Author Topic: Shareware that don't have freeware replacements (Read 44911 times)

sri · « **on:** September 25, 2007, 12:57 AM »

I use many programs throughout the day and some of these are shareware. I like to use free ones though as far as possible. Below are some programs I couldn't simply find good free alternatives for:

1. PS Tray Factory

2. Internet Download Manager (FDM, FlashGet etc. won't work on Rapidshare)

3. EditPlus. No free program I know has this feature:

How about in your case?

lanux128 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2007, 01:11 AM »

this is a good idea as i normally use as much freeware as possible.. btw, about EditPlus, the feature is available in PSPad..

ssb · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2007, 01:19 AM »

This feature is available in all editors which support regex in search (using ^ or $).

f0dder · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2007, 02:27 AM »

Doesn't sound like "PS tray factory" is that special, should be possible to find some freeware that does tray icon management too, unless PSTF does something really special.

Googling for "rapidshare download manager" got me this: http://www.rapget.com/en/index.html - haven't checked it, so have no idea if it sucks, but it was linked on softpedia and seems to be freeware, *shrug*.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:02 AM »

I use many programs throughout the day and some of these are shareware. I like to use free ones though as far as possible. Below are some programs I couldn't simply find good free alternatives for:

PS Tray Factory
-sri (September 25, 2007, 12:57 AM)

I used to use PS Tray Factory but now I use FileBoxExtender (see http://www.hyperionics.com/) which is free for Windows XP (they aren't producing a Vista version). I find it better than PS Tray Factory for my use - and it is now free.

sri · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:26 AM »

f0dder: Rapget is a dedicated manager to download only from rapidshare, not any others. Also it lacks several features that other standard DL managers like Internet Download Manager, FlashGet have.

Carol: PSTF isn't like FBE (which, by the way, I also use).

PSTF will collect the specified tray icons and arrange them all under one. Check out this small flash movie:

http://screencast.com/t/WQfuHObc8

It will remember which icons you want managed by it and will present you w/ a nice clean tray every time.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2007, 03:39 AM »

True I had forgotten it did that too - but to be honest I got irritated using it as it just adds clicks and leaves stuff loaded without actually seeing what is there. I actually prefer to see what is in my tray at a glance and to access it with a single mouse action. That way I remember to exit stuff! - plus it is quicker to access applications.

I use FBE to access folders - sorry I think I was getting it confused with PS HotFolders !

TucknDar · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:02 AM »

Interesting thread, although at first I thought from the title that it was about shareware that didn't have any freeware replacements. Comparable or better freeware is a more interesting subject.

PSPad has been mentioned, and Notepad++ can also do this (through regex, as was pointed out).

I've never used pstrayfactory, but AFAIK it hides systray icons? I don't know other tools that does this, although I've got this feature in my shell, LiteStep (technically in a Litestep module). But I guess that's kinda "cheating"

lanux128 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:52 AM »

i'm not sure whether it's the same but discussions about tray utilities are quite popular here at DC. maybe in one of them, there could have been a mention of a viable freeware alternative to "PS Tray"..

• https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2315.0
• https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2507.0
• https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=6868.0

Grorgy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2007, 05:05 AM »

Would seem to me if anyone does make a freeware tool that will put all the icons in one list then PStrayfactory will very quickly disappear, seems way too much to pay for that functionality in my opinion,

lanux128 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2007, 05:20 AM »

i didn't notice FDM in the 2nd option earlier.. but FDM does support downloads from rapidshare, youtube, etc.. but i'm not sure how because i haven't had the need so far..

iphigenie · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2007, 05:43 AM »

I was trying to think of the cases where I use shareware, and I can't think of any which don't have some freeware alternative. Maybe slysoft's anydvd and maybe fraps... the alternatives are just very very fussy and low-level fiddling.

All others have alternatives that do similar things. Obviously I use the shareware because it either has a few features that the freeware doesn't have, or it packages it better and is just nicer/easier to use, or i like the software and am used to it and will support it.

patthecat · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:01 AM »

TrayEverything (freeware) seems comparable to PS Tray Factory from what PSTF features are described in above posts. Allows minimizing to tray and or hiding apps from tray. It also allows auto-minimizing of inactive windows and adding lite password protection to minimized/hidden windows.

Am starting to switch to TrayEverything from TrayIt more and more.

http://www.winapizon...tware/trayeverything

ChalkTrauma · « **Reply #13 on:** September 25, 2007, 01:48 PM »

How about OrbitDownloader.. Kind of light on functionality, but I have had success downloading from sites that other download managers choked on.. And it is free.

.

http://www.orbitdownloader.com/

heinziten · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2007, 01:34 AM »

Can I add another task that needs a freeware program:

When buying a new computer, it will probably be one (NTFS) partition occupying the whole hard disk. If you want to partition it, you need a commercial program such as Partition Magic to resize the existing partition to make space for the new partition - of course without loosing data.

I can not find a free Windows or DOS program to do this. There are LINUX programs to do it (parted, gparted, NTFSresize), but I don't know how to use them. I want it on a DOS boot disk, or Boot CD (such as UBCD).

Can anybody help?

Nighted · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2007, 01:39 AM »

Partitioning XP

mwang · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2007, 03:55 AM »

I've never tried other Tray management utility mentioned here, so I can't really compare or comment. It's because I've used Powerpro for too many years (back when it's shareware called stiletto), which does this and many more. Powerpro has a relatively steep learning curve, but its power and flexibility is amazing. But for the fact that it doesn't support Unicode natively (there's a plugin but limited), I have no complaints.

NewKreation · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2007, 02:52 PM »

How about in your case?

I haven't found freeware that can compare with these...

1. ClickBook - http://www.bluesquir.../products/clickbook/

2. Microsoft Streets & Trips

masu · « **Reply #18 on:** September 27, 2007, 03:16 PM »

Babylon - One Click Translator
www.babylon.com

Website Watcher - check websites for updates
www.aignes.com

heinziten · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2007, 12:56 AM »

Thanks Nighted, but that just talks about partitioning a new drive added - that was always easy. I am talking about a Notebook Computer, where there is only one drive, and it is all C:\

rjbull · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2007, 03:45 AM »

How about in your case?
1. ClickBook - http://www.bluesquir.../products/clickbook/
-NewKreation (September 27, 2007, 02:52 PM)

I haven't tried this... but if all you want is to print booklets, you may find that functionality already built into your printer. We have Ricoh multifunction network printers at work, and they have duplex and several kinds of booklets already set up. You just have to click "Properties" and pick the one you want.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #21 on:** September 28, 2007, 03:52 AM »

Thanks Nighted, but that just talks about partitioning a new drive added - that was always easy. I am talking about a Notebook Computer, where there is only one drive, and it is all C:\
-heinziten (September 28, 2007, 12:56 AM)

How about http://www.cutepm.com/ (free partition manager).

Haven't tried it - get a backup image before you do!

If you try it let us know what you think (start a new thread)

tomos · « **Reply #22 on:** September 28, 2007, 04:04 AM »

Can I add another task that needs a freeware program:

When buying a new computer, it will probably be one (NTFS) partition occupying the whole hard disk. If you want to partition it, you need a commercial program such as Partition Magic to resize the existing partition to make space for the new partition - of course without loosing data.

I can not find a free Windows or DOS program to do this. There are LINUX programs to do it (parted, gparted, NTFSresize), but I don't know how to use them. I want it on a DOS boot disk, or Boot CD (such as UBCD).

Can anybody help?
-heinziten (September 27, 2007, 01:34 AM)

check out UBCD4win -
they have a very good range of programmes, easy to make too - may have something...
http://www.ubcd4win.com/contents.htm

-Partition
Boot Build 1.0      Create, import, or export your boot sector, useful when damaged by viruses or physical damage
MbrFix    1.0.0.5      Fix or create Master boot record
MBRWiz    1.52      Master Boot Record Wizard
TestDisk 5.9 WIP Tool to check and undelete partitions

then again maybe not...
-
I've used gparted to resize a partition with stuff on it - was reasonable intuitive but came with a warning that it couldnt handle big changes (size increase/decrease - which it didnt define more than that) - so prob not a great choice

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #23 on:** September 28, 2007, 05:32 AM »

You could also try http://www.ranish.com/part/ which says it can resize partitions.

Also http://www.softpedia...tition-Resizer.shtml

Try looking through: http://www.google.co...p;btnG=Google+Search

Just looked at CutePM again and it doesn't seem to resize - just acts as a suped up. graphical FDisk type utility.

TucknDar · « **Reply #24 on:** September 28, 2007, 06:50 AM »

You could also try http://www.ranish.com/part/ which says it can resize partitions.
-Carol Haynes (September 28, 2007, 05:32 AM)

I used Ranish ages ago (well, at least 4-5 years) and it did the job back then! I can't vouch for it now, but at least my one experience with it was a happy one.