Welcome to the Scott Family Website! Freeware - Operating Systems
and Programming Languages

Knoppix - http://www.knoppix.org/
Type: Operating Systems

Knoppix is a version of the Linux Operating System and is free for use. You can download an ISO file from their site to burn a CD to either install it on a computer or run it from a CD.

Most of the freeware listed on ScottFam.us is for the Windows platform. I included this because this software can be used to restore data from a bad hard drive even when Windows sometimes can't.


Ubuntu (Linux) - http://www.ubuntu.com/
Type: Operating Systems

Ubuntu is an operating system built by a worldwide team of expert developers. It contains all the applications you need: a web browser, office suite, media apps, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu is an open-source alternative to Windows and Office. Note that this is a Microsoft Windows replacement.

Most of the freeware listed on ScottFam.us is for the Windows platform. I included this because so if you want another option to Microsoft Windows here is a good option.


Mandriva Linux - http://www2.mandriva.com/
Type: Operating Systems

More than 3 million people in the world enjoy our Mandriva Linux platform on their computer. At home or at work, on their desktop or in their server-room. Mandriva is simple, secure, stable, fast, FREE, no viruses, and no spyware. Mandriva has various different options available such as 32bit and 64bit workstation operating system, Enterprise Server, and more.

Most of the freeware listed on ScottFam.us is for the Windows platform. I included this because so if you want another option to Microsoft Windows here is my favorite option.


AutoIt - http://www.autoitscript.com/
Type: Programming Language

AutoIt v3 is a freeware BASIC-like scripting language designed for automating the Windows GUI and general scripting. It uses a combination of simulated keystrokes, mouse movement and window/control manipulation in order to automate tasks in a way not possible or reliable with other languages (e.g. VBScript and SendKeys). AutoIt is also very small, self-contained and will run on 95, 98, ME, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 out of the box with no annoying "runtimes" required! You can even make compiled executable scripts that can run without AutoIt being installed!

AutoIt can:
- Provide a general-purpose scripting language for all Windows versions
- Simulate keystrokes (supports most keyboard layouts)
- Simulate mouse movements and clicks
- Move, resize and manipulate windows
- Interact directly with "controls" on a window (set/get text from edit controls, check boxes and radio buttons, select items in drop-down lists, etc.)
- Create complex user interfaces (GUIs)
- Work with the clipboard to cut/paste text items
- Provide a scriptable RunAs function for Windows 2000/XP/2003

I have written a few programs using this simple Programming Language.


Microsoft Virtual PC- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/virtualpc/default.mspx
Type: Virtual Operating Systems

Microsoft Virtual PC allows you to run a virtual machine, or another operating system, on your computer without disrupting your computer. With this, you can run an older version of Windows such as Windows 95, Windows Me, or Windows 2000 or you can run a version of Linux or OS/2 within a window on your Windows XP or Windows Vista computer. This is good for testing software or running software that won't run on your installed operating system. In addition, this can be used to run items that may normally crash your computer but instead would only crash the virtual machine. Use this to learn other operating systems such as Linux without disrupting your current operating system. Or, if you are in a support role, you can have different Operating Systems on your computer to easily provide proper support. This program is easy to use, but you do need to know how to install an Operating System. Microsoft Virtual PC is a fairly small download, but is a powerful tool.

When using Microsoft Virtual PC you may need a boot disk image (.IMA) in order to access your CD-ROM drive.
Click Here to download a Windows 98 boot disk image.


HelpMaker - http://www.vizacc.com/
Type: Programming - Help Authoring

HelpMaker is an application to create help files without an expensive word-processor and without having to manage multiple files. Writing help files is called help authoring. You can make whole help files using HelpMaker. HelpMaker makes WinHelp, RTF and HTML-Help files.
Very easy to use program that works similar to any word processor. The program is bundled with additional applications including Image Exchange (a graphics converter), Icon Maker, and Button Maker.


VirtualBox.org - http://www.virtualbox.org
Type: VM - Create and run virtual machines

VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Presently, VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and OpenSolaris hosts and supports a large number of guest operating systems including but not limited to Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), Solaris and OpenSolaris, and OpenBSD.