Recommended Software
I’m constantly installing and uninstalling programs on my computer to see how useful they may be, sometimes even if I don’t need the provided functionality. You could consider me a junky of sorts. I stay far far away from spyware and ad-aware, though. I prefer free software (who doesn’t?) to paid, but occasionally, the software is well worth the price. I know this list isn’t comprehensive, and I may not have picked the best choice, so leave a comment to inform me of my ignorance. Since I use Windows, this list is works with Windows, sounds logical, don’t it. So with that, here’s a list of software and mini reviews.
Browsers
Mozilla Firefox: The single best browser out there. Lightweight, portable, fast, and completely customizable. It has it’s security flaws, just like everything else, but they get patched much quicker than any other browser, thanks to the open source community backing it up. I’m not an Internet Explorer hater, but it doesn’t have anything compared to the functionality of Firefox. Go get it and browse happy.
Email Clients
Mozilla Thunderbird: Another Mozilla product that’s impressed me. It’s as lightweight, portable, and customizable as Firefox. Could definitely give Outlook Express a run for it’s money.
Microsoft Outlook: Unmatched in features, but not for the casual user. My client of choice.
If you use Outlook, you have to get SpamBayes for filtering spam. This is one of those gems that I can’t live without.
Spyware Removal and Prevention
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition: Free spyware scanner and remover.
Spybot - Search and Destroy: Another free spyware scanner and remover.
SpywareBlaster: A proactive approach to preventing spyware. Doesn’t even run in the background.
Spyware Block List File: I don’t know if SpywareBlaster includes all these, so I use it anyways. Another proactive approach to preventing spyware. Don’t use this if you’re not comfortable modifying your registry.
Instant Messaging / Chat
Gaim: Thank goodness for the Windows port. Gaim is one of those all in one instant messaging clients that let’s you talk to people using Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, AIM/AOL, along with multiple other clients. The GUI is customizable, and it’s open source as well. Boy do I love open source projects.
Skype: Straight from their site: Skype is free Internet telephony that just works. Skype is for calling other people on their computers or phones. Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world. I have to admit it’s pretty damn nifty.
Image Editing
Adobe Photoshop: By far the best image editing software out there. It costs an arm, a leg, and your first child, though.
GIMP: An open source alternative to Photoshop. I can’t get used to menu structure after using Photoshop for so long. Scott Moschella has a modified version for user familiar with Photoshop called GIMPshop.
Paint.NET: A more powerful, free replacement for MS Paint.
Code Editors
Macromedia Dreamweaver: I prefer the syntax highlighting and interface in Dreamweaver for web development to other code editors. I was wondering how many prepositions I could string together in that last sentence. =P
Crimson Editor: This is my editor of preference when I don’t have Dreamweaver on the computer I’m using, since it’s free, although there a lots of free editors out there that are worth trying.
Office Suite
OpenOffice.org: An open source alternative to Microsoft Office. It’s even compatible with MS Office files, making this a helluva deal considering the cost of MS Office.
File Archiver (.zip, .rar, .bz2, .tar, etc…)
7-Zip: I decided I needed a free zip program and 7-Zip fit the bill perfectly, since it’s distributed under a GNU LGPL license. It claims to have better compression than competitors, but I haven’t tested this out.
WinRar: This is also a nice file archive program, that’s worth the price.
BitTorrent Client
BitSpirit: This just happens to be the first and only client I tried, so I’m definitely open to suggestions here, although this is a nice client itself.
FTP Server
zFTPServer Suite: I can’t believe this is actually free. Nice interface, and easy to use.
Registry Cleaner
RegSeeker: This free program let’s you clean up the registry and make multiple other tweaks without opening regedit. You don’t even have to install it.
Miscellaneous
CeltX: I was highly impressed with this neat little piece of software. It’s used to write movie scripts, associate media files with the different scenes, characters, props, etc… and it allows you to collaborate online with a team. I keep it installed in case I’m ever in the movie script writing mood 
ICOFormat: A free Photoshop ICO Format plugin to save images as icons. Excellent for making favicons.
ICOBundle: A free command-line tool to bundle multiple .ico files.
Gadwin PrintScreen: Just a nifty little program to save screenshots. Distributed as freeware.
DAEMON Tools: A free CD / DVD emulator
If you have any questions or suggestions, leave me a comment, and I’ll try to answer them. Who doesn’t like feedback?
on June 14th, 2005 at 4:23 am
Try BpowerAmp really cool program. I think it is free to an extend on allot of things..Convert any music file format to another format and bitrate..since I do online radio is has saved my butt so I could convert my MP3s into a better streaming format….Also try Tuneup Utilites 2004..If you ever used Norton Utilities..this is like that but on a much smaller scale..and allot more packed in features. Of course cheaper to. I also strongly reccomend Microsoft Antispyware..I love it and we use it on our dedicated Server..But like I said before since it is still Beta..please use other programs with it..But Microsoft Antispyware does what Adaware does and Spybot…so a 2 for 1 deal..and It’s free…And also has some pretty cool features..worth a try….Also for ISO Files I reccomend ISO Buster or Winimage to view ISO Files…..Also Getright is a cool download manager program..Umm errm..I got a long list of others but will save them for another day..Ciao
on June 23rd, 2005 at 6:36 am
Ooh ooh don’t forget this tidbit o’ information for Outlook.
If you want to “tray” Outlook you need to create this registry key and set the value of MinToTray to 1.
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Preferences]
“MinToTray”=dword:00000001
To start the registry editor, from the Start menu, Run dialog, enter regedit. That will open the registry editor. Browse down the tree until you get to Preferences under Outlook. On the right side of the screen, right click as choose New | DWORD, as shown in the screenshot. Name it MinToTray and change the value to 1 (right click on it after naming it and choose Modify)
on June 23rd, 2005 at 7:29 am
Yeah, that’s a good tip for Outlook XP and lower, I believe. I used to use it, but if you upgrade to Outlook 2K3, just right click the icon in the Icon Tray and select Hide When Minimized. They made it easy for us
on July 13th, 2005 at 1:17 am
a few other slick freebies, some OSS, some not.
Izarc: another zip/rar/etc operner.
Audacity: awesome freeware multitrack sound recording
Media Player Classic w/ Real Alternative: get rid of the bloated up new media player, as well as add support for quicktime and real audio/video. the only thing preventing this from being the only audio/video app installed is that i like winamp’s playlist better for playing music.
lately for coding i’ve been using PHP Designer 2005, and while it’s okay, i miss homesite / dreamweaver a bit still. i’m gonna give crimson editor a whirl.
TrueCrypt: one of the best encryption / file security apps i’ve seen.
WinSCP: secure, SSH “ftp” client. supports drag and drop and all normal features of ftp, but over a secure ssh session.
PuTTY - my favorite lil SSH client (when not using winSCP)
IrfanView - viewing images in nearly every concievable format quickly and easily.
I also endorse dbPowerAmp - a great lil prog.
Azureus is still my torrent client of choice.
on September 30th, 2006 at 7:23 am
Wow. Thank you. After writing the above, I’ve been using crimson editor for over a year and a half now for professional php development. Hands down my favorite editor.
on February 2nd, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I have almost all of them
Don Lapre Williams
webmaster@nanoosenativeplants.org
www.nanoosenativeplants.org
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