Google Toolbar http:/ oolbar.google.com/

Arguably most-used of its type, Google Toolbar is operable only in IE browsers and available in many languages. The Toolbar Options allow customizing layout of toolbar as one wishes. Among many features Google Toolbar offers are Google Search, Search Site, PageRank, Page Info and Word Find. Page Info shows links that connect to webpage being viewed as also similar other webpages, besides a cached snapshot of webpage. For full detail about Google Toolbar, view help page located at http:/ oolbar.google.com/help.html. In article, *Maximum Google* [http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,110323,00.asp], PCWorld has provided a good analysis about searching in Google including information on Google Toolbar. All in all, a Google Toolbar is a must-have for fine-tuning search options.

PBar Toolbar http://www.pbar.net/

PBar's is a feature-rich toolbar, free for end-users. Armed with smart tools like *Spy Slayer* (a spyware remover), *Pop-Up Ad Stopper*, *Privacy Protector* and more, PBar also has mail and news search, web surfing and advanced search, besides such useful services as webpage translation, send-email-to-friend option, terms-highlight, multi-language support, etc. Premium service offers customized branding and many other options. For that matter, even free PBar service includes number of choices for your toolbar. A very useful toolbar indeed.

UCMore Toolbar http://www.ucmore.com/ucmore_toolbar.htm

Like Alexa, UCMore too finds other websites similar and related to webpage being viewed. Depending on a search query, UCMore Toolbar's *Enlightened Searching* displays category-wise related websites from Google, MSN, Yahoo or any other site.

SearchWolf Meta-Search http://www.trellian.net/search/index.html

A desktop utility, Trellian's SearchWolf provides an easy interface with multiple options to search one or more search engines simultaneously without opening your browser. Search results are listed by page titles of webpages which can then be sorted and selected for viewing in browser. Detailed report for a search can also be obtained.

WebFerret Meta-Search http://www.ferretsoft.com/download.htm

A desktop meta-search utility for Windows, WebFerret can also be installed as an integrated toolbar in IE. Search querries are looked in several search engines concurrently and results can be sorted by webpage name, address, source, and more. Features like duplicate removal, webpage validation and keyword suggestions make WebFerret a valuable search-tool. The paid version, WebFerretPro is designed to search more engines and directories and even offers a ranking option for webpages found by a particular search. Highly recommended.

Copernic Agent Basic http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/basic.html

Like WebFerret, Copernic Agect Basic too has integrated toolbar for IE. Some of features include search history in separate folders, searching found webpages using keywords or boolean expressions, saving preferred pages, ability to search in more than 90 search engines in 10 categories, automatic search engine updating, and more.

Visicom Dynamic Toolbar http:/ oolbar.visicommedia.com/en/products.html

Visicom's dynamic toolbar comes in 2 flavors, Standard and Pro. The advantage of Visicom dynamic toolbar is that it can be branded with one's own logo complete with auto-update/install/uninstall options. Configuration file enables specifying toolbar features, like menus, links and buttons.There are more features that can be seen clicking link above.

Internet Research Toolbar http://www.internet-research-toolbar.com/index.html

IRT's strong point is its seamless integration with Flexity database. Any piece of saved web-information becomes a data record that can be easily retrieved in need. The data recorded are not only meta-data, but page contents as well. IRT's interface provides easy-to-follow window for saved contents making further research much less daunting. IRT is a preferred choice for those who seek web information to compile essays, reports, research papers, etc. IRT offers 30-day trial before buying one.

BestToolBars http://www.besttoolbars.net/

BestToolBars offers customized IE toolbars with many features for heavy net traffic, usually portals. Source code and full technical support are also provided.

HydraLinks http://www.hydralinks.com/product_description.htm

iLOR's HydraLinks works behind scene when browsing. Moving mouse over a link instantly pops a small window containing 4 options therein. For example, option *Put in my list* permits saving link, image, graphic or an entire page in folder *My List* and can be seen immediately or later singly or all together. *My List* can be emailed too to whom you want to. To know about more features HydraLinks offers, click link above.

This article in full is available online at http://www.ezypost.com/website_design_articles/web_research_with_toolbars.htm.

Rather than call back and risk looking foolish by saying something like "Somebody called me from this number.", you can log on to www.anywho.com or www.addresses.com to do a reverse search by phone number. You can also do a number of other searches on people's addresses and other information.

** Identity Theft

Sadly, not everyone in world tries to operate under "Golden Rule."

Identity theft rates as one of fastest growing crimes in world, mostly because it's such an easy crime to commit.

Whether you go online or not, everyone carries a risk of falling victim to an identity thief.

Prevention and proper information rank as top ways to prevent identity theft from happening to you. Log on to www.idtheftcenter.org to understand risks and get specific information for making yourself a less-likely target.

** Free Conference Calls

Need to schedule a conference call with family, friends or business associates, but don't want to pay for an expensive bridge line or sign a long-term contract?

Log on to www.freeconference.com and sign up for a free account.

You can put up to 100 people on a phone call together (long distance charges apply) and use service to make presentations, do product training, or even hold a family reunion by phone.

Since they don't charge for service, I'd advise using this one fast since most free services end up shutting down after a few brief months.