1. Where I Find Free Software
This session we are going to look at places where I find freeware and opensource software, that I talk about at this SIG.
Free Software Conference
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

2. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
What We Will Cover
Websites
Blogs / RSS Feeds
Newsletters
Web Based
Print
Magazines
I have lots of places I look for freeware or opensource software.
If I am looking for a specific piece of freeware or opensource software, as an alternate to paid software, my first stop is
I have RSS feeds for some blogs.
Some sources are via newsletters, and online newsletters from other user groups.
Also, I read several magazines, to which I subscribe, as well as picking them up in waiting rooms or the library when I have some time to kill.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

3. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
Websites
alternativeTo -
FreewareFiles -
Freeware Guide -
Nonags -
If I am looking for free software to use in the place of paid software, the very first place I go is alternativeTo, put in what I am looking to have an alternative to, specify the operating system, and check the results.
I have used the other sites listed, though not frequently, and have not had any problems.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

4. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
RSS Feeds
Gizmo's Freeware -
PortableApps -
lifehacker - '
DownloadSquad -
MakeUseOf -
I subscribe to a number of RSS feeds in Google Reader.
The one I check first is Gizmo's Freeware, followed by portableapps.com.
Just a few are listed here, but more are shown in the links document for this session.
Depending upon time and the speed of the internet connection, we can take a more in depth look at some of these.
I will be giving you the main site's link, so you can add to your own news reader, without having to use Google Reader like I do.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

5. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
Newsletters
Leo's Answers Newsletter - leo.com/leos_answers_newsletter.html
Kim Komando -
Windows Secrets -
Steve Bass's Weekly Newsletter -
Compu-KISS Newsletter -
These are all free newsletters I get via , though I subscribe to the paid Windows Secret version, which has much more information.
You can also find good information in other computer user group newsletters.
In the WhereIFindFreeSoftware-links document I have put the links to APCUG and FACUG member newsletter sites. You might have to search around on the sites to find where they post newsletters and some do not post current ones. Some sites may no longer be valid.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

6. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
Magazines
Smart Computing (and its sister publications) -
PC World -
Neither one of these is free, but they both have lots of information.
Smart Computing also lets you read their sister publications online (only) included in your subscription prices.
PC World puts links to more information available on their website.
There are many more places you can get free / opensource software, but these are the ones I have found to work for me.
That's all for the overview, no on to specifics, as shown in the links document.
Suggestions from the audience will be appended to the links document.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

7. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
Contact Information
Be sure to start the subject line with either BRCS or SIG, so I know what it pertains to.
Blog
For other blogs social networking, etc.
February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software

8. Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software
License
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To view a copy of this license, visit send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.
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February 24, 2011
Steve Costello - BRCS Freeware SIG - Where I Find Free Software