Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion
fully-free software for biz - the lists !
Steven Avery:
tba
Steven Avery:
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Web Browsing and Research and Activities and Recreation
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BROWSERS
Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html
Forums
http://forums.mozillazine.org/
Firefox extensions
(My thoughts : start with Download Statusbar and WOT .. Web of Trust .. and Tab Mix Plus or Tab Kit)
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Opera
http://www.opera.com/
Forums
http://my.opera.com/community/forums/
Chrome
http://www.google.com/chrome
Forums (unofficial)
http://www.chromeboard.net/
http://www.chromeboard.com/
Wiki - http://www.gchromewiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
Chromium
http://code.google.com/chromium/
Download (.zip recommended for placement)
http://build.chromium.org/buildbot/continuous/win/LATEST
Is Chronium Better than Google Chrome ? - Cliff Notes
http://clif-notes.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-chromium-better-than-google-chrome.html
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HTTTrack WebSite Copier
http://www.httrack.com/
Forums
"HTTrack is a free (GPL, libre/free software) and easy-to-use offline browser utility. "
http://forum.httrack.com/
Songbird
http://www.getsongbird.com/
Developers Forum
http://groups.google.com/group/songbird-dev
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HOSTS FILE and BROWSING RESTRICTION SOFTWARE & LISTS
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As the decision of whether to employ any host file or blacklist browsing restrictions on sites is quite difficult, with its own politics between resources and possible compications (with some of the freeware software being linked to the lists offerred), the whole section is now separated from the security section and placed here.
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INTERNET EXPLORER
(discussion of Spyware Blaster as excellent commercial value below as well)
IE-SPYAD Restricted Sites List
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm#IESPYAD_ZO
"This program is Free! Please read this License & Disclaimer." ..
"IE-SPYAD for ZonedOut. ZonedOut is a free utility that loads and unloads a plain text list of domains into the Restricted sites zone. ... IE-SPYAD contains a set of Internet Explorer "Restricted sites" lists for use with ZonedOut.
# stop unwanted crapware from being installed behind your back via "drive-by-downloads";
# prevent the hijacking of your home page and other key Internet Explorer settings;
# shut down ActiveX, Java, and scripting, all of which can be employed to push obnoxious advertising on you and
compromise your privacy and security;
# block cookies, which can be used to monitor and track your travels around the Internet;
# combat obnoxious script-based popups that clutter
Zoned Out - Funkytoad
http://www.funkytoad.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=33&28d444df85eb4f435055ed9d39c02f03=0cb56b18574bc3ca2e53ad16cc549ad4
Internet Explorer Security Zone Manager
IEFix - Ranesh Srinivasan - Microsoft MVPS
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
"IEFix - is a general purpose repair utility for Internet Explorer which repairs Internet Explorer by registering it's core DLL files and reinstalls using the IE.INF file" (I recently had my IE open-close, and the problem was registering .dll - a software like this can save a lot of effort.)
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HOSTS FILE
HostsXpert - Funkytoad
http://www.funkytoad.com/
Freeware license
http://www.funkytoad.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=30
"HostsXpert is an ultra-groovy Hosts file Manager, Editor and Helper-outter."
Homer
Homer is a LocalHost webserver... listens to IP address 127.0.0.1 on port 80 for Http requests and serves up an image of your choice to your webbrowser. If you block Ads with a gigantic Hosts file - Homer is for you i.e..
Homer can dramatically improve the speed of your browsing experience.
Hostsman - abelhadigital
http://www.abelhadigital.com/
Forum
http://forum.abelhadigital.com/index.php?showforum=2
"HostsMan is a freeware hosts file manager and editor."
Host Administrator - Rekensoft
http://rekenwonder.com/hostadm.htm
"Host Administrator (213 kB- Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP) is a freeware 32-bit program that can administrate the TCP/IP hosts file for your local network."
Hostswitch Home - Woodenpickle
http://www.woodenpickle.com/code/hostswitch.html
This is a tool for switching your HOSTS file off or on ... an Edit File button for quick editing of your hosts file to add or remove entries. (More elegant than - RenHosts.bat - on the next article.)
HostsToggle - Stuart Hanzlik - Open Source Freeware
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/HostsToggle/
Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File - Host News Blog
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Excellent presentation
Web of Trust thread on :
"Seeking New Trusted Sources"
http://www.mywot.com/en/forum/1338-seeking-new-trusted-sources
(Hope to run through these more, WOT folks are kewl.)
hpHosts
http://hosts-file.net/
Forums
http://forum.hosts-file.net/
hpHosts is a community managed and maintained hosts file that allows an additional layer of protection against access to ad, tracking and malicious websites.
Bluetack, the next section, is simply one example .. quite hefty with the software that comes with, maybe too complex and hefty. MVPS and HPGuru are others, and may get their own listing. Also you may decide to work this through an Untangle or Spiceworks or appliance method, if applicable. The theory is that prevention is far superior to treatment. The problem is that the cat-and-mouse game with the malware guys is quite complex, and hosts files were more designed for blocking ad servers than malware-contents.
Bluetack Internet Security Solutions
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php
To utilise our regularly updated IP Block list research we provide the following freeware security software :
* Blocklist Manager
* Protowall
* Hosts Manager
* Blocklist Converter
Freeware Security Software from BISS
http://blocklistpro.com/download-center/biss-software/
"Our free Blocklist Manager software is available to download and merge your blocklists into one file or alternatively you can download the files individually from our IP Blocklists download page."
http://blocklistpro.com/download-center/
FAQ
http://blocklistpro.com/faqs/biss-ip-blocklists-faq.html
Forums
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/
"If you would like to help support our blocklist research efforts, and various free software applications we have now been providing for over 5 years, please consider making a donation ... actively particpate on the BISS forums , start to actively monitor your own network connections"
The next is considered an excellent primer, with discussion. Later the auxiliary info may be removed to its own thread.
Setting up a Hosts File - Blackspear
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=78363
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More study - this is an interesting biz area, since so many employees can be surfing and cruising. What to do ?
Large hosts file delays browsing?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=178514&highlight=bluetack
Host File vs a Blacklist?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=170060&highlight=bluetack
Note the comment by Rico about Bluetack, and the ongoing discussion, it is a concern to consider.
Bluetack's Host Manager
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=78363
"IMHO Bluetack is not reputable outfit, they use other peoples host lists, to compile there list, without first getting permission. The author of MVPS Hosts, has stated this. See: ..."
Steven Avery:
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HOME (OFFICE) SERVER
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HFS ~ Http File Server - Open Source - GNU General Public License
http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/
Forums
http://www.rejetto.com/forum/index.php?c=6
http://www.winpenpack.com/main/e107_plugins/forum/forum.php
"HFS is completely free!... Do you like this software? Donate - Consider even $2" "programmers: download sources (created with Turbo Delphi)"
file sharing .. webserver .. open source .. free.. use HFS (HTTP File Server) to send and receive files. ... uses web technology to be more compatible with today's Internet ... very easy to use and runs "right out-of-the box".
Cobian Amigo
http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianamigo.htm
"client server application which can be used to store and manipulate your favorite sites, quick notes, contacts and to-do lists online."
This combines simple notes & PIM with home server, an interesting concept. However it does not seem to be discussed in the Cobian forum. I noticed that the only security was by IP#, not password. So if you open up the server to a future library stop, it could be too open, unless you had other internal firewall security.
Lifehacker - Geek to Live
How to set up a personal home web server
http://lifehacker.com/software/feature/how-to-set-up-a-personal-home-web-server-124212.php
How to assign a domain name to your home web server
http://lifehacker.com/software/web-publishing/geek-to-live--how-to-assign-a-domain-name-to-your-home-web-server-124804.php
How to access a home server behind a router/firewall
http://lifehacker.com/127276/geek-to-live--how-to-access-a-home-server-behind-a-routerfirewall
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SCRIPTING / MACRO / PROGRAMMING TOOLS
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AutoIt
http://www.autoit.com/
Forum
http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/index.php?
AutoHotKey
http://www.autohotkey.com/
Forum
http://www.autohotkey.com/forum/
PowerPro
http://powerpro.webeddie.com/
Email Forum
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/power-pro/
"(Completely free! No catch!) "
"PowerPro integrates three capabilities: Running commands: Tool bars, tray icons, hot keys, mouse actions, menus, timer, scheduler.
Controlling other program's windows: Close, minimize, maximize, roll-up to caption, tray minimize, position.
Providing utility functions: Send keystrokes to programs, run commands when windows first open, virtual desktops, clipboard extender, keyboard macros, shutdown, show all folder files in a menu, sounds, wallpaper, and screensaver activation and randomization."
Steven Avery:
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CD - DVD
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CDBurnerXP
http://cdburnerxp.se/
"CDBurnerXP is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Everyone, even companies, can use it for free. It does not include adware or similar malicious components."
FORUM
http://forum.cdburnerxp.se/
ImgBurn
"http://www.imgburn.com/
"ImgBurn is a lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application that everyone should have in their toolkit! ...... it's 100% FREE ;-) "
Forum
http://forum.imgburn.com/
InfraRecorder
http://infrarecorder.org/
"InfraRecorder is a free CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows.... released under GPL version 3."
Forum (minor activity recently)
http://forums.infrarecorder.org/
Steven Avery:
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MISCELLANEOUS AND NOTES-DISCUSSION
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This post is left available for any packages that we simply have not figured out a category !
And special general notes and discussion.
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DONATIONCODER
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And the DonationCoder software is a bit of a hybrid in terms of this list. A low-cost commercial license is expected (appreciated, required) on a real corporate-enterprise biz usage, yet the home user and light small business this is optional. So if we work in a medium-larger company, we can install a few programs where we work for our use, and then if it expands to new usage by others, request the site or multi-license.
Mouser gave the explanation on this page.
https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=18813.25
Though we don't make too big a deal about it, the official DonationCoder policy about commercial business uses is described here:
https://www.donationcoder.com/Help/entry/23/
It basically says:
"Our software is free/donationware for personal use. If you are running your own small home business, we consider that the same thing (as fellow voyagers in the world of small home businesses we know how hard it can be).
But if you are running a real business with more than one or two non-family employees, we do expect you to purchase a Site/Business License for the program you will be using.
Note: If you are simply an individual using the program at work, it doesn't matter if you are a member of a large business -- you do not need a formal commercial license (unless the program specifically says a commercial license is required for all profit making use). Commercial Licenses are normally intended for the situation where many people at your business all use the program."
--- End quote ---
In other words, if you are a larger company that wants to install the software on many pcs, you should get a commercial license. Otherwise, no worries.
-mouser (June 19, 2009, 03:46 PM)
--- End quote ---
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PROLIFIC PACKAGES - PROVIDERS PAR EXCELLENCE
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NIRSOFT (Nir Sofer)
http://www.nirsoft.net/
http://www.nirsoft.net/faq.html
"A: When I say that my software is for "non-commercial use", I mean that you are not allowed to make profit from my software. You are allowed to freely use my software in your work environment for serving the internal needs of the company or for your own personal use. You can also offer my software to your customers, as long as you don't charge your customers for using my software, and as long as your customers know that my software is freeware and available to download from NirSoft Web site. Government agencies are also allowed to use my software without restrictions.
However, you are not allowed to:
* Include my software as a part of commercial software package.
* Charge your customer for a service provided by using my software. For example: You are not allowed to recover the password of your customer by using my password-recovery tools, and then charge your customer for password-recovery service. :"
What we have above in place so far.
ZipInstaller
WhatInStartup
MyEventViewer
More later about these many utilities, the smaller ones here, the category ones as additions to their spots above.
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SYSINTERNALS (Microsoft, Mark Russinovich)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx
"Whether you’re an IT Pro or a developer, you’ll find Sysinternals utilities to help you manage, troubleshoot and diagnose your Windows systems and applications."
Forums
http://forum.sysinternals.com/
Sysinternals Live
http://live.sysinternals.com/
Sysinternals Live is a service that enables you to execute Sysinternals tools directly from the Web without hunting for and manually downloading them.
So far above:
Autoruns
Process Explorer
Disk Usage
PageDefrag
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ROADKIL
http://www.roadkil.net/
"This site is my collection of applications which I provide free of charge to the internet community
. Please feel free to use any of the applications on this site and distribute them to anyone you think might find them useful"
Forums
http://forums.roadkil.net/
Utilities in 9 sections, here is the "Disk Utilities" group.
Roadkil's Boot Builder
Roadkil's Disk Image
Roadkil's Disk Speed
Roadkil's Disk Wipe
Roadkil's Raw Copy
Roadkil's Sector Editor
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Note the WSCC package is for installing NirSoft and Sysinternals, and Roadkil has been a suggested addition.
WSCC - Windows System Control Center
http://www.kls-soft.com/freeware/wscc.php
"WSCC is a free, portable program that allows you to install, update, execute and organize the utilities from various system utility suites. WSCC is only an interface, you need to download and install the utilities separately. Alternatively, WSCC can use the http protocol to download and run the programs. The included Update Manager can check for newer versions of the utilities already installed and can download and install the missing items. The setup packages are downloaded from the author's website!"
The WSCC developer, KLS has a very competent shareware file backup software. One suggestion was for them to consider adding the Roadkil utilities to the Control Center.
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ABANDONWARE
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Reluctant to be included above, hard to justify to the biz-bureaucracy, yet hard to omit if the software package still meets a special need excellently, and has a cadre of dedicated users.
NetDrive
http://www.novell.com/coolsolutions/qna/999.html
NetDrive - Browse FTP File Structures in Virtual Explorer-style Drives
http://www.freewarereview.info/2007-01/netdrive_-_browse_ftp_file_structures_like_virtual_explorer-style_drives.html
Abandonware and WebDrive
"NetDrive was created by Novell Networks. It is abandonware, which - if you want to get technical - is not freeware. Novell abandoned the NetDrive software and opted for the very similar and expensive WebDrive. I’ve tried WebDrive and concluded that NetDrive was good enough and got the job done."
"From the NetDrive.exe - Novell Cool Solutions: Question & Answer page, Novell tells us this:To find a download, search for netdrive.exe on the Web. Due to licensing issues, it is not a download from Novell.com."
Ecco
Yahoogroups
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ecco_pro/
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/eccopro/
Earlier WebForum - http://www.eccoforum.com/
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