AmbientShade posted at 3:25PM Wed, 27 November 2019 - #4371417

I don't see anything wrong with sharing links to free software, as long as it is truly free and those links have been fully vetted (there are websites dedicated to doing exactly that). Companies generally are not in the business of giving away free software unless there's something in it for them, and a lot of the supposed 'freeware' out there is infested with adware, which you agree to install when you install the app. Once installed it can be virtually impossible to remove without doing a full virus and malware scan of your system. That stuff is dangerous and puts your pc and personal information at risk. As an example, I did a quick google search for one of the apps listed above 'DrawPad' and it returned a half dozen sites explaining how to remove it and its malware from your system. If its truly free then it won't be infested with adware/malware and will operate on an open source concept like Blender or gimp, where people donate their time and resources to its development.

I didn't find any of that Shane, but it is made by NCH Software and as far as I can tell, the version they are giving away is free. But does seem to be mostly an introduction because you can buy a more robust version.