free software

Free Software Worth a Donation, Part 1

I turn to the same software time and again. Some I did not have to pay for, thanks to the generosity of hard-working developers who share their creations for free, asking only for a donation from those who are willing and able. I looked through my Start menu and taskbar for those applications I take for granted all year long. If you're already using these, now is a great time to support them or their causes. And if any are new to you, you're in for a treat.

Edited by Erez Zukerman Dec 5, 2011 3:00 pm
Rating & Price
Products
License: Free
Tim Kosse FileZilla

Excellent FTP client that combines simplicity with a robust feature set.
Full Review - Rated: March 22, 2011
License: Free
The GIMP Team GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

Retouch photos and create images with this freebie.
Full Review - Rated: June 23, 2011
License: Free
Irfan Skiljan IrfanView

Edit and convert graphics files with this first-rate image viewer.
Full Review - Rated: June 29, 2011
License: Free
Rick Brewster Paint.NET

Even without its special Plugins, Paint.NET is a powerful raster image creator and editor.
Full Review - Rated: January 17, 2012
PCWorld Rating
License: Free
TrueCrypt Foundation TrueCrypt

This free, open-source encryption program lets you place files and folders in "safes" of any size.
Full Review - Rated: March 01, 2011
License: Free
Bram Moolenaar vim

Rapidly edit text files with this Windows-compatible port of the classic *nix editing tool.
Full Review - Rated: June 29, 2010
License: Free
VideoLAN VLC

The free/donationware, self-contained media player of choice introduces a host of new features.
Full Review - Rated: March 23, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free
Tom Revell, Zhorn Software Stickies

Store info, e-mail it, or pop it up with a timer with this sticky notes program.
Full Review - Rated: June 02, 2011

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Free Software Worth a Donation, Part 2

We often think of software as either commercial or free. But there is another category of software: donationware. It's given away for free, in the hope that users will donate to support the application or a cause the developer wishes to bolster. Part II covers the lesser-known gems. For well-known software and some great reasons to donate, read "Part 1."

Edited by Erez Zukerman Dec 9, 2011 3:00 pm
Rating & Price
Products
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $3.00 License: Buy Only
Humble Bundle, Inc. Humble Bundle

The Humble Bundle offers time-limited game bundles for which you set your own price and donate a part of the proceeds to charity.
Full Review - Rated: December 01, 2011
License: Free
Miranda IM

Merge multiple instant messengers into a single, open-source app.
Full Review - Rated: December 07, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free
Intevation GmbH Gpg4win

Gpg4win is an easy-to-use installer for setting up powerful email and file encryption on your system.
Full Review - Rated: December 05, 2011
License: Free
Martin Prikryl WinSCP

Easy to use, yet powerful, free FTP client will please both casual users and admins.
Full Review
PCWorld Rating
License: Free
jEdit

jEdit is a Java-based programmer's editor with a boatload of optional plugins, color schemes, and configuration options.
Full Review - Rated: December 05, 2011
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PCWorld Rating
License: Free
pomarancha_ WriteMonkey

Clear the screen of distracting menus while writing with this freebie.
Full Review - Rated: November 30, 2011
PCWorld Rating
License: Free
Skytopia OpalCalc

OpalCalc is a unique calculator that lets you use natural language for day-to-day calculations.
Full Review - Rated: December 05, 2011
License: Free
Mouser Screenshot Captor

Micromanage screen capturing to the ultimate degree with robust, free/donationware utility.