I've found a bunch of new free software utilities for you to try out. Remember, try them out and then get rid of the ones you don't want. Most of them come with an uninstall function. Do not clutter up your computer with software you do not intend to use. PicPerk is a new free image viewer and editor for Windows.

Much like my favourite, IfranView, PicPerk is an easy to use viewer and editor that supports most types of image file. PicPerk features full-screen viewing, zoom functions, 20 image effects and 13 colour effects. PicPerk also allows you to display onscreen slide shows and to set and remove desktop wallpaper.You can download it at www.picperk.com.

For music lovers, Audiobliss (www.audiobliss.net) offers its MP3-WAV Ripper, which allows you to transfer audio CDs to the WAV and MP3 file formats. The software has multiple drive-reading capabilites, CD-playing functions, batchripping and encoding. Audiobliss' MP3 to WAV Decoder allows you to batchconvert MP3s to the standard CD WAV format for burning on to a CD.

AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser Lite (www.internet-track-eraser.com) is apop-up blocker and a privacy protector. The software cleans up all traces of your Internet and computer usage by erasing the browser history, cookies, typed URLs, recent documents, the contents of your Recycle Bin and the temporary folder. Whether you have anything to hide or not, the tool is useful in getting rid of a lot of useless files - a good way to clean up. An integrated pop-up blocker blocks unwanted pop-up and ad windows in InternetExplorer when you surf the Internet. Free History Cleaner (www.freehistorycleaner.com) is another version of a computer cleaner. You can set the software to do the cleaning on a schedule.

Those with a good grasp of computing might be interested in DiskInvestigator (www.diskcleaners.com). The software helps you to view all the hidden files on your computer hard disk. The software allows you to search raw directories, files, clusters, and system sectors.

You can undelete previously deleted files that still remain on your system.Turbo Memory Charger (www.turbomemorycharger.com) is a great program to have. It works to recover RAM memory and keep your computer from crashing for those who constantly open a wide range of programs during a work session. Constantly opening and closing programs can lead to what is called “memory leaks”, when the computer's RAM memory that was used to operate theprogram is not fully freed up when you close that program.Turbo is easy to use (please see the poorly written help file before you press any of the buttons). Version 2.12 adds an “Automatic” feature that releases RAM when it reaches a minimum level. This will help keep yourcomputer from crashing all the time when the system resources become too low.

If you are desperate to control spam (advertising via e-mail) try Ella forSpam Control. Ella is software that “learns” as it goes along, what files you consider spam. I caution however that after ten days you have to pay US$30 to upgrade to the Pro version. If you choose to continue as a”free” user Ella will continue to work as normal. However it will add a two-line promotional signature to your outgoing mail, which is why I don'tuse it.

********

In a bid to encourage corporate users to use Linux operating software IntelCorp. and IBM Corp. have joined together with others to create a legal fund to help companies running Linux software defray the cost of defending themselves against lawsuits.The fund has received US$3 million in pledges so far. About US$7 million more is being sought by Open Source Development Labs (www.osdl.org), an industry group keen on Linux.The fund is meant to assuage fears that the SCO Group Inc. will sue companies that use Linux as the company claims some of its intellectualproperty has been used in the coding of the operating system. SCO holds the rights to key elements of the 30-year-old Unix operating system from whichLinux evolved. Linux is open source software developed for free through aworldwide effort. SCO has so far sued IBM for breach of contract and hassent out warning letters to companies that use Linux.

Companies like IBM and Intel offer packaged versions of Linux and sellsupport services to companies.Meanwhile SCO has said it would begin suing Linux users by the end ofFebruary this year.

Contact Ahmed at editor@offshoreon.com