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BOOT CAMP 024
ESSENTIAL SHAREWARE, PART 2
Armed with good virus scanner and decompression utilities
you and your PC are now ready to experience the wonderful word of shareware.
We've collected together ten popular titles that should be on every Windows 95
PC. With several thousand programs to choose from it has been a difficult
choice. Experienced shareware fans and Windows 95 users will doubtless have
their own favourites, please let us know about them and we'll try to include
them in a future edition of Boot Camp.
A quick recap of the ground rules before we begin. Shareware
is freely distributed on the understanding that if you continue to use the
program after the trial period has elapsed you should register, and where
necessary pay for it. If you're downloading files from the Internet, run them
through your virus checker before opening. Wherever possible download the
program from the originating site. Although we've tried the programs, we cannot
accept any responsibility for them; if you have any queries please direct them
to the author or publisher, rather than us.
1. Blackboard File Wipe 2.1, Blackboard Software, Shareware,
710kb, Zip
Did you know that when you delete something from your PC,
all that happens is the contents listing on the disc drive is removed, the
actual data remains and can be recovered? If your PC contains private or
sensitive files, that you don't want anyone else to see, this could be a
problem. Blackboard File Wipe makes
sure nothing is left behind by overwriting the files, preventing even the most
sophisticated recovery tools from prying into your business.
ftp://shareware.alberts.com/Win95/bwipe30.zip
2. CardBase 2.6, Software by Design, Shareware, 30-day
trial, 196kb, Zip
The Card File address book and phone dialler utility in
Windows 3.1 was much missed when Windows 95 was launched. CardBase is a new,
uprated replacement, with all of the features of Card File plus additional
enhancements. These include space for E-mail, Internet and fax numbers, there's
room for notes and it will automatically log phone useage. CardBase can store up
to 4000 records and it can be password protected, to prevent unauthorised
access.
http://www.execpc.com/~sbd/CARDBASE.ZIP
3. Eudora Lite 3.03, Qualcomm Software, Freeware, 4.46Mb,
Zip
Arguably the best Internet mail handling program. The 'lite'
version contains everything you need to process your E-mail, including mail
boxes and a scheduler, to regularly check if there's any new mail waiting for
you. The comprehensive address book keeps track of contacts and it has
sophisticated audio capabilities, to warn you mail is waiting and add voice
attachments.
http://eudora.qualcomm.com/freeware
4. HotDog Express 1.7, Sausage Software, shareware, 1000-day
trial, 3.5Mb Zip
If you've been following our short series on how to create
your own Internet Web site you will know how simple it can be. HotDog Express
makes it even easier, no need to learn HTML or complicate codes as it comes
with a set of ready prepared templates, backgrounds and graphics, that you can
modify to your own requirements. There's a built-in viewer, so you can see what
your site will look like, when it is up and running. The only limitation is
that you cannot upload web pages, until it is registered.
http://www.sausage.com
5. Make Your Own Screen Saver, Preferred Computer Services,
Shareware, 15-day trial, 570kb, Zip
If you've ever wanted to create your own custom screen saver
try this simple little program. Once installed it operates from the Screen
Saver tab on the Display icon in Control Panel. Simply choose the image of your
choice and it's instantly transformed into a moving screen saver. There are
more than a dozen display options, including float, wipe, zoom and blocks.
Endless fun and it's very easy to use.
http://www.customsavers.com/download.htm
6. Microangelo, Impact Software, Shareware, 30-day trial,
473kb. Zip
Described as the 'Swiss Army Knife' of tools for your
desktop, it allows you to modify and design icons and eye-catching cursors.
Facilities include paint, draw, colour and animation. It is very easy to use
and within minutes you'll be creating your own coloured mouse pointers and
wacky icons. http://www.impactsoft.com/muangelo/
download/muadnld.html
7. PaintShop Pro 4.14, Jasc Software, Shareware 30-day
trial, 2.92 Mb, Zip
This is without doubt one of the most versatile graphics
programs on the market, comparable with commercial products selling for
significantly more than the £46 registration fee. It can handle dozens of
different image file formats, with the facility to convert from one file type
to another. There's an extensive range of drawing and colour tools, images can
be edited, re-sized and manipulated with re-touching and cloning brushes.
PaintShop Pro is very well presented and easy to use. It's quite large, so be
prepared for a longish download, or seek out the magazine CD-ROM versions,
which appear from time to time.
www.jasc.com
8. Powertoys, Microsoft, Freeware, 204kb
Powertoys is a collection of Windows 95 utilities designed
to give you more control over your operating system. Microsoft created it and
it is distributed as Freeware, but they do not support it. The most useful
element is Tweak UI, which will appear in your Control Panel. It has a huge range
of functions, including automatically emptying History and cache folders,
cleaning up the Add/Remove list and getting rid of those annoying little arrows
on shortcut icons. You can also control screen resolution and open desktop
icons from the taskbar. Installation is a little tricky, so read the
instructions, but once you have it, you won't ever want to be without it.
www.microsoft.com/windows/
download/powertoys.exe
9. Space Hound 2.0.479, Fineware Systems, shareware, 4.1Mb,
Zip
Sooner or later you are going to run out of space on you
hard disc drive. Space Hound identifies and searches out redundant, unused and
duplicate files then deletes them, if they're no longer required. The program will
also track down disconnected shortcuts and severed links, listing all target
files by size, date and type.
http://www.fineware.com
10. Spam Exterminator 3.2, Unisyn, shareware, 1.3Mb, Zip
If you're irritated by unwanted E-mails then this versatile
program can help you filter them out. It allows you to specify rules --
headers, addresses, subject etc. -- that recognises and deletes messages. It
can also be used to send a message back to the spammer or their ISP, to ask them
not to do it again! Simple to set up and use.
http://www.unisyn.com/spamex
JARGON FILTER
Cloning Brush
Graphics tool for touching up photographic images, by
picking colours and textures from adjacent areas of the picture, to hide or
mask features
HTML
Hypertext mark-up language, text-based codes and
instructions used to compose Internet web pages
SPAM
Junk E-mail and it can be just as annoying as the stuff that
comes through your letterbox
TOP TIP
You can easily change the font and size of the typeface used
by Windows 95 for Explorer and icon labelling. It's worth trying if you find it
difficult to read, you're using an unusually large or small monitor, or you
simply bored with the default typeface. Right click your mouse on an empty
space on the desktop and select Properties, when the Display window appears
click on the Appearance tab. In the drop-down menu marked Item, choose Icon.
You will then be able to select a new typeface from the Font menu.
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