Mel's Must Have Essential Freeware Guide for Newbies Free Wallpaper

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Hi, I'm Mel.
Welcome to my website.

On this site you will find reviews and links to my favorite, and what I consider to be essential, or "Must Have" freeware. I have broken them down into levels of importance and experience, with Level One having the most importance, yet keeping the level of experience needed low.
Level One: PC Security, Basic Internet, and Basic System Utilities.
Level Two: Internet and System Nice Additional Utilities, Spyware Tools, and Host File/Ad Blockers.
Level Three: Privacy/Anonymity Aids, Shells, and Intermediate Utilities. You will also find free wallpaper links, links to some of my favorite sites, and a few tips and tweaks that I have found useful. Be sure to check out my new Search Tools page as it offers reviews and links to many different search aids, not just search engines. I also have a page dedicated to my hometown of Danville, Illinois.
I have spent a lot of time teaching myself about computers in the past few months, as a result of my employer of 23 yrs. deciding to close all the stores in my area (within 90 minutes). I purchased my computer in November of 2001. This is my first computer, and my first exposure to them. I do not claim to be a computer whiz, geek, techie, or whatever; just a guy with a little common sense who wants his computer to do what HE wants, not what the computer (or Microsoft) wants.
This is my first attempt at website building, and as such will, I'm sure, reflect my inexperience in design and content. I am open to suggestions as to how to improve this site. Just use the email me link at the bottom of the page to send me your suggestions or comments. Also, if you would please take a moment to sign my guestbook, I would appreciate it.

Thanks and enjoy, Mel

Site Navigation Menu

LEVEL ONE LEVEL TWO LEVEL THREE Flag Wallpaper

Computing Newbie Sites Internet Nice Additions Privacy/Anonymity Space Wallpaper

PC Security System Nice Additions Shells My Search Tools Page

Basic "Must Have" Internet Utilities Spyware Tools Intermediate "Must Have"Utilities My Danville Page

Basic "Must Have" System Utilities Host File/Ad Blockers Tips and Tweaks My Favorite Links

Upcoming Family Events Mel's Market My Computer My Sports Links

LEVEL ONE

Computing Newbie Sites
(Description "quotes" are from the original websites)

If you are completely new to computing, then you "must visit" some of these sites. They can help you get going, and give you an idea of what to expect as you learn to use your computer.

The Newbie Club - This site is full of useful information and helpful hints. Has many tutorials. Some of these cover very basic skills (such as copy and paste) that you will need to make your time on the computer easier and more enjoyable.
I HIGHLY Recommend joining and reading ALL of the tutorials on this site.
I learned alot from this site.

newbie.org -This is an excellent site to learn how to navigate Windows Explorer. Be sure to check out their Beginning page, and their Essentials page. They are "Must Read".

Internet Tips And Secrets - Click on the "Things Newbies Need To Know" link. Good common sense and other information.

Mel's Quick Tip -To stay on this page (or any page) and open a link in a new window you can:
Hold the Shift key and click on the link
or
Right click on the link (as opposed to the normal left click) and click Open in New Window.

newbieweb - A Beginner's Guide To The Internet. This is a good place to learn the basics of surfing the web. Has advice on how to search, a page of glossary links, netiquette rules, and an ok toolbox (although in my humble opinion, there are MUCH better "tools" available here ;-)

Netiquette Home Page - "Netiquette" is network etiquette, the do's and don'ts of online communication. Netiquette covers both common courtesy online and the informal "rules of the road" of cyberspace. This page provides links to both summary and detail information about Netiquette for your browsing pleasure."
This should be required reading for anyone who uses the net, after all, no one is born with this knowledge.

Mel's Download Technique

To use this procedure you must have Filenote and a spyware checking program like SpyChaser installed.
After finding something you would like to download:
1.Copy the name.
2.Launch SpyChaser (or some other spyware checking program) and paste the name into the Enter Program Name window. If the name does not show up in the window on the right, then you're ok to download.
3.Right click on the download button. Click on Open in New Window.
4.Click Save to disk. When prompted where to save, the default folder is fine - if you have a good memory. I have a dedicated folder specifically for, and called, Downloads in my My Documents folder. That way I don't have to think, "Now where do/did I put that download?" Go to your My Documents folder now and create one if you don't have one already( if you don't know how to create a new folder, you NEED to visit one of the newbie sites above). Ok, so click on the My Documents tab on the left side of the Save As Dialog Box.
5.Open the Downloads folder, then click on the Create New Folder icon (the middle one) at the top right of the Save As Dialog Box.
6.Right click and paste the name to name the new folder.
7.Open the new folder and click the Save button. Don't close the internet browser window, that's why you right clicked on the download button instead of the normal left click.
8.When the download is finished, check for viruses, trojans, and spyware. I use Norton (viruses), PestPatrol (trojans), and SpyCop (spyware).
9.Right click on the new program, click on FileNote, and hit the F5 button on the keyboard after Notepad starts.
10.Now go back to the homepage of the download and copy the address then paste it in notepad. Also copy then paste the program description in notepad.
IF YOU ARE USING NOTETAB LITE SET THIS AS THE PASTEBOARD BY CLICKING ON DOCUMENTS, USE AS PASTEBOARD AND IT WILL PASTE AUTOMATICALLY FOR YOU.
10.Now you have a safe program in a named folder with a description of the app, the download date and time, and an address of where you found it. All without typing anything! Very handy if you can't or don't install it right away. Sometimes you can download something and can't tell by the name, or just can't remember, what it is.

Mel's Fab FiveS
My Favorite Freeware Apps
These are my favorite apps, Not "must Haves"

System

Shells

Internet

1) H_Menu

2) Clipomatic

3) Notetab Lite

4) Vallen JPegger

5) jv16 PowerTools

1) Shelltoys 1.0.5

2) PowerShell-Me

3) FileNote

4) PlacesBar Editor

5) OpenExpert

1) NetLaunch

2) Spybot Search & Destroy

3) Dave's Quick Search Deskbar

4) Hostess w/Stephen Martin HOSTS file

5) Atomica

Mel's "Must Have" Freeware

I have a couple of major philosophies when it comes to computer software.
First of all, I don't believe in spending money on software. With all the freeware available, I think that you can find a program to fit your needs at no cost. The only exception to this would be anti-virus, or trojan protection (or Mel's Startup Disc ;-)
The other is that I tend to be somewhat lazy, so if I find something that will let me do a task in 1 or 2 clicks instead of 3 or 4, I'm checkin' it out! However I have found that some software is clumsily, or awkwardly written, hugely bloated, and some just don't do what they say they will. I have tried lots of different freeware, and these are my "picks".
All of the freeware listed on these pages I presently have installed and use on my own personal computer.

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Here is my list of what I consider to be "Must Have" freeware.
All links go to a homepage where possible.
My Startup Configuration

PC SECURITY

(Description "quotes" are from the original websites)

EVERYONE NEEDS SOME KIND OF
ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION!

I use Norton, mainly because it came with my computer. If your computer DOES NOT come with, or you do not have anti-virus protection, PLEASE click on one of these sites, download, and install immediately, BEFORE doing any more surfing!
AVG 6.0 Free Edition
AntiVir Personal Edition

"Tiny Personal Firewall represents smart, easy-to-use personal security technology that fully protects personal computers against hackers. Built on ICSA-certified security technology, it is also an integral part of The Tiny Software Centrally Managed Desktop Security (CMDS) system selected by the US Air Force for its approximately 500,000 desktop computers. Free for home users. (1.4MB)"
Easy to use firewall application. Everyone should have a firewall. A firewall will stop and alert you to stuff that wants to come in, and more importantly for trojan protection, stuff that wants to go out of your computer. You must give permission to all (in/out), but you only have to do it once if you check the "create a rule" box before clicking the permit button. The way I understand it, Tiny Persnal Firewall takes like a digital signature of the apps you ok, so even if a trojan renames itself to something that you've okayed, it will stop it and alert you. This link lets you download version 2.0.15 -the freeware edition. All links on Tiny's website take you to a shareware version (4.0).

PestPatrol 4.2 "Detects and removes hacker tools, DDoS attack agents, trojans and spyware that create backdoors and bypass anti-virus and firewalls."
THe freeware version detects, but doesn't remove. Excellent for detecting spyware cookies and trojans. If it turns up a trojan, you can go here or here for info and help in removing it. You can also try Spybot S&D. I use S&D to remove cookies and other spyware. Run PP4 at least once a week. Always run the updater first.

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RegistryProt v2.0 - "A utility to protect your Registry entries.RegistryProt's most useful attribute is that it will detect the vast majority of trojans at the exact moment that they infect/install themselves into your system, and as such provides a new dimension in trojan and intrusion detection."
This utility will tell you when something wants to change your registry. Easy to use. Runs in the background. You must confirm any registry changes; this is good unless you have a program that makes frequent changes to the registry (some file cleaners, TiffClean for example), then it could get tedious confirming all the time.

ScripTrap 1.03 - "ScripTrap traps scripts when they attempt to run on your computer and provides the option of blocking them or letting them continue to run. You can also check the intercepted script with your anti-virus program before you decide to run it or not. This provides you with a chance of catching possibly malicious code before it causes damage. ScripTrap is particularly useful for trapping scripts that arrive in email attachments, such as the recent ILOVEYOU virus."
DO NOT USE THIS IN PLACE OF ANTI-VIRUS PROTECTION!! Drag this into your startup folder.

DHCP Fix - Another AnalogX program, DHCP Fix is"a simple program that closes a security hole in Windows 95/98/2000 that can make it possible for another computer to monitor every piece of information that comes and goes from it. The program will allow you to enable or disable the registry entry that closes this particular hole."
Very quick and easy fix. Drag it into your startup folder.

- Go to PSC and download: cr2kill- Deletes CodeRed worm; dsostop2- Stops the data sources object exploit; and htastop - controls HTA script access. These are quick and easy fixes and apps to make your surfing faster and safer. More detailed info on each app at the PSC site.

StartupMonitor"StartupMonitor is a small utility that runs transparently (it doesn't even use a tray icon) and notifies you when any program registers itself to run at system startup. It watches the Start Menu's Startup folders and the Run entries in the registry, and prevents those utterly useless tray applications from registering themselves behind your back; and it acts as a security tool against trojans like BackOrifice or Netbus. StartupMonitor is 100% free! It has been tested on Windows 98, Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, and Windows XP; unfortunately, it does not function correctly under Windows 95 because of some unimplemented routines in the operating system."
This is nice because it will ask you to confirm any changes to your startup configuration as it happens. Trojans and viruses love to add themselves to the startup menu. Using this along with RegistryProt (above) can give you a little extra protection against these types of malicious vermin. If you use this program you will also want to get Startup Control Panel a complimentary program that will allow you to easily enable\disable any program that loads on system startup.

On a slow dialup connection? Want to save a ton of downloading time? How about a hard copy disc that you can't accidentally erase, or lose because of a computer meltdown? Then you want my Startup Disc.
Mel's Startup Disc contains all of the programs on this website thru Level Two, plus cursors, icons, animated icons, games, and wallpaper, all on one handy disc. NEARLY 100 PROGRAMS, 2600 ICONS, 500 CURSORS, & 200 WALLPAPER IMAGES IN ALL!!
And it's only $9.99! (Plus Postage) For more info click here.

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Basic Internet Utilities
(Description "quotes" are from the original websites)

NetLaunch - This is a "Must Have" if you don't connect to the internet right after logging on, or if you don't like doing a bunch of clicking everytime you want to start to surf. Instead of having all of your programs load at startup, just have your essential or non-internet apps (plus NetLaunch) load at startup. Then, when you're ready to surf, just click on the tray icon to bring up a menu. Click on your dial-up connection, and NetLaunch will start your firewall, then dial and connect, then launch your internet apps , including your browser, automatically. You can specify a time delay for each app. Swweeeet. Compatible withWindows 95/98/ME/NT. There is an XP compatible like program called NetRun. I'm not sure how well that app works, having Windows Me myself, but the interface and basic program implementation seem similar.

FileNote - " Edit or create text files for existing files. FileNote is a little shell extension that allows you to add textual descriptions to your files. It adds one command to the shell context menu of a file object. This command lets you easily edit or create a text file that has the same name as the initial file, but with the extension TXT. For example, say you have a file MyImage.jpg, you right-click on that file and choose the FileNote command from the context menu. A new text file called MyImage.txt is created and Notepad is opened to edit that text file. If a text file with that name already exists, it will be opened for viewing/editing. This extension may be useful if you are need to attach such text comments to your files. Now you don't need to create those text files manually."
I use it like this: after downloading an app and scanning for viruses, spyware, and trojans, I right click on the app. That will bring up the menu on the right. Click on filenote. This will start notepad. Hit the F5 button on the keyboard after notepad loads. Go back to the page that you got the app from and copy the address. Paste it in notepad. Now go back and copy the apps description and paste it in notepad also. (If you are using NoteTab Lite, a "Must Have" System Utility, just make it the paste board, and it will paste it automatically when you copy. Click Document, Use as Paste Board) When you close notepad, it is automatically named whatever the apps name is. Now you have a named folder with a description of the app, the download date and time, and an address of where you found it. All without typing anything! I don't download anything anymore without using this.
XP OK!

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AI RoboForm -Non-spyware form filler. All info stays on your computer. Can have multiple users or identities. EZ to use. Very nice. XP OK!

CopyURL - "A shell extension that helps you to copy different information from your Internet Shortcut files (entries in the Favorites folder or *.url files) to the clipboard. Then you can simply paste it from clipboard to your e-mails, HTML editor or other documents. It adds commands Copy URL, Copy Link and Copy Name to the shell context menu of Internet Shortcut files. Each command puts different text to the clipboard:
    Copy URL copies "http://www.moonsoftware.com"
    Copy Link copies   "<A HREF="http://www.moonsoftware.com">Moon Software</A>"
    Copy Name copies "Moon Software: http://www.moonsoftware.com"
If you have selected multiple links then CopyURL will make a list of the information. That is actually what makes it useful."
A very nice extension. I use the Copy URL option quite often. Not sure of XP compatibility.

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DLExpert is a fully featured download manager that supports resume of broken downloads, multiple threads for acceleration (specify max threads for HTTP or FTP separately), auto-dial-up, authorized sites and much more. The program can also launch your system's virus scanner and automatically scan downloaded files. Downloads can be added to the manager by using the drag and drop icon, automatic clipboard capture or browser integration with IE. DLExpert also includes a small download wizard that can guide you through a download step by step.
You should ALWAYS use a download manager and a site that supports resuming downloads on large downloads, anything over 1 Mb, in case you get interrupted; then you can start where you left off instead of from the beginning again. This one has the added advantage of, once configured, to automatically scan a download using your anti-virus scanner. Excellent!!
XP OK!

Myway.com- This is a new and excellent start page with

NO POPUP or BANNER ADS! I use it as my homepage. I was using Yahoo!, but they have turned to unsavory practices, such as spamming their email users, and using webbeacons to track the sites you visit, so they can sell that information to advertisers to market to you with popups, email, etc.
This site has it's own email with notification (it tells you if you have any myway.com email), plus it provides one click access to your current email log-on page (after setup). This site is very fast loading and very configurable, including adding your own links.

If you make this your homepage, then don't sign out. If you sign out, when you go back to the site it will take you to the general myway page, where you'll have to sign in again, instead going to your customized page.

Basic "Must Have" System Apps

Vikingsmania.com - Has more cool vikings stuff.

vikings.com - The official website of the Minnesota Vikings.

BleedPurple.Com- News, links, information, and Packer-bashing for die-hard Vikings fans.

Minnesota Vikings Purple Pride - News, anti-Packer jokes, postcards, downloads, video, fan galleries, music, live game feeds, free email, trivia, discussion list, and team history.

Flippster's Die Hard Minnesota Vikings Fan Page - Places to purchase memorabilia, jokes, and pictures of his memorabilia. Also has some nice images.

VikingUpdate.com- News, schedule, roster, statistics, email newsletter, training camp information, team history, chatroom, and message boards.

Quarterback Rating Calculator - "This calculator is designed to give the NFL quarterback rating as determined by information obtained from ESPN NFL Sports."

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Mel's Quick Tip - Create your own Sports Links folder in your browsers Links bar and keep your favorite sports sites organized and only a couple of clicks away! It's easy, click on favorites, click organize favorites, expand [click on] links, click create new folder, name it Sports or whatever and move it to the top of the Links folder.
Make sure you can see the folder in your browsers Links bar.
If your Links bar isn't on or showing, click on View, highlight Toolbars, and make sure there is a checkmark next to Links. Now you can drag any of the links from this page (or any other) into that folder,(or onto the Links bar itself) and have easy access to them.

FightingIllini.com- The official home of the "Fighting Illini"

Fighting Illini Sports Sites - At this site you will find a list of links to sites for anything to do with Illini sports.

All the Illini gameday info you need.

Links to Illini basketball news, reports, web sites, stores, etc. Can also find links to any team, college or pro.

The official site of the Big Ten Conference.

    These are very fast loading non-java sites. Fast because they are barebones; no fancy graphics or pictures, just text. Good for a quick reference.
College Basketball:
AP Top 25     ESPN/USA TODAY Top 25     College RPI Rankings (click RPI in the left pane)
SportingNews NCAA Conference Standings - All div. 1 conference standings on 1 page
AP Women's Top 25      ESPN/USA TODAY Women's Top 25
NCAA Women's Basketball Conference Standings: A - J   K - Z

Other Sports Quick Loading Links:
NBA Standings     WNBA Standings    NFL Standings     NHL Standings
NASCAR Winston Cup Series Standings Busch Series   Craftmans Truck
CART Formula One           IRL NHRA            Major League Baseball
ATP Men's World Tennis Rankings       WTA Women's World Tennis Rankings
PGA Money Leaders      Current Boxing Champions

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Configure your own personalized sports page. Whatever scores, stories, trades, signings, etc. you want; whatever order you want. Pretty cool. Must have Java enabled to configure, but not needed after.

Homepage for a killer new sport on Saturday nights on TNN. It combines basketball and hockey and has trampolines built into the floor. If you like awesome, high flying dunks, then this is a"must check out".

Official home of the NBA.

Official site of the Chicago Cubs.

CNN/SI Chicago Cubs Team Page

"Daily updated news, live audio broadcasts, fantasy leagues, Cubs email club, message boards, scheduled private Cub Chats, Wrigley Field Web Cams, scores, standings, stats, and other exciting projects always under development."

Upcoming Family Events
Thurs. November 13,2003
Mom's (Hazel) Birthday!

Site Navigation Menu

LEVEL ONE LEVEL TWO LEVEL THREE Flag Wallpaper

Computing Newbie Sites Internet Nice Additions Privacy/Anonymity Space Wallpaper

PC Security System Nice Additions Shells My Search Tools Page

Basic "Must Have" Internet Utilities Spyware Tools Intermediate "Must Haves" My Danville Page

Basic "Must Have" System Utilities Host File/Ad Blockers Tips and Tweaks My Favorite Links

Mel's Market Applications Index My Computer My Sports Links

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Last update: 7/23/2003

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LEVEL ONE	LEVEL TWO	LEVEL THREE	Flag Wallpaper
Computing Newbie Sites	Internet Nice Additions	Privacy/Anonymity	Space Wallpaper
PC Security	System Nice Additions	Shells	My Search Tools Page
Basic "Must Have" Internet Utilities	Spyware Tools	Intermediate "Must Have"Utilities	My Danville Page
Basic "Must Have" System Utilities	Host File/Ad Blockers	Tips and Tweaks	My Favorite Links
Upcoming Family Events	Mel's Market	My Computer	My Sports Links


On a slow dialup connection? Want to save a ton of downloading time? How about a hard copy disc that you can't accidentally erase, or lose because of a computer meltdown? Then you want my Startup Disc. Mel's Startup Disc contains all of the programs on this website thru Level Two, plus cursors, icons, animated icons, games, and wallpaper, all on one handy disc. NEARLY 100 PROGRAMS, 2600 ICONS, 500 CURSORS, & 200 WALLPAPER IMAGES IN ALL!! And it's only $9.99! (Plus Postage) For more info click here.