Windows

BlackWidow will scan a Web site and present found files Windows-Explorer style. You specify file types you want it to show you (HTML, GIF, JPEG, and so on), and BlackWidow maps the entire Web site to search for them. You can view information about each file and select files to download. Features include a Suspend function, login and password functions for security, a function that provides proxies and ports, and select/deselect capabilities for files and extensions. BlackWidow also features a browser, the ability to resume broken downloads, wildcard file selection, maximum and minimum file size selection, and a true offline browser with automatic links and indexes. Plus, BlackWidow allows you to: retrieve email; retrieve a file's title; check for bad links; resume broken downloads; scan HTTP, SSL (HTTPS), and FTP sites; verify external links; include and exclude filters; browse while scanning or downloading; create your own link files; and scan across sites. It also includes features such as an offline browsing directory converter; iconic structure display; wildcards for files, URLs, and MIME; file type and size filtering; and automatic firewall and proxy settings. The previous version added the ability to pull links from JavaScripts and JavaScripts files.

Licence: Free trial; Purchase US$39.95.
Online: http://www.softbytelabs.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Network connection.

Install instructions

		Windows

This program combines the features of several standalone products costing hundreds of dollars more. Abilities include partitioning tools for non-destructive resizing, converting, creating, copying, moving, and deleting of partitions. New version also includes support for large hard drives and partitions; creation and deletion or partitions/volumes; FAT/FAT32 formatting, copying, and moving of partitions/volumes; imaging booting any partition on any hard drive; booting from the CD-ROM drive; booting multiple operating systems from a single partition; user id and password protection; and lots more.

Licence: Free trial; Purchase US$30
Online: http://terabyteunlimited.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Hard disk.

Install instructions

		Windows

DesktopX is a revolutionary program that allows users to add true objects to their Windows desktops. Through the use of these objects, users can create completely unique-looking desktop environments for every imaginable use. Power users can use DesktopX to create the ultimate desktop for productivity, or parents can use DesktopX to create a simplified desktop for their children. Corporations can use DesktopX to create a secure and focused desktop for their users. Users can create their own objects or themes or download them from the Internet. DesktopX is fairly easy to use, and most objects require no programming whatsoever. DesktopX can change the Windows desktop as much or as little as the user desires. DesktopX objects can live side-by-side with icons on the standard Windows desktop. Therefore, you could have a DesktopX clock, a calendar, an MP3 player, or a cool animated object sitting on your desktop -- or use it as animated wallpaper. DesktopX can also be used to change the desktop to resemble another OS (Mac, Linux, Amiga, OS/2, and so on), or even something never seen before. Version 1.1 allows developers to access COM objects as DesktopX objects.

Licence: Free trial; Purchase US$19.95.
Online: http://www.stardock.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: None.

Install instructions

		Windows

Download Accelerator is a download accelerator/manager that can increase download speeds by up to 300%. It features multi-server connections to provide the best possible performance from your dial-up or broadband connection. Download Accelerator can also recover from lost connections, computer shutdowns, and other errors. This program even searches for mirror sites to maximise your download performance. It integrates fully into Internet Explorer, Netscape (including Netscape 6.x), and Opera, supports proxy servers, features automatic hang up after download completion, download scheduling, dialup configuration, an AlwaysResume feature that will resume broken downloads from servers that do not support resume functions, and more. The newest version includes a convenient toolbar that integrates with Internet Explorer and includes a file leecher, downloadable link highlighter, and integrated search bar. DAP 5.0 also features the ability to import and export downloads lists, operate triggered sounds, password management, and the option to save files to different folders based on their file extension.

Licence: Freeware.
Online: http://www.speedbit.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Network connection.

Install instructions

		Windows

EMailing List Pro creates and manages large or small lists of contacts, and sends email to the people on the lists. It has many features, including sort, search, and select. You can save contact lists to files, and export and import text and CSV files. There are many options for filtering contacts to avoid duplicates and invalid email addresses. It also has a customised main list view and is ideal for sending out newsletters and mailing lists.

Licence: Shareware (US$15).
Online: http://www.ppprogs.demon.co.uk/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Network connection.

Install instructions

		Windows

MicroSurfer is Web productivity software that optimises and organises your Web access by allowing you to jump directly between links without waiting for Web pages to display or without backtracking in your browser. Simply drag links from any Web page and drop them into the MicroSurfer window and the links are downloaded to your browser's cache in the background. You can view captured links instantly in any order, and without having to navigate back to the page where you found them. Organise and save the links that you collect into MicroSurfer Tours for easy access to your favourite pages.

Licence: Freeware.
Online: http://www.microsurfer.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Network connection.

Install instructions

		Windows

PostCast Server is a free SMTP server program for Windows that enables you to send messages directly from your computer. This program is used for sending newsletters, distributing messages to different mailing lists, sending notifications to your customers, as well as for sending individual messages. You can use it instead of the SMTP server of your Internet Service Provider (ISP). PostCast Server supports all email programs for sending and receiving messages and can be connected to the server in a very easy way -- by altering just one parameter. Having done so, you can send messages in a usual manner. Once the program has been set, it performs all its tasks in the background. You can set the program to send messages on a daily basis, every hour, immediately after downloading them, or in some other time interval. If necessary, the program will automatically call your ISP and terminate the connection after completing its task. You can connect to it via LAN, Internet or directly from the computer where it has been installed. The program can be configured to send messages for all users within LAN. If necessary, it is possible to limit access to the program using several security options. It has been optimised for very fast message delivery and gets the most out of your Internet connection. While sending messages, the program establishes dozens of connections at the same time and on average delivers about 3,500 messages per hour with an ordinary modem Internet connection.

Licence: Freeware.
Online: http://www.gatecomm.com/
Operating system: Windows 95/98/NT/2K/XP.
Requires: Network connection.

Install instructions

		Windows