Page contents:

     a) List of programs on offer  (Table of contents... no links)
     b) FAQs answered
     c) Individual program details and DOWNLOAD link buttons
     d) Miscellaneous general points

(You have to scroll down to section 'c' to download the software.)

There is much overlap, but I may have slipped up in keeping the lists in sync... Visit my other site if you want to check that you haven't missed some recent gem. Bookmark this page first!!

Table of Contents starts here.... scroll further down the page for details and download buttons.

Individual descriptions and download buttons

c) On/Off

This program requires a little special hardware that you'll have to supply yourself. It is plugged into a parallel port and switches something else on/off depending on what data has been sent to the parallel port. If in doubt: Don't try to hook something up yourself- you can damage your computer or start fires. (There's more on parallel port projects at my page on that topic.)

If you can manage that hardware requirement, you are welcome to my On/Off program... free for your own use. Please at least tell me how you get on wiht it, though??

When it is running, even if you can't see the monitor (e.g. it is warming up out of a snooze) with single keys whatever is controlled by the parallel port can be switched on, off, on-for-10-minutes (after which it turns off again), on-for-20, on-for-30, etc, or on for a preset time (1 sec-99 hours). When you can see the screen, you can change the preset time. (You can even do that without seeing the screen if you are good at these things!)

Programs "d" to "n": Only available at my other site.

o) Freeware 'file dump' program

p) Charting program (stockmarket, etc)

q) Freeform Database

I needed a program which didn't seem to be available at any reasonable price. I will describe my need. With a little imagination, I suspect you will see ways it could help you with other needs.

I often pack things in boxes for storage. It then is difficult to find things, so I make lists of the boxes' contents. The data does not suit a conventional database well because the records are often very short, but sometimes quite long. With the program I've written, you just 'pour' the data into a wordprocessed document with a few extra punctuation marks. My program can then scan the data for anything you like, and it will return the heading lines under which the thing you were looking for is found. The program can scan multiple files without requiring re-running. Sample data....

   >Box 1, in loft
   =Stamp collection
   =Aunt Rene's compass
   =Photograph album prepared by grandmother when Cedar Frith shut
   =This is
   - a nonsense entry just to
   - illustrate the fact that an item
   - can extend over several lines.
   =Old discs
   >Box 2
   >Green, in spare room (Hweadings can be multi-line, too!
   =Disc boxes
   =Christmas cards

r) File encryption software

It is not just the KGB and CIA that have uses for file encrypting programs! This is a neat, tidy, simple one that will scramble any file for you. (Text files, other data files, program files.) Do you have something confidential to email or send via ordinary mail? Do you want to be sure that only your intended recipient reads it? Do you work on a computer others have access to? Do you have copyright software on a 'public' machine in circumstances where others shouldn't use the copyright material in your absence? Do you want to 'embargo' some liong document until a certain time, until certain people are present? (Send an encrypted copy. Deliver the decrypting key when the embargo limit passes, or give pieces of the key to the people who must be present.) Yes to any of the above? Give this program a try!! (More information given in the program.)

You need to click on BOTH of the following 'Click here to download' buttons (One after the other!) One will give you the program for encrypting or reading encrypted files. This is software that you must pay for, if you want to use it beyond a reasonable evaluation period. The other will give you a cut down version of the program which you may give away for unlimited use. It allows users to read/use files encrypted with the first program.

s) Program for charting stock market data

This program will only be of use to users of Virgil Corp's program 'StockTraker'. (I have nothing to do with either Virgil or Stocktraker. This program is not endorsed by them.) Stocktraker is a useful Windows program which simplifies following Wall Street via CompuServe. (And no, I'm not connected with CompuServe, either, other than as a customer and former shareholder.) The program reads the data files created by Stocktracker and displays the information as charts.

t) Database for Identifying British Birds

You (or your child, pupil) see a bird. It is about the size of a blackbird, but has a grey head, brown back. The bill is like a blackbird's. What is it? Click on the link below to learn more about a database designed to answer such questions. Great for encouraging chidren to persue what is for many a very satisfying hobby. Great as an example of something databases can be used for.

u) Free: Two in one... Demo and Verb Usage Trainer

Demo: This free program demonstates a program which allows exercises or tests to be constructed from simple text files. Some text files come with the paid-for version of the program, but users can easily create their own. The program can handle any topic where the question's answers have to be one thing, and one thing only.

Verb Usage Trainer: The demo is useful in its own right. It presents a number of exercises in which the user must supply the correct form of a verb within a given context. For example, the computer might display:

(Entering 'ran' and 'running' would score points. Wrong answers result in the computer revealing the right answer.) The file you download will need to be unzipped.

v) Free Vocabulary Building Word Game (Windows)

This free word game for Windows works as follows:

On the screen you see three 'wheels' with letters around their edges. You rotate the wheels until three letters line up to make a word. Whoever makes the most words in the time allowed wins! (The file you download will need to be unzipped.)

w) Arithmetic Word Problems

Presents problems like "If George had 5 sheepdogs and gained 2 more, how many would he have?"

Addition and subtraction problems arise. The text and the form of the question varies. This is 'slim-ware'... it does one small job elegantly. Perfect for a little 'pill' to feed the kids in the sugar of their 'zap-zap' games, or for teachers with a few spare minutes at the end of a lesson. The file you can download by clicking the next line will need unzipping.

x) Adding / multiplying skills survey

I have a free program which is still under development. It is part of a survey to find out what 'good' is when it comes to doing addition or multiplication of single digits. If you don't mind a few rough edges, please give it a try? Participants will (eventually!) be provided with overall results.

y) Reading Skill Exerciser.... (Free)

Runs on minimal IBM or clone (good use for that dinosaur that a 'helpful' parent gave the school!)

This program puts a short list of words on the screen briefly. It then replaces the list with one word, and asks the user 'Was that word in the list?'

The program encourages the user to improve his/her skill at scanning a line of text. It is not a 'speed reading' course, just something to improve a skill which is part of all reading.

The file you will download will need to be unzipped.

z) Addition.. 4+2=6, 3+7=10, etc

Free! Runs on minimal IBM or clone.

An old idea, and you might like to look at my comments under 'Why Sheepdog', but this version of this program has some virtures:

The user must answer the problems within a time limit to get points

The program can be configured for the user's skill level

Miscellaneous General Points

Special Offer: I have a new program in final development. It is for printing address labels... quickly, simply. (Meant for addresses you write to often) A free copy of the beta will be sent to anyone registering a program while this offer is still posted here.... but remind me of your expectations when you register / order, please!