8 Handy Freeware programs

Ok first handy post. Freeware… yep free.. this is just a quick link of some freeware that i have come across in my travel that is well above the usual gamit of crap homemade freeware. All of these programs work on xp, vista x32 and vista x64.

1. ORB - www.orb.com

This is one of the most creative and well made freeware i have come across. Not usefull for everyone but for those who can make use of it… wow. Very simple program that allows you to access a computer remote via the web, specifically designed though to allow you to stream your media files. Once you login to your account it automatically tests your connection, it will then recode your media on the fly to allow you to stream video, music, Live Tv(If you have a Tv Tuner on your pc). Can stream to pretty much anything so even handy just to use on your local network and stream video from your desktop to your – wii, ps3, iphone. I have found it great for streaming my music collection directly to my work pc, as it’s just a web site no installing anything, no files etc.. Hey it’s free try it.

2. Team Viewer – www.teamviewer.com

Team Viewer

This is a great remote desktop application. For those of us who can’t afford to run a windows terminal server, this is the next best thing. Is a free for personal use license on commerical level software which always means great reliablity. Again not for everyone but for those of use running a pc media centre it’s often alot easier to use an RDC to work on the media centre. Can also be handy to access web cams, check torrents, see what the kids are doing.

3. Acer Gridvista - www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/Acer-Gridvista.shtml

Acer GridVista

Little freeware program from acer, great for people who have larger monitors, allows you to section you screen up in half, quads, 50%/25%/25% lots,  so you can postion windows around you screen. e.g. IE browser 50% vertical with news, then email in a 25% window, then web cam feed in other 25% window. Does works on multi monitor setups also(i have triscreen works fine).

4. Easy TM Forever - easytmf.nazgulworld.com

Easy TMF

This program is specifically designed for gamers who play Trackmania Forever(nations/united). TMU-P client, skins, tracks etc.. backup and restore, tm links, team speak launcher. Very reliable, solid freeware. Good developer who is involved in the community so regular updates and feature adds. If you play trackmania install it, if you don’t play or haven’t heard of trackmania, read #5.

5. Trackmania Nations Forever - www.trackmanianations.com

Trackmania Nation Forever

Originally released as the third Trackmania Title “trackmania Nations” by French game deverloper Nadeo in 2005 doing something no developer had done before by releasing a game specifically for Electronic Sports World Cup (ESWC). The game has a huge fan base with 3.8mil registered players just with the free version, allows you to also race againist players with the commercial version trackmania united forever. The game is based on fast actioned racing based more around speed and fun the realism. Huge community base with custom cars, custom tracks, servers, competitions, ladders. Known for it’s easy going and welcome fan base.

6. Paint.net - http://paint.net/

Paint.Net

Want to do some graphics, maybe just don’t like windows paint, need photoshop but don’t have the cash? Try paint.net great freeware graphic editor, easy to use for novice(me) but also great for doing more elaborate stuff(ask my mates i have no idea about graphics but they reckon it’s awesome). Still an active project with regular program and feature updates, good support and community following .

7. Display Fusion - www.binaryfortress.com/displayfusion/

Display Fusion

This one is really only for multi-monitor setups. Works great for dual or tri-screen setups. Allows you to span one image across all three monitor or to set individial wallpapers for each monitor, must have program for multi monitor users. Has a good community base with new features and update coming out regularly. If you use a tri-screen rig you must get this works great on vista and win7.

8.  Networx - www.softperfect.com/products/networx/

Networx Monitoring and Usage tool

Networx is a network monitor tool, allows you to see your internet traffic by speed, in nice little graphs and many other useless but kewl looking ways. Main feature that is hard to find in a freeware program and works great is the usage meter, tracks usage automatically, allows you to see daily, weekly, total and custom usage report. Great for tracking your monthly data usage if your ISP is a bit slack with there tracking or if you just want to have something to compare againist there version of your usage.

Anyway hope you find these 8 little programs as handy as I do.