Recommended Software
(freeware/shareware)
Windows computers come with many programs installed, but there is
often a need for additional rpograms or ones which provide better
facilities than the included version. Adding commercail software can be
very expensive, but it may be necessary. The programs listed here are
all available free and many are open
source. Some have professional paid for versions, but for the
individual home user the free versions are good enough. These are all programs that I use personally.
You should have a pendrive to backup (see backup below) your essential files and consider using
Portable Apps
A complete suite of software mostly open source that do not need to be installed and will run from the penDrive
Browsers: Opera Firefox
Both of these are more secure than IE and both provide support for the new HTML5
Email Clients: - Thunderbird Pegasus
More secure than Outlook. Pegasus is better for distribution lists, Thunderbird is open source
PDF Reader: PDF Xchange
Permits limited editing and adding post-it notes
PDF Composer PDF995
Works as a print driver, but saves to file. Easy to use and works with all Windows applications
Web Page Composer: Kompozer
A WYSIWYG IDE - very easy, open source, supports HTML4 and XHTML. A great tool for creating web sites
Anti Virus: AVG
The free version is adequate for home use and provides regular updates
Spyware Remover: AdAware
AVG checks spyware, but this is quicker
Firewall: ZoneAlarm
Easy to use, better than windows firewall as it also checks outgoing traffic
MindMap:Compendium Comprehensive open source FreeMind Simpler, adequate for most projects
Audio/Video: irfanview
Displays and plays most audio and video file and great for editing photos, changing contrast and colour balance
Real Alternative
Unlike Real, it doesn't connect to its home when you use it
Programming editor: Notepad++
Great for programming, C, Java, what you will. Some languages like XML need add ons available from the web site
FTP Client: filezilla
Open source easy to use ftp and secure sftp cleint for up/downloading to server
Secure Shell: Putty
Command line access to server
Zip: 7-Zip
Free, Open source zip program - handles, Gzip, Tar and many others.
Backup/Diskcopy: RichCopy
Great for incremental backup - copies only files that have changed, more information
Office Suite: LibreOffice
Free and MSOffice comaptible LibreOffice Replaces OpenOffice now owned by Oracle
Project: OpenProj
Free - Compatible with MS Project
Audio Edit and Record: Audacity
Best for copying and converting to different formats, eg CD to MP3
Database: MySQL
Industry standard but free and open source