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VampGirl's Software of Reviews : Page Eight
23/09/2001  Metapad: Notepad Replacement
If, like me, you use Windows Notepad for just about everything including editing web pages, you will agree that, although it is very fast, clear and handy to use, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to previewing files, remembering to word-wrap and in its managing of large file sizes. This can sometimes be very frustrating. However, replacing Notepad.exe with Metapad can solve all that. Metapad is an essential freeware Notepad replacement and has all the features you ever wished that Notepad had and much, much more. This tiny (REALLY tiny) text editor works with Windows 95/98 and NT and has a list of extra functions which will simply amaze you. In fact, you'll never want to go back to Notepad again.
Metapad's extra functions include: 'recent files' list , 'Dirty' file notification , intelligent 'Find and Replace', UNIX text file support , dual customizable font support , persistent window placement, usable accelerator keys (Ctrl+S, Ctrl+N etc) , a 'Go to Line/Column' option, fully configurable tab stop setting, auto-indent mode , block indent and unindent (Tab, Shift+Tab) and more. The program also has the option to configure external viewers for previewing HTML in user-defined web browsers, has hyperlink support and even WYSIWYG printing and an optional 'Quick Exit' (the 'Esc' key). The best feature of Metapad, however, is undoubtably the fact that it has no file size limit under Win95/98 (essential) and a lovely purple icon to replace that old blue one. Worth downloading for that fact alone hehe. Click on the button below to visit the creator's website.
16/09/2001 Cacheman: Windows Optimising Utility
Cacheman 5.0 is an extremely useful performance enhancement and memory recovery program to keep on your system. It is able to improve system reaction time, performance and even stability by optimising sytem settings and the disk cache to prevent frequent (and annoying) 'swapping out': when memory flushes itself to your hard drive in an attempt to free more empty memory if it becomes dangerously low. Cacheman 5.0 can even correct generic problems that occur with systems with over 512mb of RAM. This recently revised version of Cacheman has many new settings and options including support for Windows NT4, 2000 and XP, logging, icon cache and cdrom cache optimisation, easy-to-use 'wizards' so that even the complete novice can tweak his/her system, system configuration report creation , memory recovery and even the ability to revert back to your old configuration using saved profiles.
Although this product is shareware (the registration fee for Cacheman is $10), Cacheman 5.0 is a fully functioning program with no disabled features whatsoever. In fact, the creators of this essential utility are so generous and understanding that they state that 'If you really cannot afford the shareware fee you are allowed to use Cacheman as Freeware', which I think is simply amazing. Cacheman 5.0 works with Windows 95, 98,ME, NT, 2000 and XP and is a tiny download too: at only 847kb it is well worth downloading and trying out. Click the button below to visit the 'Outer Technologies' website, and if you really like this program why not support the authors and register it too!
09/09/2001 Opera: Web Browser
This weeks featured software is an excellent freeware web browser.
Opera 5 was released not so long ago and, as opposed to previous versions of Opera, it is no longer necessary to purchase a license if you wish to use it beyond the first 30 user days. Instead, a freeware, ad-sponsored version is available for download. 'Ahh...ad-sponsored!' I hear you cry...but think again. There is NO spyware packaged with this product. No tracking, nothing. The adverts simply stream in the same way as they would when you view a webpage. Thus making this product completely spyware free. Don't believe me? Run Ad-Aware and see for yourself.
This release of Opera 5 is feature-packed with an integrated contact manager, email client, newsgroup reader and even ICQ. It also offers enhanced support for the open web standards including HTML 4.0, ECMAScript 262, XML 1.0 and XHTML 1.0. It can also read WAP sites if you are so inclined. It has some excellent menu features including a 'search the web' option, drop-down history on the back/forward buttons and a 'validate HTML' button which is handy for those of us who wish to test websites in every possible browser for errors before uploading. Other great features include mouse gestures for almost everything, a download manager which will resume transfers, native java, print preview and full screen/opera presentation mode. It's also available free, with NO adverts, for Linux users. I think they've pretty much thought of everything.
With all this packed into one completely configurable client I have to strongly recommend that you download and try it out today.
02/09/2001 Trillian: Ultimate Chat Client
This week's 'Software of the Week' is simply an amazing piece of freeware. Trillian combines MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo!, ICQ and IRC into one unified program making them easier to use and saving massive amounts of memory and system resources on your PC. This program has many features including almost all the features for every chat client: supporting the buddy/friends list system, grouping, invisibility options, even the ability to add people to ICQ without requiring their authorisation hehe;) The client has a custom graphical interface which is fully skinnable (through XML) with many options including transparent, non-rectangular windows which make the program look distinctive. Trillian also supports normal and encrypted DCC chats/conferences, multiple server connections when running in advanced mode, scripting and sound support.
There are more features...too many to list here but I think you get the picture. What is most amazing about this program is that, with all this functionality, Trillian is completely free: no ad-ware, no nag screens, nothing. In fact, I demand that you download it today and see for yourself just how good this program really is. Click the button below why don't you.
VampGirl's Previous Software Reviews| Page One | IrfanView : Image Viewer
First Page 2000 : HTML Editor
Web Ferret : Search Utility | | Page Two | Divide by Zero Fonts : Font Package
Swish : Flash Creator
NetAnts : Download Manager | | Page Three | Add/Remove Programs : April Fool's prank
Spectroscope : Colour Picker
Font Glancer : Font Viewer | | Page Four | InoculateIT Personal Edition : Virus Checker
Internet Surfer : MDI Browser
Wingrab : Image Capture program | | Page Five | Sonique : The Ultimate Audio Player
RegCleaner : Registry Maintenance Utility
ZoneAlarm : Personal Firewall |
| Page Six | Sequoia View : Disk Browsing Utility
Ad-Aware : 'Spyware' Removal Utility
Xteq X-Setup : Windows System Tweaker |
| Page Seven | AnalogX : Website
Eraser : Secure File Wiping Utility
Kyodai Mahjongg : Tile Removal Game |
| Page Eight | Metapad : Notepad Replacement
Cacheman : Windows Optimising Utility
Opera : Web Browser
Trillian : Ultimate Chat Client
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| Page Nine | SmartFTP : File Transfer Program
Rough Draft : Word Processor
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| Page Ten | Yahoo Messenger 5.0 : Chat Client
Tetris 4000 : Stupidly Addictive Game
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All Image copyrights acknowledged. |
