Communications - Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews

for the week of: July 12Downloads

1.
Camfrog Video Chat
Webcam Software336,177
2.
mIRC
Chat94,892
3.
PaltalkScene
Chat89,947
4.
ManyCam Virtual Webcam
Webcam Software46,585
Memeo Share

Share photos and videos directly to the desktop.

Download Now
5.
Windows Live Messenger
Chat36,357
6.
Skype
Web Phones & VoIP Software29,219
7.
Trillian
Chat25,231
WebPlusX2

Create stunning Web sites either for fun or for your professional needs.

Download Now
8.
Yahoo Messenger
Chat21,726
9.
MSN Messenger (Windows 98/Me)
Chat13,373
10.
WebcamMax
Chat8,445

See all most popular software

RoboForm

Reduce multiple passwords to one single item.

Download Now

Release date

Throttle Jul 13
Dial-up Software
Pegasus Mail Jul 13
E-mail Software
Password Recovery Toolbox for Outlook Jul 13
E-mail Utilities
OE-Mail Recovery Jul 13
E-mail Utilities
BWMeter Jul 12
Dial-up Software
PopTransAct Jul 12
E-mail Utilities
Outlook EML and MSG Converter Jul 12
E-mail Utilities
AntispamSniper for Windows Mail Jul 12
E-mail Software
Advanced Outlook Express DBX Recovery Jul 12
E-mail Utilities
OutlookExport Jul 12
E-mail Utilities

See all new releases

1.
ICQ
Communicate instantly using the latest version of this popular chat client.
2.
Trillian
Chat with all your friends on IRC, AIM, ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo Messenger.
3.
mIRC
Chat with other people and participate in group discussions.
4.
Yahoo Messenger
Communicate instantly with your friends on Yahoo IM using custom avatars, PC-to-PC calling, and lively emoticons.
5.
ManyCam Virtual Webcam
Add graphics and effects to your Webcam and broadcasts on messengers.
6.
Active WebCam
Capture images from webcam.
7.
ePrompter
Check several e-mail accounts simultaneously and retrieve received e-mails.
8.
WebcamMax
Add videos & effects to virtual/real Web cam and show them to others on messengers.
9.
Mozilla Thunderbird
View e-mail and news the way you want it, with intelligent junk controls and personalized themes.
10.
Pegasus Mail
Use a full-featured and free e-mail client.

See all editor's picks

from the download blog

Chrome OS for the clueless: What it means for real people

Posted by Rafe Needleman on Jul 09, 2009

Google's new operating system is certainly something to get excited about, but don't put a new laptop purchase on hold because you want a Chrome Netbook.

an introduction to Communications

The Internet is all about communication. From e-mail software to chat clients to the latest in VoIP software, Download.com's Communications category has everything you need to reach out and touch someone.

Of course you use e-mail, but which e-mail program should you use? A number of e-mail programs are free, from the venerable Microsoft Outlook Express to our current favorite, Mozilla Thunderbird. Thunderbird supports IMAP and POP mail protocols and can handle all your RSS feeds. It features cutting-edge antiphishing and spam filters in addition to advanced security features such as S/MIME, digital signing, and message encryption.

You'll also want to download all the latest e-mail extensions, such as spam filters and programs that notify you when e-mail is sent to your online accounts.

If you're too impatient for e-mail, chat software allows real-time communication between any two PCs. Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, MSN Messenger (soon to be Windows Live Messenger), and AOL Instant Messenger are the major players in the chat market, with ICQ still a popular choice among hard-core chat fans.

If your friends use different clients and you don't want to install them all, Trillian lets you chat with everyone regardless of chat platform, including IRC-based chat rooms.

Of course, why bother typing e-mails when you can just talk to someone over your PC? Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, allows you to turn your PC into a Web phone to call other Internet-connected PCs and talk as long as you want at no charge. Programs such as Skype, GloPhone, and BuddyTalk are painless to install and easy to use, and all three allow you to place calls to regular phones by signing up for a calling plan. For more information, check out the Download.com guide to Net Phones.