Thoughts From a Clicker
By Tiny Ruisch
I finally found some time to do an update on one of my websites. Like many other sites, I have a favorite links page. I immediately noticed that I still had a link for Gizmo’s Freeware. I knew I needed to delete it because the site closed down in 2021. It was a sad time for everyone that likes excellent freeware programs.
In 2008, Ian “Gizmo” Richards launched the Tech Support Alert Website. It featured reviews and links to freeware programs in several categories. Programs were reviewed by volunteers. There was an active forum with comments and suggestions from readers.
One of the great things about the site was that there wasn’t any advertising. It was funded solely by donations from users. I remember several times there were pleas for extra funds to keep the site going. Disclaimer: I usually sent what I could afford. In later years, donations were no longer enough to pay costs and Google ads were incorporated. In March of 2021, Google Ad Sense canceled their advertisements. It was announced that the web site would shut down in July. The site shut down and a farewell page was posted.
I’m glad that I rechecked the link. Gizmo’s is back online. It has been renamed “Gizmo’s Best” and has a new web interface. I’m surprised that I haven’t seen any mention of this happy fact on any of the many tech news sites that I read.
There aren’t as many reviews or programs listed as on the old site. At first this was a little upsetting, but on further thought, I agree. Many of the programs on the old site were outdated and no longer available. The site still lists the ones it has in the same categories: Android, IOS, Linux, MACOS and Windows. There is a new category for Reader’s Best. The “Free Wallpaper of the Week” is still on the site.
If you remember how great Gizmo’s Freeware was, give the remake a try. You can find it at Gizmo’s Best (techsupportalert.com).
Thanks for reading and keep on clicking.