This one is on the top of my list for fun pieces of software.  I don't have an actual business use for it, bit since I work from a home office, and I watch a lot of Television, it could almost be said that I watch TV more than I work.  This allows me to do so, even when I'm away.  SNAPSTREAM is a web-interface for my TV.  It allows me to set up recordings from anywhere in the world (including my desktop) and then watch the shows via the Internet.  I recently attended a convention in Quebec, and the morning after the 2003 Friends season premier, I had a crowd of about 15 people watching the show on my laptop.  The booth was a success.

If you have a TV card in your computer, you really should get BeyondTV.  It's better than TiVo.

In fact, as a service I don't publicize much, I currently have my Snapstream server running without password protection.  Anybody can watch the shows I have recorded at http://local.frogstar.biz:8129

This is a utility that won't be as important to everyone as it is to web developers, but I love it so much, I had to include it among my favourites.  TreeMenu is the powerful tool we use at Frogstar to create and modify these elaborate sidebar menu systems on web sites like this one. Although TreeMenu may look complex at first glance, it's easy to become a master at it, and the amount of time it saves is priceless.  I design almost all my web sites using it now. As an extra bonus, it's FREE to anyone who hosts their web site on the Frogstar server. 

MSN, ICQ, YAHOO and AIM all in one.
I am on my computer a lot.  It is online all the time.  Although I've been a big fan of ICQ since the beginning, I have recently found friends and colleagues who want to chat with me on AOL or MSM instant messaging services.  I recently found a utility that runs them all, and works well.  To me, it's most important feature is that it docks to the right hand side of my display screen.  Only ICQ docks like this, and it allows me to keep my contact list on screen at all times.  You may not care about that feature, but it does all sorts of other stuff too, supporting YAHOO, AOL, IRC, ICQ and Microsoft IM clients.  There is a free version, and a Pro version.

[AIM: frogstar42]  [MSM - frogstar42@hotmail.com] 
[ICQ: 9729896]    [Yahoo: frogstar42]

As a tech support consultant, I am constantly helping people with their Outlook and Outlook Express problems.  I have yet to support anybody with a Eudora problem.  I'm not sure they exist.  Eudora is an excellent free email client that supports tons of features.  These include; huge mailboxes, multiple users and alias accounts, great message filtering and statistics.  Eudora is free with ads, or cheap without.  If you still use Outlook, or Outlook Express - stop.

DynamIP is a great utility, and I couldn't do a lot of what I do without it.  Simply put, it allows me to use the domain http://local.frogstar.biz to point to my home computer, even though I have a dynamic IP that changes often.  Even if you dial-in to access the Internet, DynaMIP allows you to assign a domain name or other permanent address to your home computer.  This is great for webcams, file servers, TV (like SNAPSTREAM, listed above) remote access systems and lots of other functions.  You can even host web sites.  I've seen other utilities that do this, but they cost a lot more money.  Also, DynamIP is one of the only ones (if not the only one) that lets you use your own real domain names.

This simple utility, with it's basic 5 command user interface could easily be somebody's entire video editing career.  If you're bored and un-employed, spend 5 minutes learning MUVEE, and you could be making rock videos and industrial videos for a living.  It takes snapshots or video clips of any length, and mixes it with an MP3 music clip, making a professional video in a few seconds.  When I first downloaded the demo, I thought it was fun. Moments later I realized how useful it would be. I walked into an office with my DV video camera, filmed mindlessly for a few moments, and then used MUVEE to create a fantastic looking corporate demo video for the client's web site.  This is now my favourite way to waste time, and my favourite way to make quick money.  Nobody knows it's not me doing 18 hours a day of video editing. 

I spent years searching for the best thumbnail tool to create web page photo albums.  In PhotoThumb, I think I found it, at least for my needs.  This utility takes any number of images, and creates a perfect thumbnail page for each, including copyright or text overlays, descriptive text, and customized NEXT/BACK links.  I use it with ASP include headers to blend into any web site seamlessly.

Check out the sample photo album I use on my web site here; Jeff Goebel Photos

This is a great utility for creating custom web buttons and navigation, or animated banner ads.  It has a very easy command interface with no learning curve.  You can make buttons in the custom colours you need, and match your web themes perfectly.  The new version makes menu buttons with sub-menus and sub-sub menus easier than you could possibly expect.  Let Webstyle make you a better web designer... but don't tell anybody.

J-Bots Plus features a load of components that can make your FrontPage web sites more attractive, engaging, and easier to navigate. They’re fast and easy, and no programming skills are required. Simply fill in dialog boxes, click Generate, and JavaScript code will automatically create the function you desire. Modify with just a double click.

This is a freeware utility that lets you re-configure your keyboard PRINT SCREEN button to be more powerful.  I love this utility.  It lets me grab any portion of my screen, and immediately save it to a JPEG on my desktop, or copy it into my clipboard.  I use it daily.

Despite the fact that I am considered a pretty smart computer nerd, I still like easy single button utilities.  When searching for an easy way to backup a client's OUTLOOK EXPRESS files, I discovered this gem.  It makes great copies of all Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora and other email programs.  It also backs up the MY DOCUMENTS folder and any others I specify.  Fast and effective.  Free with a 10 day trial.