Finally, after weeks of getting the same old DVD copying, picture enhancing software giveaways, a giveaway that's something to write home about! Now, if we can keep this trend going, of getting halfway decent software giveaways at least once a week, then that would be outstanding!
Finally, a halfway decent Giveaway!
(8 posts) (6 voices)-
mandrakeman46
adminPosted 11 years ago # -
RosnSC
MemberMandrakeman, I'm sure there are a lot of people nabbing up that same software, glad to have it...and, for free. What works for one may not work for another. It is great to be able to try/use different types/brands of software, for free. I wouldn't want to have to pay a lot of money for something only to find out that (for me) it is useless. All in all, though, I'm glad you're pleased with today's offering. :D
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorPurely FWIW, I don't think there's a huge glut of good software on the market nowadays... In most categories, with relatively few exceptions, it seems there's at most a handful of apps that after years of development own the top tier, with everything else either competing for some sort of supporting role niche, or hoping to snare new customers who don't know the difference -- & if it's payware often overcharging as well.
I apologize if that sounds harsh, but it's Very hard for a coder/developer to come up with something no one's thought of over the last couple decades PCs have been popular. It's very hard to take on the established top tier apps, because that could take years of development, by which time they'd also be that much further ahead. And if you pick a software category where you can compete, maybe one that's under-served, you find the same thought's occurred to dozens of coders/developers who are your competition.
Long story short [& as above, purely FWIW], I think the GOTD team does an outstanding job, especially when you consider there's not this big, huge catalog of quality apps they can choose from. Yeah, I think some of the upper tier software companies would do very well putting an offer on GOTD, but that's not the way they think, e.g. companies like Sony Creative would rather attract new customers with free after MIR offers.
Posted 11 years ago # -
mikiem2
ModeratorDo you really want to download software every week? Too much can be a bad thing with all the proper cleanup when removing software you found out wasnt exactly what you wanted.
I've found over the years that there can be quite the gap between advertised features & actual performance. I've also found that a Lot of software has undue effects on Windows &/or other software that's been installed. And in that respect it doesn't matter if an app's free or open source, offered on GOTD, or pretty expensive -- you can sadly find examples of greed, &/or laziness, &/or incompetence most anywhere [we'll likely see an example or three from Microsoft this coming Tuesday].
What I've done for years is try most everything 1st in a VM [Virtual Machine]. I prefer XP because it's simpler, with fewer files, smaller registry etc., & the results *usually* aren't much different that what you'd get using Vista, win7, or 8. I monitor installs using InstallWatch Pro, which is an older, free app that takes before/after snapshots to tell you pretty much exactly what went on during an app's installation & optionally removal.
It takes an extra step to monitor an app & try it out in a VM, plus you have to 1st set up the VM itself, but quite often I can skip the side effects of a nasty installation by transferring just the app itself to my regular Windows installs. I've also got fairly complete records of any registry & file adds & changes that I can store in a program's folder, and that helps me completely uninstall an app if I later want or need to. It lets me avoid apps that have a greater effect on Windows that's not made up for by added features in the app itself -- e.g. if/when 2 or more apps do the same thing, I prefer the one without registry &/or file bloat -- & it's occasionally helped me get an app working, whether it's the app itself that caused problems or I'm suffering the effects of some other app I installed.
Now I don't expect everyone to rush over to virtualbox.org, download/install their software, & start using a VM to test &/or monitor everything -- that would be completely unrealistic. It's just what I do, & I haven't had cause to regret it. And BTW, I've also found several GOTD gems that I probably wouldn't have bothered downloading otherwise. :)
Posted 11 years ago # -
Amanda_W
MemberIt does seem like it's always different people making the same PDF converters, CD rippers, or defraggers. But before I start complaining, I think of the guy from the Game Giveaway who was complaining about the quality of games being given away:
I’ve been a regular visitor to GGOTD for a few years now and noticed a declining trend here. Developers want feedback? Don’t make unoriginal physics puzzles anymore. I’d only need a week with Game Maker to produce something very similar myself. I’m serious!!
I didn't post, but wanted to say "why don't you? Why don't you spend time making something that people like, then give it away for free?"
Can't complain about the FREE software if I don't have anything as good or better to offer. Heck, I don't even have an idea for something, let alone the knowledge to create it. And if I did, I'd want some $$$ for it!
Posted 11 years ago # -
Inas
MemberI agree with Amanda. Seems that (sadly) we've become a society of complainers and people who feel entitled to be given everything to our heart's content (for free, in most cases) with no ( or very little ) respect for the developers. This can be evidenced by reading the frivolous disrespectful tone of some folks who list free alternatives on the main giveaway site on an almost daily basis.
Posted 11 years ago #
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