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SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS
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Josepha: |
...Holy Wars have been fought over word processing systems!
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Vernon: |
Imagine! Jihaad for Windows!
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Greg: |
Some people inevitably will swear that Jihad for the Mac works better.
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The following programs are all software that has been
discussed at some point on the mailing list. Many of these
sections contain direct-off-the-list comments, and the
operating system is indicated if known.
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- WinZip
- Niko Mak Computing (http://www.winzip.com/)
- The most popular Windows (95, 98, NT) utility for compressing and
archiving files. It can also handle TAR, gzip, UUencode, BinHex, and
MIME files. (Outside support for ARJ, LZH, and ARC compression.)
Many users zip their e-mail file attachments. The current version
is 8.0 (Windows 95/98/NT/2000), and the registration fee is US$29.
A Windows 3.x version is also still available. (Recommended by the masses)
- FreeZip
- Dariusz Stanislawek (http://www.ozemail.com.au/~nulifetv/freezip/)
- My personal favorite for PC is FreeZip, which is, as its name
implies, free. (Jane) See the site for more user comments.
- Conversions Plus
- DataViz (http://www.dataviz.com/)
- Conversions Plus can convert multiple word processor and data files
from one format to another. MacOpener (bundled with Conversions Plus,
but also sold separately) can open multiple Macintosh file formats
(from disks or CD-ROMs). Attachment Opener for e-mail attachments is
also bundled with Conversions Plus. This software can only be purchased
through software resellers (see the company's site for a list), and
costs around US$70. MacLinkPlus Deluxe is the company's Windows-to-Mac
equivalent product. Also note that Dataviz technical support has
no on-line service, and can only be reached by long-distance
telephone outside California. The upgrade price from earlier
versions is US$40. Note that this software has a really, really
aggressive system for guarding registration.
- MacDrive 2000
- Media4 Productions (http://www.media4.com)
- Windows Me, 98, 95, NT 4.0 and 2000, reads, writes, and formats
Macintosh disks on Win-compatible machines. The software costs US$60,
and can be ordered via the company website or through software resellers.
It's bundled with Aladdin DropIt and Expander. Favorable review of 98 version in
June 1998 Macworld Online,
and other reviews are linked on the company site. There's a trial
version online available for downloading. (If anyone is using this
software, let me know how you like it.)
One solution to file transfers is file storage/hosting services
like iDrive and Driveway--the only software required is a web browser.
There are a truckload of these available now. The amount of storage
ranges from 3 MB to unlimited MB. Most of them are free, others have
fee schedules. Most offer file sharing with password protection.
Most require a fairly up-to-date browser with graphics capability,
but some don't. You just have to shop.
LINKS TO FILE STORAGE SITES
-
Web-Based File Storage
- This is a list of links to file hosting services.
-
Net Lockers
- This is another list of links to file hosting services.
BROWSER DOWNLOAD MANAGERS
- GetRight (Windows)
- Headlight (http://www.getright.com/)
- Hilary: I use a cheap shareware package
called GetRight that seems to work very well. It sits in the background
and pops up I click on a download to ask if I want the file saved in
the usual place--in c:\myfiles\incoming, which I always do,
as that's what the virus scanners are set to default to--and all I do
is press Enter. GetRight will take over and manage the download, and
I can go on using the browser for other things. I can pause the
download (to do something else that wants the bandwidth or even to
sign off and use the phone for something else), and GetRight will
be able to start up exactly where it left off.
Dan W!: GetRight installs Aureate spyware by default,
for those who try the software (and see the ads) before they buy
it, but offers a button right in the Configuration panel for
registered (paid) users that removes the spyware completely. [See
the GetRight page
for details.] I love my GetRight. I hate spyware. GetRight with
the adware system removed is a dream. I think that Headlight, the
GetRight company, has been fairly open (and openly fair) about its
use of spyware to support its freeware, and very clear about the
fact that paid users never need to have the spyware go into action.
The first configuration panel a paid user sees has the Remove the
Ad System button on it. If the purchaser buys before downloading,
the downloaded version does NOT install the spyware system. It does
turn the screen dead black for an instant when a download finishes,
which is alarming the first time it happens--but then everything
proceeds normally so it isn't really a problem. [See "Security" below
for more details on spyware.]
SERVERS
- WFTPD (Winsock FTP Daemon)
- Texas Imperial Software (http://www.wftpd.com/)
- Freeware FTP (file transfer protocol) daemon that allows you to make
your PC into an FTP server when you are online (that is, others can use
FTP software to download or upload files direct to your PC directories).
WFTPD is available in 16- and 32-bit versions for Windows. Download the
program or order it from the website. Registration is US$20. (Recommended
by Dan Wilson. Check out his article "FTP
Tutorial" on his site.)
- GuildFTPD (http://guildftpd.ztnet.com)
- For Windows again, freeware made by hackers for hackers that
turns your PC into an FTP file server so that others can download
files from you. The site makes it seem complex, but it's actually
very easy to use, with a Windows-like interface. (I use this one. -vw)
CLIENTS
- FTP Voyager
- RinoSoft (http://www.ftpvoyager.com/)
- A popular shareware application for Windows 95/NT that
mimics the appearance of Windows Explorer, and allows
drag-and-drop file transfers for uploading and downloading
between your machine and the server (current v. 7.2). If you're
not certain what you're doing, this isn't a bad program to start
with. Download and registration available via company site. US$40.
- FTP Commander 2.30 / FTP Navigator 4.30
- Vista (http://www.vista.ru/2inter.htm)
- Freeware and shareware (respectively) FTP clients. Commander
is a basic, no-frills interface for transferring files. Navigator,
for Windows 95/98 and Windows NT 4.X users, has a more graphical
interface. The shareware version is $20.
- ICQ
- Mirabilis ICQ (http://www.icq.com/)
- ICQ (I-Seek-You) is a (currently) free download. The software
enables users to send messages, URLs, or files to other ICQ users.
Users can also chat while online. ICQ can also be used in conjunction
with Internet telephony software. Clients available for Windows
systems, Macintosh, PalmPilot, and Java. The current Windows 95
version is the 98a beta. (Recommended by Michael)
- IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
- mIRC (http://www.mirc.co.uk/)
- You can also send files to others who are sharing the same IRC
channels. (Go to this site for an explanation of IRC). You simply
connect to one of the server networks (there are several to choose
from), set up a channel with the /join #channelname command,
have your target user join this channel, then send the file using the
DCC Send option from the menu. You can "talk" to them at the
same time. This is shareware for Windows, but there are many, many
similar clients available for all operating systems; see the shareware
download sites.
Email Programs
- Eudora
- Qualcomm (http://eudora.qualcomm.com/)
- Email programs Eudora Pro (for Windows or Macintosh) and Eudora Light (freeware version).
Eudora supports multiple email accounts, and allows (among other things) text
attachments and filtering of incoming email. Eudora Light, the freeware
version, doesn't have as many options as the Pro version. You can download
all versions of the program at the company site. The Pro version can also
be purchased in boxed form (CD-ROM and manual) for about US$40 (check the
mail-order catalogs or business supplies stores such as Staples). Downloadable
upgrades are free. No one appears to admire the manual; the software does
take some time to learn. (Recommended or loathed by many. Me, I like it.)
- Proj Clock (Win)
- CyberMatrix
(http://www.cyber-matrix.com/)
- A simple time clock program that lets you punch in/out of projects and
generate reports. TraxTime is 32-bit program, designed for Windows 95, 98,
2000, and NT 4.0, that resides in the system tray. Shareware available as
downloadable evaluation copy with 30-day limit. Registration is US$25.
- MultiTimer Pro (Mac)
- Iron Software (http://www.ironsoftware.com)
- Karen says, "You can track up to 3 different projects simultaneously
(handy if,say, you want to track total time for a client as well as for
a specific project and subproject for that client). You can have the
timer start automatically when you open documents that you've specified,
or you can have MultiTimer Pro open specified documents when you start
the timer. It works even when the system crashes, i.e., the time up until
the crash is entered in your time log. (If you don't use Microsoft Word,
this feature might not be as important to you as it is to me! ;-) You
can optionally turn on a little floating timer window (available
in two sizes that you can toggle between) that stays on top, or not.
You can assign categories to each project and a separate hourly rate
to each category." Requires Macintosh OS, System 7.1 or later, and a
monitor displaying 16 grays or better. Review links, screenshots on the
site. Available for download, US$39.00 registration.
- TimeSlice Windows
- Maui Software (http://www.mauisoftware.com/)
- Pat says, "For tracking work time, I like TimeSlice (for Windows."
From the site: "Each time record contains start/stop date and time
values, as well as client, category, project, hourly rate and other
related information. All major functions are accessible via a tool bar,
and the main window can be reduced to a very small size. The time-tracking
data can be sorted, and exported to other software applications." See the
site for reviews and screenshots. Available for download, registration is US$40.
- TimeSlice Mac
- ADS Software (http://www.asdsoft.com)
- Mac OS 9, tracks project time and calculates billing. This is the
Mac version of the above program. Kate says, "It's beautiful and I
love it--the whole thing sits in a minimized floating window with stop,
start, and pause buttons, and you can assign each time entry a project
and a task category, as well as an hourly rate, expenses, and notes.
For those who are really into fooling around with this stuff, it also
exports tab-delimited text, so you can put entries into a spreadsheet
and tinker with them further if you so desire. Everything I need,
no more, no less. I imagine the Win version is just as nice." See
the site for screen shots and reviewer links. Available for download,
US$59 reqistration.
- TraxTime (Win)
- Spud City Software (http://www.spudcity.com/)
- A simple time clock program that lets you punch in/out of projects and
generate reports. TraxTime is 32-bit program, designed for Windows 95, 98,
Windows NT 4.0 and above only (current version 3.6). Jennifer says,
"I love Trax Time, a punch clock. It's shareware, so you can download
it (2.2 MB) and try it for free, but it makes you wait a bit each time
until you get around to registering it (adds a second to the wait time
every time you open it; I won't tell you how high it got before I
finally paid for it). It costs $19.50 to register."Shareware available
as downloadable fully functioning "nagware" evaluation copy. Regular
version (no disk) is $19.50, regular version with 3.5" or CD-ROM
is US$19.50 (download) $27.50 (CD-ROM). (Originally recommended by
Richard)
- WatchIT! (Mac)
- Hi Resolution (http://www.hi-resolution.com/)
- An automatic time monitoring system for Mac OS computers, and
features a "pause" for inactive periods. Requires Mac System 7.5
or better. Fully functioning, limited-time demo available for
download when you fill out user info on company site. The pricing
information isn't found anywhere on the site (in fact, the site
states that listing prices is "impractical"), so you have to ask
the company directly if you're interested in buying this program.
Susan says, "I use a program called WatchIt! It automatically
tracks what applications and windows are in use on your computer.
A demo is available for download. Unfortunately, the price is
not published on the Web, and I don't remember exactly how much
it was. It was reasonable, however."
- Clipboard Magic (Win)
- CyberMatrix (http://www.cyber-matrix.com/)
- The Windows clipboard holds one set of items at a time--
when you save a new item, the previous item is lost. Clipboard
Magic allows multiple items (such as text, URLs) to be saved
in the Windows clipboard for later retrieval, as collections
of items or as single items. Clipboard Magic is freeware--
no cost for downloading or using the program.
- Clipmate (Win)
- Thornsoft Development (http://www.thornsoft.com/)
- The Windows clipboard holds one set of items at a time--
when you save a new item, the previous item is lost. Clipmate
allows multiple items (such as text, graphics, URLs) to be saved
in the Windows clipboard for later retrieval, as collections of
items or as single items. You can make temporary files to group
your clipboard items, and edit those items while they are in
your clipboard file. Current 32-bit version ClipMate 5.2.03,
but older 16-bit version available for Windows 3.x. Shareware download
with free 30-day, "no nag" copy; full program costs US$20 (upgrades
start at US$10). (Recommended by TobyM)
(See also Clipboard Magic.)
- TextPad (Win)
- Helios Software Solutions (http://www.textpad.com/)
- A nifty Windows text editor in 16- and 32-bit editions (Windows 95,
Windows NT and Windows 3.1 with Win32s extensions). You can purchase a
copy of the latest release of both 16- and 32-bit editions on 3.5" diskette,
or you can download it for less. This is shareware/nagware. Download:
US$27.00 / UK17.00 (see site for current exchange rate). Multiple
language editions and spelling checker dictionaries are available.
It can also link up with HTML Validator (a separate program) and
check your HTML coding. (I use TextPad for this site, and pretty
much everything else in life.)
Security discussions come up once in a while, particularly
how much information the computer is broadcasting to the
Internet when one is logged on. This is a concern for dial-up
users, and it's an especial concern for those who use ADSL
or cable connections that are on for lengthy periods.
First, for a better idea of how your computer is doing,
try these sites:
- Gibson Research Corporation: Shields Up!
- (http://grc.com/)
- Click on the Shields Up! logo then follow the directions
to have your IP address scanned and your computer's ports probed.
This site also has tons of interesting things to read about
security.
- Privacy Net
- (http://www.privacy.net)
- Information pages and links on both Internet and
telemarketing programs. Includes a great deal of information
about web cookies and how to opt-out of marketer lists.
- AD-aware
- LavaSoft (http://www.lavasoft.de/)
- For those who don't have any of the suspected or known spyware
programs [programs installed with your software that "phone home"
to the corporations] and aren't sure how to know whether they have
spyware on their computers. download and install the freeware program
Ad-Aware 3.x. Periodically (especially after installing any new
software) run the program. Just click the button that says "Scan my
system." It'll report on any spyware it finds, and let you decide
what to do about it. Note: Some programs won't run without
spyware, because the developers of those programs make their money
from the ads they show you, and they need the input of the spyware
to select targeted advertising for you. If you have programs that
show you ads when you use them, you may well have spyware installed
and reporting on what ads you've seen and what ads you've responded
to. (Dan W!) Note 2: There's an archive of known spyware programs on the
AD-aware page. You can also try this site.
- Zone Alarm (Win)
- Zone Labs (http://www.zonelabs.com)
- Zone Alarm is a Windows firewall program for a personal computer
that "hides" your computer from the Internet while you're online. It
also detects programs that are attempting to transmit information
off your computer to the Internet (such as "spyware" programs--
software that reports back information to the company). It's
very easy to use, incidentally. This software is free for download
by individuals.
- Cookie Pal (Win)
- Kookaburra Software (http://www.kburra.com)
- Hillary's review: "It accepts or rejects cookies based on source as you
direct, either by specific name or by pattern (wildcards, duration of the
cookie), and also makes it easy to edit the files of existing cookies and
adjust your lists of accept/ reject filters. It's polite -- the default
value for its sound files is OFF, and its query about a cookie it can't
deal with starts off with 'please help me' (or words to that effect). It's
quick to download and has a nearly intuitive interface. And it's
shareware--took me only two days of the 30-day free trial to decide
it was well worth plunking down the $15 for a license."
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- MagicCookie Monster (Mac)
- Dr. Jon's Software (http://download.at/drjsoftware)
- Freeware for the Mac that allows you to selectively inspect
and delete cookies from Netscape. Requires system 7.5.5 or greater
(Mac OS 8.1 or greater recommended), 2MB free RAM, and Netscape
Navigator/Communicator, version 4.x or above. [Fran's using this one.
More cookie utilities at Version Tracker (see download sites).]
If you're looking for more places to download shareware and freeware,
here are some suggestions.
- Winfiles.com
- Shareware, freeware, demos, and drivers for Windows OS machines.
- Tucows
- Shareware and freeware for Windows 3.x/95/98/2000/NT, Java,
Linux, and Macintosh.
- Shareware.Com
- C|NET site for DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Novell, OS2,
UNIX, and Amiga shareware downloads.
- Jumbo Download Network
- Current Windows shareware and demos, with Macintosh, DOS,
UNIX, and Linux shareware archive.
- Version Tracker
- Macintosh shareware and freeware with user comments.
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