linenoyz
July 10th, 2010, 7:30 PM
Ed's "MUST HAVE SOFTWARE" List v2.0
(Created 10 July 2010)
Several years ago, I created a long list of great software for Windows-based PCs that helped enhance usability and security. It's been 5 years since my last update, so I'm starting over. Some of the programs back then are still great today. Others have definitely outlived their usefulness. So here goes.
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox (http://www.firefox.com) - The best browser out there right now, in my opinion. Very fast, secure, and offers many ways of customizing the browser through themes, addons, etc.
Google Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome) - This is Google's entry into the browser market, based on the original Mozilla project (just like Firefox) except it touts even more speed and some extra integration with Google itself. It even has automatic bookmark backups if you have a Google account. It's still fairly new, so to me it doesn't feel as polished as Firefox, but it's definitely a great browser as well.
Antivirus/Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware
Norton Internet Security 2010 (http://www.symantec.com/norton/internet-security) - ($69.99 MSRP) Over the past few years, Norton products have kinda sucked and had really gotten bloated. Fortunately, that has changed with their '09 and '10 versions, which has really had a focus on performance. NIS 2010 offers full antivirus, spyware, phishing, firewall, and more. If you want a little less stuff, then Norton Antivirus 2010 (http://www.symantec.com/norton/antivirus) ($39.99 MSRP) would save you a few bucks.
There are a few free antivirus solutions out there, but to be honest, I don't have much experience with them. Four of them come to mind, but the bottom line is that SOME kind of antivirus program is a MUST when it comes to running Windows.
Free antivirus solutions:
AVG Free (http://free.avg.com/)
avast! Free (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download)
Avira (http://www.free-av.com/)
Clamwin (http://www.clamwin.com/)
SUPERAntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/) - This is a more heavy-duty antispyware/malware program.
MalwareBytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) - Another heavy-duty antispyware/malware program.
Productivity/Media
OpenOffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org) - Complete office solution (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, etc) and compatible with Microsoft Office files.
CD Burner XP (http://cdburnerxp.se/) - Windows has had some CD/DVD burning capability for a while, but it's limited and very slow. This will burn at your hardware's max speed and can do gapless audio discs, burn/create ISO images, create bootable discs, and more.
VLC Media Player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) - Good alternative to Windows Media Player and will play most formats, even high-def MKV files at full 1080p.
Communications
Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im) - (Formerly known as Gaim) This is an all-protocol chat program that offers most features available on any chat service you can think of. Also features good addons, encryption, and more.
Utilities
7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) - Opens just about any type of compressed file, and even handles its own native .7z compression, which works better than the usual .zip or .tar.gz files.
CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) - Great Windows deep-cleaning software. It finds and deletes old log files, temp files, cookies, and other useless stuff. Also can fix registry errors and allow you to edit startup programs.
PC Decrapifier (http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/) - Just buy a new PC and it's preloaded with a ton of useless garbage from the factory? This will take care of most of that. It will uninstall most commonly annoying programs that PC manufacturers love to install for some reason.
(Created 10 July 2010)
Several years ago, I created a long list of great software for Windows-based PCs that helped enhance usability and security. It's been 5 years since my last update, so I'm starting over. Some of the programs back then are still great today. Others have definitely outlived their usefulness. So here goes.
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox (http://www.firefox.com) - The best browser out there right now, in my opinion. Very fast, secure, and offers many ways of customizing the browser through themes, addons, etc.
Google Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome) - This is Google's entry into the browser market, based on the original Mozilla project (just like Firefox) except it touts even more speed and some extra integration with Google itself. It even has automatic bookmark backups if you have a Google account. It's still fairly new, so to me it doesn't feel as polished as Firefox, but it's definitely a great browser as well.
Antivirus/Anti-Malware/Anti-Spyware
Norton Internet Security 2010 (http://www.symantec.com/norton/internet-security) - ($69.99 MSRP) Over the past few years, Norton products have kinda sucked and had really gotten bloated. Fortunately, that has changed with their '09 and '10 versions, which has really had a focus on performance. NIS 2010 offers full antivirus, spyware, phishing, firewall, and more. If you want a little less stuff, then Norton Antivirus 2010 (http://www.symantec.com/norton/antivirus) ($39.99 MSRP) would save you a few bucks.
There are a few free antivirus solutions out there, but to be honest, I don't have much experience with them. Four of them come to mind, but the bottom line is that SOME kind of antivirus program is a MUST when it comes to running Windows.
Free antivirus solutions:
AVG Free (http://free.avg.com/)
avast! Free (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download)
Avira (http://www.free-av.com/)
Clamwin (http://www.clamwin.com/)
SUPERAntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/) - This is a more heavy-duty antispyware/malware program.
MalwareBytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/) - Another heavy-duty antispyware/malware program.
Productivity/Media
OpenOffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org) - Complete office solution (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, etc) and compatible with Microsoft Office files.
CD Burner XP (http://cdburnerxp.se/) - Windows has had some CD/DVD burning capability for a while, but it's limited and very slow. This will burn at your hardware's max speed and can do gapless audio discs, burn/create ISO images, create bootable discs, and more.
VLC Media Player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) - Good alternative to Windows Media Player and will play most formats, even high-def MKV files at full 1080p.
Communications
Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im) - (Formerly known as Gaim) This is an all-protocol chat program that offers most features available on any chat service you can think of. Also features good addons, encryption, and more.
Utilities
7-zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) - Opens just about any type of compressed file, and even handles its own native .7z compression, which works better than the usual .zip or .tar.gz files.
CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner) - Great Windows deep-cleaning software. It finds and deletes old log files, temp files, cookies, and other useless stuff. Also can fix registry errors and allow you to edit startup programs.
PC Decrapifier (http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/) - Just buy a new PC and it's preloaded with a ton of useless garbage from the factory? This will take care of most of that. It will uninstall most commonly annoying programs that PC manufacturers love to install for some reason.