so many websites. Are there all websites about hardware or software?
maybe useful,I have copied them.Thank you.

Alright this is slightly different one. A FREEWARE that respects your privacy. Encrypt [Password-protect] any of your files from prying eyes.The following are features that really set it apart from all other file encryption tools, commercial as well as free:

Double-click to edit/view with any application.
Automatic re-encryption after modification.
Absolutely no user configuration necessary or possible before use.
Open source under GNU General Public License.
7 languages in one executable distribution.
Extensive command-line interface for scripting and programming.
Other features
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2K/XP compatible.
AES encryption with 128-bit keys.
Edit an encrypted document directly with double-click.
Optional pass phrase cache - type pass phrases once per logon and/or reboot.
Automatic pass phrase validation before decryption or editing.
Key-File generation and support.
No options or user interface - easy to install and use.
Relatively light-weight, less than 1Mb download
Extensive command-line interface.
Server mode options.
Huge file support > 4GB (on Windows NT/2K/XP).
Dynamic brute force counter measure - iterative key wrapping.
Integrates well with web based file sharing services.
Selective compression before encryption - faster downloads/uploads.
Retains original file name and information of an encrypted file.
Integrated shredder.
Shredding of all temporary and encrypted plaintext files.
Secure memory handling - no keys or data in the paging file.
Industry standard algorithms.
Data integrity verification - no undetected modification.
Unique data encryption keys used for every file and (re-)encryption.
Polyglot - currently speaks English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian and Swedish.
Easy to add more languages - contact me (I'm especially looking for Nordic languages)!
Open source - no backdoors.
Private branding support for commercial or corporate versions.
It's FREE!
Download latest version CLICK HERE

Ignore this if it featured above

A Cool Video Editor With In Built Filters Ive Been Using For A long Time!
Their Official Site

http://www.baxbex.com/products.html
The following are free for home use:

FolderBox - "displays additional folders in the lower part of Explorer, which enables your to display the contents of two folders at once. You can set-up and configure up to five FolderBoxes over the tab sheets of the FolderBox extension. You can even use FolderBox inside Internet Explorer!"

bxNewFolder - "adds a "New Folder" button to the toolbar of Windows Explorer. It also provides a hotkey (F12) to create a new folder within the Explorer quickly."

OpenExpert - "Simply install our freeware OpenExpert and you will be able to configure every single existing filetype with its own "open with..." submenu extension. Now you can quickly and simply choose which application you want to open that particular file. Right click the mouse and select the program to open the file."

IrfanView ShellExtension - "IrfanView Shell Extension is a Freeware Dll that adds the ability to call some IrfanView functions from within the Windows Explorer."

MailStore Home

MailStore Home enables you to backup all your email messages from multiple applications and accounts into one secure and persistent archive. Lightning-fast search, one-click backup, powerful export - all information from your email is at your fingertips anytime. Never lose important email again!

http://www.mailstore.com/en/mailstore-home.aspx

Tomahawk PDF+ v3.0.1 has been released. It's what I've been using for a couple of years to make PDF documents, and it doesn't require any other programs to make PDF's unlike many other free PDF makers. It's as easy to use as Microsoft Word!

Supports:
* Microsoft Windows 9x up to Windows 2003. Does NOT mention any support for Windows Vista.
* Runs on Linux systems using Wine v0.9.19.

About:
Tomahawk PDF+ gives you a complete PDF file creation suite right on your computer. Tomahawk PDF+ is the freeware version of Tomahawk Gold. The freeware version may not have all the bells and whistles of the full version of Tomahawk Gold but it is still one of the most advanced word processing/pdf creation software packages available for the Windows platform. This comfortably designed program with a familiar interface that's easy to use, allows documents to be produced and saved in a number of formats, including:
* Rich Text.
* Exported as HTML.
* Converted to PDF.

Net Tools - "Net Tools is a comprehensive set of host monitoring, network scanning, security, administration tools and much more, all with a highly intuitive user interface. It's an ideal tool for those who work in the network security, administration, training, internet forensics or law enforcement internet crimes fields. Net Tools is mainly written in Microsoft Visual Basic 6, Visual C++, Visual C# and Visual Studio .NET."

While extracting the contents of the ZIP file for the "Webserver" app to Program Files, I got a virus alert from AntiVir telling me that app's main EXE file contains trojan "TR/VB/Small.2564096." Does this program contain a real virus, or is this one of those false positives?

Report it on the avira forum, if it's a false positive they usually update their definitions within hours.

A good replacement for Word Pad http://www.jarte.com/. Nice and lite.

40tude Dialog - "40tude Dialog is a feature loaded, multi-server, multi-threaded Windows newsreader with Unicode character support. It supports multiple servers and identities, has filtering/scoring support, integrated email functionality and binary support including support for multiparts. 40tude Dialog has a multilingual GUI. Currently English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Croatian and Greek translations are available. "

Xnews -

• 100% GNKSA 2.0 (Good Net Keeping Seal of Approval) compliant.
• Plonk file (aka bozo bin).
• Quick filter (type in a regex and only articles whose subject/author match it will be shown)
• Score file for advanced filtering.
• Support for multiple servers/identities.
• Subscribed groups can be organized into categories.
• Remappable keyboard.
• Binaries handling (mime, base64, uuencode, what have you).
• Optional header and article caching; plus: folders for permanent archival.
• more...

SMPlayer

http://smplayer.sourceforge.net/

SMPlayer is a very nice, and impressive multilingual frontend for MPlayer. It includes practically everything needed to playback most video and audio formats. Extra Codecs can be found on the MPlayer download page under Binary Codec Packages. Note: I'm linking to the extra codecs on MPlayer because the extra codecs setup package from SMPlayer messes with the original SMPlayer uninstaller.

I think I've finally found the perfect video playing software in SMPlayer after trying a myriad of others over the past couple of years!

Info:

Is that inherent in the program or does that rely heavily on what video card you have?

Don't know yet, I've haven't even been using it for 24 hours as of yet. I would think the video card if modern enough, i.e.; something from WinXP and newer would suffice.

WinXP can tolerate some pretty old cards.

True, however you could always get a new one!

Andavari, you are so cool! I never knew you'd buy me a brand new quad core video card!

Be careful what you ask for, I'll give you Windows Vista too, then you'll swear at it versus swearing by it.

No, I couldn't install Vista in this beast. I could re-install Win 95 in this hog with no problem I bet.

Get the newer smplayer.exe and qtxml4.dll here:
ftp://ftp.berlios.de/pub/smplayer/windows/
ftp://ftp.berlios.de/pub/smplayer/source/

Edit: Video EQ can be soft. or hard. (in pref's)
How to compile smplayer on windows

Are those stable builds though, and not just in testing phase? I only ask because the download on SourceForge is stable and rock solid.

I try to stay as up to date as I can with them and maybe once I had a problem that may have been due to using them, but it could have been due to my failing hard disk(causing many problems, very well could be this). They won't crash left and right if that's what you mean. Generally stable.

I have BSPlayer 1.38 (ad-free) and i like it. Also like to use external codecs/filters, instead of internal ones.

Imagine - Very fast yet feature rich image viewer. I link to the forum because the site isn't working for some reason.

Dont forget to download the new QMC (Quick Media Converter ) Ver 3.5.7 it comes with CamStudio which could be very useful apart from new formats for conversion which make it a good freeware to use

A few things i use

Aimp2
AIMP2 is a free music player for your PC.This freeware player comes with an integrated audio-converter, a sleep function, a tag editor, an audio-grabber and an audio-recorder and much more.
http://www.aimp.ru/index.php?do=static&page=player_en

MRU-Blaster is a program made to do one large task - detect and clean MRU (most recently used) lists on your computer.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/mrublaster.html

BIMP Lite
BIMP Lite is a small and simple batch processor for image files, that allows you to perform various functions on multiple images
http://cerebralsynergy.com/download.php?view.52

Cablenut
CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection.
http://cablenut.com/

Windows Worms Doors Cleaner
Little tool to disable DCOM, Locator, NetBIOS, UPNP, and MESSENGER
http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/index...showtopic=12129

Sytem 47
Star Trek LCARS Screen Saver
http://mewho.com/system47/

2BrightSparks Freeware:
Web: http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html

This is just three of their programs I use, they have more though!

DeleteOnClick

Supports:
Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000, 98, 98SE, ME, and NT 4. Please note that Windows 95 is not supported.

About:
DeleteOnClick is a simple to use secure file deletion utility that is implemented as a new context menu in Windows Explorer (right-click on a file or folder to securely delete it). Securely deleted files cannot be undeleted. It follows the U.S. DOD 5220.22-M secure file deletion standard.

After you've installed the software you must restart your computer as instructed by the setup wizard. This is necessary for the shell extension to become active in Windows Explorer.




HashOnClick

Supports:
Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/2003 and Vista. Please note that Windows 95 is not supported.

About:
HashOnClick is a very simple to use file validation utility.

HashOnClick quickly and easily provides information to compare hash values side by side to establish the data in one file exactly matches (or not) the data in another. Ensure that the files you receive haven't been tampered with.

It can export the hash as a text document, or into the clipboard and uses the following format, for example:
EE6D0D869C2DB7240FF1278BFDA3B898 somefile.exe

After you've installed the software you must restart your computer as instructed by the setup wizard. This is necessary for the shell extension to become active in Windows Explorer.




FireLogXP

Supports:
Microsoft Windows XP. Please note that other versions of Windows are not supported.

About:
This is a simple program for people using Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) in Windows XP. It will read the log file and show you who is trying to get into your computer, and through which ports. The data can be filtered to include/exclude protocols, connection types, and TCP flags.

FireLogXP includes connections to on-line resources to give you more information on what a specific port is for and how it may be being exploited.

Sherpya's Win32 MPlayer builds - MPlayer compiles by sherpya, also MEncoder, FFmpeg and MPlayer win32 GUI(SMPlayer is the best)

Hi
Must agree with you about Picassa it is the best free photo organizer ever and easy to us and the way it links to your web albums is realy good.

USB FireWall

http://net-studio.org/application/usb_firewall.php

USB FireWall blocks all virus and other wilful programs which try to spread in your system when an USB device is inserted.

SuperTux - SuperTux is a classic 2D jump'n run sidescroller game in a style similar to the original SuperMario games. The Milestone1 release of SuperTux features 9 enemies, 26 playable levels, software and OpenGL rendering modes, configurable joystick and keyboard input, new music and completly redone graphics. Together with a little story, we hope to provide a good gaming experince with this first Milestone release.




SuperTux 0.3.1 - The 0.3.x versions series is meant to show of new features of the engine, new graphics and such. It is not meant to be fully playable or polished.

Free partition tool:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-D...n-Manager.shtml

Vista Update Downloader - FREE program which downloads updates directly from Microsoft. All files are very useful with vLite!

Below I have listed the programs I would not be without. I have used them for a long time and they all run flawlessly. Like I said, they are real gems in my opinion. And no, I don't work for the companies I hope some of you will find them as useful as I have!

(1) StickyPad: an invaluable, easy-to-use tool that lets you place sticky notes on your desktop. Since installing this program I have not had to write one single note on paper at my PC, I use StickyPad instead. Also great because you can set reminders!
http://www.greeneclipse.com/stickypad.html

(2) PopTray: a full-featured, customizable, e-mail notifier. Easy to use. I have 6 email accounts and find this really helpful.
http://www.poptray.org/

(3) tinySpell: a utility that allows you to easily and quickly check and correct the spelling in any Windows application. Gives a slight audible beep when you make a spelling error - you can ignore and add words to its memory.
http://tinyspell.m6.net/

(4) Password Safe: allows you to safely and easily create a secured and encrypted user name/password list. What I also like about this program is it allows you to just click a link and it connects to the website. Very easy tp use.
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/

Rohos Mini Drive

Rohos Mini Drive creates hidden and encrypted partition on the USB flash drive memory.

http://www.rohos.com/free-encryption/

Haven't used it though.

Laserix 2 - " Laserix is a flash game created by Jason Storhed, a video game designer student. This game is just 100% fun and perfect transpose to PSP !!!!. I have tried it once and became a big fan! After a couple of days, and few broken PSPs, I finished the 13 levels. Oh no! What am I gonna do !!! I contacted Jason, to ask for more, but he was busy with his exams. So guess what, I decided to create my own levels.

Now you can play 52 levels (incuding the 13 orignals masterpiece) and try to finsih the game. Good Luck and have a blast!!!

Laserix is a laser that should go through all diamonds on the grid. The only way to do it, is to use mirrors, in the right position and adjust them to define the right laser path. Laserix is a real “Chinese puzzle”. There is no need for 3D or video. The game is just fun!!! "
Scroll to bottom of page to download for PSP and PC(PC version via Lua Player).

WinDirStat - See Image

New program from the makers of Wavosaur.

Streamosaur:

Gimp is awesome, like photoshop but free!! Thanks for the link!

SpeedCrunch - "SpeedCrunch is a fast, high precision and powerful desktop calculator. Available for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Apple Mac OS X."

Anyone know of a good Media Streamer (video and audio)

VLC Media Player. It has a ton of stuff built in for streaming.

VLC's latest upgrade was a godsend.

What is the best freeware is a matter of taste and opinion though many will agree with me on these:

Internet Browser

Mozilla Firefox with NoScript, PhProxy-InBasic, McAfee SiteAdvisor, Image Zoom, IE Tab, Firebug, DownloadHelper, CustomizeGoogle, Adblock Plus, Adblock Filter.G Updater, Adblock Element Hiding Helper, RefControl (set to block referrers) , CS Lite, Refcontrol. This is just simply the best set up!

Security

Online Armor Personal Firewall darn good for a free firewall
Avast! Home Edition paid antiviruses are better but this is sufficient
PeerGuardian IP blocker but not necessary
Truecrypt
Eraser in case you got something you must absolutely destroy

Cleaning Tools

CCleaner of course

Operating System

OpenBSD for servers perhaps though tough to use because of commandline
Puppy Linux for quickness and old computers
Ubuntu Linux as an alternative to Windows perhaps

Compression Tools

7-Zip latest version (even if it's beta I think)

Video and Audio Editing

MKVExtractGUI-1.6.4 and MKVtoolnix all in one folder joined together
AutoGK latest version
OGMDemuxer
VirtualdubMOD
Virtualdub
Audacity
VOBMerge
VOBBlanker

Disc Mounter

MagicDisc

Disc Rippers

DVDFab Platinum videos
Exact Audio Copy music

Disc Burners

Burrrn music
Imgburn videos

Disc Quality and Speed Checker

CDSpeed

Chatting

Digsby
XChat

Code Pack and media player

K-Lite Codec Pack Full

Office Suite (word processing etc.)

OpenOffice

Text Editor

Notepad++ it's a matter of preference on which text editor you like

Torrent Client

µTorrent only for Windows


All the good things in life are free
Did I miss anything by the way?

I was told that the Filter.G Updater isn't very useful when it comes to Adblock Plus, and actually creates some difficulties. I've since abandoned it, and haven't noticed anything negative for it. Same with the Element Hiding Helper.



To be perfectly honest, I find aMSN a good alternative for Windows Live Messenger, and Pidgin a wonderful alternative for everything else. (Only because libpurple has some issues with the MSN protocol).



When it comes to linux distros I find Arch-Linux to be a better distro, but, that is just personal opinion.

I don't know if someone already said this, but Paint.NET is great for image editing. Especially with plugins (there are 150 plugins in the official forum...). I know some will say "yes, this is good for simple tasks but gimp is better", but really, you can only use PDN...with Custom Brushes and Smudge of course (both are plugins).

I must be doing something right , have 4 of them & use them . Mucho concerro senor !

I recently discovered VLC and have been trying to rip dvd's to my hard drive, with little success. Googling the subject, I 've found instructions on Youtube and other sites, but they all seem to apply to a non-current version of VLC. The version I have is 0.9. Specifically, I get frequent crashes if I select Custom for my profile and then individually select entries in the Encapsulate - Video - Audio sections and then click Stream. Oddly enough, if I make no selections in those sections, then streaming seems to occur okay. But, that makes no sense to me.

Can anyone tell me the procedure they follow to rip DVD's in version 0.9?

Hi cc1, are you trying to "backup" your own original DVDs. If so, I can help, but not with VLC. I use other free software.

Hi Dennis. I have 4 youngsters, seven years old and younger. DVD's don't seem to last long here. I buy kids movies for them and it doesn't take long for the dvd's to be damaged. So I want to be able to copy those original dvd's onto my hard drive and then burn them onto backup dvd's for the kids to use (while I keep and protect the originals). That way, I won't be hyper about how the kids are handling them and I won't be seeing money fly out the window.

I've got some experience recording and editing streaming audio. But I'm new to video apps. I first became aware of VLC when I was reviewing information on Portable Apps web site. I like that VLC is portable and, presumably, doesn't write to the registry. But, as stated in my preceding post today, the new version (0.9) seems quirky and the documentation is not particularly helpful.