{Scripts for Webmaster} In the almost ten years I've had a Web site, I've always looked for new scripts to add to the site to make it function better. AAScripter contains over 200 scripts, for which a Webmaster can read information about the script, view a demo, and copy and paste the code. There is a help section and an option for adding your own scripts. Scripts include status bar effects, text effects, image and sound effects, mouse cursors, forms, and math-related scripts. Skin lovers can change the program's skins. It comes with icon, bullets, and divider images, but I don't think many have used them since the '90s. A couple of icons might be useful, though. Its interface is easy to use; just pick the kind of effects you want from the drop-down list, select the script, get the code or view a sample of the code in action. This program would've been most helpful when I was just learning how to do scripts and had to scour pages of free scripts just to find one or two. The author pulled together nifty scripts that are easy for the beginner to install.

{Personal Web server} Running a Web server isn't just for hosting a Web site on a computer. It's a great tool for learning .asp, .php, and .cgi scripting. Apache is one of the more widely used free Web server applications, but it's complicated and not easy to learn without some help. Furthermore, it does .php, but not .asp. Microsoft's IIS is another tool, and you can install it to learn .asp, but not .php. Abyss Web Server can support .asp, .php, and PERL after downloading additional free software. Abyss uses a graphical user interface for managing the server, making it easier for users to manage, even remotely. The application is small by server standards, and doesn't hog the memory. Expect the basics found in server applications including HTTP, keep-alive, CGI, SSI, index file, aliases, MIME types, and custom error pages support. Those who have yet to make the move into managing a Web server may find this a good place to start before trying the bigger and fancier apps.

Amazing Portal Generator lets you design your very own Web portal that you can use as your custom browser home page. You can choose links from a categorized list that is provided with the software, and you can also add your own. The library includes buttons, search forms (Google, Yahoo!, etc.) and other items that allow you to get the latest news (via tickers), monitor stocks, and more. The portal can be customized in many aspects; there are different color schemes to choose from and you can also specify custom colors. The program is easy to use, and enables you to have your own portal up and running without the need to write any HTML or know anything about Web design. The portal can be used as your local browser start page or uploaded to the Web.

{Smash 'em ads!} Use Mozilla and Netscape 7 CSS3 selectors to block ads based on substring matches in the HREF of a link for links containing images. Apparently, it's more reliable to matching the HREF link than the IMG SRC link. The Web page gives instructions for accomplishing this through a newly-created file called userContent.css and copy the code from the page into this text-based file. After placing the file in the appropriate location, restart the browser to pick up the styles and go surfing to see ad images become invisible while other legitimate images remain.

{Distributing files } This program is an unsupported, experimental build. BitTorrent is a tool for distributing files. Whenever more than one person is downloading at the same time, they send pieces of the file(s) to each other, relieving the central server's bandwidth burden. Even with simultaneous downloads, the upload burden on the central server remains quite small, since each new downloader introduces new upload capacity. BitTorrent can also publish whole directories - simply point btmakemetafile.py at the directory with files in it, they'll be published as one unit. All files in subdirectories will be included.

{Web-based collaboration} Create Web pages through your Web browser (IE 6.0 or later and Mozilla 1.3 or later) rather than using software or anything on your PC. You can collaborate with others by giving them read, edit, or administration privileges. Images and HTML files can be uploaded into the application for use. Designate pages for public or private viewing. Writing and editing articles is similar to MS Word using toolbars and drop- down boxes, easing the process for beginners to Web design. See Bloki-made Web sites by checking out the user quotes. Register for a free account to see how the application works.

{DtDNS update clients} There are multiple freeware clients on this Web site for auto-updating DtDNS. myHostname can send your IP address to the server each time your IP address changes to make sure that the hostname is always pointing in the right direction. Perl SSL Updater Basic updater makes use of SSL encryption to update your IP address. These are just a couple of example clients available for enhancing the functionality of DtDNS. Review the summaries and the ratings to determine what might be useful.