Max- FTP is free. It is surprisingly powerful and easy to use. Pegasus E-Mail is much better than Outlook, Eudora, and other programs you may have to pay for. Pegasus is FREE, yet is has powerful features including distribution list management and autoresponders. These are scripts that make your web page interactive.
Functions range from simple feedback form handlers to sophisticated e-commerce shopping carts.
There are many places where you can get scripts for free. Another type of processing that is done by the client's browser rather than the server. Some compatability issues still exist, whereas CGI doesn't need to rely on browser compatability. Freeware too often isn't really free. Before they accept and upload software, they check it out and verify that it is freeware and not nagware.