program in the history of the internet!
Many files are compressed (zipped) - especially files you
download. To use them, they need to be UN-zipped first.
Although this is an evaluation version, for private use you can
continue to use it.
http://www.winzip.com/linkfpp.cgi

PROTECTION AND SECURITY

AVG - Anti-Viral Grisoft

Very quickly became the "official" free anti-viral program for IDF50.
Excellent program with regular and free viral-signature file updates.

For complete details, please study Computer Clinics 9, 10 and 11.
Then, study Clinic 21.
If you run Windows ME, then please see Clinic 12 as well.

NOTE : There is a great deal of additional and updated info.
regarding the AVG Rescue disks, and different ways to download
the viral signature file updates in "Sticky : TOP TIPS"
http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_dwnl2.htm

SpyBot Search and Destroy

A comprehensive and up-dateable system scanner which targets known worms, trojans, adware,
BHOs, spyware and other nastries--and cleans them out for you.
SpyBot S&D also includes a spyware blocker and can lock out any hijack attempts made against your browser.
In our war against hackers and other ne-er-do-wells, this program should be teamed with,
AdAware (below) as part of you first line of defence.

Download here: http://security.kolla.de/

Tutorials Here:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=43

http://tomcoyote.com/SPYBOT/index1.php

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=tutorial

Ad-Aware

Identifies and eliminates Spyware on your hard drive AND in your
registry. Full details are in Computer Clinic 17
http://www.lavasoft.de/
Direct download - http://www.majorgeeks.com/getfile.php?file=506&site=2
For a quick tutorial and help with your settings, look here: http://www.zerosrealm.com/scanning.php

Avast Anti-Virus

Quickly becoming a favourite IDF alternative to AVG, this anti-viral program boasts individual yet,
intregrated real time, e-mail (with a plug in for Outlook), and download scanners.
Automatic updating frees you from worry about whether your protection is up-to-date and
the 'safe room' feature they call the Virus Chest provides a virus free environment in which you can
safely open your more sensitive files.
Get it here: http://www.avast.com/i_idt_153.html

GRAPHICS

Irfan View

A really excellent image/graphics program.
When you get to the main web-site, it is also worth it to look for and download
"All plug-ins" Install this after you have installed the main program. This will greatly
extend the range of "tricks" you can do with IrfanView.
http://irfanview.tuwien.ac.at/iview380.exe

Plugins - http://www.irfanview.com/plugins.htm

MULTIMEDIA

WinMX

IDF50s favourite Spyware and Adware FREE P2P file download site.
Mostly used (but certainly not limited to) to find and download almost any format
of music and video files from an ever-expanding source base.
Lots of assistance for setting up and optimizing your downloads is available from forum members.
http://www.winmx.com/

Configuration tips and info at: http://www.slyck.com/index.html

K++ the KaZaAlite deluxe hacked version

One of the best and fastest P2P (Peer-to-Peer) file sharing networks/programs.
Very straightforward to set up. Does all but the registration for you....and
we don't recommend you register anyway.
This hard to find adware and spyware free version includes:
--Integrated anti-RIAA firewall (blocks tracking cookies from the music police)
--Port scan blocker (KaZaA ports)-additional firewall protection while downloading
--No spyware, adware, pop-ups, or banner ads.
--No bitrate limits for MP3 files
--Multi-source downloads have a maximum of 40 simultaneous sources.
--Finds sources for a download once every minute instead of every 10 minutes.(programmable)
--You are automatically assigned a 'maximum participation' designation. (P2P programs usually rank members--
and allow queue jumping based on how many files they have to offer).
Uploaders can't cut in line anymore regardless of their participation level. This improves the number of completed uploads and takes away the advantage that cheaters have.
--Shared files are scanned every five minutes instead of every minute to save system resources.
There are a few boxes to check if you want a 'custom' set up.
Once K++ is downloaded and installed, read the manual and descriptions for each module.
You'll probably find you don't need nor want a couple of them. If so, just don't select them.

Note from Kas:
Mr. Sharman--the developer of KazAa and many of it's derivatives---has suffered through much legalized harrassment by some of the ambulance chasing shysters associated with the music industry (If you are one of them, shame on you!!). He has subsequently decided to withdraw his program from general distribution.
However, there are workable older versions and more info to be had at these sites:
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=kazaalite
http://www.zeropaid.com/kazaalite/

Configuration tips and info:
http://www.slyck.com/index.html

MISCELLANEOUS

Belarc Adviser

An excellent program that scans your hard drive then produces
a list of EVERYTHING you have on your computer! Very useful
to make sure you don't overlook important programs to back-up.
Useful as well for discovering the serial number of your
operating system and other installed programs that you might have lost.
This would be critical if you ever had to format your hard drive and do a full
installation of Windows from scratch.
http://www.belarc.com/Programs/advisor.exe

Google

Looking for a program or file to download but can't find it here?

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