Mac

Windows

Free

FlashWiz is a great utility for creating screen savers from Flash movies, which you can distribute through your Web site. FlashWiz creates a screen saver in three easy steps. Step one allows you to control the playback quality and control sound. Step two lets you set up the icon and preview screen for the Windows Control Panel and step three allows you to insert author details such as email, Web address and more. FlashWiz supports the latest Flash 5 and retains all the interactivity you've created within the Flash movie itself.

Web link: www.flashwiz.co.uk

Free

From the same stable as CuteFTP, this is a collaborative, peer-to-peer application featuring a powerful search engine, real-time chat rooms, instant messaging, friends/enemies lists, and even a built-in media player. The Outlook Express style interface provides one-click access to other users in the community. Once you're on, you can easily locate files, stream music, preview videos, view graphics and more. When you swap files, you participate in direct client-to-client transfer, rather like Napster. Cute MX features filtering that allows you to control what type of content you're exposed to.

Web link: www.globalscape.com

30-day trial

Homing Pigeon takes a cunning approach to securing PCs that are likely targets for theft. It starts up when the system is booted and then waits for a valid TCP/IP connection to the Net. Once a connection exists, it attempts to locate an SMTP server. When it does, it emails a prespecified recipient, reporting its IP address and, if possible, the reverse lookup for that address. This information can then be used by law enforcement bodies to recover the PC.

Display your favourite set of images with seven transition effects and numerous other options, including multiple background music files. Thumbnails allow you quickly to add images to Amaze!; there is support for all common image formats including animated GIFs, JPEGs, and PNG.

Web link: www.xequte.com

Free

Yahoo! Messenger is a powerful IM client that offers email integration, file transfer, group chat, voice conferencing, stock and news updates and email/message alerts. You can create offline messages and store contact information. This version includes voice chat and ties in with other Yahoo! services.

Web link: www.yahoo.co.uk

Free – latest version

Note: you must be online when you install this program

ICQ 2000b is the latest release of ICQ ("I seek you"), the very popular instant messaging program that lets you communicate with friends and colleagues in real time via the Web. To seek out a friend on the ICQ network, simply enter his or her ICQ number, name, nickname, or email address. Once your contact list is set up, you'll be notified when your friends are online so that you can chat, send instant messages, files and URLs, play games, or whatever.

This update has many improvements and new features, including ICQphone and ICQ SMS (send and receive SMS messages between any cellular phone with SMS capabilities and the ICQ program).

Note: This program automatically changes the location of your homepage to ICQ's Web site. You can change it back manually.

Web link: www.icq.com

Free

blaxxun Contact is an advanced multimedia communication client offering a wide range of capabilities, including 3D support for VRML and Viscape, chat, avatars, message boards, object trading, interaction with agents, and more. A Web browser plug-in compatible with current browsers from Netscape and Microsoft, with blaxxun Contact you can enter virtual environments and meet and interact with other visitors. A range of activities is supported, including both business and entertainment.

Web link: www.blaxxun.com

Free (ad-supported)

Use LinKtoLinK to help create and maintain a Web page of related links. You can collect candidate Web site links into an extensive database, email link-exchange messages using built-in templates, manage thousands of offers and agreed-to links, and test that each link works properly.

Web link: www.linktolink.com

Mac OS

NOTE: The Mac programs on this CD are mostly in archived 'HQX' (BinHex) files – they can be extracted with several applications, including Stuffit Expander (which is on the CD...). Clicking on the links below should set the process in motion. You may receive a message that the file cannot be loaded into Simple Text – if so, start Stuffit and then open the HQX file you want from within Stuffit.

'Banner-ware'

iCamMaster lets you collect and view Webcams, using your preferred Web browser. Once collected, Webcams can be placed on your desktop. iCamMaster periodically retrieves the latest picture for each Webcam, as determined by the Webcam's operator. You can also send ICQs and emails to Webcams. This version displays ad banners until registered.

Web link: www.catdis.com

Free

Yahoo! Messenger is a powerful IM client that offers email integration, file transfer, group chat, voice conferencing, stock and news updates and email/message alerts. You can create offline messages and store contact information. This version includes voice chat and ties in with other Yahoo! services.

Web link: www.yahoo.co.uk

ICQ
v1.7.2
(68k)

Note: you must be online when you install this program.

ICQ ('I seek you') is a free and friendly Internet program that searches for your friends and associates online, alerting you in real-time when they sign on. With ICQ, you can exchange messages and files, have real-time chat, play games, and more. This latest version contains a change in the message history: incoming and outgoing messages are now stored in a database. In addition, ICQ now contains a built-in email client. There are also new security features, new preferences, and a PC and Mac character translator.

Note: If you encounter difficulties during installation, and for more information, visit the ICQ Web site.

21-day demo

WebPrint Plus is a utility that allows you to combine noncontiguous selections of text in one printout, which can then be time and date stamped or labeled with comments. A great time and computer consumables saver. WebPrint will operate with other applications, so you might find it handy when working with Word etc.

Web link: www.kagi.com/MacEase