This guide will recommend some free software for your computer (not just dealing with digital video) that might just help you save thousands of dollars on commercial software, or at the very least prevent you from becoming a terrorist by using pirated software, so you can concentrate on being a terrorist in Counter-Strike instead. Only freeware and open source software will be listed, no shareware, trialware and whenever possible, no ad-ware either.
Of course, the ultimate method to get a computer that only uses free software is to go Linux, but this guide will cover Windows XP only (and in some extent, Vista) as this is still the OS that most people use and are familiar with. Oh, and to play games and stuff.
Your computer is now at least somewhat protected from the Internet (so plug back that network cable). We will be talking about security a few steps later in more detail (and most likely, won't be using Windows Firewall to protect ourselves), but we are somewhat safe, for now.
This guide will recommend some free software for your computer (not just dealing with digital video) that might just help you save thousands of dollars on commercial software, or at the very least prevent you from becoming a terrorist by using pirated software, so you can concentrate on being a terrorist in Counter-Strike instead. Only freeware and open source software will be listed, no shareware, trialware and whenever possible, no ad-ware either.
Of course, the ultimate method to get a computer that only uses free software is to go Linux, but this guide will cover Windows XP only (and in some extent, Vista) as this is still the OS that most people use and are familiar with. Oh, and to play games and stuff.
Your computer is now at least somewhat protected from the Internet (so plug back that network cable). We will be talking about security a few steps later in more detail (and most likely, won't be using Windows Firewall to protect ourselves), but we are somewhat safe, for now.
This guide will recommend some free software for your computer (not just dealing with digital video) that might just help you save thousands of dollars on commercial software, or at the very least prevent you from becoming a terrorist by using pirated software, so you can concentrate on being a terrorist in Counter-Strike instead. Only freeware and open source software will be listed, no shareware, trialware and whenever possible, no ad-ware either.
Of course, the ultimate method to get a computer that only uses free software is to go Linux, but this guide will cover Windows XP only (and in some extent, Vista) as this is still the OS that most people use and are familiar with. Oh, and to play games and stuff.
Your computer is now at least somewhat protected from the Internet (so plug back that network cable). We will be talking about security a few steps later in more detail (and most likely, won't be using Windows Firewall to protect ourselves), but we are somewhat safe, for now.
digest.com/articles/Free_Software_Gide_page!.html "thor/P#lisher: $%$G& $ate "dded: 'a& ()* (++) $ate Updated: ,n -* (++) . recentl& ran into a dilemma when helping a friend #& a new compter. She had #oght a compter* on m& recommendations* and all it came with was an O/' 0ersion of 1indows 2P. O#0iosl&* . was o#ligated to hoo3 e0er&thing p* and install all the necessar& software. 4ormall&* . wold recommend a few commercial prodcts which . wold then #& and install* #t in this case* #dget was tight and so . had to resort to sing onl& free software. 5o m& srprise* what . fond was that there are so man& free alternati0es to good software that there is reall& 0er& little need to spend a hge amont of mone& 6or an& mone&7 and still get a secre and fll& fnctional compter. 5his gide will recommend some free software for &or compter 6not 8st dealing with digital 0ideo7 that might 8st help &o sa0e thosands of dollars on commercial software* or at the 0er& least pre0ent &o from #ecoming a terrorist #& sing pirated software* so &o can concentrate on #eing a terrorist http://www.theregister.co.3/(++9/!!/!)/gran_pirac&_lessons/ in :onter-Stri3e instead. Onl& freeware and open sorce software will #e listed* no shareware* trialware and whene0er possi#le* no ad-ware either. Of corse* the ltimate method to get a compter that onl& ses free software is to go Lin;* #t this gide will co0er 1indows 2P onl& 6and in some e;tent* %ista7 as this is still the OS that most people se and are familiar with. Oh* and to pla& games and st<. Temporary Safety So &or new compter is plgged in* &o=0e set p the "$SL or ca#le connection and &o are read& to head online to get or free software. >t to do this* we will ha0e to 0entre online* and this means danger. $anger from tro8ans that sit idl& on we# pages* read& to stri3e. $anger from hac3ers loo3ing for new compters to hac3 into. $angers from emails claiming to #e from &or #an3 as3ing &o to immediatel& login to &or online #an3ing accont or all &or mone& will #e gone. 5he .nternet is a scar& place for a new compter 6and . see the iron& of ha0ing to go online to read this gide in the ?rst place - hopefll& some#od& has printed &o a cop&* or &o ha0e access to another secred compter7. So the ?rst thing &o shold do* apart from disconnecting &or compter from the .nternet* is to at the 0er& least ena#le 1indows Firewall. 1indows Firewall comes free with 1indows 2P and a#o0e* and it is reall& the ?rst line of defence for a new compter. " ?rewall does what it sonds li3e* to pt a #arrier #etween &or compter and all those people and @om#ie compters attempting to hac3 into &or s&stem. 1indows Firewall is not the #est personal ?rewall arond - it doesn=t protect &o from ot#ond traAc for e;ample - #t it=s there alread&* so clic3 on the BStartB #tton* go to B:ontrol PanelB* clic3 on B1indows FirewallB and ena#le it. Windows Firewall Cor compter is now at least somewhat protected from the .nternet 6so plg #ac3 that networ3 ca#le7. 1e will #e tal3ing a#ot secrit& a few steps later in more detail 6and most li3el&* won=t #e sing 1indows Firewall to protect orsel0es7* #t we are somewhat safe* for now. Co shold now rn 1indows Update 6Start -D "ll Programs -D 1indows Update7 to get &or 1indows patched p with the latest secrit& ?;es. 5here shold #e Eite a few* and it might ta3e an hor or two* and a few s&stem restarts* to get e0er&thing patched p. $on=t s3ip this step thogh* #ecase old OS 0lnera#ilities are the ?rst things hac3ers tr& to e;ploit and can render all &or other secrit& measres seless. Web Browser and Email Client 4ow that 1indows Firewall is rnning and that 1indows is patched p* it=s time to get a new #rowser instead of sing .nternet /;plorer 6./7. ./ has impro0ed secrit& Eite a #it since it was ?rst introdced* #t &o wold #e mch #etter o< with a di<erent #rowser. Fere are some of the choices: Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox UR! "es#ription! 'o@illa Firefo; is pro#a#l& the most poplar ./ alternati0e arond. .t has all the ad0anced #rowsing featres &o wold e;pect* and has mch impro0ed secrit& compared to ./. "lso has lots o< free add-ons li3e 4oScript https://addons.mo@illa.org/en-US/?refo;/addon/)(( * which impro0es secrit&. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Open Sorce $pera $pera UR! http://www.opera.com/ "es#ription! Opera is another great free #rowser* a0aila#le not onl& on the P: #t for a 0ariet& of other platforms 6the 4intendo 1ii ses a 0ersion of the Opera #rowser for its .nternet :hannel7. 4ot as poplar as Firefo;* #t this cold o<er &o more secrit& 6throgh o#scrit&7. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware 5he ne;t thing to install is an email client 6some of the free software we will download reEire a 0alid email address7. " we# #ased email tool li3e Google Gmail or CahooG 'ail might #e a good place to start. Getting a free email accont to se for online registration is a great wa& to pre0ent spam Hooding into &or primar&/.SP email* and ma3es mo0ing .SPs easier #& not ha0ing to change &or email address whene0er &o change .SPs. >t sometimes &o ma& need to ha0e a des3top email client 6that can also access &or online email acconts7. Co pro#a#l& sholdn=t rel& on Otloo3 /;press* althogh it is free* since li3e .nternet /;plorer* secrit& is a pro#lem. 4ote that #rowsers li3e Firefo; or Opera a#o0e normall& inclde an email client* #t with limited fnctionalit&. For fll fnctional standalone mail clients* &o ha0e a few good choices: T%underbird T%underbird UR! http://www.mo@illa.com/en-US/thnder#ird/ "es#ription! " companion to 'o@illa Firefo;* o<ers ad0anced email featres for a price &o can=t arge with. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Open Sorce Eudora Eudora UR! http://www.edora.com/download/ "es#ription! /dora is a well 3nown commercial email client* #t it has a freeware 0ersion that is missing some featres* or another 0ersion that has all the featres #t is spported #& the displa& of some ads within the client. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! "d-spported fll& fnctional freeware* or featre-disa#led light 0ersion 6no ads7 Se#urity 5o secre &or compter* &o need an in#ond/ot#ond personal ?rewall 6a software that scans incoming and otgoing traAc to &or compter* to protect from hac3ers and malware7* an anti-0irs scanner 6to scan we# pages* email and ?les for 0irs/tro8ans7 and a sp&ware #loc3er. 5here is a great thread on or form that discsses free secrit& software* &o can read this thread here. >e sre to onl& choose one of each t&pe of secrit& software 6eg. ! ?rewall* ! anti-0irs* ! sp&ware #loc3er7* as if &o install mltiple software* the& might conHict with each other and lea0e &o nprotected. 5he e;ception is for anti-sp&ware* where &o can se 1indows $efender for realtime scanning* and then Sp&#ot SI$ to scan &or entire s&stem 8st in case something has slipped throgh. "t the end of this section* there is also some information on how to protect &or online pri0ac&. .f &o=0e followed this gide* &o are alread& sing 1indows Firewall. 1e will now e;amine some #etter choices for ?rewall software* since 1indows Firewall does not protect &o from ot#ond traAc 6traAc from &or compter* which might #e malware or a tro8an tr&ing to spread itself to &or friend=s compters7. Fere are the choices: &one'larm Basi# &one'larm UR! Jone"larm >asic "es#ription! Jone"larm is a commercial ?rewall/secrit& software site* #t has a free #asic 0ersion that wor3s great as a personal ?rewall. i#ense! Freeware 6less featres than commercial 0ersion7. Sa0e K(+ when &o $ownload Jone"larm Secrit& Site toda& Comodo Free Firewall Comodo Free Firewall UR! :omodo Free Firewall "es#ription! :omodo Free Firewall* winner of P: 'aga@ine Online=s /ditor=s :hoice award* o<ers ot-of-the-#o; protection against identit& theft hac3ers* 5ro8ans* scripts and other n3nown threats. i#ense! Freeware 4ow for an anti-0irs tool. 5here are also free alternati0es to poplar commercial choices sch as 4orton or 'c"fee: '(G 'nti)(irus Free '(G 'nti)(irus Free UR! http://free.grisoft.com "es#ription! "%G "nti-%irs pro0ides protection from 0irs and tro8ans for non commercial home se* with reglar pdates to 3eep &o safe. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware 6for non commercial se7 a*ast+ anti*irus a*ast+ anti*irus UR! http://www.a0ast.com/ "es#ription! a0astG 9 Fome /dition is a fll-featred anti0irs pac3age designed e;clsi0el& for home sers and non-commercial se. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware 6for non commercial se7 ClamWin ClamWin UR! http://www.clamwin.com/ "es#ription! :lam1in is a free open sorce anti0irs software* #t does not inclde realtime scanning i#ense! Open Sorce Fere are some tools that will protect &o from sp&ware* malware and other nwanted software. "nd &es* we ?nall& ha0e a recommendation of a 'icrosoft software. " recommended setp is to se 1indows $efender for realtime scanning* and then Sp&#ot SI$ or "d-"ware to scan &or entire s&stem 8st in case something has slipped throgh. Windows "efender Windows "efender UR! http://www.microsoft.com/defender/ "es#ription! Free from 'icrosoft to pro0ide realtime defence against nwanted software. Onl& reEirement is a genine 0ersion of 1indows. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware Spybot ) Sear#% , "estroy Spybot ) Sear#% , "estroy UR! http://www.safer- networ3ing.org/en/home/ "es#ription! Sp&#ot - Search I $estro& is non realtime anti-sp&ware tool i#ense! Freeware 'd)'ware SE -ersonal 'd)'ware SE -ersonal UR! "d-"ware S/ Personal "es#ription! "d-"ware S/ Personal o<er free sp&ware remo0al* #t does not o<er realtime protection. i#ense! Freeware Finall&* there is the isse of pri0ac&. 1hen &o #rowse we#sites* a lot of information a#ot &or compter is sent o0er* part of the wa& the .nternet wor3s nfortnatel&. 5o protect &or pri0ac&* &o can se a free anon&mos pro;& or se an online anon&mi@er tool li3e the-cloa3. For an easier to setp and more relia#le soltion* tr& 5or* which is a pac3age of se0eral tools that will ma3e it impossi#le to trac3 &or online mo0ements. 5he #est thing a#ot 5or is that a Firefo; add-on is a0aila#le that allows it to #e ena#led and disa#led at the clic3 of a #tton 6some sites are not compati#le with 5or* and #rowsing is mch slower when sing it* so sometimes &o ma& want to disa#le it7. Spea3ing of Firefo; add-ons* there are lots of secrit& and pri0ac& related add-ons for this #rowser here 64oScript is a good one to get rid of scripts on we# pages* which is a main sorce of malicios code and it also stops ads from displa&ing7. File Transfer. Sear#% and Ba#/up0Re#o*ery 4ow that we=0e got or #rowser and secrit& set p* let=s ta3e a loo3 at ?le transfer clients. Starting with F5P: File&illa File&illa UR! http://?le@illa.sorceforge.net/ "es#ription! F5P client that does e0er&thing &o want* erm* with F5P. Reall& no reason to get a commercial F5P client. i#ense! Open Sorce SmartFT- SmartFT- UR! http://www.smartftp.com/ "es#ription! "nother free F5P client. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware 6for non commercial se7 >it5orrent* despite its reptation as a tool for pirates* is actall& Eite sefl for downloading an& sort of large ?le* #e it an Lin; .SO or a game demo. Lc3il&* most >it5orrent clients are free* #t here are or pic3s: 1Torrent 1Torrent UR! http://www.torrent.com/ "es#ription! " fll&-featred >it5orrent client with a small footprint 6low :PU sage7 and eas& to se interface. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware BitComet BitComet UR! http://www.#itcomet.com/ "es#ription! >it5orrent client that also do#les as a F55P/F5P download accelerator. Spports 1indows %ista. i#ense! Freeware 'zureus 'zureus UR! http://a@res.sorceforge.net/ "es#ription! '& former fa0orite >it5orrent client* #t far too resorce hngr& compared to L5orrent* de to the inherent wea3ness of ,a0a. i#ense! Open Sorce For ?le searching on &or compter* if &o are not alread& sing %ista=s search featres 6or not sing %ista at all7* then there are se0eral choices in terms of des3top searching. 5he ones .=ll spotlight are Google $es3top Search 6%ista read&7* :opernic $es3top Search and e0en one from 'icrosoft* 1indows $es3top Search. Google $es3top Search http://des3top.google.com/ :opernic $es3top Search http://www.copernic.com/ 1indows $es3top Search http://www.microsoft.com/windows/des3topsearch/defalt.msp; 'o0ing on to ?le #ac3p and reco0er&. File #ac3p is one of those things that people don=t reall& care a#ot ntil the& ?nd that the& need the #ac3p* and sall& #& then* it is too late. Sometimes &o hard-dri0e manfactrer will pro0ide simpli?ed #ac3p tilities that most will ?nd enogh for their #ac3p needs - for e;ample* Seagate and 'a;tor F$$ owners ha0e $isc1i@ard http://tin&rl.com/()&-Mt / 'a;>last http://tin&rl.com/(n-#&& ses the poplar "cronis #ac3p engine to pro0ide image #ased #ac3p 6#ac3p the entire hard-dri0e* sector #& sector - great for mo0ing from one dri0e to another7. Co can also se 1indows >ac3p to #ac3p &or ?les* with the %ista 0ersion #eing a #it more sefl than the 2P 0ersion 6especiall& the image #ased #ac3p featres in the >siness and Ultimate editions of %ista7. For freeware options* tr& S&nc>ac3 Freeware http://www.(#rightspar3s.com/downloads.htmlNfreeware or /J>ac3-it-p http://www.rdcomp.net/e@#ac3itp/inde;.php 5hen there is the 4ero Site* which incldes 4ero >ac3.tUp - e0en thogh 4ero is commercial software* 4ero is #ndled with almost e0er&thing these da&s* it can almost #e considered free software. S&nc>ac3 /J>ac3-it-p 4ero >ac3.tUp .f restoring a #ac3p is no longer an option 6ie. &o didn=t do it* and now &o=0e lost/accidentall& deleted some data7* &o can se a ?le reco0er& tool to get at least some ?les #ac3. File reco0er& is no alternati0e to #ac3p thogh* and in the #est cases* &o will #e lc3& if &o can get O+P of &or ?les #ac3. Co can tr& sing $"5" Unerase Personal /dition to see if &o can still reco0er the deleted ?les 6if the& had onl& #een recentl& deleted* there is a good chance of reco0er&7. "lso tr& Undelete Pls. $"5" Unerase Personal /dition Undelete Pls http://www.octanesoft.com/data_reco0er&_free_edition.html Undelete Pls http://www.ndelete-pls.com/ $2#e and -rodu#ti*ity 'icrosoft OAce is an oAce site that will almost meet &or word processing* spreadsheet* presentation and other oAce/school related needs. Unfortnatel&* it is also Eite e;pensi0e* althogh the OAce (++) Fome and Stdent edition is Eite a<orda#le* and allows &o to install it on M compters too - #t cheap is not good enogh for this gide* it has to #e free. 5here is reall& onl& one ma8or free alternati0e to 'icrosoft OAce 6oQine an&wa&7* and that is OpenOAce. .t o<ers compati#ilit& with 'icrosoft OAce docments* and spports the latest 1indows %ista 6as well as other poplar OSes sch as Lin; or 'ac OS7. 5he OpenOAce pac3age incldes: http://www.openoAce.org/ 1riter - word processor .mpress - presentation tool 'ath - math eEation editor $raw - graphics/diagram creator :alc - spreadsheet tool >ase - data#ase tool OpenOAce - 1riter OpenOAce - .mpress OpenOAce - :alc .f &o don=t mind editing &or docments online* then &o can se Google $ocs to create &or docments and spreadsheet. .t=s not as fanc& as 'S OAce or OpenOAce* #t most of &or needs shold #e met. Pls* it spports #oth 'S 1ord and OpenOAce docment formats. "nd it=s also a great wa& to share &or docments online* allowing grops to edit a single docment. 1h& not sign p for free and tr& ot Google $ocs for &orself. Google $ocs http://docs.google.com/ -rimo-"F http://www.primopdf.com/ .f P$F docment creation is what &o need* loo3 no frther than PrimoP$F. PrimoP$F can con0ert &or e;isting docments to P$F format throgh a printer interface 6print the docment as &o wold normall&* #t instead of printing to paper* it prints to a P$F ?le7. .ts main featres inclde: Print to P$F from 0irtall& an& application. :reate P$F otpt optimi@ed for print* screen* e#oo3* or prepress. "#ilit& to merge and append P$F ?les pon con0ersion Secre P$Fs with 9+-/!(R-#it encr&ption* allowing the highest le0el of secrit& for &or P$F ?les. Settings inclde password to open* password to change* disa#le printing* disa#le te;t/graphics cop&ing* disa#le commenting* disa#le te;t editing* disa#le page addition. Spea3ing of P$F* &o shold pro#a#l& download and install "do#e Reader. . don=t personall& li3e it 6a #it #loated* if &o as3 me7* #t &o reall& do need it as P$F is sed all o0er the place. 1ant to ma3e &or own we# pagesS Starting with a 1CS.1CG we# page editor* 'o@illa Sea'on3e& incldes :omposer* a we# page editor. 1ant something a #it more ad0ancedS 5r& 40* the open sorce we# site editor and manager that aims to ri0al #igshots li3e 'icrosoft FrontPage or $reamwea0er. For a simple #log* &o can se the 1ordPress online ser0ice* or download the 1ordPress pac3age and host it &orself. Co can e0en host &or own we#site on &or compter 6.SP permitting7* and for that* &o need the "pache F55P ser0er* the most poplar we# ser0er in the world 6and it=s free - 1indows #inar& a0aila#le7. For &or data#ase needs* tr& '&STL* also free. -%oto0Grap%i#s Manipulation 1ant Photoshop #t don=t want to pa& for it 6there=s a pirac& 8o3e in here somewhere7S 4o worries* #ecase free alternati0es are a0aila#le: G.'P G.'P URL: http://www.gimp.org/ $escription: G4U .mage 'aniplation Program. Powerfl graphics editing and athoring program. License: Open SorceU Paint.4/5 Paint.4/5 URL: http://www.getpaint.net/ $escription: Started de0elopment as an ndergradate college senior design pro8ect mentored #& 'icrosoft* as a replacement for the crapp& 1indows Paint software. Spports 1indows %ista. License: Freeware Serif PhotoPls Serif PhotoPls URL: Serif PhotoPls $escription: "nother choice if G.'P and Paint.4/5 is not &or cp of tea. PhotoPls is pro#a#l& more oriented towards photo maniplation/correction. License: Freeware For M$* Fractor and %ector graphics tools* ha0e a loo3 at this thread for some freeware inspirations. Multimedia -layba#/ Finall& #ac3 to a topic where .=m not tal3ing ot of m& &o-3now-what. Oops ... re0ealed too mch ... So &or new compter now has a great we# #rowser* secre as a safe* &o can download things at !++P of &or ma;imm .nternet speed* and &o=0e fond a neat wa& to ma3e all &or photos loo3 great. So now for the fn part* let=s pla& some msic and mo0iesG Using 1indows* &o shold pro#a#l& ?rst install 1indows 'edia Pla&er. . 3now it=s not the se;& thing to install 'icrosoft software* #t it is a nice wa& to get started ne0ertheless. Co shold pro#a#l& also install i5nes for &or msic prchase needs and &or iPod. Winamp Let=s start with adio: 1inamp - the mother of all free adio pla&ers. .ncldes :$ ripper and #rner. Tintessential Pla&er - the name is hard to spell* the software is eas& to se. .ncldes :$ ripper 8et"dio - a free #asic 0ersion is a0aila#le that has :$ ripping and #rning spport 'o0ing on to 0ideo pla&#ac3* speci?call& $%$s and &or "%./$i02/20i$/F.(-9/'PG/'V%/OGG/1'%/'O%/R"' and other 0ideo ?les. . cold go on all da& a#ot which pla&ers . li3e* which codecs &o shold download* #t at the end of the da&* it might #e 8st easier to download a codec pac3 and install that. :odec pac3 ha0e come a long wa&* and in the past . wold a0oid them li3e the plage* #t the newer ones install 8st the right amont of codec/?lters/software and the& are eas& to select dring install and relati0el& eas& to ninstall. 5he codec pac3 . am going to recommend is one .=0e #een recommending for a few of m& other gides recentl&* V-Lite :odecs Pac3. $ownload the pac3 and se one of the pre-de?ned install pro?les 6or follow these instrctions7. Co will end p sing 'edia Pla&er :lassic 6'P:7 to pla& #ac3 most ?les* inclding $%$s. 'P: is not the prettiest pla&er arond* #t it wor3s damn well* e0en for $%$ pla&#ac3. Media -layer Classi#! "(" -layba#/ Other nota#le free 0ideo pla&ers inclde %L: media pla&er* another simple and e<ecti0e media pla&er that won=t reEire &o to install a #nch of codecs. 5he same deal with 'Pla&er. For a fll featred dedicated free $%$ pla&er* &o can also tr& "%S $%$ Pla&er. 5ro#leshoot &or "%. pla&#ac3 pro#lems sing afree:odec%5* download s#titles for "%. ?les sing S#$ownloader and displa& them in the 0ideo sing %SFilter. .f &o ha0e a mltimedia de0ice that spports UPnP streaming 6eg. 2#o; M-+* or the PSM7* then &o cold set p a UPnP ser0er on &or compter to share all &or photos* adio and 0ideo ?les. 1indows 'edia Pla&er !! 6and Jne7 comes with 1indows 'edia :onnect* which allows &o to share &or 1indows 'edia Li#rar&* #t it will onl& share formats that 1'P 6and Jne7 spports nati0el&. " #etter #et is 5%ersit&* which allows &o to share prett& mch all ?le formats. Co can e0en se Or# to share &or media online. 1ant free .nternet 5%S 5r& ,oost - all &o need is a #road#and connection and ,oost does the rest. ,oost crrentl& o<ers arond ( do@en channels 6a0aila#ilit& depending on &or location7* inclding 4ational Geographics channel 6US/:anada onl&7* :omed& :entral 6US7* S. Swimsit on $emand* "ardman "nimation and more. 4eed something li3e 1indows 'edia :enter* #t don=t want to #& 1indows ':/ or %istaS 5r& Got "ll 'edia* 'ediaPortal or 2lo##&. Multimedia Creation 5his section co0ers creating &or own 0ideo and adio ?les* :$s* $%$s. Starting with adio ?les: "dacit& "dacit& URL: http://adacit&.sorceforge.net/ $escription: " free adio editor and recorder License: Open Sorce :$e; :$e; URL: http://cde;os.sorceforge.net/ $escription: " personal& fa0orite* :$ ripper and adio encoder License: Open Sorce foo#ar(+++ foo#ar(+++ URL: http://www.foo#ar(+++.org/ $escription: foo#ar(3 is an ad0anced adio pla&er* #t also incldes adio con0ersion* encoding and tagging spport License: Open Sorce 'utoG3 5here are far too man& free 0ideo ?le creation/editing tools* . mean this entire we#site is prett& mch dedicated to them* #t .=ll list here some of the more poplar ones 6$%$ athoring/editing tools not inclded here7: %irtal$# - "%. editing* encoding and captring http://www.digital-digest.com/d0d/downloads/showsoftware_0irtald#_M9-.html
"toGV - $i02/20i$ encoder/con0erter http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/atog3.html %o#S# - s#title decoder/ripper http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/0o#s#.html SUP/R - con0ert to/from most 0ideo formats http://www.digital-digest.com/software/sper.html $i02Land 'edia S#titler - create and edit s#title ?les http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/di0;land_media_s#titler.html 'd*an#ed Tools! 'eGU. - more ad0anced 0ideo encoder* designed for F.(-9 encoding http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/megi.html ;(-9 - ad0anced command line F.(-9 encoder* sed #& 'eGU. and other tools http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/;(-9.html "%.s&nth - scripting tool needed #& almost e0er&thing http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/a0is&nth.html C"'> - 'P9 m;/dem;/tagger http://www.di0;-digest.com/software/&am#.html "(" Fli#/ 4ow on to $%$ athoring and editing* again too man& to list* #t here are some recommended ones: $%$ Flic3 - con0ert &or 0ideo ?les to a $%$* also tr& "0i($0d or 5he Film'achine $%$ Re#ilder - $%$ #ac3p/re-encoder "d0anced 5ools: Pgc/dit - ad0anced $%$ .FO editor* also tr& .fo/dit S#title:reator - create s#titles for $%$s FinalBurner Co wold normall& se 4ero to #rn &or :$ and $%$s* and 4ero #eing #ndled with almost e0er&thing these da&s* it can almost #e considered free software. >t for trl& freeware soltions to :$ and $%$ #rning or imaging* loo3 no frther than: Final>rner - #rn :$/$%$s* create adio $%$s and more >rn9Free or :$>rner2P Pro or $eep>rner Free - more wa&s #rn :$ and $%$s with ease .mg>rn - #rning and imaging tool* or load &or images in $"/'O4 5ools instead of #rning them .soP@@le - reco0er damaged data from :$/$%$s $%$"thorGU. - create $%$s with mens $%$ slideshow GU. - create photo $%$ slideshows Games Co can=t tal3 a#ot compter software and not co0er games. 1indows 2P incldes some games. Solitaire* Fearts* Free:ell and 'inesweeper shold occp& contless hors of &or time* especiall& at wor3. 4ostalgic gaming is great* to #e a#le to pla& the games from &or childhood. 'ost people don=t ha0e their old game s&stems an&more* and &o might ha0e to search all o0er the contr& to ?nd the classic "rcade coin-ops 6or if &o are mega rich* &o can #& a replica7. For the rest of s* there=s emlators. '"'/ 6'ltiple "rcade 'achine /mlator7 can #ring all the old classics li3e Space .n0aders* Pac 'an* Frogger* #ac3 to life. Street Fighter ..S 'ortal Vom#atS 4o pro#lem. /0en some newer arcade hits are pla&a#le. .=m not going to lin3 to an& '"'/ roms de to their legal stats 6althogh is it still illegal if there are no other wa& to get the gameS7* #t &o can ?nd those &orself easil& enogh. '"'/ J4/S Pro8ect -9 .t=s not 8st arcade games that can #e emlated* S4/S* Genesis 6'ega $ri0e7 and e0en 4-9 emlators are also a0aila#le. " lot of the applications .=0e listed so far are open sorce* and there are e0en open sorce games. Some of these games are clones of e;isting games* and o<er practicall& the same e;perience 6and sometimes with less #gs7. Free:i0 is an open sorce :i0ili@ation .. clone* gi0ing &o hors of open ended gamepla&. Similarl&* Free:ol is a :oloni@ation clone. Lincit&-4G is a Sim:it& clone. Open55$ is a 5ransport 5&coon $el;e clone* one of m& fa0orites. Co can ?nd a fairl& complete list of open sorce games here. Free:i0 "merica=s "rm& >eneath a Steel S3& /0en when the& are not open sorce* there are still some free games arond. Propaganda aside* "merica=s "rm& is the most famos* and whate0er &or politics* &o can=t arge that "" is a 0er& decent mltipla&er ?rst-person shooter. :omplete list of freeware games here. Some commercial games are re-released later on as freeware. Scmm%' pro0ides an interface where lots of classic point and clic3 games can #e downloaded and pla&ed* games li3e >eneath a Steel S3&* >ro3en Swords ! and (. 5here is also >:MV* a saga of a game for the completel& wrong reasons. Railroad 5&coon is now o<ered as freeware to promote the new Sid 'eier=s RailroadsG game. " complete list of these t&pes of games can #e fond here. Con#lusion 5his gide onl& gi0es &o a small sample of all the freeware and open sorce possi#ilities ot there. 5here is reall& no need to #& 6or pirate7 software nless &o ha0e speci?c needs* and most sers will get along 8st ?ne with free software.