The Tech-Pert: Score Free Software Downloads Every Day

I love free stuff. Especially when it's stuff that's not usually free. That's why I'm a big fan of Giveaway of the Day, a site that offers a different commercial software program, absolutely free, every day of the week.

You read right: free software. And not "free for 30 days," "free with purchase," or anything like that. Just plain free. The only real string that's attached is the clock: When the day expires, so does that day's offer.

Here's how it works. Head to Giveaway of the Day and check out the daily freebie. Today, for example, it's a program called Sothink Logo Maker, which helps businesses design stylish, professional-looking logos.

Normally the program costs $35, but today? Zero. Just make sure you download and install it before midnight (PT). Also, be sure to read any included readme.txt files, which will contain the installation instructions you need. (Very often there's an activation code you'll need to copy and paste into the program the first time you run it. )

Giveaway of the Day generally traffics in lesser-known titles, so don't expect to see Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office. That said, I've nabbed some excellent stuff in recent months, including a high-end DVD ripper and a robust video-conversion utility.

Because these are freebies, however, you're usually not entitled to technical support or upgrades to future versions. What's more, if you ever move to a new PC, you won't be able to reinstall your freebies. That's a pretty minor caveat, in my humble opinion.

Indeed, I consider Giveaway of the Day a must-bookmark site. Even if the freebie of the day isn't of any interest, you can always check back tomorrow to see what's next.

In the meantime, be sure to check out six must-have free programs that are available all day, every day.

Self-proclaimed cheapskate Rick Broida has been a technology writer forover 20 years. He has authored over a dozen books, including, most recently,"How to Do Everything: Palm Pre." Currently he writes the Cheapskate blogfor CNET, the Hassle-Free PC blog for PC World, and technology stories forPopular Science, Wired, and other magazines.