[jsfg_cinti] FREE full-featured non-trialware software packages of all types (some may be useful in your job hunt, building skills, at next job, or simply at home)

Hello Folks,


I've been meaning to relay this info which you may find useful in your job
hunt, on your next job, building some computer skills (or at least being
informed), or simply for use at home.


First:  don't get too distracted from your main effort to find a job.  As we
all should acknowledge, using/working/"playing" with computer-related stuff
can become very time consuming if not kept in check.


Next:  simply visit the following web site to review and decide if you want
this day's offering -- available totally-FREE for this one day only! -- of a
new fully-working, registered, non-crippled commercial software package
title:

     www.giveawayoftheday.com

... known as the "GAOTD" (Give Away Of The Day) web site.  I just had to
share awareness of this web site after having installed quite a few useful
packages.


OK, that's it.


Somehow those folks convince software publishers to offer their titles
entirely for free (for one day only) as a means to "get the word out", but I
suppose also to test new final releases for lingering bugs.

No, it's not supposed to be "beta" software or "shareware", but regular
full-featured commercial packages.

Most of it I've never heard of before, and there's a lot of "fluff stuff" --
screensavers, endless DVD-to-AVI and video-to-DVD disk burning packages,
audio converters for iPods, "tickler/reminders/note-takers", slideshow and
movie makers, packages with poorly-translated language "we proud make in
Elbonia", etc. -- but occasionally they offer some true "gold nuggets" worth
having.


Today's package (EverNote, a well-known leader in its category of PIM or
Personal Information Category) seems to be such an item.  It's a major
package and possibly useful in the long run to a regular business computer
user.

If you scan over some of their earlier titles (going back about a year now)
you might notice some you've heard of, or note some quite expensive packages
offered (not that there's sometimes better-yet-less-expensive-or-free ones
as well; see below).


But here's some advice and observations:


Most important (I speak from much experience):  Re-read "First" above!


So far I've only seen titles that work only with Windows-based computers
(although newer Apple Macintoshes can run Windows as well).

Their "rules" are that the packages, although fully functional with no
time-limit restrictions, are NOT supposed to be eligible for free updates or
reduced-price upgrades to the next version.  In that sense they ARE
crippled.  (However, I have been able to update a couple with no problems!)

You'll quickly notice that for each title's web page (and you can review the
many prior releases) that most of the user comments are from fairly
obnoxious/judgmental people that simply want to publicly vent.  Apparently
there's not much moderation of the posting by the web site owners.  Just
ignore these and scan for the "pearls".

Some of the comments will talk about, and have links to, other competitive
packages that might be better as well as being totally "freeware" or free
"open-source".  In this sense this GAOTD site is a good teacher of the
alternatives available out there.


Do a little homework.  Use Google to search for, say, "user reviews
EverNote" (or whatever the title is) and see what pops up.  The major
magazines may have articles that professionally review the title.  Maybe
include the other similar-purpose titles mentioned in the user comments to
find web pages that compare popular packages with the new one (Google
"EverNote InfoSelect KeyNote" for example).


Other comments are repetitious chants of "I can't get it to install..." and
"Where's the registration information?...".  Personally I haven't had any
problems installing the titles I chose simply because I carefully read the
directions that come with each package.

Well, OK, I experienced a couple of installations that were "buggy", but
with enough complaints the GAOTD or the software folks would quickly correct
it and post a note of apology and to try again.


But most of them involve downloading a ZIP file; opening it up
(uncompressing the contents) to reveal 2 or 3 other files within; reading a
"ReadMe" text file which (typically) explains to first run the "activation"
file (which pre-authorizes the "product registration" settings for the
software); then run the "installer/setup" file.

Usually after the "activation" step a web browser window will automatically
launch to a GAOTD web site page that says "Thank you for activating this
product...".  So far there's never been anything to do on that page other
than to just read about more stuff, so simply close it out.

Alternatively, sometimes you have to cut-and-paste a "user" and
"registration key" from a window that pops up when the "activation" file is
run, and place the info into the software product's own pop-up registration
window.

Sometimes that first "activation" window with the instructions and
registration information gets hidden behind other windows, so you might have
to slide some windows around to see it.

Just follow their directions in the ReadMe file.  Apparently most of the
people posting "can't install/register" comments don't bother.


Well, in the time it took you to read this message you could have already
completed the installation of today's package and been using it -- it's just
that easy!  And their count-down timer is running out...

One final note:  Read "First" one more time!  And good luck with your job
hunt!


M.Manley

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.33/1132 - Release Date: 11/15/2007
9:34 AM

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