Quite often I have checked into alternate giveaways, and I have found that they are not ALL free of viruses, spyware, and a host of other things that I don't want messing up my machine! At least what we get here is safe!!

Like some others have said, I find the alternative software suggestions one of the best things with the comment field. Especially if we are given at least some indication on what the freeware does in comparison with the GOTD. But I usually need more arguments than "This software is the BEST IN THE WORLD, SOOOOO much better than this junk!!!!!1" before I check it out. I also found it very useful when I a couple of times missed a good giveaway.
I've found the best way for me to learn about a software from an evaluation in the comments is to compare it to a well known freeware.

Personally I think the freeware recommendations are the best part of the comments.

I agree with techgurl, i actually do know, that there is a separate threat for alternatives of the giveaway the day, but what if someone (like me) would want a freeware alternative, that might give you regular updates instead of the ones from giveaway team?
I prefer to see it below of the actual giveaway ,than going to a separate threat.
and for all annoying or senseless comments, i have learned to skip them all pretty quickly :)

P.S.: for the same reason, I'm mot going to comment on that comment except here.

A Very Proper Charlie- ignore at worst, ridicule if pushed to it.

See Dean Ing's 'Soft Targets'. or the shorter 'Very Proper Charlies' that was in Destinies of october 1978.

might actually be a workable strategy against terrorists- but with our current crop of 'OhMyGod' leaders and newsies I ain't holding my breath.

I also recommend reading and pondering the logic and factoids in John Ringo's 'The Last Centurion'.

good story, too.

heh, hoss, nice analysis- but also an example of what I look past in the comments. Kinda like not letting trolls get a response, ignore the nonsense attacks and bs, no-value ego postings- like comment 104 today-

For the last couple of days GAOTD luring people to visit thei website to download junk softwares. Thanks & bye!!!!!!!!!! Now i am going to unsudscribe from junk supplier site. That’s all forever, will not even visit this site in future.

no skin off my nose! 'luring' indeed. hypnotic attachments?

and all for a couple of days of non-interesting offers.. idiocy at the speed of internet, what?

1) 99% of the recommendations are *not* better than what GAOTD is offering. Despite claims by others.

99% sounds like your 'opinion' since you did not post any references to prove your point. It's just a number *you* picked. A better statistic might be - *you* didn't care for 99% of the alternatives that were posted. That's fine, you have the right to your opinion.

2) 99% of Alterative Free programs are a personal choice which is only useful to 1% of us.

I would say that all (100%) of the alternative free programs are a personal choice (either you like it or you don't) but I would guess that they are useful to a lot more than 1% of other users. Again, just a number *you* picked.

I will agree that you have a valid point, why bog down the comment section with all the clutter. But to me, in the long run, it's not much of a problem and it does help compare that day's offering to other programs that are similar. People can then compare similar programs to see which one they prefer. And if someone has a long list of programs or websites, they could post a link and put them in the forums.

freeware pointed out may already be known to me (and thus may be the same for any particular user), for good or ill- usually there's at least one that I haven't- but aside from the semi-fanatic zeal often displayed it's overall never a waste of time having alternates pointed out.

I save a copy of each day's comments so if somebody asks for something, it saves me time searching for something to suggest at least trying first- and occasionally it'll save *my* bacon, too.

some are good, some stink, but even so it's a start.

And while some people couldn't pour sand out of a boot with instructions on the heel [readme.txt? whazzat? -sigh-] whether clueless, stupid or just not paying attention, the effect is the same.

plus those with real problems that are just having 'their day in the barrel'.

I'll wade through the chest-beating for possible gems just in case.

I don't mind the posting in the comments about an alternate software to the Giveaway of the day. But instead of just saying that the alternate is better, I wish some would actually download the Giveaway to give us a honest comparison or why they think it's better or what makes is similar.

We have some that comment that the giveaway is full of spyware and they can't seem to register it and their alternate for whatever reason is 100% better, all in the same paragragh. Then when you click on their alternate link you end up looking at a website with a program that isn't even close to what Giveaway is giving out.

I Think it a good fun to read & it up to you if you read or not.

I also think freeware alternatives are fine, much better than a generic "this sux!". It's not a threat to this site and many users look for those alternate suggestions. The site owners must know that as they moderate comments and forums. Anything that keeps people coming back is a good thing whether it's offerings here or posted alternatives. Choices are good. No one is forced to download alternatives anymore than they are forced to download from this site.

Personally I think the freeware recommendations are the best part of the comments. I found some awesome freeware that people recommneded that was much better then any of the GOTD software I have downloaded.

Also, the reason they are giving away this software is that it is not selling well and they are trying to get it out into the public by using GOTD.

Thats why you will never see those great anti spyware programs or antivirus or Photoshop given away.
Those programs are already selling well.

Techgurl

I think the "alternate freeware suggestions" is just fine. I know there is always something I can learn from someone else. I like choices. If I felt it was a waste of my time - I wouldn't read it. I wouldn't download them. I wouldn't take the time out to complain about it.

This is directed at nobody in particular - but I've seen the same when screensavers are offered for free, or arkanoid clones. Someone says they don't like it - then 60 people post about being ungrateful etc. Then people post about what a great job GOTD is doing. And more people just post "Thanks". I think I've wasted more time reading the "comments" below each days giveaway - but I wouldn't have it any other way - I've often had the biggest laugh at how the "normal" user thinks. Most days, it's better than watching TV.

If wasting time was a serious issue - I'd never start reading the daily comments.

http://www.nonags.com

well i really do not see a problem in people commenting on alternative programs,if somebody is going to spend the time to type a comment and recommend an alternative program,probably free, it is because they rate it.I don;t think the commenters doing this are just searching google to come up with alternatives but are really giving a valid opinion.
so after the offer for each program is over you don't have the chance to get it for free,why do you think people who are looking back at previous software should not be given a suggestion for an alternative freeware program? and where do they wan't to see that comment?right there with the comments for the software they missed out on,not lost in the forums.
Everyday there are maybe 80 comments made,whats the stress if a few are suggesting alternatives.
I prefer these comments to "LOVE IT GAOTD ,YOU ROCK,CAN I CRAWL UP YOUR AR**" which appear everyday.
yeh i appreciate what GOTD are doing,but god they are just making a living like everyone else,this is all for profit you know!
if the GOTD had a problem with people commenting about freeware they would resolve it.
so chill out a bit and don't knock people for giving their opinions,thats what the comment section is for,not just to say "thanks"

Hi Bill, I just found the "other software" titles forum before reading your reply and was going to put it here and ask but you beat me to it ;) Since this is the off topic section , I do have a question, well more of a statement.

First this...from GAOTD developer's section> **Also, by participating in our initiative, you are guaranteed to have advantage over your competitors, because your users will be able to receive an <extended trial run> of your software for free - something no other download sites offer.**

**Please note also that participating in Giveaway of the day includes additional promotion for all of your software titles, thus allowing <trial users >to get acknowledged with the whole product line of your company, and, of course, purchase those products.**

Well, obviously I am wondering why when addressing developers, it's all referred to as trial, yet the advert says

**Basically, every day we nominate one software title that will be a Giveaway title of that day. The software will be available for download for 24 hours (or more, if agreed by software publisher) and that software will be absolutely free. That means - <not a trial??>, not a limited version - but a registered and legal version of the software will be free for our visitors*.**

Just wondering why the difference here, if someone can explain this to me, it would be appreciated. As well, I would tell a developer my opinion of this, I have and am more likely to buy good software stemming from "absolutely free" software, meaning key code and all, can reinstall at will. I feel better knowing a product isn't scared to give me a free version without limit, even a one time offer. I have bought more from free versions like mentioned than partly free or free\trial\until reinstalled, etc...software. A company that is generous enough to do this, shows perhaps they are not just out for blood but want people to actually like and use their software and perhaps care about what users think. This is just my opinion though. Thoughts?

Paul

Nobody is disagreeing about "free speech", Jcgrant78. Just to put it into the correct topic area. As other software is on topic at:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/forum/8

Hi JCgrant, that's what I was wondering, the Talk-off topic should be available to talk about, well anything right? I haven't been here long but browsing over , the general discussion seems the reserve for GAOTD topics. If the general discussion is flooded with others, then no, since it's GAOTD specific.
Paul

I'll have to vote for "free speech" except for all the posts from people who do not take the time to read how to activate their software. I have gotten two great freeware progs from reading the posts in the GOTD forum, that I would have never known otherwise. I have also gotten several great progs from GOTD. Sorry, but I like to read about what else is out there, even if I have to read a few extra posts....

Hi Bill, I see what you are saying now. I thought you meant listing "other sites freeware", hence my statement. :P I agree, if it's not the GAOTD section, they don't need to be flooding it. Although,the Off Topic section could be used for that, no? The General Discussion seems to be reserved for GAOTD specifically. I am still figuring my way around the forums here so I am not sure. As a matter of fact, I think I am in the Talks -off topic right now, lol. I really need to explore a bit.

Paul

Hi Paul! Yes I understand and some of them are good. But to flood the gaveawayoftheday comment section with everyone's favorites is distracting and isn't useful for those interested in the gaveawayoftheday. We want to hear about this one program and not the zillions of other programs out there. As that is what Google and the GAOTD's Freeware Library are for. Why duplicate it in the GAOTD comments section?

As a matter of fact Bill, going into GAOTD's "Freeware Library", it's quite extensive. I have found a few very usefull programs already and haven't even begun to tap into the FL. I think other's should browse through it, it's great. There are some things you don't find elsewhere which is great as well and these are ALL FREE. I think scoping it out would be a great option before suggetions to look elsewhere. As a matter of fact, i'm headed over there as we speak.

Paul

Listing Alterative Free Programs I feel mostly wastes our time in the comments because:

1) 99% of the recommendations are *not* better than what GAOTD is offering. Despite claims by others.

2) 99% of Alterative Free programs are a personal choice which is only useful to 1% of us. And if you do a Google search you just might find 10,000 or more other ones. So why bother wasting everyone's time in the comment section? Do we really want to hear about them all? Nope! We IMHO are only interested in the GAOTD one that is featured that day.

Well this is a start, more to follow I am sure. lol