Free downloads are available to all Internet users.
Knowing what to download, or where to find the most useful downloads
can be frustrating. Some programs automatically download information
from the Internet and can be tailored to fit the individual.
PCN or Point Cast Network (a free service) is one of the most popular and the downloads can be set for times that the computer is not normally in use or can work in the background while the user is surfing other areas of the net. The downloaded material which can include weather reports, stock quotes, industry news and news articles which can be displayed as a screensaver or simply viewed by clicking on the PCN icon.
Another program is called Intermind. This is another free download and the user chooses the exact information they want from hundreds of informational and retail sites. Whenever a site is updated, the user receives the new information automatically.
Updating system files or drivers is an excellent
use of the Internet. For instance, if a person should upgrade
to Windows 95 or buys a different computer, his printer may not
continue to work as well as it should.
Most printer manufacturers have Internet sites and
provide free updates to their drivers. Locate your manufacturer
though a search vehicle and look for a section usually titled
"downloads" or "free software". Locate your
printer, your language (English, Spanish etc.) and your system
environment (i.e. Windows 3.1, OS2, Macintosh or Windows 95) and
click on the appropriate software.
Microsoft itself offers many free demos and several
system fixes. If a person is using Windows 95, I would recommend
that they download the service pack I. This pack provides the
updates that are currently being shipped with Windows 95.
For the user who is using Windows 95 and Netscape, a real must for downloading is Kernel32. This program fix provides a solution for the paging problems that happen due to a socket "leak". These two programs won't fix all the fatal errors that a surfer might see but it will fix the majority of them.
Some modem manufacturers also offer free upgrades
for some modems from 28.8 speeds to 33.6. I understand that some
of the manufacturers that do, include Motorola, Rockwell and
Sportster.
Both browsers Netscape and Explorer utilize plugins
to see the web at its best advantage. Keep in mind that to really
utilize the web at its fullest you need to have Netscape 3.0 or
Explorer 3.1.
The most popular plugins for Netscape that make the most of the web include RealAudio, Shockwave and VDOLive. Although there are quite a few choices these will bring animation and sound to the pages you visit. Explorer downloads similar add-ons automatically as you need them.
For any user that downloads off the web. I would
recommend virus protection. McAfee, Thunderbyte, and many more
are available free for trial periods off the net. Updates to
the virus list (so your protection is always current) are also
available at no cost.
Some programs such as PC-cillin II provide updates
and emergency virus response if a problem shows up on your system.
Parsons technology is offering a free virus protection program (which includes Windows Explorer) to the first 50,000 people. Alarm 95 is also available free through Parsons and gives the user the ability to organize their Windows 95 programs, adds a calendar and a schedule.
http://www.parsonstech.com or keyword PARSONS on AOL
Finding fixes and free downloads doesn't have to
be time consuming. A favorite program of mine named Oil Change
examines your system, checks them against a database of free programs
and fixes and then downloads the appropriate items.
This can be done in the background while you are using your computer for other purposes or even while you surf. Better yet, Oil Change will install most of the downloads for you. Oil Change itself is not a free program, however a free trial version is available.
Whatever system, programs or browser you might have,
a fix or an upgrade is almost always available. Learn to find
your hardware and software distributor's and manufacturer's sites,
you never know what useful items you'll find.
Susan Wehe
swehe@ix.netcom.com
http://www.netcom.com/~swehe/family.html
Susan Wehe is a member of the Seguin Internet Club
and a member of the Marion SISD Technology Task Force. She is
a regular contributor to the Internet Beat column. This article
as well as her previous articles can be found at the web site
of the Seguin Internet Club, http://lonestar.texas.net/~weersjt/club/intbeat.html.
At this Internet location, all the previous 30 articles published
are available.
If interested in writing an article sharing with
the community of your experience, tips or interesting web sites,
contact column coordinator Gloria Rivera, riverag@connecti.com
The column will now be published once monthly on the Sunday preceding
the monthly club meeting (the second Saturday of the month).
This Saturday January 11, the Seguin Internet Club
will hold its January meeting at the Century 21 - D&D Real
State office, ( intersection of 123 Bypass and Hwy 90A), at 10
am. The meetings are open to Internet users of all levels, and
membership in the Club is free. Information to share and post
is always appreciated.