Program:

Firebird

Purpose

Web browser

Cost:

$0.00

Betterthan:

Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla 1.4

Web site:

Why You Should Switch to the Mozilla Firebird Browser

Download:

Download now (6.8MB)

Comments:

I had a hard time deciding what would be #1 on this list. I had intended to make it the regular Mozilla Browser. I've been using Mozilla 1.4, but my friend Brendan (

Program:

Trillian

Purpose

All-pupose messenger program

Cost:

$0.00

Betterthan:

using AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger seperately

Web site:

Trillian Website

Download:

Download now (2.3MB)

Comments:

If you're using more than one messaging program, then this program can save you some time. I use AIM and MSN, and when I open the program it signs me onto both of my accounts and shows all of my online contacts in one window instead of two. Another major advantage of Trillian is that it contains no ads and no spyware. It's totally free, no strings attached. I'm not sure if it can do all of the advanced features of MSN Messenger 6.0, but I like it better anyway. Another cool think about it is that it's totally skinable. You can download files that change the look of it. Right now I'm using an MSN skin, so it looks very similar to MSN 6.0, but it has my AOL contacts in there, too.

Program:

Hotmail Popper

Purpose

Use Hotmail with a POP emailprogram (like Thunderbird)

Cost:

$0.00

Betterthan:

Using web mail accounts with aweb browser

Web site:

http://www.boolean.ca/hotpop/

Download:

Download now (1.6MB)

Comments:

Hotmail is a nice free webmailprovider, and using a web browser to send and recieve mail is helpfulsometimes, like when you need to get your mail from several differentcomputers.  But it can be a pain, too.  Sometimes you want toread or write email when your computer is not connected to theinternet.  And I don't like how long it takes for me to go throughmy email: Click one, wait for it to load.  Delete it, wait for itto load.  And don't even talk to me about sendingattachments.  That can be a 20 minute job, especially if you havemore than one file to attach.  Microsoft Outlook does have theoption of managing your webmail account, and I tried this.  Theproblem is that it doesn't save your messages on the computer, so itstill has to access them everytime you open your inbox on theprogram.  This doesn't make it any faster than a webbrowser.  This is where Hotmail Popper comes in.  You keepthis little program running all of the time and then any mail programcan get access to your Hotmail account.  Your messages are storedon your computer, so you don't have to worry about what to do with themwhen your 2 MB gets full.  It's also easy to compose messages,even with attachments, and then send them.  I tried the programwith Outlook and it worked most of the time.  Now I'm using itwith Thunderbird and it works great.  I haven't had any problemsand it's making my Hotmail account much more useful.  It's onlyslightly tricky to set up.  When you set up Thunderbird with yourHotmail account, you'll need to set the server name to 127.0.0.1 andthe outgoing server to the same.  If you have problems with this,let me know and I'll help you.

Program:

Thurderbird

Purpose

Email program

Cost:

$0.00

Betterthan:

Microsoft Outlook and OutlookExpress, Eudora, your web browser

Web site:

Download:

Downloadnow (7.34 MB)

Comments:

Thunderbird is a project of theMozilla foundation, makers of some great free software.  The mainadvantages of this program over similar programs is that it is smaller,faster, more secure and it has better features.  The spell checkfeature works great and it stands alone, so it doesn't have to open MSWord and slow your whole computer down.  Thunderbird iswell-protected against viruses and hackers.  It has powerfull junkmail filters, too.  I really like the way the address book worksbetter that Outlook's contact list.  It makes it a loteasier.  If you use Hotmail, then you'll need something like my #3pick, Hotmail Popper, to check your mail with Thunderbird.

Program:

Star Downloader

Purpose

Downloading files

Cost:

$0.00

Betterthan:

Download Accelerator Plus,Mozilla Download Manager, your web browser

Web site:

Download:

Download now

Comments:

If you're downloading files overa dial-up connection, you're going to want a download manager.  Itdoes two important things: First, it speeds up your download by breakingthe file into several parts and downloading them allsimultaneously.  Second, it allows you to pause and resume thedownload.  This comes in handy when you're halfway into a big fileand you need to disconnect your modem so you can make a call. You can also schedule several files for download and then let them runovernight.  Of the available download managers, Star Downloader isthe best.  It is totally free, contains no spyware and has severalcool features.  I would have put this program higher in my ranking,but this way you can use it to download the other 4 programs.