Here is a clickable list of cool websites to visit and free programs that are great to have, use and perhaps even share with others!  Some links (shown with an *) are directly to files, and when they are clicked on, the file itself will start downloading.  I have scanned them for viruses before posting them, but of course, you should always scan files yourself before opening them, even if they're from someone you know!

(Need an anti-virus program? Look below for a couple of free ones!).

---

Ad-Aware SE
Use the link to Download.com on this site to get an awesome spyware-removal program. You'll be amazed at the results!

Antivir® Personal Edition
another free antivirus program

AOL Instant Messenger
useful for contacting people with AOL... as AOL users tend to have problems using anything NOT made by AOL. (not their fault- I'm not an AOL fan.) No you do not need to use AOL to use this- it is a totally separate FREE program

Arcade Machine
The Classic Arcade games! Check it out-and leave your quarters in your pockets!!!

Avast! AntiVirus (Home)
A very thorough FREE antivirus program that includes protection for Instant Messaging, Internet Main and Networking. You WILL have to register the program within 60 days, but it remains free. There are versions for Linux & Mac available from this page as well.

AVG Free Antivirus System
a free anti-virus program - recommended if you don't already have Norton AntiVirus.

Beverage holder from Coke*
hee hee! Try it! (download- 262k). Note: This is a 'joke' program that makes your computer do something 'funny. Some antivirus programs register it as a 'joke virus', while others realize it's just a 'joke'. Use with discretion, and always scan files for viruses before running!

Bonus*
your yearly bonus is in! Try and get it! (download- 10k)

ClickTray(E)
a great freeware calendar program. You can set up reminders and notices to pop up on your screen at startup or whenever you like. Highly customizable, and really neat!

DX-Ball 1.09
Excellent! (download- 821k) DX-Ball ,2 an even more exciting version, is also available on the same page. However, it's more of a demo, stopping after 4 screens. 1.09 (lower on page) is free.

Get Right - a MUST HAVE program!
actually a shareware program that people with dial-up connections will be grateful for having! This can resume downloads, speed up the download time by breaking the file into smaller sections, and much more.

MusicMatch
another great MP3 player, this one with many, many other features, such as internet radio and a music guide to FREE MP3's.

OpenOffice
A *FREE* alternative to Microsoft Office, offering word processing, spreadsheet, slide presentation and other programs. Available for free via download, or you can order a CD...

PayPal
sign up for an account and get $5 credit! Then request the check be sent to you, and not only do you have an account with a great service for online purchases or sending $ (or £ or ¥ or €) to friends & family, but you're $5 richer! Many sites allow you to use PayPal instead of a credit card, and it's the #1 payment service on E-Bay.

Pixia
Pixia, one of the famous free painting and retouch software born in Japan, now launches its English version to the world! A fully featured yet fully free graphics program- not bad!

Pop-Up Stopper Free Edition
Tired of pop-ups? This easy to use program will shut them down for you! Easily turns on and off with a click of the mouse; no need to edit what you do and don't want to see.

Shockwave - a MUST HAVE program!
This (and other programs) really brings the life out of some web pages!

SpyBot S&D - a MUST HAVE program!
a free spyware removal program. I've used it to help several people fix their systems. The home site that explains it lets you volunteer a donation, and it's so good that I even went back and donated- and I'm known for my 'frugality'!’

Stripmail
Like e-mail stories, and like to send them, but tired of all those ''>>>>'''s, extra spaces and 'sentences that start one one line but
>>get thrown into another’? Use this to clean them all up before you pass them along like that!

SUPERAntiSpyware
Another excellent anti-spyware program. This has an option for a pay version as well, for more configuration options.

Uproar.com
Free fun- Bingo, Trivia, puzzles and many more games can be played at Uproar.com. Looking for games where you can really WIN something? If so, you'll really want to check it out. Banner advertisements pay for the prizes that you can win FOR FREE, including CASH!!!

Winamp
Now released as freeware, and an excellent audio player. Equalizer and other features made this my favorite player for MP3's. I would not suggest making it your default for all audio, but my MP3's never sounded half as good before!

Yahoo Games
All sorts of games- card games, board games, puzzles- to play by yourself or with other Yahoo people all over the world! All you need is a Yahoo ID (you can get one there!) and you're set!

Yahoo Messenger - a MUST HAVE program!
Absolutely great... My Total favorite! I really love Yahoo for the many things you can do with it. With this program, you can send private and/or offline messages, or set up a 'conference'. Got microphone? Talk! Got webcam? See! Share files with the click of a button! Keep an archive of messages and events... it just keeps getting better and better!

Zip Central
Zip and unzip files without paying $29 for WinZip! This is a freeware zip program

ZoneAlarm
Firewall protection for free! Help prevent hackers and other baddies from accessing your system and it's contents. This version is free for personal home users only.