FreeMem Pro started life as Free Memory Tool, a freeware utility that attempted to free up a user-specified amount of RAM by minimising Windows disk caching and swapping any unused programs or DLLs out to virtual memory. Free Memory Tool included a dynamic display of free RAM, an information panel, and some useful command line options.

FreeMem Pro uses similar techniques to maximise free RAM, and adds several refinements which more than justify its modest registration fee. The main addition is a range of options for running the program as a background task: these include setting a low-memory level together with the maximum time you'll allow before FreeMem goes into action. You can also schedule regular runs (preferably not too frequently) together with the amount of RAM to be freed.

Other program options include minimising it to an icon in the system tray which displays current free RAM, having it run at Windows start-up with a specified free RAM target, and a switch to disable its background operations (desirable when running games!).

StartEd presents a complete list of programs which currently have start-up entries in the Registry or the WIN.INI file — you may be surprised at the length of the list. Items can be added, deleted or edited; editing allows you to change the command line and the start-up method (for example, programs previously called by Startup shortcuts can be entered in the Local Machine Run section of the Registry).

The program gives substantial launch control: you can specify command-line parameters, working directories and delays prior to execution, and indicate when programs should run maximised or minimised.

Using Batchrun is easier and faster than working with DOS batch files, thanks to a well-designed graphical interface which includes drag-and-drop capabilities. It may also prove a godsend for Windows users who've never tangled with DOS.

Batchrun's files run more quickly than their DOS equivalents and can be executed by double-clicking their icons. They can be saved with desktop icons for convenient access and can also be reloaded for editing.

Waterfall displays a system tray icon which changes colour when CPU activity is too high for it to take effect. Clicking on the icon displays an estimate of current power consumption and average consumption for the session.

I didn't have any easy way to check Waterfall's cooling capabilities: however, tests with a Pentium system showed that it consumes minimal system resources and doesn't appear liable to crash or otherwise affect normal operations.

Rain has the same purpose as Waterfall, but is claimed to have a greater cooling effect, at the price of being slightly less stable and lacking the CPU monitor feature. The author recommends trying Rain first, and switching to Waterfall if you encounter over-cooling (if your system freezes up!). I didn't encounter this problem, but preferred to have Waterfall's monitoring feature as some assurance that something was happening.

Three types of macros are available: simple program/document launchers, recordings of keyboard and mouse input, and advanced macros created in the wizard by entering text and selecting from menu items which include requesters for user input, loops, delays, calls to other macros and date/time display. Macros can be triggered by a hotkey sequence, the appearance of a specific window, or a shortcut, which can be placed on the desktop, in the Startup or Programs menu, or in your Startup, Personal or Favourites folders.