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@Macarlo, Inc. Presents: Shareware News from CNET |
April 27, 1999
FEATURED APPLICATIONS FOR THE PC
SKIN DEEP
When it comes to how an application looks, "form follows function" may have been true in the past. However, developers are now discovering that a program's interface and its features deserve equal attention. Such is the case with 3D-FTP. Bearing absolutely no resemblance to the mundane Explorer-like file transfer clients out there, 3D-FTP sports beveled buttons and a wonderfully futuristic feel. Following the lead of Winamp with its replaceable interface "skins," 3D-FTP can completely change its appearance whenever you desire. You can create your own skins and incorporate up to 60 user interface elements, or download a ready-made skin from the developer's Web site. If good looks aren't your only criteria for choosing a file transfer client, 3D-FTP still has a lot to offer. The program boasts a robust feature set and all the FTP niceties you'd expect, right down to resuming interrupted file transfers and generating real-time histograms of your sessions.
FACT FILE:
Program name: 3D-FTP
Version: 1.01
Size: 903K
Developed by: SiteDesigner Technologies
License: shareware ($30)
Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT
It's got the look:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-002,00.html
MOTHER LODE
If you've ever dreamed of striking it rich in the Klondike, imagine the wealth that will be created when we begin to mine the rocks that float in outer space. That's the premise of a new 2D scrolling shooter called Asteroid Miner. Other prospectors don't take kindly to cosmic cowboys infringing on their claim though, so the more rocks you hit and precious metals you mine, the better you can outfit your ship with weapons and equipment. You can choose to mind your own business, but the game really picks up speed when you actively pursue the opposition and hunt them down for bounty payment. To complete a level, you need to earn a fixed amount of cash, accumulated from mining activity or by destroying rival miners.The intense game features huge scrolling play areas, planets where you can refuel and trade, menacing enemy ships, upgradable weapons, and a radar system to spot nearby planets and attackers. There is even a multiplayer mode in which up to eight players can fight a deathmatch amongst the asteroids.
FACT FILE:
Program name: Asteroid Miner
Version: 1.1
Size: 1,871K
Developed by: Positech Computing
License: shareware ($15)
Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT, Microsoft DirectX drivers 5.0
Stake your claim:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-003,00.html
CONTROL FREAK
Application launchers have enjoyed tremendous popularity since the first release of Windows 95, stemming mainly from the fact that there's plenty of room for improvement over the default Start menu, desktop shortcuts, and system tray. A recent newcomer called BeDeamon gives you complete control over your applications, system settings, and Internet sessions.The customizable toolbar features an attractive system of menus and buttons, enabling you to launch your favorite applications with a single click and control Windows without cluttering your desktop or the Start menu. BeDeamon offers an unlimited number of program shortcuts, up to 100 floating bars, full drag-and-drop support, and access to My Computer and the Control Panel. System information provided by BeDeamon includes memory and CPU usage, and you'll find a collection of Internet miniapps, such as a bookmark tool, Ping utility, and thin email client. You can also visit the developer's Web site to obtain free icon libraries and replaceable skins for BeDeamon.
FACT FILE:
Program name: BeDeamon
Version: 1.31
Size: 648K
Developed by: Thierry Imbert
License: shareware ($20)
Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT
Be yourself:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-004,00.html
AFTER DARK
With light pollution levels set to rise steeply as the millennium passes, it will become increasingly difficult for much of the Earth's population to explore the cosmos from their backyard. But no matter what the time of day or viewing conditions, you can comfortably gaze up at the stars with DeskNite, an educational utility that will transform your static Windows wallpaper into a dynamic view of the night sky. After entering your viewing location from a drop-down list, you'll see accurate representations of the planets, sun, moon, constellations, and other celestial objects rotate around your desktop in real-time. The program tracks up to 3,000 stars and Messier objects, in point source and photoplate display styles, with equal area, equidistant, and orthographic projection models. DeskNite also features horizon, ecliptic, and equator lines, and the pocket planisphere is always available at the click of a button from your system tray.
FACT FILE:
Program name: DeskNite
Version: 1.0
Size: 1,393K
Developed by: Swimming Elk Software
License: freeware
Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT
Stare at the stars:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-005,00.html
SITE SAVER
You can teach a dog to fetch, but what about your browser? Not likely, unless that browser happens to be Offline Explorer (OE), the site-saving utility that lets you grab up to 100 Web sites for later viewing. With OE, downloading a single Web site requires very little effort--simply type the target's URL into the address window and you're off. Once the process is complete, the site can be viewed with your favorite browser or through Offline Explorer; the latter even features Web page editing tools to help you make changes. Offline Explorer is no stranger to a hard day's work, so multiple site downloads are a snap to configure as well.However, leaving your downloads unattended could be risky, given the size and complexity of today's Web sites. To prevent overloading your system, Offline Explorer lets you limit the size of your request in megabytes, and even specify certain file types (for instance, MP3 files) that you wish to grab.
FACT FILE:
Program name: Offline Explorer
Version: 1.0
Size: 723K
Developed by: MetaProducts Software
License: shareware ($30)
Requirements: Windows 95/98/NT
Browse sans connection:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-006,00.html
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FEATURED APPLICATIONS FOR THE MAC
YOU'VE GOT MAIL--LOTS OF MAIL
If your email accounts seem to be growing faster than your ability to check them, we've got a utility that can help. FastEmailCheck can rescue you from the tiresome chore of repeated manual checks. You can set the registered version to automatically log into as many as ten POP3 email accounts, and then download your mail in the background. You'll be notified of new mail via a sound and/or a global floating window.FastEmailCheck offers some limited filtering features and works with Appearance Manager. It will not download mail from Web-based services, however.
FACT FILE:
Program name: FastEmailCheck Pro
Version: 1.0.2
Size: 1,041K
Developed by: CedInPro Development
License: shareware ($10)
Requirements: 68040 processor or better, Open Transport, System 7 or
better, 2MB disk space, 1024K RAM
Hey, Mr. Postman:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-007,00.html
MUSIC MATE
Whether vinyl, cassette, CD, or even digital music files are your passion, MusiCatalog offers a spot for storing the 411 on all your favorite tunes. Fully Web-ready, this music collector's database can read and generate HTML catalog files, keep your favorite online music stores at your fingertips, and even help you figure out what the status of your Columbia House subscription is. Fields for artist, title, year, length, medium, condition, and more are already provided, and it's easy to add other types of data as you prefer. The interface is well-designed and easy to use, with a return to the main menu and the program's various functions a one-click procedure.
FACT FILE:
Program name: MusiCatalog
Version: 3.2
Size: 3,009K
Developed by: Phantasmic Software
License: shareware ($25)
Requirements: System 7.1 or better, 6MB disk space, 6MB RAM
Can't stop the music:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-008,00.html
RELATIONSHIP SAVER
Are your family members or roommates hitting the roof over missed calls and unavailable phone lines? Don't panic--just try PeaceKeeper. This companion to PPP will cut off dormant online connections at a specified time. PeaceKeeper's a handy tool if you're planning on leaving your PC unattended all day for that mammoth download. ICQ and Hotline addicts will also be grateful, since their favorite programs never go offline unless they're forced to. A triangular icon in a small window will display the length of your most recent session (and can be hidden, so as to avoid "Net junkie" epithets from your housemates). PeaceKeeper is optimized for the PowerPC processor and works with Appearance Manager.
FACT FILE:
Program name: PeaceKeeper
Version: 2.0
Size: 560K
Developed by: Noah Stewart/Biped Design Co.
License: shareware ($3)
Requirements: PPP Internet connection; Mac OS 8.5 for some functions
Keep the line clear:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-009,00.html
MUSIC BOX
Late-night e-radio listeners and digital music fans will enjoy this latest version of ShockBox, the speedy Shockwave streaming audio player.It now supports MPEG-2 audio, runs faster, and looks a little better. Perhaps more importantly, quite a few bugs have been squashed. ShockBox can catalog and play online audio files stored in a wide variety of formats, including QuickTime, AVI, AIFF, and MPEG, as well as files delivered by ShockBox audio servers on the Web. It also lets you store and play music copied from your audio CD collection, using high compression for excellent sound quality--even through your built-in Mac speakers.
FACT FILE:
Program name: ShockBox
Version: 1.12
Size: 3,208K
Developed by: Lance Endres/Endres Design
License: freeware
Requirements: PowerPC processor, System 7.0 or better, 6MB RAM, Sound
Manager 3.1 or better, QuickTime 3.0
Get shocked:
http://www.shareware.com/DD/sw/0,156,0421-1-010,00.html
@Macarlo, Inc.
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