SYSTEM APPLICATIONS & PERSONALISATION

My start page is a personalised version of MyLook ( http://mylook.com ).

I run the following system tray applications:

* Actioneer ( http://www.actioneer.com ) as an Oulook98 portal.

* Outlook98 runs the Microsoft NetFolders extension, automatically syncing the Contacts, Tasks, Notes and various Mail folders (via embedded e-mail) between my work and home machines. Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Microsoft Outlook98 -> Install extra components.

* RealPlayer ( http://www.real.com ) for daily briefings from Bloomberg, CNN, MSNBC, etc.

* MediaRing Talk (The Voice for the Net Generation) as a (free) Internet telephony client. Good for overseas telephony and voicemail.  You make PC to PC voice calls for free all over the world, and can make PC to 'normal' phone calls for free in the USA.\

* ICQ ( http://www.icq.com ) as the ever-present 'buddy' program. This is linked to MediaRing and NetMeeting. Again, good for keeping in touch with people overseas; a bit wanky for domestic use, methinks.

And then,

I use the new NeoPlanet 5.0 browser extension with customised channel listings - reasonably cool ( http://www.neoplanet.com ). This, and IE5, run the latest Alexa upgrade (powerful related sites and statistical information) ( http://www.alexa.com ).

I have a hotmail alias ( http://www.hotmail.com ) for a wide variety of Internet services I do not wish polluting my Inbox or wish to keep anonymous. 

I use this for PlanetAll ( http://www.planetall.com ) - I commend this service to you.  PlanetAll.com is reasonably cool.. Through entering personal (but publicly known) information about yourself, others who register with the site are able to find you. For example, I have listed my years of attendance at the Universities of Sydney and Adelaide, membership of a number of undergraduate (and external) groups, that I live in Sydney, Australia, etc.  The amount of data you enter is up to you (you can list the street you lived on when you were six, if you wish – but I didn’t go that far).   When another person views the groups you are registered with, your name will appear and that person is able to find you via e-mail. You are sent an auto e-mail every month with the names and e-mails of people who fit into the groups and years of involvement you have identified. You then have the option to link to them (and them to you). If you wish you can use a hotmail (or whatever) alias to protect your real e-mail.  I’ve found a couple of people I’d lost contact with through this site. It’s an Amazon.com company – another way of knowing all that can be known about you. Anyhow, if you don’t care about those things and find the idea interesting, have a look at it.

* EntryPoint is also way cool...the replacement of the PointCast Network, this little toolbar will amaze you (and play your MP3's).   Check it out (only a 500k download).

OTHER COOL THINGS

Grab yourself a free digital ID from Thawte - your e-mail client help files will tell you more of this ( http://www.thawte.com ).

SUBSCRIPTIONS

LockerGnome - Excellent Windows newsletter ( http://www.lockergnome.com ).

EMPLOYMENT

CareerLab ( http://www.careerlab.com ) has some wanky, but some good examples in a comprehensive cover-letter library.

BUSINESS

American Express Small Business Exchange ( http://www6.americanexpress.com/smallbusiness/default.asp? ) is excellent.

Business Plans On-Line ( http://www.bplans.com ) provides sample business and marketing plans. If you are on the right (or wrong, depending on your attitude) mindset, browsing through these is quite interesting.

Biz Pro Web ( http://www.bizproweb.com/ ). Not pretty, but with substance.

DESIGN

IdeaBook ( http://www.ideabook.com/default.htm )

REFERENCE (OF A SORT)

Learn2 ( http://www.learn2.com ). Everything from how to tie a tie, grout your tiles, wash your dog, tie knots, speak basic German...and on and on. Excellent time-suckage.

About.com - excellent (formerly The Mining Co.)