Balloonware

In this game you are a balloon. You must fly in space collecting computer disks and avoid touching the sharp stars.
– Balloon Man video game description

This chapter contains information about software and Internet resources in which balloons play a central role.


Balloonware for all computers

Balloon Buster: shoot round balloons of various colors to pop and/or drop other balloons which are currently on the playfield. This Java-based game that will run in your web browser. http://www.dorcino.com/kids/pop/

Balloon Pop: This is a Flash-based word game that will run in your web browser: http://www.lostjungle.com/games/flash/balloonpop/index.shtml


Balloonware for Apple computers

Note 1: Here are some shareware/freeware compression/decompression utilities for Mac OS, in case you need them to decode what you download – Tucows.

Note 2: Now your Mac does Windows too! If you have a Power Macintosh, you can use Microsoft’s “Virtual PC” software to run Windows or DOS games on your Mac. <!– Also, available from FWB software, are SoftWindows98, and RealPC. Both of these programs are software emulators. For a hardware solution, OrangeMicro offers a card for some models of Macintosh which has an Intel chip on it. Launch the chip and you have real windows, running on your Macintosh.–>

Now, on to the Balloonware (Apple only)!

All fun and games

Animaniacs Game Pack: Baloney’s Balloon Bop
Created By: FunnyBone Interactive

Description: Baloney’s Balloon Bop is a fun Breakout-style game in which you move a portable trampoline around with two “animaniacs,” bouncing a third, Yakko, up in the air in order to pop balloons over Baloney the dinosaur’s head. Certain balloons contain ‘surprises’ that can be used on Baloney in many amusing ways. For example, some contain anvils, which you can drop on Baloney, who prowls around the bottom of the screen waiting to hug the bouncing animaniac. When dino-hugged, Yakko loses a life, so you want to keep him bouncing and popping balloons–safely out of the reach of Baloney’s mitts. Download a free 5-level demo:

Minimum System Requirements: Power Macintosh with 16 MB ram, double speed CD-ROM drive, monitor capable of 640x480x256 colors and System 7.1.2 or better.

Purchase Information: Animaniacs Game Pack CD – 5 games – Suggested Retail Price: $24.95.
For Sales & Ordering info: (800) 545-7677

Download a demonstration version (3.5MB) from: http://funnybone.davd.com/gamepack/demos/BaloneyInstaller.Hqx
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/BaloneyInstaller.Hqx

Balloon Man
Created By: by Lasse Krabye

Description: In this game you are a balloon. You must fly in space collecting computer disks and avoid touching the sharp stars. When you have collected a specified amount of disks, you advance to the next level.
The unregistered version allows you to play the first three levels on the easiest difficulty.
When you register:

  • You get to play all 9 levels.
  • You will be able to play all four difficulty levels, and you must face a boss at the end of level 3, 5, 7 and 9.
  • You are allowed to join the highscore contest on the Balloon Man home page.
  • You will be notified of future updates.

Minimum System Requirements:

  • System 7 or higher
  • Macintosh with 68030 microprocessor (The game is accelerated for PowerMacs. 68040 or PowerMac strongly recommended)
  • 3 MB of available RAM (>4 recommended)
  • 4.5 MB of hard disk space
  • Monitor capable of displaying 256 and 640 x 480 pixels

Purchase Information: This game is emailware. If you like the game, write Lasse an email at lkrabye@sn.no and tell him what you think of it. Include your serial-number and he’ll then send you your registration-number. Write “Balloon Man” in the subject line.

Download (2.5MB) from: http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive/Archive/game/arc/balloon-man-201.hqx
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/balloon-man-201.hqx

Circus-Linux
Created By: by New Breed Software

Description: Circus Linux! is a clone of the Atari 2600 game “Circus Atari,” produced by Atari, Inc. The object is to move a teeter-totter back and forth across the screen to bounce clowns up into the air. When they reach the top, they pop rows of balloons and then fall back down. If you don’t catch one, you lose a clown! Features include:

  • Game Modes:
    • One- and two-players.
    • Two-player cooperative.
    • Barriers mode.
    • Bouncy balloons mode.
    • Clear-all mode.
  • Graphics:
    • Colorful, cartoon-like images.
    • Animated objects and background.
    • Nearly 70 objects on screen at once.
    • Fullscreen mode.
    • Random circus acts in the background.
  • Sound:
    • Upbeat circus-style music.
    • Many cartoonish sound effects.
    • Sound and music volume controls.
  • Controls:
    • Mouse.
    • Joystick.

Minimum System Requirements:

  • PowerMacintosh (PowerPC)
  • 16 MB free RAM
  • MacOS ? or later
  • DrawSprocket 1.7 or later
  • InputSprocket 1.7 or later (if you have a joystick)
  • Display capable of thousands of colors @ 640×480

Purchase Information: This game is freeware.

Download (2.5MB) from: ftp://ftp.sonic.net/pub/users/nbs/unix/x/circus-linux/circuslinux-1.0.1.sit
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/circuslinux-1.0.1.sit.hqx

Enemy Bomber Balloons
Created By: Chess Piece Face laura@wjford.com

Created/Maintained by Alan Glenn

Description: Enemy Bomber Balloons is a challenging shoot-em up where you control a cannon which blasts a never-ending supply of bomb-dropping balloons. Catch care packages with special ammunition to make your task easier. Try to shoot more than one balloon with the same bullet to get big bonus points (sometimes 100,000 points with one shot!). Enemy Bomber Balloons doesn’t require a lot of memory or depend on a PowerPC chip to run well. Enemy Bomber Balloons gives decent performance on a 68030 and is even better on an 68040. Performs well on slower 601’s and great on 604’s. However, the arcade game concept is simple, but addictive: blast the balloons off the screen before they hit the ground. Best of all, Enemy Bomber Balloons is freeware!

Minimum System Requirements: System 7 or later, 68020 or higher, a Mac capable of 32-bit addressing, and a monitor which is at least 640 x 480 and can display 256 colors. This includes about 99.999% of all Macs.

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (427.3K) from: the official site http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Garage/9373/ebb.html
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/ebb1.4.hqx

Hummingbird 1.0
Created By: Rustle Laidman http://members.aol.com/raymeow/index.html#hb.targ

Description: Hummingbird is the world’s first voice-activated music arcade game for your Mac. Instead of using the keyboard, you sing to control the action.In this demo, you have access to the warm-up level only. Watch the screen for the appearance of the balloon; listen to the note it makes, then sing the note to fly over and pop the balloon. (You can also hum or play your favorite instrument instead of singing.) Hummingbird is DISCONTINUED and no longer supported. For the curious, you can download the original Hummingbird v1.0 DEMO here, but remember, this program is no longer available. Please do not send in orders!

Minimum System Requirements: Any Macintosh with Microphone, Color Monitor, System 6.0.5 or later.

Purchase Information: Free demo version. Full version is DISCONTINUED, no longer supported, and no longer available. Please do not send in orders!

Download (122K) from: http://members.aol.com/raymeow/Hummingbird.1.0.sit.hqx
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/hummingbird-10.hqx

Jump Zampoli
Created By: RampZamp Software http://www.RampZamp.com/jumpzamp.html

Description: The Zampoli acrobats catapult themselves with help of a seesaw into the air to burst balloons as artistically as possible. Unfortunately, fairies and goblins have prepared the balloons with surprises and traps. You must help the little Zampolis. Jump Zampoli attracts young and old with its sensational graphics and intelligent gameplay for hours. Because it is absolutely violence-free, it is suitable even for the youngest among us. Master 64 levels in 8 stages with a Boss Balloon at the end of each stage. Face 86 different balloons with many special items and two different refelction models. Some balloons and all Bosses are animated.The game features 5 songs and 4 aural atomspheres for the background plus a variety of high quality sound effects with true stereo localization. Download a free demo which allows you to play 8 levels. Here’s a review: http://www.macshareware.com/reviews/jump.zampoli.review.shtml

Minimum System Requirements: PowerMac with System 7.1 or higher and at least 7 MB of free memory after system reboot. We recommend a 7300/7500/7600/8500 or 8600 with 4MB VRAM on the internal gfx card, MacOS 8 and Apple Game Sprockets(included).

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free demo, $20.00 to register and unlock the full version.

Download (7MB) from: http://www.RampZamp.com/download/MacOS/JumpZampoli1.03.sit.bin
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/JumpZampoli1.03.sit.bin

Pop! The Balloon Dog Puzzle Game
Created By: Zero Entertainment, Inc. (Editor Note: 5/23, this link gave the message “Access to this server forbidden”.)

Description: In “Pop! The Balloon Dog Puzzle Game,” Pop the Puppy is a balloon dog on his way to the moon. if you can guide Pop past porcupines, cats, firecrackers, thumbtacks and spinning sawblades, then you are a dog’s best friend. Otherwise, Pop goes to balloon dog heaven… It’s a 100 % balloon extravaganza! The complete version features 87 levels. Download a free 10-level demo:

Minimum System Requirements: PowerPC processor (100 Megahertz minimum), System 7.5 (or later), QuickTime 2.5 or better (recommended), 16 Megabytes of RAM, 4 Megabytes of available hard drive space, Color monitor with 256 or more colors

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $24.95 to register and unlock the full version. Note: As of 9/99 – it appears that Zero Entertainment has been bought out and the new owner is no longer accepting registrations for this game. To unlock the full version of the game enter Name: Inpher Code: RA-KR0PR-H (that’s a zero, not an “O”)

Download (2MB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/Pop4110.bin <!– Download from KidsDomain Mac download, and read a brief review.

Download from TSN Software, which notes that there is a Windows 95/98/NT4 version available.

Download from Rocket Download.com, which offers an extensive review of the game and a screen shot.

Download from GameHunt.com, a site “for gamers by database engineers (who happen to be gamers)”.

Download from Happy Puppy, a site with, you guessed it, a Happy Puppy as its icon. –>

Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama
Created By: Humongous Entertainment

Description: Kids will have a blast helping Putt-Putt bounce his pal Pep into the air to pop colorful balloons some filled with hidden surprises. Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama features 120 levels of action and hidden bonus rounds. Balloon-O-Rama designer Rhett Mathis said, “We’ve created an animated world of arcade fun and made it kid-friendly. Features like Junior Helper, with Easy Catch and Never Lose Pep modes, make gameplay easy for young children.” Popping multiple balloons in a single bounce earns players more points than popping them one at a time. When Putt-Putt catches goodies, like candy that falls from popping balloons, kids earn extra points. When he catches garbage that falls from popping balloons, the kids lose points – but their scores never fall below zero. Special prizes that fall from popping balloons make Putt-Putt as long as a limousine or increase Pep’s popping power. Just when you think you’re about to clear a level, surprise balloons can inflate to fill the screen with new challenges. Hit the space ship when it zooms by, and discover point-racking bonus rounds that are truly out of this world.

This game is also available as a hand-held computer game (in the style of GameBoy). For $14.99, you can take Putt-Putt with you everywhere. The game offers 100 levels, a bonus round, and fun sound effects.

Minimum System Requirements: System 7.0 or higher, Minimum 25 MHz 68040 or Power PC, 8 MB of RAM, 640×480, 256 colors, Double-speed CD-ROM drive. Also available for Windows 3.1/95/98.

Purchase Information: Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama (Product# 04-11669), $9.99 from Humongous Entertainment; Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama Hand-Held Game, $14.99. Call 800- 499-8386, or order online at the Humongous Entertainment Store. <!–

Rampart 3D Playable Demo
Created By: Great Bay Interactive http://www.greatbayint.com/down.htm

Description: Rampart is a fully rendered 3D game that pits you and your cannon against several different forts and castles. A VR interface lets you point the cannon at the desired target. The hot air balloons carry supplies so you will want to shoot them down in order to reload. Rampart has 3 levels, all of which are included in this version. Here are some hints: Here are some hints:

  • Elevation – aim high because of the physics of projectile motion.
  • Use maximum powder charge to shoot fast and straight, but this will use up powder kegs fast.
  • Not enough arc? Try less gun powder.
  • Windage – flag and balloon show wind direction.
  • Shoot the hot air balloons in order to increase your powder and cannon stores.
  • The forts and castles shoot back so you will need to plunder extra cannons.

Minimum System Requirements: Mac

Purchase Information: Rampart is freeware.

Download (2.2MB) from: http://www.greatbayint.com/download/rampart.sit
or from: “>http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/rampart.sit.hqx –>

Educational games

I Spy: Balloon Popper
Created By: Scholastic

Description: Based on Scholastic’s best-selling I SPY books, the I Spy CD-ROM contains seven visually engaging and interrelated games in which children can practice logic, strategic thinking, visual observation, and problem-solving skills. One of the games, Balloon Popper, asks players to solve riddles and explore other areas of I Spy in order to find the missing piece to build outrageous “Rube Goldberg” type mechanical contraptions that come alive and pop a balloon upon completion. I Spy is recommended for kids aged 5 through 9, though younger players may require help. Over 1,300 object-and-word searches are built into hundreds of riddles and activities, assuring hours of extraordinary game play and a totally unique puzzle challenge. Children will love I Spy’s visually rich and entertaining games, and parents will appreciate the important cognitive skills it teaches.

Minimum System Requirements: Macintosh 33 MHz 68L040 or faster processor, System 7.1 or later, 7000 KB available RAM, 5 MB hard disk space available, 640 X 480 display with 256 colors, Double-speed CD-ROM drive. Now also available for Windows.

Purchase Information: Available at your favorite software store or call 1-800- SCHOLASTIC (1-800-724-6527) Estimated Price: $29.95

Busy Little Brains: Balloon-Popping Game
Created By: Enchanted Learning Software

Description: This http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/blbfolder/sortedgames/AlphaBalloons.shtml is one of the 41 activities your child can play in Busy Little Brains. This is a letter-recognition game. Gabby says a letter, and you try to pop the balloon with that letter on it.

You can pop a balloon by clicking on the balloon or by typing a letter. Whenever you pop a balloon, you will see a picture of something that starts with that letter. If it is the correct balloon, you also get a gold star. See if you can get all 26 letters right, as you listen to Mozart playing in the background.

This activity is wonderful for learning to associate the spoken letters with the written letters. In the process, children learn the letters and also the numbers, as they keep score of their progress. In addition, it can be useful for teaching typing and using the mouse.

Minimum System Requirements: Macintosh computer (or compatible), 8 MB or more of RAM, Double speed CD-ROM drive or faster, Color screen supporting 256 colors (8-bit color mode), System 7.0 or later. Printer optional.

Purchase Information: Available at http://www.zoomschool.com/Busylittlebrains.html Estimated Price: $24.99

Checkers Birthday Party
Created by: LittleFingers Software

Description: Six educational lessons reinforcing the alphabet, colors, shapes, matching and counting.

Minimum System Requirements: 68k or Power Macintosh

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (1MB) from: http://www.little-g.com/sware/Birthday.sea.hqx
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/birthdayTreas.sea.sit

Lucky’s Water Balloons
Created by: Creative Wonders

Description: In this game from their School House Rock series, kids age 5 – 8 and up can learn math skills while pelting ducks with harmless water-filled balloons. There are three levels in which you use your rubberband to fling water balloons at the duck holding the correct answer to the math problems at the top of the screen.

Minimum System Requirements: not specified

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (1MB) from: http://www.cwonders.com/cwonders/shr/download/ducky.sea.hqx
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/apple/games/shrlucky.hqx <!– or from http://senet.tukids.tucows.com/mac/files/shrlucky.hqx,
–>

Business-related software

None

Balloonware for Windows and DOS computers

Note: first you might need some programs to uncompress the “zip” files that these games are stored in.

Unzipping programs available on the net

  • Winzip. Windows unzipping program.
  • PKzip. DOS unzipping program.
  • PKZip program for DOS
  • Zip Explorer Pro. Another unzipping program.
  • eZip Wizard. Another Windows unzipping program, and free for unzipping.
  • NetZIP by SBI.
  • More file compression/decompression utilities for Windows 95/98:

Other Files

  • CPU slowdown programs for DOS
  • How to run DOS games on Windows 95

Now, on to the Balloonware (DOS/Windows only)!

All fun and games

Animaniacs Game Pack: Baloney’s Balloon Bop
Created By: FunnyBone Interactive

Description: Baloney’s Balloon Bop is a fun Breakout-style game in which you move a portable trampoline around with two “animaniacs,” bouncing a third, Yakko, up in the air in order to pop balloons over Baloney the dinosaur’s head. Certain balloons contain ‘surprises’ that can be used on Baloney in many amusing ways. For example, some contain anvils, which you can drop on Baloney, who prowls around the bottom of the screen waiting to hug the bouncing animaniac. When dino-hugged, Yakko loses a life, so you want to keep him bouncing and popping balloons–safely out of the reach of Baloney’s mitts. Download a free 5-level demo:

Minimum System Requirements: Windows: 486/66 or faster (Pentium Recommended) with 16 MB of ram, double speed CD-ROM drive, Win 95 compatible sound card and video card capable of 640x480x256 colors.

Purchase Information: Animaniacs Game Pack CD – 5 games – Suggested Retail Price: $24.95.
For Sales & Ordering info: (800) 545-7677

Download (2.3MB) from: http://funnybone.davd.com/gamepack/demos/balloon.exe
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/balloon.exe

Balloon Challenge v2.0
Created By: Soleau Software Inc.

Description: Balloon Challenge is a logic, arcade game in which you launch all 5 of your air balloons into a sky maze filled with many different obstacles. Play against the computer as you try to avoid planes, hurricanes and more as you acquire points the higher you get your balloons into the sky. Use your balloons to block your opponent in your quest for the highest scores.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS, EGA/VGA

Purchase Information: Shareware. Free to download, $12 to register.

Download (98KB) from: http://www.soleau.com/zips/ballon20.zip or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/ballon20.zip

Balloon Pop
Created by eGames.
Balloon Pop is a child’s game, and part of the eGames “Games for Girls” package. The game works by putting up 64 balloons, which you must then pop when it is your turn. If you pop the balloon, the point value of the balloon is added to your score. If you pop a balloon with a negative point value, that number of points is subtracted from your score! Reflexes and fast evaluation are needed. You will play against the computer, and by all accounts, this simple game quickly becomes very difficult. Good luck!

Purchase Information: Shareware – $14.99 to register the game and turn off the intermittent request for payment messages. Purchase will get you this game, and others, on a eGames cd.

Minimum system requirements: 8 MB RAM, 4 MB hard drive space, SVGA Video, 80486DZ CPU, Windows 95, 98.

Download (2.5 MB) from the http://www.rocketdownload.com/Details/Stra/bpdemol.htm
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/bpdemol.exe

Balloonacy
Created By: Agon Games

Description: Balloonacy is an exciting puzzle game where you match three or more balloons of the same color as they rise up the screen. If you lose more than three balloons off the top, your game is over. You can drag a balloon anywhere on screen with your mouse, but as soon as you release it, it will continue to rise.

As well as basic colored balloons, there are lots of special balloons and bonuses. Higher levels reveal star-balloons that burst to shower the screen with stars, white balloons that match anything, black balloons that are very difficult to match and a wide selection of goodies that can be caught.

There are unlimited levels in the game, ranging from step-by-step tutorials to frantic expert levels. Control the whole game with your mouse: no keys to learn.

This version is the trial edition, which contains lots of levels and gives you an idea of just how addictive the full game is. The full version has these extra features:

  • Unlimited levels, including more than 30 tutorial levels
  • Loads more types of balloon and goodies in the game.
  • No time limit, so you can play as often as you like.
  • No registration screen, and immediate loading of the game.

Minimum System Requirements:

  • Windows 98 and later.
  • The later the version of Windows, the more RAM you’ll need. 16 Meg for Windows 98, up to 128 Meg for Windows XP.
  • About 5 MB of hard disk space

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $9.99 to register and unlock the full version. Order online at the Agnon Games website.

Download (2.15MB) from: http://www.agon.com/games/balloonacy/download.html
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/balloonacy.exe

Balloons 1.0
Created By: Eugene Garcia

Description: Balloons is a logic game for adults and children that can be played against the computer or another player. The player is presented with several levels of balloons, which are popped during the game. You can pop balloons only on one level at a time. The object of the game is to leave the last balloon to your opponent. Four skill levels are included in the unregistered shareware version–registration brings two more. Balloons is fun and will exercise your logic skills.

Minimum System Requirements: Mouse, VGA, and DOS 3.3

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $19 if you decide to keep it.

Download (81KB) from: ftp://ftp.zdnet.com/pub/private/sWlIB/games/puzzle_logic_games/ballns.zip or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/ballns.zip

Balloons v3.0 Phrase Game for Win95
Created By: Steven T Fricke http://www.why.net/users/sfricke/software/balloons.htm

Description: Balloons is a phrase game that has its basis in the venerable favorite “Hangman”. What sets this game apart is the interface is MUCH more entertaining. 3-D Buttons, text, menus and screens, bright balloons and stereo sounds replace the old stick figures. You start out with six balloons. If you get a letter wrong, it pops one of the balloons. If you get the phrase before all the balloons pop, then you win!

Additional phrase lists can be downloaded free, with subject headings like: TV, Biblical, Beatles and Movies.

Minimum System Requirements: Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, VGA. To hear the sound effects provided with this game, you must have a sound card and appropirate Windows drivers, or the Windows PC Speaker Driver, installed on your system. This file requires VB40032.DLL (Visual Basic Runtime).

Purchase Information: Shareware: Download free, $4 if you keep it.

Download (1.3MB) from: http://www.why.net/users/sfricke/software/balloons.htm
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/bln3_32.zip

Additional catalogs for Balloons are available for download.
Download (32K) from: http://www.winsite.com/info/pc/win3/games/allcat.zip
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/allcat.zip

Balloonz 1.0 (DOS)
Created By: Acumen Software, phone: (401) 624-5209

Description: Two action-arcade games in one! Pop balloons while flying thru deadly star fields, and blow your opponent away with your puff gun in game 2.

Minimum System Requirements: 256-color VGA graphics (required), Medium to fast 286/386/486 CPU (recommended), SoundBlaster sound card for great digitized sound effects (optional), Joystick (optional)

Purchase Information: Shareware: $8 to register.

Download (151 KB) from: http://www.gamesacademy.com/freeware/file4989.html
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/balloonz.zip

Blupimania
Created By: Epsitec SA, (English version) Epsitec SA (Swiss version)

Description: Blupi Mania is an adventure maze game that will be fun for younger gamers. Blupi is a yellow cartoon character trapped in a world of hazards. He arrived by a balloon, but he let go and now you must guide him to a new balloon to fly on to the next riddle. You’ll find lots of situations, with plenty of tools to help you help Blupi. Sound effects and music accompany play. This trial version comes with five different puzzles as well as the ability to create one puzzle of your own. Register to get over 150 Blupi situations. This DOS game includes a Windows installer. It can be ordered in English, French, or German language editions.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS 5.0, SoundBlaster sound card

Purchase Information: Shareware: $29 to register.

Download (1.2 MB) from: ftp://www.epsitec.ch/epsitec/blupi/blupim-e.zip
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/blupim-e.zip

Bust-A-Move 2
Created By: Acclaim

Description: The object is to fire balloons at groups of other balloons of the same color and make them fall until they’re all eliminated. The demo actually lets you play through a fair amount of the game, so get ready to go balloon poppin’. When using pkunzip, use the -d flag to preserve the directory structure.

Minimum System Requirements: 486/33, 8 MB RAM, SVGA w/ 1MB, sound board, DOS

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $19 if you decide to keep it.

Download (3.6MB) from: http://www.acclaim.com/games/bm2/index.html
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/bm2demo.zip

Circus-Linux
Created By: by New Breed Software

Description: Circus Linux! is a clone of the Atari 2600 game “Circus Atari,” produced by Atari, Inc. The object is to move a teeter-totter back and forth across the screen to bounce clowns up into the air. When they reach the top, they pop rows of balloons and then fall back down. If you don’t catch one, you lose a clown! Features include:

  • Game Modes:
    • One- and two-players.
    • Two-player cooperative.
    • Barriers mode.
    • Bouncy balloons mode.
    • Clear-all mode.
  • Graphics:
    • Colorful, cartoon-like images.
    • Animated objects and background.
    • Nearly 70 objects on screen at once.
    • Fullscreen mode.
    • Random circus acts in the background.
  • Sound:
    • Upbeat circus-style music.
    • Many cartoonish sound effects.
    • Sound and music volume controls.
  • Controls:
    • Mouse.
    • Joystick.

Purchase Information: This game is freeware.

Download (2.5MB) from: http://www.nbswebfx.com/downloads/circuslinux-1.0.0.zip
or from http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/circuslinux-1.0.0.zip

Helious
Created By: Albino Frog Software http://www.nexi.com/albinofrog

Description: A game that emphasises careful judgement as well as occasional fast reflexes. Maneouver your balloon throughout 18 different worlds filled with sharp, spiky objects and villians. But each time you move, you must release a little air. Squeeze through tight spots, search for air pumps and refills. Capture keys to unlock doors, grab firepower and rain photon death upon the vicious jaggies! Get to the end of the maze without running out of gas! Also includes a complete walk-thru for the first nine levels! Fun, easy to learn, can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS, 286-33 or faster PC, Keyboard, Joystick Control. Sound card is optional

Purchase Information: Shareware: $9

Download (310 KB) from the World Village http://www.worldvillage.com/wv/gamezone/download/heliosi.zip
or (287 KB) from: ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/pc_games/gamehead/h/helius.zip
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/helious.zip

H.U.R.L.
Created by Deep River Multimedia Studio, published by Millenium Media Group.

Description: Formerly known as Slob Zone 3D, which gives a sense of the tone of this game. Grab your water balloons and jump into the trash-filled world of H.U.R.L., a 3-D, first person action game for “Baby DOOMers” of all ages. You’re a squeaky clean agent hot on the trail of Bob the Slob and his Hardcore Union of Radical Litterbugs, who’d love to bury you under a mountain of slime. Earn money by clearing trash, and then use the money to buy soap, water balloons and deodorant. You’ll have to hurl the clean-up items you buy at the flying pigs and dirty ducks before they egg and green-slime you into oblivion! Entertaining theme, first-class graphics, cool music, and splattering sound effects – H.U.R.L. is great fun for gamers of all ages.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS, 640K, a 386-33 or faster PC, VGA, and 4MB RAM. Sound card is optional

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (1.3 MB) from: http://www.3dgamers.com/3daction/00archives/hurl/
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/hurl.zip <!– Download (1.3 MB) from the Happy Puppy archive. –>

Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama
Created By: Humongous Entertainment

Description: Kids will have a blast helping Putt-Putt bounce his pal Pep into the air to pop colorful balloons some filled with hidden surprises. Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama features 120 levels of action and hidden bonus rounds. Balloon-O-Rama designer Rhett Mathis said, “We’ve created an animated world of arcade fun and made it kid-friendly. Features like Junior Helper, with Easy Catch and Never Lose Pep modes, make gameplay easy for young children.” Popping multiple balloons in a single bounce earns players more points than popping them one at a time. When Putt-Putt catches goodies, like candy that falls from popping balloons, kids earn extra points. When he catches garbage that falls from popping balloons, the kids lose points – but their scores never fall below zero. Special prizes that fall from popping balloons make Putt-Putt as long as a limousine or increase Pep’s popping power. Just when you think you’re about to clear a level, surprise balloons can inflate to fill the screen with new challenges. Hit the space ship when it zooms by, and discover point-racking bonus rounds that are truly out of this world.

This game is also available as a hand-held computer game (in the style of GameBoy). For $14.99, you can take Putt-Putt with you everywhere. The game offers 100 levels, a bonus round, and fun sound effects.

Minimum System Requirements: Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or higher, 33 MHz 486, 8 MB of RAM, SVGA (640×480) 256 colors, Sound Card, Double-speed CD-ROM drive, Macintosh CD-ROM

Purchase Information: Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama (Product# 04-11669), $9.99 from Humongous Entertainment; Putt-Putt and Pep’s Balloon-O-Rama Hand-Held Game, $14.99. Call 800- 499-8386, or order online at the Humongous Entertainment Store.

Pop! The Balloon Dog Puzzle Game
Created By: Zero Entertainment, Inc. (Editor Note: 5/23, this link gave the message “Access to this server forbidden”.)

Description: In “Pop! The Balloon Dog Puzzle Game,” Pop the Puppy is a balloon dog onhis way to the moon. if you can guide Pop past porcupines, cats, firecrackers, thumbtacks and spinning sawblades, then you are a dog’s best friend. Otherwise, Pop goes to balloon dog heaven… It’s a 100 % balloon extravaganza! The complete version features 87 levels. Download a free 10-level demo:

Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95 or NT (with or without Internet Explorer), Microsoft DirectX* (3.0 or better), Intel Pentium processor (133 Megahertz), 8 Megabytes of RAM, 5 Megabytes of available hard drive space, Color monitor with 256 or more colors, And you better have some kind of SoundBlaster* compatible sound card.

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $24.95 if you decide to keep it. Note: As of 9/99 – it appears that Zero Entertainment has been bought out and the new owner is no longer accepting registrations for this game. To unlock the full version of the game enter Name: TEX98 Registration Key: uJ-tQ4Dq-9

Download (2.1 MB) from: http://www.rocketdownload.com/Details/Comm/popdemo.htm
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/popbloon.zip <!– Available ((2.1 MB download) at the Hot Games
Available (2.1 MB download) from the Game Dudes
–> <!–

Rampart 3D Playable Demo
Created By: Great Bay Interactive (Editor’s Note: 5/23 No page was found for this link.)

Description: Rampart is a fully rendered 3D game that pits you and your cannon against several different forts and castles. A VR interface lets you point the cannon at the desired target. The hot air balloons carry supplies so you will want to shoot them down in order to reload. Rampart has 3 levels, all of which are included in this version. Here are some hints: Here are some hints:

  • Elevation – aim high because of the physics of projectile motion.
  • Use maximum powder charge to shoot fast and straight, but this will use up powder kegs fast.
  • Not enough arc? Try less gun powder.
  • Windage – flag and balloon show wind direction.
  • Shoot the hot air balloons in order to increase your powder and cannon stores.
  • The forts and castles shoot back so you will need to plunder extra cannons.

Minimum System Requirements: Win3.1, 8 MB of RAM, 256 Color Display.

Purchase Information: Rampart is shareware but probably can’t be registered.

Download a demo (2.2 MB) from The Gamer’s Inn, a web source for many different computer game downloads, both Macintosh and Windows.
Download a playable demo from Games Academy, an on-line source for a huge variety of games, patches, and add ons.
Download a demo from PC WORLD online
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/rampart.zip –>

Tommy’s Balloon
Created By: Tommy’s Toys

Description: Tommy’s Balloon is an arcade style game in which you drop bombs on enemy laser cannons from a balloon.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS, Windows 3.1/95/NT or OS/2. Most titles work on any DOS PC even older XTs/ATs/286s with or without color monitor and mouse. (To run under Windows 95, just double-click the program .EXE file.)

Purchase Information: Shareware – Download free, $6 if you keep it.

Download (148KB) from: ftp://tommystoys.com/pub/tommysto/dosshare/tomballn.zip
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/tomballn.zip

Educational games (DOS/Windows only)

Balloons 4.3
Created By: AssistWare

Description: Balloons is aimed at parents who want their young children (age 1 to 5) to become familiar with the computer keyboard. It draws a balloon on your graphics screen and sounds a tone when any key is tapped. The balloons are randomly sized and drawn at random locations on the screen. Hitting certain keys controls the color of the balloons; for example, keying G makes green balloons. In addition, hitting the down-arrow key causes the balloon to shrink until it disappears, and hitting the up-arrow key causes the balloon to grow until it pops. After the pop, a rainbow is drawn, and the first phrase of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ is played. Balloons is a simple, fun, non-threatening program that can keep a child entertained while teaching keyboard basics. It will not work with a monochrome display. Various registration options are available.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS 3.3, at least a 4 color display, some kind of sound card.

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $7 if you decide to keep it. Registration benefits include: ASP-approved shareware, free updates, other, program disks.

Download (57KB) from: http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/pc/balloons2.html
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/ballon.zip <!– Download (57KB) from the ZDnet site. –>

I Spy: Balloon Popper
Created By: Scholastic

Description: Based on Scholastic’s best-selling I SPY books, the I Spy CD-ROM contains seven visually engaging and interrelated games in which children can practice logic, strategic thinking, visual observation, and problem-solving skills. One of the games, Balloon Popper, asks players to solve riddles and explore other areas of I Spy in order to find the missing piece to build outrageous “Rube Goldberg” type mechanical contraptions that come alive and pop a balloon upon completion. I Spy is recommended for kids aged 5 through 9, though younger players may require help. Over 1,300 object-and-word searches are built into hundreds of riddles and activities, assuring hours of extraordinary game play and a totally unique puzzle challenge. Children will love I Spy’s visually rich and entertaining games, and parents will appreciate the important cognitive skills it teaches.

Minimum System Requirements: Windows: 486DX 66 MHz or faster processor, Microsoft Windows 3.1x or Windows 95, 8 MB RAM (16 MB recommended), 5 MB hard disk space available, 640 X 480 display with 256 colors, Double-speed CD-ROM drive, Windows-compatible sound card, Mouse.

Purchase Information: Available at your favorite software store or call 1-800- SCHOLASTIC (1-800-724-6527) Estimated Price: $29.95

Lucky’s Water Balloons
Created by: Creative Wonders

Description: In this game from their School House Rock series, kids age 8 and up can learn math skills while pelting ducks with harmless water-filled balloons. There are three levels in which you use your rubberband to fling water balloons at the duck holding the correct answer to the math problems at the top of the screen.

Minimum System Requirements: not specified

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (1MB) from: ftp://ftp.happypuppy.com/pub/kids/pc/duck.EXE
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/duck.EXE <!– Download (1MB) from the Creative Wonders site.
–>

Preschool Pack 4.0
Created By: KidStuff Software VickiWatso@aol.com

Description: The colorful graphics, songs, and speech of Preschool Pack will be sure to capture the attention of your preschooler. Through six different and entertaining activities your preschooler will learn about counting, number recognition, the alphabet, colors, matching, classifying, spelling his name, and memorizing his telephone number. The activities include “Balloons” in which the user must click on a color block matching the color of a rising balloon before it pops. All activities are reinforced with cheerful music and animation sequences.

Minimum System Requirements: 12Mhz or faster PC, 640K RAM, a hard drive, an EGA or VGA color monitor, and a mouse. Two different versions of PPK are available. One works with Sound Blaster, Adlib, or compatible sound cards. The other works with the PC speaker. PPK must be run from the DOS prompt. Note: According to the Kids Domain review, the Preschool Pack is not Windows compatible.

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $10.00 if you decide to keep it. All registered users receive over 100 extra pictures for use in Preschool Pack.

Download: http://softseek.zdnet.com/Education_and_Science/Childrens_Education/General/D_3192_index.html
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/ppk40.zip <!– Download (1.1MB) from: ftp://ftp.digital.com/pub/micro/pc/simtelnet/msdos/educate/ppk40.zip –>

Riddle Balloon 1.0
Created By: Robert J. Deutsch, phone: (610) 434-0723

Description: Riddle Balloon is a colorful program that helps kids’ minds develop and is a good choice for parents or teachers looking for good learning software for kids. A delightful host named Little Robby guides your child through a series of fun riddles designed to teach spelling, logic, and co-ordination of mouse and keyboard. A pre-set bank of riddles starts the fun, rewarding your child with humorous comments and splashes of colorful balloons along the way. You can add your own riddles.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS 5.0+ or WINDOWS 3.1, Hard disk; VGA monitor, 286 PC or compatible, mouse.

Purchase Information: Shareware: free working demo. $24.99 to register and unlock additional features.

Download from the http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/educate/riddle10.zip
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/games/riddle10.zip <!– Download: You can find a link to download the program (1.4MB) at the Focus Kids web site.
Download: You will find a link to download the program from the File Library at Channel 1:Learning.
Download (1.4MB) from: ftp://uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu/pub/systems/pc/simtelnet/msdos/educate/riddle10.zip –>

Business-related software

The Balloon Decorator’s Assistant
Created By: Allen Cook pabonim@sound.net

Description: This program is designed to give the balloon decorator a quick way to figure the number of balloons needed for simple columns, swags, and arches. Please note that the solutions given are estimates only. Actual material usage may vary. All lengths and sizes must be input in whole numbers only.

Minimum System Requirements: DOS 4.0

Purchase Information: Shareware: Free to try, $5 if you decide to keep it.

Download (9KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/windoze/business/decorate.zip

FoxE
Created By: George Duncan foxesoft@pngusa.net, http://www.foxesoft.com

FoxE Software is for small business management of Customers, Inventory, Orders, Kits, Delivery Directions and Addresses, Vendors, Mailing/Shipping labels, Invoices, Taxes, Costs, Retail Sales, and many Reports.

Description: FoxE is an easy to follow software application developed to help you manage your balloon business for greater productivity and profits. Used by hundreds of balloon and gift basket businesses around the country, FoxE is simple and straightforward, fast and functional, without all the extra “stuff” found in ‘books’ and ‘quick’ software! Through its personal help and customization features, FoxE is streamlined and optimized for efficient and productive daily use.

Developed by a balloon professional and software developer with many years of computer experience, FoxE offers integrated customer, inventory, vendor, street delivery directions, order entry, Do-All Notes and dozens of built-in REPORT formats. Its focus is primarily for telephone originated sales with personalized information about the customer. Important bits of information entered or updated during each call will enable you to create the ideal gift package for the occasion and to do follow-up mailings and special advertising.

The CUSTOMER section lets you maintain an up-to-date file of customers and vital information like address, family names, credit card number (if used), etc. FoxE even helps with direct mailings before special events.

The INVENTORY section manages all aspects of your inventory. FoxE even shows you your high volume products, your big money makers, your slow movers and enables building Kits for fast order preparation and inventory tracking.

The ORDER ENTRY section expedites taking orders and printing paperwork, invoices and mailing labels. The Kit feature enables a set of items to be automatically recalled and deducted from inventory. FoxE allows review of past orders to avoid duplication or repeat arrangements and even computes applicable sales tax and shipping charges.

Finally, FoxE allows you to create and print DELIVERY DIRECTIONS to aid your staff or delivery service.

Additional options include bar code capabilities for reading bar coded items (with a laser type bar code reader) and updating Inventory or preparing Orders.

Minimum System Requirements:

  • Windows 98 or later PC’s
  • 256 MB of RAM
  • a color monitor
  • a mouse
  • 12 MB or more of hard disk space
  • a CD drive for installation
  • a 3.5 inch diskette drive, Zip disk or memory card for backup, or burn to CD.
  • inkjet or laser printer, Windows compatible

Options include:

  • Free full-featured DEMO version with on-line instructions. Demo version limits you to 10 records of customers and orders. The demo amount is creditable toward the full version.
  • FULL version provides data capacity up to one billion records, or the limit of your hard disk space. Network and bar code readable versions are also available.

Purchase or Further Information: go to web site: http://www.foxesoft.com or call toll-free 866-635-6905, or e-mail: foxesoft@pngusa.net <!–

ShowMan
Created By: Salvation Station Enterprises http://home1.gte.net/sse3/showman.htm

Description: ShowMan is a show management application available for DOS, Windows and Macintosh systems that enables performers to get their acts together. Whether the act is: magic, music, juggling, clowning, dance, puppetry, ventriloquism, drama, balloon sculpting, or any combination thereof, ShowMan can handle it. Users can increase productivity by entering their show information once, re-combining it in numerous ways and printing out: scripts, cue sheets, inventory lists, schedules, contracts, notes, or many other useful reports. ShowMan manages: equipment, routines, acts, performances, contacts, media, quotes, and notes. It includes powerful search capabilities, and is highly customizable. A fully functional demo version (it just limits each of the major tables to 5 records) is available free.

Download (8.7 MB) from: http://www.illustratedillusions.com/showman/small.exe
Download (159KB) from: http://home1.gte.net/sse3/showman.htm –>


Balloonware Text Fonts

I’ve looked through hundreds of fonts on the web and in my artistic opinion, the following are the only ones that compliment balloons and balloon clip art. (If you know of any others, please post about them on the balloon mailing lists.) Use them on your letterhead, memos, menu boards, signs, etc. Enjoy. Windows: Fonts are “.TTF” files. From the Control Panel in Windows double click Fonts. Select File, then Install New Font… In the following dialog box locate the font files you have unzipped, select them and then click OK. Please note that often Windows will not recognize fonts (TTF files) if you merely unzip them to the FONTS folder. It is better to do a proper install as above.

Mac OS 8 and 9: Fonts appear as “suitcases.” Drag the new font suitcases into your “Fonts” folder, which resides in the System Folder. New fonts are available as soon as you start an application.

If you still don’t know what to do with these fonts, check your computer manual, your local computer consultant or the comp.fonts FAQ http://www.nwalsh.com/comp.fonts/FAQ/index.html. Please don’t ask computer questions on the balloon mailing lists.

Apple computer owners may find the following piece of shareware helpful.

TTconverter 1.5
Created By: Chris Reed chrisreed@aol.com

Description: A shareware accessory that will convert TrueType fonts for Windows into Macintosh TrueType format.

Instructions for converting Windows fonts to Mac fonts, written by Barry Nelson:

  1. Download the Zip file to your desktop.
  2. Then, using ZipIt, unzip the font and you’ll get a list of files contained therein.
  3. Find the font.ttf and expand it, again using Zip it. It will land on the desktop (if you so wish) as a TTF file.
  4. With a copy of TTF converter, convert the TTF file to a suitcase by this process: The TTF Converter will throw up a screen than contains, in some cases, the name of the font in the bottom portion, highlighted. If not, you must click on “Customize FOND…” to name it (or else it will not show up on the pull-down menu in your applications). Enter a name in the “Font Name” and “PS Name” fields, and save it. You then have to name the suitcase.
  5. Place the suitcase in the fonts folder and voila! Your new font will be available in any application that you now start up.

Purchase Information: Shareware. Download free. $10 if you use it.

Download (52KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/font_utilities/tt-converter-15.hqx

Windows users may find the following piece of software helpful.

TT FontConvert 1.0
Created By: Evan P. Hall

TT FontConvert is a small utility that runs on a Mac and is used to convert Macintosh True Type fonts to a format usable by Windows and other operating systems. TT FontConvert can convert any TrueType font installed on a Macintosh or PowerMacintosh to the Windows format.

Purchase Information: Postcardware. If you find the software useful, send the author a postcard.

Download from Evan P. Hall’s software page
or from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/font_utilities/TT_FontConvert.sit.hqx <!– Download (264KB) from the Pure Mac web site. –>

Mac – PC Font Conversion Toolkit
Created By: Curtis Clark jcclark@csupomona.edu

Description: Here are all the tools you need to extract Mac font archives and convert the fonts to PC format for Windows or ATM. All the programs are plain DOS programs. The files include:

  1. README.TXT Instructions
  2. HOW_TO.TXT Instructions, from comp.fonts FAQ
  3. BINHEX13.ZIP Converts Mac Binhex (.hqx) to binary
  4. XBIN23.ZIP Converts Mac Binhex (.hqx) to binary
  5. EXT-PC.ZIP Uncompresses Mac Compactor (.cpt) files
  6. UNSITI.EXE Uncompresses Mac Stuffit (.sit) files
  7. UNSIT30.ZIP Uncompresses Mac Stuffit (.sit) files
  8. REFONT14.ZIP Converts Mac Type 1 to PC Type 1, Mac TrueType to PC .TTF, PC Type 1 to Mac Type 1, and PC TrueType to Mac .TTF.
  9. BM2AFM02.ZIP Creates (.afm) files from Mac bitmaps

Purchase Information: Freeware/Shareware. See individual programs.

Download (280KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/font_utilities/macfontx.zip

Alright, already… gimme da fonts!

Balloons
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (21KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/BALLOON.ZIP

FONTASTIC! DJ Balloons
Created By: DJ Inkers http://www.djinkers.com/store/software

Description: FONTASTIC! is a CD-ROM containing 22 delightful hand-drawn, TrueType fonts capable of working with your current word processor, desktop publisher, etc. One of these fonts is the DJ Balloons font shown here.

Purchase Information: $24.95 – Order by calling 1-800-325-4890 and specify CSW104PC for IBM computers, or CSW104MAC for Apple computers.

Order on-line at http://www.djinkers.com/store/software.html

DJ Inkers also sells balloon-related Rubber Stamps

Bubble
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (47KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/fonts/BUBBLE.ZIP

Pleasantly Plump
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (9KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/PLUMP.ZIP

Franks
Created By: Edward Leach EdwardL401@aol.com

Description: TrueType and Type 1 font for Mac

Purchase Information: Shareware. Download free. $10 if you use it.

Download (51KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/franks.cpt.hqx

Tubular
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (25KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/TUBULAR.ZIP

Tubular Hollow Regular
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (24KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/TUBULH.ZIP

RotondoSilver v1.2
Created By: Rafael Dinner http://www.stanford.edu/~rdinner/fonts.html

Description: This is the third release of the RotondoSilver font family. The font includes all caps, lowercase, punctuation, and miscellaneous characters. This font is high quality (created in Adobe Illustrator with maximum accuracy). RotondoSilver is meant to be a 3-D display font to grab attention or just look slick. You will find that RotondoSilver maintains accuracy at very high resolutions, and does so with minimum complexity of paths (minimum disk space and RAM needed). RotondoSilver is available in Postscript Type 1 and TrueType versions.

Click on above image to see this awesome font in higher resolution.
Even so, it’s not great on the screen… but it looks incredible when printed.

Purchase Information: Shareware. Download free. $5 per font if you use it.

Download the MacOS TrueType version (128KB) from: http://www.stanford.edu/~rdinner/files/fonts/mac/truetype/RotondoSilver.sit.hqx
Download the MacOS Postscript Type 1version (229KB) from: http://www.stanford.edu/~rdinner/files/fonts/mac/postscript/RotondoSilver.sit.hqx
Download the Windows TrueType version (95KB) from: http://www.stanford.edu/~rdinner/files/fonts/windows/truetype/RotSilvr.zip
Download the Windows Postscript Type 1 version (152KB) from: http://www.stanford.edu/~rdinner/files/fonts/windows/postscript/RotSilvr.zip

Balloon Man Clipfont
Created By: Emerald City Fontwerks http://www.speakeasy.org/~ecf/clipfont.html

Description: A clip font where each keyboard key is a different human face drawn on a balloon. I can’t think of a use for this, but I’m sure someone will. Balloon Man is available in Postscript Type 1 and TrueType versions.

Click on above image to see this font in higher resolution.

Purchase Information: Freeware.

Download the MacOS TrueType version (27KB) from: http://www.speakeasy.org/~ecf/bloonman.sit.hqx
Download the MacOS Postscript Type 1version (107KB) from: http://www.speakeasy.org/~ecf/bloonmanps.sit.hqx
Download the Windows TrueType version (17KB) from: http://www.speakeasy.org/~ecf/bloonman.zip
Download the Windows Postscript Type 1 version (69KB) from: http://www.speakeasy.org/~ecf/ps/blnmanps.zip

Glowworm
Description: TrueType font for Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download (34KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/GLOWWORM.ZIP

Bumbazoid
Created By: Davide Canavero canavero@pianeta.net

Description: TrueType font for Mac and Windows

Purchase Information: Freeware

Download the MacOS TrueType version (82KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/bumbazo.sit.hqx

Download the Windows TrueType version (40KB) from: http://www.balloonhq.com/balloonware/fonts/bumbazo.zip


Balloonware Clip Art

To the best of my knowledge, all of the clip art images displayed here are in the public domain and can be freely used by anyone. If you have evidence to the contrary, then please e-mail the details to mbalzer@BalloonHQ.com.

The clip art images linked to but not displayed here are not in the public domain and cannot be freely used by anyone. Some are listed for your viewing pleasure only. Graphics are owned by the person who created them, this is the law. Please heed all applicable copyright laws. If you’d like to learn about copyright laws, here are some places to start:

Note: As a common courtesy, please do not link to the individual clip art images on Balloon HQ. If you want to use any of the clip art in your home page then download a copy and link to your copy. Thank you.

To download clipart on a Mac, click on the picture you want and hold down the mouse button. Then select “Save Image As…”. Save the image with the file name of your choice. Remember to indicate a directory. If you are using Netscape Communicator, detailed instructions are available at: http://www.cyberbee.com/tips/sitips1.html. If you are you using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, you should really switch to Netscape.

To download clipart on a PC, right click with your mouse on the image you want. Select “Save Image As…” from the dialog box. Save the image with the file name of your choice. Remember to indicate a directory. If you are using Netscape Communicator, detailed instructions are available at: http://www.cyberbee.com/tips/siwintips1.html. If you are you using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, you should really switch to Netscape.

Most clip art images are in “.gif” format. In order to use them in word processing documents, you may have to convert them to another format such as pict (Macintosh) or “.bmp” (Windows). Graphic Converter for Macintosh and LView Pro for Windows 95 are conversion programs. They will also allow you to resize the images or change colors.

AOL Users: When you save a graphic on the internet, your AOL browser compresses in a “.ART” format. Only your AOL browser can view “.ART” images. When downloading “Turn the compression feature off.” Or install Netscape Communicator.

Balloon HQ would love to add your clip art to this collection! If you would like to contribute some clip art, please write mbalzer@BalloonHQ.com an email message about it. Be sure to include the following information for each image that you submit:

  • Created By:
  • Description:
  • Copyright status:
  • Purchase Information:
Clip art collection #1
Created By: Unknown authors

Description: This collection of clip art is from a larger collection at http://www.erinet.com/cronkra/page6.html . This larger collection was first assembled by George Ballinger in 1995 as he was preparing for his wedding in1996. He collected pictures from various web sites and binary newsgroups and created “George’s Wedpage” http://barrow.uwaterloo.ca/~ghballin/ in August 1995. George made his collection freely available to anyone on the World Wide Web. After maintaining “George’s Wedpage” for two years, he closed it in August 1997. Before closing his page, George graciously offered his collection to anyone who was interested in continuing it.

Copyright status: public domain

Purchase Information: Free.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp

Clip art collection #2
Created By: Unknown authors

Description: This collection of clip art is from a larger collection at http://www.lizard.org/clipart/clipart/balloon.htm .

These are “icons.” They can be used to replace the pictures of files or folders on your computer desktop. To learn how to use them, click on: http://www.kidsdomain.com/icon/howcopy.html

Copyright status: public domain

Purchase Information: Free.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp

Clip art collection #3
Created By: Unknown author

Description: This piece of clip art is from a collection at http://www.telepath.com/purkat/balloon.html.

Copyright status: public domain

Purchase Information: Free. The collector writes: “The following cliparts have been collected, exchanged and traded from other free sites and have no copyrights that we know of. If you take a clipart, please give us a link back. You may sign our guest book and give URL where our link will be. This is our link for you to copy: http://www.telepath.com/purkat/design.html Thank You!

Clip art collection #4
Created By: Blue Valley DesignWorks

Description: This piece of clip art is from a collection at http://bluevalleydesignworks.com/clip3.html.

Copyright status: Copyright 1997, 1998 Blue Valley DesignWorks, Walton, NY, 607-865- 9486.

Purchase Information: Free for use as long as you provide a link back to http://bluevalleydesignworks.com/clips.html when you use the image.

Clip art collection #5
Created By: K & W Graphics Boutique and Design

Description: This piece of clip art is from a collection at http://www.geocities.com/~kellymouse .

Copyright status: Copyright 1997-1998 Kelly C.R and Winnie V.F. All rights reserved.

Purchase Information: Free for certain specific uses according to the terms specified in “Rules of Use of K & W Graphics” at http://www.geocities.com/~kellymouse/rules.html

Clip art collection #6
Created By: Ventura Educational Systems

Description: This piece of clip art is from a description of a product entitled “Clip-Art for Elementary Teachers.” The description is at http://www.venturaes.com/site/products/quickart.html. This page can only be reached by going to the http://www.venturaes.com site and clicking on their link for “Products” and then “Clip-Art” and then “Clip-Art for Elementary Teachers” and then “More Information.”

Copyright status: Copyright Ventura Educational Systems. Email their support staff at support@VenturaES.com for the terms of use of their clip art.

Purchase Information: $39.95 for the CD entitled “Clip-Art for Elementary Teachers.” A further description of the CD is available at http://www.venturaes.com/site/products/clipart.html#CAET . Orders may be placed at: http://www.venturaes.com/site/Sales/index.html

This link http://www.venturaes.com/site/images/balloon.GIF contains a balloon image that the copyright prevents me from displaying here.

Clip art collection #7
Created By: Noreen Strehlow strehlow@execpc.com

Description: This collection of clip art is from a larger collection at http://www.execpc.com/~hfs/extra/Extra.html

Copyright status: Unknown. The author’s page seems to indicate that they started out as someone else’s work (stickers) which she digitized and then modified.

Purchase Information: Free. Noreen writes: “They have been posted as a resource for teachers & students. Do not add them to another clip art collection. Please do not use them in poor taste.”

This link http://www.execpc.com/~hfs/extra/Extra.html contains the complete collection of really cute balloon images that the above terms of use prevents me from displaying here.

Clip art collection #8
Created By: Name unknown, email at: inki@inki.com

Description: This collection of clip art is from a larger collection at http://www.inki.com/clipart/catalog1.php

Copyright status: The author writes: “Feel free to use any of these images for your personal (not for profit) webpages. These images are protected under copyright law and cannot be sold or included in any media, except personal web pages, without my written permission.

Purchase Information: Free according to terms specified above. The author writes: “Also, if you’re currently using any of the images here, send me a note at inki@inki.com , I love to see some of my work in action.”

This link http://www.inki.com/clipart/images/thumbnails/BLOON1S.gif contains the balloon image that the copyright prevents me from displaying here.

Clip art collection #9
Created By: Adam Hanlon: adamh@sanbrook.com.au

Description: This collection of clip art animations is from the Premier Balloon Company web page http://www.balloonlink.com

Copyright status: Copyright 1997 Sanbrook Holdings Pty Ltd All rights reserved.

Purchase Information: Unknown

This link contains more great balloon pics and animations.
http://www.balloonlink.com/images/BALLOON1.gif
http://www.balloonlink.com/images/Funstuf.gif
http://www.balloonlink.com/images/LOL_LINKY_-_smiletiptrans1.gif
http://www.balloonlink.com/images/LOL_LINKY_-_grintiptrans1.gif

There are even nice little golden balloon bullets at http://www.balloonlink.com/balloonit/bit_index.htm

Clip art collection #10

Created By: Taiwan Products Online: http://manufacture.com.tw/

Description: This collection of clip art is from the TaiLung Latex Products Company, Ltd. web page http://www.manufacture.com.tw/~tailung/

Copyright status: Copyright 1998 Tai Lung Chemicals Works Co., Ltd.

Purchase Information: Unknown

This link http://www.manufacture.com.tw/~tailung/ contains some nice balloon clipart.

Clip art collection #11

Created By: unknown

Copyright status: unknown

Purchase Information: unknown

Clip art collection #12

Created By: Ralph Dewey

Description: This collection of clip art was donated by Ralph Dewey http://home.flash.net/~balloonz/index.htm.

These are “icons.” They can be used to replace the pictures of files or folders on your computer desktop. To learn how to use them, click on: http://www.kidsdomain.com/icon/howcopy.html

Copyright status: public domain

Purchase Information: Free.

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp

Clip art collection #13

Created By: Deborah and Kelly Burton

Description: This collection of clip art comes from http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/dgraph2k.html.

Designed to help with web page layout, it includes wallpaper, borders, email graphics and icons.

Copyright status: owned by http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/dgraphuse.html

Purchase Information: Free for use according to the terms specified in “the rules of useage” at http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/dgraphuse.html

Icons
Site Decoration
Buttons
Email
Horizontal Rules
Wallpaper

<!–

Web Page Borders

–>

<!–

Clip art collection #11
Created By: Girl Guides of Canada http://www.girlguides.ca

Description: This piece of clip art is from a collection at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart/games/

Copyright status: The collector lists the copyright status at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart_Docs/Legal.htm

Purchase Information: The collector lists the copyright status at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart_Docs/Legal.htm

The copyright prevents me from displaying this image, but the following three links are the same image of 2 girls holding balloons, in “.gif”, transparent “.gif”, “.jpg” and “.pict” formats respectively.
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/BALLOON.GIF
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/BALLOON.GIF?x=22&y=64
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/BALLOON.JPG
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/BALLOON.PICT

Clip art collection #12
Created By: Cyberscouts http://www.azmetro.com/01101hom.html

Description: This piece of clip art is from a collection at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart/games/

Copyright status: The collector lists the copyright status at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart_Docs/Legal.htm

Purchase Information: The collector lists the copyright status at http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc/clipart_Docs/Legal.htm

The copyright prevents me from displaying this image, but the following three links are the same image of 3 girls running with balloons, in “.gif”, transparent “.gif”, “.jpg” and “.pict” formats respectively.
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/brownie6.GIF
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc- cgi/download/games/brownie6.GIF?x=78&y=51
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/brownie6.JPG
http://spot.newhall.cam.ac.uk/cusagc-cgi/download/games/brownie6.PICT
–>


Balloonware Brushes for Adobe Illustrator

Larry Moss has put together a package of Adobe Illustrator paint brushes that makes writing and creating brochures a lot easier. These are brushes specifically for balloons. The package of brushes is not intended as a finished product. It is just stuff that Larry uses to make some tasks easier. Documentation with samples of each brush can be found at: http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/balloonware/aibrushes/


Balloonware Bouquets

The Balloon Boutique
Description: Free Virtual Balloon Bouquets are great for holidays, birthdays, or to announce a new product or service to business associates. Your friends, family or business associates will receive an email notice that a greeting is waiting for them. Balloon Bouquets are a fantastic alternative to Virtual Flowers, Digital Cards and Internet Greeting Cards.

Purchase Information: Free

Click on: http://www.bizshoppe.com/balloon/cardrack.html

Virtual Flowers
Description: send a FREE “Virtual Bouquet” to anyone in the world who has WWW access. Click on “FREE Virtual Bouquet” and then “More Choices” to see the balloon bouquet.

Purchase Information: Free

Click on: http://www.virtualflowers.com/


Balloon Web Rings

There is a balloon decorators and twisters web ring at http://wizzie.artist.webjump.com/

 

We started a Balloon Web Ring – information is at http://www.entertainers.net/balloonring.htm If you have a web site – join up and add a link to it.
 

Balloon-chats

Decorator Chats on AOL
Weekly balloon decorator chat on America On-line, held every Sunday night. Professionals of all levels, from newbies to old-timers and well-known people in the industry typically stop by. Several representatives from Pioneer as well as a few wholesalers can also be found chatting away! So please join us in the Business Strategies Forum Chat room #1… use keyword STRATEGIES and then choose the Chat Room #1 icon. We start at 10:00 pm EDT and chat for 2-3 hours.

To find your way to the AOL Balloon Decorators chat on Sunday nights at 10:00 pm est, use the Keyword icon and type in STRATEGIES. This will take you to the Business Strategies Forum. Once there, choose the CHAT icon (Chat room #1) and… voila’… you’re there! One handy hint: once in the room, click on the HEART to add the chat room to your Favorite Places list and avoid several steps to get there in the future!

The Sunday night balloon chats on AOL are at keyword: Business Know How or BKH. It is in chat room one at 10 PM EST.

AOL chat room starts at 7Pm California time. I just save “Business Know How I” in my favorite places then every Sunday night I just click on and it pops me right into the chats. Good Luck. See you Sunday. Remember the time zones are different so you may start earlier or later.

After Jan. 1, 1996 the Balloon discussion chats on AOL will take place on Sunday nights at 10:00 PM EST in an AOL conference room in “The Entrepreneur Zone” which can hold up to 50 people. Generally the chats are open forums but sometimes we have scheduled topics and/or guest speakers.

AOL has an event planning site that just created a message board for Event and Wedding Decor professionals and welcomes all balloon artists. They are planning to start a chat called Event and Wedding decor as soon as they get more hosts. I thought this would be of interest to some of you on AOL and thought I would post it. The keyword is: Event Planning

There are Balloon Pro chats on Sunday night at 10 PM EST on AOL, as well as chats in the AOL workplace on Mon, Tues, Weds and Sun night as well. They range from Getting Started in the Business, to Event Decor, to Event Planning… even a whole area on Weddings. to find them use the KEYWORD and type in Event Planning. You will find a chat schedule and message boards and a monthly newsletter, but you need to be on AOL to access them.

There is another Event and Wedding Decor chat which includes balloons and other kinds of decorating. This chat is in the Event Planning forum on Wednesday nights at 10 PM. Keyword: Event Planning. Then hit the chat room icon in which a schedule will come up. Then click on the chat that you went to visit.

For all AOL users only there is a special balloon decor chat on Wednesday nights from 10 TO 12 EST. Event Planning I always find these to be so helpful. Hope to see you there.

In addition to the AOL chat there is a Balloon Decorating and Gift Basket Forum which offers, among other features, numerous balloon biz related bulletin boards. Check them out sometime. To locate them use the Keyword: Balloon Decorating. The Giftbasket and Balloon Forum can be found at Keyword: Giftbaskets.

 

Twister Chats on AOL
 
The clown group meets on Sunday night at 9:00 PM EST in AOL private room “CLOWNS AND MAGICIANS”. Balloons are discussed quite often.

How to find the chat room for balloon art. Anyone in the business or interested in the business is welcome. To join the AOL chat, first you need to be a subscriber to AOL.

Sunday night
10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. Pacific.
Go to Keyword STRATEGIES
choose the Chat Room icon.
choose Strategies chat # 1
Presto, you’re in!

You can access AOL through your ISP, forget the busy signals, and save $10 to boot. Here’s how:

In AOL 3.0 setup, there is a way to choose TCP as your access method. You simply dial up your ISP, then start AOL and sign on in the TCP mode.

Anybody who has a slip/ppp connection via a local internet provider can access AOL once they have their local connection running by starting the AOL icon and “signing on,” but with AOL “setup == edit location == network” set to “TCP/IP”.

If you have any questions about this, ask AOL or your local provider. Once done, you can go into billing on AOL, change your account to “access via my own provider”, and pay $9.95/month instead of $19.95/month.

Those of us who live in areas with no local AOL phone number but who do have a local ISP, love this method.

 

Decorator Chats on IRC
 
There’s a discussion that occurs on IRC on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00PM CDT, 6:00PM PDT, 9:00 EDT. The size of the group and length of the chat can and does vary greatly. The subject varies just as much and sometimes drifts from balloons to running through the sprinklers on hot days and back to balloons so be prepared to have fun. If you arrive at #IBAC on DALnet and you are alone… do not panic. Set your chat window to beep when it gets a message and go chat somewhere else or do something else. When someone shows up to chat and says “HI”, you will hear the beeps.

there is a new balloon chat room
server: irc.msn.com 6667
room: #balloons

<!–

Twister Chats on IRC
I’m into the IRC right now and have made a channel just for twisters. It’s on the Shadowfire servers (rather than eg. AOL or EFnet) because it’s relatively quiet and has several international servers.
The channel is #B_Twisters.

Connect to one of the following servers using your IRC Client (normally Pirch or Mirc):
(Server Name : Server IP – Location )
Eclipse.ShadowFire.ORG: 209.83.2.61 – USA
Jerky.ShadowFire.ORG: 204.166.102.11 – USA
Caladan.ShadowFire.ORG: 206.183.143.254 – USA
Frankfurt.ShadowFire.ORG: 194.231.41.83 -Germany
Ender.ShadowFire.ORG: 196.21.97.1 – South Africa
Escape.ShadowFire.ORG: 146.232.176.140 – South Africa
Rio.ShadowFire.ORG: 200.240.25.250 – Brazil
Duke.ShadowFire.ORG: 134.58.2.7 – Belgium
Junior.ShadowFire.ORG: 196.22.196.241 – South Africa
Coral.ShadowFire.ORG: 209.123.120.35 – USA
NoLimit.ShadowFire.ORG: 208.220.73.130 – USA

I’m normally on at about 8pm GMT+2.
Cheers all and see ya in #B_Twisters!!
Marcel Oudejans
– magicwand@POBoxes.com –
– http://magicwand.cjb.net –

Fabulous update on #B_Twisters on the IRC!
Now chatting to fellow twisters is as easy as surfing to http://magicwand.cjb.net ! That’s right! Surf over to my page, click on IRC Balloon Chat in the menu frame on the top of the page, follow the EZ instructions and there you go! (Unfortuneatly only IE4+ or Netscape Navigator+). Hopefully this will become a useful aid and permanent Jam venue, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

#B_Twisters IRC Balloon chat is now up and running, complete with mailing list and help file!!! Go to http://magicwand.cjb.net and click on IRC Balloon Chat in the top frame. For the mailing list with updates and IRC help goto http://b_twisters.listbot.com We have got an American server and a South African server, just choose the closest.

you can now chat to other balloon twisters with only your web browser! goto http://magicwand.cjb.net and click on IRC Balloon chat in the top frame.

–>

Decorator Chats on IRC
We have a chat EVERY WEEK that anyone can get into on ICQ. Every Wednesday at 8:45 PM US eastern time until around 10-10:30 ( Far east Thursday MORNING ). Transcripts will be available. Come join us! Over 25 people have already indicated interest by requesting authorization on ICQ to join the INTERNET (as opposed to AOL only) balloon chat. All you need is ICQ (That’s I seek you), a program for online/offline messaging and live chats (Hosted by ME!). It is similar to AOL’s “IM” or the “Netscape AIM” but also will allow offline messages to a particular ICQ user. Don’t have ICQ?? see below to get it! Then send me a message to the balloon chat icq address 28867484
Mitchell Bruntel
mbruntel@home.com
AIM:mitchbnj
ICQ:28004323

Need ICQ? Here’s how:
PC’s use this direct link!
http://www.download.com/PC/EdFeature/CurrentFeature/0,15,0-1306-1,00.html?tt.icq…fea1306

MAC Users use the main ICQ page to get the right version!
http://www.icq.com/download/
There ARE links for both PowerMacs and 68K Macs!

Next chat is Wednesday night at 8:45. In order to participate in these ICQ chats, you need to do the following things:

  1. Get the ICQ program
  2. Install ICQ, then Register your name in ICQ.
  3. Send me a message at 288674843@pager.mirabilis.com saying you’re interested in joining the chat. (But Please don’t do it unless you already have your ICQ #)
  4. Come to the chat room Wednesday Night at 8:45

 

Decorator Chats on the Web
 
Laura’s programmer (husband) came up with a new page that will automagically update the chat. Try it this Sunday nite: http://party.jcubed.com/chat/

I have put the chat room in its new location at http://party.jcubed.com/chat/. This is a frames version of the chat that refreshes itself and you can just hit “ENTER” to submit your message. It will also still be in the message box to keep typing; no clicking necessary.

There will be another balloon chat (text only) open to everyone Sunday at 9pm EST. To put it simply, this chat will be held on a web page that everyone can type on and read. The computer will assign your name a color. If you don’t like your color, change some letters to capitals, and the color will change. You can actively participate by typing your message and hitting the POST button, or just “listen” in by POSTing a blank message. Your screen will refresh with the rest of the conversations going on. I tried this Chat out earlier this week and it works well, just remember to refresh your screen. Absolutely no way to get booted off this one! Also, for those of you wanting a transcript, after the chat hit the PRINT button on your browser window. Here is the link you need to get to the chat: http://www.jcubed.com/cgi-bin/balloon.cgi See ya there!

 

Decorator Chats on the Web
 
There is a chat room available at http://www.egroups.com/group/balloonlink/ where you can share the latest tips and tricks and other handy hints on using LINK-O-LOON(tm) to all members of the balloon decorating community. This forum enables you to send and receive messages from other balloon folk, check out up-coming industry events, chat on-line, join other chat groups, check out other links, even conduct a “live” polling competition on best LOL balloon designs!

 

Balloon Chats on the Web
 
There will be a balloon chat for twisters and decorators at the ecircles site Sunday night starting around 9PM Eastern(8PM Central, 7PM Mountain, and 6PM Pacific). Stop in whenever you can. Also, be sure to take a look at all the photo albums that have been posted.

If you have not joined yet, click on this link: http://www.ecircles.com You can also join the circle by doing the following:

  1. Write down or copy this invitation key: 1132549C8657
  2. Open your Web browser and go to http://www.ecircles.com/
  3. Log in (if you are already a member) or register as a user.
  4. From the My Circles page, click on the Join button below the menu and follow instructions from there.

Balloon E-mail

If you’re reading this, you probably already know about the balloon web pages and mailing lists. Well, there are other lists we know of:

  • The Charles Prosper NewsGroup at http://www.prosperballoons.com/wwwboard/
  • The Yahoo balloon twister’s club at http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/balloontwistersclub
  • A niche has been found in the Usenet hierarchy for circus arts. So far, only juggling (rec.juggling) and unicycling (rec.sport.unicycling) are covered. The aim of this new group (alt.circus.arts) is for the discussion and sharing of skills in other circus areas: Acrobatics, Walking-Globe, High-Wire, Slack-Rope and the list goes on. If you’re into the circus arts, check it out.
  • If you write to clowns@imageplaza.com you can join an existing mailing list for clowns.
  • For clown issues, post to clowns@onelist.com
  • NEVER, NEVER post anything having to do with face paints on the BALLOON mailing list!!! Post them to the face-painting list which you can join by sending an e-mail to join-face-painting@xc.org or going to http://hub.xc.org/scripts/lyris.pl?join=face-painting
  • Sign up for the face painters discussion list by sending an e-mail to join-facepaint@sonic.sparklist.com
  • The Kidbiz BBS for Children’s Performers is a listfor those that perform for kids. Please keep to the topic of kidbiz. Happy Kidbizing, Richard J Smith, list administrator.
    http://beseen4.looksmart.com/boardroom/z/47580/
  • Teri Poppins started a chat and message board area for Family Entertainers and anyone interested in live time chatting w/ other Family and Children’s Entertainers. There is no limit to the discussion, just keep it clean and in the general area of topics that apply to family entertainers. You may go into the forum through my website at http://members.delphi.com/teripoppins/index.html If you are not a Delphi member you will simply need to fill in the form and select a password… very easy… don’t let that stop you =-) Hope to meet you all there!
  • I would like to invite you to join the childrensentertainer mailing list. The description of this mailing list is: This list would be for anyone who is a children’s entertainer either in a part-time or full-time capacity. Discussions would be in the areas of puppetry, balloon twist, clowning, storytelling, magic,mime, etc. You name it. If its used to bring joy to children it can be discussed here. You can join this list by going to the following web page: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/childrensentertainer
  • This is to announce the creation of a new list, and to invite you to join. It’s for professional family-style entertainers, and for those who are working to become professionals. It is moderated by Jay Anthony and John Michael Stevens, both of Phoenix, AZ; both past presidents of the Loose Knit Clown Club of Phoenix; both clowns, magicians, and balloon twisters (with about 90 years of performing between the two). If you’d like to join in the fun and exchange of ideas, go to familyentertainers-subscribe@onelist.com to become a member. There are only two rules: stay on topic, and all posts must be suitable for all ages.
  • A new general Family Entertainment list has been created. Here you will be able to talk about anything to do with family entertainment including: Balloons, Clowning, Decorating, Entertaining, face painting, juggling, jokes, magic, miming, storytelling, puppetry, anything that has to do with family entertainment. the site that will go with this includes archives and a guide for family entertainment. The List is called Family Entertainment For All (FEFA) to sign up simply send an e-mail to FEFA-subscribe@listbot.com or go to http://fefa.listbot.com Thanks Everyone, Daniel Chapman
  • Dave Allen started a list for buskers at onelist you can join by going to http://www.onelist.com and doing a search on “buskers.” Then click join when you find it. Post to buskers@onelist.com
  • While on the subject of Busking I (Dave The Magic Man) have started an e-mail list for Buskers/Street performers any one who has an interest in this subject is invited to join. Got to http://magicman.clinton.net/buskers.htm
  • This is a new mailing list for people in the entertainment industry. It’s an online flea market for entertainers. Clowns, buskers, producers, magicians, balloon artists,actors, and other people in the entertainment industry come here to buy, sell, trade or give away new and used costumes, props, wigs, tents, balloons, inflators, stage equipment, books, videos, magazines, etc. If you would like to join this list, please go to this address: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/entertainersfleamart
  • The Gospel Balloon Artists mailing list is for twisters who are interested in sharing personal stories, reflections, gospel routines, etc. We discuss routines, topics, tricks, resources, and other related things. We freely share concerns and also some personal things. This is an open format in which we incorporate the Christian faith into our ballooning, whether it be in approach, gospel balloon routines, and other matters. A great example of the wealth of this list has been great routines and stories. Please feel free to subscribe if you are interested. To subscribe to the Gospel Balloon Artists automated conference, send a message to:http://www.fcm.org/subscribe.html
  • Performers.net is a great source to turn to for forums on a variety of performance arts with a great emphasis on busking.

That’s all, folks! I hoped you liked it. If you find problems with this page… or better yet, if you have additions to this page, please email Mark at: mbalzer@BalloonHQ.com

MB 6/15/98 – new chapter
MB 6/21/98 – added Helious, Riddle Balloon. added new versions of Balloon Challenge and Enemy Bomber Balloons. added Balloon Man font. added clip art section. added Virtual Flowers. added minor updates.
LM 7/1/98 – removed editorial on which computer to buy.
MB 7/24/98 – added FoxE and Preschool Pack
MB 7/27/98 – added Balloon Decorator’s Assistant
SMB 8/12/98 – added Lucky’s Water Balloons, reformatted software download section
MB 9/24/00 – fixed dead links in fonts section
MB 1/21/01 – fixed dead links in all other sections, added new games, clip-art, chats, web-rings, and mailing lists. Thanks to Mike Kenyon for doing some of the work.
MB 5/15/04 – added Balloonacy, fixed some out of date info.