offlining

Gmail users now can attach files to messages with the offline version of Google's Web-based e-mail service.

"Starting today, attachments work just the way you would expect them to whether you are online or offline," said programmer Andy Palay in a blog post Tuesday. "If you have Offline Gmail enabled, you'll notice that all your mail now goes through the outbox, regardless of whether you're online or offline. This allows Gmail to capture all attachments, even if you suddenly get disconnected from network."

It's no paradigm-shifting change by itself, to be sure, … Read more

AcronymGenie provides a handy, easy-to-use reference database of those sometimes confusing computer acronyms. This program is a simple tool with simple definitions, and is therefore a success.

We were instantly looking up acronyms, thanks to the program's effective bare-bones interface. The program simply lists all the acronyms it defines in alphabetical order, with very few diversions. While it isn't pretty, it's functional, which felt more valuable to us. It gives you the option to simply scroll through the list of words, which contained hundreds and hundreds of computer, Internet, and basic digital and technological acronyms. From the … Read more

Teleport Pro allows users to download and view all the elements of a Web site. While this program provides offline browsing, it is not without some flaws that might turn users off.

This program's layout is initially intimidating, offering tons of white space and not much direction. Fortunately, there is a wizard that walks users through every step of the process. Utilizing the command icons after downloading a Web site may require a visit to the Help file, as it also provides no direction for the user. Working through the wizard was simple enough for every level to utilize. … Read more

Flash Video Downloader YouTube offers a convenient and comfortable interface for downloading videos from the Internet. Despite its name, the program supports a number of formats, including MOV, MP4, and AVI.

Among the program's thoughtful features are a built-in tabbed browser, options to change the application's appearance and to show and hide toolbars, an output list for viewing files you have already downloaded, and a menu item that provides one-click access to 37 video Web sites. Downloading is quick, and on completion you can choose where to save the file. The program does lack the ability to set … Read more

Offline Explorer Enterprise offers users an opportunity to surf their favorite Web sites when not connected to the Internet. While some may find the program initially overwhelming, the program's capability to save Web content directly to your computer will quickly become natural.

This program's busy interface may overwhelm users who are unfamiliar with this type of software. Thankfully, the Help file instructs users what each icon and box does and how each is essential to fully appreciating Offline Explorer Enterprise. While there are a lot of things to take in, the program is certainly not cluttered, which should … Read more

Although plain in design, this handy tool lets you easily store and view your favorite Web sites offline. Instead of supplying a built-in browser, your stored pages can be quickly viewed in your designated browser.

This freeware program's bland interface is all business. A simple Wizard that leads you through the process of copying Web sites is a welcome touch. Users need only enter a project name, insert the URLs to be copied, and adjust settings as desired, including choosing how many layers of a page the program will pick up. HTTrack Website Copier goes to work very quickly … Read more

Leech provides users with a valuable tool for searching Web sites while a computer is offline. It copies Web content directly to your hard drive so you can surf the offline content as if it was a live Internet feed. Leech is certainly a great idea, but it might intimidate less experienced users. It begins simply, but each subsequent step requires a little more effort from the user.

This program gets off to a great start with a very simple interface. A bracket along the left-hand side keeps track of all the Web sites users have downloaded; basic set of … Read more

Aaron's WebVacuum promises to help users capture all of the pictures and other files they can handle from their favorite Web sites. This unique program could be a huge help to many, but runs the risk of being overly complicated.

The compact interface is densely packed with tabs, buttons, and check boxes, and may overwhelm novice users. Fortunately, a brief tutorial pops up to explain the program's purpose and how to get quickly started, which is very helpful. Like a browser, there's a field for the URL of the page you want to pull from. Below that … Read more

There are many instances when users need to view a Web page but can't get access to the Internet. Portable Offline Browser solves this problem by letting you save and view them offline, but it might offer too many other options.

This program takes users right where they need to be from the start. Other offline browsers make you work to learn the program, but Portable Offline Browser has a start-up wizard that immediately asks you for a URL. From there the user is asked a range of other questions, which is this program's blessing and its curse. … Read more