Free Windows Software Without Spyware/Adware 636
Jem Berkes writes "This week I launched CleanSoftware.org, a resource site with a unique goal: listing free, daily-use software that is free from spyware, adware, and other malicious/intrusive components. With Windows users increasingly believing that free software invariably means adware or spyware, I set out to promote good, clean, free software. Perhaps geeks helping family and friends set up their new computers this holiday can make use of this resource; sticking to clean software is much easier than struggling with never-ending cleanups. To expand my listing, I am also looking for input from the Slashdot readership: what other free, clean desktop software do you regularly use that Windows users should know about?"
You should mark Open Source as such (Score:3, Insightful)
Free[ soft]ware (Score:2, Insightful)
Of course, this distinction won't help the ordinary user, but for you, it's a good rule of thumb: basically everything that comes with source is safe (except some "open source" scams -- if you're paranoid, just check if they use some weird fancy license instead of known-good ones). Of course, it's possible to conceal malicious code, but with the freedom to review and modify, it just doesn't make any sense.
On the other hand, gratis pieces of software that don't include the source usually tend to have some strings attached. It may be spyware, may be ads, or perhaps just annoying nag screens -- you shouldn't install anything like this unless you have a reason to think it's ok.
Re:microsoft has some of nice little freeware (Score:2, Insightful)
Are links really that difficult?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tools /default.mspx [microsoft.com]
http://www.tucows.com/preview/299014.html [tucows.com]
The space in the first link isn't your fault, the /. lameness filter breaks words from being too long; it prevents morons from making the page's layout fubar
How do you know? (Score:5, Insightful)
You can only be sure of that by having the source of the program. I see that you have many pieces of non-free software there in the same list as free. What makes you so sure that a non-free program which you use doesn't have a secret mode in which it obeys its coder, not you.
Re:so what's wrong with (Score:2, Insightful)
Blocking the intenet connection for those programs (Score:2, Insightful)
Now I can choose any program that I want. I'm quite happy with this solution for a time being. Though it's not possible for those programs which meant for internet only.
mirrors and third-party oddities (Score:4, Insightful)
Easiest way to avoid this is to code in a way for people to flag entries as questionable, to be verified manually by you or a trusted compatriot.
Think about it some.
-transiit
sourceforge (Score:3, Insightful)
Or perhaps geeks helping family and friends will set up linux distros instead and head over to sourceforge, just to name one good place for solid gpl stuff.
Not trying flame here, but I got tired of being the windoze adming for the family and friends and for some time now I've been saying something along the lines "sorry, it's been years since I touched Microsoft and thesedays I wouldn't know where to begin to sort your problems. Let me set up a linux for ya and I'll promise I'll help you with as much as is needed."
What to do with rotten apples...? (Score:2, Insightful)
What happens if one of these includes spyware? Will the whole program be delisted, or will the offending ditros be identified individually?
Re:so what's wrong with (Score:5, Insightful)
1. There are many different versions of programs on Pricelessware. At least six text editors, for example. Basically if it comes up to an acceptable level of usability and isn't spyware/shareware/nagware/adware, it will get in. Not just one text editor they think is best.
2. The whole list is up for review each year, but the list is updated throughout the year. In most cases programs aren't voted off, only new programs are voted in.
3. Linux is in fact included on Pricelessware.
(longtime user of Pricelessware since back when it was just a newsgroup)
Re:Asking /. about Windows software? (Score:0, Insightful)
Sorry propeller head but until Linux will run all the software that the mass public enjoys using (i.e. people not living in Mom and Dad's basement... that actually see daylight sometimes...) it will NOT be accepted.
Yes, you are uber because you use Linux but not everyone can be as cool as you unfortunately.
Re:Asking /. about Windows software? (Score:2, Insightful)
[u]until Linux will run all the software that the mass public enjoys using[/u]
To be accepted GNU/Linux must be able to preform all the tasks required by its users, induvidually programs matters little.
Nice idea, poorly executed (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:IrfanView (Score:3, Insightful)
It has a function to enable bmp preview chaning the icon on windows explorer. If this function is enabled, looking at a folder full of bmp files will involve reading them all and resizing lots of image, so it might be quite slow. I recommend disabling that.
Re:Asking /. about Windows software? (Score:3, Insightful)
Yes it is. Split hairs all you like, but you are supposed to pay for the software if you decide to keep it:
http://www.textpad.com/download/index.html [textpad.com]:
Re:How do you know? (Score:3, Insightful)
Can you read C fluently? What about C++? What about x86 assembly? What about when they're obfuscated? Most importantly, do you have an infinite amount of time?
I'd be willing to bet the number of people answering "yes" decreases with each question. There's nothing inherant in free software that says it must be free of malicious code.
What I will give you, is that it's a lot less likely not because the code is open but because free programs are typically not produced by companies reliant on Gator to provide their funding. Typically they don't have any funding.
Re:Good, clean, free. (Score:3, Insightful)
Copyright? (Score:2, Insightful)