How to get just about everything for the computer for free

1. Vic Laurie

2.  Is free stuff any good?
 What’s the catch?
 Are there any problems?
 What does “free” really mean?
 Is it safe?
 What free stuff is available?
 Where do I get it?

3.  “Freeware is not a cheap or second-class option - it
can often be functionally superior to equivalent
commercial software and even of higher quality.”
 The Open Source - http://sourceforge.net/
 Many substantial free programs from major
companies
 Many excellent small programs from
individuals or small businesses

4.  Internet browsers
◦ Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera
 Blogging software and content management
◦ Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress
 Web site management
◦ Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP
 Office suites
◦ OpenOffice, LibreOffice
 Adobe Flash and Reader

5.  Some authors create software simply to help
others and/or to enhance their reputation
 Some authors hope you will be generous and
donate a few bucks
 Authors can earn a living by customizing and
supporting their software
 Some free programs have big brothers that
the authors hope you’ll buy
 Some programs are free for a while and then
become pay applications
 But sometimes there is a problem

6.  Limited features
 Software may be buggy
 Interface may be very minimal and hard to
use
 Not as polished
 Limited support
 Software may install unwanted additional
programs
 Software may actually be malware

7.  Some programs are actually free with no
strings
 Donationware
 Nagware
 Trialware
 Crippleware
 Adware
 Foistware
 Malware

8. 1. Find out what is available
2. Find out how good it is
3. Find a reputable and safe source
4. Back up system
5. Download and check file with antivirus
6. Install

9.  Download from reputable sites only
 Check with anti-virus before installing
 Check with program like Malwarebytes
(http://www.malwarebytes.org/products)
 Check online at VirusTotal
(http://www.virustotal.com)
 Back up system before installing anything

10.  Computer software and utilities
 Office suites
 Music
 Video
 eBooks
 Games
 And much more

11.  Avast! (May try to install Chrome browser}
 Microsoft Security Essentials
 Panda Cloud Antivirus
 Avira AntiVir
 AVG Antivirus
 Discussion and download links at
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-
anti-virus-software.htm

12.  Picasa - Photo management
 Paint.NET - Photo and picture editing
 7-Zip – File archiver
 Avidemux – Video editor
 KMPlayer – Video player
 Audacity – Audio editor

13.  Softpedia - http://www.softpedia.com/
 Snapfiles http://www.snapfiles.com/
 FileHippo - http://www.filehippo.com/
 MajorGeeks - http://www.majorgeeks.com/
 CNET – http://download.com (Requires you
to install their proprietary downloader)

14.  IrfanView
 7-Zip
 Replicator
 Notepad++
 FileZilla
 TrueCrypt
 MalwareBytes
 Microsoft Security Essentials
 LastPass
 Sysinternals

16.  Music
◦ http://freemusicarchive.org/
◦ http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-download-free-
music/
◦ http://limewire.groove-stream.com
◦ http://www.mp3raid.com/
 eBooks
◦ http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/50-
places-free-books-online.htm#genre_pages
 Actually now has 464 places

17.  http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-
pc-games.htm
◦ Jigsaw puzzles
◦ Online games
◦ Sudoku
◦ Board games
◦ Children’s games

21.  200 Free Outstanding Online Classes
◦ http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/200-
free-outstanding-online-classes.htm
 425 Free Online Courses from Top
Universities
◦ http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses
 MIT
◦ http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm

22.  Many PC users need never spend another
dime for software after they get their new PC
(or tablet or phone)
 Be cheap and enjoy the world of freeware!
 THE END