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Indispensable computer programs

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Timmy

white swans need love too
Joined
30 September 2007
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I think many of us are familiar with Mozilla Firefox, AVG, Zone Alarm – all free programs that, for me at least, are almost indispensable.

Buy what about the still free but lesser know, smaller programs or applications – ones where you think, “How did I ever do without this?”

I have a few to suggest:

FreeRAM XP Pro, found here. Description from the website: “Freeware application to free and optimize your computer's RAM (Random Access Memory), resulting in an increase in system performance and productivity.”

Crosshair, which supplements or replaces the cursor with a crosshair regardless of the program on the screen (great for lining up the price bar with the matching volume bar when viewing charts in programs without a crosshair function of their own).

And one I have found only recently, MonOff, which turns off the monitor or multiple monitors with a single mouse click, much appreciated by my inner greenie.

Any other suggestions to share?
 
Media Monkey - for organizing / ripping / playing music files (mp3's)
www.mediamonkey.com

I am constantly amazed at how much you can do with this program and its free!
 
http://www.iespell.com/
ieSpell is a free Internet Explorer browser extension that spell checks text input boxes on a webpage. It should come in particularly handy for users who do a lot of web-based text entry (e.g. web mails, forums, blogs, diaries).

http://photofiltre.free.fr/download_en.htm
Great little (Free) photo editing software...very easy to use.

http://www.smartftp.com/download/
SmartFTP is an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client which allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet.
never ending 30 day trial. very easy to use...drag drop.
 
VLC Player

if windows media player can't play that movie / song you downloaded its probably a problem with its codec. this will play just about anything.
 
cleverkeys is a handy one. It gives you hot keys to a dictionary. Just highlight the word and ctrl l then a new window pops up in either the Thesaurus.com or Dictionary.com responses. It is also available as a download extension for firefox.

Another is wififofum and although it is for Windows mobile, it will sniff out a public wireless connection and give you the direction of the signal..



cheers,
 
Wow - these are great...

CCleaner I already use - indispensable!
VLC player - I am sick of all the different media players and switching betwen them, this is much better.
CleverKeys - just downloaded it and can't believe it, amazing, love it.
The photo/picture editors & Media Monkey I will keep for future reference.
OpenOffice - I have used this - great alternative to MS.

Thanks for these and the others. Anyone got more indispensables?

Another I use a lot is Karen's Show Stopper - shutsdown the computer pronto with one click. Heaps of other free programs on her site too.
 
AVG - Antivirus
Zonealarm - Firewall
WinRar
Uninstaller Pro
XP pro Tweaker
Klite Codec Pack
Dvd Fab
UltraISO
 
sam76 said:
I've always had to take my computer to the shop after using these "cleaning" programs. Not saying this one is dodge but once bitten twice shy...
Click to expand...

thats understandable, sam.

i can honestly vouch for CCleaner though. Ive never had a problem and have installed it on around 20 PCs within my business without a single problem.

Its always smart to play it safe though and dont 'tick' anything youre not sure about.
 
LINUX : Fedora 7 0r 8 , Debian, SUSE etc.
And you won't need any antivirus program for linux a big bonus.


Seriously guys try linux, it works out of the box now just like windows XP etc.

Even etrade and comsec works ( hopefully IB platform will work too!).


And it is all there for free . Now even Dell is selling laptops with preinstalled linux.
 
mayk said:
Seriously guys try linux, it works out of the box now just like windows XP etc.
Click to expand...

I really want to try it....I am not adventurous enough though...

Also, sam76, I can vouch for CCleaner as well, I have had no problems with it at all.
 
mayk said:
LINUX : Fedora 7 0r 8 , Debian, SUSE etc.
And you won't need any antivirus program for linux a big bonus.
Click to expand...

mayk, forgive my ignorance, what are Fedora, Debian, Suse? I Googled them and each appears to be an operating system for Linux? Can you explain if you have time - I enjoy learning this computer stuff!
 
Hey i forgot about my most Indispensable free computer program

Azureus.....Channel BT
 
SyncBack Freeware V3.2.14

http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware

File backup
Click to expand...
Symantec security check -

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&c...EcX6m7NoDsJr-dukQ&sig2=j4To2gj-ngtogMKHpQyGSA

GIMPshop is a modification of the free/open source GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), intended to replicate the feel of Adobe Photoshop. Its primary purpose is to make users of Photoshop feel comfortable using GIMP.

http://www.gimpshop.com/download.shtml
 

If you can get my Brother MFC-7420 all in one printer working under linux you are one smart cookie....Linux is getting better especially with Ubuntu fiesty fawn and the like but it's far from being as comparable to microsoft in regards to hardware..


cheers,
 
Fedora 7 0r 8 , Debian, SUSE
Let me try to explain a bit...

Linux is the main operating system ( like a car engine, drive train etc ), Unbuqtu, fedora, Debain and SUSE are different flavours of operating system ( Car bodies).

So, you can buy the car body( and interior) you like, while having the advantage of a V8 under the bonet

My advise is have a flavour of all of them and then stick to one which ever you like. The main advantage of sticking to Fedora and SUSE based linux version is that they are supported by Red Hat and SUN systems respectively, while small ( but powerfull ) organization support the Debain and Unbuqtu. But still most novice users of linux stick to unbunqtu.


If you just want to try linux it is as easy now as putting a linux bootable (Unbuntu and Denbain mostly)CD in your cd-rom. Yes re-boot the computer and it will be in the wonderfull world of linux. You can order the cd, or download am img copy and burn it yourself. Also each major flavour of linux usually have a wiki and forum to answer your questions. For most popular desktops and laptops many guides of installing linux are also floating on the internet.

Linux now support most of the hardware ( read Modern and old), most companies are now supporting the linux, like Nvdia, ATi, 3com, intel, AMD to name a few. well what the heck Microsoft is also supporting linux ( google SUN and miscrosolft and linux to read the full story..)


All the basic needs of a person can easily be fullfilled like listening to music, watching movies, exploring youtube ( VLC works under linus too ) all Java based programs. Yes for some softwares you still need windows but by using VMware you can now run windows and linux in parrellel. The next big thing is Virtulalization and parrellism ( supported by intel and AMD)

But be warned that you might still want to tweak a bit to suit your style/requirements. It is not for the faint of heart but if you can install windows on your computer you can easily install and play around in linux.

If you are with major ISPs ( Telstra optus iinet etc) they usually provide a quota free download of different linux based operating systems.
 
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