A Free Archive of Software Golden Oldies

One of the many great things about the Internet is how often you run across neat sites you never knew about in the course of trying to do something else. Today, I was using Google to hunt for troubleshooting help with an Adobe Reader 6.0 problem. I didn't find it--but I did discover OldVersion.com, a site that collects outdated versions of major free software applications.

"Outdated" may not be the right word here, since as OldVersion.com's slogan rightly says, "newer is not always better." There have certainly been times when I've wanted to go back to a previous version of an application, for troubleshooting reasons or simply because I didn't care for the update. OldVersion's old versions run from the recent (ie, once-removed editions) to the antiquated (such as AOL Instant Messenger 1.0).

Is the site legit? It says it only offers software that was free in the first place. And it seems to have been around since 2001. Whether every vendor that's represented would be crazy about having its old apps available, I'm not sure--but I know I'll be bookmarking the site for future reference.

Comments

This Techlog deal is really whats old. Oldversion.com has been around a long time. Of course its legit. Even when RIAA prompted sweeping changes across the Internet and bullied websites including our own Google that pointed users to downloads of Kazaa, Oldversion.com was still the place to get Kazaa Lite 2.4.3. So... Oldversion.com is definitely well-known for being one of the last to provide Kazaa downloads, even up to 8 months after RIAA brought the smack down last holiday season.

Willie

November 30, 2004

7:43 AM PT

Glad somebody keeps the setup for AIM 5.2. Everything since 5.5 has been bloated and full of ads. I use Gaim 90% of the time but the file transfer/direct connection module can be lacking ....

d.a.

November 30, 2004

12:53 PM PT

Is there actually a music website that is "Totally Free" where I can download and burn songs to play and listen to while I am online for my own enjoyment??
Thank you for your anticipated reply...

Sonny

December 01, 2004

5:39 AM PT

I would love to get a version of an old DOS program called PFS File, and PFS Write

Belmont

December 01, 2004

6:03 AM PT

Anyone have a patch for dos Quicken version 8 to show proper date on cheques ?

The problem arose after the year change from 1999 to 2000. Checks were dated with the last two digits ie: 97/98/99 and then instead of 00 for the year 2000, it went to 100/101/102 etc. Since I now write very few checks anymore, I just manually change the first digit to a 2, and add a fourth digit such as a 4, and then initial the change.

When I brought this problem up on the Quicken websit forum, it was shortly thereafter eliminated.

zperformd

December 01, 2004

2:58 PM PT

for pfs write a quick google check gave up
http://home.pmt.org/~drose/aw-dos-46.html

gimme shelter

December 01, 2004

3:13 PM PT

Sonny, check out the live music archive on archive.org. Lots of free live shows. There's bound to be something you like.

Keith

December 14, 2004

5:15 PM PT