A lesson on the importance of backups...

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

...Also note that I just tried downloading the installer.
The FreeFileSync website directs you to download from FossHub, not SourceForge...

I think FossHub have some sort of clear policy regarding unreasonable bundling of third party software with applications they host - I can't recall the details, perhaps you know?

[eschwartz]

Their FAQ: http://www.fosshub.com/faq.html

3. Why don't you reply to my emails?

Several reasons:

- you're sending us a business proposal related to: software bundles, installers, pop-ups, aggressive or deceptive advertisement. If we get such emails, we ignore and delete them instantly. Sorry but we're not interested in such partnerships.

4. How can I add a software?

First of all, you can "suggest" a freeware or open source software that you want to be added to our list. We do not accept shareware software or those infected with malware. If you're a developer of a certain app you will have to answer us a few questions. There's no guarantee that your program will be added on our list.

Requirements:

a) We DO NOT accept software titles that use installers/bundles or any other third-party offers that can be identified as adware or malware by the anti-malware products.

d) Be consistent, if you plan to integrate installers/bundles in your software you shouldn't ask us to add your software on FossHub (only if you can provide a CLEAN version - see below).

e) We accept software titles that use bundles/installers or any other third-party offers IF they can provide a CLEAN version (e.g. portable) for FossHub.

5. Your software is infected

Most of the programs that you will find on our website are uploaded by their respective owners/creators. Some of them decide to bundle their software and we hear that from users. Several programs use a "form of advertising" known as "bundling". You can recognize such a program by looking at the setup process. If it's asking you to install other third-party applications, it's definitely bundled. Most of them, allow you to opt-out and install a clean version. Remember that it's NOT our decision, because we do not OWN or create the programs found on this website. We hate software bundles, installers and other crap but it seems that more and more developers choose to use this "method" to earn some money. We are doing our best to WARN our users.

We had several reports so far from all kind of users saying that a software is infected. Before you blame us or a certain software, please make sure that you actually TEST our/suspicious "infected" file at a service that allows you to use multiple antivirus products such as VIRUS TOTAL. https://www.virustotal.com/

All reports were false positive so please don't waste our time with nonsense. If you can't offer a solid proof with a result of a multiple scan and you're sending us a warning from the antivirus product that you're using, I repeat: it's most likely a false positive. The best way to check this is a solution such as the one offered by VIRUS TOTAL.

11. You should add more software titles.

We agree! However, ideally, the software that we add should remain free and clean (no bundles/installers/adware/aggressive advertising etc.). Sometimes we add a nice and useful software and the developer decides to integrate bundles/adware. After this, certain users will post negative reviews against FossHub and we find this completely unfair. Also, we ask for permission before adding a software title (unless it clearly stated that we are allowed to mirror) and sometimes it's hard to obtain an official answer. If you have a suggestion for an excellent software, feel free to get in touch with us although we do not promise you that we will add it. Finally, FossHub is not a place for millions of apps and our long-term strategy is to list only those that are useful and clean. Don't be surprised if you find only 1 or 5 software titles listed in a category.

12. I have a business proposal for FossHub

Hey, thank you for the kind intention! If you didn't notice, FossHub *isn't* a money making machine and the easiest way to convince yourself is to look at how many ads we list. It's just one and we have it for a single reason: to help us pay for the free services we provide. FossHub is NOT a business and that's why when you send us an offer for adding bundles, adding more ads, adding pop-ups or anything else that's bringing profit but it's hated by users we do not reply, we simply ignore such emails and most of them are going to spam folder. It is also a form of disrespect to send us such offers (it means that you simply don't care and ignoring us) when we clearly state everywhere that we are not interested in such partnerships. Thanks a lot for your understanding!

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Their FAQ: http://www.fosshub.com/faq.html

Thanks Mr. Schwartz, that's it.

[JSWolf]

On the topic of crapware from SourceForge, here is an article that will make you groan and not want to install any free software.

http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/here...Speed=noscript

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

On the topic of crapware from SourceForge, here is an article that will make you groan and not want to install any free software.

http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/here...Speed=noscript

I like that CCleaner passed. I've use it for over 10 years but yeah that is the way freeware has gone in the past year. You must be careful now. Sandbox it first so you don't get junk installed.

I never used Download.com I use File Hippo.

[eschwartz]

The answer is of course not to install pointless programs (because most crapware on download.com is in fact the original program itself, granted though that they bundle additional crapware with the original crapware) and for the programs you actually want (rather than the pretty, shiny, awesomely-titled programs with the shiny names and stuff) you should download them from the original website.

And see if the program you want is available in the https://ninite.com installer

[DebbyS]

I find free software at: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ and I've gotten a few good pieces of software (like Aiseesoft PDF to Word converter and Amersoft DRM media converter, both of which are offered every few months)), though lately not much that interests me. They also offer reviews which can be helpful.

Majorgeeks.com also offers software (free, trial, share) but almost never any reviews.

[radius]

Originally Posted by soulfuldog

Thanks eschwartz, I eventually rediscovered I'd set up FreeFileSync and my PC just hadn't been on for a while during the time set in Task Scheduler. I've such a bad memory I couldn't remember it was FreeFileSync I was using, the only thing I remembered was that it was one of your posts that I followed to set something up in the first place....

Just as an aside, you can also setup a Task Scheduler task to wakeup your PC from sleep at a certain time of day. That might help you in the case where you try to run backups at times when your computer is asleep.

I don't use Windows often so I don't know if you can edit your existing task to do that, but you should be able to create a new one with the wakeup and then add your FreeFileSync script as the command to run. Try doing that at a different time of day than the original task and once you are sure it works you can get rid of the version without wakeup.

[soulfuldog]

Thanks radius, though due to my working patterns I don't tend to leave my PC in sleep mode, very often, it's usually switched off altogether.

[LadyKate]

Originally Posted by crich70

Progress indeed. I understand the 1st CD drives were very expensive to buy.

That doesn't compare to what I paid for a second hand 10 meg... yes meg hard drive. I recently purchased a 6 TB drive for less lol. Mind you that was way too many years ago.

All tech is expensive when it first comes out. My old apple II+ clone with 128k ram and one floppy cost me as much as a new basic system would now.