Downloads! Free & Legal Sites...

Algemeen Dagblad, a newspaper in the Netherlands, gave Show Me permission to use their online article as a source to write this article about downloading. Will from Holland did the translating, rewriting and editing. December 2003.

Are you looking for software? There’s loads on the World Wide Web. But it’s a mess out there. If you’ve ever been to a download site, you know what can happen:

• You type in the name of one of the programs in your search engine and get hundreds of worthless links.
• Your search turns up sites where a program is only being discussed. No download is available.
• You get inundated with pop-up ads that would make anybody queasy. And the pop-ups keep coming.
• You reach a site that downloads a “crack” version of a program rather than a legal version. The result? Your system crashes or the software manufacturer comes knocking on your door.

Does this happen to you a lot? Want a better way?

Lucky for you, there are reliable sites out there where you can download free software or trial versions without a lot of hassle. If you’ll spend some time right here, we’ll show you dozens of the better download sites and programs out there.

Also, if you want to download cool free and legal Warez, click here.

ZDNet
It’s been around a long time. ZDNet gives you a list with the most downloaded software and a list with the most popular software to help you on your way. The site is divided into common categories like ‘Audio&Video’, ‘Drivers’ or ‘Design Tools’. ZDNet also allows you to search keywords. ZDNet tells you by thumbs up or down whether previous users like or dislike the software. They also tell you whether the software is free or if it’s a trial version you’ll have to pay for after a set period of time.

CNET (or Download.com)
CNET and ZDNet are sites provided by the same company. Therefore they look a lot alike and offer the same kind of downloads and programs. Not only will you find similar lists and categories on this site compared to ZDNet, they both provide a list of most popular downloads. Difference is, CNET provides a list with their favorite freeware.

Both sites are very user friendly and provide good and reliable software for your computer. Definitely worth a recommendation.

Tucows
At Tucows you first select the platform you’re looking for, like Windows, Macintosh or Linux. You then get a summary of software available. Tucows judges the software by 1 to 5 cows (5 being best). After you decide to download some software, you will be redirected to a mirror site. Software from Tucows is generally safe, reliable and without viruses. Do note that we can never assure your computer of being safe from getting hit with viruses, worms or so on.

Version Tracker
This software site was originally meant for Mac-users, but has added a whole Windows software department. The latest programs are available on their home page and they also got loads of older software, which might still be interesting to you. If you want to use the VersionTracker’s search tool, you need to subscribe.

Snapfiles
This site is better known as WebAttack. There’s a Top100 downloads feature, as well as a Top20. Snapfiles also gives you an excellent search engine and separate freeware or shareware tabs. This way you can easily see whether you have to pay for the software or you can download and use it for free. Downloadable software is rated from 1 to 5 stars. Nice feature: The site has a ‘missing files-section’ (at the top of navigation) where users can check ‘error messages’ received on program installation. Developers sometimes assume that everyone has the support files the program needs; however, you may need an additional file here and there particularly if you don’t download software very often.

Superfiles
Tabs on top of the page tell you which directory/category you are in and where you can search for programs. Their navigation is excellent and will easily guide you through the site, almost immediately to the software you’re looking for. Superfiles offers mostly freeware and adware. They generally give very good summaries of downloads.

Simtel
Simtel has ftp-archives on its site. This looks like a messy site at first, but if you click on the Top100 Downloads (in the Hotspot Nav on the left) link you’ll get a nice and tidy summary of downloadable programs. Nice Feature: Simtel often includes a screen shot. A screen shot is made by a simple utility that takes a snapshot of your desktop and allows you to display the picture on a Web page or send it to your boss, so he can see that you are working.

Winsite
At Winsite you can put programs in a folder and then ask Winsite to burn them to a CD-ROM. They’ll deliver the CD anywhere in the world, but you pay, of course. Cost is $9.95 plus $1.99 shipping & handling for up to 400 megabytes. Nice feature: Winsite has a different search engine than most other download sites, but puts freeware in its own section. Very convenient.

Freebyte
Freebyte is not a regular download site, but primarily a news site about downloads and new programs. The left-navigation isn’t as clear as you’d like. Sometimes Freebyte guides you to their own free software, and other times to multiple other sites. You can definitely find some interesting things on this web site, but be cautious.

PCPlus
PCPlus is a European computer magazine and Web site. In the download section of the magazine you’ll find a lot of interesting software and programs. Their downloads are in alphabetical order. The search engine is powerful and easy to use. If you try to download, PC Plus will redirect you a couple of times, which can be a little annoying. Eventually you will get to your program though. Also they try to get you to sign up to their newsletter, but this is not required (as they make you think)!

Serif
Serif is mainly a manufacturer of graphic programs. On the Serif site you won’t find a lot of diverse downloads, but a nice selection of free earlier versions of their own software. The free use of their earlier software will entice you to buy their latest. Who cares? The free versions work perfectly.

Sites Offering Illegal Downloads
Unfortunately there are also many sites on the World Wide Web that offer illegal downloads of pirated software. In addition to the fact that you are joining in the stealing when you download software from such sites, you are putting your computer at high risk because such illegal software is often corrupted with viruses or worms. Examples of two illegal sites that offer illegal (“crack”) versions of commercial software are Fosi and Webwarez . Manufacturers of software typically keep a close watch for those who download from such sites. Why be stupid? There’s plenty of great sites without joining the crooks. Give sites such as these a miss.

Want more? Right here:
Download Useful Software For Free!

 

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Freeware: Freeware is free software, without any surprises or conditions. Manufacturers who produced the software as their hobby make the software available. Freeware cannot be used for commercial purposes and also can’t be sold.

Shareware: Shareware is, in most cases, a trial version of a software program. You can try the software all you want, but sometimes after a while either the program locks up or some components of the software don’t work. The only legal way to get rid of these restrictions is to get the paid version. Some shareware programs keep on working, but at very regular intervals pop up a message reminding you to pay for the use of the software. We’ve divided Shareware into three types:

1. Liteware (Crippleware, Demoware or Hookemware): A free demo version of a program. Some of the program’s functions will not work. These programs are intended only to get the user familiar with and dependent on the program. Presto, there goes a sale of the full version!
2. Expireware (Trialware): Software, which will not work after a period of time, or after a certain number of uses. After downloading the whole version or inserting a password the program will work again.
3. Nagware: This type of downloadable software will nag the user repeatedly that the software must be registered (and paid for).

Adware (pitchware): Free software, but with inserted commercials.

Cardware (postcardware): Same as Freeware, only the manufacturer would like to get a postcard as payback (? – What’s up with that? We don’t see the use of this…).

Careware (charityware): This type of software is hard to find on the Web, and not often used. Careware developers ask for donations for charity when you download their files.

Guiltware: Guiltware is free software with a guilt trip attached to it. The developer tells you how hard he or she has worked to develop the program and then asks for a donation. Hey, why not, if it’s a good program?

Abandonware: This is older software which is made available without any copyrights. This way the manufacturer hopes you’ll get so enthusiastic about the older version, you’ll buy the new version or upgrade.