Mac

Windows

Running Windows 3.x? Some applications may require the win32s 32-bit extensions in order to run in Windows 3.x. If you haven't already got win32s installed, click here to set it up. Or wait, and if you have problems with a Win 3.x application, install win32s then.

Here's some wax for your board – ideal for modem users tired of waiting, Surf Express lets you connect to Web servers faster and decide when pages are verified and which images are stored. These settings are fully customisable and default to the best configuration for modem users.

SED is a sophisticated program offering many browsing enhancements including better searching, scheduled page updating, improved use of your browser cache and much more.

Web link: Connectix

NetSpeeder removes the need for your browser to do IP lookups by adding the IP number (each Internet address is based on an IP number, e.g. 158.152.108.218) of the sites you visit to a special database in the Windows directory. When searching for an address, your browser will look there first. There is no drain on resources either, because once you enter the address information, you can close NetSpeeder, and your browser will automatically do the rest.

A Web accelerator with the usual features plus some extras. Pre-fetches pages and retrieves entire sites; optimises TCP/IP settings; also allows offline browsing.

And it's FREE! Yes, just the expense of having to put up with a little advertising means you get a fully working program.

Web link: Acceleration Software

Netscape Communicator
v4.0.8 (Win 3.x)

NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you uninstall any other version of Netscape already installed on your system – then reboot your computer and install this latest version.

Step up a gear with version 4.5, a major upgrade to the Netscape suite. The latest 'Standard' version of Communicator includes Navigator, Messenger and the Netscape AOL Instant Messenger (text chat). The separate NetCaster and Conference sections are no more, being incorporated into the main program with the developing online Netcenter, your customisable Internet interface giving access to channels of your choice and discussion groups and forums (similar to 'My Yahoo' etc.).

All aspects of Communicator have been greatly improved in 4.5, the news and mail department now offering a more serious alternative to standalone packages. People on the move are now better catered for. 'Smart Browsing' and 'Keywords' aim to make finding the information you want easier from within the borwser. SmartUpdate makes downloading and installing Communicator components easy. With Composer you can create your own Web pages.

A bookmark utility that allows you to switch between Netscape and Internet Explorer by changing your bookmarks into favourites or vice versa. Each browser stores bookmark or favourite information differently so it's down to a program like Bookmark Magic to sort things out. This version will remove duplicate bookmarks, sort by bookmark description, and format text with bold and italics for easier viewing.

The program requires the file comctl32.dll (v4.7 or above) to be on your system. If you have an earlier version (find the file in your windows\system folder, right click on it and click the 'Version' tab), copy it to a backup folder on your computer and then copy the comctl32.dll file (v4.72) from the software\windows\utils folder on the CD to the windows\system folder on your hard drive. If this version causes problems, replace it with the copy of your previous version.

Web link: www.cyber-matrix.com

Internet Explorer
v4.0
(Win 3.1x/NT 3.51)

Get this latest version of Microsoft's all-singing, all-dancing Web browser that will take over your Desktop, too, if you let it...

During installation you are given the option to perform a basic installation (browser only) or 'standard' or 'full', the latter including all sorts of exciting add-ons, such as NetShow, FrontPage Express and the new 'Active Desktop'.

You may be required to connect to the Internet during or before installation. Microsoft recommends that you uninstall any preview version of IE4 before installing this version.

Look out for Internet Explorer 5 (final release during March) on the next Internet Magazine cover CD.

Opera
v3.5
(W3.x / NT3.51)

If you want to get back to the basics of Web browsing, Opera is the fast and simple browser that you're looking for. This new version includes support for Cascading Style Sheets and it can make use of Sun's Java plugin. There are many other improvements and enhancements, nevertheless Opera remains uncumbersome.

Web link: www.operasoftware.com

ShockwaveFlash Player
v3
(W3.x)

This release of Macromedia's ShockwaveFlash plug-in plays both Director and Flash media in your Web browser (for pre-v4.5 Netscape and pre-v4 Internet Explorer – Flash is included in the latest browsers as well as in Windows 98).

Mac OS

NOTE: The Mac programs are mostly in archived 'HQX' (BinHex) files – they can be extracted with several applications, including Stuffit Expander (which is on the CD...). Clicking on the links below should set the process in motion. You may receive a message that the file cannot be loaded into Simple Text — if so, start Stuffit and then open the HQX file you want from within Stuffit.

Updated since last issue

Sherlock is a new feature of OS 8.5 allowing you to find files on your computer as well as search the Internet. This set of Sherlock plug-ins lets you search many more sites than the few that come with the OS.

To use these files once unpacked, just drop them into the Internet Search Sites folder in your system folder and then open Sherlock. You'll then be able to search these sites using keywords. There are about 280 sites in this set and more are added regularly.

This major upgrade of Microsoft's Web browser includes Outlook Express.

To install, copy the file from the software\mac\browsing\netscape folder to your hard disk and double-click it.

Here's some wax for your board – ideal for modem users tired of waiting, Surf Express lets you connect to Web servers faster and decide when pages are verified and which images are stored. These settings are fully customisable and default to the best configuration for modem users.

SED is a sophisticated program offering many browsing enhancements including better searching, scheduled page updating, improved use of your browser cache and much more.

Web link: Connectix

Lets you use the same set of bookmark files for both Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. It keeps track of the last 1,000 sites visited and allows you to drag and drop URLs. Unregistered copies of URL Manager Pro will disable the 'Save To Browser' command after 30 days and have several other limitations.

Recently updated

Keeping track of where you have been on the Web can be difficult. With CyberViewer, the task is made much easier. The program displays a floating window that graphically depicts where you have been during the current session of Netscape, enabling rapid navigation between sites.

You will need a PowerPC, System 7.5 or later, and Netscape Communicator/Navigator.