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Freeware Files: Five Portable Software Suites for your USB Key

David Murphy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:30:00 -0500

If you're like me, your USB key should come with its own flame retardant coating. That's because I tend to use my little four-gigabyte device to great excess on a near-daily basis. It's an easy fix for transferring files from a desktop PC to a laptop, and it's great for carrying batches of files I need to access (especially if I'm without an Internet connection, making Dropbox useless). If I'm heading over to a friend's house, I can slap a movie on the drive for us to watch on an attached PC or home theater device. I can throw down a game or two if I'm going to be travelling and don't feel like reading about overpriced devices that will pet my cat for me. USB keys are more than just a geek's trusty friends. They're uber-tools in their own right.

Application suites for USB keys are another popular way of extending the functionality of your desktop into the portable realm. Install these batches of software and you can take your favorite programs along with you wherever you go--perfect for when you're using a computer that isn't yours, yet you would prefer to be able to access to a better range of apps than Windows' default programs. Better still, you can stick these batches of applications on smaller USB keys to extend the life of these sub-gigabyte devices. The storage might stink, but the functionality will rule.

[Update: Removed one entry due to complaints of GPL violations -- Editor]

PortableApps

What it does: The alpha and omega of portable application suites is conveniently called, "PortableApps." Were there any software suites on this list that you would have already heard of prior to this article, this would be the one. And there's a good reason why. PortableApps packs a great deal of functionality into its three software bundles, which take up space ranging from 1.3MB to 355MB. You get the standard suite of Mozilla applications, a portable antivirus scanner, games, the OpenOffice suite, and more! Check out the full list here.

Download it here!

Lupo PenSuite

What it does: If you thought PortableApps was packed, just wait. The three versions of Lupo PenSuite range from 3MB to 300MB in space. The latter includes a more than 200 apps themed around nine main categories: Internet, Multimedia, Graphics, System, Security, Office, Utility, Extra, and Games. Highlights included a portable version of uTorrent; more audio editing and CD ripping/burning apps then you ever thought you needed; Gimp for photo editing; CPU-Z and JkDefrag Plus for system information and drive cleaning; CCleaner for keeping your system clutter-free; and Notepad++ for adding colorful syntax to your file editing. I tried to say all of those in one breath, but failed. Check out the full list of apps here.

Download it here!

MyApps

What it does: Tired of grabbing application suites in which you only end up using five percent of the listed programs? Think you can do better than your average suite developer when it comes to picking and choosing the top apps that should go in a bundle? Alright, tough person. Hit up the Regional Support Centre Scotland North & East's official Web site and create your own customized MyApps listing. Pick the programs you want to have on your key, and the site will automatically create the single install file for you. It's as easy as that (or, if you're stubborn, grab one of the three pre-built packages: AccessApps, LearnApps, or TeachApps)

Download it here!

Mojopac

What it does: I lied. Mojopac isn't an application suite so much as it is an entire virtualized operating system--sort-of. Load this onto your USB key and you can boot into a separate Windows environment on any Windows XP-based PC. While the program ties into existing files on the system's hard drive to create this second operating system, the contents of said OS remain yours to install programs into, modify, and tweak. When you're done, shut down your personalized OS and it's as if you were never sitting at the attached PC to begin with. Neat, huh?

Download it here!

Install David Murphy on your USB drive by first befriending him @acererak. He's only 35MB, so no need to worry about space concerns.

Freeware Files: Five Apps for Dealing with Data, Data, and More Data

David Murphy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:30:24 -0500

Dealing with your data is a critical part of the Windows experience. "No, really," you ask? I know, I know. But the kinds of file operations you perform on any given day represent the bread and butter of your operating system. You drag your pictures around, copy and paste your documents to other places, maybe send a file or two over email. It's simple stuff. That's not a value judgment, just a comment about the basic functionality that everyone uses on a modern OS.

When you're ready to step out of this minor league of file management and head into the majors, you'll find a host of freeware applications waiting to hit a pitch or two. These applications take the common elements of your Windows file operations and inject them with a dose of raw energy. For example, you can customize and jack up the very process of copying files from one directory to another. You can also beat back Windows' default system for batch file renaming and instead transform a large number of files with very specific titles and extensions. You can even map out just how much space your files take up on your drive, giving you the perfect opportunity to catch up on some spring cleaning across your battered hard drive.

While these kinds of processes are a mainstay of this week's roundup, I'm also taking a look at two additional programs that pack additional functionality into your operating system as a whole. So what are you waiting for? Quit your file transfers and get ready for a brand new world.

RichCopy

What it does: Copying files is a simple process, right? What if you're copying a ton of files across PCs and your network connection has a hiccup? What if you want to keep a specific set of attributes on a duplicated set files identical to the originals? What if you have a folder full of all sorts of files, but only want to copy those with specific file names or extensions? RichCopy eases your life in these ways, and more, by offering you the chance to customize the copying process with more parameters than you'll ever find in the good ol' Windows drag-and-drop mechanism. And the best part? RichCopy was actually developed by Microsoft's Ken Tamaru.

Download it here!

ADRC Data Recovery Tools

What it does: Saves your butt. No, really. Did you frak up and accidentally shift-delete a bunch of files you were working on? Try to recover them using this freeware collection of DIY "save thyself" tools. Not only can you possibly recover files you've deleted, but the program also comes with tools to rip the contents of a dying hard drive, as well as backup options akin to a Norton Ghost drive clone. I recommend you check out the latter instead of having to resort to the former to save your missing stuff!

Download it here!

SpaceSniffer

What it does: There are a number of graphical utilities for determining what's taking up all the space on your hard drive. So what makes SpaceSniffer unique? For starters, the program is an executable--slap this freeware file on a flash drive and carry it around to any PC you use. The intuitive, graphical view of your drive's contents teams up with powerful filtering functionality to allow you to conduct comprehensive analyses based on inputs you specify. See how much of your movie collection needs to hit the recycle bin and refine this search process to dig down into the nuances of your file archives even further! SpaceSniffer gives you a lot of options to work with.

Download it here!

ReNamer

What it does: Right-click on a batch of selected files in Windows, hit rename, and the OS will automatically append whatever name you create to the files you picked--automatically adding an ugly (1), (2), (3), et cetera, to the end of said files. Yuck. The freeware application ReNamer rips apart this sad scheme and grants you the ability to mass-rename files in a number of customizable ways. For example, you can change the cases of letters to anything you specify, develop rules for serializing the numbers that get appended to your files, and conduct find-and-replace operations for any part of the file name you want to change. When I say that the sky is the limit with ReNamer, I'm serious: this is the Up of helpful freeware applications.

Download it here!

SIW

What it does: This one isn't exactly file-related per se, however, the System Information for Windows application still gives you a ton of information about your PC as a whole. From substantial hardware and software inventory analyses, to built-in realtime monitors for your system's resources, to a fairly thorough suite of network tools, SIW is the kitchen sink of information utilities. It gives the default Windows task manager quite a workout. Best of all, this app doesn't require an installation at all--slap this on a flash drive and you'll be able to fire up a wealth of information about connected PCs with one quick double-click of the mouse. Time saved: limitless.

Download it here!

Have any awesome freeware apps that I've missed in one of these roundups? Want to talk shop? Show off a file or two that you ReNamed? I'm but one, 140-word message away: @Acererak.

Freeware Files: Five Windows Package Managers Reviewed!

David Murphy — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0500

There was a ton of great feedback to my column last week, where I dreamed up (blabbed out loud) the idea of a Windows-based application store for open-source downloads. For the Linux layman, this would be something like a wicked hybrid of iTunes and apt-get. A package manager featuring pretty icons, one-click downloads, descriptions, and community interaction that could help bring the open source world just one step closer to the hearts and minds of average computer users.

As it turns out, a number of package managers already exist for the Windows operating system. In theory, they provide you the convenience of being able to hunt down a number of open-source projects, categorized by operation, which you can install without having to pore over the Web for the right file. Beyond that, they also give you a way to learn about newer open source projects that you might not have heard about or seen by your casual browsing on SourceForge. But are these applications as glorious as my dream from last week? Are these applications even worth your time at all?

Unlike typical open-source roundups, where I recommend five awesome programs that you. must. have. I'm actually going to give you the pros and cons of a series of five different package managers so you can decide for yourself as to which one would best fit your PC habits. So without further ado, I present: Windows Package Managers.

WinLibre

What it does: It's not DOA, but WinLibre is definitely a package manager that's on its dying legs. But you wouldn't think that by the activity on the Web site. Heck, WinLibre has even become a mentoring organization for this year's big Google "Summer of Code" programming binge. Don't let that fool you, however. WinLibre itself draws from a small list of outdated software (we're talking Firefox 1.0 here), more than half of which return 404 File Not Found errors. Average execution, horrible management -- were there only a way to flag incorrect entries and/or contribute new links to the database without WinLibre calling the shots. Epic fail.

(Don't) Download it here!

QWinApt

What it does: This program doesn't work in Windows XP. I'll just get that out of the way first so you don't spend an hour trying to troubleshoot the continual program crashes, as I did. Fire this sucker up in Vista, however, and you'll be treated to a pretty comprehensive list of applications across more than ten categories of use. That's a great start for this (admittedly) beta application. What's not-so-great is the follow-through. For starters, the application still links to older versions of programs--like Gimp version 2.2.17 instead of the more recent 2.6.6 release. Firefox? Still on version 2.0.0.7. That's quite a gap. Secondly, the package manager doesn't even install any programs for you. It creates a huge list of categorical folders in the download directory you select, then dumps the installation executables for whatever programs you choose to download into these folders. That's it. Eh.

(Think about) Downloading it here!

AppSnap

What it does: I was so excited for AppSnap. Catchy name? Check. Comprehensive list of applications, more than any other package installer application reviewed thus far? Check. Updated link to main download page for all applications? Check. The program seemed to work. The program seemed to deliver updated links to popular programs. The program... utterly failed to download anything I selected. A total letdown, but AppSnap should be thought of more as a "guide" to new programs you can download rather than an actual downloading utility. While the giant list and official homepage links helped me eventually navigate to the files I wanted, there's no way this program will actually download or install the applications for you.

(Get a list of programs when you) Download it here!

GetIt

What it does: It's a little kludgy (and was slow as heck for me), but GetIt fulfills the two main criteria for a successful package manager. One: It contains a comprehensive list of open-source and freeware applications for the taking. Two: Selecting a program and clicking "download" actually pulls down a recent version of the application. While I'd love to see more (or any) descriptions about the programs featured in this helpful package manager, at least the darn program works... for the most part. Expect to see 404 "File Not Found" errors littered throughout this application. But hey--at least it gets the right version of Firefox, eh?

(Get Firefox when you) Download it here!

Win-Get

What it does: It works. This command-line based package manager is like combining the thrill of application installation with the insanity of shooting at a set of targets in the dark. To download and install applications, you append the name of the application in question to the end of a command-line prompt. Is there a comprehensive list you can refer to in regards to the programs that Win-Get can acquire? No. Can you update the program with a catalog of your own, listing the exact URLs for a specific group of applications you want to install? Yes. Do I know how to do that? No. Win-Get is home to powerful functionality, but no ease-of-use whatsoever.

(Go back to your DOS days and) Download it here!

The Last Word

As the roundup might suggest, there just aren't any foolproof package managers for the Windows operating system nowadays. At least, there aren't any that I could find. If I've completely missed the best package manager out there -- or if you've uncovered the tiniest of rocks and found one that actually works -- please let me know. I'll profile the application next week and you'll get major shout-outs / street-cred / hugs.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter for the latest in computer geekery and/or app-chat! Recommend free programs of any variety or suggest awesome ideas for future roundups you want me to run. I only say no to truly horrible ideas. See you next week!