Today, PC World, the most widely- read computer or business magazine, released "101 Fabulous Freebies" (http://find.pcworld.com/52632), a compilation of free services, downloads, and Web sites. Each product is fully functional, and is available without charge to consumers. Four services earned "PC World Best Bet" awards: Gmail, Blogger, Abilon, and Revver.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060328/CLTU522LOGO )
Due to the rising popularity of open source projects and advertising- supported software and Web services, no-cost products are becoming more common. PC World evaluated hundreds of downloads and services based on features, design, and performance before narrowing down the field to the final 101. Each had to be well-designed, useful, completely functional (demos, trial-ware, and shareware were not considered), and free.
The entire list of the 101 Fabulous Freebies follows; categories with a narrow focus have a designated "Best Bet" of the group. The article is featured in the May 2006 issue of PC World, on newsstands April 11.
Web Mail
Gmail (PC World Best Bet)
Yahoo! Mail
MSN Hotmail
Windows Live Mail
AIM Mail
Netscape Webmail
Blogging Tools
Blogger (PC World Best Bet)
WordPress.com
LiveJournal
MySpace
Xanga Classic
RSS Readers
Abilon (PC World Best Bet)
RssReader
Feedreader
Bloglines
NewsGator
Video Sharing
Revver (PC World Best Bet)
Putfile
Vimeo
Streamload Mediamax
Google Video
Tune Up (Utilities and System Tools)
FoxIt Reader
System Information for Windows
PDF Creator
CCleaner
Microsoft Tweak UI
7-Zip
PuTTY
OmniFormat
Find It (Online Search and Reference Services)
Google Desktop
MSN Search Toolbar with Windows Desktop Search
Copernic Desktop Search
Free Download Manager
FlashGot
Project Gutenberg
Wikipedia
Bartleby
WordWeb
podAmigo
Hyperwords
Roam Free (Collaboration and Remote-Access Tools)
LogMeIn
GetByMail
Backpack
FreeConference.com
PBwiki
iTeamwork
WriteBoard
Groove Virtual Office
Netomat
Get To Work (Business and Productivity Tools)
Firefox
OpenOffice.org
ThinkFree Online Beta
AbiWord
Pegasus Mail
Thunderbird
Steganos LockNote
Alleycode
Nvu
SeaMonkey
Keep In Touch (Communications Tools and Services)
Trillian Basic
eFax Messenger
QNext
SightSpeed
Skype
Festoon Beta
Nail it Down (Calendars and Organizers)
Yahoo! Calendar
Ta-Da List
Palm Desktop
Yahoo! Widgets
Del.icio.us
EssentialPIM Free
SyncNotes
FreeMind
Furl
Share It (File Sharing and Storage Services)
FolderSync
BeInSync
FolderShare
Flickr
Kodak EasyShare Gallery
Yahoo! Briefcase
BitTorrent
Avvenu
Lock it Up (Security and Antivirus Tools)
Spybot Search & Destroy
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal
Microsoft Windows Defender
All-in-One Secretmaker
ZoneAlarm
Anonymizer
GRC Shields Up
Trend Micro Housecall
AirDefense Personal Lite
Avast Home Edition
Kick Back (Entertainment Software and Services)
Google Picasa
Irfanview
The GIMP
Pandora
iTunes
Kristal Audio Engine
Audacity
Google Earth
Celestia
About PC World:
PC World Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of IDG, is the publisher of PC World, PCWorld.com (http://www.pcworld.com), and home of the PC World Test Center. The winner of the 2005 Maggie Award for Best Computer Magazine/Consumer, PC World is the most widely-read computer or business magazine with a readership of over 5.2 million (MRI, Fall 2005). With an average of over 6.7 million unique visitors per month (HitBox, December 2005 - February 2006), PCWorld.com, winner of the 2005 Neal Award for Best Web Site, is a leading online resource for technology product buyers and users.
About IDG:
International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately-held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo(R), Macworld Conference & Expo(R), DEMO(R), and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at http://www.idg.com.
Contact:
Heidi Tanaka, 415/978-3168, heidi_tanaka@pcworld.com
All product and company names are trademarks of their respective companies.