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Probably one of the most useful
programs ever is a Zip program. This makes files smaller by
compressing them, meaning you can a) store more on your computer and
b) transfer files over the Internet, much quicker, meaning less expense
(certainly those of us who don't have free calls!). We recommend
WinZip. You can download an evaluation version online and should you
wish you can register it later at a small charge. The WinZip site can
be found at http://www.winzip.com/
Current users can also update to the latest version here too.
Another essential program for the
Internet is a recent web browser. These include, Internet Explorer 5,
Netscape 4.6 and AOL 4.0i (This actually has Internet Explorer 4 built
in, but don't panic as AOL will be releasing AOL 5.0i later this
year). We personally prefer Internet Explorer, and technology wise it
certainly is top. Some of the benefits of Internet Explorer 5 are;
- It's up to 60% faster!
- It has an improved search,
history and favourites features!
- It has new IntelliSense features!
- It now comes built in with a
radio tool bar!
- You can customize the appearance
of your tool bar!
For more information on any of the 3
products named above please select the one of interest to you from
below;
Other browsers that are less well
known are available.
Should you be using Internet
Explorer 5 or Netscape Navigator, you may be interested in a program
called Neoplanet 2.1. This program is just under 1.4mb and makes your
web browser much more interesting. It gives you the power to change
the skin of the browser and give your web experience a whole new look!
For more information why not give Neoplanet
a visit?
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If you use the Internet for chat,
you'll be pleased to know there's loads of places to chat! Whether you
want Voice Chat or just Standard Text Chat there is something for you!
One of the best Voice Chat programs
we have found yet is called Hearme. (Also known as Mplayer). Here you
can join chat rooms and just type away or if you want speak live to
everyone else in the room! (Of course you will need a microphone and
sound card for this! But surely that goes without say!). You need to
register on your first visit and download a small program, but after
this you just load the program from you active desktop or start menu.
For more information, visit http://www.hearme.com/
One
of the most used chat
programs has got to be ICQ. However, new users find it difficult to
get use to as there is so much! The download is under 2mb and the
program allows you to;
- Send voice messages, (not live),
- Make private chat rooms,
- Hide from people,
- Have private message chats,
- Send files and URL's through the
message window,
- Receive messages while your not
online and get them as soon as you log on,
- Be paged from the ICQ website,
...and quite a lot more! However
with this your user name is actually a user number and if you have a habit
of forgetting things, or losing them, the chances are you'll never
remember your number when someone asks! To find out more or download
ICQ visit the website at: http://www.icq.com/
A much simpler program is AOL
Instant Messenger. This allows you to communicate with anyone else
with the program and any AOL member. In total that's some 35,000,000
people plus! This program is actually (you could say), catching up
with the popularity of ICQ. AIM allows you to do the following;
- Chat privately via IM's (Instant
Messages),
- Chat in community chat rooms,
- Chat in your own private chat
room,
- Chat to AOL members,
- Send and receive files with other
AIM users,
- Search member directories fast
and easily,
- Set up an 'Answer Service', so
while your busy on the net, you can put and answer service on,
...and some other things too! It has
a much smarter look to it, and is much easier to learn to use. You can
chose your own screen name, (however because there are so many
members, it's hard to get a name you like!), and download the program
from the website. Visit the AIM site at: http://www.aol.com/aim/
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