Are you on the hunt for software to enhance your digital life? Look no further! Here are some resources brimming with options:

Luminar

For photo editing enthusiasts, Skylum offers a fantastic image processor with a 30-day refund period. If you cancel your subscription or purchase before the last day of your 30-day refund period, you will get your full payment back. This powerful tool is a budget-friendly alternative to industry giants like Photoshop.

Explore the links below for even more photo editing options, including some free ones, and licenses to some pro software and lifetime license discounts.

Legacy Software

The net is like a digital time capsule filled with all sorts of ancient software treasures. And the best part? You can find stuff there that’s not available anywhere else! But, like any good treasure hunt, there are always some traps to watch out for. Below are a few sites to visit when you are looking for software archives or not readily available downloads of older software, including some older Operating Systems.

Softonic

This platform acts as a digital time capsule, offering a vast library of software, including some hidden treasures no longer readily available. However, be cautious – like any treasure hunt, there might be a few booby traps. Keep an eye out for potential bloatware during downloads. Pro tip: Read those permission prompts carefully before clicking “OK.”

Free Licenses and Trial Havens

Seeking free licenses or extended trials for photo editing software? Techno360 and Shareware-On-Sale are your treasure chests! Simply search “photos” on their home pages to unearth great deals on photo-editing packages you have never heard of, and legitimate licenses to free commercial software and plenty of other gems, including free games and Software-as-a-Service (SAAS) Licenses to some online sites.

Typically, you do need to agree to receive marketing material from these companies before you can activate the licenses they are giving to the public. It is free, but it is also marketing. The licenses are often only valid for a short time. If you do decide to take one up, make sure to install it in the give-away period. They will not activate the license when you install the software after the give-away period.

Avoiding Bloats

Remember, vigilance is key! Always read before hitting “OK,” whenever you are installing new software on your workstation. Many installers of well-known software these days come packed with bloatware, You install the software that comes with their software inadvertently if you do not properly read the installation window that gets launched with their installer properly.

One of the main culprits is AShampoo software. They give away tons of licenses to very useful software packages, which I love, but they’ve been known to sneak in unwanted bloatware during installations which is bulk-packed with their installers. Read prudently before pressing “OK” when you install software. Many of these packages will start off by asking you to install other software packages with your current installation before installing the package you want.

Pay attention to what they ask you when the installer is launched. These companies get paid by the software developer for tricking somebody to install software they don’t really want on their system, which is why it is often crapped into their installers.

If the name of the software is not what you are installing, just say “Decline” until you get to the correct T&C’s. Usually, it is one or two packages, like a virus package or a free browser or archive handler like WinZip that starts off with the installation to get a fast one on you, but there are many others.

Avoiding the Bludgeon of Marketing Mail

A final note on “free” or “lifetime” software licenses – typically, they come with a catch. You have to agree to receive marketing materials to receive the give-away licenses. Be prepared for a potential deluge of marketing emails from the provider when you do. Fear not, tech adventurer. Here’s a tip: set up a separate email address specifically for junk mail. Then, unsubscribe from unwanted emails in batches every six months, or weekly. This way, your inbox stays clear and organized, unlike a blocked toilet overflowing with spam.

Classic Games Gauntlet: A Journey Through Retro Wonder

While this post focuses on modern software and give-away licenses that typically come with some attractive lifetime license discounts, let’s not forget the timeless joy of classic games and arcade pleasures from your childhood.

Websites like RetroGames offer a portal to the golden age of gaming, allowing you to experience iconic titles like Ghosts ‘n Goblins on modern devices through emulation. This breathes new life into these classics, ensuring that the spirit of retro gaming continues to inspire and entertain new generations. Sites like these are great for reliving those golden years when you were slotting your pocket money coinage into the machines at the cornerstone, but install and enable an ad blocker in your browser before you enter the site. They need to get paid somehow, and advertising is often the go-to.

Well, that’s it for now, folks. I hope these software recommendations help you on your tech journey. Just remember to always read before hitting “OK,” and you’ll be golden.