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Welcome to my computer program page! Here's where you'll see reviews, pros, cons, history, and ratings (with star ratings from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest) on certain programs (mostly Internet programs)! These reviews are taken from my own experience so they may vary from your points of view.
(New updates 7/25/99: Added one more program review. I think that the page will stop being updated here for now. Old updates 7/1/99: Added one new program review and added a Minimum Requirements section for each review. Changed the music of this page.)
Table of Contents:
Mirabilis ICQ (Updated Intro and Cons)
This is an Internet program made by Mirabilis Inc. designed for chatting and also a useful tool to check if your friends are online. This program isn't really difficult to use, and it does provide some security (such as the option of authorization and disabling the displaying of IP addresses and online status on the Web). This program is really popular with Internet users, and without it surfing the Web would be a really lonely experience.
Minimum Requirements: Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.5x / 4.0 or Windows 3.x with Win32s, 486SX computer or highet,Active Internet connection with a Winsock-compliant network product, TCP/IP connection with SLIP, PPP or direct connection.
Pros: Great for chatting if you don't really have the bandwidth to get into a chat room; the messages allow you to talk while you work without having to get into a chat room. Your conversation can be private with ICQ chat rooms because only a few people actually participate. You can send files with ICQ more quickly than you would with e-mail.
Cons: Sometimes I wish ICQ had made a system in which only one of each name was allowed because it's hard to find friends when you lose their ICQ numbers, and sometimes friends change their e-mail so the job of reconstructing your contact list is a tough one sometimes. Oh well, I don't think ICQ will be able to solve that problem with all those users; oh well. ADDITION: I have just received word that there is a program called ICQ Rescue (I have it too) that will help you back all your ICQ things (contact list, number, etc.); you can download it from Trackmaster in his "downloadz" section.)
History: I don't really know when ICQ was started, but I think it was 1996 or something. This program has won many awards and has great reviews from the critics.
Ratings: ****1/2
Internet Browser War Contestant: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 (Updated Intro, Pros, Cons, History, and Ratings)
This Internet program is one of two Internet browsers engaged in the great browser war. This is Microsoft's latest Internet browser. This browser integrates with Microsoft Windows 95, NT, and 98 and takes over as the My Computer and Windows Explorer browser. The browser is free for everyone (I think).
Minimum Requirements: 486DX/66 processor or higher; Windows 98, 95 or NT4; 16 MB of RAM for Windows 95 and 98/32MB of RAM for Windows NT; Minimum Install (hard disk space): 45MB to install, 27MB after restart/Typical Install (hard disk space): 70MB to install, 55MB after restart/Full Install (hard disk space): 111MB to install, 80MB after restart; Mouse; Modem or Internet connection; and CD-ROM drive for CD-ROM installation.
Pros: This seems to be one of the best multimedia browsers, and it makes better use of Dynamic HTML because it provides more multimedia services than Netscape and also it does not have the "only certain objects" restriction that Netscape has (according to IDG Books' Dynamic HTML for Dummies by Michael I. Hyman). It also seems to be the easiest to use, and it has good functionality using menus (you can sort your bookmarks faster than in Netscape and the drag-and-drop method is the one thing Netscape doesn't have). And also sometimes it shows better alignment in certain web pages. ADDITIONS: I found out that IE seems to be faster at displaying Java. When running a Java applet (an IRCQNet chat room like the one on my page) on Netscape, I found out that it was slower than IE in loading the applet. IE seemed to load it faster, and it didn't slow down my computer as much as Netscape did.
Cons: At times, its speed is absolutely horrible! When comparing the displaying of animated gifs between IE and Netscape, the animated gif displayed faster on Netscape than IE (IE's display was so slow that it took over a minute to finish the gif). I notice that pages load more slowly on IE. Also the downloading on IE can be a nightmare. Usually if you download 1MB files, it wouldn't matter to you; but if you download 5-24MB files, you would be frustrated (and very angry) if the server resetted the connection just when you were almost finished; and you had to start over. IE lacks the continuation method of downloading (a.k.a. if you didn't finish the download, you can continue from where you left off) which Netscape has. ADDITIONS: I just received a new program called NeoPlanet which is supposed to speed up IE and your Internet connection. However, I don't see significant improvement in performance both in loading and downloading (although it does make it a bit faster and nicer to look at).
History: The first version of the browser was created in 1994-1995 (I think). The first versions of IE (1-2) were awful compared to Netscape's first versions (Netscape supported Java and IE didn't). IE3 was a much better improvement, but it still lacked some of the Java functionality of Netscape. However, MS with IE4 and 5 finally improved IE's Java functionality; also making IE the fastest Java displaying browser. IE's latest version is a formidable foe against Netscape; however, both of them have pros and cons so none of them are the best.
Ratings: ***1/2
Internet Browser War Contestant: Netscape Communicator 4.61 (Updated Intro, Pros, Cons, and History)
Minimum Requirements: 486 PC or higher; Windows 95, 98, NT 3.51, NT 4.0, Mac PPC System 7.6.1 , 8.1, or UNIX (various); Connection to TCP/IP network; an Internet e-mail account for Netscape Messenger from any server with POP3 or IMAP support; and Netscape Calendar Server for Netscape Calendar.
This is Netscape's most current browser. This browser is renown for its speed and download reliability; it provides good service and reliability to consumers. Plus, the browser is free for personal use; but businesses have to pay.
Pros: This browser is great at speed; it loads pages faster than IE. I like its download system too, especially its new SmartDownload program. This program allows you to continue your download from where you left off when the server resetted the connection or when the power went out. IE does not have this capability. ADDITIONS: The browser also seems to have good stability; and it has great speed and reliability.
Cons: When displaying certain pages, sometimes I wish it would stick to the same Dynamic HTML IE has. Some pages that display in IE won't even display on Netscape. I wish Netscape would also use the same background sound command; it would save me the time of adding one more command. ADDITIONS: Netscape does not provide the multimedia services in Dynamic HTML that IE does; its Dynaimic HTML is more restrictive than IE's therefore making it not as interactive as IE's. Netscape lacks IE's quick functionality (the drag-and-drop method in Netscape is less free); and I can't figure out how to sort my bookmarks. Also, Netscape seems to load Java slower than IE.
History: Netscape is a great browser; the creators of the Netscape browser were actually the people who created the Internet. Netscape's first versions (1-3) were much faster and better than their IE counterparts; being able to display Java and more pages. Netscape's latest version is a formidable foe against IE; however, both of them have pros and cons so none of them are the best.
Ratings: ****
Active Worlds (Updated Cons)
This program was made by Circle of Fire Studios Inc (however, it has been bought by someone else, and the company is now called ActiveWorlds.com; well, I think it was named that.) This Active Worlds program is a 3D Internet browser; the browser browses through hundreds of worlds; and in those worlds different content is contained. Depending on the world you're in, you may have the option to build (or not to); in Active Worlds you can build buildings, houses, castles, etc.; almost anything to the limit of the world's object list. If you have the income, you can ask someone to host your world for you; and you can create your own objects and build any kind of buildings. You can also appoint caretakers and set options for allowing others to build (or not), setting the size of your world, and allowing the free movement of avatars (or not). In Active Worlds, the object list for most worlds are very large so as long as you can memorize and are willing to build; you can also chat with other people in Active Worlds. As a tourist, you have a choice of only 1-2 avatars, and your buildings may be deleted by other people; however, if you immigrate (become a citizen) for $19.95 a year, you can choose from many different avatars, and your buildings CAN'T be deleted by other people. A world caretaker can choose from even more avatars than a citizen, his buildings can't be deleted, and he may eject people from the world. This browser is free for everyone, but immigration, as noted, is $19.95 a year.
Minimum Requirements: Pentium processor, Windows 95/98/NT, 16MB of RAM (32MB of RAM recommended), 50 MB of hard disk space, and a graphics card capable of 256 colors (16-bit colors recommended); for Hi-Rez Version, 32 MB of RAM, and a Pentium 100 MHZ or higher.
Pros: This program allows you to build buildings for all the people to see; good for architects and artists. This also supports MMX, Direct3D, and DirectDraw; it also gives you a 3D environment and allows you to see others' buildings. The worlds are vast and contain many different buildings and object lists; and you can even host your own world; the browser checks for updates everytime you log on so you won't have to go to a certain page to download an update.
Cons: Plenty noted. The browser's 3D engine is a bit outdated; the 3D graphics don't seem to be as sharp as most of today's 3D graphics. It has been suggested that an engine as fast as the Quake engine should be implemented in Active Worlds; and though that is difficult to implement, it would also help attract more consumers. The browser also suffers from speed: sometimes running Active Worlds slows down a computer heavily (although newer computer systems will not suffer from this problem). The performance of Active Worlds also frustrates some computer users who have computer systems (200-266) that aren't as fast as the newer ones. The Quake engine might improve the performance, and Active Worlds should make better use of the MMX, DirectDraw, and Direct3D optimizations. Also the browser should be more realistic; it should render things farther away from you with less detail and render things closer to you with more detail. This allows for a realistic effect because the thing will still look the same from no matter how far away you are from the object. ADDITIONS: Wireball's page has more details on the cons I just noted. Go to his AW Improvement Suggestions page.
History: This program was made in 1995 or 1996 by Circle of Fire Studios Inc. as noted; at first, the browser contained only one avatar, and citizenship was free. Eventually as the browser became better and better, more avatars were added; some avatars were eventually erased, but new ones came in. However, they started charging for citizenship so there are few citizens now; they eventually made another separate version of the browser (the Hi-Rez Version). Recently, the company was bought by someone else; and the name was changed to ActiveWorlds.Com.
Ratings: ***1/2
Microsoft's Latest OS: Microsoft Windows 98 (Updated Intro and Cons)
Windows 98 is the latest version of Microsoft's famous OS. This version of Windows has better support for drivers and USB than Windows 95. It allows multi-monitor support (like Windows NT 4), and it uses a relatively new system called FAT32. It comes bundled with IE4, and it corrects some of Windows 95's problems.
Minimum Requirements: 486DX/66 MHZ or higher processor, 16MB of RAM, typical installation requires 195 MB of hard disk space, but may range between 120MB and 195MB, depending on the options you choose or your system's components, CD-ROM drive or floppy disk drive depending on which disks you purchased; VGA or higher resolution monitor; Microsoft Mouse or pointing device.
Pros: Windows 98 has multi-monitor support, and the FAT32 system improves your computer's speed (though not very significantly). It has better support for USB, and it starts up faster than Windows 95. It supports most devices, and it provides better Control Panel features than Windows 95 does.
Cons: The stability of this OS is questionable. This OS seems to be unstable after a long period of time (when you run a screensaver for 30-45 minutes), and it locks up sometimes too. Also it still has Windows 95's problem of having a HUGE registry; 98 seems to slow down most older computers, and some people find that 98 is more of a nuisance than 95. Also this OS takes more space than 95 does; and as noted, it lacks NT's stability. ADDITIONS: Wireball has more info on the cons in his Microsloth's Strategy page. Plus, he exposes more of the EVILS of Microsoft (or should I say Microsloth). MUHAHAHAHA!!!!!)
History: Windows 98 was released in May or June 1998. The OS has had the following predecessors: Windows v.1-2, Windows 3.1 and 3.11, Windows 95, and Windows 98 (NT is not included because the OS was made for a different purpose).
Ratings: ***
The Internet Explorer 5 Add-On: NeoPlanet 2.0 (Updated Intro)
Minimum Requirements: One only: as long as you have Windows 95/98 and Internet Explorer 3.02 or higher.
Although this program was summarized in an earlier review, I decided to review NeoPlanet in more detail. NeoPlanet is, as noted, an add-on for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 made by NeoPlanet Inc. This programs makes your browser look better and optimizes your modem connection for better performance; also, it makes your browser run faster. This program is free, but you must have IE5 to use it.
Pros: Quite a lot. This program makes your browser look really good (you can download skins from the NeoPlanet Skin Archive), and sometimes it makes the functions of the browser much smoother. Noticeably, I notice the browser runs a bit faster; plus, it makes the functions of the browser more convenient to use.
Cons: The modem optimization settings seem to have little or no effect on your connection; on my NeoPlanet browser, the pages load at probably the same speed as it would on the normal IE. I wish NeoPlanet would help improve some of IE's problems (the animated gifs are still slow, and the download problem is still intact; go to the Internet Explorer Review for more details); it still keeps some of IE's speed problems (although speed is slightly improved).
History: I think this program was made a few months ago, and they recently merged with Lycos. Need info on this; e-mail me if you have any info. Thanx.
Ratings: ****
Sonic 3D Blast
(Note: Because this is a game, this review will differ a little bit from the others in the sense that I will have to cut down each section into subsections; so don't wonder why the review is different.)
This game was made by Sega; this game features 7 different zones in 3D with each containing 2 normal levels and 1 boss level. The worlds look pretty sharp considering this game uses 256 colors. This game requires you, Sonic the Hedgehog, to save Flicky Island from the evil Robotnik; to do this, you must enter another dimension via the island's Dimension Rings, travel through 7 different zones, and place the Flickys into safety via the dimension rings that lead back to Flicky Island. Also, the zones are known to contain the Chaos Emeralds which will gives its possessor great power; as Sonic, you must get the Chaos Emeralds before Robotnik does or else the world is doomed.
Minimum Requirements: Windows 95 or higher, Pentium 75MHZ or higher, 8MB of RAM or higher, 15MB hard disk space, graphics card capable of 320x240 resolution at 256 colors, and a 2X or higher speed CD-ROM drive.
Pros:
Graphics: Pretty good and pretty clear even though it only goes at 256 colors; and the scenery is great plus the worlds are all designed well according to their themes.
Game Design: The level design is very good. Although 14 normal levels don't sound like a lot to you, each level is so vast and full of traps that it overwhelms users of all levels. The levels are all nicely done in their designs, and the traps are very well strategically set.
Satisfaction: This game is a lot of fun because the levels are always challenging no matter how many times you play; the game makes sure you'll never find it too easy.
Sound: The music soundtrack for the game is great, and the soundtrack always portrays the scene correctly; plus the music could even be a dance mix (maybe).
Cons:
Graphics: Somehow I wish they would make the games graphics a bit more sharper and make use of the higher resolutions and colors. Also they should have made the game use MMX optimizations and various other optimizations.
Play Control: The play control is awkward for keyboard users (joystick users, however, will not experience this problem); especially in the direction sense. It's awkward when you try to move in a diagonal direction and it's difficult to change directions fast especially because the arrow keys aren't exactly the type of pads found on gamepads. For most users, there is a problem in determining whether you are near a target or not especially when battling Robotnik. Sometimes I jump and end up getting hurt because Robotnik looks near when he's actually too far for me to jump at him (this problem is all the more worsened when Robotnik goes even faster).
History: Not much to put here except that this game was made somewhere between 1996 and 1997.
Ratings: ****
Quarterdeck (Now Norton) Cleansweep Uninstaller (Updated Cons)
This program was made by Quarterdeck (now about to be bought by Norton). Quarterdeck (Norton) Cleansweep Uninstaller is a program designed to track all the changes to your computer and undos any changes made by installation programs to your computer. Also it tries freeing up disk space by showing you which files can possibly be deleted and which part of the registry can be deleted.
Minimum Requirements: IBM PC or 100% compatible computer; 80486 or higher processor; Windows, Windows 98 or Windows NT (workstation or server); 17 MB of available hard drive space; 8 MB of RAM for Win95 or 98; 16 MB RAM for Windows NT; CD-ROM Drive; and Minimum 256-color VGA video.
Pros: Very useful if you use old DOS and Windows install programs that lack an uninstall program; in this case, you can make Cleansweep monitor the changes; and when you want to uninstall the program, you can ask Cleansweep to uninstall the program by clicking on the appropriate log file (which you create and name after an installation). Also some uninstall programs don't completely uninstall the desired program. They leave the folder or some unused files with them so it takes up your disk space; with Cleansweep, you won't need to use the uninstall program; just let Cleansweep monitor the program's installation and let Cleansweep undo the changes. That way, all changes are undone and there is no wasted disk space.
Cons: I should warn you about cleaning out your registry with Cleansweep. Once I cleaned out some of my registry with Cleansweep using Safety Sweep (which only allows certain files to be deleted); and when I rebooted, the system crashed. I used Cleansweep to restore the changes to the registry. So don't think that just because a file is marked with a green icon in Cleansweep, it's safe to delete. On the contrary, don't touch any files in the registry without knowing what they are. ADDITIONS: I found the reason my system crashed a lot. It's because I use IE5; the apitrap.dll file kept crashing the system. Fortunately, I got an updated apitrap.dll that fixes the problem; so my computer doesn't crash anymore. I'm noting this to change an error in the original article saying that it was because of the registry cleanup that my system crashed.
History: The newest version of Cleansweep was made in 1998-1999. The company Quarterdeck and all its products are going to be bought over and taken over by Norton who say that they will take Quarterdeck to the world-class level.
Ratings: ****1/2
QEMM (or NEMM) (Quarterdeck (or Norton) Essential Memory Maximizer): The Memory Maximizer for the Windows and DOS OS
This is another program made by Quarterdeck. This program is designed to optimize your memory for faster performance; in both Windows and DOS. Using the maximizer, you can optimize your DOS conventional memory and EMS memory, giving you over 600K of conventional memory. Also in Windows, you can optimize your memory so that you supposedly gain better performance.
Minumum Requirements: Intel based PC or compatible; VGA or better display; CD-ROM drive; 8 MB free hard disk space; for Windows 95: 486-DX2/66MHz or higher (Pentium or better recommended), 16 MB RAM (32MB recommended for better performance); for Windows 3.1x (or later) running in 386 enhanced mode: 386 or higher, 8 MB RAM; for DOS: 386 or higher, 2 MB RAM, MS-DOS 5 or compatible.
Pros: This program gives much more conventional memory in DOS, and it also gives a lot more EMS memory making it ideal for DOS program users. It enables you to run more kinds of programs; plus it allows better DOS performance.
Cons: I find a lot of problems with this program. In Windows, the memory maximizer gives no significant performance boost; the memory maximizer in Windows is useless. Plus, it actually to be more of a nuisance than a benefit; the reason is that whenever I run the Internet with the memory maximizer, the computer freezes up seconds after I load a web page. It has always been repeatedly like that ever since I installed that; I uninstalled it; and now my Internet browsers work fine (yes, it froze with both Netscape and IE). Therefore, I say this is not a good program for Internet users; warning us
History: I think that the Quarterdeck (now Norton) Cleansweep review's History section will cover this.
Ratings: **1/2
I think this page will stop being updated here for now because I can't think of any programs at the moment.
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