WordWeb

WordWeb is a handy utility that gives you the definition, synonyms, and antonyms of any given word without requiring you to go online, though it can connect to the Internet for expanded functionality should you want it.

The interface feels like an expanded version of any major word processing app's dictionary function, giving users an instant familiarity--even if they've never used WordWeb. After you type a term into the Lookup dialog box, the word's definition will appear in the interface's top pane, along with tabs that link to various wiki functions.

The bottom pane offers tabs for such items as synonyms, antonyms, and related words. The app's most notable feature is its hot key support; you simply use a hot key combo when the cursor is pointed over any word, and WordWeb will pop up onscreen with all pertinent information.

There are tools for changing the database to one of several English variations, altering the text size, and disabling WordWeb from recognizing offensive terms. The depth and functionality of WordWeb would be worth paying for, but thankfully you don't have to redefine your budget to get it--it's free.

Athan (Azan) Basic

A modern aid for an ancient tradition, Athan Basic helps Muslims perform daily prayers anywhere in the world. On first start-up, you choose your location from a pull-down list of cities and towns. From there, Athan Basic runs in the background, automatically issuing the call to prayer at the appropriate times each day.

You can choose an Athan from Makkah, Madina, or Al-Aqsa (the for-pay version includes several more); the program supports the Standard and Hanafi juristic methods and a variety of ways to calculate sunrise and sunset. The neatly organized application window displays your latitude and longitude and a simple compass for orienting yourself toward Mecca.

If you're often far from your computer, you can print out prayer times for a month. Happily, the program doesn't take much system memory while running in the background. Straightforward and helpful, Athan Basic is a great download for observant Muslims.

WallCooler VPN 2.1.295

WallCooler makes remote working for individuals easier than ever: access remote files, applications, or network resources from anywhere. All Windows based applications are supported, no need to use special applications or synchronize files. MS Outlook, Remote printing, Windows File-Sharing, Windows Remote Desktop, or Remote assistance are only few of the applications you can use locally. WallCooler is also ideal for SMBs. Users can remote access organization's databases, e-mails, remote desktops, product catalogue from anywhere. No need for complicated Internet Security infrastructure. WallCooler sits on your local company network, uses your existing Internet connection and automatically manages incoming connections via relay servers. Simple, maintenance free and powerful Remote Access and VPN solution at the tip of your fingers.

Version 2.1.295 supports Remote Screen on Vista & XP Home: WallCooler transparently allows Remote screen on computers without Remote Desktop (XP or Vista Home editions).

Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition 8.0.7

Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on January 18, 2009

One of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware, Ad-Aware's excellent reputation is well-justified. The Anniversary Edition continues the publisher's tradition of adroitly addressing user concerns, but is still not quite perfect.

Without a doubt, though, this version of Ad-Aware improves greatly on what has come before. It loads faster during your boot cycle. Scans take less time than before, too--the Quick Scan completed in less than 10 minutes. Although we did notice a major false positive crop up for another program's uninstaller, there were no other flaws in the scan. New users should notice that the app performs faster than integrated antivirus and antimalware programs, because only the paid version of Ad-Aware comes with an antivirus engine.

Some important features are disabled in the free version. While rootkit detection is present, heuristics and real-time registry protection are not. Ad-Aware Free cannot scan networked drives, and even a basic feature like the scheduler remains off-limits to nonpaying customers. The proprietary real-time defender Ad-Watch Live has been reconfigured to run more smoothly in the background, however, and long-time fans will notice the change.

Interface refinements make this the easiest-to-use Ad-Aware yet. Action button placement at the bottom of the pane might feel odd to those familiar with older versions, but the forced continuity between windows is a plus. Links to drill down to more information are easy to see, as is the Settings button. Overall, Ad-Aware continues to make improvements and seems to be unwilling to rest on its malware-removing laurels, but the free version is undeniably hamstrung.

Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on November 07, 2008

For those who like their customization in-house, the Avant Browser's latest update might appeal to you. Built on an IE-rendering engine, Avant takes off in a different direction--IE if it were being produced by a small firm instead of Microsoft.

The browser is sufficiently fast, preloaded with two dozen similar skins as well as tabbed browsing and modular toolbars that let you move around and hide the Status bar, Toolbar, Search window, and navigation controls. The Menu bar, though, is counterintuitively pinned to the upper-right corner, and icons for proprietary functions, such as an in-page search term highlighting toggle, aren't instantly comprehensible.

Avant can save personalized data online, making bookmarks and form content accessible from any machine. Around the same size as Firefox, Avant includes many features that are available to Firefox users only through plug-ins--such as automatic form fillers. The Full Screen view autohides all menu bars, a nice touch, but certain plug-ins--notably Flash--didn't work on Windows Vista.Avant is a good browser with some nice built-in features and interface-customization options, but the lack of extensibility and Vista problems don't help. We recommend it to users who want a Microsoft-based engine but think that Internet Explorer 7 is a pain

Advanced SystemCare Free 3.3.4

Reviewed by: Jason Parker on December 17, 2008

This utility offers a one-stop-shop for cleaning and maintaining your computer for better overall system performance. The interface is very simple, featuring only a few buttons, which makes it easy to get down to cleaning immediately (in fact, it automatically runs on start-up) and doesn't confuse you with multiple steps.

The Maintain Windows section focuses on four areas of maintenance: spyware removal, Registry cleaning, a privacy sweep, and deletion of junk files. The Diagnose System button provides system optimization tools, detects spyware, defragments your disk, and scans for hijacked Windows settings. In our tests the scan and clean for each of these areas took less than 10 minutes to complete. In many of these scans, it is difficult to tell what exactly is being accomplished by some of the tools, but we were able to test against other trusted apps, which confirmed Advanced SystemCare's efficacy in those areas.

Under the utilities section you are given several tools, which are similar to plug-ins, for other areas of optimization and diagnostic tests. Overall, Advanced SystemCare Free is a good way to maintain your system's speed and clear out junk files, but you'll need to remember to run it regularly because scheduling of scans is only available in the paid Pro version.

Watch the CNET video review of Advanced SystemCare Free: