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Freeware Reviews - Mar 2000 |
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| Onscan v1.0b2
[2.0M] W9x/NT FREE
http://onscan.www.conxion.com/download/onscansetup.exe {Keep track of what's happening online} There's so much good stuff online, and you're missing most of it. Are you the type of person who likes to know when things happen? For example, if the prices for an expensive piece of hardware dropped, would you like to be notified? That's the idea behind Onscan. It integrates with IE and has a separate Outlook-like client window; you can keep your digital eyes peeled for the latest and greatest auctions, sales, etc. AINTX Toolset v1.3 [1.3M] WNT FREE http://user.mc.net/~jlh/aintx.zip "As any administrator knows, the native NT toolset is nothing short of abysmal. The Resource Kit is a slight improvement; what few tools exist are slow and awkward. Anyone who comes from a UNIX environment will be shocked at the totally dysfunctional state of affairs. The AINTX toolset aims to remedy some of these shortcomings. Yeah, there already exists a number of 3rd party administrative tools, but they tend to be expensive and adhere to Microsoft's notions of what is useful. This toolset has two advantages -- it's cheap and quite useful in day-to-day management." Cryptogram Puzzle Tool v3.0 [270k] W9x/NT FREE http://members.cftnet.com/ecsi/software/cptsetup.exe {Solve cryptopuzzles more easily} WZYYBGIOX. No, that's not a new technoterm; it's part of a word puzzle in today's paper. My mind can't think three dimensionally; I need a little help. Okay, if I change all the 'X's to 'M's, what'll happen? Plug the brain teaser into this tool and start flying through games. Of course, use it only when you're positively stumped. Otherwise, what's the point in playing? Ya know they say: if you can't SKLD 'em, UQAW 'em. Mihov Gallery Creator v0.8.7 [373k] W9x/NT FREE http://miha.hypermart.net/dl/GalleryCreator.zip {Create page-to-page navigation} Having a Mavica is wonderful, but I don't have time to create special HTML documents so that my visitors will have an easy time browsing through an uploaded collection. By using this program, Web pages can be automatically generated -- each one containing a picture and links to the previous and next page. Tweak the colors, fonts, page titles, and file names; when you're finished and ready to rock, it'll even FTP 'em for ya. eSafe Desktop v2.2 b24 [10.0M] W9x/NT FREE ftp://ftp.esafe.com/pub/products/esd22.exe "'In light of the resent Distributed Denial of Service vandals that hijacked computers of innocent users and used them to launch the attack on several high-profile Internet sites, we believe we can help make the Internet a safer place by offering our Desktop product free of charge to home users,' said Shimon Gruper, Aladdin's Executive Vice President for Internet Technology. 'eSafe Desktop 2.2 offers the most pre-emptive digital asset protection on the market. It snares malicious vandals before they can cause irreparable damage or access confidential information on a user's machine.'" Elektra v0.90b [498k] W9x FREE http://www.binaryspells.com/elektra.zip {Clone of a classic video game} Tetris, Pac Man, Donkey Kong... Qix. Nah, it wasn't THAT popular, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Do you remember the PC game 'Jezzball' (which came with a Microsoft Entertainment Pack)? Here's a variation. In a linear fashion, you need to section off portions of the game grid as you go (eventually completing X% of the playing field). Avoid the randomly bouncing 'line conglomeration' and walking sparks. I play it for Qix. ArBPM v1.02 [135k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/9200/arbpm102.zip {Beats per Minute counter} Measuring devices are aplenty. You can use a ruler to ascertain the distance between two points, a scale to discover how much weight you've gained in the past two weeks, and a skinnable program to measure the beats per minute. It's not automated, but you can use it in a variety of situations. By hitting any key, you can effectively measure your typing speed, monitor your heart beat, or the music beat. Make your own skins, too! IomegaWare v2.2.1 [15.6M] W9x/NT FREE ftp://download.iomega.com/pub/english/w32_iom221_en.exe "[This] includes our most popular software programs, including Iomega QuikSync; IomegaWare Commander; and Backup 4.0, the enhanced combination of Iomega's 1-Step Backup and Backup97 applications. IomegaWare(tm) 2.2.1 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, Windows NT(r) 4.0, and Windows 2000. Note: this download is compatible with all Iomega drives except Clik! Parallel Port and ZipCD drives. IomegaWare 2.2.1 is not compatible with RecordIt software, and will uninstall RecordIt software if previously installed on your system." Functor v2.5 [269k] W9x/NT FREE http://functor.hypermart.net/fnsetup.exe {Create 3D mathematical graphics} Functor. Almost sounds like a villain from He-Man? Indeed, this sucker is strong. At one time, I had a calculator that did fractions, but it couldn't handle graphic interpretations of mathematical formulas. I'd like to see a handheld device do what this download does; feed it some numbers then manipulate the generated model to view it from any angle. Visual learners (like myself) really appreciate seeing these graphs. Desktop Writer v2.2 [1.9M] W9x FREE http://www.callnetuk.com/home/dcsoftware/files/DWriter.exe {Word processor for younger children} 'No, this is daddy's program. You can't use it because you might mess up the settings.' Old enough to master the alphabet, too young to understand how to use advanced software. Then again, did your seven-month-old set up your PC when you got it? Kids have the right to type, too. They may need bigger buttons (and less options); this proggie was designed with them in mind. Who knows -- maybe you'll like it just as much? Dependency Walker v2.0b5 [409k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.dependencywalker.com/depends20beta5_x86.zip "Dependency Walker is a free Microsoft utility that scans any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows module (exe, dll, ocx, sys, etc.) and builds a hierarchical tree diagram of all dependent modules. For each module found, it lists all the functions that are exported by that module, and which of those functions are actually being called by other modules. Another view displays the minimum set of required files, along with detailed information about each file including a full path to the file, base address, version numbers, machine type, debug information, and more." SetSound v0.11 [19k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.maddogsw.com/setsound/setsound.zip {Easier sound event setting} How can you stand hearing that WAV every time you minimize an application? Yeah, I know -- Microsoft didn't make it simple enough to set sound events. Click Start, open the Control Panel, find the Sounds icon... ugh. It'd be much simpler to find the WAV I wanted to use and assign it an event from its context menu. The process is easy, intuitive, and integrated. Thank goodness this author is operating on the same WAV-length. Select All v4.00.0111 [474k] W9x/NT FREE ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/win95/fileutl/sall0111.zip {Alternative file selection method} What kind of keyboard do you use? It doesn't matter... as long as you get your job done. Are you using any mouseless shortcuts? Ya know, like CTRL+A? In most applications, this will trigger the 'Select All' function. Would you rather work from a context menu? With this add-on, you can click on an object, right-click on it, and have the 'Select All' option. This puppy will highlight every object in that particular folder. Borland C++ Compiler v5.5 (FREE) http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/freecompiler/ "For years, millions of developers worldwide have relied on the speed and quality of the Borland C/C++ compiler. Over a decade of development went into the creation of this best of breed, high-performance, C++ compiler, making it the most flexible and scalable in the world. Millions of world-class commercial software applications, mission-critical corporate applications and embedded systems have been built using Borland's C++ compiler technology. This revolutionary C++ technology is now freely available to C++ developers worldwide." MP3 Space Maker v1.2 [403k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.215tech.com/downloads/spcmkr12.exe {Duplicate MP3 finder} It's hard to believe that I had less than 10 MP3s just a few weeks ago. With all those records I never purchased cassettes for, and all those cassettes I never purchased CDs for... I've got music. Who could ask for anything more? Me! A clean digital format and no duplication. Your MP3 collection probably has a few dupes, too -- don't shuffle through them on your own; this will help you clean house. Gotta go burn another CD now. Timed FTP v1.1 [155k] W9x/NT FREE http://mikrobitti.fi/~jms/shsoftware/timedftp/timedftp.zip {Automate your FTP processes} More and more, we're finding applications which are Internet aware. What does this mean to us? Easier updating, for one. But what if we'd like to upload a file every X minutes? A screen shot, HTML document, Webcam image, log file, etc.. Set up automatic transfers through this FTP timer (which is still in early development stages). The only thing you really need to do is download and configure it to your liking. Oh, so tough. Email Scanner v1.0 [132k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.surfuk.freeserve.co.uk/emailsc.zip "It scans through emails and extracts all the email addresses found within. These can be outputted to a text file, either line separated or separated by semicolons so it can be pasted into the 'To:' box of your mail client. It can take input from text files and .EML files (created when you drag a message from Outlook to the desktop); this is he easiest way of using the program. I have used this method in the past to notify many people at once of virus hoaxes they have received which end up being forwarded to me." Guitar Sidekick v1.1 [2.7M] W9x/NT FREE http://tds.simplenet.com/mirror/GS110win.exe {Learn to play the guitar} While having six fingers (on one hand) is out of the ordinary, six strings is just right for strumming. Grab your pick and turn on your brain for a little while; you're gonna be exposed to the world of chords and finger placement. Even accomplished guitarists can use this finely-tuned program. Always wanted to be part of a rock and roll band? Well, you're gonna need a marketable skill (not everybody can be the lead singer). eCleaner v2.01 [443k] W9x/NT FREE http://members.tripod.com/schin26/clean201.exe {Strip extraneous garbage from e-mails} By now, you've heard of a utility called 'The Cleaner.' No? Well, this is the same program; it sports a new name as well as other small enhancements. Situation: you get a forwarded e-mail message with a zillion '>' symbols in it. Solution: copy/paste the entire message into this program. On top of stripping out the 'greater thans,' it'll get rid of the carriage returns made in the middle of sentences. It sparkles! Explorer Launcher v1.0 [30k] W9x/NT FREE http://members.xoom.com/continuum2/exlnch10.zip "Windows Explorer defaults to opening in the C:\ drive. Those with multiple drives, or a folder they frequently use, would like to start elsewhere. So, 'where do you want to go today?' With this utility, you can choose the 2-pane window or the 1-pane window when you open My Computer. Checking the "Show only this folder" box will allow you to access that folder as the root. The "Show all drives" option is very useful for people with multiple drives, as no drive is expanded by default." Wave Splitter v1.00 [219k] W9x/NT FREE http://claudiosoft.online.fr/wavexe.zip {Lengthy WAV file slicer} When I first started downloading stuff from the Internet, I wouldn't touch any archive over 200k; it was too large. Nowadays, with easily accessible data storage options, I don't worry about file size anymore. Unfortunately, there are some beasts out there. If you want quality, you're gonna have to sacrifice the space. But you won't need a fancy editor to carve a large WAV file; minimize memory usage by trimming with this util. PhoneTrack v1.0 [2.4M] W9x/NT FREE http://thuanvvodata.homepage.com/softwaredownloads/phonetrack.zip {Keep track of your phone usage} Hon, will you get that? I'm on the computer. Hon? Aw, jeez... "Hello?" Why are people still using the phone to communicate with one another? When I feel like talking, I'll e-mail ya. On the phone, we'd have more opportunities to get off topic (and waste time). When you're paying by the minute for phone service, it's even more important to keep an eye on the clock. How much will you owe at month's end? Hopefully, not much. NetPong v0.2ß [263k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.uselesscreations.com/NETPong/netpong.zip {Network-playable classic Pong game} Think back to a much simpler time, when sideburns and killer collars were all the rage. Well, I suppose they're still 'groovy' today, but... well, that just makes this game all the more fun! Move your player up and down and block that dot -- you're playing against someone else on another computer. You won't be distracted by the graphics (and if you are, you really need to get out more). Would you like to play a game? FAQ-Man v1.01a [4.0M] W9x/NT FREE http://www.faq-man.com/download/faqm101a.zip {Frequently Asked Questions editor} I can't begin to count the number of e-mail messages I receive on a daily basis. Most of them are questions that I don't have the time to answer. Perhaps there needs to be a true Lockergnome FAQ? And you know, it took the development of this program to motivate me enough to compile such a document. They've been in use for years on Usenet; just about every "community" has one. Just read the freakin' manual. 3D Color Changer 3000 [583k] W9x FREE http://jotenet.koti.com.pl/files/3dcc-en.zip {The ultimate Windows color tweaker} Yes, the W9x interface is somewhat attractive. But even with the Display dialog, you can't tweak every color setting. Jan came along and allowed us to tweak every possible pixel with his program. This, without a doubt, is a MUST HAVE. I'm astonished at how big a difference a single color can make; my favorite scheme is 'Win 3D.' Make your environment as soft, hard, or three dimensional as you want it to be. PATTY v1.0 [874k] W9x/NT FREE http://homestead.juno.com/kapsystems/files/patty.zip {Ad-based eBay auction manager} I love sitting in the middle of the mall and screaming 'Buy, buy, buy!' into my cell phone. Not really, but wouldn't that be fun? You can get rid of any knick knack on the 'Net (thanks to auction sites). When you start selling several items at one time, it's time to hire a manager; allow me to introduce PATTY. She'll automate and organize auction tasks so that you can concentrate on getting that stuff sold. Dynacursors v2.0 [1.4M] W9x FREE http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/win95/cursors/dyna20.zip {Change your pointer automatically} Is the plain, white arrow too depressing? That's why you'll find thousands of replacements floating around on the Web. In fact, the Lockergnome logo is based off a cursor I created for Gretchen in 1994. Even with all the different 'arrow' variations out there, we usually stick with one for an extended period of time. At specified intervals, this toy will change your cursor to something new. Totally dynamic. HTML Shrinker v1.07 [1.4M] W9x/NT FREE ftp://ftp.i-us.com/pico/tools/HTMLShrinker10Setup.zip {Tighten your HTML code} We're still living in the world of slow Internet access, unfortunately. Until that statistic changes, we coders have to remain cognizant of crummy connections. Nothing will bloat a text file more than blank spaces (yes, they do count). Strip out as many of them as possible with this utility; you'll be saving yourself a considerable amount of space (no pun intended). This is the perfect companion for WYSIWYG editors. UMBPCI v3.12 [22k] DOS FREE http://www.uwe-sieber.de/files/umbpci_e.zip "UMBPCI is a hardware UMB driver for DOS and Win95; it extends the HIMEM.SYS of DOS or Win95 by the function 'Request XMS UMB' (these are the 240 Bytes which stay in memory). EMM386 does the same thing if you load it with the parameter 'noems' or 'ram.' UMBPCI makes UMBs from disabled memory (intended as Shadow RAM). [It] enables this memory and disables its write protection; the binary needs only 240 Bytes of low memory. EMM386 creates the UMBs from your XMS-memory." Jasc Trajectory Pro v0.1 [4.2M] W9x/NT FREE http://www3.jasc.com/pub/trj010ep.exe {Scalable Vector Graphics editor} Long gone are the days when 'bold' was the only HTML tag worth using. Graphics, however, haven't evolved that much since the advent of the Web. GIFs are limited to 256 colors, JPGs use a lossy compression, and nobody uses PNGs. A new format is emerging: SVG (an open-standard spec for high-quality vector graphics and animation). So, how can you create and edit these new images? With this very early prototype. Font Matcher v1.1b [148k] W9x/NT FREE http://teleline.terra.es/personal/infern0/fontmatcher.exe {Revolutionary font face finder} My, that's quite a unique typeface; what's it called? "I can't remember." It looks original, how could you recall its name? "It's not my fault; I have hundreds of TTFs." You're far from alone. Fontaholics fill up folders fast, but they often forget what each face is named. Take a bitmap of any font character and this program will compare it to the fonts in your collection. It'll display every possible match. ACVT v1.10 [41Kb] DOS FREE http://www.whitetown.com/download/acvt_win.zip "The ACVT program (Archive Converter) is a converter of archives. The program supports practically any archive type, if you have appropriate archivers on hand. The default archive type is set by the user. ACVT extracts files from the source archive and packs them into the new archive, removing the original archive -- provided the output archive was successfully created. To adjust the program, simply edit the configuration file." Toys v1.0 [4.4M] W9x/NT FREE http://www.idf.net/gods/demos/gds-toys.zip {Independent short film} I usually can't sit still for the duration of an animated demo. Why? Because I'm waiting to play a game or run an application. That being said: this mini-movie kept me riveted. There's no plot, per se, but it's fun. It wasn't created by a highly-paid team from some faceless corporation, but that doesn't mean its quality was sub-par. If this is providing a glimpse into the future of independent digital films... wow. AquaBook v1.5 [5.9M] W9x/NT FREE http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/win95/hobby/aquabk15.zip {Aquarium maintenance toolkit} Some people count fish as pets. But, my definition requires that one actually be able to PET a pet in order for it to be labeled as such. With this organizer, you can keep track of your different aquarium stats; monitor water conditions, record inhabitant details, diagnose and treat common diseases, consult the aquarist glossary, calculate tank requirements, etc.. You could say it's a 'sink or swim' situation. 8085 Simulator v1.2.1 [2.1M] W9x/NT FREE http://members.xoom.com/amanb/Programs/sim8085.zip "[This] is intended for people learning to program the Intel 8085 microprocessor. It includes an integrated assembler, simulator, and a nifty debugger... [in] a slick-looking interface." Of course, this tool wasn't created for all geeks; it's more for the downloader who has everything. Further your education not by reading white papers, but by delving into a classic system. Sure, it's no MMX or Pentium III, but it gets the job done. Programmer: challenge thyself! CoolDecode v1.3 [623k] W9x/NT FREE http://members.xoom.com/QuinqSoft/files/CoolDecode.zip {Turn MP3s back into WAV files} For whatever reason, MP3s have shaken the very foundation of the music industry. Decentralization of control (besides inevitable) is eminent. Why were WAVs not as worrisome? Their size and portability were improbable. Turning a WAV into an MP3 file is easy, but what about reversing the process? It's cool with this decoder. Point, click, and reverse its format. Your hard drive won't be as happy, but you may be. Free Translator v1.0c [232k] W9x FREE http://lightning.prohosting.com/~sysvga/tra/tra10eng.zip {Perform Desktop language translations} Ever have that dream when you're back in Spanish class trying to translate a difficult document? "Donde esta mi tequila?" If only I had this software and an Internet connection; I could quickly translate sentences between English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, and Italian. Now, the translations won't be perfect, but they may get you far enough to understand the basics. Ponite libros sub sella! Anaglyph Maker v1.00 [354k] W9x/NT FREE http://member.nifty.ne.jp/siplanet/anamk100.zip {Quickly create dual-picture stereograms} Cross your eyes and you can watch your 2D image walk into the third dimension... or so they say. Akin to random-dot stereograms, this classic optical illusion has been around for decades. Remember the stereoscope? You'll have to improvise the hardware, but the transformation of your images is a breeze with this tool. Just keep your non-dominant eye straight and cross the other one. Yes, it works. BehindTheAsterisks v1.0 [1k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.direct.spb.ru/bta.zip {Reveal certain Windows passwords} This powerful (and insightful) program, if put into the wrong hands, could become a destructive tool. However, I trust you'll use it strictly on a personal level. We plant passwords all over our operating system, but we may forget one or two of them along the way. The asterisks will echo, but you can't see what sits beneath them in a Windows dialog without a utility like this one. Jog your memory in a flash. Lava Lamp v1.0.0.4 [223k] W9x/NT FREE http://gitd.purespace.de/downloads/Lava.zip {Shagadellic Destkop toy} Welcome to my pad. You might notice the paisley wallpaper in the background (on top of the paneling). I tried to expedite the lava lamp heating process, but it wound up melting in the microwave. To say the least, I was bummed; my trip was totally ruined. Like, then I found this gizmo that turned my life around. I didn't have to plug it in and it started grooving immediately. It may be tiny, but it's lavaliscious. Motherboard Monitor 4.16 [1.2M] W9x/NT
FREE http://www.lightspeed2000.com/downloads/MBM416.zip {Uncover detailed mobo information} Does your motherboard melt when you try to send a FAX? Perhaps you don't have proper airflow in there; a fan may be stuck, or you may have inconspicuous holes in your casing. Heat is bad for your PC; it's the cause of too many hardware failures. What's the best way to watch voltages, fan speeds, and CPU & system temperature? That's a rhetorical question; this program will show you what's going on in there. Moorhuhnjagd v1.0 [3.2M] W9x FREE http://phenoserver3.regioconnect.net/moorhuhn/mh.exe {Virtual grouse hunting} Grab your camouflage mousepad and come with me; you won't have to get up before the crack of dawn to win this game. Don't take yourself too seriously, though; this e-hunting expedition is all in fun. Blast as many birds out of the sky as you can within 90 seconds. There's no second level, so you better make your bullets count. With an unlimited supply of ammo, that shouldn't be a problem. Look -- there goes one now! VIT iRates v4.0 [749k] W9x FREE http://www.vitsoftware.com/download/irates4.zip {See international currency rates} I'm fortunate in the sense that I deal with American currency 99.9% of the time. However, international gnomies and the average business traveler aren't as lucky. There are many monies out there, but can you always keep up with the current currency rates? Unless your clairvoyant, I doubt it. As much as technology changes on a daily basis, so does the value of money. This could be an expensive lesson to learn. Mouse House v1.0 [227k] W9x/NT FREE http://www.mouse-house.co.uk/mousehouse.pdf {Keep your peripheral comfy at night} Did you ever stop to consider your computer pet's feelings? You play with your mouse all day, but when it's time to shut down, you leave it sitting there. Alone. Motionless. Cold. This year, give it the gift of a home. As long as you have Adobe's Acrobat Reader installed, you can download and print out a nice house for your deserving mouse. Keep it content! Garage optional -- you know, for its driver? Credit Card Checker v1.2 [569k] W9x/NT FREE ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/simtelnet/win95/business/ccchck12.zip {Verify credit card numbers} Don't fall into the credit trap; before you know it, you'll be paying off your debts with cards with debts with other cards. Moving beyond irresponsibility, when you want to perform virtual credit card transactions, it's good to know when the given sequence of numbers are real. This shouldn't be your only verification tool, but it may help you avoid unpleasant situations (delays in shipping, credit card fraud). MP3 CD Organizer v2.0 [117k] W9x/NT FREE http://hem.passagen.se/logge/coder/cdorg20.zip {Keep track of all your MP3 files} I've actually filled up a couple of CDs with MP3s (it's easy to do). This way, I can access all my 'favorites' without changing discs. However, I'm afraid I won't be able to find the song I'm searching for when my personal collection leaps into the double digits. Never fear, an organizer has appeared. It operates as a standalone application, but works well with Winamp. Dance to the beat that you like best. |
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Copyright 1998 - 2002 Mark Oberg, All rights reserved. |
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Techweenies.com and Top-Techsites.com are Copyright 1998-2007 Mark Oberg All Rights Reserved |
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