Utility Page

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Utility Software, FEE stuff (free stuff can be found below the "fee" stuff)

These are some applications that I have found to be helpful. If you like them and use them, I encourage you to purchase a license, as it will help assure future development of these and other applications. Enjoy!

Express Assist - for those who use Outlook Express for email.
The "Express Assist" utility is a backup, restore and synchronization tool for Outlook Express. Visit their home page and click on the "Express Assist" link in the left-most "Products" column. This tool makes an easy job of migrating and/or synchronizing your Outlook Express email accounts, configuration, rules and messages. There is another useful tool there, named "OE Quick Tools", that, among other things, enables you to remove attachments without deleting the message. This is useful in reducing the amount of space taken by your email data files.

These applications are simple to install and use, and do not consume a great deal of your system resources, unlike much of the "bloatware" that is available these days. And on top of that, the software is priced quite fairly.

I started using Express Assist for two reasons: I wanted to be able to do FULL backups of my email. Not just the messages, but all account settings and rules, as well. And I wanted to be able to get my email on a notebook PC when on the road, and on a desktop PC when at home, and be able to synchronize the machines such that each would retain a full and identical set of my email. Using "Express Assist" has fulfilled those requirements nicely, with virtually no manual effort needed.

FTP Voyager - FTP File Transfer Client.
The "FTP Voyager" utility is well worth the fee, given it's ease of use, power and stability. There is not much to say about it. If you need or use a FTP client on a regular basis, then the FTP Voyager is a good choice.

SiSoftware Sandra - System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant.
The Sandra utility software is a comprehensive benchmark, diagnostic and reporting application. There is a "Lite" version available for home users, at no charge, with reduced functionality. Even so, it is extremely powerful and useful. If you use it on a regular basis, you should purchase a copy.

TaskPower 2 - Monitor and control apps, tasks, services, and drivers.
The TaskPower utility gives you good control of your computer, allowing you to kill unwanted or unnecessary tasks, for example. This software is NOT for inexperienced users. However, if you understand Windows services, you will appreciate the ability to shut some of them down if/when you decide that you don't want them.

This utility is part of the PC Magazine Utility Library. You can subscribe to the Utility Library for $20/year, a bargain considering the quantity and quality of downloads and articles they offer.

Utility Software, FREE stuff

These are some small but potentially useful little widgets. Use at your own risk. Enjoy!

Directory List Generator
This utility creates a file named "contents.txt" that holds a complete directory tree of a specified target.
Requires: Windows 2000, Windows XP, or newer, AND the ability to edit the batch file.
NOTE that if you have no knowledge of batch scripts, then you probably don't want to bother with this utility.
Download the self-extracting executable file (85KB), and save it.
Navigate to where you saved the file and double-click on the file icon. A small dialog will appear, and offer you a choice of where to install the utility. Unless you are prepared to modify the file named "listprep.bat", install to the default location of C:\fileList only.
Click on "Unzip", and when it is finished, click on "Close"
listprep.bat
readme.txt
sample.txt
XCHANGE.EXE
The "readme" file explains some basics about using the utility, but be forewarned that it is not a well-written document. I will clean it up when time permits. There are comments within the "listprep.bat" file that will help you understand how to use the utility. I suggest that you try this on a "test" directory first, and look at the resultant "contents.txt" file.

Karenware - various helpful utilities.
You will find Karenware to be quality software, useful for a variety of common tasks. For me, the Replicator application is a good example of Karen's excellent software. It makes doing backups a simple efficient task. There are many such useful applications available from Karenware, and for VB enthusiasts, the source code is available. The software is free, but I strongly urge you to purchase at least one CD-ROM from Karen, as it will help ensure future development and maintenance of Karen's software. The price is low - any one of the numerous included applications is worth it. Karen offers a free newsletter, for those who are interested.