I hope to improve it over time and at some point follow with a well-organized and clear listing that makes the information easy to navigate. Feedback and additions are welcome.
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New users
Intro to the Portable Freeware Collection:
- Presentation (short): viewtopic.php?p=93245#p93245
- Text (detailed): viewtopic.php?p=72036#p72036
- Text (detailed): viewtopic.php?p=72036#p72036
Introduction to portability
Some other introductions to portability and freeware:
viewtopic.php?p=86594#p86594
Things you can't do with installed software
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23069
Reasons to use portable software? It's very similar to the sales pitch for the commercial VMware program "Thinstall" (isolation, migration, sandboxes, etc.):
https://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp.html
How do you upgrade freeware?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6359
What is Yet another Portablizer (YaP)?
viewtopic.php?p=85685#p85685
Why Portable Freeware?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23008
Why NOT Portable Freeware (when an installer is better):
viewtopic.php?t=23393
How do you update your portable collection?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5719
viewtopic.php?p=86594#p86594
Things you can't do with installed software
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23069
Reasons to use portable software? It's very similar to the sales pitch for the commercial VMware program "Thinstall" (isolation, migration, sandboxes, etc.):
https://www.vmware.com/products/thinapp.html
How do you upgrade freeware?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6359
What is Yet another Portablizer (YaP)?
viewtopic.php?p=85685#p85685
Why Portable Freeware?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23008
Why NOT Portable Freeware (when an installer is better):
viewtopic.php?t=23393
How do you update your portable collection?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5719
General software (not just portable tools)
Mini guide: Using software securely
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=25443
About virus scanners finding issues that are not a problem aka "False Positives"
viewtopic.php?p=76247#p76247
When you say "Launch program.exe -profile," how do I enable that? (AKA launch arguments.)
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22327
What is the "registry" and why does Windows have one? Do other operating systems have something like this?
viewtopic.php?p=29347#p29347
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=25443
About virus scanners finding issues that are not a problem aka "False Positives"
viewtopic.php?p=76247#p76247
When you say "Launch program.exe -profile," how do I enable that? (AKA launch arguments.)
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22327
What is the "registry" and why does Windows have one? Do other operating systems have something like this?
viewtopic.php?p=29347#p29347
Site matters
Volunteers
How can I help out at portablefreeware.com?
viewtopic.php?t=23031
viewtopic.php?t=23031
Search
How do I search non-public entries entries? (Programs that haven't received enough votes to appear in the main listing.)
viewtopic.php?p=75396&sid=58277ff0805cb ... f00#p75396
DuckDuckGo 's !pfw bang
viewtopic.php?p=93107#p93107
viewtopic.php?p=75396&sid=58277ff0805cb ... f00#p75396
DuckDuckGo 's !pfw bang
viewtopic.php?p=93107#p93107
Testing
What is the portable testing process? (flowchart)
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7718
What are some tools to test portability?
viewtopic.php?p=21751#p21751
Windows portability testing environment
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21885#p72857
Test your applications in a sandbox
viewtopic.php?t=2046
Testing for dotNET requirement
viewtopic.php?p=81778
Checking freeware connections (aka "phones home")
viewtopic.php?p=96370#p96370
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7718
What are some tools to test portability?
viewtopic.php?p=21751#p21751
Windows portability testing environment
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21885#p72857
Test your applications in a sandbox
viewtopic.php?t=2046
Testing for dotNET requirement
viewtopic.php?p=81778
Checking freeware connections (aka "phones home")
viewtopic.php?p=96370#p96370
Submissions / database entries
How do I submit an application to the TPFC database?
viewtopic.php?p=20975
Should it be added to the database?
viewtopic.php?p=25433#p25433
I added something to the database. Where did it go? Why isn’t it “live”?
viewtopic.php?p=76820#p76820
What software do you use for Submissions?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5733
How does the popularity score algorithm work?
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14286
viewtopic.php?p=20975
Should it be added to the database?
viewtopic.php?p=25433#p25433
I added something to the database. Where did it go? Why isn’t it “live”?
viewtopic.php?p=76820#p76820
What software do you use for Submissions?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5733
How does the popularity score algorithm work?
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14286
Updating database entries
How to write / edit an entry?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6579
Can we write custom changelogs?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22445
When there are multiple portable versions of a program – what do we list first (and why)?
viewtopic.php?p=39463#p39463
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6579
Can we write custom changelogs?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22445
When there are multiple portable versions of a program – what do we list first (and why)?
viewtopic.php?p=39463#p39463
Database submission
What NOT to post:
viewtopic.php?p=2857#p2857
Good guidelines / a checklist to review before adding something to the database
viewtopic.php?p=92115#p92115
How do I submit an application to the database directly?
viewtopic.php?p=64717
Can we list "beta" stage software or can we only show "stable" versions?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24356&hilit=reflect
How to get votes for a new entry?
viewtopic.php?p=83556#p83556
Why were dotNET programs not always allowed on the site?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6079
I just posted an update and it didn’t go live – what happened? (There’s a delay for programs with over-frequent updates.)
viewtopic.php?p=26408#p26408
viewtopic.php?p=2857#p2857
Good guidelines / a checklist to review before adding something to the database
viewtopic.php?p=92115#p92115
How do I submit an application to the database directly?
viewtopic.php?p=64717
Can we list "beta" stage software or can we only show "stable" versions?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24356&hilit=reflect
How to get votes for a new entry?
viewtopic.php?p=83556#p83556
Why were dotNET programs not always allowed on the site?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6079
I just posted an update and it didn’t go live – what happened? (There’s a delay for programs with over-frequent updates.)
viewtopic.php?p=26408#p26408
Other
Site goals / direction of our site (as of 2017)
viewtopic.php?p=85612#p85612
Updating your portable collection
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5719
Why doesn’t my signature appear?
viewtopic.php?p=87197#p87197
viewtopic.php?p=85612#p85612
Updating your portable collection
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5719
Why doesn’t my signature appear?
viewtopic.php?p=87197#p87197
Defining portability
The sliding scale of portability
viewtopic.php?p=72574#p72574
It writes *some* settings to the "AppData" folder, is it portable?
viewtopic.php?p=80177#p80177
Why is it when some programs write to the registry, that's okay but not others?
viewtopic.php?p=81882#p81882
If it writes to the registry or has dependencies, is it still portable?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1648 (this is actually “sticky” in the discussion thread)
Why do you bother with wasteful Electron-based software? AKA what does portable freeware actually accomplish?
viewtopic.php?p=91544#p91544
Some definitions of what constitutes a portable app (from amroamroamro over on Github):
https://github.com/atom/atom/issues/293 ... -115586202
viewtopic.php?p=72574#p72574
It writes *some* settings to the "AppData" folder, is it portable?
viewtopic.php?p=80177#p80177
Why is it when some programs write to the registry, that's okay but not others?
viewtopic.php?p=81882#p81882
If it writes to the registry or has dependencies, is it still portable?
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1648 (this is actually “sticky” in the discussion thread)
Why do you bother with wasteful Electron-based software? AKA what does portable freeware actually accomplish?
viewtopic.php?p=91544#p91544
Some definitions of what constitutes a portable app (from amroamroamro over on Github):
https://github.com/atom/atom/issues/293 ... -115586202
... Other definitions, explanations:
Developer resources
Agile use cases for portability (why a given user type benefits from portability features)
viewtopic.php?p=79704#p79704
Suggestions on picking a name for your program
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24685
Top 6 wishlist for developer websites
viewtopic.php?p=97321#p97321
(Similar to the above "ongoing wishlist" but more involved) Project suggestions for freeware developers
viewtopic.php?p=83153#p83153
When NOT to make a portable version (sort of an anti-use case)
viewtopic.php?p=86495#p86495
Example of a great intro video: fast motion account of the program actually doing something useful is a great way to see what can happen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4JKPeaISo
Security freeware developers: an open letter
viewtopic.php?p=76156#p76156
A list of software annoyances AKA what to avoid when making great software
viewtopic.php?p=65306
Creating help files
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13222
Problem: Not enough donations
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23512
viewtopic.php?p=79704#p79704
Suggestions on picking a name for your program
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24685
Top 6 wishlist for developer websites
viewtopic.php?p=97321#p97321
(Similar to the above "ongoing wishlist" but more involved) Project suggestions for freeware developers
viewtopic.php?p=83153#p83153
When NOT to make a portable version (sort of an anti-use case)
viewtopic.php?p=86495#p86495
Example of a great intro video: fast motion account of the program actually doing something useful is a great way to see what can happen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM4JKPeaISo
Security freeware developers: an open letter
viewtopic.php?p=76156#p76156
A list of software annoyances AKA what to avoid when making great software
viewtopic.php?p=65306
Creating help files
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13222
Problem: Not enough donations
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23512
Frequent requests for developers
Top 6 wishlist for developer websites
viewtopic.php?p=97321#p97321
(Similar to the above "ongoing wishlist" but more involved) Project suggestions for freeware developers
viewtopic.php?p=83153#p83153
A list of software annoyances AKA what to avoid when making great software
viewtopic.php?p=65306
viewtopic.php?p=97321#p97321
(Similar to the above "ongoing wishlist" but more involved) Project suggestions for freeware developers
viewtopic.php?p=83153#p83153
A list of software annoyances AKA what to avoid when making great software
viewtopic.php?p=65306
User resources
Promote freeware you love
How to promote / advocate your favorite program
viewtopic.php?p=80845#p80845
How do you pay for freeware?
viewtopic.php?p=29297#p29297
viewtopic.php?p=80845#p80845
How do you pay for freeware?
viewtopic.php?p=29297#p29297
Making requests
How do I make requests for portablefreeware? What hasn't been developed yet?
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8267
Donation coder's freeware request page
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?board=71.0
Tools for making existing software portable
viewtopic.php?p=93471#p93471
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8267
Donation coder's freeware request page
http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?board=71.0
Tools for making existing software portable
viewtopic.php?p=93471#p93471
Lost pages: For sites that are down
Cached Pages
http://www.cachedpages.com/
A Firefox plugin to deal with older programs whose websites have died:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... ne-162148/
Site pointing to the last free version of various software tools:
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/index.html
Tips for using archive.org
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24588
Dealing with dead websites
viewtopic.php?p=70178#p70178
http://www.cachedpages.com/
A Firefox plugin to deal with older programs whose websites have died:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo ... ne-162148/
Site pointing to the last free version of various software tools:
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/index.html
Tips for using archive.org
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=24588
Dealing with dead websites
viewtopic.php?p=70178#p70178
Related/Other
Awards / Recognition for
viewtopic.php?p=15774#p15774
What will make you buy software AKA what software I'll buy
viewtopic.php?p=67140
Why would you give away source code? (An example of someone that literally died without giving away the source code so all his project stopped abruptly):
viewtopic.php?p=83656#p83656
File posting accessories
viewtopic.php?p=81774#p81774
WINE+Portable software / a.k.a. our stuff on Mac/Linux
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6964
History of avoiding Download.com
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/93 ... otivations
viewtopic.php?p=15774#p15774
What will make you buy software AKA what software I'll buy
viewtopic.php?p=67140
Why would you give away source code? (An example of someone that literally died without giving away the source code so all his project stopped abruptly):
viewtopic.php?p=83656#p83656
File posting accessories
viewtopic.php?p=81774#p81774
WINE+Portable software / a.k.a. our stuff on Mac/Linux
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6964
History of avoiding Download.com
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/93 ... otivations
Editors for PFW's forums (BBCode editors):
SCEditor - Web based: http://www.ecardmax.com/hoteditor/index_mini.html and https://www.sceditor.com/
BBCeditor - Downloadable, many features: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=24971&p=96596
bbEditor - Downloadable, basic: viewtopic.php?t=24212
BBCeditor - Downloadable, many features: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=24971&p=96596
bbEditor - Downloadable, basic: viewtopic.php?t=24212
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Misc Site Policy Questions
What's wrong with web installers?
viewtopic.php?p=92806#p92806
Mining for portable software - a list of programs I hoped to test (somewhat out of date now)
viewtopic.php?p=80705#p80705
Do you accept software that you must register for (aka registerware ... short version: not banned but we look at it case-by-case)
viewtopic.php?p=81653#p81653
Why stick with 32-bit?
viewtopic.php?p=81901#p81901
Repeated posts on multiple threads?
viewtopic.php?p=81155#p81155
Can I use URL shorteners in an entry? (the short version is no)
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=23140
Removing old versions of Windows?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9180.com/forums/vi ... 705#p80705
Do you accept software that you must register for (aka registerware ... short version: not banned but we look at it case-by-case)
viewtopic.php?p=81653#p81653
Why stick with 32-bit?
viewtopic.php?p=81901#p81901
Repeated posts on multiple threads?
viewtopic.php?p=81155#p81155
Can I use URL shorteners in an entry? (the short version is no)
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=23140
Removing old versions of Windows?
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9180[/indent]