Nowadays, there is much that a PC owner is able to do to maintain the performance or or even effect a simple repair with suitable Internet tools and software. Most complaints about the performance of a PC centre around the slowing down of the machine. In my experience fragmentation of the "C" or "D" hard drive or both is often a major cause. This is because with continual deletion and overwriting of new files, the data ends up all over the drive in small segments. 

The PC operating system, i.e., XP or VISTA provides a built in defrag program to reduce the file fragmentation. Usually, the invoking of the defrag program will make your PC fast again.Other Internet Tools and Software are available to fix problems involving the Internet when your machine becomes saddled with Spyware and Adware. 

These unwelcome programs enable outside individuals and companies to spy on your web browsing activities and invade your privacy. 'Scan your Computer for Free' programs are available to effectively eliminate these nasties. Also, most people are aware of virus infections in one's PC and there are good AntiVirus programs, which will keep your PC safe.

Another problem which will challenge your PC is missing and invalid references in your Windows registry. Again, there are good programs to clean any invalid or obsolete entries.

To summarise in this modern day of Computers and Technology, there are many Internet Tools and Software available for you to keep your PC running efficiently. These tools are easy to install and apply and are relatively inexpensive to buy representing good insurance for your PC investment.


FTP is an important protocol for Internet business. It is an excellent way for a company to exchange files quickly and securely with customers or partner companies. Perhaps the most common example is in distributing software. Many software companies offer their customers the option of using FTP to download software after making a purchase rather than sending a CD-ROM via the postal service. Another typical example is provided by a company like Hewlett Packard. 

You can go to the HP Web site and download via FTP the most current version of their printer drivers (software used by an application such as a word processor to communicate with a specific type of printer). Netscape has always used FTP as a means to distribute its browser. Of course, FTP use is not restricted to software companies. Companies might also use FTP to exchange purchase orders. It is also quite common in the Web development process to create and design Web pages on a client machine and then FTP the resulting work to the server machine of the Web-hosting company.

If you download software over the Internet using FTP, it is important to understand the following distinctions:
·         Public domain software3this is software that is free, carries no copyright, and there are no restrictions on redistribution of the software. In this context, free refers to price, not free in the sense of the GNU GPL as developed by Richard Stallman and described on page 65. Public domain software may well be an executable binary file with no source code provided.
·         Freeware3this is software that is free, but is copyrighted. There may be restrictions on the redistribution of freeware. Again, in this context, free refers to price, not free in the sense of the GNU GPL as developed by Richard Stallman and described on page 65. Freeware software may well be an executable binary file with no source code provided. Also, the policy on use and redistribution may be considerably more restrictive than in the GNU GPL.
·         Shareware3this is copyrighted software that is distributed on a "try-before-you-buy" basis. You download the software using FTP. The software will often have an expiration date. You use the software until the expiration date. If you like the software, you purchase it after the trial period ends. Often there is no trial period and the users are on their honor to purchase this software if they decide to keep it. This is a surprisingly effective business model. John McAfee used this shareware model to build a very successful software company based upon his anti-virus software. Shareware software often requires a purchase of the software in order to get technical support. The technical support appeals to large corporations, which motivates them to pay for the software.
Shareware and freeware are often distributed using anonymous FTP. With anonymous FTP the user does not need a password. When using FTP client software, the word anonymous is used as the account name and any string of characters can be used for the password. Distributing files with anonymous FTP is a good way to maximize their availability.