Windows digest
hed: Handy tools and toys
dek: DataExpress, PKZIP Suite, and more.
Manage contacts, notes, and mail messages more effectively with Crystal Office Systems' latest version of DataExpress. The program includes a Personal Information Manager, a Contacts module that can manage up to 20 data fields, a Calendar function that lets users manage and notify users of upcoming appointments or events, the ability to send mail and quickly launch URLs, and more. An unregistered version can be downloaded for free, although some features are disabled in this version. Registering for the full application costs $21.
PKWare has released a new version of the PKZIP Suite, its file compression and management application. Version 4.5 now supports unlimited file size, includes helpful wizards to guide users through the creation and extraction of ZIP files and archives, the ability to scan ZIP files for viruses, file splitting, drag-and-drop archive creation, and more. Users can automatically compress attachments in Outlook 2000 and 2002, as well as automate ZIP functions in MS-DOS. Download a trial version from the site , or register and pay $29 for the full product.
Nico Cuppen Software has released the latest version of Photocopier Pro, which lets users quickly send documents from scanner to printer. Users will need a TWAIN-compliant scanner and printer, but can have any Windows operating system to run the program. The program boasts an easy-to-use interface that allows for the selection of specific color, grayscale, or black-and-white scanning. Adjust the size of output, brightness, modify program defaults, scale copies, and more. In addition to Photocopier Pro, Nico Cuppen has also released SMSX ActiveX Control, which lets users deliver Short Message Service (SMS) messages to GSM mobile phones via modem or ISDN. The program connects users to the SMS Centre of a telecom company, which forwards the message to the recipient. Download demos of either application at Nico Cuppen's Web site.
MetaProducts has released a new version of DeskTool, a desktop toolbar that gives users easy access to frequently used applications. Users simply drag and drop any application they wish to access from the toolbar. Version 2.5 now has file support, detects screen resolution, and has fixes for bugs found in the previous version. Download the 30-day trial version at www.metaproducts.com.
Casady & Greene has released Spell Catcher Plus, a handy spell-checker application that will monitor your spelling regardless which program you're working with--be it e-mail, Web browsers, notepads, chat messaging, or any of your applications that have limited spell-checking capabilities. Spell Catcher Plus includes customizing options, the ability to share dictionaries and references securely over the Net, and the ability to check spelling in nine languages (Spanish, French, Canadian-French, German, Swiss-German, and Italian). Version 2.0.4 can be downloaded at www/spellcatcher.com/win/.
