Software Recommendations

Security:

• Zone Alarm--(free)--Great firewall—I have used no other.

• AVG—(free)—Anti-virus protection—have used Norton in the past and like this much better. Definately cheaper!

• Spybot Search & Destroy--(free)--Spyware program. Also has a side program that will watch your registry and allow you to approve or deny changes.

• Adaware—(free)—Another spyware program.

• The Laptop Lock—(free)&mdash A program that allows you to control access to your documents should your computer be lost or stolen.

Utilities:

• SyncPst by Wisco—(shareware)—If you need to sync Outlook 2007 on a couple of machines, this program works flawlessly.

• Ccleaner (crapcleaner)--(shareware)--cleans temp, history, and other select files on your computer. Also can scan the registry for unwanted items. Note: Current version 2.04.543 and beyond contain file eraser capability eliminating the need for the eraser program listed below.

• SystemInfoProgram—(free)—Tells you everything you might or might not need to know about your computer. It's more detailed than Belarc Advisor.

• Zip Genious—(free)—zip and unzip files.

• Eraser—(free)—BE CAREFUL with this deleting program—once a file is erased, it is unrecoverable.

Audio Playing, Recording & Editing:

• Winamp—(shareware- $20)&mdash I took the plunge a purchased Winamp because we decided to digitize our audio collection. I like Winamp's options and control over audio files and related data as opposed to Windows Media Player (which we don't use at all now).

• Audacity—(free)&mdash A great audio recording tool. I had trouble getting it to work on my Dell and finally found a driver here that solved the issue.

• Nero 7 Ultimate--(Shareware)--Copy, Make, burn, audio/video CDs & DVDs. Roxio came on my Dell. I have uninstalled Roxio & installed Nero. Once again--much happier!

• Windows Media Player 11--(free)--Audio/video player

• DivX Player--(free)--(just the player) I like this player best for videos.

• Windows Movie Maker--(free)--capture and edit video.

Photo Organizing & Editing:

• PhotoImpact 12—(shareware)-pricey, but I like how it works.

• Picasa2—(free)—From Google—I just started using it. It is an image organizer and minor image fixer. So far, so good.

• Photoinfo from Microsoft--A free program from Microsoft that allows you to edit EXIF data on photos.

• Webshots --A free program that allows you to organize & control wallpapers on your computer.

For the Web:

• FireFox Web Browser—(free)--with all of the extensions and add-ons available, Firefox is pretty cool. Also more secure that Internet Explorer. I've heard that Firefox doesn't play nicely with Vista, but I'm having no problems with it.

• Internet Explorer--(free)--I am using version 7. Supposedly more secure. I only use it for Windows Update.

• HTML-Kit—(free)—Web page designer program. I recently found this, & like it well enough that it is all I use.

• SmartFTP—(No Longer Free - I'm moving on-- I'll post what I settle on)—FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program—works well.

• Apache2Triad--Web Server--(free)-- This is bundled installation containing Apache 2.x, Xmail server, ftp server, SSL, , SQL, AW site stats, and more. This takes a BIG headache out of making a bunch of stuff work togethewr. You are being served by it now!----I had troubles getting this to work. I found a fix here(scroll down to cp-serve's post). This works perfectly.
  If you have trouble with the 'fix' link, a copy of the page is here. (Giving credit to A2T Forums and cp-serve of course.)

• Multiple Image Resizer .Net--(free for personal & educational)-- Nifty program that does what it's name implies plus much more. Such as oaverlaying another image, adding text, & adding borders

• Web Album Generator--(free)-- Creates nice looking & easily navigated web page photo albumes.

Everything Else:

• RoboForm—(shareware)—password manager

• GoodSync V6—(shareware)—I've tried several back/sync programs. This is the one I will stick with.

• RootsMagic—(shareware)—Awesome genealogy software.

• Adobe Acrobat reader--(free)--A must for reading PDF documents.

• CutePDF Writer--(free)--Installs as a printer that allows you to print anything to a pdf file.

• GhostScript—(free)—I have no idea what it does, but you MUST have it in order for CutePDF Writer to work.

• Webshots—(free)—desktop background application—allows you to use your photos or download photos for your desktop background.

• Google's Scetchup—(free)—Computer Aided Drawing—If you are interested in CAD, This could be for you. The learning curve is steep, but, there are plenty of video tutorials & recources available.

[Back To Top]