Free Software Friday

Since things are bad all over, and offers for free stuff are getting to be few and far between (that is, for anything worthwhile), I always am on the look out for good stuff that I have either really good feedback on, or have used myself.

Today’s software falls into the latter category.

I have been a Nero Burning ROM fan since I got my second optical disc burner (the first one came with some really poor software that I had to go online to check that it was actually retail software – it was that poorly done!). But after version 7, Nero started taking on bloat, and though it was possible to remove it, I became very annoyed with it, as there was typically no way to keep it installing at the outset. I still use it, but not exclusively.

A couple of years ago I set out to build a machine that, after having a licensed copy of Windows, would use nothing but free software. Now I am not a stickler for Open Source stuff, because frankly, that sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. I believe that when you design a program, you make it work first. But then, before you release it, you make it presentable, which means a clean, intuitive interface.

There are optical disc authoring programs that are open source, but they don’t meet the second requirement. There are free programs, however, that work well, and some, though usually paid, can be had free if you are patient, and know where to look.

The site once known as VNUNet is a good place for news, reviews, and frequently, commercial programs that are totally free.

Today’s free program is Ashampoo’s Burning Studio 2010 (stupid company name, but great products that are reasonably priced when not offered as free).

But today it is free… Get it here and enjoy. By the way, this version also supports LightScribe drives, with full label capabilities.

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careful, slippery when wet …