Friday , March 29 2024

OldVersion.com

How exceptionally cool is this? Um, exceptionally. OldVersion.com provides “heritage” versions of popular Windows-based programs that give you an option against being railroaded into “upgrades” that may not meet your needs or desires. They provide 489 versions of 51 programs. The service is free but donations are accepted.

Why?

    Sometimes upgrading to a newer version can be a good thing. Other times, your computer may not be compatible with the new version, the new version is bloated, or all the good options are no longer available. OldVersion.com has been supplying the online community with old versions of various programs since 2001. The service is utilized by thousands of users every day and has been featured in newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television.

    OldVersion.com has several objectives. One is to discourage the use of spyware by software companies. Also known as adware, these hidden programs come bundled with certain applications and secretly transmit user information via the Internet to advertisers. A possible way to avoid spyware is to download an old version of a program. By using OldVersion.com, you can get the clean old versions of programs as well as show the industry your dissatisfaction with these types of business practices.

    Another goal is to assist computer users who are unable to continually upgrade their computer. Those who find that their machine is not able to run the latest version of a certain application have no choice but to use to an old version of the program. Unfortunately, the vast majority of software companies do not offer this opportunity to their clients. We are doing our small part to help bridge the digital divide by allowing everyone to enjoy the same software regardless of their hardware.

    In a similar fashion, the service also promotes freedom of choice. Every computer user has the right to use a version of the product that he or she is most comfortable with. To allow the software developer to dictate which version of their product one can use is to give up one’s rights. OldVersion.com provides access to files that are no longer obtainable.

    Lastly, there is a need to archive cultural artifacts. If software is allowed to disappear into the past, a piece of our history will be lost. People must be have access to this data in order to understand the direction the computer industry and civilization as a whole is heading.

    OldVersion.com was founded by Igor Dolgalev and Alex Levin.

Via the always informative ResouceShelf.

About Eric Olsen

Career media professional and serial entrepreneur Eric Olsen flung himself into the paranormal world in 2012, creating the America's Most Haunted brand and co-authoring the award-winning America's Most Haunted book, published by Berkley/Penguin in Sept, 2014. Olsen is co-host of the nationally syndicated broadcast and Internet radio talk show After Hours AM; his entertaining and informative America's Most Haunted website and social media outlets are must-reads: Twitter@amhaunted, Facebook.com/amhaunted, Pinterest America's Most Haunted. Olsen is also guitarist/singer for popular and wildly eclectic Cleveland cover band The Props.

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