WinPatrol 7.0.0.3

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free, with restricted access to online database; full US$19.95
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.winpatrol.com/

WinPatrol keeps your computer protected from nuisance programs like adware, spyware, cookies, and even viruses like Trojans and worms. However, the program doesn't offer complete virus protection, you still need to run an anti-virus program. The benefit of WinPatrol is that it tells you what's running on your computer, and disables or removes any programs you don't want. The free version has limited access to the WinPatrol online database, but still removes adware and other junk; the paid version gives you full access to the program's online database and free WinPatrol updates. The program is ideal for novices.

SeeMyOwnWeb 1.0.1.43

Operating system: Windows XP
Licence: Free trial for 15 days, then US$4.95
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.seemyownweb.com/

If you're running Windows XP, SeeMyOwnWeb lets you view your favourite Web sites as a screensaver. You can select the Web sites you want to include from your Favourites menu, or while you're browsing. The sites are continually updated, so that you're always current with your interests, without even clicking your mouse. When you're not using your PC, SeeMyOwnWeb will pop up and scroll through the sites you've chosen, in several windows, which allows you to include as many sites as you wish. The program includes starter packs so that you can see how the process works.

DKMessenger 2.6

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://dkmessenger.com/

DKMessenger is your free private communications centre. The program includes text chat, Voice Over IP (if you have a microphone and soundcard), peer-to-peer file transfer, and even video, if you have a camera installed. The major benefit of DKMessenger over other messenger services like MSN and Yahoo is that you're connecting directly to other people's computers. Because your data isn't travelling through major services, the process is faster and more secure, and you can communicate with several people at the same time. There's even an included whiteboard, so students can work on homework together, and business people can share data.

QuadraSite 4.0d

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free; advertising supported.
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.quadrasite.com/

QuadraSite is a browser add-on which improves your Web browsing experience by not only letting you view four Web sites at once, but also by letting you save any arranged views you've created, so that you can call up your favourite views up at any time. If you access several sites each day, this saves time. You can drag and drop sites between panes, and from your Favorites list, plus enlarge panes for easier viewing. The program is useful for students, as well as for business people who want to research products, or need to view stock market information daily. Important note: The current release is an Open Beta version. This means it is available to the general public to download and use, but it is not the finished product. Bugs may persist within the product, and users download and use this software at their own risk.

RssReader 1.0.72

Operating system: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free
Minimum system requirements: Microsoft .NET Framework
Web: http://www.rssreader.com/

RssReader is a free program which reads RSS news feeds. You can recognise Web sites which offer RSS (Really Simple Syndication) by the "XML" or "RSS" buttons on their Web pages. Many news sites offer this feature, as do many blogs (Web logs). If you usually click your way around several sites over the course of a day or week, RssReader can save you time, because it downloads all RSS updates you've chosen automatically. You'll need to have Microsoft's .Net Framework installed; get it via your Windows Update utility if you don't have it.

StrokeIt .9.2a

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free for individuals; for-business users license US$10
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://tcbmi.com/strokeit/

StrokeIt speeds up your work by putting more power into your mouse. When you draw a gesture with your mouse, by clicking the right mouse button and drawing a symbol, you can control the program you're currently working in. You might create a mouse gesture to open a new document, open a folder, save or print a document --- the mouse gestures you create are up to you. You can create as many program-specific mouse gestures as you need. StrokeIt comes with 80 pre-configured mouse gestures for many popular programs.

RoboForm 5.6.2

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: 35 day free trial, then US$30
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.roboform.com/

While the effort you spend typing in user names, passwords and other security information into online forms may be minimal, the frustration arises when you can't find your passwords. RoboForm eliminates hassle: it keeps all your secure information in one place. Not only does it remember passwords for you, it can perform entire log-in sequences. This means that once you have RoboForm set up with your profile, you can store all passwords, including ATM and online banking codes, in encrypted RoboForm Safenotes, so that the program enters data for you automatically. The program will even generate passwords for you.

Grokker 2

Operating system: Windows 2000/XP
Licence: 35 day free trial, then US$49
Minimum system requirements: The following registration information:
First name - Groxis
Last name - Customer
Email address - info@groxis.com
License Key: BS27-84AV-THQY
Then click the "Register" button
Web: http://www.groxis.com/service/grok/

Grokker is a fascinating program which gives you a visual display of searches: on your computer, on the Web, and on Amazon.com. It eliminates search frustration because it gives you a visual overview of information. The program places your search results into categories, and then represents the categories as circles within circles. As you click deeper into a circle, you go deeper into the hierarchy. Grokker not only speeds searches, but also helps you to locate hidden information. You can save your searches, and can improve search-relevancy by marking and deleting groups and items you don't need.

NoteTab Light 4.92

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.notetab.com/ntl.php

With older computers, complex word processing programs slow the machine to a crawl, and if you have more than four documents open at a time, your machine will hang. NoteTab Light solves these problems. It's a free tiny, super-fast text and HTML editor which speeds along no matter how many documents you have open, or how long those documents are. The tabbed interface lets you click between documents, and you can have as many documents open as you please. The program includes several libraries of utilities, which allow you to auto-correct text (as in Microsoft Word), use reminders, use documents as automatic clipboard storage areas, and create macros.

Ultimate Paint 2.84

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: 30-use free trial, then US$34.95
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.ultimatepaint.com/

Ultimate Paint is the perfect partner for your digital camera. Even if you're a not artistic, and a complete computer novice, the program helps you to create masterpieces. It contains over a hundred special effects, including artistic effects like embossing and diffusion, and a huge array of colour filters. You'll be amazed at what you can do with a single image. It's inexpensive, and contains tools usually only available in high-end graphics programs, like a one-click image optimiser. Ultimate Paint is small and fast, so it runs well on older computers, and is TWAIN-scanner compliant.

WebProse Designer 1.1

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: 30 day free trial, then US$19.95
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.webprose.ws

WebProse Designer provides an easy way to share photos, movies, and audio over the Web. Whatever you want to share: a video of your child's first steps, holiday photos, or images of your new home, WebProse Designer lets you do it without learning HTML programming. The interface is completely point and click. Choose an image icon to insert an image, then click on the browse icon to navigate to the image file on your computer. Although the program was designed for home users, small businesses can use it as an ultra-simple way to put product images and information on Web sites.

SlideShow Desktop 2.8

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free trial for 14 days, then US$19.95
Minimum system requirements: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
Web: http://www.slideshowdesktop.com/

With SlideShow Desktop, you can enjoy your holiday and family snaps all year round. The program is a combination image viewer and printer. It's ideal for computer novices because its slideshows are simple to run, and you can email images, plus create Windows wallpaper from them. To run a slideshow, navigate to the photos' folder, and you're all set. You can even run shows directly from your camera's memory stick. SlideShow Desktop works with all popular image formats, and you can choose slideshow display sizes, and rotate images. The printing feature lets you create enlargements, right up to poster size.

AlbumPlayer 3.2

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free limited version, full US$21
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.albumplayer.com/

AlbumPlayer helps you to organise and play your music, and is useful for people with large music libraries, because it collects much of the information to build your music database automatically. The program collects your chosen album covers and song titles from online sources like the AMG All Music Guide and CDDB, and you can add information manually. To play a CD, just click on the cover, or drag it to your music player. You can keep your favourite albums on your PC for fast access, and can burn collections to CD.

3D World Map 1.2

Operating system: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free trial; US$19.95 for high-details globe.
Minimum system requirements: Direct 3D-compatible display card; DirectX 8.0
Web: http://www.longgame.com/

3D World Map is a virtual three-dimensional atlas, useful for students and armchair travellers. The program gives details of 269 countries, you can locate 30,000 cities, and can calculate distances between any two locations on the globe. When you're not using the program as an atlas, it has a screensaver mode. The program is easy to use: click and drag to change zoom settings and locations. Students will enjoy the capsule country and city histories and geographical data. The program also includes a built-in MP3 player.

DiveVisions 2.2

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free trial (trial has limited fish); US$12.95
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.atlantis3d.com/

With the DiveVisions screensaver, you'll imagine you're a scuba diver, swimming around a reef. The program's three-dimensional animations are very realistic, and you feel as if you're deep under the ocean, with a variety of fish gliding peacefully around you. The trial version has limited fish, but you'll see humpback whales, barracuda, and sharks. The reef environment features shipwrecks, and other objects for you to swim around. The colours are wonderful. If you're stressed out at work, DiveVisions lets you relax and take a break as you enjoy the underwater world.

DesktopPlant 1.6

Operating system: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Licence: Free trial (trial has some features disabled); US$10
Minimum system requirements: N/A
Web: http://www.desksoft.com/DesktopPlant.htm

This cute program lets you grow a series of desktop plants. When you feed and water your plant, it starts to grow, from a shoot to a complete flowering plant. You can choose from various varieties: azalea, cactus, maple tree or philodendron. DesktopPlant produces realistic three-dimensional plants, and it grows right on your desktop. You'll need to move it around so that it gets the optimum amount of light and shade it needs. It won't displace your wallpaper or icons, and you can adjust the size and position. You can choose colours for the azalea and the cactus.