The Hindu Business Line : Stay online, all the time

The quality of Internet connectivity has improved markedly over the years in India, but your Net connection can be terminated any time due to a host of factors. This week's software picks help you stay connected come what may.

GluedOn

Keep your ISP from terminating your dial-up Internet connection with this software. The idea behind GluedOn is simple - creating small amounts of real Internet activity to make your Internet Service provider "think" that you are actively using the Internet. This will keep them from disconnecting you.

GluedOn will connect to a random, pre-defined Web site and get a list of links. It will then visit a random link from that page. When it gets to the next page, it gets the list of links and once again visits a random link. You can set the amount of time between each download, so that GluedOn does not hog your Internet connection.

Filesize: 872 KB

Platform: 9x/NT/ME/2K

Download location:

http://roadside-software.com

Purchase info: Freeware

Connection Keeper

Connection Keeper prevents your Internet connection from appearing idle or inactive. It does this using almost no bandwidth or system resources. If a connection is lost, Connection Keeper can automatically dial back in.

It can even automatically simulate a button click to close popup windows (such as those asking if you wish to remain connected) and you can configure precisely how your line is kept active. Connection Keeper's window can be minimised to the system tray and the interface customised, using one of several colour schemes.

Filesize: 670 KB

Platform: 9x/NT/ME/2K/

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location:

http://www.gammadyne.com/

StayOnline

To prevent you from being disconnected from your Internet service provider after a certain period of time, Stay Online simulates Internet connection on a total custom base service to your needs. It has an option to start/stop automatically when it detects an Internet connection.

Filesize: 601 KB

Platform: 9x/NT/ME/2K

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location: http://0a.itgo.com

Always Connected Plug

ISPs usually disconnect users if they are not active for a certain period of time. This software prevents the disconnection from happening. The AC-Plug sends periodic signals that will keep your Internet connection active. The program with its four-button interface is extremely easy to use and requires no technical configuration. AC Plug uses the standard Windows settings and does almost everything else automatically.

Filesize: 227 KB

Platform: Windows 9x/NT/ME/2K/

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location: http://www.iopus.com/

Sock em PRO

This program will keep your online connection active while you are not surfing. It will not bog down your Internet connection. It keeps your Internet connection by using port 80. (Very basic interface and features.)

Filesize: 95 KB

Platform: Windows 9x/NT/ME/2K/

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location:

http://www.william.ruckman.

com/stayon.htm

RapidPing

RapidPing is a stay online tool that keeps your computer connected with your ISP by contacting a list of sites, thereby simulating Web traffic. It also doubles as a ping tool to keep an eye on a list of servers as well as IP lookup and local IP address lookup.

Filesize: 1673 KB

Platform: Windows 9x/NT/ME/2K

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location:

http://www.zero-velocity.com/

SpiderByte

SpiderByte simulates Internet activity so that your connection will not be dropped. All of SpiderBytes functions are easily configured to meet your needs.

Filesize: 1758 KB

Platform: Windows 9x/NT/ME/2K

Purchase info: Freeware

Download location:

http://binaryliquid.hypermart.net

StayOn Pro

This is a small program that simulates Internet activity to prevent you from being disconnected from your ISP. If you spend a little too long reading a Web page or grabbing a snack, even unlimited access ISP accounts are often signed off if they are inactive for a period of time.This small utility resides in the system tray and keeps you online by periodically retrieving information over your connection.

Filesize: 446 KB

Platform: Windows (All)

Purchase info: Shareware

Download location:

http://www.stayonpro.com/

Compiled by C. Ramesh

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