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Below
are links to some useful shareware programs.
Click the "Raven" icon for the shareware's home page,
or use the direct link to the shareware's download page.
Enjoy!
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Shareware
Links...
| 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: above link goes direclty to free
download page)
DL:Older
Versions |
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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 from Tiburon Technology Inc.
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this link will begin the
download) |
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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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Firefox Browser
Download
link
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Firefox
empowers you to browse faster, more safely and more efficiently
than with any other browser as it allows you to experience
smarter searches, stop annoying popup ads, and keep your
computer safe from malicious spyware.
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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MacWasher from Webroot Software, Inc.
One-click
download link
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This program will clean your browser's cache, cookies,
history, recent document list and more. You can automatically
erase your tracks each time you surf. It works with Microsoft's
Internet Explorer, Netscape and America Online.
Cost: Free 30-day trial version, $29.95 for full
version |
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| Miscellaneous |
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Acrobat Reader
Download
Link
DL:Older
Versions |
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The
Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view, navigate, browse,
and print portable document format (PDF) files created
by Adobe Acrobat. It also enables you to read your favorite
eBooks and fill-in visually rich, interactive PDF forms.
Fully compatible with most 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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WinZip
Download link
DL:Older
Versions |
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Quickly
and easily zip and unzip files and folders. Save storage
space, dramatically reduce e-mail transmission time, and
efficiently archive documents includes Easy-to-use AES
encryption to protect your sensitive data.
Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, XP
Cost: Free
for limited trial version, $29 to buy
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Yeah Write! from Word Place, Inc.
One-click
download link
(note: clicking this link will begin the
download) |
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Need a good word processor? Yeah, Write! will fill the
bill. This application is loaded with features, but remains
small and fast. The download is less than 1 megabyte.
Cost: Free for limited trial version, $39 for full
version |
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| Spyware
& Adware |
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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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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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The Belarc Advisor 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 (TweakUI) for Windows XP from Microsoft
Power
Toys for Windows XP
Power
Toys for Windows 9x, 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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Process
Explorer for Windows from M. Russinovich
Proc-Exp
for: Win9x/Me
Proc-Exp
for: WinNT/2K/XP
Proc-Exp
for: XP/Server 2003 64-bit Edition
(note: clicking these links will begin the download) |
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Ever wondered which program has a particular file or directory
open? Now you can find out. Process Explorer shows you
information about which handles and DLLs processes have
opened or loaded. This makes it useful for tracking down
DLL-version problems or handle leaks, and provides insight
into the way Windows and applications work.
Cost: Free |
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Notice: Any
files downloaded from these links are downloaded at the risk
of the user. |
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