Tauranga SeniorNet Club Freeware and other programs

Home | About Us | How to join | Courses | Timetable | Club Days | Links | Freeware

Contents

Click on a bold item to jump to the topic

The programs on your computer What is Shareware and Freeware? Where can I find Shareware and Freeware? Free programs that are worth considering File viewers     Adobe Reader – view and print PDF files     FastStone Image Viewer – view and edit pictures     IrfanView Image Viewer – view and edit pictures     Power Point viewer Computer security programs     AntiVirus     Adware and Spyware removers     Firewall

Image Editing and Graphics programs     FastStone Image Viewer     PhotoFiltre image editor & drawing     Paint.NET – multi-layer image editor & drawing     Gimp – multi-layer image editor & drawing     MW Snap – screen grabber     PhotoStory – make a slideshow from a set of pictures Home Office and Utilities     OpenOffice – a fully featured office suite     Memento – electronic Post-It notes     Eraser – completely erases unwanted files     Allway Sync – synchronises files between two drives     AM DeadLink – checks the Favorites list for dead links     Spread32 – Excel compatible spreadsheet program     pdf995 – converts documents to pdf format

The programs on your computer

Computers are sometimes sold with programs on them for purposes such as word-processing, emailing and internet browsing. Alternatively you may have to buy programs for these and other functions.

Our Introduction to Computers and Computing Skills courses are based on either Microsoft Word 2007 (which you buy) or OpenOffice (which is freeware) because these are the most common ones.

If your computer has a CD Writer, you will have a program for saving text, pictures and sound onto blank CDs.
If you have a Scanner, then it should have a photo viewing and editing program.

You may ask, "So, what else might I need, in the way of programs?"
Maybe you have all you need. But there are many useful programs that may interest you, and some of the really good ones are completely free.

What is Shareware and Freeware?

• Shareware

  Shareware programs are able to be shared around freely so that you can try them out and decide whether you like them.
  If you want to keep using them, then you are expected to pay, but usually much less than shop prices.
  Several methods are used to encourage people to pay.

  • Nagware pops up a message each time you use a program, reminding you to pay.
  • Crippleware allows you to use a limited range of functions until you pay (such as being unable to save the picture you drew, or only using 4 different fonts).
  • Limited life (a) gives you the full range of functions for a fixed period (e.g. 30 days) and then ceases working.
  • Limited life (b) gives you the full range of functions for a fixed period and then falls back to a crippled state until you pay. If you are happy with the limited state, continue using it free of charge.
    
    

• Freeware

  Freeware comes in several flavours, some more tasty than others.

  • Freeware – really free, that is.
    These programs are developed by enthusiasts who expect no payment for their work.
  • Cardware
    This is like Freeware, except that the author asks for a picture postcard of your country as a token of appreciation.
  • Donorware
    The author asks you to make a small donation towards the cost of developing the program, but you are welcome to keep using the program whether you pay or not.
  • Adware, Nagware
    It's free, but there's some advertising. Often the free program is a couple of years old and you are repeatedly asked whether you want to upgrade to the latest, paid version. If the program is really good, it's worth putting up with a few ads, as long as they aren't obtrusive.
  • Spyware
    Depending on your attitude towards such things, this may be seen as trivial or as threatening.
    Inside the program is a code that checks on the websites you visit, and reports back to its base. It's a high-tech form of market research, and you can be sent web-browser advertisements that match your personal interests.
  • Malware
    Becoming increasingly common is malicious code that is designed to damage programs and files, steal information for criminal purposes or highjack your computer and use it to distribute spam and viruses by the thousands. Malware called a keylogger can record the keys you press (including passwords and credit-card numbers) and report them to its source.
    
    Malware is only one possible source of "key loggers" like this. Most of it comes through logging on to web sites of a dubious nature, or opening email attachments from unknown sources or from friends who unwittingly pass on infections from their computers. So you need to have a good Anti-Virus program and keep it updated at least weekly. Additionally, regularly clean the spy code from your machine by using programs like MalwareBytes, Microsoft Security Essentials or SpyBot.
    ► See our information on Security.

Some of the information above sounds scary, but don't let that put you off using good, reliable freeware. There are thousands of honest programmers writing really useful programs that we are able to use freely.

Where can I find Shareware and Freeware?

• Computer magazines such as NetGuide (NZ) usually have information about shareware and how to obtain it. The magazine describes and evaluates each item.
• Shareware websites list thousands of shareware and freeware programs. Try these ones:
    www.download.com
    www.tucows.com
  
  
• Computer enthusiast friends who have a collection of Shareware installation files.
• Software developers who have their own websites where their software may be obtained. Some of these sites have a mixture of freeware and programs for sale.
  They direct your attention towards the items for sale, but with a little persistence you can locate the Freeware version and download it.

Free programs that are worth considering

The list of contents at the top of this page contains a number of useful, free programs sorted into categories – File Viewers, Security, Image Editing & Graphics, and Utilities & Home Office.

Got to the top of this page and click on a category to see details of the programs it contains.

Disclaimer

This site contains links or references to other web sites. The Tauranga SeniorNet Club (Inc.) has no responsibility for the content of such other sites and in using them you acknowledge that the Tauranga SeniorNet Club (Inc.) shall not be liable for any damages or injury arising from that content. Links to other sites are provided solely as a convenience to the users of this site.

Home | About Us | How to join | Courses | Timetable | Club Days | Links | Freeware