Freeware... is it safe and worth the add-ons?

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  1. Posts : 19
    Win7 Pro x64
       #1

    Freeware... is it safe and worth the add-ons?


    Is there any such thing as truly free software? Do you all know if the following "free" programs come with spyware or add-ons which can slow down my computer:

    • CCleaner (for clearing Temp files and websurfing Cache)
    • ImgBurn (for burning DVDs and Image files)
    • BurnAwareFree


    Any thoughts on these or suggestions for paid alternatives (Roxio, Nero)? Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #2

    Sure there is free software without adverts, spying, add-ons.

    You can look thru here or here. Some of those might have adverts in the software or the installer that you need to opt out of. That sort of thing changes quite a bit from version to version and as installers change.

    Edit:
    I've not had any problems from CCleaner and I use CDBurnerXP to make CDs, DVDs, ISO files.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #3

    CCleaner and Imgburn are clean. Always pay attention to untick anything offered during installation on any program. A Guy
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,187
    Main - Windows 7 Pro SP1 64-Bit; 2nd - Windows Server 2008 R2
       #4

    I've used the first two and never had any problems. Can't say yea or nay about the third one. As for the add-ons, if you're careful during the installation process you can usually avoid stuff like the wonderful Yahoo! Toolbar by opting out. It pays to go slow and read the fine print.

    Freeware generally falls into these categories:

    1) Really, truly free. Being the skeptical type I always wondered about that. After all, the TANSTAAFL principle holds true so often. One thing I've found after going back to school in my declining years is that there are a lot of quite talented programmers in Universities. (Sadly, I am not one of them.) They often have a major project they need to complete for a class and to keep from going completely bonkers they pick something which is actually useful. (I've had problems like generating a list of 100,000 random six-digit numbers, then sorting and searching them. They are useful tools for a programmer to have in his arsenal, but there isn't much point to a standalone program like that in the real world.) A good programming student (years ahead of me) can whip up something quite professional. After they're done and get their "A", they often just throw the program out there, content with the satisfaction of seeing hundreds or thousands of people download it. (Some of them even say thanks.)

    2) Adware. It works, but you get the ads. Hey, television was like this for forty years. How'd you like the price, though?

    3) Virtually free, if you are careful. See the note above about the Yahoo! Toolbar.

    4) Nagware. You'll get a popup, usually when you least expect it, reminding you that the Pro version is "so much better!". Sometimes it actually is.

    5) Crippleware. It runs, does the basics, but the tantalizing feature you'd like to try is grayed-out. They're counting on you finally giving into temptation and coughing up for the full version. It's just like Nagware, but more subtle in its approach. I've seen video converters that will do the first ten minutes of your movie, then stop and tell you that only the pay version does the whole thing. Some of them end up being pretty close to the next category:

    6) Out-and-out fraud. Yeah, the download was free. So was the installation. Then you run the sucker and it tells you that you can "see the results by going Pro!". They're banking on the fact that after going that far you will give in and pay for it. Kind of like the chatty girl you happen to run into at the club who you find out is also a "Pro" - but only after you're getting in the car together. Either one may give you a virus, too.

    7) Theft. That chatty girl in #6? When you get out to the parking lot her boyfriend hits you over the head with a big stick and steals your wallet. Thought you'd downloaded an mp3 tagger? Welcome to the Blaster Worm, sucker.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #5

    Oh, and Welcome to Seven Forums sfeg

    A Guy
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  6. Posts : 19
    Win7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    thanks all and + repped.

    I've used CCleaner before, and I think I'll try out ImgBurn. But I was also wondering, does anyone know of software which can put multiple bootable Images on the same DVD? I can post this in a separate thread, if appropriate.

    I googled and found this, but learning how to use it may be time-consuming:
    Insert Multiple ISO Images Into Single Multiboot USB / ISO File With XBoot

    http://multicd.tuxfamily.org/#SupportedDistros
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #7

    I've not tried to put multiple ISO files on one DVD - I tend to leave the ISO files on my hard drive and open them with Virtual CloneDrive (Freeware) - near the bottom of the page.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 483
    Windows 8 64 bit PRO
       #8

    profdlp
    I think you made my day sir lol. Your descriptions for number 6 and 7 were good
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,167
    Windows 7 Pro with SP1 32bit
       #9

    Incidentally Burnaware Free is also free of malware. I have used it without any problems.

    ImgBurn is about the best burning software, free or shareware, but I find its GUI rather daunting. So I use Burnaware Free (now changed to purchased), which is the second best burning software.

    If you too get daunted with ImgBurn's GUI then adopt Burnaware Free.


    sfeg said:
    Is there any such thing as truly free software? Do you all know if the following "free" programs come with spyware or add-ons which can slow down my computer:

    • CCleaner (for clearing Temp files and websurfing Cache)
    • ImgBurn (for burning DVDs and Image files)
    • BurnAwareFree


    Any thoughts on these or suggestions for paid alternatives (Roxio, Nero)? Thanks!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3
    Windows 7
       #10

    I have found that "open source" freeware (especially that available through SourceForge) is quite good and safe. I am using many programs such as Audible and KeePass that I got through them and have never had any problem.
      My Computer


 
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