Freeware for the Home


The following free programs were originally written as DOS applications, but have been rewritten and recompiled using the FreeBasic compiler into 32-bit Windows applications.

The ZIP file should be downloaded and expanded in an empty folder, or into the folder in which a previous version has been downloaded. No other installation is necessary or is made. If you want to completely remove the application from your system, just delete its folder.

You will probably want to create a shortcut to the executable program either on your desktop or in some folder. If you happen to be a user of the old DOS QCharter program, make sure that you delete the old shortcut to QC.EXE and don't use it. The shortcut properties should indicate a Window's application starting in a normal window. (You can always maximize it by pressing alt+enter and return to windowed mode by pressing alt+enter again). There should be no compatibility options chosen - the applications appear to be executing correctly in Vista.

All these programs use the same original interface routines, some of which were first written before the advent of MS Windows, and so there are some differences from Windows. Applications have more control over data entry. For instance, applications can specify an input filter so that only characters that are suitable for a given input field are allowed - illegal ones will be rejected with a beep.
   An application can display data that has been previously keyed into a field as "greyed", so that if the user first starts keying in new data, then the old field data is deleted. But if the user first moves the cursor, or presses "Home" or "End", then the old data is "ungreyed", allowing it to be edited.
   Also, if characters or numbers are being inserted into a field that has a maximum length, then the input mode temporarily changes from "insert" to "replace" when this maximum is reached (instead of rejecting any additional input).
   Although there are no scrollbars, buttons are provided for scrolling and paging, and usually use of the mouse wheel is adequate. Ctrl-pageUp/Down will get you to the beginning or end of long lists.


Reminder 3.0

This application lets you view reminders on a screen that graphically resembles a calendar page. Clicking on a day pops up a window where longer reminders are completely displayed, and where you can add new ones and delete or change old ones. You can also insert new reminders for the same day before or after existing ones so that you can control their order. Placing a shortcut to Reminder in your startUp folder will display the current month's reminders with the current day highlighted when you startup your computer.
   A different interface is provided for entering multiple entries of repetitive reminders, such as for birthdays and anniversaries. There are several repeat options provided. A simple unique method is used to enter multiple reminders for something that happens, for example, on the last Saturday or the third Thursday of each month.
   If you are accessing reminders from more than one computer, you can store them in your personal web space. Reminders will be saved on both the host and your own computer, and if at times you do not have connection to the internet, you can still access and update your reminders. The reminders on the host will be updated when connection is resumed.

The executable is named "Reminder.exe". If you use a notebook with a wide screen (5/3 aspect), it will look better if you provide option -ws in the command line.
Download Reminder 3.0

Calculator 2.4

This application accepts arithmetic expression for evaluation. The advantage of this over the standard hand calculator graphic interface is that you can see what you have keyed in and can edit it. Besides the usual arithmetic operators, it allows selections from a list of functions and conversions. Conversion and calculation in number sytems other than decimal is supported.

You can create complex expressions containing variables and save them. If you click on one of these expressions, you will be asked to enter the variable values. Several saved expressions are provided.

The zip file also contains a program named SelectAndCopy.exe, which can be used to select blocks of numbers from a file for pasting into a Calculator expression.
Download Calculator 2.4

HELOC 2.1

This is a Home Equity Line of Credit calculator with a feature that lets you change the interest rate and/or payment amount while stepping by month or year. If you are thinking of signing up for a variable rate HELOC loan, this lets you see the effect of possible interest rate changes, so that you can make comparisons to a fixed rate HELOC.
Download HELOC 2.1

QCharter 5.0

This is a portfolio management and charting program. Historical and current quotes can be downloaded directly from the internet (This function was not available in earlier releases). QCharter can tell you how well your portfolio is performing, and provide other useful functions:

  • Display highly readable full-screen charts, in any color scheme that you want.
  • Create and chart an index representing portfolio performance.
  • Compare different securities and indexes on the same chart.
  • Chart moving averages.
  • Enter text comments and transaction data. These are displayed directly on a chart.
  • Enter stock splits, causing previous share data to be automatically adjusted.
  • Keep track of purchases, sales, reinvested distributions.
  • Show cost basis for all sale transactions, using either FIFO or Average Cost method, and showing short and long term gain/loss separately.
  • A game of sorts, where more than one user can be downloading quotes and entering buy/sell or limit orders, each user starting off with the same cash and (optionally) the same portfolio.

    The executable is named "QC.exe"
    Download QCharter 5.0