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iPhone Tool
Registry Fix Tool
Performance Tool
Backup Tool
HDD Repair Tool
AntiSpyware Tool
"Green" Software
Photo Tool
Disaster Recovery Tool
by Michael E. Callahan aka Dr. File Finder ™
Reviewed This Week......
I'm so glad you stopped by to take a look at this weeks Picks. It's been really hot here in Colorado, pushing 100 degrees for more than a week, so I've been happy to stay in my nice, cool office. And, as usual, I've been looking at some really good software. So, if you're all set, sit back, relax, and lets take a look.
Just Wallpaper, Lincoln Beach Software, is a nifty tool that really makes your Windows "wallpaper" into something special. What do I mean by "special"? Well, it actually helps your wallpaper to do some functional things. For example, you can have a calendar over laid on top of the wallpaper. Have the current month, or three months. You'll never have to look for a calendar again -- it'll be right in front of you! Very slick. And, if you want, you can have the date and time. And besides a calendar, you can also put important notes up right on your desktop so you won't forget them. Or set the wallpaper to change at specific intervals like every hour, every 4 hours, and so on.
Just Wallpaper will also let you create themes so you can do some pretty neat things. For example, I created wallpaper taken from pictures of the woods at different stages of the day. Then, just had the program change them at appropriate times. So, my wallpaper changes just like the day does. Very cool. You can use "image masks" that give you a wide range of neat effects. You can use the same mask all the time or have it change, just like the wallpaper. Other great features include a "Power Search" option that can quickly scan all of your hard drives to find links to your Windows wallpaper. That makes using the program even easier. Just Wallpaper has lots of configurable options, and you know how much I like that!
Just Wallpaper, by Lincoln Beach Software, is a very slick and clever tool to make "wallpaper" not only fun, but functional. With the ability to add a calendar, date and time, and important notes to your desktop wallpaper your wallpaper becomes more than just a 'pretty face.' And the program also makes wallpaper fun by letting you create themes, use image masks, implement special effects, and lots more! Over the years I've seen lots of programs for changing wallpaper. In fact, some of the first shareware programs for Windows were "wallpaper changers", but this is the best I've seen. Give it a try -- I recommend it highly and I think you'll like it!
Mach5 Analyzer, by Mach5 Enterprises, is the perfect utility for anyone who wants analyze their Web site data. In testing it out I was first of all impressed by the sheer speed that the program works at. I've tested similar programs and most of those were very slow. NOT true here! Just take your Web sites log files, feed them to the program, and pow, you've got results! It's a great way for you to truly see what happens on your Web site. What do people look at most? How long do they stay? And lots, lots, more. Based on what you see you can make changes. Improve the way your Web site works, and make sure that visitors are seeing what you really want them to see.
Mach5 Analyzer has a very cool feature called "HyperLink TreevView" that lets you "see" the way visitors move through your Web site. This gives you a true picture and a very interesting and unique perspective. And while the program can run right on your computer, it can also analyze log files found on a server. Heck, what impressed me is that it will even transfer the log files in question via FTP! Very slick! The "Gold" version of the program has some additional feature including the ability to export reports in HTML and upload them to you your Web site. It also offers a larger variety of reports. Pick the version you want based on your needs.
Mach5 Analyzer, by Mach5 Enterprises, is a high-powered utility for analyzing you Web page logs. I found the program to be blazingly fast! The program is also easy to use and has an intuitive interface. And, it has all the tools and reports you need to give you a true view of how your Web pages are seen. The HyperLink TreeView is truly a slick and innovative feature, and I was impressed with. And, if you want the full picture, the Gold version is even better. So, if you'd like to analyze the traffic patterns on your Web site, this is the program I'd personally recommend for doing it. Very nicely done!
Cherokee Trails, by Pharos Games, is a challenging adventure game that's also very educational. The story is based on the "Trail of Tears" which was the 900 mile forced march by the Cherokee Nation to a reservation in Oklahoma. I found this game to be extremely well-done. Not only is it based on excellent historical research, but it's just a lot of fun to play. You start out in a flea market, where you meet an old Cherokee woman. Ahhh, but from there you go on to a magical, mystery tour that will keep you fascinated. And busy. There are places to visit, people to meet, and many things to do.
From the flea market, you're magically transported back in time and you have an amazing journey ahead of you. And I hope you shopped wisely when you were at the flea market, because you'll be able to trade with some of the characters you'll meet along the trail. You encounter spirits from the past who will share their stories with you. Fascinating stories of the Cherokee people. They can also trade with you to give you things you need. Along the way, members of your party will get sick -- frost bite, poison ivy, pneumonia, and more. And how well you do in the game depends on how healthy your party stays. As you travel from town to town, you'll need to get some supplies from stores, and other things through trading. At the same time, you'll also have to go fishing in order to have a good supply of fresh food. Within the game you can check the inventory of all the things you have to help you through your journey.
Cherokee Trails by Pharos Games, is quite simply a beautiful piece of work. Over a year in the making, Cherokee Trails is filled with wonderful scenery, characters, animation, sounds, and music. It was obvious to me that a lot of love and care went into the creation of this fine educational adventure game. The characters you meet have fascinating tales to share. The places you go and the challenges you face, will keep you coming back, again and again. The more you play the smarter you'll be about what things you'll need on the trail. The full game is very large, so this demo is just a small sampling to get you acquainted. Over the years, I've looked at a lot of games of every different type. To my mind, Cherokee Trails is one of the very best educational games I've ever encountered. You owe it to yourself, and your children, to take a very good look at this program. And get the full version -- you won't be disappointed. I give Cherokee Trails my highest recommendation.
Well, once again, we've come to the end of the Picks for this week. I really hope you enjoyed reading about them as much as I enjoyed writing about them. All of them are truly excellent products and I'll hope you'll give them a try. Next week I'll be gone to the annual Shareware Industry Conference, but I'll have a special awards preview for you. So, be sure to check it out. And, when I come back I'll be doing a round-up of the Shareware Industry Award winners. So, until next week, be safe, and happy downloading!
Doctor File Finder's Pick Archive
Michael E. Callahan, known around the world by the trademarked name "Dr. File Finder", is regarded as the world's leading expert on shareware. Dr. File Finder works with software programs and developers full-time, and in the average year he evaluates 10,000 programs. Since 1982 he has evaluated over 190,000 software and hardware products. He is an active member of the shareware community and a co-founder of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation. Mr. Callahan is an honorary member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP), the President of the Educational Software Cooperative (ESC), and the chairman of the Shareware Industry Awards Foundation (SIAF). Dr. File Finder™ is also a recipient of the 1993 Shareware Industry Award for lifetime achievement and has been inducted into the ASP Hall of Fame. Mr. Callahan began evaluating software online in 1982 and no one has been at it longer. He currently works doing online PR and marketing for software companies.
All graphics courtesy of Lincoln Beach Software!
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