Appendix D: Software in the Christian Telecommunications Toolkit

There are several categories of software which you will find useful in online communications:

Communications

E-mail Client

It used to be that you had to use a separate E-mail client to access mail on the Internet. This is less true than it used to be, with the rise of web-based mail services, but there is still an advantage in being able to store E-mail and addresses on your own computer, and to read and compose messages when you are not connected to the Internet.
E-mail Client for Macintosh
E-mail Client for Windows

Offline Mail Reader

If you get involved in using BBSs on a regular basis, you'll want a way to save the messages for you from the BBS so you can read them after you have hung up (to avoid tying up your phone line, or, if you live in a place with "measured local service", to save money) as well as compose your message and have them ready to send when you dial in again. An Offline Mail Reader lets you do this.
Offline Mail Reader for DOS
Offline Mail Reader for Macintosh

Terminal Emulator

As is discussed in Part III, the simplest way to take part in electronic communications is by dialling into a a local bulletin board system (BBS.) Granted, BBSs are getting harder to find these days, and many people go straight to the Internet, but if you do want to explore most BBSs, you'll need terminal emulator software to do it.
Terminal Emulator for DOS
Terminal Emulator for Windows

Web Browser

When most people think about the Internet, what they're really thinking about is the world wide web. In order to access the web, you need TCP/IP software and a web browser. In most cases, TCP/IP is available as a standard utility which came with your operating system. (In the case of DOS, it's an extra function you need to add, but TCP/IP software comes with Arachne, so I don't list it separately, even though it's not, strictly speaking, part of your web browser.)
Web Browser for DOS
Web Browser for Macintosh
Web Browser for Windows

Security

Antirootkit

As is discussed in the section on Computer Security in Part II, rootkits are programs intended to take control of your computer and allow it to be controlled by someone else, for whatever nefarious purpose they have in mind. Therefore, you need to use antirootkit software to protect your system, preferably before you go online.
Antirootkit for Macintosh
Antirootkit for Windows

Antispyware

As is discussed in the section on Computer Security in Part II, spyware is software which sends information about the computer on which it is being run back to the perpetrator, without the computer user's knowledge or consent. Therefore, you need to use antispyware software to protect your system, preferably before you go online.
Antispyware for Macintosh
Antispyware for Windows

Antivirus

Before you go online, you should protect your computer from viruses. The most common form of virus these days spreads through E-mail, and you need to get a good antivirus programme to protect your system as soon as possible.
Antivirus for DOS
Antivirus for Macintosh
Antivirus for Windows

Firewall

A firewall is software or hardware which is designed to prevent intrusions into your computer through your Internet connection. Recent studies have shown that it takes as little as four minutes for an unprotected computer which is connected to the Internet to become compromised, so a good firewall is essential.
Firewall for Windows

Utilities

File Compression

Almost all of the files you will encounter online will be compressed with some form of file compression. (For more information, see the article on file compression in Part II.) Even though there are dozens of different file compression utilities available, most of them can create and extract .ZIP files, so once you have a .ZIP format file compression utility, you'll be able to handle most of the files out there.
File Compression for DOS
File Compression for Macintosh
File Compression for Windows

Tuneup

Over time, computers tend to slow down due to the accumulation of a number of minor problems. Files get fragmented, applications are incompletely uninstalled, leaving unnecessary files behind, temporary files pile up, and so on. Tuneup software attempts to get your computer running faster by fixing up these minor issues.
Tuneup for Macintosh
Tuneup for Windows

Notes:

1. This section does not even attempt to list specifically church related software, such as Bible software or church management software. If you are looking for church software, please consult the Church Related Software Index.
2. Many of the programs listed in this section are free, at least under some circumstances. However, virtually all of them invite donations, or else can be supported through the purchase of manuals, T-shirts, or other items. If you can support "free" software developers, please consider doing so, so that these tools will continue to be available to those who need them, but can't afford to pay for them.

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