BROWSER: Internet Explorer Check to see if you have the latest, most current version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

BROWSER: NetScape Browser Check to see if you have NetScape's latest, most current version of NetScape Browser.

FIREWALL: ZoneAlarm ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions).

GRAPHICS: IrfanView This free image viewer and converter supports an extensive list of formats. Thumbnail option, preview option, slideshow, drag-and-drop support and more.

INSTANT MESSAGING: AOL Instant Messenger Download AOL's very popular instant messaging program. AIM is free, even for non-subscribers of AOL.

INSTANT MESSAGING: MSN Messenger Download the Microsoft Network's instant messaging program, which will work with your Hotmail and Outlook Express programs.

INSTANT MESSAGING: Yahoo! Messenger Click here if you want to say, "Yes!," next time someone asks you if you "Yahoo."

MEDIA: Adobe Reader Check to see if you have Adobe's latest, most current version of the .pdf reader.

MEDIA: QuickTime Check to see if you have Apple's latest, most current version of QuickTime movie player.

MEDIA: WinAmp WinAmp, which really "whips the llama's ass," is now offering a new version of their media player. WinAmp is always free, and, in my opinion, MUCH better than Windows Media Player!

MEMORY: GoldMemory Thorough stand-alone memory test for PC memory subsystem. A FREE trial version is now available! Good for 30 days.

POP-UPS: Pop-Up Killer Surf with style with this free browser pop-up ad-blocking utility for Internet Explorer and Netscape. This program is completely free, and does not require registration to use or download.

SCREENSAVER: Particle Fire 2 Experience a mesmerizing display of dynamically generated particle effects with Particle Fire. Particle Fire 2 also supports multi-monitor systems. Watch the spectacular pyrotechnic effects travel from one screen to another.

SPYWARE: Ad-Aware Ad-aware Standard Edition is THE award winning, free (for non-commercial use), multicomponent detection and removal utility that consistently leads the industry in safety, user satisfaction, support and reliability.

WEB TOOLS: eXTReME Counter This is the web tracker/counter service I use. It's free, it's great, and so am I!

WEB TOOLS: FileZilla This is the best FTP client I've found so far. It's very "powerful" and easy to use. A must-have for website publication.