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February 2005
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Tim Hoke is the Sr. Pastor at Faith Presbyterian Church, a long-time member of Alamo PC and an avid computer user who loves to try out new programs, especially shareware and freeware. He gets excited about a good deal. More than that, he enjoys sharing good deals with others. Why not send him a note about your favorite shareware or freeware programs. |
| This month I’ve included several shareware and freeware programs that I hope will interest you. Since spyware is an ever-increasing problem I start with a few programs that will help rid the evil spies from your computer. I follow that with some offerings that may just make your computer time more fun and useful.
Windows Anti-Spyware (beta) is a security technology that helps protect Windows users from spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Known spyware on your PC can be detected and removed. This program helps reduce negative effects caused by spyware, including slow PC performance, annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet settings, and unauthorized use of your private information. Continuous protection improves Internet browsing safety by blocking more than 50 ways spyware can enter your PC. The worldwide SpyNet community plays a key role in determining which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Microsoft researchers quickly develop methods to counteract these threats, which are automatically downloaded to your PC, so you stay up-to-date. Although I’ve mentioned Ad-Aware SE Personal before, I include it again because it is spectacular. I run it several times a week, and am I ever glad! Ad-Aware SE Personal is a popular utility from Lavasoft that finds adware and spyware on your computer. These are the nasty little programs that automatically report back to someone else (such as Aureate, Alexa, Comet Cursor, Gator (now renamed Claria), Lop.com, NetNanny &c.) about what you are doing with your computer and other system-crippling malware (such as Hotbar). Ad-Aware SE Personal Identifies files, cookies, and registry entries. Removal of stuff from your hard drive is entirely under your control. The new version adds upgraded heuristics that more effectively identify hidden or stealth items. Twice awarded PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice for anti-spyware software, Webroot Spy Sweeper 3.5 protects your PC from the consequences of spyware in two powerful ways. Proactive shields guard you against spyware before it infects your system, while an advanced detection process quickly finds and disables existing spyware infections so you can safely remove them without the risk of harming your PC. New Spy Sweeper 3.5 combines enhanced detection for the most vicious spyware, including CoolWebSearch, with sweep speeds that are now 30% faster. CWShredder 2.1 is a small utility for removing the nasty CoolWebSearch browser hijacker and its ever-changing variants from your hard drive.For 9x/NT/2K/XP. The tool specially made to remove the CoolWebSearch spyware/hijacker. CoolWebSearch has become so common (and CWShredder sufficiently refined) that it would behoove computer users to run this whenever they suspect possible parasite infestation. Google Deskbar enables you to search with Google from any application without lifting your fingers from the keyboard. Search your own computer with the power, ease, and speed of searching Google! You can preview search results in a small inset window that closes automatically. The program installs easily in your Windows taskbar. Note: Access Google from any application by typing Ctrl+Alt+G and use keyboard shortcuts for multiple Google searches--for example, Google News (Ctrl+N) or Google Images (Ctrl+I). Take the power of Google with you anywhere on the web with the Google Toolbar. It enables you to search the web from any site, block unwanted pop-up ads, fill in forms with just one click, search within the pages of any site and highlight the words you searched for on a page. The Google Toolbar is free and installs in just seconds. Get one click closer to the information you want to find. Download the Google Toolbar. Version 2.0.113 allows you to search by names instead of URLs in your browser's address bar. Will any other search engine in the world give you the results that a few seconds on Google will usually give you? I don’t think so. This bar builds a Google search field into your browser C and more. Probably its coolest feature is the option to search only on the present site C it will usually prove a far superior (and more user-friendly and faster) search tool than whatever search feature the visited site has. You may, however, want to disable the pop-up blocker and turn off the “Advanced Features” (which report some data back to Google). Add extras like the Page Rank and Page Info menu (and especially add the Search Site feature on the More options menu). The Windows Media Bonus Pack for Windows XP is stocked with utilities, PowerToys, visualizations, skins, sound effects, and much more for an enhanced experience. The bonus pack features tools like, Plus! MP3 Audio Converter LE offering the ability to double the amount of music you can store on your PC by converting your MP3 files to WMA, Windows Movie Maker Creativity Kit, futuristic media skins and more. Finally, if you are a clipart junkie you can get about 1000 pieces interesting clipart. for free at <>. |
Alamo PC Organization, Inc.
San Antonio, TX USA