My favorite Shareware / Freeware / Trial Versions for
Windows
I’m a journalist
who has been online for over a decade (and who has worked as editor-in-chief
for top-rated German web sites). Although I’m not a techie, I’ve always been
interested in finding reasonably-priced software (PC and Mac) which is best
suited to my individual needs.Here are my recommendations
– based on continuous testing and extensive research (I currently use all programs
with Windows 2000 SP2).
- Peter Jebsen
Utilities
File
Manager:
ZtreeWin
A 32bit adaptation
of my favorite DOS utility XtreeGold. Windows Explorer doesn’t come close: ZtreeWin
allows you to list all the files across all drives, to copy or moving a selection
of tagged files (including the directory and sub-directory path of each file!),
and to search for text strings within a selection of tagged files. Check
it out – it’s truly terrific! http://www.ztree.com/html/ztreewin.htm
Installation Tracker:
InCtrl5
A free utility
(courtesy of PC Magazine) which keeps track of the changes made to your registry
and your files when you install new software. http://www.pcmag.com/article/0,2997,a=4583,00.asp Partitioning
of Hard Drives:
A classic! I’ve
checked out alternatives, but haven’t found reasons why I should switch. http://www.winzip.com/
Internet / Online
Browsing Companion:
Alexa 6
A great toolbar
which offers instant access to site info, related sites, dictionary and thesaurus.
If you’re using the Internet for research, Alexa will point you to many great
sites which you wouldn’t have found as comfortably without it.http://download.alexa.com/alexa6/startpage.html?p=destination_site
E-Mail:
Outlook Express
If you have a
reason to use Microsoft’s Hotmail service, I recommend Outlook Express to you.
It’s free, it enables you to download your Hotmail for offline handling, and
it also offers access to Usenet newsgroups. http://www.microsoft.com/
The Bat!
If you’re missing
anything in Outlook Express, and if you’re maintaining several e-mail accounts,
check out The Bat! It probably is one of the most comprehensive programs for
professional users. http://www.ritlabs.com/the_bat/
The search engine
Google is surprisingly accurate – its toolbar offers even faster access to its
resources. http://toolbar.google.com/ Download Manager:
There probably
are many FTP programs which are more sophisticated, and I’ve tried many of them.
But, so far, I haven’t found a reason to give up LeechFTP. It’s basic (and it’s
not being supported anymore), but it also is free. http://stud.fh-heilbronn.de/~jdebis/leechftp/downloads.html
Bookmark Utility:
PowerMarks
As a journalist,
I do extensive research via the Internet. For many years, I’ve looked for a
utility which helps me to sensibly store useful URLs. Until recently, QuikLinks
was my favorite program, but it was slow and instable. I’ve recently tried PowerMarks
which seems to be highly superior! http://www.kaylon.com/power.html
Access Fee
Manager:
SWR3 OnlineCounter 2002
Only for
German users:If you don’t know it, check it out! It helps you to keep track of your online
time and charges. http://www.swr3.de/onlinecounter/
The free alternative
to WebTrends (which I’ve used extensively, and which I highly recommend to anyone
who’s willing to pay the price) – it offers a basic analysis of your web server’s
log files. You only get a fraction of the traffic info provided by a program
like WebTrends, but – again – Analog is free. http://www.analog.cx/
Graphics
Photoshop Alternative:
Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7
Before – or while
– checking out Photoshop, find out whether Paint Shop Pro may be sufficient
to your needs! http://www.jasc.com/products/psp/
Office
Contact / Calendar
Suite:
Time & Chaos
For my needs,
Time & Chaos is far superior to Outlook because it allows me to see everything
that’s important in one window: a calendar, my address book, my appointments,
and my To Do list. I was also able to obtain get a Palm plug-in for T&C. http://www.isbister.com/chaos32.html
Fax Software:
WinFax Pro
An industry leader
which I’ve used for many, many years. None of the PC and Mac competitors which
I’ve given a try was as comprehensive and/or as stable. http://www.symantec.com/winfax/
