Free Graphics Suite Software

[CJ Jones]

hey all
I ran into this site today, and they have some terrific free programs
for those who are in publishing/graphics/web/3D design:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

There are a few programs there, about 20-24 MB each, and it's a nice
clean, easy to navigate site.

CJ

 

[Eric]

hey all
I ran into this site today, and they have some terrific free programs
for those who are in publishing/graphics/web/3D design:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

There are a few programs there, about 20-24 MB each, and it's a nice
clean, easy to navigate site.

CJ

In the interest of full disclosure, and before John Corliss steps
forward, these are "registerware" programs and it might be a good idea
to use a throw-away e-mail account.

Serif WILL send you ads and people have reported varying success at
getting their names taken off the list. Me, I had no trouble getting
e-mails stopped, been pleased with the power of the free software, and
even took advantage of a dirt-cheap "upgrade" or two from Serif.

 

[Susan Bugher]

hey all
I ran into this site today, and they have some terrific free programs
for those who are in publishing/graphics/web/3D design:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

There are a few programs there, about 20-24 MB each, and it's a nice
clean, easy to navigate site.

don't take these claims at face value:

"100% completely free software. No gimmicks." "This fabulous software is
free and yours to use for life."

The last time ACF got direct information from Serif it included this
tidbit: "The registration key is currently hard drive specific, so
installing on another computer requires a new registration key."

If anyone has two computers handy and a little bit of time to spare
please let the group know what the deal is now. No EULA in sight. . .
Are the apps free for business use or just for personal use? Can these
apps be installed on a different computer without re-registration? IOW -
what *aren't* they telling people?

Susan
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[Eric]

don't take these claims at face value:

"100% completely free software. No gimmicks." "This fabulous software is
free and yours to use for life."

The last time ACF got direct information from Serif it included this
tidbit: "The registration key is currently hard drive specific, so
installing on another computer requires a new registration key."

If anyone has two computers handy and a little bit of time to spare
please let the group know what the deal is now. No EULA in sight. . .
Are the apps free for business use or just for personal use? Can these
apps be installed on a different computer without re-registration? IOW -
what *aren't* they telling people?

Susan

These are not true freeware.

I can confirm that the keys are system specific (or some other trick).
Installing at work and then at home the same day with the same download
did not accept the same key.

Using <http://www.serif.com/support/registration.asp> I was able to
"re-request" a key and get one that worked instantly. They don't make
any limitation on how many times you can install the "free" version. I
asked for home, work, and then re-home when I crashed and re-work when
I changed machines. You just have to ask for a key and get it at some
e-mail address (hence the throw-away warning).

During installation for the free PhotoPlus software the EULA says under
"scope of use"
"You may install and use one copy of the Software Product, on a single
computer. The primary user of the computer on which the Software
Product is installed may make a second copy for his or her exclusive
use on a portable computer. Licensee may also store or install a copy
of the Software Product on a storage device, such as a network server,
used only to install or run the Software Product on other computers
over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a
license for each separate computer on which the Software Product is
installed or run from the storage device. A license for the Software
Product may not be shared or used concurrently on different computers."

If you need a new license you can use the same link and re-request
without delay. I did that when my pay version on my desktop glitched
and thought it was unlicensed (bringing me up to three installations if
they were counting).

The big trick is that you WILL get some e-mails until you opt out. I
used one account for the two programs I payed for. I've limited it to
"serif software upgrade offers only" and receive about an e-mail every
other month. I used a DIFFERENT account for a free program, said "no
e-mails at all" and have not received any further mail in the last year
and a half.

 

[Susan Bugher]

I can confirm that the keys are system specific (or some other trick).
Installing at work and then at home the same day with the same download
did not accept the same key.

Thank you for that and the information about the licensing Eric.

The big trick is that you WILL get some e-mails until you opt out. I
used one account for the two programs I payed for. I've limited it to
"serif software upgrade offers only" and receive about an e-mail every
other month. I used a DIFFERENT account for a free program, said "no
e-mails at all" and have not received any further mail in the last year
and a half.

Disagree, you were informed about the emails. The "big trick" going on
here is their claim that the app is "yours to use for life".

"Yours to use for life" means you alone decide what happens. "Yours to
use for life" means yours to use for as long as YOU choose to use the
app. Serif apps don't fit the definition. Re-installation is a recurring
necessity for virtually everyone who owns a computer. A user of these
apps will be SOL when they need to re-install if Serif decides to end
re-registrations or goes out of business.

IMO when Serif states "yours to use for life" and fails to state that
users will have to re-register each time they install the app they are
engaged in false and misleading advertising. Software producers have the
right to distribute their apps anyway they like: sell them, lease them
or give them away under conditions that they set. What they don't have -
even if the apps are free - is a right to mislead the public.

Susan
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[CJ Jones]

IMO when Serif states "yours to use for life" and fails to state that
users will have to re-register each time they install the app they are
engaged in false and misleading advertising. Software producers have the
right to distribute their apps anyway they like: sell them, lease them
or give them away under conditions that they set. What they don't have -
even if the apps are free - is a right to mislead the public.

Susan

Cool for the catches..I guess I didn't investigate enough. They are
pretty cool to use, despite the awkward opt out... I had to opt out as I
registered, and so far so good.

Ah well, maybe I'll find some GOOD freeware to add!

CJ

 

[Eric]

"Yours to use for life" means you alone decide what happens. "Yours to
use for life" means yours to use for as long as YOU choose to use the
app. Serif apps don't fit the definition. Re-installation is a recurring
necessity for virtually everyone who owns a computer. A user of these
apps will be SOL when they need to re-install if Serif decides to end
re-registrations or goes out of business.

It's advertising text not a binding contract. The EULA has all the
standard caveats.

I ran into a "nothing is for life" moment just a minute ago; the maker
of my DVD burner has gone out of business removed everthing from their
website except an announcement that they are closed. No more patches,
no more updates, no chance of repairs, zip, nada, out-of-luck. I paid
good money for that drive and now I'm waiting for the moment it refuses
to read some new media or work with some software.

I agree the OP should have done some more research before touting a
"catch of the day." that's why I added my warnings 32 minutes after he
posted.

 

[Eric]

Oops, change my last comment to say "after SHE posted." Sorry CJ.

 

[Jon]

Susan

I need a file manager that will perform the following function...

Say I have a list of 200 file ID's, ie: file01, file02, file03,
file04, file05, file011, file987, file-a4f, file000s, 52-file01,
000222, dhdy63, etc. All random named files (with or without
extentions).

In a single folder I have 800 image files, say jpg's and gif's
and 200 of these have names which correspond with my list.
I require the function to highlight, grab copy (or move) the 200
files, all in one go.

Anyone know of any application that can accomplish
this task please?

TIA. while growing weary and really tired.

 

[mike]

Oops, change my last comment to say "after SHE posted." Sorry CJ.

Understandable - *I* thought it was the "I didn't get where I am today by
reading the small print" CJ.

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~culttv/cj.htm

for those who aren't ageing square-eyed Brits ;-)

mike

 

[Morten Skarstad]

Jon skrev:

I need a file manager that will perform the following function...

Say I have a list of 200 file ID's, ie: file01, file02, file03,
file04, file05, file011, file987, file-a4f, file000s, 52-file01,
000222, dhdy63, etc. All random named files (with or without
extentions).

In a single folder I have 800 image files, say jpg's and gif's
and 200 of these have names which correspond with my list.
I require the function to highlight, grab copy (or move) the 200
files, all in one go.

Anyone know of any application that can accomplish
this task please?

I am aware of no point-n-click application that does this, but if you're
interested it is easy to accomplish something like this with a little
shell knowledge.

For instance a line such as:

for foo in `cat list-of-files.txt`; do cp /src-dir/$foo dest-dir/; done

would do what you want. "list-of-files.txt" is your list, "src-dir" is
where the files are located, and "dest-dir" is where you want to put the
files in the list.

Installing something like CygWin (http://www.cygwin.com/) should enable
you to do this under Windows. Then again, CygWin may be overkill, but if
there are lighter alternatives I'm sure someone in this group has the
sense to say so.

 

[FirstName LastName]

"Yours to use for life" means you alone decide what happens. "Yours to
use for life" means yours to use for as long as YOU choose to use the
app. Serif apps don't fit the definition. Re-installation is a recurring
necessity for virtually everyone who owns a computer. A user of these
apps will be SOL when they need to re-install if Serif decides to end
re-registrations or goes out of business.

IMO when Serif states "yours to use for life" and fails to state that
users will have to re-register each time they install the app they are
engaged in false and misleading advertising. Software producers have the
right to distribute their apps anyway they like: sell them, lease them
or give them away under conditions that they set. What they don't have -
even if the apps are free - is a right to mislead the public.

Susan

Well said.

I totally agree you on this one.

 

[Susan Bugher]

Cool for the catches..I guess I didn't investigate enough.

How much investigation is "enough"? If there are hidden gottchas they
may not come to light until you've used an app for months. You posted
some info - other people added to it - that's the way the NG is supposed
to work.

Susan
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[Susan Bugher]

Susan Bugher wrote:

It's advertising text not a binding contract. The EULA has all the
standard caveats.

The things you don't say *can* be held against you. . . as Sony has
learned. . .

Susan
--
Posted to alt.comp.freeware
Search alt.comp.freeware (or read it online):
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Pricelessware & ACF: http://www.pricelesswarehome.org
Pricelessware: http://www.pricelessware.org (not maintained)

 

[thunder7]

-Susan Bugher-
"system specific (or some other trick). "
I have used a lot of FREEWARE in my time and It is free to use on any
machine I want too use it on.

"yours to use for life".
This what I think we all call "FREEWARE"

'Serif apps'
I have used there programs in the past, I still do not like 'Serif
apps'.
The opt-out I hear is a lot better than it use to be. But still I can
find FREEWARE graphics programs that work 1,000 times better than
anything Serif can create.

IMO when Serif states "yours to use for life" and fails to state that
users will have to re-register each time they install the app they are
engaged in false and misleading advertising. Software producers have
the
right to distribute their apps anyway they like: sell them, lease them
or give them away under conditions that they set. What they don't have
-
even if the apps are free - is a right to mislead the public.
True very true!.
I agree with you 100% -Susan Bugher-

 

[Klaatu]

Jon skrev:

I am aware of no point-n-click application that does this, but if
you're interested it is easy to accomplish something like this with a
little shell knowledge.

For instance a line such as:

for foo in `cat list-of-files.txt`; do cp /src-dir/$foo dest-dir/;
done

would do what you want. "list-of-files.txt" is your list, "src-dir" is
where the files are located, and "dest-dir" is where you want to put
the files in the list.

Installing something like CygWin (http://www.cygwin.com/) should
enable you to do this under Windows. Then again, CygWin may be
overkill, but if there are lighter alternatives I'm sure someone in
this group has the sense to say so.

For something like this, no CygWin would be needed, as Window's own
Command Prompt has commands that would handle this no problem. Not
exactly sure of the syntax, but a line like:

for /f %c in (list-of-files.txt) do copy %c dest-dir

This is for Windows 2000 or later anyway.

HTH

 

[Morten Skarstad]

Klaatu skrev:

For something like this, no CygWin would be needed, as Window's own
Command Prompt has commands that would handle this no problem. Not
exactly sure of the syntax, but a line like:

for /f %c in (list-of-files.txt) do copy %c dest-dir

Well, color me enlightened! Was not aware of this. Thanks! Hopefully the
OP gains from this too ;o)

'for /?' should at least give him some pointers about how things work.