Getting Started   

It's taken me many years of interneting to finally feel comfortable with the programmes I use and to know where to go for help. On this page I will share with you the programmes I use, why they have helped me and where to get them. Most of them are free.

Browsers

I've tried most of the current ones, with varying success, and always seem to come back to my favourite; Internet Explorer . Although, I must admit, I do also keep the latest Mozilla on my machine as well. I find even the best browser has it's "off day" and it's good to have a back up. However, Internet Explorer has my vote for the following reasons:-

1.   It has a great email programme which allows me to use some attractive stationery - Mozilla doesn't.
2.   I really like the ease of use of it's Usenet groups programme.
3.   The browser is fast and easy to use, with lots of extras like a favourites folder, history folder - which makes re-tracing your footsteps from previous days SO easy, and excellent search facilities. I also like it's attractive interface.

To download the latest released version go to    

Email Programmes

I've tried the major ones, like Eudora Light and Pegasus - in addition to those that come with the browsers. Both Eudora Light, and Pegasus are excellent, although the latter needs a bit of fiddling about in order to set up your email.  If you want to use one which is independent of your browser and innovative I recommend Incredimail.   It's great, with lots of bells and whistles which make it a cut above the rest. It's also very easy to use.
Eudora Light and Pegasus are available from

Incredimail is available from 

Usenet Groups Programmes

Apart from the Usenet groups programmes that come with the major browsers there are several good independent programmes like Free Agent, Sophax and many more. You'll find a big selection at Tucows

Clipboards

You will find that you will receive URL's in your email as part of mailing lists you subscribe to, as well as those from your email correspondents. If you don't want to access them immediately, copying them to your clipboard is the answer. Then you can go back and get them when you are ready. The windows clipboard only allows one entry and, therefore you could lose a valuable link. I use a clipboard programme which stores URL's and graphics without restriction. I particularly like this programme because it is so easy to copy URL's into my browser's "open" window. I also appreciate it when I am copying script from a website in order to print it or copy onto my webpage. The programme I use is called Smartboard - and it lives up to it's name ! You can find it at Smartcode

Search Engines

Although there is an efficient search programme in all browsers I use two others which are top class. The first is Copernic and the other is WebFerret - both are freeware. They each use several search engines to find what you are looking for. Copernic has the added advantage of using different search engines to find email addresses and usenet groups information. Both programmes are excellent.
You can find them at Tucows

File Transfer Protocol

Sooner or later you are going to need to retrieve, or send, files by this method. Once you get your own homepage ready to go on your ISP's website you will have to transfer the files from your hard drive to your ISP's. You will need a FTP client to do this. There is a good selection of programmes around and a lot of them are free. The one I use is called
W S_FTP  and is really easy to use. It is free and you can download it from Tucows