Tweaki...for Power Users 4.3.5
Licence: Trial, then $US20
Platform: Windows all
Site: www.jermar.com/tweaki.htm
As the name suggests, Tweaki is for power users only – don't use the program if you're a novice. With Tweaki you can configure Windows, Microsoft Office and Microsoft Internet Explorer to suit your needs and to speed up your work. It includes the App Launch Manager which lets you control what launches with Windows.

Blender 2.44
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
Site: www.blender.org
If you've got an artistic bent, and want to create 3D animations but can't afford pricey commercial applications, Blender is your solution. Totally free, the program is a complete 3D content creation suite. Although powerful and complex, the program's interface is well thought out, and the Blender Web site offers tutorials for all areas of the program.

Magic Photo Editor 3.9
Licence: Trial, then $US30
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: www.picget.net/magicphoto/what.html
Magic Photo Editor is a unique program which lets you create stunning images by combining two images: the main image, and another image. Included are 200 different masks, 160 frames, 60 flower images, and 120 cartoon images. The program is perfect for scrap-booking, school projects, and creating greeting cards.

Brush Strokes Image Editor 1
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/XP
Site: tinyurl.com/2m2atp
Image editing program Brush Strokes lets you edit photos and other images and apply effects. All popular editing functions are included, so it's useful for quickly creating images to use on Web sites and in school projects. You can capture frames from video cameras and use frames from videos. The program is similar to Windows Paint.

TimeTo 2007.06.01
Licence: Always free in Lite mode
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
Site: tinyurl.com/3a2a9o
TimeTo is an outstanding Personal Information Manager (PIM) ideal if you're working with David Allen's Getting Things Done productivity method. The program balances your schedule and prioritises your most important tasks, based on parameters which you set. The program is portable, and can run completely from a thumb (USB) drive.

Effective-Planner 1
Licence: Trial, then $US33
Platform: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: tinyurl.com/2fz4lu
Effective-Planner is a great way of managing any number of tasks with full calendar support: you can print your tasks in any way you wish. You can also create a user list, and delegate tasks effectively. You're reminded when tasks are due, and you can export tasks to HTML so that you can share them on your Web site.

RealPlayer Free 10.5
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista; Mac
Site: www.real.com/international
RealPlayer is a must-have for your system; it plays just about any audio file. Essentially it's an audio and video player which supports more than 100 audio devices, including the Apple iPod. The program finds and installs new sound and video files for you, and helps you to keep them organised on your hard drive.

Picture Resize Genius 2.7.3
Licence: Trial, then $US20
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: www.lonking.com/resize-pictures/index.html
If you take lots of digital photos, resizing them all individually can be a real hassle. Picture Resize Genius is your answer; the program batch resizes your images. All image EXIF data is retained. You can also add digital watermarks to your images to guard against image theft if you're posting them to the Web.

Avant Browser 11.5 build 12
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: www.avantbrowser.com
With its speed and small size, the Avant Browser is a must-have. The big benefit is that your bookmarks and other settings are stored online, so you can use the browser on multiple computers. The browser also offers ad blocking, complete privacy by erasing all history, and auto-fill of your details.

ChoiceMail Free 3.1
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP
Site: tinyurl.com/b7by3
You can effectively eliminate spam with ChoiceMail Free. The program uses a challenge/response system; it sends a message to unrecognised senders, asking for identity confirmation. Over time, it builds a white list of your correspondents, blocking spam. You can customise the program with rules, so that it works the way you want it to.

PageBreeze Free HTML Editor 4.0b
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: tinyurl.com/24rj8u
PageBreeze is a simple, free way to create your own Web pages. It has an HTML view, as well as a WYSIWYG view, so it’s useful for experienced site creators as well as novices. There are lots of free templates available, and you can build Web forms with drag and drop.

Free Password Manager Plus 1.6.8.6
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista, Internet Explorer 7
Site: tinyurl.com/2zrlca
Free Password Manager is an Internet Explorer toolbar which stores all the user names and passwords for your online accounts. Credit card numbers and other personal data is kept secure via 128-bit AES encryption, and the information is kept on your computer. You can also save your receipts from shopping sites.

Spandler 1.0.2
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: www.spandler.net/Download.aspx
Spandler , the free spam fighter, blocks spam while working with your current email program. Basically, the program operates by limiting access to your Inbox to trusted senders only. You're also provided with unlimited temporary email addresses, which function for seven days only, so that you can give use the temporary addresses to sites and people with whom you don't want on-going interaction.

Google Gmail
Price: Free
Platform: Browser based (most popular browsers)
Site: mail.google.com
Gmail provides almost three gigabytes of storage, so you never have to worry about message storage again. Redirect your email from your ISP and from other email applications to Gmail because Gmail's spam management and phishing protection is excellent, and your attachments' size limit has been increased to 20 megabytes. Visit the Help section on the Gmail site for information on switching from other programs.

Google Talk beta 1.0.0.64
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 2000/XP
Site: www.google.com/talk
To use Google Talk, you need to sign up for Gmail. If you're already a Gmail user, you can chat to anyone in your Contacts list at a click, and can save your chats in your Gmail account so that they're always available to you, from any computer. The program provides both text and voice chat, and is simple to use.

Google Earth 4
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 2000/XP; Mac
Site: earth.google.com
Google Earth is amazing: check out your home, street, and suburb as seen by satellite by typing in your address, or find landmarks, parks and schools in New Zealand and around the world. The program makes it easy to check locations or find routes. You can zoom in, and can view some content in 3D.

Google Desktop 5.1
Price: Free
Platform: Windows XP/2003 Server/Vista
Site: desktop.google.com
With Google Desktop, you can search your computer as easily as you search the Web with Google. Find email, files, folders and images you've saved recently or years ago. When you've installed the program it starts indexing. You may want to choose a time when you're not working, but you can still work as the indexing continues.

Google Pack beta
Price: Free
Platform: Windows XP
Site: pack.google.com
Google Pack gives you a collection of free software. You can choose from a selection of 12 programs which include Skype, Adobe Reader, Google Talk, Picasa, RealPlayer and Norton Security Scan. There's a bit of everything, and the pack idea makes it easy to download only the programs you want.

Google Docs & Spreadsheets
Price: Free
Platform: All
Site: docs.google.com
Google Docs & Spreadsheets lets you create documents and spreadsheets online. You can and share them with others if you wish, and can upload any Microsoft Word, RTF, text, HTML or OpenOffice documents and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Each of your documents can be up to 500 KB in size, with images of up to two megabytes.

Primetime Podcast Receiver 1.1
Price: Free
Platform: Windows 2000/XP
Site: geekswithblogs.net/lance/articles/PPR.aspx
Primetime Podcast Receiver manages all your podcast feed subscriptions, and maintains a library of podcasts. You can integrate the program with both Windows Media Player and Apple iTunes, and can download to your iPod or other mp3 player. If you're looking for new podcasts, browse podcast directories from within the program.

iPodder.NET 0.11
Price: Free
Platform: Windows XP
Site: ipoddernet.sourceforge.net
iPodder manages your podcasts, and downloads new shows to your PC. It integrates with iTunes, and downloads files to your iPod automatically. You can browse podcast directories, and can subscribe to your choice of shows. Although the program isn't packed with features, it takes up minimal resources, and is ideal for casual listeners.

X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse demo
Download location: www.activision.com/en_AU/game_specific/31dc172e-c17c-41b0-a3ca-a551a9ddf384.html
Licence: Demo, full $US40
Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
X-Men Legends II is the sequel to the original RPG game with improved graphics; the X-men (one of which is your character) fight the super-mutant Acopalypse. In this demo, you get a tutorial and a short game, in which you save a mutant from the Dead Zone. The full version of the game contains 100 enemies and many exotic locales.

Quake 4 multiplayer demo
Download location: www.quake4game.com
Licence: Demo, full $US30
Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
Quake 4 is a continuation of Quake 3. In this game you're Matthew Kane, a member of the Rhino Squad. You've got an entire army of soldiers fighting with you, with all the weapons and vehicles you want. This demo is limited; you only get three maps, and can only play with other demo-mode players.

Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Download location: www.eidosinteractive.com/downloads/index.html
Licence: Trial, full $US30
Platform: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
This 10^th anniversary edition of Tomb Raider is based on the original story, but has been updated with new graphics and technology. The environments and combat are fantastic; you control the camera. In the demo, you play part of the Lost Valley level, and you can choose whether to use your keyboard, mouse, or a game pad.

Wu Hing: The Five Elements 1.02
Download location: www.kudosgames.com
Licence: Demo, then $US20
Platform: Windows 98/2000/XP/Vista
Wu Hing: The Five Elements is a strategy game with two sides, Yin and Yang, representing the five Chinese elements: Earth, Wood, Water, Metal and Fire. Elements can create, transform or destroy pieces on the board. In the demo, you're only offered a single mode: the Dragon mode, and a tutorial gets you started.

Amazing Bubbles 3D 1.1 Screensaver
Download location: www.rixane.com/amazing-bubbles-3d-screensaver.html
Licence: Free
Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
Amazing Bubbles is an entertaining and unusual screensaver. Watch as realistic, glistening rainbow-coloured 3D bubbles move up your screen. Not only can you change the number and speed of the bubbles, but you can also choose any background image available on your computer. Fun to watch, and relaxing.

Distant Suns - Grand Tour 3D Screensaver 6.0 build 5
Download location: www.distantsuns.com
Licence: Free
Platform: Windows Me/NT/2000/XP
Distant Suns is a desktop planetarium; an amazing screensaver solar system simulator screensaver. It's ever-changing, with the positions of the planets changing according to the current date and time – you can also go backwards in time. The program now includes Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars, and also shows the Mars Rover landing sites.

MaxType Lite Typing Tutor 1.6.22
Download location: www.askmesoft.com/maxtype_lite.htm
Licence: Free
Platform: Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003 Server/Vista
With MaxType Lite Typing Tutor you can use any text file as a learning tool to improve your typing ability. There are two typing modes; one to work on your speed and the other to test your skills. You can print out excellent reports. If you're learning Dvorak, this layout is supported too.

Cut n Mix 5
Download location: www.esoteric-sensationalism.com/ultrapage.html
Licence: Free
Platform: Windows XP
Cut n Mix is a unique creativity and brainstorming program for creative writing. You can randomly mix words from up to four different text files, to generate new ideas; you can even generate poetry automatically. The program is a lot of fun to use. Students will love it, and business people can use it too, to generate names and slogans for products and services.

Second Life 1.18.0.6
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
Licence: Free
Download location: secondlife.com/community/downloads.php
Second Life’s residents have crafted a richly-textured world filled with hundreds of thousands of objects of their own creation. Complex and compelling characters dwell in every conceivable building from whimsical Hobbit-houses, to soaring urban towers, to a medieval castle where visitors battle giant insects to win treasure. This is the latest version of the phenomenon that is Second Life.

Mythic Marbles
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
Licence: Free
Download location: www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/cards_puzzle/mythicmarbles.html
Use your skills and smarts to master Mythic Marbles. A bright mind and cool temper are the keys to success; use them wisely and you may just become the city champion. Be sure Mount Olympus is on your side, because the final challenge could alter the course of your life.

Reactive 1.4.1.3
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.3 or later
Licence: Trial, then US$12
Download location: mac.softpedia.com/get/Games/Reactive.shtml
In this puzzle game you control a two-legged chameleon armed with nine different weapons. You manoeuvre in a 2D world where everything is interactive and you must manipulate your environment to get to the exit. For example, you can bust a dam to flood your enemies. In fact the fluid simulation is a key aspect of playing Reactive. In the world of Reactive there are 24 unique materials that can react with each other.

Electric Sheep screensaver
Operating system: Mac OS X
Licence: Free
Download location: www.electricsheep.org/index.cgi?&menu=download
Electric Sheep is a unique collection of psychedelic screensavers created by collective. Whenever your computer is connected to the Internet it automatically downloads the latest additions to the Electric Sheep family, so that your screensaver is always growing and evolving. Not recommended for those who suffer from seizures.

YummySoup! 1.5
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.4 or later
Licence: 15-day trial, then US$20
Download location: www.hungryseacow.comÂ
YummySoup! is an easy-to-use recipe management application focused on four aspects of recipes: organising, sharing, cooking and shopping. YummySoup! features an online library of recipes populated with recipes that users submit, a full screen view for cooking, shopping lists, wine and spirits manager, Web page imports, visual browsing and much more.

Savvy Clipboard 2.5
Operating system: Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later
Licence: Free
Download location: blitzclicksoft.com
This is a handy tool that adds multiple Clipboard capability to Mac OS X. Do you often copy things and paste them to other locations? Would you like to retain what you copied before, and be able to use those items again, or save them to disk? Savvy Clipboard will remember what you copied and store those data items for you.