(Computer) Software for Windows Users

[momopi_IHB]

Here's a list of personal recommendations I have for Windows machines. Most of the software here are freebies but accept donations. If you find their software useful, please consider donating a few bucks.

* Many people install MS Office by default, when they rarely use it, or only use Word for word processing. It's a complete waste and installing MS Office will make your Windows run slower (like XP SP2 did). If you only need occasional word processing, try AbiWord (free):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AbiWord

http://www.abisource.com/

http://www.abisource.com/download/<-- don't forget to get plug-ins

Alternatively, you could install Openoffice, if you need to load Excel spreadsheets or power point files:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenOffice.org

http://www.openoffice.org/

If you want a lot of cliparts, try Oxgenoffice version of Openoffice:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ooop

* For web browsing, I recommend Firefox:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozilla_Firefox

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

I also like K-Meleon for browsing mostly text pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-meleon

http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/

* For anti-virus, my favorite is Norton/Symantec Anti-Virus, Corporate Edition (never expires). I don't like Norton 360 or their internet suites, those are processor hogs.

If you cannot get a copy of NAV Corp Edition, there are other, free products avail like Avast, which has a great Boot-Time scan feature:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avast!

http://www.avast.com/

I also recommend Spybot S&D for anti-spyware:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spybot_-_Search_&_Destroy

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

Google pack also has a good program called PC Tools Spyware Doctor:

http://pack.google.com/

Make sure you only select what you want to download from there. They also have a free norton AV scanner, but it's a bit clugy. You can also get Skype to make free computer to computer calls. I usually install Spyware Doctor, then uninstall Google Pack Downloader utility to save memory.

* For registry cleaner, try Eusing free registry cleaner:

http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm

It's free and you can clean up to 1,000 registry entries at a time. They have a couple other goodies that you might find useful:

http://www.eusing.com/Products.htm

Some prefer CCleaner (www.ccleaner.com) for registry cleaning. They also make Recuva (www.recuva.com) undelete / file recovery tools, and defraggler (www.defraggler.com) file defrag utility.

* For image editing, try Photo.net:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint.NET

http://www.getpaint.net/

* For CD Burning, I like DeepBurner, which supports ISO's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepBurner

http://www.deepburner.com/

I prefer Deep Burner over CD Burn XP, but you can try both:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDBurnerXP

http://www.cdburnerxp.se/

Many commercial CD burning software install a lot of memory-resident crap, like Roxio. I'd recommend staying far away from those.

* For video codecs, I recommend K-Lite "mega" pack:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Lite_Codec_Pack

http://www.codecguide.com/

* For accounting, you can try TurboCash or GNU Cash. I'm not an expert on either of these so you're on your own:

http://www.turbocash.co.za/

http://www.gnucash.org/

* For HTML editing, try KompoZer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KompoZer

http://kompozer.net/

* For desktop publishing, try Scribus:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scribus

http://www.scribus.net/

Note to Windows users: you may need to install Ghostscript first:

http://docs.scribus.net/index.php?lang=en&page=readme

* For vector graphics, try Inkscape:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inkscape

http://www.inkscape.org/

* If your computer is running slow, check how much memory is installed. If it's less than 1 GB, consider a memory upgrade. If you're running an older system and need PC133/2700/etc memory, check pricewatch.com. Make sure your motherboard/system support the memory upgrade first. You can go to crucial.com to check what memory your computer uses.

You can also improve system performance by uninstalling any application or programs that you don't need, de-frag your hard drive, and run registry cleaners. Check this article from Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898583

 

[TheArcadian_IHB]

I''ll put a prop in for Paint.NET. It's a great software and I used it for the longest time in place of Photoshop (didn't have the money to buy it).

 

[jbatzmaru_IHB]

what about linux. all free and runs alot faster then windows.

 

[Irvine Soul Brother_IHB]

I've got an old laptop that I'm going to be reconfiguring to run off gos (google's operating system) with the hard drive being a CF card. 2.5in --> CF adapter. I've already done this with an iPod, making it flash based. So, that's my nerdy contribution to this discussion.

Any preferences on torrent software, Momo?

 

[jbatzmaru_IHB]

ISB- please keep us posted on the new google os. have you tried linux?

 

[momopi_IHB]

I'll start another thread on Linux later. This thread is intended for Windows.

Info on gOS:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GOS_(Linux_distribution)

http://www.thinkgos.com/

 

[jbatzmaru_IHB]

never mind. i forgot that gOS is the same as linux. it is just a slim down verison. i am actually using something like the gOS right now in my new asus EEE.

 

[Irvine Soul Brother_IHB]

Yeah, I haven't used linux. . . but yeah, gos is some derivative of it. . .

 

[IrvineRenter_IHB]

I know someone who pirates all of his software from this site:

http://ddl2.com/

 

[TimHume_IHB]

I know a guy that gets all his software and music from here:

http://tinyurl.com/2shz2s