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14 Vital Internet Tools
(Reviews) These downloads, mostly free, will help you optimize your communications with others, improve security, and generally improve your online life.
Smart Sites and Terrific Downloads
(How To) Share huge files, explore the universe, eject USB devices fast, and watch a hilarious video parody of video games and prostitution.
Save on Ink, Make a Podcast, Be a Chocolatier
(Reviews) Save on Ink, Make a Podcast, Be a Chocolatier
Microsoft previews desktop search update
(News) Microsoft has released a preview of an update to its Windows desktop-search tool to clear out bugs and improve the performance of the current technology.
Free File, Clean-Up Tools
(Reviews) Use these downloads to remove junk on your drive and get better control over your files--plus, a star is born.
Free Apps for Words, Screen Capture, and Sudoku
(Reviews) No-cost alternatives for common tasks--and a game--that you can download now.
Three Apps' New Approaches to Old Standbys
(Reviews) Find new takes on common tasks with these utilities.
360desktop Panoramic PC Workspace Service
(Reviews) A 360-degree panoramic workspace on your PC's desktop sounds great--if you don't mind the ads.
Laplink PCmover 3.0 Migration Software
(Reviews) XP-to-Vista migration application works well--within limits.
The 20 (Mostly Free) Downloads You Can't Do Without
(Reviews) Cure a sluggish PC, improve your defenses, and have more computing fun with these great programs. Most are freebies, and you can try those that aren't before you put down any cash.
BeyondTrust tames Vista's UAC pop-ups
(News) Management vendor BeyondTrust Tuesday unveiled software that lets companies nearly eradicate the pop-ups that plague Windows Vista's user account control feature.
VPNs still show basic flaws, says study
(News) A penetration test of U.K. corporate VPNs has offered decidedly mixed news on security.
Tools You Didn't Know You Needed
(Reviews) Bass tries out some programs that remove an unwanted RAID setup, check a computer's memory, and perform speedy file searches.
Parallels Desktop for Mac 3.0
(Reviews) Virtualization software deepens the reach of Windows on the Mac.
Get Smart About Downloads
(How To) Tips and tools for downloading software; help staying awake during teleconferences.
VMware releases virtualization benchmark software
(News) VMware has released the first public beta of a VM benchmarking tool VMark. Until now, VMware has refused to allow anyone, via its licensing terms, to benchmark its products. But here's the first concrete evidence that it's being forced by market pressure into changing its policy. The company's plans to produce it were first revealed last year just before VMworld, the company's annual developer/user conference.
Seagate promises file rescue with new software
(News) Seagate has launched File Recovery for Windows software, designed to recover deleted or damaged files from a Windows disk or USB stick.
Make Your (Computing) Life Easier
(How To) Useful utilities and Web sites, plus waterproof camera cases.
Virtualization App Makes Programs Portable
(Reviews) Software lets travelers create their own virtual PC on the road.
Microsoft Updates Virtual Server 2005
Microsoft Updates Virtual Server 2005
Sophos Offers Free Rootkit Detection Tool
Sophos Offers Free Rootkit Detection Tool
Google Earth Gets an Update
(news) Google Earth Gets an Update
McAfee Readies SiteAdvisor Enhancements
(news) McAfee Readies SiteAdvisor Enhancements
SRS Releases Document Detective 2.0
(news) SRS Releases Document Detective 2.0
Microsoft to Release Beta of Enhanced Search Engine
(news) Microsoft to Release Beta of Enhanced Search Engine
Blinkx Revamps Search Application
(news) Blinkx Revamps Search Application
Remote Access Comes to Google Desktop
(reviews) Remote Access Comes to Google Desktop
Google Updates Desktop Search App
(news) Google Updates Desktop Search App
Free Tools Help Keep Your Hardware Humming
(howto) Free Tools Help Keep Your Hardware Humming
Make Sure Your Old Computer Tells No Tales
(howto) Make Sure Your Old Computer Tells No Tales
First Look: Google--The Toolbar You'll Keep
(reviews) First Look: Google--The Toolbar You'll Keep
Keep Your PC Safe and Efficient
(reviews) Keep Your PC Safe and Efficient
Organize Your Digital Notes
(reviews) Organize Your Digital Notes
Deep File Divers
(reviews) Deep File Divers
Cool Tools--and a Personal Note
(howto) Cool Tools--and a Personal Note
The World on Your Desktop
(news) The World on Your Desktop
Smart PC Searches
(howto) Smart PC Searches
First Look: Google Grabs Space on Your Desktop
(reviews) First Look: Google Grabs Space on Your Desktop
McAfee Boosts Wi-Fi Security
(news) McAfee Boosts Wi-Fi Security
Plug-In Card Promises System Restore
(news) Plug-In Card Promises System Restore
The Trouble-Free PC
(reviews) The Trouble-Free PC
Gates: Information Trade Is Key for Businesses
(news) Gates: Information Trade Is Key for Businesses
Microsoft Updates Desktop Search Toolbar
(news) Microsoft Updates Desktop Search Toolbar
Blinkx Smart Folders Get Smarter
(news) Blinkx Smart Folders Get Smarter
Blinkx Upgrades Search Tool
(news) Blinkx Upgrades Search Tool
Companies Lining Up to Root Out Rootkits
(news) Companies Lining Up to Root Out Rootkits
T-Bird E-Mail App a Winner
(reviews) Mozilla Foundation's free e-mail software is powerful and easy, though it has some minor bugs.
App Stops Startup Irritation
(reviews) Abolute Startup Pro helps tame apps that slow your system startup.
New Tool Gives the Scoop on Snoops
(news) New Tool Gives the Scoop on Snoops
Yahoo Fires Up Toolbar for Firefox Users
(news) Yahoo Fires Up Toolbar for Firefox Users
A Better PaperPort, Mostly
(reviews) A Better PaperPort, Mostly
Yahoo Launches Desktop Search Tool
(news) Yahoo Launches Desktop Search Tool
Microsoft Readies Antispyware App
(news) Microsoft Readies Antispyware App
New Flaw Found in Google Desktop Search
(news) New Flaw Found in Google Desktop Search
Ask Jeeves Previews Desktop Search Tool
(news) Ask Jeeves Previews Desktop Search Tool
MSN Desktop Search Debuts
(news) MSN Desktop Search Debuts
Desktop Search Avalanche Set to Hit
(news) Desktop Search Avalanche Set to Hit
Blinkx Unveils Smarter Desktop Search
(news) Blinkx Unveils Smarter Desktop Search
Free Up Office Space With Free Programs
(reviews) Free Up Office Space With Free Programs
Download This: Guard Your PC and IM With a Gem
(reviews) Stop spyware and smooth PC startups with one free program. Share snaps and IM with another.
Annoyance Busters
(reviews) 24 great utilities and tools that smack down hassles with data, security, Windows, and your hardware.
Symantec Goes Anti-Phishing
(news) New service helps companies thwart online scams.
Take a Note--Or Lots of Them
(news) EverNote offers a slick way to collect and retrieve random information on multiple devices.
SpinRite 6 to the Rescue
(reviews) Venerable disk-saver utility is updated to work with Windows XP.
Home Office: More Awards and Great Products
(howto) Dress in his virtual tux, Steve Bass continues giving out his own awards.
Home Office: Three Other World-Class File Organizers
(howto) These winning utilities put your vital information at your fingertips.
Home Office: The Bass Awards
(howto) Best products of the year, some near misses, and a real dog.
Download This: Why Reinvent the Wheel?
(reviews) Snag screens, glitz up Google, and shoot through space.
Internet Cleanup Revamped
(news) Aladdin enhances anti-spyware, identity protection features of security utility.
Tools to Find PC Data Faster
(news) Forget Windows' Search: New tools can find keywords on PCs in seconds.
SyNet Shows New Security Tools
(news) Secure Send encrypts files, while PC-Keeper protects shared systems.
EarthLink Readies Anti-Phishing Tool
(news) ScamBlocker is designed to track, block access to known swindle sites.
Microsoft Goes Virtual
(reviews) Utility lets you easily install and use multiple operating system versions on your PC.
The Trouble-Free PC
(reviews) Tune it up. Back it up. Ramp it up. We test 16 utilities designed to keep your system running strong today and tomorrow.
Must-Have Free Utilities
(yahoo) Ten tools that deliver PC speed and safety.
New Software Add-Ons Enhance, Extend
(news) FileMaker, Microsoft Office get accessories for vertical applications.
Home Office: Steve's Do-It-Yourself Windows Upgrade
(howto) These tools make your current OS act the way Longhorn should in two years.
New Tools Protect, Preserve PCs
(news) Updated System Mechanic, Diskeeper, and new FirstDefense programs guard and clean systems.
Home Office: Finding Utilities
(howto) The Web is packed with tools; here's how to keep safe when hunting for them.
Home Office: Must-Have Free Utilities Catalog 2003
(howto) This year's collection of the ten best no-cost tools delivers PC speed and safety.
Home Office: A Few More Very Cool Utilities
(howto) Here's a handful of slick tools and a plug for Windows XP.
SnapPro Syncs Cell Phones, Address Books
(news) FutureDial program eases backup, transfer, and saving of phone data.
Natural-Born Spam Killers
(reviews) Six top utilities promise relief from the junk-mail onslaught. Our tests reveal the best defenders for your in-box.
PentaWare Ships File Manager
(news) PentaSuite builds on compression program PentaZip.
20 Tools for Trouble-Free Computing
(howto) Want to make everyday tasks easier, safer--even more entertaining? These no-hassle utilities do the job right.
ActiveWords Turns Words Into Actions
(news) Windows utility aims to save clicks, time with quick file and Web searches in context.
Acronis Offers New and Improved PC Utilities
(news) Upgraded applications include privacy and migration tools, and a bundled utility suite with a high degree of difficulty.
PDA Program Beefs Up Address Books
(news) Chapura's KeyContacts aims to get Palm, Outlook into sync.
Apps for Tweaking PC Performance
(reviews) Three shareware programs help you fine-tune your PC's configuration and improve its performance.
Home Office: Want to Take Digital Pix? Read This First
(howto) Manipulating images, managing image files, and other weird stuff.
Cover Story: Tools for Trouble-Free Computing
(reviews) Whether your PC is brand new or showing its age, the best utilities will keep it in tip-top shape.
Home Office: More Tips, Tricks, and Cool Utilities
(howto) File viewers, file managers, and how to get the raise you deserve.
Intellisync for Next-Generation PDAs
(reviews) Latest edition of essential software for syncing handheld and desktop supports Pocket PC 2002.
PowerDesk Powers Up With Release 5
(news) Updated file organizer merges functions, supports thumbnails and other new views, and adds playlists.
Screen-Grab Stalwart
(reviews) Latest version of versatile, capable screen grabber adds little to its predecessor's repertoire.
Five Tools That Make Windows Shine
(howto) These utilities help cure what ails everybody's favorite (gulp) OS.
Dandy Desktop Shortcuts
(reviews) Sensiva version 3 allows you to scribble onscreen to open applications and launch other shortcuts.
Utilities Keep Your PC From Losing Time
(news) Ring in 2002 with your PC on time, then work on punctuality yourself.
Easier PC Partitioning
(reviews) PowerQuest's PartitionMagic 7 is a worthwhile upgrade of an already well-done partitioning software package.
Play CD-ROMs Without Using a Drive
(reviews) Farstone Technology's Virtual Drive 6.1 CD emulator speeds game play.
Internet Tips: Send Browser Pop-Ups to Their Deserved Demise
(howto) Prevent pop-up browser windows, sharpen AOL graphics, capture a Shockwave animation.
Top Utilities and Applications
(downloads) Here are some of the 2001 Shareware Industry Awards nominees.
WebWintility Offers Remote Access on the Fly
(news) PX Technologies expands its affordable desktop organizer with Web access functions.
Avoid Windows XP Envy
(downloads) Power up your current OS (and have fun) with these Windows favorites.
Do You, PC, Take This Mac?
(reviews) PC MacLan from Miramar Systems allows systems of both platforms to share.
Infogate Watches Web, Wires for Whatever You Want
(news) By e-mail, pager, messenger, and more, free service will alert you as requested.
Peek Into Your PC From Anywhere
(reviews) GoToMyPC from Expertcity and PCAnywhere from Symantec allow remote PC access.
Making the Most of Humongous Hard Drives
(reviews) DriveWorks lets you partition and save images of hard drives.
Top 5 System Tools
(downloads) Free up RAM, tweak your hardware, and remove remnants of programs when you uninstall.
Internet Tips: Check Your Hacker Vulnerability for Free
(howto) Examine your PC's vulnerability to hackers, weed out dead bookmarks.
Files Highlighted in Our May Issue
(downloads) Remove Trojan horses, delete junk e-mail, and synchronize your bookmarks.
Top 5 Firewall Utilities
(downloads) Protect your PC from suspicious activity on your network or the Internet.
Utilities That Can Do the Trick
(downloads) Disable your Windows log-on, monitor your Registry, and speed up your PC.
Get Active (Desktop)
(howto) Windows' Active Desktop feature works great on today's PCs. So why aren't you using it yet?
Network Defragger Updated
(reviews) Executive Software Diskeeper 6
Instant Folders Offers Instant Swapping
(news) Service from Punch Networks lets you share and update documents securely and quickly.
Top Five Bandwidth Utilities
(downloads) Beef up your Internet or modem connection with these shareware utilities.
Top Five Windows Me Files
(downloads) Give Windows Me a boost with this assortment of shareware programs.

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