Free and Open-Source / Sun’s guide to Free Software

Especially in today’s economic climate, with Cost of Living well above the average persons’ income, jobless rates hitting 50 year highs’ and companies going out of business at an alarming (and increasing) rate, the hunt is on for cheaper alternatives, discount rates and the ‘Holy Grail’ of bargain shoppers everywhere, FREE products, items and software.  And the Sun is no different.

I have searched high and low for software that is free, or free trial software that maintains it’s basic functions and usability even after the trial period has expired.

A few key things I look for with free (or usable free trial) software:

• Virus Free – This is probably the single most important issue for me.  Every software program I find for free, or that offers a free trial, I always pick through with a fine tooth comb.  I’ve suffered the pains of re-formats, unknowingly spreading Viruses/Trojans through emails and losing valuable, if not invaluable information and files from corrupted registries, auto-deleters’, and irrecoverably damaged hard-drives’.
• Truly Free – Nothing annoys me more than spending a half-hour/hour+ reading through the thick of a website to find no mention of the software being anything but free, and low and behold, once I’ve installed the program, modified settings to my liking, configured my system to better utilize it and started using it, it pops back with “To continue using XXXX, please register here and enter your Credit Card information here” or “This function (and typically a core function/the reason I needed it in the first place) has been disabled in the Free version. Please register and enter your Credit Card information to enable your (mine? this is always said like some sick joke) software“.
• Worthwhile – Is it actually something I can use? Well, to best answer this question, you need to figure out what your intended purpose is.  Are you going to need software that can convert audio files when you’re looking for a computer graphics program?  Or a Graphics Editor when you’re looking for an AV (ant-virus) program?
• Compatibility – Remember the Win Vista fiasco? I do.  I spent weeks, not days or hours, Beta testing, benchmarking and finagling with Vista.  Not to mention, upon public release, the time spent fixing my families and friends systems after their (supposed) upgrade.  99% of the time, the problem was incompatibility.  Companies couldn’t release drivers fast enough, or had to rush production of drivers leading to corrupted drivers, bad coding and so forth.  I run multiple systems, to include: Windows XP Home, XP Pro, Vista Home Premium, Windows 7 and Linux (Ubuntu variant), and I test the software on all OS’ to ensure stability and compatibility.  If it works on one, but not another, Ill tell you.
• User Friendly – I don’t mind the learning curve with new software, I actually enjoy the challenge, however, most people want PnP (Plug ‘n’ Play) software.  They don’t want to have to enroll in college courses or spend hours reading documentation and checking youtube.com for tutorials.  I’ll try and take the guess work out of the equation for you by using a Star Rating system. 1-5 stars. My wife uses most of the free software I find, so I will be sure to get her opinion of usability (she hates complicated software, so I feel I can be fair in my ratings).
• Download or Web Based - There are literally Thousands, if no Tens-of-Thousands of programs available on the internet, free for public use, that don’t require you to download to your hard drive.  ‘Browser Based’ software is the term I use.  Whether or not that is the proper term, I don’t know (though I’m grateful for your opinions in the matter, and will correct the terms here as needed).  All ‘Browser Based’ software will be listed in a subcategory under their Download-able counterparts.
• Licensing – Is it free to use? Distribute? Modify?  These are things you need to know when downloading software.  I’ll try and take the guess work out of it by listing it’s general licensing, and definitions to their specific terms used along with what, if any, restrictions they place on the software.  This is no substitute for the Software companies/entities actual Legal Statement or Terms of Use/Service (TOU/TOS respectively) and is the sole interpretation of Sundevildaddy, which can and may be wrong.  *If any interpretation Sundevildaddy gives to any TOU/TOS is an improper interpretation, please contact me of the discrepancy.  I will review the recommendation, TOU/TOS  and change my interpretation, as needed, immediately.

• Legal – I have no intention of breaking the law.  With that said, let it be known, there are sometimes HUGE differences between what an attorney or corporation would deem as Software of Legal Purposes and what the public would perceive as Software of Legitimate use.  If I list any software here that seems ‘Shady’, I’ll try and explain my position as to why I recommend it, or use it.  It’s up to you.  Remember “Surf Safe” and respect others work and copyrights.

*Legal Note: Software listed throughout this entire website is listed for Public Information only.  Sundevildaddy.com, it’s owners, employees and affiliates maintain no responsibility in the actions of our readers/users.  By use of this website, the user holds harmless Sundevildaddy.com, it’s owners, employees and affiliates, as well anyone related to the above, but unlisted, of any legal proceedings, damages, whether financial or physical, or dispute, including anything not listed (whether it be considered Positive or Negative repercussions) that may arise by use of any software, program or code listed on this website. Again, all listings included on this website are for informational purposes only.  Sundevildaddy.com does not host any file listed on it’s website, listings are download links hosted by the Parent/Designer/Programmer/etc websites.  Companies that wish to have their listing removed must contact Sundevildaddy.com immediately.  Sundevildaddy.com makes no representation of and for the parent companies/entities of the products listed on Sundevildaddy.com and ALL PARENT COMPANIES / ENTITIES and REPRESENTING PARTIES, TO INCLUDE INVESTIGATORS, ATTORNEYS, FIRMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURTS, AND PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS AGREE THAT, BY CONTINUING USE OF, OR READING FURTHER WITHIN THE WEBSITE WWW.SUNDEVILDADDY.COM, to allow ‘fair and ample’ time to remove their listing and, upon successful removal of the said listing, holds www.sundevildaddy.com, it’s owners, employees, affiliates and unlisted parties holding interest herein, harmless of any legal repercussions.  Sundevildaddy.com maintains a strict policy of reviewing software TOS/TOUs’ and maintains this list in Good Faith that these listings are maintained legally, and for legal purposes.  If you disagree with this statement, please contact Sundevildaddy.com immediately to piss, moan, argue and complain.  I might even let you take it out on me with Cane lashings and candle wax. Yeah, I’m kinky like that.

NO SOFTWARE IS STORED / HOSTED ON THIS WEBSITE.  LISTINGS HERE ARE LINKS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE WEBSITES. *I use software that continually searches this website for broken links, if it misses one, and you find it, let me know and Ill break open the bag of Beggin’ Strips (aka fix it) immediately – Thanks.

***Links coming soon.

ο Audio Software:  Music Players, Editors, Mixers and Broadcasters

ο Video Software: Video Players, Editors, Mixers, Streamers and DVD Burning software

ο Website Software:  Website Editors, Widgets, Add-Ons, Code Editors

ο Download Software:  Torrent, Download Managers

ο Computer Security:  Anti-Viruses (AVs), Firewalls, Malicious Software Removal Tools, Anti-Spyware

ο Computer Maintenance:  Drivers, Manufacturer Software, Defragmenters, Registry Cleaners

More to come…