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by Paul Silverman
Got a lot of old software that huffs and puffs like an out-of-shape marathoner since you switched to Windows 95? Do you put up with it, thinking it'll cost a small fortune to restock your library with upgrades that take advantage of your operating system?
There's a solution: shareware. Hobbyists and independent software developers have written thousands of programs-from simple utilities to multimedia games-that run at full tilt on Windows 95. These programs cost about a third to half as much as similar software found in stores. Best of all, you can test shareware programs before you part with any hard-earned cash.
If it sounds too good to be true and you think there's got to be a catch, consider that shareware is just a logical marketing strategy. Developers that lack the muscle to command shelf space in stores distribute their work themselves on CD-ROMs or floppy disks, or, more commonly, through on-line software libraries. (Most shareware is scanned for viruses, but to be safe, install a comprehensive anti-virus program before downloading files.)
In most cases, shareware producers provide a fully functional program and trust that you'll send along a check-typically from $5 to $75-if you decide to keep the software. Some will disable a critical element of the software, or design the program so it works only for a set amount of time-usually a month-before becoming inoperable; once you've paid for it you receive a working version of the software, generally by e-mail or on a disk. Many shareware developers give free technical support to customers who pay for the program; some also use free upgrades to entice people to register.
To find the best Windows 95 software, we searched the shareware libraries on the Web. In addition to evaluating the quality of each program, we assessed how easy it is to install and use, what kind of help file it offers, whether it's new or has been updated recently, and how popular it is. (Most on-line sites show you how often a program has been downloaded.)
What follows are our top 26 picks, spanning seven categories-games, home and hobbies, utilities, productivity, education, the Internet, business and finance. To make it easy for you to find these programs, each write-up includes a Web address (shareware programs are typically available on many Web sites and on commercial on-line services), file name, and phone number or postal address for ordering the product on disk.
Remember, it doesn't cost you anything to check out as many titles as you like-you pay only for the ones you keep. And be sure to visit the shareware libraries listed in the box on page 90; great new Windows 95 programs are added regularly-we're sure you'll find more than your fair share of keepers.
Quake
From the minds that gave us Doom springs this much-anticipated shoot-'em-up, which pits your gaming skills against flowing lava, falling ceilings and a secret "vertical" level, where the world flips on its side. The improved 3-D environment lets you move and shoot in any direction. (For a detailed review, see Fun and Games, September 1996.)
$45 from id Software,
(800) 434-2637, (214) 613-3589,
http://www.idsoftware.com
Click here to unzip Quake (file name: quake101.zip).
MVP Backgammon 1.2
Medieval characters and music add a delightful multimedia twist to this classic parlor game. The version you download is limited to intermediate play against the computer, but the registered edition offers three skill levels and additional options, including match play against the PC. You also can customize the sounds and music.
$19.95 from MVP Software
(800) 968-9684, (616) 831-7981,
http://www.mvpsoft. com
Click here to unzip MVP Backgammon (File name:mvpbkg12.zip).
Super Ice Qube Hopper for Windows 95
This update of the popular 1980s arcade game Q-Bert is very cool. Keep your eye on the hopping penguin, whose mission is to coldcock all the ice cubes on the screen while avoiding deadly snowballs, snowmen and seals.
$19 from Elpin Systems
(800) 723-9038, (408) 441-7980,
http://www.elpin.com
Click here to unzip Super Ice Qube Hopper (file name: icehops.zip).
Moraff's Morejongg for Windows 95
In this shareware version of the popular Shanghai, the object is to clear the board of mah-jongg-like tiles by finding pairs and removing them. For variety, choose from any of 38 tile sets and five backgrounds. The Mega-Morejongg mode makes it twice as tough; it uses 288 pieces, double the standard number.
$29 from Moraff-Ware,
(800) 842-4263, (813) 972-0642,
http://www.windows95.com/ apps/games.html
Click here to unzip Moraff's Morejongg for Windows 95 (file name: morj32.zip).
The Compleat Nutritionist 3.6
This comprehensive health guide lets you analyze your diet and create a weight-control plan. The registered version includes a database listing almost 30 components-from alcohol to zinc-of 10,000 food items. The program also helps you monitor your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and other conditions.
$49 from Personal Software Library,
(800) 242-4775, (713) 524-6394,
http://www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip The Compleat Nutritionist 3.6 (file name: ncsn36.zip).
SkyMap 3.0
The sky's the limit for this digital planetarium. The program draws detailed maps of stars, planets, comets, constellations and more-all of which can be printed and saved in various graphics formats. It also can map the sky, as seen from any spot on Earth, for nearly any date.
$49 from JASC,
(800) 622-2793, (612) 930-9800,
http://www.jasc.com
Click here to unzip SkyMap 3.0 (file name: skymap30.zip).
Paint Shop Pro 4.1
Budding artists don't have to shell out buckets of green for a paint program. This software offers a kaleidoscope of drawing tools, plus image-editing and special-effects features to jazz up digital photos, that usually cost much more.
$69 from JASC,
(800) 622-2793, (612) 930-9800,
http://www.jasc.com
Click here to unzip Paint Shop Pro 4.1 for Windows 95 (file name: psp41.zip).
Click here to unzip Paint Shop Pro for Windows 3.1 (file name: pspro.zip).
SmartTracker Inventory 3.0
You don't know what you're missing if you don't get this shareware-it catalogs your possessions and stores the information in a database you can search by price, warranty, model number and purchase date.
$25 from Insight Software Solutions,
(801) 295-1890,
http://www.smartcode.com/iss
Click here to unzip SmartTracker Inventory 3.0 (file name: Tkh95.zip).
Drag and File 95
If you need a map to find your way around Windows Explorer, try this easy-to-use file manager. The program makes it a breeze to copy items from different drives, find duplicate files, print directories and file lists, and perform other Explorer functions. Icons and a toolbar you can customize ensure that you never lose your way.
$35 from Canyon Software,
(800) 280-3691, (415) 453-9779,
http://www.canyonsw.com/
Click here to unzip Drag and File 95 (file name: Df95_221.zip).
Wintune 95
If your PC's somehow off-key, this tune-up kit from our sister publication, Windows Magazine, will have it humming in no time. The program analyzes your processor, hard drive, video and memory, and suggests ways to get all your system components working in harmony again.
Free from Windows Magazine,
(800) 294-0198,
http://www.winmag.com
WinZip 6.1
This popular tool conserves space on your hard drive by compressing groups of files into a single, compact Zip file. It's a must if you download files frequently from the Internet, where most files are stored in Zip format. (as of September 12th, Beta 4 of 6.1a was available)
$29 from Personal Software Library,
(800) 242-4775, (713) 524-6394,
http://www.winzip.com
Click here to copy Winzip for Windows 95 to your hard disk(file name: winzip95.exe).
Click here to copy Winzip for Windows 3.1 to your hard disk (file name: wz16v61.exe).
(As of September 12th, Beta 4 of 6.1a was available.)
Time&Chaos32
With this personal information manager on your side, you'll be able to track appointments, set up to-do lists, and store contact addresses and phone numbers. It integrates with other Windows 95 programs, so you can use it to dial the phone, send faxes and e-mail, and even do mailings.
$45 from iSBiSTER International,
(214) 495-6724
http://www.isbister.com
Click here to copy Time&Chaos32 for Windows 95 to your hard disk (file name: chaos32x.exe).
Click here to copy Time&Chaos for Windows 3.1 to your hard disk (file name: tc408.exe).
Vulcan Notes 95
Ditch those notes taped to your monitor. This program lets you create and sort up to 100 electronic memos, which you can keep on-screen even when other programs are running. It also issues reminders when an event is approaching.
$19.95 from Vulcan Technology,
(303) 702-9577,
http://www.webcom.com/vulcan/
Click here to unzip Vulcan Notes for Windows 95 (file name: vn95.zip).
Click here to unzip Vulcan Notes for Windows 3.1 (file name: vnotes.zip).
WordExpress for Windows 95
This impressive word processor includes all the write tools-drag-and-drop editing, multiple fonts, the ability to add tables and photographs, and much more-at a fraction of what you'd pay for a brand-name alternative.
$49.95 from MicroVision Development,
(800) 998-4555, (619) 438-0305,
http://www.mvd. com
Click here to unzip WordExpress for Windows 95 (file name: we95.zip).
Roxie's Reading Fish and Math Fish
Ages 6 and up. In this multimedia version of Go Fish, Roxie-a talking cat-helps kids purr-fect their reading skills. The card game moves along according to the feline's spoken instructions. A similar program called Roxie's Math Fish teaches arithmetic.
$9.95 ($16.95 for both programs) from LatticeWork Software,
P.O. Box 362, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444,
http:// www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip Roxie's Math Fish (file name: Rmatfb.zip).
Click here to unzip Roxie's Reading Fish (file name: Rreafb12.zip).
Flash Card Manager 3.70
Ages 6 and up. This nifty program lets you create a collection of as many as 4,150 cards that youngsters can scroll through in order, or pick up at random, to test their knowledge.
$10 from Christian Carrillo,
2352 Calle del Oro, La Jolla, CA 92037,
http:// www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip Flash Card Manager 3.70 (file name: Fcardman.zip).
Graphmatica 1.5
Ages 15 and up. This powerful tool plots trigonometry and calculus equations using six kinds of graphs. Just type in an equation, hit return, and the lines and curves appear instantly. Graphs can be printed or saved as bitmap files.
$25 from Personal Software Library,
(800) 242-4775, (713) 524-6394,
http:// www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip Graphmatica 1.5 (file name: grmat15w.zip).
Guitar Teacher for Windows 95
Pick this program, and you'll learn chord structures and correct fingering techniques. You can print the chord charts and stay in key with the included guitar tuner. The software, designed for PCs with MIDI-compatible sound cards, also lets you choose different instrument sounds.
$25 from Celista Software,
P.O. Box 1678, Salmon Arm, British Columbia V1E 4P7,
http:// www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip Guitar Teacher for Windows 95 (file name: Gtrwn300.zip).
HotDog 32
Think HTML is some kind of disease? This program will cure you. In no time, you'll be using the buttons and pull-down menus to combine text, graphics, "hot button" images and hypertext links to create Web pages you'll want to brag about.
$29.95 from Sausage Software,
(800) 711-6030, (714) 250-7262,
http://www.sausage. com
Click here to copy Hot Dog 32 to your hard disk (file name: hd32inst.exe).
Click here to copy Hot Dog 32's support files to your hard disk (file name: hd32supp.exe).
Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer
The latest versions of the two most popular Web browsers both support Web page frames, Java animations, tables, audio and video plug-ins, and more. Which is better? Download both, and decide for yourself.
Netscape Navigator: $49 from Netscape Communications,
(800) 638-7483, (415) 937-2555,
http://www.netscape.com
Because of Netscape licensing restrictions, we cannot place a copy of Netscape on this CD-ROM.
Internet Explorer: Free from Microsoft,
(800) 426-9400, (206) 882-8080,
http://www.microsoft.com
Several flavors of Internet Explorer are on this CD-ROM.
CyberPatrol 3.0
This digital chaperone prevents kids from divulging personal information in chat forums and restricts their access to more than 9,000 sites with potentially offensive material. You can get regular updates to block new adult-oriented sites for $29.95 a year.
$29.95 from Microsystems Software,
(800) 828-2608, (508) 879-9000,
http://www.cyberpatrol.com
Click here to copy CyberPatrol 3.0 to your hard disk (file name: cp-setup.exe).
Internet Marauder for Windows 95
Do you pay by the hour for the time you spend surfing the Net? This off-line browser can reduce your on-line charges; just type in keywords, and it searches the Web and automatically downloads relevant pages that you can view off-line. (Note: The program will soon be marketed under the name Teleport 1.5.)
$10 from Tennyson Maxwell,
(504) 781-3404,
http://www.tenmax.com
Click here to copy Internet Marauder for Windows 95 to your hard disk (file name: mdr142.exe).
Personal Stock Monitor 1.1
Can't wait to see how your stocks are faring? This program pulls quotes for an unlimited number of securities from any of several Web sites-including PC Quote and CNNfn-and displays them on your desktop. You can set the program to retrieve quotes as often as you like during the day, and even have it alert you when a stock hits a given price.
$25 from Anatoly Ivasyuk,
P.O. Box 1057, Germantown, MD 20875,
http://www.clark. net/pub/aivasyuk/psm
Click here to unzip Personal Stock Monitor (file name: psm.zip).
AccountPro 95
You don't have to be a CPA to see this double-entry system's assets. The program, from a developer in Switzerland, handles up to 2,000 books with 1,000 accounts and 32,700 annual transactions each; comes with templates for accounting forms; and automatically enters tax-related and discount transactions.
$119 from AccSoft,
011-41-1-926-2750,
http://www.shareware.com
Click here to unzip Account Pro 95 part 1(file name: ap501a.zip).
Click here to unzip Account Pro 95 part 2(file name: ap501b.zip).
SL Checkbook 4.0
If you'd like to balance your checkbook electronically but don't want to pay for the bells and whistles in Quicken, take a look at this program. Buttons and simple forms make it easy to record checks, deposits and transfers. With a click on an icon, you can balance your account and print your register.
$20 from Michael Brady, Nickle Alloy Software,
6530 Nancy Drive, North Olmsted, OH 44070,
http://www.winmag.com/library/1996/0996/09share.htm
Click here to unzip SL Checkbook (file name: slckbk.zip).
Reprinted with permission by Home PC (CMP Media). Visit Home
PC's Web Site at http://techweb.cmp.com/hpc/current/.
Paul Silverman is the Webmaster at Windows Magazine. He
can be reached via e-mail at psilverm@cmp.com.
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