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Shareware
Quick Links...
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Anti-virus |
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avast! from ALWIL Software
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this link will begin the
download) |
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avast! 4 Home Edition is a FREE full-featured antivirus package
designed exclusively for home users. It provides constant
protection against viruses and will automatically update your
virus files.
Cost: Free |
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AVG Antivirus from Grisoft
Download
link |
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This antivirus program not only protects your computer against
viruses, worms and malicious code - it's free! AVG AntiVirus
allows you to scan on demand or at scheduled times. It also
features an e-mail scanner that supports most e-mail programs
such as Outlook Express and Eudora.
Cost: Free |
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Firewalls |
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Outpost Firewall from Agnitum
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this link will begin the download) |
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The free version of Outpost Firewall offers a basic protection
solution for casual web surfers and low budget systems. There
is also a "Pro" version with more robust features.
Cost: Free for personal use |
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ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs, Inc.
One-click
download link
(note: link goes direclty to free download
page) |
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This is my favorite firewall. Made by Zone Labs, it will render
your computer invisible to hackers’ probes. Hackers run scanning
programs over the Internet, looking for computers with electronic
openings, called ports. A good firewall such as ZoneAlarm
makes your computer invisible to the scanners.
The goal of these intruders is to place a Trojan horse on
your computer. The rogue program uses the open port previously
identified by a scanner. However, ZoneAlarm blocks those transmissions.
They can only go through if you agree. Always say no, unless
you recognize the program.
Cost: Free for personal use |
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Internet
& E-Mail |
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ePrompter
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this link will begin
the download) |
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configure
Outlook Express to receive email from Yahoo without upgrading
to Plus?
If
you want to use Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird
or other third party email clients to view your email
you have 2 options.
Cost: Free |
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YPOPS
Download link
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This
program will retrieve messages from up to 16 e-mail accounts,
allowing you to manage everything from one program. You
can use it to forward or reply to messages from the original
address that received the e-mail.
Cost: Free |
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Google Toolbar from Google
Download
link |
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If you use Internet Explorer 5.0 or above, you can use Google
to search from any Web site location without returning to
the Google home page. Internet Explorer 5.5 or above users
can take advantage of its great pop-up blocker!
Cost: Free |
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emailSTRIPPER from PaperCut Software Pty Ltd.
One-click
download link
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Do you get a lot of forwarded e-mails? You know, the ones
titled “Why Are Computers A Lot Like Cats?” After making the
rounds, they tend to look messy. You can clean things up with
this three-step e-mail tool. Basically, it does a Gypsy Rose
Lee on all those ">" characters. The result is a more readable,
buff-and-cut e-mail. I found it worked okay in Hotmail and
Yahoo, but less well in Eudora.
Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000 or XP
Cost: Free |
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| Miscellaneous |
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Audacity
Download
link |
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Audacity
is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows,
Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can
use Audacity to:
- Record live audio.
- Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or
CDs.
- Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.
- Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.
- Change the speed or pitch of a recording.
- And more!
Requirements: Windows,
Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and
other
operating systems
Cost: Free
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GenoPro from GenoPro Inc.
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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GenoPro can draw family trees. In addition to displaying marriages
and children, GenoPro uses a genogram to add more details,
such as medical issues and living situations. Adding family
members to the tree is easy. Pictures can be inserted, and
data from other genealogy software can be imported and exported.
The completed project can be saved on a CD as a family album,
or inserted into Word, PowerPoint or other Windows software
as part of a family book or reunion presentation. I really
liked the Family Wizard feature (under Tools)--it's a quick
way to grow your family tree.
Requirements: Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP
Cost: Free |
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OpenOffice from OpenOffice.org
One-click
download link
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OpenOffice.org is a free suite of office products. It includes
word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and drawing programs.
You can open and save in a variety of popular formats -- Microsoft
Office, PDF, HTML, and others. The programs have the same
look and feel as Microsoft Office, so there's no big learning
curve. It's a 64 MB file, so downloading it may take some
time if you're on a dialup connection.
Cost: Free |
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Picasa from Google
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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Picasa allows you to edit, organize and share photos. It scans
your computer for all of your digital images. Add keywords
to each picture to help organize them. Edit your pictures
by cropping, removing red-eye and enhancing the color and
contrast. You can print or e-mail directly from the program.
Cost: Free |
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QuickZip from Joseph Leung
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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Sometimes when you download a free program it comes in a compressed
format such as zip. To open them, you need a utility like
QuickZip. QuickZip helps you shrink very large files or extract
previously zipped files. It can extract 20 different types
of archive files. The documentation is written in broken English
but it's good enough to get you going.
Requirements: Windows 98, ME, NT, XP
Cost:
Free |
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Spyware
& Adware |
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Microsoft® Windows Defender |
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Windows Defender helps you stay productive by protecting your PC against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real-time protection helps prevent new spyware from installing, while a streamlined alert mechanism minimizes interruptions. From installation to maintenance and updates, Windows Defender is easy to use and comes with pre-configured settings designed to help you stay secure. Information and guidance is provided by dedicated analysts to help you stay safe. Windows Defender and on-going updates are available for no additional charge to Windows XP and Windows Vista customers.
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Microsoft®
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Download
link
To download the x64 version of Malicious Software Removal Tool, click here.
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Malicious Software Removal Tool checks your PC for infection by specific, prevalent, malicious software and helps remove an infection if one is found. Microsoft releases an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month.
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Microsoft Forefront Client Security
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Microsoft Forefront Client Security is a unified anti-malware solution for business desktops, laptops, and server operating systems that is easy to manage and control. Forefront Client Security delivers unified protection from viruses, spyware, and other current and emerging threats, simplified administration through central management and integration with current infrastructure, and critical visibility and control over both threats and vulnerabilities through insightful, prioritized security reports. Download the trial version.
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Microsoft Security Essentials
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Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. Microsoft Security Essentials runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want—without interruptions or long computer wait times. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It’s easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you’re green, you’re good. It’s that simple. Download now.
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Ad-aware from Lavasoft
Download
link |
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This program finds spyware, also known as adware. These are
little programs that advertising companies place on our computers.
They report back on our browsing habits. Run Ad-aware weekly,
and get this garbage off your hard drive.
Cost: Free |
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CWShredder from InterMute
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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CW Shredder removes some variants of spyware known as the
Coolwebsearch Trojan. The Trojan takes advantage of a flaw
in a key component of Windows -- Microsoft's version of the
Java Virtual Machine -- to install itself via popups often
found on porn and illegal software (a.k.a. "warez") sites.
Run CWShredder after installing, and have it look for updates.
Then click the "Fix" button, and the program will both scan
and fix any problems it finds. If your system does not have
this kind of spyware, it will give you the good news.
Cost: Free |
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Hijack This! from Merijn.org
Download
link |
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A program designed to fix browsers whose home pages and settings
have been altered or "hijacked," Hijack This! requires some
knowledge to be used safely. After scanning your system, which
takes just a few seconds, it shows in a single window a list
of items that could be related to browser hijackings.
Cost: Free |
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Spybot Search and Destroy from PepiMK
Download
link |
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This program finds spyware, also known as adware. These are
little programs that advertising companies place on our computers.
They report back on our browsing habits. It allows you to
fix registry inconsistencies related to adware.
Cost: Free |
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| Tech
Tools |
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EasyCleaner
from ToniArts
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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EasyCleaner
is a small program which searches Windows' registry for entries
that are pointing nowhere. EasyCleaner also lets you delete
all kinds of unnecessary files like temps, backups etc.
Cost: Free |
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Apple System Profiler from Apple Computer
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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If you have a Mac, check out this Apple utility. Like Belarc,
it will give you a thorough breakdown of your equipment. This
type of information is very handy when you call for help.
Cost: Free |
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Belarc Advisor from Belarc, Inc.
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this
link will begin the download) |
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This little gem will tell you exactly what you’ve got on your
computer. It takes seconds to run and produces a window of
easy-to-read information. Belarc displays information on hardware
and software.
Cost: Free for personal use |
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Power Toys for Windows XP from Microsoft
Power
Toys for Windows XP
Power
Toys (TweakUI) for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT and 2000 |
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This is a collection of little applications that make Windows
run better. They were written by Microsoft programmers, although
the company does not officially support them. In fact, Microsoft
warns that it can't take responsibility for them. Don't let
that throw you off. I've used them for years. They work well.
Cost: Free |
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Fresh UI from Freshdevices.com
Fresh
UI download link |
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Fresh UI is the PC-version of chrome rims and performance
exhaust. It tweaks default Windows settings into something
unique. Add “show” by changing the Media Player skin or “go”
by lifting modem speed limits. You can access Application,
Hardware, interface and System components. This kit contains
strong privacy tools and lock-down settings--a plus for small
business or families. Especially intriguing is the anti-fraud
Cover Your Tracks solution.
Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP
Cost: Free |
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Click
here! to
bookmark the Family Page
so you can find it again in the future.
Click here
to e-mail
this page to a
family member only..
To add content to this site
send it to Uncle Jerome at
jeromeba@earthlink.net
LINKS
Loto
Texas
Uncle Wendell.s Web Site
USS Odax
The
Internet Archive |
