subject: Spectacular Freeware Downloadable Applications [print this page] Do you remeber what it was like in the old days? Plug-in utilities were either limited demos or they cost money to get. Freeware was almost worthless, stripped down, or buggy. Windows 7 seems to have changed all that Microsoft's brand new operating system functions with a ton of helpful plugin software that are really free.
There are so many useful utilities that it would take months to find the best options. So to help you out, I've compiled a list of 7 stellar utilities that will make your day-to-day working life a little easier.
1. Dropbox
The novel, multi-platform-compatible Dropbox is the answer to keeping your files on all your machines synchronized and up to date. It's easy to use. Just drag and drop files into dropbox and they can be accessed by any dropbox user you authorize.
You can even store selected files publicly online for anyone to see/use. Your free dropbox is 2GB, but you can buy additional storage if you need it.
2. Evernote
Evernote is a real lifesaver. Think of it as an online notebook that remembers everything, and "remember everything" is their motto. Evernote is compatable with most operating systems, including most smart phones. With it you can save and organize everything from simple text, to pictures, to sound bites, to entire websites. Like Dropbox, this program synchronizes with other devices. Evernote also has charater recognition software. Got some note scawled onto a cocktail napkin? Just scan it in!
Free for the first 40MB.
3. WinSplit Revolution
Even as screen sizes and resolutions continue to climb it seems our desktops continue to become more and more cluttered with the increasing number of applications we all routinely use every day. WinSplit is a tiling application. It will help you keep your precious desktop space neat, organized, and easy to use. You won't need to spend your time dragging, resizing, and searching through running apps in your task bar any more. From now on everything on your desktop can be neatly tiled with ease.
Free for download.
4. Launchy
A program intended to keep you organized. With Launchy, there's no need to key up programs. You can reach the files directly from your Start menu with the use of shortcuts. This comes in very handy when you get interrupted by a staff or client request.
Launchy is a free download, but they do ask you leave a donation of whatever you can afford.
5. VLC Media Player
VLC Player is awesome. It draws all the commonly used video apps into a single utility. It allows you to play a huge variety of video formats including DVD. It's completly free and comes packed with codecs. You no longer need to track down and install three different players. VLC player replaces Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player, and Real Player in a single, stable program. Everything you need is built right in.
VLC is a free download.
6. SIW
SIW, or "System Information for Windows", acts as a cataloguer for all the nitty-gritty elements of your system: software, Active X controls, hardware details such as BIOS version, and network information. In addition, it can help you retrieve license keys, measure temperatures of your processor, and more.
Free for download.
7. Recuva
Ever delete a file by accident? Recuva (actually pronounced "recover") is a file that can retrieve unsaved or accidentally deleted information - assuming you haven't already overwritten it. Recuva scouts out all the files flagged for overwrite and gets them back to you quickly, completely, and efficiently.
Free for download.
These are only a tiny sample of the various helpful apps you can use at no charge. This is a terrific time to be online!
