This new version sucks

So, you have found out that there is a new version of a free program you are using. You go to the site and download it, as it installs you forever lose the previous version. Now when you use the new version you find out that one or more features are no longer available or that it is become shareware, Maybe the new version is a bloated resource hog and you wish you had the old version back. Fortuneately there are a few websites that can help you.
The first link below specializes in the last freeware version of programs that have turned commercial while the other links are for older versions of programs that may or may not be available anymore.

Last Freeware Version

Old Versions

Old Apps

Old Version

My favorite: Station Ripper

I recently wrote an article about a very cool program ESP one of the features that set it apart was you could load it on a USB thumb drive. But my favorite ripper for the desktop is Station Ripper. Like ESP it will rip and record streaming net radio. It also separates the streams into individual MP3s and tags them with the title and artist. Where Station Ripper excels though is the number of streams that can be downloaded at the same time. Version 1.13 was the last free version that could record up to 200 streams at a time. Station Ripper also will keep track of all the songs you download and if the song comes up again will skip it reducing the bloat of duplicate files. You can easily get a list of stations to record via Shoutcast or add your own selections. To record a station just click on the "tune in " button. Though Station Ripper doesn't have a built in player you can listen to any station you are recording with your regular MP3 player (such as WinAmp, Media Monkey etc.) by double clicking on the station or you can highlight it and click on the "listen" button.
You can download version 1.13Here

Play Blu-ray movies on your Ipod

Blu-ray Ripper rips and converts Blu-ray DVDs. It will convert them to AVI, AVI HD, H.264 HD, MP4 HD, DVD, MP4, FLV, H.264, MOV, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, RM, SWF, VCD, SVCD, VOB, WMV, 3GP, ASF, etc. video formats. It will rip audio to MP3, WMA, MP2, RA, AAC, AC3, M4A, etc. .
You can play the output video on iPod, Zune, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, Archos, iRiver, Creative Zen, PMP, MP4/MP3 Player, Smart Phone, Pocket PC, PDA, Mobile Phone, etc.
You can also edit the movie in a few clicks with a user friendly interface and play the movies without a DVD player. Did I mention it's totally FREE.
Get it here

Lightbox photo editor

Every now and again a program is released that makes you think "WOW! this is Awsome". Light box editor is one of those programs. Lightbox is an amazing program that's easy to use, fast and gives excellent results. lightbox makes it very easy to get the best out of your photos with out a lot of complex steps. Most of the core level routines are written in machine code to greatly speed up the process. All operation are done in 48-bits assuring high quality images.
I could list all the features here but it wouldn't tell you how easy it is to get proffessional results with a minimal effort. When you first start the program you are presented with pop-up dialog boxes that actually give you usable instructions that you don't need a degree in physics to understand. In fact the effort and thought put into them is one of the features that truly impressed me. The overall interface is both pleasing and intuitive making it fun to work with. At every step I was greeted with a helpful dialog guiding me through the steps to use the various functions. After the first time you use the program you can turn off the dialogs globally in the top bar or you can use the checkbox in the bottom left hand corner of each dialog box.
Many of the operations are done using sliders making it fast and easy to fine tune your adjustments. Using advanced algorithms the smart contrast, fill-light, and auto balance produce amazing results. The red-eye removal with face detection technology is fast and accurate. The color-cast remover is excellent. Working on an image in the side by side format makes it easy to see your progress.
They offer a totally free version and a 30 day trial version which includes the free one. The "PRO" or paid version is a astoundingly affordable at $19.95. This is one of the best values I have seen. I encourage you to download the 30 day trial version and try all the features. If you don't want to buy it you still have the free version to use or you can download the free one without the trial. Below is a screenshot with the before and after side by side option.
Get it here

Quick Access to System Restore

If you are always installing and un-installing new programs on your computer you run the risk of having various problems such as conflicts with other programs, loss of functionality with programs previously working when the un-install removes files you need for them, and a messed up registry which can cause you a real headache. One way to avoid this is to set a system restore point before installing a new program. We all know how many menus you have to go through to get there, but there is a easy way to remedy this. Click start >programs >accessories >system tools >system restore, right click on system restore and choose send to desktop. This will create a shortcut Icon. Drag the icon to your quick launch bar or whatever launcher you use(in my case Rocket Dock) now you have an easy quick access to set your restore points. Hopefully this will make you life a little easier.

Listen and record internet radio from your Flash/USB drive

This is just too cool. ESP (Enhanced Shoutcast Player) runs on your thumb drive and Allows you to listen to thousands of internet radio stations and if that isn't enough it will also rip and record the streams as individual MP3's using the artist and title as the file name. But wait it gets even better if you find an artist or band you would like to hear more of ESP will search for MP3's the Artist has uploaded to their website and make them available for download. All this from your USB/Flash drive? You bet and the sound is great. Now you can listen and record great music wherever you are, even if your not on your own computer.
Get it here

Turn a photo into a cartoon in 3 easy steps

Rotoscope is a software that can convert a photo into a cartoon by tracing the outline with your mouse and then hit the "render" button. Presto! You have just turned your friends picture into a impressive cartoon character. Check out the example on their front page. If you want you can upload your creations to the web.
Get it here