Ask dotTechies: Anyone experiencing freebies overload?
December 9, 2010 59
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Since dotTech went back into action three weeks ago, there have been a lot of freebies posted. The reason for this is multi-fold, but one of the biggest reasons is I am focusing more of my time on finding and posting about freebies than other aspects of dotTech. Why? Over the two years of dotTech’s life span (yes, we are two years old now) I have noticed freebies are the most preferred type of posts. In other words, more people read freebie articles than any other ones (aside from maybe GOTD reviews).
Now I am no psychologist or psychiatrist but I believe this has to do with the human psyche and how we find shareware products available for free more attractive than always-free products (i.e. freeware)… even if a freeware product is top-quality and the freebie is terrible. Whatever the reason behind it, fact is fact: People like knowing about freebies. However, what is the limit? Is there a saturation point? Will dotTechies always desire freebies or is there a point where everyone will experience “freebies overload”? I don’t know about everyone else, but I sure am interested in finding out the answer to this question. So, please share with us your viewpoint on this matter by casting your vote in the poll below and posting your opinion in the comments!
[poll id="20"]
@Philippe: I understand that not everyone may have the time or patience to check out freebie offers. However, with all due respect, there is only so much I can do. As my parents used to (and still) tell me: “I can put the food in your mouth but I can’t make you chew.”
I understand that you would like a “short description” of the program in the e-mail, but you also must understand without visits, dotTech would be nothing. Yes I like helping people but I also like running a successful website. Providing a link in e-mail is a way to get you to visit here and at the same time get rewarded for your efforts. So while I do apologize for the inconvenience, if you can’t/don’t want to click on the link to visit the post that details the freebie offering… I don’t know what to tell you.
@Everyone: Thanks for the feedback! Based on what everyone is asking, I have restructured how I post about freebies and now offering some very quick advice on the available offer; the only exception is dotTech Promotions where I won’t be offering any advice since that would be a conflict of interest. Let’s take this by the ear and see how it goes. Please see http://dottech.org/freebies/19401 for an example of this new format.
Oh and don’t worry – the reviews and tips and tricks won’t stop.
I voted Ashraf go outside, but just to keep you healthy so the freebies can keep on coming.
I love freebies, but am a slow learner and I am forcing myself to not go for a new freebie until I really understand and use or uninstall the last one.
So that takes a while.
Thanks Ashraf not only for posting those freebies but above all for discussing them in terms even I can understand!! I love this site.
@Neil Berman:
Keep Paragon for an image backup and GFI for a file-level backup. As long as you have those two types, you should be covered. Unless you want to go the cloud storage route.
Ashraf,
Thank you for your efforts. I’ve missed your contributions and glad to see you back. dotTech postings have both helped and educated me a great deal.
Here are my priorities for freeware postings on dotTech:
1) Make sure you have a life, but as much as possible work on giving us good freeware and GOTD reviews
2) I rarely use programs that run for a limited time period. If I’m going to load and get used to a certain program I want to keep using it. There are enough freeware solutions around that a limited time offer doesn’t appeal. However, if a program is unique or very good I would reconsider.
3) I usually do not load programs (free or pay) that have not been tested, reviewed (preferably against other similar programs), and get good comments. I want to have a system that works well rather that have a lot of possibilities that fragment issues or cause problems.
So in summary I vote for less freeware so that more time can go to reviews.
@Dan: Gismo’s is a great site, but DotTech fills a different need. Sourceforge is the third leg of the stool; after that, you don’t need to bother with any other freeware sites.
Ashraf, I’m just very glad you are back! I, for one, have missed your posts. (I didn’t vote, my preferred answer was not there, but I believe Eric’s comment echos my feelings precisely.)
I read some more replies, and as duanebb comment on, that it would be nice to see some ratings for the program/software that you review – Like the GoTD reviews… Maybe put it up against some of the top software you reviewed/comment on – Just to see if its worth the shot. I know that you dont have the time for analysing everything but was thinking a bit like the “Free JetDrive 2010 Professional!” review. It would be nice for people like me who followed your site for quite some time now, that I was rated lets say as how good it was agianst MyDefrag, or a comment of what you think… The freebies that fills the site, is nothing more then a guide on how to get them and install them i think. And I would like a bit more then that.
Otherwise id say get some fresh air and relax – and keep up the work you doin
Hi Ashraf and all,
I’ve been changing Isps and been offline for nearly 48hours and come in on this debate about freebies a day or 2 late.
My Dad used to have a shed filled with allsorts of stuff that he had found over the years in skips etc and it was all good stuff like a dozen Utility Knives of all different brands, sizes shapes and weights, half a dozen different flashlights, 15 assorted cameras, 5 lawn mowers etc etc and my point is that he never ever paid a penny for a tool or machine because he always “found” or put together what he needed from the “free” stuff he had in his shed.
In fact I accidentally overheard him talking to my mum once about how that particular Christmas us kids were only getting the presents we wanted because of the money they had saved from him doing this all year.
It appears that I may be a bit like my Dad ‘cos like a good many dotTechies I have half a dozen of this program, four or five of another type and two or three of a few others but i do not have them all installed using memory and taking up resources.
I’ve installed a second hard drive and put in separate OS partitions for the three OS’s I have and a data partition and a storage/download partition for spare applications I have waiting to be checked out and another one for applications I have already checked out and found to have something about them that I can use at sometime in the future.
Even though i know Paragon keep all details in a user account for us I have about a dozen Paragon freebies all sitting nicely each in their own separate folder in a main Paragon Folder.
Each application has a link to any review by Ashraf (or annyone else I can get one from if Ashraf hasn’t done one for that particular application) in its folder along with its original download link and a wordpad/office/pdf file with its serial number/registration details and email address that I used to get it from the offer site.
I systematically work my way through these products a number at a time each day when i can and I end up keeping some and painfull though it may be I erase and delete some because I’ve found they are not as good as others or even for quite simple reasons like the license period has run out or because the GUI lettering is difficult to read or the colour scheme is garish or I just can’t figure how it works no matter how I try.
But I know that by doing this, finding and trialing freebies, I allow my kids to go to the movies every week and hang out with their friends at the mall with enough pocket money/allowance that they don’t have to worry too much about where their next doughnut or burger is coming from etcetera.
Apart from the biggest fact that it has become a bit of an addiction, and (some would say sadly) I get a real buzz from finding something like NEt Objects Fusion 10 priced £130/$180 for free and passing it on to Ashraf and to others at dotTech through him.
I like the freebies, as well as the other articles, but Ashraf – it wouldn’t hurt to go outside every now and then. :-)