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Internet Ideas, Tools, and Web Sites |
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ObjectivesI hope through the construction of this site to share with visitors something of what I have discovered in cruising the internet for several years. I will discuss a few free or almost free software programs that I have found useful for web design or other computer tasks, as well as offer a miscellany of web sites that I have found especially charming or useful from a variety of perspectives. I hope to continually expand these listings as I find time. I would also appreciate hearing from visitors about other items that I should consider for inclusion in this site. It is a common belief among those not too acquainted with the internet that software to be useful must be costly, and, as a supposed corollary, downloading so-called free software both dangerous and offers little of value. I have found these propositions anything but true. In fact, downloading interesting new programs, free or nearly free, is one of the most rewarding aspects of playing (working?) with a computer. I have found that with Windows XP (and perhaps particularly XP Pro) the accumulation of programs and multiple program use is much less likely the tie up machines than in previous Windows systems. I am told this freedom has long been characteristic of the Apple/Mac and Linux worlds. It is generally, but not always, the case that support is hard to obtain for free programs. This problem is partly ameliorated by forums (although I often find forums frustrating). A problem that I have with many "free" programs is that several of them give the user continual reminders, just as in Public TV and Public Radio, that the program's developers would like a small contribution. I understand their need, yet the program has been advertized to the public as freeware rather than shareware. There are some simple and useful useful truly free programs, such as the MP9 Surfer and the FTP Commander. In other cases, the free program is a come-on, a cut-down version that is useful but less useful than the full version. In many cases, if the amount asked for is small, or the upgrade sufficiently enticing, I end up paying a little. This suggests that there should be a "free or nearly free" category that includes any programs that eventually require, or almost require, a one-time payment of less than $25.00. The suggestions offered may be roughly grouped as: Excellent Web Sites, Browsers and Mail Programs, Writing Programs, General Utilities, and Web Site Design Utilities. Many of the programs, particularly the "general utilities", are also useful in the other areas. Links to other siteideas sites are below: |
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