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This section of CadToolChest FREE contains links to free Non-CadToolChest programs that I consider to be extraordinary.
Some of these programs also offer Pro versions which may have additional features that may interest you. However, all offer FREE versions even though they are sometimes buried and you may have to look around a bit to find them.
Please report broken links, or programs that are no longer freeware, via the Feedback Form link at the bottom of this page.
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EXTRAORDINARY FREEWARE
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Program
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Version
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Description
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Apache Server by XAMPP
Includes:
PHP
MiniPerl
Perl (an add-on)
MySql
FileZilla
ADODB
and more
Simple PHP Tutorial
PHP Manual
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1.6.2
May 2007
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Are you looking for a good SERVER for your PC? I know nothing about Servers, but I was trying to learn a little Perl so I could create the CadToolChest FREE Guestbook, and I got tired of uploading to my host server in order to test my coding. I tried to install Apachee and Perl which I downloaded separately. Apache installed but needed configuration to run and that was beyond my abilities so I uninstalled it. The next morning I happened across a PHP tutorial that acknowledged the difficulties of installing a Server and recommended XAMPP which offers a pre-configured installation. It includes the Apache Server, PHP, MiniPerl (with a separate download for full Perl), MySQL, FileZilla, Mercury Mail Transport System, ADODB, Examples and more.
I installed XAMPP Windows (there are versions for Linux, Mac OS X, and Solaris), and the Perl add-on, using the ZIP file installation method (no entries into the Windows Registry). Installation instructions, Practice Sessions, Security Issues, Starting, Stopping, using the Control Panel, and Uninstalling, are included on the download page (for
Windows).
I followed the easy step by step installation instructions and everything worked without any problems. I took the short PHP tutorial "A simple tutorial" just to get me started. It's very nice (although in slightly broken English so some interpretation is required). One thing that may not be clear is when they mention the "ROOT DIRECTORY", in this case that means the sub-directory HTDOCS of the directory where you installed XAMPP. Likely, this will be C:\XAMPP\HTDOCS. Also unclear is the link to the next page of the tutorial is at the bottom right of the window (below the user contributed notes).
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Arachnophilia 4.0
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4.0
11/06/2001
(no longer updated)
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Looking for a good HTML editor? Try version 4.0 of Arachnophilia. While the author no longer updates this program, it is still very powerful. There is a JAVA version, the author's next gereration, but I have not used it and it has not been updated since December, 2003. You can get it at http://www.arachnoid.com/arachnophilia/
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AutoDesk DWG TrueView
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October 2006
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This program accurately views, plots, and publishes authentic AutoCAD DWG files. The built-in Autodesk® DWF™ Viewer gives you enhanced viewing capability, and publishing DWG™ and DXF™ files as DWF™ files enables quick and easy review and markup in Autodesk® Design Review.
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AutoDesk DWG TrueConvert
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October 2006
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This program translates any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file for compatibility with AutoCAD Release 14 through AutoCAD 2007. DWG TrueConvert software allows conversion of pen widths to lineweights and the addition of page setups.
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AutoIt3
AutoIt3 Beta
SciTE 4 AutoIt3
AutoIt Forum
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3.2.4.9
(May 2007)
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AutoIt v3 is a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages (e.g. VBScript and SendKeys). AutoIt is also very small, self-contained and will run on 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 out of the box with no annoying "runtimes" required! You can even make compiled executable scripts that can run without AutoIt being installed!
AutoIt was initially designed for PC "roll out" situations to reliably configure thousands of PCs, but with the arrival of v3 it has become a powerful language able to cope with most scripting needs.
Included in the links are the AutoIt3 Beta site where the very latest can be obtained (historically quite stable), and, IMHO, the best editor to use with AutoIt3 Scripts.
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avast!
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4.7
(June 2007)
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Avast! is an antivirus program. There is a Home version (Free) and a Pro version. Updates are automatic, small in size, and occur daily if connected to the Internet.
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Blender
Elephants Dream Video
Blender Tutorial Archive
(There are many more, just Google for "Blender tutorial")
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2.44
(May 2007)
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Blender is an open source software for 3D Modeling, Animation, Rendering, Post-production, Interactive Creation and Playback. Available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
If you have artistic talents, you will not believe what YOU can do with this program. Would you like to create the types of things that Industrial Light and Magic create, but on you own PC, and for FREE? Then go get Blender. There are tons of videos and tutorials to inspire and help you along the way.
Still not sure? Google for "Elephants Dream" or go to http://orange.blender.org/. The download is quite large, but well worth it. Smaller versions are available, but if you want the full impact, get the 1920 HD version (about 815MB).
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Color Cop
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5.4.3
(October 2006)
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Color Cop is a multi-purpose color picker for web designers and programmers. It features an eyedropper, magnifier, variable magnification levels, 3 by 3 and 5 by 5 average sampling, snap to websafe, color history, and a complementary color palette.
Color Cop will convert RGB decimal values to Hexadecimal color codes. It has color code support for HTML Hex, Delphi Hex, PowerBuilder, Visual Basic Hex, Visual C++ Hex, RGB int, and RGB float.
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Firefox
Add-ons
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2.0.0.4
(June, 2006)
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Firefox is a Web Browser, far superior, IMHO, to Windows Explorer. It features Tabbed Browsing, Phishing Protection, Spyware Protection, Poupup Blocking, Faster Browsing, Spell Checking, Automatic Updates, Live Bookmarks, Live Titles, Web Feeds, Integrated Search Bar, it's Open Source, and more.
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IrfanView
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4.00
(May 2007)
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IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003.
This "viewer" is not just a viewer. While it is not a "paint" program, IrfanView has some editing and special effects capabilities, can crop and resize, and can convert images to other file types.
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Password Corral
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4.0.2
(October 2006)
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Can you remember all of you passwords? If you would like a safe place to record them, get Password Corral and all you will have to remember is one password, the one that opens Password Corral where you can retrieve the one you need.
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ZoneAlarm
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7.0
(June 2007)
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ZoneAlarm is an Internet Firewall for PC's. It helps prevent attacks on your PC by bad guys. There are several versions and one is Free for non-commercial use. The Freeware download is hard to find, so here's the LINK. It's in the chart on the 15 day trials page list as "ZoneAlarm Free Version", then on the page it leads to you have to click another button near the bottom of the page named "I only want basic ZoneAlarm protection".
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