Software Downloads, Free?

Yes, I said Free!  There was a time that your basic software cost an arm and two legs to download.  Most of us know of a piece of software or a program we wanted to try out but didn't have the money to spend on something that we may not even use.  But, no more.  You see, there are a lot of people on the web who are just as broke as the rest of us, but have the skills to create open source versions  or replacements or freeware of those very costly programs that we love and want, but can't afford.