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This electronic newsletter is registered – ISSN 1441-6840
Welcome to the CFS Weekly Newsletter.
The programs listed here are completely free for non-commercial use, even though some may be shareware or commercial products. None are time-limited and all are fully functional. If you know any that aren't exactly as specified, please let us know and they will be removed immediately.
If the link below does not work (does not take you directly to the program listing) it is probably because the site has been upgraded and the link is no longer valid. Please use the CFS Site Search facility (above) to locate the program.
COMPLETELY FREE SOFTWARE
NetUno v0.09a – Win9x/ME
NetUno is the classic, fast-action card game, designed for both single-person play & Internet play (Internet play has limited functionality in this version). It features: auto card sorting; sound toggle; background color selection; rule variations; configurable maximum game score; excellent cardbacks; and more. We have always loved the Uno card game so to play a computerized version as good as this was terrific. If you play a single-person game you can have up to three computer opponents and you can select from one of four levels of computer expertise – Whiner, Normal, Hardcore & Nightmare. Alas, in this version all four levels are the same... Because it is based off the original card game it is extremely addictive. The cardbacks look just like the original and the entire game has a professional look 'n feel about it. The one area which didn't impress us at all was the on-line registration which, while free, nags on each program launch until you register. We attempted to register 3 or 4 times before we finally succeeded. Most annoying. Of course, NetUno is still in early development and this might be something to be fixed in the next version. You can always tell the registration screen that you will register later and play the game unregistered. The TCP/IP Internet play will be a terrific feature and you will be able to get together on-line and play this game for hours. The author advises that when full Internet play is implemented then this feature will be shareware, though the single-player section will remain free. Overall NetUno is a sensational game for anyone who likes playing cards against a computer or against an Internet opponent. Get it! Access this 949kB download from: Win9x General Games
Quick Launcher v1.1.0.3 – Win9x/ME
Quick Launcher is a utility to quickly launch programs by right clicking on a desktray icon (next to the clock). You can add programs by dragging 'n dropping them into the main window, or use a normal Explorer-style file manager. This is a neat little program launcher which is both easy to use and easy to set up. Unfortunately, you cannot directly add switches to the programs but, if you launch a normal Windows' shortcut (an LNK file) instead of directly launching the program file, you can ensure that the switches are set in the shortcut. The program uses just under 3% of system resources which is slightly over our recommended maximum of 2% for any program designed to launch with Windows. Irrespective of the computer (CPU, RAM, etc) you are limited to 100% of system resources, and these are soon consumed by programs and utilities. Quick Launcher is an unpretentious little program which hides away in the desktray until you need to launch a program. The program requires VB6 runtime files and there is an alternative download of 1.96MB which includes these files. If the Start button launcher is driving you crazy, or if your computer has a number of users with different profiles but you want to have a group of programs available to all users, then grab a copy of Quick Launcher. Access this 54kB download from: Win9x Desktop Utilities
Test-Run by BB® v2.1.1 – Win9x
Test-Run allows you to safely experiment with new software without fear of corrupting the Windows' Registry by running a trial installation. It features a DOS recovery function (for when the Registry is too corrupted to run Windows). This is an unusual set of DOS BAT files which are built into a 'program' to take a copy of the Registry, allow you to run the program installation you want, and then choose if you want to retain the new Registry settings or revert back to the old ones. In effect you have two Registries on your computer while Test-Run is in operation and the program places a special wallpaper on your computer to remind you that you are in this special mode. Once you have tested the new software you can either leave it on your computer and affirm that the new registry is OK, or you can uninstall it (which still usually leaves some Registry entries) and switch back to your previous Registry. Simple. While this is a messy way of trying out new programs, it does help to keep the Registry in order because when you uninstall a program it rarely removes all of the Registry entries. One of the worst offenders are ZIP programs which automatically establish themselves as your default ZIP program but, upon removal, do not change the association back to the previous program. Test-Run is a neat little program which is extremely handy if you trial software (specially shareware) which places hidden entries in your Registry. It is also excellent for buggy freeware! Its biggest failure – if indeed, this is a failure – is that you must confirm that installation, or uninstall the program and switch back, before any other programs are installed. Test-Run is a "must have" utility for your PC's toolkit. Get it! (Designed for use with Windows 95 & Windows 98 only.) Access this 137kB download from: Win9x Windows Enhancements
Dialup Companion v2.0 – Win9x/ME
Dialup Companion is a small tool which monitors dial-up Internet connections. It features the time connected & disconnected, calculates telephone calls (for timed local calls), logs traffic stats, offers alerts (based on time or traffic), query builder for checking connection stats, docks in the desktray, and more. While suitable only for a dial-up connection (not suitable for DSL, cable, etc), Dialup Companion offers a wealth of information about your connection(s). It can be configured for multiple users, it allows you to check logs with a variety of (configurable) information, for people who have timed telephone calls it can be set to record a "call" at preset intervals (say, 180 seconds for 3-minute call charge) – it will even bring up a warning screen with a message of your choice after a preset time (in seconds) or after a certain amount of traffic. It offers one of the best HTML help files we have seen – well written, easy to follow, properly illustrated and comprehensive! A pleasant change to most so-called Helpfiles... Unfortunately, it uses about 3% of system resources – we consider 2% to be a practical maximum for a program designed to launched at Windows startup. It also lacks a simple way of including the program in the Windows startup – a menu setting or button would be helpful. However, if you have a limited time and/or traffic ISP account (say, 50 hours and/or 100MB of traffic per month), or if you live in an area where you are paying for timed local calls, then Dialup Companion is an absolutely "must have" tool. Access this 602kB download from: Win9x Internet Related
Beth's Math Art v3.0 – Win9x/ME
Beth's Math Art is a graphics program which draws Mandelbrot-set and Julia-set images. It features: many color options; images can be zoomed-in using a mouse & also moved around the screen; add color animation; offers a variety of mathematical extensions to the standard images; and more. This is a neat way of drawing Mandelbrot-set and Julia-set images. The level of control over the images is excellent and there are even MA (MathsArt) files at the author's site so that you can create your own versions of the displayed sample files. Mandelbrot-set and Julia-set images can look sensational so the Beth's Math Art program allows you to print out your designs. We particularly liked the color animation function which allows you to cycle through the colors manually or automatically. Cool! Overall this is an excellent Mandelbrot-set and Julia-set program which suffers slightly from not looking quite as good as the images it creates. Beth's Math Art is well worth grabbing. Access this 1.01MB download from: Win9x Graphic Programs
Airy Secrets Lite v4.0 – Win9x/ME
Airy Secrets Lite is a password manager and auto-typer. It features: store up to 5 passwords; remembers & types login names & passwords; random password generator; passwords encrypted (256-bit); docks to the desktray; auto-connects to your login Web pages; and more. This is potentially an excellent little tool. It can not only auto-type password information for you, but also auto-connect to a login Web page. However, the 5 password limitation puts it on the border of being just functional, though many people will find that limitation too prohibitive to make any real use of this program (the author wants you to purchase the Pro version!). But that wasn't our main cause of concern. Airy Secrets Lite uses a whopping 6% of system resources – three times what we consider to be a safe practical maximum for a program which is designed to launch with Windows! For this reason, and this reason alone, we recommend caution when using it. There is no doubt that it does what it is designed to do extremely well – a superb password manager – but the excessive use of system resources, and the 5 password limitation, makes the program very much less attractive for us. Understanding this limitation, and the problem with system resources, you may still find it is a worthwhile program to use. As a password manager we were extremely impressed. As a Windows program we were much less enticed to leave it on our test computer. Access this 350kB download from: Win9x Desktop Utilities
Cyclanoid v6.0 – Win9x/ME
Cyclanoid is a terrific tile-based puzzle – like a 2D version of Rubik's Cube. Offering 24 levels, many people will find that even the simplest level is too hard! To make it more interesting you can even create your own levels! The idea is to match up symbols into rows by rotating them in sets of four or more (left click on the mouse for anti-clockwise, right click for clockwise). This is one of those puzzles which is easier to see demonstrated than it is to describe and we recommend that you use the demo mode to watch play for a short while and you will see how easy (???) it is to play. Well the concept is easy... The frustrations of this game are overwhelmed by the joy of getting a section complete. Cyclanoid includes sound effects and the all-to-standard games music – fortunately the music can be turn off so your can enjoy the game in peace. Rubik's Cube wasn't really hard, those plastic colors peeled off quite easily... (he, he, he). Don't expect the same from Cyclanoid. Get this 593kB download from: Win9x General Games
Zwei-Stein Video Editor v3.01 – Win9x/ME
Zwei-Stein Video Editor is a fully functional, non-destructive video editing & compositing system which offers many advanced features. It can edit up to 256 video, audio & still image clips, offers cropping, panning & custom effects, incorporates a video capture utility, and more. The program can input AVI, WAV, MPG (no MP3), BMP & JPG formats. It can output in AVI, RM, WAV & BMP formats. Unfortunately, this program is unreviewed. The author says: "Zwei-Stein is a free multitrack video editing/compositing system for Windows 95/98/2000 [also suitable for Windows ME. Editor]. It features an extensive effect selection and a unique, flat interface which allows the user to easily set and change key frames for every effect and cropping rectangle." Access this 3.25MB download from: Win9x Multimedia Programs
Automatic Site Submitter v1 – Win9x/ME
Automatic Site Submitter allows you to automatically submit a Web site to 100 search engines and directories. This simple program first extracts from you some personal details – name, address, telephone number(s), etc – as well as details about your site. Then you select which of the 100 search engines and directories you wish to submit to. Once that is done, you start the process happening, watching the sites being submitted to appear in the program's window. This takes some time because each of the search engines & directories on your list must be contacted, forms (automatically) filled in, and then that form submitted. Unfortunately you will see a great number of 404 messages and other error messages where the program couldn't submit your information, but it still submits to a large percentage of the selected sites. Many of the directories, etc that you submit to will be virtually worthless as far as sending traffic to your site is concerned, but you should get enough additional exposure from the others to make the exercise worthwhile. The author advises that you get a HotMail e-mail address so any spam mail from the directories can be filtered. It is no secret that many of the directory services on the Net are there simply to trawl for e-mail addresses to spam. Overall, this is certainly an easy site submitter. The authors have a persistent encouragement (read 'nag') for you to purchase the full program which offers submission to 540 search engines and directories. We were happy to stick to the 100 in the free version. Access this 526kB download from: Win9x Internet Related
COMMENTS
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Win 9x/ME/XP