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July 2003
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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. |
| Perhaps you were as impressed with the June edition of the PC Alamode as was I. Well, never fear, you can have some of that fancy stuff on your computer screen anytime you want it — for free. The first three freeware programs below detail this for you.
Zmatrix 1.4.8 is a desktop enhancement tool that creates the streaming character effect of "The Matrix" on your desktop. The program will blend with an existing background or be drawn over the top of it. Also, the program does not impede normal desktop operations. The program now has multi-monitor support and a screen saver mode. Turn off Active Desktop before using this application. Its from Happy Dude Inc. (how’s that for a name?)
The Matrix Screen Saver 1.06 emulates the matrix code and the movie introduction sequence seen in the popular film. According to the author, it was created “because of the official one is completely awful.” It’s available from Meticulous Software. Matrix Reloaded 3D Screensaver 2.0 is a screen saver that displays the Matrix code in eye-popping 3D. Not only does it have heaps of configuration options, including a countdown to the movie release, but the code also forms pictures from the upcoming movies, "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions." Like the others, it is free. Go to Useless Creations (another cool name).
EditPad Lite 4.5 is a convenient text editor and Notepad replacement. It has all the features a solid text editor needs. You can open as many files at a time as you want, with no arbitrary file size limit. Each file will have its own tab. You can convert between ANSI, ASCII, and Unicode, and work with Unix and Mac files. You can search and replace across all open files. It has unlimited undo and redo and powerful print preview. Weather Watcher 5.0.23 is a desktop weather station that resides in the system tray and automatically updates the weather at a specified interval of time. Weather Watcher allows you to receive weather updates from almost any city in the world. It gives you the current forecast, including the temperature, a "feels-like" temperature, dew point, humidity, wind, visibility, pressure, and the UV index value. It can also give you a 10-day forecast that includes the general conditions, temperature highs and lows, and expected UV penetration. The weather measurements can be displayed in metric or English units. Maybe the best feature is that it is ad-free, spyware-free and hassle-free, not to mention cost-free. Produced by Singles Creations. You might also consider Weather1 4.11 which keeps you posted on current weather conditions, forecasts, warnings, advisories, and satellite and radar images, including state-level radar. It features weather information from 5,500 different locations. It also features weather cams; worldwide locations; 10-day, 3-month, and 12-month outlooks; population and census information; and more. Unless you are one of these people with an elephant-like memory you have probably forgotten your username and/or password at least once. Whether you have one or many you can retrieve them easily with Any Password 1.3. It is an easy-to-use tool that lets you store and arrange all your passwords, user IDs, and related information in a tree form. The program saves this information in encrypted files, which can be protected by a password. So the only thing you need to remember is the password for the file. Any Password can also generate random passwords with specified parameters (length, used characters, and so on). You can find any stored information using the incremental search feature. Are you ever lonely? Do you need a friend? Well, the cyber world may be just for you. There is a cyber friend of your choosing at TalkingBuddy. Your new TalkingBuddy can do lots of things for you. It can announce the latest US weather and forecasts and read stock prices, warning you of changes. With TalkingBuddy you will never wonder what’s going on in the world because your new cyber friend will keep you updated on all major current events! It will even remind you of important events and dates! Unfortunately this is one friend that does not come free, but it is cheap. For a one-time charge of $39.95 you can have a new TalkingBuddy for keeps. . (For the record, I have not tried this program and don’t intend to. I enjoy my solitude!). Ever wonder where to go to find special deals and super discounts on stuff? Well, try going to intrastar. There’s a bunch of listings that might prove profitable for you. Technically, this is neither shareware, nor freeware, but I include it as a bonus tip! |
Alamo PC Organization, Inc.
San Antonio, TX USA