I love downloading new software. In fact, I think I might have a problem because I really really love downloading new software. I can't resist trying out this doohickey or that thingamabob. When I see software that interests me, my heart actually begins to race as I save it to my computer. I get a little giddy as I install it to my machine and run it for the very first time. In the last ten years, I would guess I've downloaded hundreds of programs. Some I've kept. Some I uninstalled as fast as I installed them. Others fucked my computer up so bad I've had to format my hard drive. The ones I liked most of all, I've copied to CD after CD. I'm a downloading queen and I'm not ashamed to say so.
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"I may not be a genius designer, marketer or programmer but I am a genius downloader. Whatever comes my way, I can find software for it." |
I suppose if I was a better programmer, I wouldn't have to download so many programs. But the truth is, I've never encountered a computer problem I couldn't lick with the right software. If I had taken a course in Computer Science, then I would know how to mess with my registry settings and not get in trouble. The fact is, I didn't take the course and I don't need to because I found system-tweaking software that does it for me.
When I was poor and couldn't afford to buy Dreamweaver I found a freeware HTML editor that I still use to this day. Today, I actually own a copy of Dreamweaver. I never use it because I'm damned happy with my freeware HTML editor. When I was poor and couldn't afford PhotoShop, I made do with shareware alternatives. Now I can afford PhotoShop but I don't need PhotoShop because my alternatives do just fine. In fact, a good many of the programs that I use regularly are the same programs I was using five years ago.
As I said, I am a downloading queen. I may not be a genius designer, marketer or programmer but I am a genius downloader. Whatever comes my way, I can find software for it. Today, I'm going to share with you my favorite download sites.
CNET is an Internet institution. Download.com is a part of CNET, which is a part of Ziff-Davis publishing. Used to be that my favorite download site was ZDNET. But then CNET bought ZDNET and eventually the ZDNET site turned to crap. Since Download.com is virtually identical to the old ZDNET, now I'm a CNET gal. There are several reasons I love Download.com. First, I can trust that anything I download from there won't be full of viruses. Second, Download.com has a search filter so you can look for programs by keyword, operating system, file size and license. If I want to locate an image conversion program for Windows 2000 that is either shareware or trial, I can find it. Third, CNET rates each program by popularity. They also review and recommend software. Even better are the user reviews where I can get true opinions on a program from people that have actually tried it. If I want to see a screenshot of a program, CNET provides. When I want to investigate the manufacturer of a piece of software, Donwload.com gives me a link to that company's site.
I discovered this wonderful site years ago. I still visit and still find cool stuff that costs nothing. Tudogs is the home of free software. Not shareware. Not try and buy. Tudogs lists only straight up freeware. Also, the programs listed on Tudogs aren't spyware crap. Each program has been tested and approved by Tudogs. Whether you're poor, or cheap or just not ready to buy a program, Tudogs comes through. You have to give them your email address to browse the site but Tudogs doesn't spam and the programs are true blue freeware.
I encountered this site a few months ago and it's my current favorite. Have you ever upgraded to a newer version of a program only to hate the upgrade? Have you found out that hard way that the software manufacturer no longer carries the old version that you loved? Then you'll love Old Version as much as I do. From graphics editors to Instant message software to fond utilities you miss, Old Version's probably got it and you can download it once again.
Take it from the download queen. These sites rule. The next time you're in a pickle or you just need a program, give them a try.
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