Comments on: Must have software for my new computer http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/ A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:39:09 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: dan http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-684560 dan Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:30:57 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-684560 file sharing: utorrent browser: firefox zip: izarc [& 7zip] pictures: irfanview pic edit: paint.net data recovery: power data recovery media player : the kmplayer [& itunes] firewall: zonealarm antivirus: antivir & threatfire spyware: superantispyware, spybot s&d, spywareblaster, & ad-aware tune-ups and cleaners: advanced systemcare, ccleaner, cwshredder, tuneup utilities & ashampoo winoptimizer defragmenting: iobit smartdefrag & auslogic registry defrag virtual drive: poweriso [daemon tools] misc: launchy, musicbridge, everest home edition ,any video converter, aoa audio extractor, barback, dvd flick?, freerip, k-lite codec pack, manycam, metageek inssider, splitcam, skype? scrabble: wordbiz ms office alt: openoffice.org file sharing: utorrent
browser: firefox
zip: izarc [& 7zip]
pictures: irfanview
pic edit: paint.net
data recovery: power data recovery
media player : the kmplayer [& itunes]
firewall: zonealarm
antivirus: antivir & threatfire
spyware: superantispyware, spybot s&d, spywareblaster, & ad-aware
tune-ups and cleaners: advanced systemcare, ccleaner, cwshredder, tuneup utilities & ashampoo winoptimizer
defragmenting: iobit smartdefrag & auslogic registry defrag
virtual drive: poweriso [daemon tools]
misc: launchy, musicbridge, everest home edition ,any video converter, aoa audio extractor, barback, dvd flick?, freerip, k-lite codec pack, manycam, metageek inssider, splitcam, skype?
scrabble: wordbiz
ms office alt: openoffice.org

]]> By: Mike512 http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-337931 Mike512 Sun, 11 May 2008 07:15:26 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-337931 I just stumbled on your blog and thought I might chime in on tedious OS/App installs. My situation is different however. I use 3 or 4 computers in different places in a given day. One for my main job, one for a part-time gig I am working then I have my laptop & a desktop. With all those scattered about & the need to keep my stuff in sync I moved to a 4 gig truecrypt hidden volume set to travel mode on my iPod. Then I installed PortableApps in that volume. Portableapps.com has tons of great apps I know FF, CCleaner, OO, Notepad++, Filezilla, Sandboxie, Cygwin, 7Zip, Gimp, KeePass, ClamWin, VLC, Thunderbird & Sunbird all have ready-made portable versions for sporting around to different computers via usb stick or other devices. Yeah, it's kind of a pain to have to boot up then get into my stuff but I get the advantage of never having a drained iPod & knowing my keepass is double encrypted on a hidden volume so even if I am tortured they won't get to the real data! Just a thought man, keep up the good work. 1 question though does anyone know of a portable usenet app? Install once, use many. Take care Mike Austin, TX I just stumbled on your blog and thought I might chime in on tedious OS/App installs. My situation is different however. I use 3 or 4 computers in different places in a given day. One for my main job, one for a part-time gig I am working then I have my laptop & a desktop. With all those scattered about & the need to keep my stuff in sync I moved to a 4 gig truecrypt hidden volume set to travel mode on my iPod. Then I installed PortableApps in that volume. Portableapps.com has tons of great apps I know FF, CCleaner, OO, Notepad++, Filezilla, Sandboxie, Cygwin, 7Zip, Gimp, KeePass, ClamWin, VLC, Thunderbird & Sunbird all have ready-made portable versions for sporting around to different computers via usb stick or other devices. Yeah, it’s kind of a pain to have to boot up then get into my stuff but I get the advantage of never having a drained iPod & knowing my keepass is double encrypted on a hidden volume so even if I am tortured they won’t get to the real data! Just a thought man, keep up the good work. 1 question though does anyone know of a portable usenet app? Install once, use many.

Take care
Mike
Austin, TX

]]> By: Tobey http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-334644 Tobey Wed, 07 May 2008 17:41:34 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-334644 Martin, have you tried FastStone's Screen Capture tool? It's simply awesome. Though, the newest version became a shareware but you can still get the older one which is great. PDF viewer wouldn't hurt either and an app launcher is generally a must-have but I'm pretty sure u know that :P Not mentioning MPC with browser plugins to view QuickTime and RealMedia vids or VLC. And Camstudio or Camtasia will come in handy too. No moar ideas atm :) Martin, have you tried FastStone’s Screen Capture tool? It’s simply awesome. Though, the newest version became a shareware but you can still get the older one which is great. PDF viewer wouldn’t hurt either and an app launcher is generally a must-have but I’m pretty sure u know that :P Not mentioning MPC with browser plugins to view QuickTime and RealMedia vids or VLC. And Camstudio or Camtasia will come in handy too. No moar ideas atm :)

]]> By: Votre http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333983 Votre Wed, 07 May 2008 03:06:13 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333983 I didn't mention this in my first comment because I didn't know if it would be relevant to the discussion, but just in case it is, here goes: Linux (any) I've been dual-booting since 2004, and as time goes on I find myself spending more and more time "getting it done" with the Penguin. And with apps like Wubi (which you covered back in June), the installation of a working environment that peacefully coexists with Windows is just a few downloads and clicks away. Something to think about... I didn’t mention this in my first comment because I didn’t know if it would be relevant to the discussion, but just in case it is, here goes:

Linux (any)

I’ve been dual-booting since 2004, and as time goes on I find myself spending more and more time “getting it done” with the Penguin.

And with apps like Wubi (which you covered back in June), the installation of a working environment that peacefully coexists with Windows is just a few downloads and clicks away.

Something to think about…

]]> By: Roman ShaRP http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333586 Roman ShaRP Tue, 06 May 2008 21:55:12 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333586 My list with links is still available <a href="http://forum.oboz.ua/softmap.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. But I don't updated it for some months. My list with links is still available here. But I don’t updated it for some months.

]]> By: pablo http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333535 pablo Tue, 06 May 2008 21:19:09 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333535 I have tried many different video players and I love Kmplayer http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4094 It can play anything you throw at it, and can handle subtitles beautifully, including time resync with easy to easy keyboard short cuts. I have tried many different video players and I love Kmplayer
http://www.kmplayer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4094
It can play anything you throw at it, and can handle subtitles beautifully, including time resync with easy to easy keyboard short cuts.

]]> By: MB http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333512 MB Tue, 06 May 2008 21:10:34 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333512 avira antivir comodo firewall Gmer Process Explorer Boinc KMPlayer foobar2000 Open Office avira antivir
comodo firewall
Gmer
Process Explorer
Boinc
KMPlayer
foobar2000
Open Office

]]> By: jacky http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333447 jacky Tue, 06 May 2008 20:15:14 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333447 I couldn't possibly live without a real file manager, and (in my opinion) the best one out there is XYplorer (http://www.xyplorer.com) Really worth a try if you haven't, chances are you'll get addicted as well and soon wonder how you managed all those years without it ! I couldn’t possibly live without a real file manager, and (in my opinion) the best one out there is XYplorer (http://www.xyplorer.com)

Really worth a try if you haven’t, chances are you’ll get addicted as well and soon wonder how you managed all those years without it !

]]> By: Bruno http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333434 Bruno Tue, 06 May 2008 19:59:57 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333434 7zip Firefox MesNews (news reader for txt and pictures) Grabit Restore (undelete software) ADSL Autoconnect (to reset a connexion) Eraser xvid media player classic vlc real aternative quicktime alternative vobsub mediaInfo quickpar sandboxie avast zone alarm isobuster vcool IE privacy Keeper vidalia bundle (for anonymous surf) winamp <= 2.91 hj-join VirtualDub (and VirtualDubMod and Nandub) RAD Video Tools ffdshow Clipname Abiword 7zip
Firefox
MesNews (news reader for txt and pictures)
Grabit
Restore (undelete software)
ADSL Autoconnect (to reset a connexion)
Eraser
xvid
media player classic
vlc
real aternative
quicktime alternative
vobsub
mediaInfo
quickpar
sandboxie
avast
zone alarm
isobuster
vcool
IE privacy Keeper
vidalia bundle (for anonymous surf)
winamp <= 2.91
hj-join
VirtualDub (and VirtualDubMod and Nandub)
RAD Video Tools
ffdshow
Clipname
Abiword

]]> By: Votre http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333422 Votre Tue, 06 May 2008 19:48:07 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333422 I think a lot of it depends on what you're using your PC for. I write and research on tech topics and can't live without: Brainstorm (www.brainstormsw.com) for bashing out ideas ClipDiary (www.clipdiary.com) for those times when you need a clipboard helper TotalText Container (http://mtirnanic.googlepages.com/) to keep all your stuff organized PrimoPDFto to generate proofing copies And especially ReturnNil Personal Edition for downloading and testing the things I write about. I think a lot of it depends on what you’re using your PC for. I write and research on tech topics and can’t live without:

Brainstorm (www.brainstormsw.com)
for bashing out ideas

ClipDiary (www.clipdiary.com)
for those times when you need a clipboard helper

TotalText Container
(http://mtirnanic.googlepages.com/)
to keep all your stuff organized

PrimoPDFto to generate proofing copies

And especially ReturnNil Personal Edition for downloading and testing the things I write about.

]]> By: BlueRaja http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333385 BlueRaja Tue, 06 May 2008 18:54:29 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333385 Well apparently my last post didn't get posted (perhaps I'm not allowed to use hyperlinks?), so I'll repeat what I said before: The absolute musts are Launchy and WinDirStat (like SequoiaView but better). Also, I noticed no one's mentioned antivirus/firewall software. I prefer Nod32 for antivirus (which has very good detection rates and an amazingly small footproot), and the old, lightweight, free version of Kerio for firewall (just google "last free version kerio" and you'll find it) Well apparently my last post didn’t get posted (perhaps I’m not allowed to use hyperlinks?), so I’ll repeat what I said before:
The absolute musts are Launchy and WinDirStat (like SequoiaView but better).

Also, I noticed no one’s mentioned antivirus/firewall software. I prefer Nod32 for antivirus (which has very good detection rates and an amazingly small footproot), and the old, lightweight, free version of Kerio for firewall (just google “last free version kerio” and you’ll find it)

]]> By: linuxeventually http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333098 linuxeventually Tue, 06 May 2008 15:59:18 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333098 I used to use Mozbackup, but now I prefer FEBE - Firefox Environment Backup Extension to backup Mozilla Firefox. Of course a simple copy of the profile directory will do, but the options and automated backups are pluses. You'll want to stick with Mozbackup for Thunderbird though AFAIK. I used to use Mozbackup, but now I prefer FEBE – Firefox Environment Backup Extension to backup Mozilla Firefox. Of course a simple copy of the profile directory will do, but the options and automated backups are pluses. You’ll want to stick with Mozbackup for Thunderbird though AFAIK.

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333095 Martin Tue, 06 May 2008 15:56:30 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333095 No I don't ;) No I don’t ;)

]]> By: Jacob http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333049 Jacob Tue, 06 May 2008 15:35:06 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333049 Don't you use Launchy?? Don’t you use Launchy??

]]> By: Transcontinental http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-333029 Transcontinental Tue, 06 May 2008 15:26:54 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-333029 "Total Commander". Shareware, but the ultimate file manager, IMO ; "AI Roboform", for easily managing passwords ; "Ad Muncher", universal anti-ad warrior ; ... “Total Commander”. Shareware, but the ultimate file manager, IMO ;

“AI Roboform”, for easily managing passwords ;

“Ad Muncher”, universal anti-ad warrior ;

…

]]> By: Evan http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-332968 Evan Tue, 06 May 2008 15:03:23 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-332968 I would try Peazip. It's tiny, it's quick, it's open-source, it's based on 7zip libs, with lots of extra features. There is also a nice portable apps version. It will also do splits and joins as well as file hashes. No reason to have another in my opinion and I have tried all the others listed. Thanks for a great list! I would try Peazip. It’s tiny, it’s quick, it’s open-source, it’s based on 7zip libs, with lots of extra features. There is also a nice portable apps version. It will also do splits and joins as well as file hashes. No reason to have another in my opinion and I have tried all the others listed. Thanks for a great list!

]]> By: vvvlad http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-332948 vvvlad Tue, 06 May 2008 14:52:40 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-332948 "Try Revo uninstaller. I also liked old versions of uninstall tool and Revo is alot like it… on good steroids." I do have it installed, but still love the old uninstaller. it is faster and simpler. Revo has the option for "total remove" which sometimes is really usefull “Try Revo uninstaller. I also liked old versions of uninstall tool and Revo is alot like it… on good steroids.”

I do have it installed, but still love the old uninstaller. it is faster and simpler.

Revo has the option for “total remove” which sometimes is really usefull

]]> By: Rarst http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-332916 Rarst Tue, 06 May 2008 14:38:18 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-332916 "Another tool I can’t live without is Uninstall Tool (ver 1.6.6) it is just great, but it is an old version - the new one is not freeware." Try Revo uninstaller. I also liked old versions of uninstall tool and Revo is alot like it... on good steroids. :) “Another tool I can’t live without is Uninstall Tool (ver 1.6.6) it is just great, but it is an old version – the new one is not freeware.”

Try Revo uninstaller. I also liked old versions of uninstall tool and Revo is alot like it… on good steroids. :)

]]> By: vvvlad http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-332887 vvvlad Tue, 06 May 2008 14:24:22 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-332887 7zip is great (opens all the popular formats and has its own format which has really good compression) IrfanView for pictures Paint.net for basic picture editing (somehow easier than Gimp) Totally agree with Firefox and Notepad++; Xplorer2 free version (or better professional) for file management (Explorer like, but endless options, tabs and panels, also great search) I discovered XMplay only a month ago, it took me couple of hour to configure it, but I'm still not comfortable with it. Now trying AIMP2 and loving it from the first use, so I guess I will remove XMplay. VLC for video palyback. Also GOM. FlashGet and uTorrent for downloads. LiveWriter for blogging. Another tool I can't live without is Uninstall Tool (ver 1.6.6) it is just great, but it is an old version - the new one is not freeware. :) Vlad 7zip is great (opens all the popular formats and has its own format which has really good compression)
IrfanView for pictures
Paint.net for basic picture editing (somehow easier than Gimp)
Totally agree with Firefox and Notepad++;
Xplorer2 free version (or better professional) for file management (Explorer like, but endless options, tabs and panels, also great search)

I discovered XMplay only a month ago, it took me couple of hour to configure it, but I’m still not comfortable with it. Now trying AIMP2 and loving it from the first use, so I guess I will remove XMplay.

VLC for video palyback. Also GOM.

FlashGet and uTorrent for downloads.
LiveWriter for blogging.

Another tool I can’t live without is Uninstall Tool (ver 1.6.6) it is just great, but it is an old version – the new one is not freeware.

:)
Vlad

]]> By: gugu http://www.ghacks.net/2008/05/06/must-have-software-for-a-new-computer/#comment-332840 gugu Tue, 06 May 2008 13:57:39 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/?p=4020#comment-332840 1) Mp3tag 2) Quicktime Alternative 3) Real Alternative 4) OpenOffice 5) DaemonTools v3.47 w/ arniWORX plugin 6) foobar2000 7) dBpowerAMP 1) Mp3tag
2) Quicktime Alternative
3) Real Alternative
4) OpenOffice
5) DaemonTools v3.47 w/ arniWORX plugin
6) foobar2000
7) dBpowerAMP

]]>