Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   Bigun
   Member

   Some time back we started a string in this forum to list websites with daily or very frequent free giveaways - much like GOTD. Over the years I've seen several websites promoting daily giveaways of commercial programs. Some of the lead sites flourished for a little while and then dropped off the radar while others have continued their operations and are still viable pathways to obtain daily freebies. Today, we have websites whose primary purpose lies in the promotion of a single software program that is usually made available for a limited period of time. Not all of the time limits for the software promotions are limited to 24 hour periods like we have with GOTD. Some offers are viable for 3 days or more and it is not rare to find an offer extended for a full week.

   With the above preliminary out-of-the-way I would like to remind the readers of this forum who might have an interest in obtaining free licensed software about a few websites that are still in the daily giveaway game and are seemingly doing well judging by the high quality of software that they are offering. While I'll mention several websites worth visiting I would like to make it plain that the fact that these websites exist do not deter me from checking the GOTD website as the first chore of the day. The fact that I remain loyal to GOTD should not be a deterrent for me to check websites similar to GOTD in my ongoing hunt to find various websites’ best software offerings for the day. I hope that by me limiting my posts to naming only a few URLs at a time, that I am able skirt the issue of stirring up forum users who are compulsively limited to downloading free software only from GOTD.

   One website well worth the effort of free software hunters to check frequently is: "FreeBieSoft" ( http://freebiesoft.wordpress.com/ ). Another website that hosts sets of high-quality freebies and is in well worth investigation is a website hosted by PC WORLD magazine. PC World launches its online free software giveaway program in a manner quite different from the style used by GOTD. I don't believe that you can find a website that even comes close to the multitude of offerings on PC World's "101 Fantastic Freebies" website. The following URL will take you to the first of 13 pages of freebie giveaways http://www.pcworld.com/article/130045/101_fantastic_freebies.html

   If you want to expand your horizons in your ongoing search for high-quality free software, I would suggest that you start your search by looking at the above URLs. If there is interest in providing additional sources of daily giveaway programs please let me know. You let me know by a direct statement I know a few other places that you might be interested in knowing about. The idea of opening this thread is to provide new links that will make searching for your dream free software a little easier. The links that I provide will take one to a new website or a heavily made over website that bears little resemblance to the websites by the same name posted in years gone past.

   I remain the Bigun

   Posted 13 years ago #
2. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   My personal opinion about the first website - I don't like the look of it.

   Hosted as a free blog off a wordpress subdomain - hasn't been updated in over 3 months, only contact email is a gmail address - and the contact page is full of spam/emails from snowfox and pchand (big spammers of our own comments pages). Makes the entire site look like a bit of a shill project that is no longer being updated. Also, the commercial software "giveaways" are typically along the lines of "we are giving away 5 licenses...." and not "free license for everyone".

   The PCworld "101_fantastic_freebies" - is over 3 years old, and most freebies were websites that no longer exist in the format they were reviews (usually no longer free, or free- but with a catch), or the websites are now 404. Many of the software programs have also changed substantially - one I hadn't heard of was a download link off PCworld - because the site doesn't exist, and the software hasn't been updated in 3 years.

   Putting together a good list is a lot more involved than just typing freeware or freebies into google and copying and pasting.

   I think the idea for some serious recommendations for freebie sites is good - but I'd like to make sure the sites are kept up to date, and they have some higher standards than some "tech journo" websites out there.

   This is not a shot at you Bigun, but I'm sure with the people we have here we can put together an excellent resource - if we are a bit more selective on what gets included.

   In terms of "Giveaway Sites" - we will only acknowledge giveaways from their original source. So sites that give away magazine codes, or sites that have a practice of duplicating the giveaways or promotions arranged by other websites (without their permission) - will not be included. We won't support other sites that just rip off the hard work of others.

   Posted 13 years ago #
3. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/freebiesoft.wordpress.com

   some info

   Posted 13 years ago #
4. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   Thanks for the idea Bigun, I look forwards to some good, safe and original (as in source) sites in the near future. If you do come across any new game sites I'll look forwards even more (I think I've got all the non gaming software I need), excluding of course the ones already common place in the game discussion forums such as Sandlot, Alawar and to a lesser extent Gamehouse and Bigfish. (Only listing the commercial sites not freeware sites like Caiman).

   Posted 13 years ago #
5. 

   Bigun
   Member

   During the times that the GOTD appears to me to be in a slump I start looking for new ground to test. Armed with little more than "Sandboxie" I start my search with sites known to the house or reputed to house significant quantities of "open source" software. Another group of websites that I look at house numerous programs written by a single author (such as NirSoft or the old Sysinternals). Both classes of websites do publish software that has been slow in developing or development was abandoned altogether. My main objective usually is not finding new software that does amazing things that no one has ever thought of before being offered for free. My objective is usually finding software that does a better job than the software that I am already using.

   I have discovered very few "gems". Here I will bow to your experience and ask you what techniques you use to uncover free or low-cost software that comes with a "wow" factor(s) that made me think "why did I not think that"? I know that there ways to find small, new, or up-and-coming websites that publish free promotional software to get you to keep coming back but I really don't know how to find those. And I would like to learn how because I, like most others, want to be the first one on my block to have "such and such". I have yet to locate a website advertising a limited number of free licenses to software product in time to cash in on getting a free license. Usually I jump to that website as soon as I'm aware of its existence and the promotion that their advertising. I usually jump to the website thing that my information is so fresh that I am bound get in on the giveaway. Usually I find him so far down on the list that they are not showing a list anymore. How can I do better?

   Moving away from the smaller websites where obviously experienced or extremely lucky websurfers are the only ones that have a chance I tried to take on the big boys where I'm confident I won't get "404" error messages. Beside GOTD The only other "big" free software website that I know of is the "Download Junkie" website located in the UK. In just a couple weeks ago I started getting 404 errors for them. They didn't disappear they just changed their name and it took me quite some time to figure that out and to come up with a way to discover their new domain.

   I know that there are skills in finding lush virgin software territory. I often see the results of that here on GOTD. What books do I need to buy and where can I sign up for a class? Please read this post as it was intended to be read. There isn't any sarcasm so don't look for it. I can be slapped down and still get up when there is something to be learned from that experience.

   Posted 13 years ago #
6. 

   ChrisS
   Administrator

   Bigun, I'm not sure what you're trying to do. Are you trying to find other software aggregators like CNet, MajorGeeks, Tucows, SourceForge and all of the other well known sites, are you trying to find your own one-off downloads, or, perhaps, are you wanting to build your own aggregator site?

   If you want to find new and up-coming developers then hang out in the various tech forums or learn how to use the "site" command in Google to search them with appropriate search terms. BTW, you do understand that different search engines give different results when conducting global searches don't you? Use multiple search engines to maximum your results.

   But, to answer your specific question, I don't spend any time searching for "gems" unless I have a specific, well-defined, need. I have zero interest in being the first person on the block to have the newest File Explorer. I also have zero interest is installing software simply because it's free. I use my computer, it doesn't use me.

   Posted 13 years ago #
7. 

   Whiterabbit-uk
   Games Guru

   Again thanks for your input and help Bigun. You obviously spend quite some time searching for free software which is evidenced from other threads you have created (which I always enjoy reading and following up). I understand the time commitment involved (through searching for free and safe games) and really appreciate your efforts.

   I don't think BuBBy or Graylox were meaning to come over like I think you feel they did. They are just concerned over getting links to sites that may hold or lead to malware. The giveaway site has a very good reputation with the major search engines. Any links to bad sites may prejudice that standing, so they will always err on the safe side and point out the security issues.

   Keep up the marvellous work. I look forwards to future posts from you.

   Posted 13 years ago #
8. 

   Robert
   StrayCat

   Thanks Bigun.

   Sharing gems found on the internet is great idea.Even if you have no use for them yourself right now, they might be of interest to other members.
   And no, they don't even have to be the newest (bloated) version...if you know what I mean.
   But as Graylox already mentioned ,the links have to be clean.

   I don't think anyone has been around that long to state they really have seen it all.

   PS.I had a hard time finding the V3 one too. :)

   Posted 13 years ago #
9. 

   Inas
   Member

   Hi all,

   Speaking of reputable freebie websites, there is one that I use frequently (Freedownloadaday.com), which has clean MyWOT.com & Siteadvisor.com ratings, as follows:

   1. http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/freedownloadaday.com

   2. http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/freedownloadaday.com

   The site has reputable freeware (some are free online services) for linux, mac, and windows, and all listed links refer users directly to the developers.

   Posted 13 years ago #
10. 

    Idunnobutiwastold
    Gaming Acolyte

    The concept of software 'Freebies' have been around years before the launch of the Internet. Often, you are unable to specify the programs you need, unless you see them offered first. Thanks to magazine 'Cover Floppies / CDs / DVDs', I have accumulated a large collection of fully-working programs, at a reduced cost. With the release of Windows 7 and its 'compatibility mode', many older utilities have regained their previous functionality. Computer magazines usually publish links to cutting-edge software, which you can then access on the Internet. In my experience, the best specialized PC periodicals are published in the UK and it is possible to subscribe to their Digital Editions (which save on closet storage space and are quicker to search). Those same magazines maintain websites where some software is available for free download.

    Posted 13 years ago #
11. 

    roblou62
    Member

    GOTD has spoiled me rotten, I have sought other sites, but none is as simple, up to date, available and safe as this one. So far.

    Posted 13 years ago #
12. 

    BuBBy
    Teh adnim

    Without focusing on any single program - but sites for information leading to "good finds" there are many.

    Sometimes they aren't presented in a highly structured format - but can be as simple as forum discussion topics.

    One of the better sites in my opinion is TechSupportAlert (Gizmo's freeware)

    The site is staffed and run entirely by volunteers, and not only the tips that come from the staff team, but the tips and finds that are shared by the users of the site, make this a site that everyone can get something from.

    A few good starting points:

    http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/hot-finds/

    http://www.techsupportalert.com/view/recently-posted-articles.htm

    http://www.techsupportalert.com/techsites

    http://www.techsupportalert.com/freeware-forum/i-want-freeware-program-that/

    There is just so much information and tips on the site - I'm always finding out something new. Just Explore the site.

    Some other community forums that are worth visiting -

    Neowin.net - Forums
    http://www.neowin.net/forum/forum/12-software-discussion-support/
    http://www.neowin.net/forum/forum/33-tips-tricks-tweaks/

    DonationCoder - Forums
    http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php

    Fileforum (BetaNews) is good. This eg. shows all windows freeware (on the site) that has been updated today.
    http://fileforum.betanews.com/browse/new?license=freeware&os=windows
    Sometimes software will appear on this site before it hits other download sites.

    http://www.freeware-guide.com/

    Top 100 Freeware and Shareware Sites (The ranking method is just how many hits the site gets in a search engine, so it isn't "merit based" - but it's a quick way to get a starting list of sites together)

    http://www.top100freeware.com/

    Alternatives. You are currently using program XYZ and you are wondering what other programs are out there that are similar - perhaps there is something better.

    http://www.osalt.com/
    http://alternativeto.net/

    Or you have found a good site - and want some others "like this one"
    http://www.similarsites.com/site/onlyfreeware.net

    Try Using Specialised Search Engines or community bookmarking sites (like Xmarks.com - does more than just bookmarks)
    http://www.xmarks.com/topic/windows%207%20tips

    http://www.dmoz.org/Computers/Software/

    Another tip - when you find a site that you like - check if they have a "links" page where they might link to partner sites or sites that are similar.

    Some Blogs I follow (via RSS)

    http://lifehacker.com/
    http://cybernetnews.com
    http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/
    http://www.ghacks.net/
    http://4sysops.com/

    The "64bit Page"
    http://www.start64.com/

    One last tip - learn how to use the "special options" in search engines (or at least the "Advanced Search" if one is offered).
    http://www.google.com/search?q=google+search+tips

    An excellent (and detailed) Google Search Guide.
    http://www.mapelli.info/ultimate-google-search-tips-guide

    I'll keep adding to this post as time permits.

    Posted 13 years ago #
13. 

    2-SHEDS
    Member

    Some good links there. Some already on my list. Thanx for the others though. Nice.

    Posted 13 years ago #
14. 

    Idunnobutiwastold
    Gaming Acolyte

    Thanks Bigun and Bubby. :)

    The .net Magazine website has loads of articles discussing the very latest in Internet technologies. Link: http://www.netmagazine.com/

    Posted 13 years ago #

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