PC World does another roundup in 14 Fantastic Freeware Finds for us. Do you ever wonder why programmers write programs for free? Sometimes they need to scratch an itch, and realize others may have that same itch. Sometimes they use well-done programs as auditions for better programming jobs. Sometimes they offer one version free and another version with more features for sale. No matter the reason, you can benefit and get some great programs for the great price of nothing.

Of these 14 files, you may find only one or two you want. That's OK. Most freeware applications are utilities that perform a single job, or maybe some related functions, and that's all. The other end of the spectrum, OpenOffice Productivity Suite, is a major Open Source project with thousands of hands involved. Freeware utilities are almost always the product of a single programmer.

Be careful downloading applications. I never download an application that comes to me in an e-mail or I see in a pop-up of some kind. Download files only from known good sites, like PC World obviously, and other name brand locations. These hosts will scan for viruses and not send you files full of spyware.