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The Completely Free E-mail Update #37
Issued April 7, 1998
Welcome to the thirty-seventh edition of the 'Completely Free Software E-mail Update'. Over the past week we've added many new programs, including the ones listed below.
The programs listed are completely free for non-commercial use, even though some may be shareware or commercial products. None are time-limited and all are fully functionable. If you know any that aren't exactly as specified, please let us know and they will be removed immediately.
COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE
NetLaunch – W95
This is a fabulous program which not only takes control of your DUN (Dial Up Network) connection but will automatically launch programs (e-mail client, browser, etc) upon connection and (optionally) close them down properly when you disconnect. If offers full control of your connection – even allowing separate configurations for differing connections – and also offers full control of each individual program you tell it to load. Creating the launch list is as easy as dragging and dropping a shortcut into the Launch List window and then configuring each program as you want. This is terrific stuff! Not only that, the program sits as an icon in the desktray menu and uses very little resources (a big plus!). It doesn't matter what DUN utility you use (we were using DUNCE), give NetLaunch a try. It could be the best thing you've done all week! NetLaunch is available as either a ZIP file with a 100kB download or as an EXE file with full setup for only 111kB. Either way, go grab this one from: W95 Internet Related
Scout's Game – W95
This is an addictive cardgame with single or multi-player facilities and is ICQ 98 compatible so it can be played across the Net. Similar to Dominos or 'Sevens', the object is to build off four piles of cards with, for example, the 10 of Hearts being added to the 9 of Hearts or the 2 of Diamonds being added to the 3 of Diamonds. The first player decides which face value to start the piles (for example, 7) and then each pile is built up to the King and down to the Ace until the a player is out of cards. Cards not played are added to the loser's score (lowest score wins). We had played it many years ago under the name 'Sevens' (in that game you had to start with the 7 of a suite so this one isn't exactly the same) and have always found it very addictive. Play on your own or with up to three friends – even across the Internet – Scout's Game is not to be missed. Access this 313kB download from: W95 General Games
CadStd – W95
CadStd is a very powerful and very professional 2D CAD (Computer Aided Design) program with enough grunt to create the most elaborate drawings. With an extensive toolbar (38 buttons!), CadStd is not a wimp's toy but a genuine contender to the expensive 'shrink wrapped' CAD programs which cost many hundreds of dollars. And it's free!!! If you are looking at getting a CAD system for your PC then you will go a long way before bettering this one. While it is 'only' 2D (we listed one last week which, while a 3D solid CAD program, was not as powerful as CadStd), the range of drawing tools and control available means that it can handle exceptionally complicated drawings. One point we noticed was that the paper sizes for printing did not include the standard metric sizes – A4, etc – though it did have provision to handle paper up to 34x44 inches. Don't rely on the Helpfile to teach you the ins and outs of CAD – this one is strictly minimalistic and you will need a working knowledge of CAD before you start. Access this 831kB download from: W95 Graphics Programs
SmartSurf – W31 (suitable for W95)
SmartSurf is a call and Internet connection timer with some very impressive features. You can configure it to record the cost of your telephone calls – specially if you are paying for them on a time basis – and also the actual cost of your connection fee through an ISP. Again, the connection fee recorder give numerous variables so you can set it to record costs at different times of the day, and on different days of the week. Neat! Complete with a comprehensive Helpfile, SmartSurf is a welcome addition to your Internet tools. However, it does actually have a 'cost' factor which might make it technically ineligible for the CFS site. Once every three months you have to visit the author's website and download a 2kB 'battery to keep it working. The 'battery' is simply a DLL file which will give the program a further three month's 'life'. Of course, the idea is that while you're at the author's website you might be tempted to try one of the shareware programs there. Very sneaky... If you think that SmartSurf will get you surfin' smarter, go grab this 202kB download from: W31 Internet Related
DriveToys – W95
These are two simple utilities which supply information about your hard drive. DriveMenu is a desktray icon which gives instant access to your hard drives and is very configurable. DriveX is a shell extension which adds two extra pages to the hard drive's Properties dialog box – Volume Information and File System. The Volume Information page lists the type of information you get after you've run ScanDisk or ChkDsk – volume serial number, compression state, cluster size, number of used clusters, number of free clusters, etc. The File System page gives information on, you guessed it, the file system. For uncompressed drives which use FAT partitions, DriveX will also analyse the storage efficiency for wasted space on a hard drive. DriveToys are handy in a masochistic way. Sometimes you just don't want to know! Access this 74kB download from: W95 Desktop Utilities
C-Dogs – DOS (suitable W95)
C-Dogs is a fun corridor-type game where you get to blast lots of baddies and collect things on the way. A sequel to the popular CyberDogs, C-Dogs even includes an editor so you can create your own levels. You can play against the computer (single player mode), with a friend against the computer, or just against a friend (in a 'dogfight'). Graphics are good and smooth, characters are amusing (in a cartoon type of way), there are some unexpected twists and turns, and the game itself is very addictive. Be prepared to waste quite a few hours with this one... Don't say you haven't been warned. If you are looking for a good game which should play on most machines from a 386 on, then C-Dogs is for you. Get this 654kB download from: DOS General Games
Chgname – W95
Chgname is a terrific file renamer which has a host of useful features. These include the ability to change file names (and move files too), to enumerate a large number of files with similar names (up to 32,767 files!), to alter dates, times and extensions, change the case of a group of filenames (or just one) and much more – such an extensive lineup of potential name rechanging that if you have a need for the bulk renaming of your files, then the chances are that Chgname is almost sure to be able to do it. With full support for wildcards, you can shimmy and shake your filenames until they are dancing exactly the way you want. Don't stop, don't slow down, sashay on over and grab this 661kB download from: W95 Desktop Utilities
Internet Maniac – W95
This is a handy set of Internet utilities which includes: Host Lookup; Ping; Traceroute; Raw Connect; Listen to UDP packets; Network Time; Finger; Whois; Scanner; Mail Check; Winsock Info; and Network Adapter Address. These utilities will allow you to check the connection with your ISP, see how long it takes for a signal to go to a specified site, find out... well, find out just about any basic information you want about your connection. We have reviewed and listed other Internet toolkits which do much the same but, to date, this is the best and most comprehensive we've seen. On top of that it's only a 49kB download! How do they do it? Get your copy from: W95 Internet Related
Multi Search and Replace – W95
Ever needed to change the same string of text in a number of text-based documents? We do! We often have to change particular information in all of our webpages and we have found a fabulous tool to do just that. Multi Search and Replace (what a mouthful!!!) allows you to add any number of files to the list and then change particular text strings in them all – or just find a particular text string in one of a number of documents. With support for HTML, MS&R is a perfect tool for working with webpages, though it is equally at home with PAS, BAS, TXT – in fact any file which is not binary (like an EXE file). Replacements can be restricted to whole words or to part word strings – ie you could be looking for 234 and you could include or exclude strings which had, say, 123456. With a counter to tell you the number of changes made, and a logfile to record those changes, MS&R is an excellent tool. But wait, there's more! It will also make a backup of your old files, just in case... Access this 257kB download from: W95 Desktop Utilities
FreeBase – W95
FreeBase is a database (using Borland's BDE engine) for notes and memos. Add or delete messages, scroll through them, search through all entries in the database – simple! It has a 'down side' and that is the download size (2.65MB because it includes the BDE engine) and no Helpfile. The lack of Helpfile is no big deal – if we could deduce how it works without one then anyone could! If you are looking for a home for your memos and notes then FreeBase could well be what you want. Access it from: W95 Text Programs
GConvert – W95
If you want to insert icons into documents or webpages then GConvert is exactly what you need. It extracts icons from DLL and EXE files and then gives you the option to save them as ICO, BMP or GIF files! To top it off, there is even a Wizard should you wish to extract a group of icons. We have used other programs which extract icons but none compare for ease of use and choice of filetype when saving, and the whole shebang is packaged very well. There's a handy tutorial as well as the normal Helpfile and the Wizard (if you want to extract a group of icons) is simply terrific. We were impressed! Access this 1MB download from: W95 Graphics Programs
UPDATES
Netscape Communicator (and Navigator) Standard – our number one choice of browser – has been updated to version 4.05. If you want to be on the cutting edge of web browsers, this download is a MUST! Access this 10.6MB download from: W95 Internet Related
COMMENTS
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