Free Computer Software
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Once Upon a Time
Sad to say but after four years it's farewell as far as this topic is concerned. I'm moving sideways in Suite101 and the editor hat has to be hung up.
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A Kinder Start to the Day
A short walk through the start of my surfing day and what helps me get in the groove. Also, an update on a freebie mentioned last month... not good news I'm afraid.
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Loose Ends
A wrap up of a series of articles dealing with frequently asked questions. Also, a couple of freebies to add to the list of freeware anti - virus programs and download manager utilities. eScorcher and Star Downloader.
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To Continue...
Part three of a series onf some "how to" basics. Having explained zip files, how to download them, and where to put them, lets now talk about installing the programs they contain. Also, a link to some alternatives to Windows Explorer.
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Where Was I?
Part two in a series on the very basic How To's. Before continuing to talk about zip files, a short diversion to cover downloading and saving files. Fresh Download.
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New Generations
New generations, young and old alike, are continually joining the ranks of computer and Internet users and the same questions seem to arrive with them. Maybe one day there will be a better way but meanwhile it's back to explaining some of the basics.
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Virus Detective
How to research properly an infected file warning from an anti virus program.
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Dodos and Dinosaurs
The choice and selection of software, including freebies, always seems to increasing but sadly there are important exceptions.
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Rattle M. Bones!
The subjects in here lately have been a bit heavy so a timeout for something lighter. Halloween freeware.
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Mystery Tours!
How the start page in your browser can be changed without your help, and how you can stop it happening again.
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Spyware & Scumware: Part IV
What programs are scumware & how to get rid of them!
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Spyware & Scumware: Part III
The newest element in spyware, scumware!
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Spyware & Scumware: Part II
All about Spyware & what it does.
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Spyware & Scumware: Part I
Spyware & Scumware, you need to know what they do!
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Roller Coaster Ride
A shadow hangs over a great many friends and neighbours this week and I want to put my normal topic aside for a moment, to hopefully provide a few words of comfort. It doesn't feel like it but it will get better.
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Yellow Click Road
With apologies for the title an update on my life with home networks and a few tips. If you hate having to log on every time you start your system this is for you.
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Do You Speak...?
Messaging Junky are you? You might need a new one to add to the collection or a freebie utility to save your sanity and your system's resources. SuiteTalk & Trillian
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For Your Eyes Only
Secrets, secrets, secrets. We all love them, we all keep them and here's how to share them. What's all the fuss about and why are the "suits" nervous? PGP & QDPGP
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Who Am I?
And where am I come to that. This is all very simple but quite complicated to E-mail and the Internet. I did get there in the end as you willl see. Pegasus Mail
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Free-where?
Where have all the freebies gone... other than freeware programs? There's a couple of reasons why the good times are over.
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Mail Blues
E-mail is the greatest thing since sliced bread but it comes at a price. There's a lot of things you can do to improve your life and make it safer as well. RemoteMail32
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Lead Foot
Monitoring system performance and fine tuning can really help to keep things purring under the hood. Try one of these additions to your dashboard. CacheMaster or Cacheman.
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Tell Us a Story
A bit of a diversion this week and an invitation to join a contest here at S101. I'll share my "Internet" story with you and explain why it won't win.
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Pardon?
All these unexpected windows popping up which are not necessarily error messages and what's this about a "default" browser? BrowserSet
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Ask Me Tomorrow
Another look into the not too distant future of browser upgrades and new versions. Nothing can be taken for granted these days.
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I Won
A slightly jaundiced look at another regular new year event. Helping families and friends deal with a familiar crisis... there's a new computer around and panic is setting in. Newbieville.
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Good News, Bad News
Some people were kind, or maybe unkind enough to let me know how they did for Xmas gifts. Here's some links for them. Also, one for programmers looking to make some extra money. Asynchrony.
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Sigh
Somewhat of a depressing tale this week... what I didn't get for Xmas. That's to be expected when I only deal with freeware, which isn't exactly what I was hoping for. Also, an update on Firewalls. ZoneAlarm and Sygate Personal Firewall.
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Just Browsing
News of the latest developments on the browser front. Some good news, some bad... maybe, some depressing (for me anyway) and some interesting. Netscape 6, Opera 5. Mozilla
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Free = Junk?
I got diverted this week by an Internet article that pushed one of my buttons. I don't disagree there's a lot of junk free "stuff" out there but that doesn't mean that freeware should be ignored.
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Two Front Teeth
I don't have a very long Xmas wish list, in fact I'll happily settle for just one thing... and the money to pay for it will help too. DirecPC
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More Ups and Downs
It take a lot to bring out the worst in me, even with advertising, but I really do have a problem with the increasing use of popup ads. on the Internet. Thank heavens there is a way to deal with them. Killad.
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Ups and Downs
Download managers... those neat little utility programs that do a lot better at bringing down software from the internet than your average browser. Some are going Adware but here's two more that aren't. DLEexpert and GetIt.
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Where Will it End?
Mouse or TV remote... the choice is narrowing, as is the technology. Online banking is taking over as well and some of it is free. HyperWallet
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Night School
They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing so why not get down and become really bad. If you look round carefully the price is always right. Tech24
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Never Underestimate...
We users have good ideas and suggestions and we really can bring about change if we go about it wisely.
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Done
An update about DownloadMage... bad news for us and just maybe a public relations nightmare for the author.
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If Dee Says...
Plain old fashioned E-mail messages not for you? Then try out the lastest freebie that offers all the whizzes, bangs and special effects. Incredimail
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Cooking Nicely
Netscape is making progress towards version 6... here's the word about Preview Release 3. Also more words about Spyware and Adware from someone who cooks a great steak.
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Power Tools 2
Want a change from Windows Explorer? Check out a couple of the new offerings... they may be better "mousetraps." TurboNavigator and 2xEplorer.
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Work in Progress
Too old to learn about computers and the Internet? If I'm not then nor are you and having missed out on them at school or college doesn't mean we can't catch up. FreeSkills.
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More Decisions
Hey, we can watch TV... lots of it. That won't keep me from this column and to prove it here's another example of Open Source Software plus a download manager that doesn't contain anything you might not like. AbiWord and Download Mage.
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Decisions
More words than last week about Spyware and a neat little freebie that helps you track the trackers. IDcide. In the same spirit a word processor that is strong in encryption features Cryptedit
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Another Ware
A round up on some "wares" and another new one for you - Abandonware. A new name for the topic, complete with a new logo but a fun freebie for you as well. Brick for Windows.
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Identity Crisis?
Where do I go from here and why change anyway? The last Mission Statement was over two years ago and it's time for a new one.
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More Bits n Pieces
Tidying up some loose ends so here's a good selection of links that have recently come my way.FreeSpell, MailCleaner UBD (Ultimate Boot Disk)
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It's a Screensaver...
If you like freebies you can personalise this one will have you in heaven. You may also be able to get some extras thrown in as well for the same price. MyCorkboard.
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Yeah
I get asked to recommend a free ISP account these days but I have to explain the three main reasons why I just can't.
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Cause and Effect
I don't hear music very well so I don't buy it and I don't download it. Therefore I'm neutral but as the word free figures into the Napster saga and debate I've been asked my opinion.
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And Back Again
In the other direction this week, but only from big to small. a chance to try a version of the very well known paint program : Paint Shop Pro. Also, a mail utility to help you cope if you get as much as I do. MailIt.
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One End to the Other
From the tiny to the huge. From a 6k Process Terminator to the latest version of the biggest 80mbs freebie going. Appswat and StarOffice.
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Shades Required
Another taste of things to come... streaming software, the new way to try something out. It's all about web based services and they'll change the way we use computers.
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Going, Going...
A couple of more references this week to seeking the Holy Grail. The list of freeware will never be complete without a good quality dedicated uninstaller. Also, an update for another favourite : Desktop Architect.
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What's in Another Word
More words about word processors, text editors and the absolutely essential spell checking. Rough Draft. Also a collection of games that brought back some nice memories. Barroom Games.
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Yes Mother
This may look like I'm calling a timeout to wish my mother a happy 80th. birthday but you might just pick up some tips. Not from me... from her. Kyodai Mahjongg
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Homepageware
Another new type of of freeware to add to the list... Homepageware. See what it's about... it's not for me but you decide for yourself. Webcelerator.
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Spyware
From heavy to light this week, from the serious update to zany technology names and an encouragement to go forth and download. Spyware, Bluetooth and Toss Your Cookies.
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Ton Up
My word, one hundred articles! A look back, a look forward... normal service will be resumed as soon as next week.
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Where Am I?...Again
The virtual world might be getting smaller but geographically speaking we still need maps, directions, and in my case... a compass.
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Happiness is...
It's about time I wrapped up the 20th. Century with my pick for my favourite freebie for the millennium. It still brings a warm glow but that might have something to do with the tea!
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They're Back
This week has to be about virus nasties but not too much. If E-mail checkers and word processors for composing love letters are on your mind this is for you. MailIt and Writer 2
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Power Tools
Power tools... all sorts, shapes and sizes... I use them all, even computer ones. Power toys, RegClean, RegCleaner and EasyCleaner.
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Medium is Good
If you're a Netscape faithful you've got to have a look at the preview version of the latest... forget 5... lets skip to 6. Also another Task Manager freebie to check out. OptiX.
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Ring Ring
Tired of all those people who interrupt your surfing by wanting to use the telephone for the purpose it was invented? Try this new Call Waiting Service, if you live in the US. BuzMe. Also, if your hard drive needs to go a diet. Cookie Eater.
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Seeing Double
Want to know exactly what's running on your system, including all the hidden background tasks? And how about that for choice... Two different programs, same purpose and the same name. Startup Manager.
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There's that Word Again
More examples of overuse of the word Free... nah, just another enthusiastic webmaster getting the message across. ButtonME. Tired of all those application forms asking for the same thing? TypeItIn.
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Free yes Free
A BIG MS Office lookalike with a small download for free, how can that be? I'll tell you how, and it's very portable. ThinkFree Office... and did I mention it's free.
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Adware
If you're one of those people using one of these freebies that deliver advertising banners while the program is running, you really should read this. OptOut.
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Hacking and Exploring
A correction to the flexibility of a firewall program I recently mentioned. ZoneAlarm. If Windows Explorer is getting boring for you try this new replacement. WinTree.
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Small is Beautiful : 5
Time for me to do some catching up with this series. Better contol over screensavers... QuickSaver. A web based PIM / Organiser... Daily Drill. An honourable mention for a small guy in the E-Greetings world... Card Boulevard.
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Final Words
a few closing words on the subject of networking and a competition to finish up with. Some links to sites dealing with very common Win. problems including a freebie fix you might like to try. A utility that claims to really speed up downloading. Download Accelerator Plus.
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Quarts and Pints
Why are so many ISP's promising one level of service but providing another? Address books lying around all over the place and none of them the same... this utility will help you tidy things up. Dawn.
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Salt Water
A wrap up of loose ends following my recent move. Successful implementation of a LAN and internet sharing software and a firewall for cable and DSL modems. ZoneAlarm
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Just the FAQ's
Help files and Readme texts are becoming plain and boring. How about animated demonstrations using Leelou?
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Sounds Even Better
Some more emphasis on the value of feedback in both directions and some examples. An update on mySpeech and another Mac site to check out.
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Blinking Bookmarks
More spring cleaning... tidying up bookmarks and favorites. A replacement for URLmenu which has now gone shareware. Blink. Also a utility that incorporates link checking as well. Check&Get.
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Dime a Dozen
There's lots of E-mail checking programs around but new ones keep getting added to the list. Easy Notification. The same applies to free mail accounts but here's one that's very interesting... it's multi-lingual. FreewareHome Mail.
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Tree Saving
More space freed up on my desk, the new calendar is now on the screen and a bit more paper gets saved. Past, Present & Future. Also a couple of utilities that cut down on all those icons in the tray area.
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Is Anybody There?
I must start the year off right... more Mac freeware, so a site for you to check. Continuing my delving into networking I have a progress report for you. By getting the hardware in the right place I got the software for free. SOHOware and Sygate.
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Times Up
A last minute tip for Y2K worries... get a backup copy of those important files off the computer and out of the house. NetDrive. Bored already after Xmas? Some games to try out before watching the final countdown.
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Sounds Good
A short detour into connecting computers together to create a Local Area Network... here's an interesting link. Want to try out a voice recognition freebie? mySpeech.
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Mutter... Mutter... Mutter
Broken links... a webmaster's pet hate but here's something to help. Link Sleuth. Also, an interesting site about firewall's and what they are. Shield's UP!
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Feedback
Some follow up and follow on from last week's article. Another handy E-mail tool and some words from the author. Fletmail
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I Need Help
I'm fast running out of time. Not for finding freebies but for trying them out before reporting on them... can you help me out? Need a personal message for a lot of people, try MailReactor.
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I Want More
If you're interested in earning money from surfing I can't help you but I know who can. Another nice little utility to check out... FileBox eXtender. Also another Freeware site for you... Completely Free Software.
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All these Forms!
Tired of all the repetitive typing of passwords and registration Forms? Have a look at Gator. If you have an insatiable thirst for knowledge... then HowStuffWorks is for you
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Music Maestro Please
Music's not really my thing, but why should my reader(s) go without because of that? I'll tell you what I know and pass on some links that hopefully you'll find useful.
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Electronic Footsteps 2
Submit, submit, submit. Nothing to do with wrestling... you've got to get your website out there. AddAce will help you. Next you've got to track the numbers. Stats4all is just the thing.
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Open Source Revisited
A return to the subject of Open Source software and a progress report. An increasing number of these programs are becoming available for Windows. AbiWord. Also a new version of Linux that can be installed with Windows. WinLinux2000.
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Pushing the Envelope
Finally a web site hosting service that offers unlimited storage space... it had to come. Family ShoeBox. Also another report on free computers and internet connections.
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Game Over
Back to the serious stuff. An upgrade for Netscape Communicator, a graphic based program launcher and a font utility from one of my favourite authors. Sensiva and FontLoader.
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Good Heavens... a Game?
I'm not known for game programs and this article explains the sad story. I am trying to make amends with RivalChess.
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This and That
A few more bits and pieces or odds and ends. Another top xx list to check through and a word counter that might be as useful to you as it is to me. Also a neat little notes program. TextLength and StickyPad.
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Not Even a Dime
Here's a current list of some of the best freebies around... see what you're missing. Also, another background program to replace your screensaver. It's small, but the numbers are big!
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How do I do That?
Instructional manuals go out of date but Internet learning sites never should... this one doesn't seem to. Learn2.
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Time and Space
Too much surfing, too little connection time? Off line browsing could be for you then... WebCopier.
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Pasting.
Don't you just love being able to cut/copy and paste whatever you want wherever you want? Yankee Clipper makes it even better.
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Back Breaker
Windows and my C drive are suddenly history... where's all my backups? Do what I do, get the critical stuff off site. FreeBack.
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Shell Games : Part 2
The other side of the Shell Games coin... Replacement Shells. What are they and which one to try?... here's what one of my readers has to say.
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Site Surfing
Not so much individual programs this week but two very good sites for you to check out. Come and see why.
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Something Old is New Again
An "old faithful" takes on a new look and is better than ever. It's shareware but I got my copy for free by helping with the beta testing.
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Chat Hater.
Chatting over the Internet, the written kind, is too much hard work for me, I type too slowly. However, this program might just make me persevere... Gooey. What a name!
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Pictures and Words
Like the idea of pins in maps or adding "hotspots" to images... I can help you out with CuteMAP. Despite built in spell checking sometimes what you want is just a simple dictionary... Wordweb.
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Shell Games
Want to make more use of that right hand mouse button?... Shell Extensions are what you need. Best place to go looking?... Shell Extension City of course.
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Post Scripts
A bit of tidying up of loose ends and a couple of updates. A few new names... MyStart, EarthNavigator and Q Sort 98.
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The perfect Desktop
Isn't it amazing how the appearance of Windows varies from computer to computer... here's something that will help you do your own thing as well. Desktop Architect.
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Picture This
Not being artistically inclined means that I have to rely on others to say how good this paint program is. Ultimate Paint.
What does me nicely to be able to view the work of others is Irfanview32.
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Out of this World
What's the connection between Little Green Men and Screensavers? Seti@Home explains all... take a look, you just might end up in the history books.
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Go fly a Kite
My current take on Y2K... midway through the countdown. If you share the pessimistic view this low tech freebee might come in very useful.
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Bits n Pieces
Start Menu getting messed up with all the installations? Menuzap will straighten everything out.
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One Man's Meat.
I'm moving virtual homes into a another computer. It's slightly used and what a shakeout it needs. EasyCleaner makes the job a lot easier.
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Trouble with Time.
Need a line up of clocks because of those overseas family and friends who you keep waking up? I have just the thing... World Clock.
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Software up to Date?
Checking for software updates can be thankless and time consuming but it should be done. Two free services that help you keep on top of this chore... Updates.com and Catch UP.
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Shots up to date?
An anti virus program program really is becoming an absolutely essential requirement. Thankfully here's a company with a state of the art product who believe money shouldn't be involved. InoculateIT.
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Ultimate Freebee?
Why buy when you can apply for a free computer, and there's no contest or draw. The ultimate freebee... at least until the next one comes along. Also a neat little memory cleaning utility... RamBooster.
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Heaven
Join me in my idea of utility heaven and leave your money at home... I'll give you the address. Put your own spin on Internet Explorer and share your favourites with Netscape. NeoPlanet and SyncURLs.
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Keeping Book.
Income tax returns and bookkeeping... they almost go together. I dislike both of them, it's all the math involved. 3S accounting software and TaxACT 98. If it's all a foreign language to you I've found a helpful freebee translation service.
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Silence is Golden
A quick round up of the latest versions of the popular browsers. Hopefully better but definitely bigger. A new addition to my favourite freeware category... small, beautiful, utility. Add/Remove Pro.
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One Thing to Another
How do I convert all these photographs, names and relationships into a Family Tree? Thank heavens a freeware programmer has come to my rescue. Generations.
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Reaching Out
A short wander into the hardware world of monitors and something I found in shopping for a new one. Some expensive ones are getting cheaper. Internet people searching... a new branch to the family tree.
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Small's Still Beautiful
Another list of small good looking stuff that take little time to download. I've also added a couple of new ones that caught my eye. Invisible! and TraySaver.
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The final Word.
I may just have found the ultimate E-mail program and being free is only one of the superb things it has to offer. Pegasus Mail
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Is it Me?
I hope it's safe to mention these word processors... I seem to be killing off freeware lately! Digita Wordworth and Yeah Write, a little different on the eye.
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What's in a Word
My never ending search for the perfect text editor... freeware of course. I'm getting closer with with Your Spell.
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Into the Sunset
Tracking down that elusive freebee... how I do it and some tips as well. FileFerret and NetVampire.
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No Moving Parts
Just to keep my hardware hand in, mouse or trackball... how about a touchpad? Freeware goodies to go with mine.
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Diapers Not Included
Is a new computer system the same as a new baby... or does it just seem to be as traumatic? If Windows Explorer is getting boring, FMedit might be the answer.
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Birds Eye View
Got that closed in feeling... how about a peek at the BIG picture. MicroSoft's TerraServer and good old NASA. Just to get your feet back on the ground... Hot Clips-on-Ice a neat little clipboard utility.
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Up Periscope.
Another Rocket Science program for you to try out... or an update to the weather report? Good news... it's both! iSpeed, a lube job for your Internet connection.
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Rocket Science
Trust me, you'll be glad you installed this little utility... Cacheman You don't even have to understand how it works... I didn't.
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99 + 1 = ?
Y2K, a personal spin, an apology... with an explanation and some advice... maybe.
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What a Mess
An early start to spring cleaning... my new year resolution.
I've finally got my "I Use Them" links up to date.
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So much mail, So little time.
E-mail checkers. Why I like them and this one in particular.
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OSS
Open Source Software... another five minute fad, or the next revolution. I'll give you my opinion.
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Big ain't so Bad.
This may be the biggest program you ever download. Is it worth the effort... take a look. StarOffice, an alternative to MS Office.
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Electronic Footsteps.
A few ideas to help make your home page interactive by adding a guest book and polling station
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Where am I?
Amiglobe, a very nice atlas program with many features. Very educational and great for the kids
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Say "Cheese!"
Videoconferencing freebees to really add a new dimension to your chat sessions. Webcams, a cheaper alternative to digital snap shot cameras. Also, NetMeeting, CU-SeeMe, Visual IRC '97 and Intel Internet Video Phone.
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Do I hear voices?
Free global telephone conversations over the Internet... how about that! And how about voice attachments to your E-mails?
This week Freetel and Pure Voice.
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Scheduling Downloads.
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. This week, Download Schedulers... Go!zilla and Net Vampire.
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Tricky Freeware Treats!
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. This week Halloween treats.
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Small is Beautiful : Part Four.
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. Netscape upgrades and a useful task utility StartUp Manager.
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Flu Season ?
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. Viruses, how to avoid these nasty little things.
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Allergy Attack!
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. If web pages and HTML make you sneeze, use what I do.
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Survival Kit!
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. Links to the best programs and sites. Lots of useful little things in a cheeky package!
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Old Faithful
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. This week, Multinet, a mail checking program and quite a few other things.
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Small is Beautiful Part Three
Weekly review of new and popular freeware programs. This week, Temp Free, UnFrag, and an up-date to Close Pop-Up
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Small is Beautiful : Part Two
weekly review of popular freeware programs. This week, Close Popup, Digita Organizer and Ball Master.
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Small is Beautiful: Part one
This weeks reviews : Transparent and Smart Cleaner
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Time Out
Time Out. A review of two useful utilities designed to help keep things cool : Rain & Waterfall.
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What's this Button for?
Cool Mouse 97. A review of this three button mouse utility and a profile of the author.
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Where's That Darn Bookmark?
URLMenu. Keep your web page bookmarks organised. A review and profile of the author
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A Kinder, Gentler, Start to the Day
NetLaunch. Get your Internet connection up and running. A review and profile of the author.
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Personalising Windows 95
Personalising Windows 95. More Properties, a useful program with a crazy author.
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Mission Statement
Reviews of the most popular freeware sites, programs and profiles of the author.
Where we go from here.
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Vampires - Part 2
Net Vampire. A review of this Freeware program accompanied by the story of the relocation of the Author & his family from the Ukraine to Canada.
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Vampires - Part 1
a program, an author, his family and the start of a journey.
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