|
I’ve been traveling the shareware/freeware highway and here are some
interesting finds. I hope you enjoy them!
Yahoo Messenger (formerly known as Yahoo
Pager) is a free service that allows
you to see when friends come online and send them instant messages. It
can also alert you to new e-mail in your Yahoo Mail or Yahoo Personals
account, or when you have upcoming events recorded in Yahoo Calendar. Yahoo
Messenger offers firewall support, a standby mode that minimizes the program
until an Internet connection is made, the ability to save and print your
conversations, and a tabbed interface that provides quick access to your
favorite stocks, news, and sports scores. Other features include the ability
to create a chat room automatically, stock price alerts, the ability to
send messages to friends even if they're not online when you are, a Quick
Compact mode that hides the Messenger tools to maximize your viewing area,
Messenger Themes, the Online Presence, a small HTML "button" you can put
onto your Web site to allow your Yahoo buddies to instantly see if you
are online, and voice chat, which allows you to talk free
to anybody else on the Internet. If you have a microphone and speakers,
you can talk to other people on Yahoo with no long-distance charges. Using
a Webcam, you can see who you are chatting with, or view the Webcam of
any Yahoo member who has granted you access. Version 5.0 introduces IMVironments,
custom themes that you can add as backgrounds to your messaging window.
Yahoo Messenger
LimeWire is a software tool that enables
peer-to-peer file sharing on the Gnutella Network. Similar to the popular
Napster service, it enables the sharing, searching, and downloading of
MP3 music files. LimeWire also lets users share and search for all types
of computer files, including movies, pictures, games, and text documents.
Other features include the ability to push uploads and downloads, BearShare
QHD compatibility, the ability to measure the speed of remote hosts and
preview files while downloading, and a chat feature. Previous updates added
the ability to send and receive metadata queries for more precise category-specific
searching. Version 2.4.3 adds better and easier ways to search and makes
significant changes the interface. This download includes additional applications
that are bundled within the software's installer file, some of which may
be provided by parties other than the developer of this download. These
applications may deliver advertisements, collect information, overlay content
or graphics on the Web site you are viewing, or modify your system settings.
As with all downloads, CNET recommends that you pay close attention to
the options presented to you during the installation process. Known third-party
applications bundled with this download include Cydoor.
Free from ZDNet
Exit Killer Popup Terminator 3.0 prevents
any unwanted pop-up windows from generating on your computer screen. Based
upon the sensitivity level chosen, it can detect and block a variety of
the commonly-used advertising windows from running, while the highest sensitivity
prevents any and all pop-up windows from appearing. This download works
with Internet Explorer, Netscape, and AOL browsers. It provides a 10-day
trial; if you decide to keep it the cost is $29.95.
ZDNet
Download Accelerator 5.0 is a download accelerator/manager
that can increase download speeds by up to 300 percent. It features multi-server
connections to provide the best possible performance from your dial-up
or broadband connection. Download Accelerator can also recover from lost
connections, computer shutdowns, and other errors. This program even searches
for mirror sites to maximize your download performance. It integrates fully
into Internet Explorer, Netscape (including Netscape 6.x), and Opera, supports
proxy servers, features automatic hang up after download completion, download
scheduling, dial-up configuration, an AlwaysResume feature that will resume
broken downloads from servers that do not support resume functions, and
more. The newest version includes a convenient toolbar that integrates
with Internet Explorer and includes a file leecher, downloadable link highlighter,
integrated search bar, and more. DAP 5.0 also features the ability to import
and export downloads lists, operate triggered sounds, password management,
and the option to save files to different folders based on their file extension.
Free from Speedbit
When I built my office I put a waterfall outside my window so I could
see the water plummet into a beautiful pool. At home I do not have
the same beauty — until now. Enter Living Waters
Now, in my study at home I can be transported to a beautiful Tasmanian
waterfall. Russell Falls comes alive on my desktop as never before.
Download version 1.2 be soothed by the sound and motion of cascading water
along with the calls of local wildlife." It’s only seven bucks!
ZDNet
WebFerret 4.0 provides a handy and efficient
way to find information on the Web. It's fast, easy to use, and available
from your desktop and from the Search Web option. Enter your search words
and choose from four radio buttons: all keywords, any keyword, exact phrase,
or boolean expression. WebFerret will use your Internet connection to query
popular search engines and will return an unlimited number of hits. You
can validate selected results, save your search history, and filter out
pornography and foul language. Advanced features let you set the closeness
of the match and remove duplicates. The results are returned as a sortable
list. Just double-click on a link to bring up your browser and launch the
page. The latest version adds several new features, including improved
speed and performance, a new uninstaller, bug fixes, and a new toolbar
that integrates seamlessly with Internet Explorer. This free software contains
advertising technology that will occasionally use your Internet connection
to receive and display banner ads. The professional version does not include
advertising and supports more advanced search features.
Free from Ferret
|