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Free To Death
http://www.jcave.com/~reynoldd/Free/
With a background that looks like something Hannibal Lecter might keep
in his kitchen drawer, the free stuff feeding frenzy begins. A pop up window of 30-odd mega-sites and a page of countless
links send you spiralling into a consumption vortex you may never escape.
They have found heaps of genuine free offers - anything from rubber
gloves to animation cels. Now you can spend the rest of your life filling out forms and
sending money orders off for postage and packing. Soon that bottomless pit of need seems to be somehow a little
less deep as your house begins to reach critical mass.
Keep on clicking....if you're still alive.
Verdict: Terminally appealing. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Thingamabob.com
http://www.thingamabob.com/
The little cartoon thingamabobs have been keeping this site neat and clean
and making it very easy for you to browse the countless opportunities
for gratuitous consumption. Each
link is described by the linkee, so you spend a little less time going
where you don't really want to go, and the 15 major categories are laid
out on the front page with no confusion.
It's amazing what you can find when you go looking.
Wall posters, oven mitts, labels, CD's, advice, help, pills - whatever
can fit in a small post pack and lead to you spending more with the generous
bestowers of materialism. If
you're lucky you might just send them bankrupt!
Verdict: This site is very,
uh, whaddyacallit?...uh.. good. - SS
Net Worth: ***
4FreeNet.com
http://www.4freenet.com/
One huge network marketing bazaar, 4FreeNet proffers all the categories
of freebies, along with money making opportunities, contests, specials
and trial memberships. By
doing their homework in the site design and construction areas, they make
it easy to find what you want, and even provide comparisons between such
things as free web hosting services.
After visiting this site, you will have a full life ahead of you,
collecting stuff, reading emails, clicking for cash and filling out surveys.
If you do it right, you may come away richer, happier and maybe
even a little wiser.
Verdict: They've done the hard work, all you have to do is grab the gratuities.
- SS
NetWorth: *****
Free Stuff to Clutter Your House With
http://www.freeclutter.com/
What started as a personal home page of a guy that liked free stuff in
1996, is now a fully-fledged portal of abundance, categorising the junk
into appropriate sections for easy perusal.
I'm starting to notice a few of the same free things turning up
on all these sites, which could be a tell-tale sign of the limitations
of this kind of activity. For
the moment, there is still plenty to find.
Being created by a seasoned pro, this site even gives you a "sites
to avoid" section - something missing from most of the other sites.
Verdict: What have you got
to lose? Start Cluttering!
- SS
NetWorth: ****
#1 Freebies
http://www.phreeryder.com/freestuff.html
Claiming that everything here is 100% free, this site is an attempt to
be as non-commercial as possible (no banner ads) whilst still maintaining
a professional standard. This
is achieved with a few click-through benefits for the site's creator,
and by maintaining a quality collection of links, all reviewed and categorised,
so that you'll keep coming back.
It's a numbers game, but perhaps the commissions are keeping these
guys alive, because the site is well-maintained and keeps you up to date
with the latest and best free offers out there.
Verdict: Maybe not #1, but
certainly in the top million. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Free Stuff on Free-Stuff.com
http://www.free-stuff.com/
Well they've certainly stuffed this one.
Stuffed it full of every bonus points and earn-cash-while-you-click
scheme they could find. Instead
of heaps of free stuff, you will be sent to all and sundry destinations
to sign up for e-mail notifications of when your cat needs de-sexing,
when the next big "fill this survey out and win big bucks" promo
comes out, and stuff your post box with catalogues.
It's a thousand-stop door-to-door tupperware party that will leave
you feeling that somehow, somewhere along the line, this free thing is
weighted just a little bit in favour of the marketeers.
But, hey, you've got nothing to lose but what precious little time
you have left on this planet, so what the heck... keep on clickin'!
Verdict: R.S.I. for cash!
- SS
NetWorth: ***
Free Mall
http://www.thefreemall.net/
Sometimes the one-person sites can reap as many benefits as the bigger
ones, simply because they are driven by their own interest in a subject
as well as the desire for commercial gain.
Free Mall is a case in point, where they obsessively trawl the
net for every freebie in sight, asking little more from visitors that
they "enjoy the site" and check out their pet dogs.
This may look bad for business, but it certainly makes for a good
treasure hunt as you delve into each category and find gold everywhere
you look. You also realise
that dozens of these links are going to earn click-through points for
Free Mall, so hit by hit the owner gets richer and richer, and more motivated
to keep the site updated.
It's a win win win situation!
Verdict: The only mall where shoplifting is compulsory.- SS
NetWorth: *****
Absolute Free
http://www.absolutefree.com/
The no frills approach is taken here, and works well, since all you are
after is good links to the real sites that are actually giving you the
stuff. A large selection
of categories are covered, from software, fonts and Java games to CD's,
books and clothes. The "webmasters
choice freebies" are worth a look since they ought to know a bargain
when they see one. All links
have a little blurb attached, which makes browsing this site quick and
easy. Sometimes, a bit of
plain text in nice brief sentences is all a surfer needs.
Verdict: Absolutely generic, definitely bookmarkable. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Freaky Freddy's Free Funhouse of Free Stuff
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/
The freakmeister has been out there surfing the cyberwaves from dusk til
dawn on a regular basis. No
tan, but he has come up with over 70 categories of free stuff, and claims
to be the biggest free site on the net.
Daily maintenance and an amazing range of goods, coupled with a
good dose of humour and some categories you will have a hard time finding
anywhere else, Freaky Freddy may have hit the jackpot.
And you collect the prizes!
Best thing about this site is a lot of explaining goes into each
section and link, so you remain in the freebie loop longer and you may
even have a few laughs and learn something to boot.
Verdict: Freddy is the freakiest freebie frequenter around. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Sweet Melissa's Freebies
http://www.angelfire.com/ct/hotmomma3/freebies.html
Melissa spends a little too much time being sweet, and not enough time
making a happening web site. Although
there are plenty of links to free stuff, and it is fairly regularly updated,
it's just not quite comprehensive enough to warrant too much investigation.
One benefit is a site map, so you can see exactly what is on offer
here. Still a few good links,
but this is really just someone's attempt to make a bit of extra cash,
and they're obviously not making enough to fuel the drive to improve.
Verdict: Sweet nothing much.
- SS
NetWorth: **
Free Site X - Secret Free Stuff
http://www.freesitex.com/
Just because there is an X in the name, doesn't mean it's porn.
This is a goldmine of not only free stuff, but all the resources
you need to start your own free stuff site, or any other site, for that
matter. If you ignore the
occasional spelling and grammatical errors, the detailed descriptions
and review of each and every link here is extremely informative.
There are even ratings charts to help you pick the best scheme
for you in areas such as banner exchange, or web hosting.
Heaps of webmaster resources, as well as all the standard free
coupons, samples, trials and survey contests.
Verdict: It's eXceptional value. It's free! - SS
NetWorth: *****
Cybergold - The Web's Earn and Spend Community
http://www.cybergold.com/
Cybergold offers a web alternative to hooking up consumers with merchants,
using loyalty advantages
like Visa and Mastercard do in the real world.
They explain very clearly how the banks can charge you a lot more
than you would think for their services.
By limiting their fees, Cybergold makes small ticket items like
music and graphics etc become much more affordable. It also allows the
merchants to promote themselves better, offering heaps of freebies and
advantages, as a result of cost saving and reaching a wider market.
It is well worth checking out as a buyer or a seller, as there
are big wins for everyone.
Verdict: Yeehaaa! Thar's
gold in them thar pixels!. - SS
NetWorth: *****
INDIVIDUAL FREE OFFERS:
Free Search Engines Special Report
http://www.netrageousresults.com/reports/searchengine.html
Netrageous is a publicity and PR firm that specialises in getting big
results from being smart rather than spending heaps of money.
"How to get one million dollars worth of publicity for FREE"
is one bit of advice they offer.
Fill out this form and get their "tricks of the trade"
in search engine promotion for free.
Follow the link and find out more, before realising that you ought
to fork out a few bucks so you can get on Oprah, too.
Verdict: Promote yourself
to outrageous proportions - SS
NetWorth: ****
Free Music Takeaway
http://music.takeaway.net/
While the music industry sits around debating the future of on line music,
these funky dudes are dishing it out for free.
Real Audio, MP3, MIDI, Chord progressions, grooves, tips - even
a few artistic paintings are served up for nix.
It's more of a musician resource than a commercial pop music site,
but you won't be disappointed - well, you can't be disappointed, you ain't
payin' anyway! You soon will,
though, so get in now. This
is fast becoming less of a treasure trove and more of a shop every day.
Verdict: Would you like some sheet music with that? - SS
NetWorth: ****
Top List MIDI Files
http://www.foxmusic.nl/midi/
Somehow these guys keep avoiding being shut down by the copyright police.
This little elite squad of MIDI programmers loves to bring you
the latest top 40 hits in MIDI format before anyone else, and give the
stuff away. Join their mailing
list and receive updates of new songs just completed.
If you think you are pretty hot on the old keyboard, why not join
them and start sequencing for world fame.
The standard of programming is pretty high, for amateurs.
These files are very usable. (personal use, of course)
Verdict: Chart topping MIDI
heaven. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Free Mousepads
http://www.freemousepads.com/
What the heck, your old mousepad is getting a bit boring. Been looking at Bart Simpson or Daffy Duck too long?
Fill out a couple of very simple questions, maybe subscribe to
their updates, and whammo, your clicking away in a whole new dimension.
Oh, oops, did I happen to mention you should have a friend who
lives in the US or Canada? Unfortunately
a huge proportion of free stuff out there is restricted to North America. Maybe it's worth getting a PO Box......
Verdict: Ethnocentricity at it's meanest. - SS
NetWorth **
Discovery Channel School Educator Guide
http://discoveryschool.com/dcso/edguideorder.html
What better way to boost sales than to get teachers to promote your show
in the classroom, then offer a catalogue of products through the teacher's
guide? Commerce and education
are on a headlong collision course here, as the respected Discovery Channel,
The Learning Channel, Travel Channel, and Animal Planet begin marketing
themselves into schools. At
least their shows are generally regarded as being of a high standard. Hopefully when you get the guide book, it will also have more
than a token educational section to match the product order form.
Verdict: It's free, like
the drink you got with your burger, but at least it's educational. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Science In Your Shopping Cart
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/shopcartintro.html
Here is a complete online book about the physics, chemistry and biology
in your average weekly shopping.
One thing about books is that you don't even have to get them sent
to you, you can just save the text from the net.
Sure, you don't get the pretty cover and professional binding,
but you were only going to stack it on your shelf of half-read books anyway.
Verdict: Fascinating Facts
about Food and Stuff.- SS
NetWorth: ****
Notes On Call Audio Guitar Lessons
http://www.notesoncall.com/index.htm
Get
yourself a sample CD of guitar lessons from the "Notes on Call"
courses of audio-based teaching.
What better way to learn music than listening, eh?
A few other tempting offers to get you started.
These guys have featured their lessons in the prestigious "Guitar
Player" magazine, so my guess is that it would be worth a shot, if
you fancy yourself as a budding Jimi Hendrix - not that you have a death
wish, of course.
Verdict: With the number
of people who give up guitar lessons after the first one or two, I hope
these guys don't go broke! - SS
NetWorth: *****
One Life Ministries, Free Christian Music
http://www.tcmnet.com/~onelife/
God wanted this guy to give his music away.
Unfortunately, I don't think God expected the Free Stuff site craze
to catch on so much - or maybe he/she did!
John Fairbanks has recorded an album of inspirational music and
is happy even after the mad rush, to send you a copy if you send him the
$2.00 postage. One thing
you can count on if you give out of genuine faith is that you will probably
get something back, and I'd say John would be collecting the odd donation
here and there, especially from those that like the songs.
Verdict: Spreading the lyrics
of the lord's disciples. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Free CD's
http://www.free-cdrom.com/
Software, games, clipart, HTML editors, etc.
All free - kinda - you pay $3.95 postage - each!
I'd say that just about makes them a tiny profit, but the object
here is to interest you in other software packages and generally think
that these dudes are all round nice guys.
Now you're not going to bother to send four bucks American to anyone
unless you are really interested are you?
Or do you really get off on that sensation of feeling like you
didn't have to pay for something, even of that something will end up being
used as a drink coaster?
Verdict:. Why not order the entire 28 CD's for free?
Postage and handling: US$110.60! - SS
NetWorth: **
Home Remedies for Women
http://www.womensremedies.com/order.rhtml
Another case of having to have a US PO Box to get this offer, but it is
a good example of the kind of marketing that can be done on line. Offer a free trial read of a book, throw another book in for
free whether you buy or not, and hope that the person forgets to send
the main book back in time, or spills a coffee on it, or maybe even actually
likes it. The book sounds
good enough, although I don't know how sick you are expecting to be to
need 1,749 home remedies to experiment with.
Verdict: No obligation to buy - not much anyway. - SS
NetWorth: **
Hempelopes
http://www.tricki.com/
Post off for your free sample envelope made from the hemp plant.
These guys have an uphill battle convincing the uneducated that
you can't get stoned off these things, so giving them away at least gets
the product some recognition beyond the hype of sensationalised scare
mongering. Here they can
use the same sales techniques of their illegal cousins - try before you
buy, and you might like it enough to want more.
Verdict: An envelope for an envelope. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Heart Foods Products
http://www.heartfoods.com/
Last time I looked at this site they were giving away free capsules to
sample of their miraculous health tonic, but sadly, they have had to go
back to merely offering free information. Seems
a bit silly sending away for information.
Isn't that what the Internet is for?
Verdict: Heartless b*** got my hopes up. - SS
NetWorth: *
WedServ.com
http://www.wedserv.com/
Your wedding day is the biggest day of your life.
It is also perhaps the most expensive.
That is why this site can get a whole bunch of big companies to
help the offer a stack of free info and software, to help you plan your
day. You can even get your
own "wedsite" to showcase the event.
CD only available in the states, but identical software is downloadable
for us down-under types.
Verdict: They do.
NetWorth: ***
Epicurean Kitchen Wholesale Cakes Request Form
http://www.cakevan.com.au/epicurean/request-form.htm
Sydney based gourmet cake-makers offer free samples of their sumptuous
desserts to prospective cafes and restaurants interested in selling these
delights. Note this is wholesale
only. I guess you could always
say you are considering opening a restaurant, when in actual fact you
have the munchies, but that would be dishonest.
Delicious, but dishonest.
Verdict: An offer any restaurant
owner couldn't refuse - SS
NetWorth: ****
Christian Freebies
http://www.chani.com/FreeStar/Christian.html
Thanks to the concept of tithing, and the other concept of converting,
Christians and other religious groups tend to be able to easily afford
to give away a lot of stuff without feeling it in the hip pocket.
God is the accountant, and he/she says it's cool to spread the
word and they don't even have to write it off for tax, because they don't
pay any. Here are links
to free music, screen savers, bible study guides, web page hosting and
life-guide books to help you through the hustle and bustle living in a
world gripped by the evil overlord David Hasselhoff.
Verdict: The CGI gateway to salvation. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Serious Developments - Free Christian Software
Directory
http://www.seriousd.com/freeware.htm
A very large repository of bible and study assistant free-ware, images,
screensavers, church management software, music software and tons of MIDI
files. You will then be taken into other pages of rather un-free software,
of a far wider scope including "Charlton Heston's Voyage Through
the Bible", and the ever popular "Hooked on Hebrew".
If it's heavenly, it's here.
Verdict: A site of Biblical proportions. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Key Of David
http://www.keyofdavid.com/
I found this one after getting up for a glass of water one Sunday morning
and seeing this show on Channel 10 at 4.30am.
Gerald R Flurry was preaching the true word of God, and telling
me I could get all this free stuff on the web site.
I sent off for some and it turned up on my doorstep within a week.
Fascinating reading, especially if you are Asian, Aboriginal or
Gay - or all three. It seems
God is and always was an Anglo Saxon and will be coming back to save all
the white people from the ungodly yellow and black folk and fix up a genetic
anomaly he failed to correct when he had his first big bang.
Read all about it, and perhaps ring up and get the program thrown
off air. Don't you know we
are all part of "The Matrix", and Keanu Reeves is "The
One"?
Verdict: No money down - repent later. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Freedback.com
http://freedback.com/?
Have you ever wondered how to get a response form onto your web site without
paying a fortune or spending half your life learning code? Well at last Freedback is here with instant response forms
for your site in minutes. They
offer you a whole bunch of choices of radio buttons, form fields, drop
down menus etc, and you can edit the code very easily once the HTML has
been created for you. It
is all wonderful, except that the CGI bin they use sits on their server,
and they insist on stacking the "thank you" page full of ads.
It could be a bit much for your customers to handle, but for a
personal home page, it's great.
Verdict: Hop on the CGI Freeway. - SS
NetWorth:
****
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