freeware

Mind if we mix things up a bit today? After a considerable amount of searching, I failed to come up with one deal that really blew me away. Thus, I thought we could shift gears and talk about everybody's favorite topic: freebies.

Specifically, free software. There's so much good stuff out there nowadays, it's a wonder anybody buys software at all anymore. Indeed, a true cheapskate will always look for free alternatives to commercial apps.

Some of my freeware favorites include image editor IrfanView, start-up optimizer Soluto, cloud storage utility SugarSync Manager (which works in concert with … Read more

In a perfect world, you wouldn't be concerned about safety when you use your computer. Short of that, you just want to feel confident your PC is virus-free, protected from the prospect of future infections, and easy to recover if something goes wrong. Three things that will help ease your mind are a manual malware scan, an easy-to-restore copy of your hard drive, and a sandbox for your browser to run in.

Run your system through a second-opinion virus scanner Even the best real-time antivirus scanners miss a small percentage of malware. A second scan with a different virus … Read more

Later this month I'll be canceling my subscription to a leading security suite that runs on two of my home-office PCs. I'll replace it with Microsoft's free Security Essentials, which I've been using on my notebook since I bought it two years ago. I realized several months ago that I simply no longer needed to spend money for the convenience of an all-in-one security app.

That got me thinking: Is there any software that the average PC user needs to pay for? Most of us bought our current operating system--usually Windows or Mac OS X--as … Read more

A couple of weeks ago, "k_hettich" posted a question in CNET's How-To forum asking about converting vinyl LPs to CDs. A couple of people recommended USB turntables that automate the process and cost from $70 to more than $230.

Over the last couple of years I've converted a couple hundred audio cassettes and dozens of LPs to MP3s and WMAs, many of which were ultimately burned onto CDs. The only expense required was a $5 connector between my stereo amplifier and PC sound card. The real work was done by the free Audacity audio-conversion software.

Back … Read more

Release the hounds! uTorrent 3.0 was released yesterday for seeders and leechers everywhere.

Four million users tested various alpha, beta, and release candidate versions of the anticipated v3 of the popular BitTorrent software, which is a darling of the download scene owing to its simple interface and lightweight footprint (for example, the installer is only 624KB). A slew of new features are embedded in the upgraded client, including streaming video; uTorrent remote; ratings and comments; and drag and drop sending. There's also mention of an exciting new encrypted Web-based UI, dubbed uTorrent Web, which enables access to µ… Read more

The Impossible Game, based on Xbox Live's (XBL) popular indie game, has finally been ported to Android to test your reflexive tapping skills.

Gameplay In The Impossible Game, players control an orange box speeding through an obstacle course that consists of blocks and spikes. The goal is to reach the end without colliding into oncoming objects and falling into pits. Hurdle over incoming obstacles by tapping the screen to jump. Crashing into any of the objects results in starting over at the beginning of the level.

The Impossible Game doesn't aim to be the prettiest game on the … Read more

The open-source audio and video jukebox Miro debuts a new version today that wants to be iTunes for Android. Miro 4 for Windows (download), Mac (download), and Linux (download), adds simple and effective desktop-to-Android synchronization to the program, which also offers media file conversion, torrent management, podcast catching, and media discovery. The Android syncing features focus on music and videos and includes built-in app browsing and management via in-program access to the Google Android Marketplace and the Amazon.com Android Marketplace.

"We set the bar very high. We want to be the open iTunes," said Nicholas Reville, co-founder … Read more

It's easy to assume the important programs on our systems update automatically, but not all do. Some outdated apps can be security risks. I compared three free scanners that promise to identify programs in need of an update: Secunia's Personal Software Inspector (PSI), CNET's TechTracker, and KC Softwares' Software Updates Monitor (Sumo).

I'm not linking to Sumo because when I tested the program, it installed the Relevant Knowledge spyware along with the scanner even though I purposely chose what the company claimed was the spyware-free installation file.

PSI IDs more apps, provides plenty of update info … Read more

Leap over obstacles, avoid pits of death, and run like heck in iRunner, a fast-paced running platformer where your goal is to collect as many batteries as possible. The game features vibrant HD graphics, plenty of animations, and a fun soundtrack.

Gameplay In iRunner, you play a stuffed doll who speeds through various worlds to collect items and power-ups while getting progressively faster. Controls are simple: players tap the "jump" or "slide" buttons in response to oncoming obstacles such as pitfalls, spikes, and hanging light bulbs. Collecting four costume gift boxes triggers a short animation sequence … Read more