There is a computer in our cars, TV’s, cell phones, our cable boxes, and other electronic devices. Without the software, these electronics would not work as they do. They may turn on, but the programs that we need to use would not work properly without the help of software.

The operating system that came with your computer is a computer software program. All computers come with an operating system, such as Windows aka XP, Vista, 2000, etc. Other operating systems are Linux and Mac. Without an operating system, your computer will not operate as it should. It may turn on, but it won’t run properly.

There are so many different programs today to do just about anything you want to on your computer. Some computer software program names are Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, Print Shop, QuickBooks, video games, etc.

Some programs come in the form of CD or DVD, or floppy disks. This software can also be downloaded from the Internet, called electronic download. A software program is usually all set up to run on your computer. Each program will tell you what operating system and other criteria needed to use the program on your computer.
There are programs that will diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix problems that may occur with your computer, without the help of a computer tech.

Some programs online are in the form of a zip file, closed to make the file smaller. Most operating systems have a program on them that will automatically open a zip file so that you can install it onto your computer without a hassle. If you do not have a zip file software program, you can find a free program online. A great place to find free software downloads is at http://download.cnet.com/windows/.

Each program will tell you what the computer requirements are to run the program on your computer. It may specify that the program is only for Windows 2000 or XP, but most programs are available to run with Vista, Mac, and Linux now. http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx offers free trials for a lot of their software programs so that you can try it out before purchasing a copy of it.

Nearly everywhere we go or whatever we do, there is computer software running something. It is a wonderful idea to learn more about the computer world, as it will always be a big part of life. The technology continues to change and improve in most areas. A lot of the local Adult Education centers offer classes for free or at a very reasonable price to learn more about computers. Some local computer technicians also offer tutoring at reasonable prices. The World Wide Web has loads of free information on this topic as well.

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F.Lux

I reviewed the computer monitor lighting solution a while ago and it is actually one of the few applications that run all the time on my main computer system. Flux changes the brightness color temperature of the computer display automatically. It uses a 24 hour graph to visualize the changes. The color temperature will be normal throughout the day and be lowered automatically as the day passes to adjust to the real world. You will love this application if you have to look at (to) bright computer screens especially in the evening and at night.

2. Speedfan

Speedfan is an interesting application to monitor system temperatures and control fan speeds. Users run usually in two scenarios. The first group thinks that their computer system makes to much noise while the second has to fight high temperatures that can lead to crashes and data loss. Speedfan can help both groups. It can lower the fan speed of connected computer fans automatically to reduce the overall noise level of the computer system. It can also warn the user if temperatures are reached that can cause damage and problems.

3. Drive Namer

Drive Namer is an excellent application to add names to optical drives such as DVD or CD drives. Windows is blocking the name changing on those drives by default which gets confusing if more than one optical drive is installed or virtual drives are used. All of the drives will be named DVD Drive or CD Drive. Drive Namer can change that name to something practical that helps identifying the drive at first glance.

4. Deltacopy

Windows Backup Software Deltacopy is a sophisticated backup software program that uses a client server approach which makes it ideal for computers located in a network.

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It would not be Ghacks if we would not ask you to contribute to that list. The only requirements are that the software has to be free. It does not matter if they are Open Source, freeware or donation ware. If they are free they have a chance to make it on the list.

Asking for names for any kind of software program would make it very hard for us to turn the information into a list. We have therefor decided to divide the process into different articles which will only accept programs of one specific category.

We start with security applications. This can be anything from antivirus programs to antispyware, firewall or process monitors. Yes, some applications fit in more than one category. Name them whenever they fit in so that they can be included in the list.

Please include at least the name of the application. A link to the program’s website would be great and helpful as well. The results will be published at the Computer Software Recommendations article.

So come on. Let us create the best recommended software article ever.

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SUMO will scan the applications listed in the Windows Start Menu by default but the user can let it scan specific drives or folders on the system and add executables manually. Users will be surprised that SUMO will recognize most of the applications that are added manually. A test with MWSnap and Newsbin Pro was successful. SUMO recognized the two applications and was able to check their version in the database.

One interesting option is to include beta versions in the update notifications which can be enabled in the program’s settings. Including beta versions raised the update count from 6 to 26 applications. Some like an update of Firefox 3.03 to Firefox 3.1 would require some research while others are no brainers.

The interesting feature is to add executables manually to SUMO. Not all executables will be recognized though because some developers do not include version information in their files. That’s however not a problem of SUMO but of all software updater.

SUMO will display the applications that need an update including the new version that is available. A click on Get Update will load a website with download links to the latest version. There is no option to download the files directly from within Sumo. The advantage is that the websites contain usually between 2-5 locations that contain the latest version of the software.

Users can propose a link on the websites, perform a Google Search and Report Errors or Beta versions. The latest version and the version of the user is shown on the page as well.

SUMO is missing a few features that would make it an universal software. An option to download all software updates automatically would be more than welcome. As would be a feature to add links to software applications manually to the software. It is possible to add applications but if SUMO does not have them in their database there is no way to update them. The only option is to click the Get Update link and propose a link.

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The software program uses groups that can contain links to files, folders or web resources. Each group can be designed differently. The web resources could for instance display only the link text while the software applications display only the icon of the software. Icons and text can be combined as well and there are numerous ways to alter the appearance of practically any item in a group.

8start makes use of so called categories which can contain a number of groups each. Categories can be flipped like pages which means it is possible to create a smaller interface that is making use of pages to contain the same amount of information than a larger interface.

The status of each partition of the computer system can be displayed in the interface as well. It can be used to quickly access a drive. Each item displayed, be it application, web resource, folder or partition can be loaded with a single left-click of the computer mouse.

The note taking application uses a tree structure for the note taking. The main interface contains the keywords which when left-clicked will open a bigger Word-like document that can contain text and pictures that can be formatted using basic word processing controls.

A keyboard shortcut can be configured to bring the 8start interface up when needed so that it does not have to be visible on the desktop all the time.

8start is a sophisticated software applications launcher that is compatible to all Windows NT operating systems from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista.

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The software programs are divided into four different categories named applications, definitions, recommended and utilities which all contain several programs and checkboxes in front of them. There is also a quick link to four software packages which activate several of the listed applications.

The good thing about this downloader is that it contains several of the most popular applications like Unlocker, Autoruns, Firefox, Comodo Firewall, JavaRa and CCleaner and that it will automatically check if those versions are compatible with the operating system.

The not so good thing is that it does not check if the application is already installed on the system in the latest version. There are also no descriptions of the applications available in the program itself. That’s pretty rough for inexperienced users.

I guess its great for a new system to download several of the recommended applications at once but nothing that could not be done with a web browser or download manager either. Good idea but needs the system scan option in my opinion.

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Aviary is a suite of web based creative tools. Each of the tools has been named after some kind of bird, so you’ll have to get used to nearly 20 names like “Phoenix”, “Hawk” and “Raven”.

All of our tools are based right in your browser or as downloadable AIR applications. Our tools all communicate and relate to each other. To illustrate an example: You can import a swatch from Toucan into Phoenix, while doing complex bitmap processing of a 3D object developed in Hummingbird. Finally, you can take your finished artwork and lay it out in Owl as the DVD artwork for a music CD you and your friends put together in Roc and Myna and offer it for sale in our marketplace, Hawk.

Aviary is still very much under development and is strictly in invitation only beta. You can however sign up with the early “early bird invitations” form and specify what type of tools interest you, such as “image editing” or “desktop publishing”.

I actually have no idea how many of these tools are actually completed or at what stage the project is at. I have received an invite to two, “Phoenix” and “Peacock”, an image editor and pattern generator.

All I can say is that these applications are fantastic. They run from the web but act exactly like desktop software. It loaded fast and I experienced no lags or anything to indicate this wasn’t just a normal program running on my computer. Phoenix is fantastic program and almost matches Photoshop for functionality. In fact some of the example images produced are completely comparable to those produced by the commercial application.

When you receive your invitation you’ll get a user account which provides you with a dashboard and a place to save, store and showcase what you have created and a central place you can access all your applications from.

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FreshAIRapps is a breath of fresh air (haha) on the web, I see so many sites out there just automatically aggregating content and posting 5% content and 95% adsense. This website does have some ads, but what the real value of it is that the writer actually takes the time to try each app. Clicking on an app will take you to its page where you can see a short description and a look from different angles, the design eye and the technical eye.

What’s great is that he actually manages to write negative stuff. I use about 5 apps that he showcases and he has found the exact problems I have, and this is what makes freshAIRapps such a valuable site. In addition the pics are wonderful and the content I hope will be increasing as AIR apps come out. If you’re in on the hype definitely check out this page!

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Well, my prayers have been answered somewhat. I can’t stop receiving invites but I can block them so I don’t have ten friends sending me invitations for the same app over and over again. To do this, head over the ‘Requests’ page on your Facebook profile. There, you’ll see a list of all the invitations you received. Under the ‘Accept’ and ‘Ignore’ buttons is a small option that says ‘Block this application‘. Click on it and you’re done.

Considering the sheer number of invitations I’ve received, It will take me forever to block them all. I think a better option is to ignore all invitations from friends who keep sending you rubbish. This way, you cut it off at the source.

Has the Facebook application madness driven you crazy yet? What’s your strategy on dealing with them? Does it want to make you abandon Facebook altogether? Let me know in the comments.

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This brings me to today’s post. I have a Facebook profile and I barely use it. Initially, I did not quite figure out what I was supposed to do with it. Then, the application overload started. I received my first ‘app’ invitation from something called Superwall. Not knowing any better, I said yes. After that, it’s just been one invitation after another.

Some Facebook apps are okay. For example, I was using Skreemr to add songs to my profile. However, for every decent app available, there have to be at least 10 worthless ones. The first one that hit me was Superpoke, which goes by the description ‘why poke when you can tickle, hug, pinch, or throw sheep’. Throwing sheep! How come I never thought of such a profound action?

Then there’s Zombies, and it’s spinoffs, Vampires and Werewolves. What do these ‘wonderful’ apps do? Why, bite your friends and turn them into monsters too. And if you fancy yourself a monster-killer, there’s Slayer to do the needful. I don’t see the point in these things. They are simply a waste of time.

The bottom line. I’ve stopped accepting requests for applications to be installed. Some people may have all day to play around on Facebook but I’m not one of them. Truth be told, I’m kind of fed up of everything and I virtually never log in to my profile these days.

Do you have a Facebook profile? Which are the most worthless apps you’ve seen on Facebook? What do you think the site should do to stop people getting tons of invitations for these apps?

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The software that I would recommend are AVG Antivir, CCleaner, Audacity, Gimp, Skype, Filezilla and Firebug while the rest is in my opinion not necessary. The list compiled by Gili had the purpose to list applications that he did install on his newly bought notebook.

I actually knew all of the applications listed but one which was Zoho which seems to be an online Office suite. Head out to Connected Internet if you are new to computers or would like to take a peak at the list. It’s by no means perfect but good enough to suit most users.

Read More:

Software for your Computer at Connected Internet.

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The FileHippo Update Checker scans your computer for installed applications and compares their version to the latest version hosted at the FileHoppo servers.

It then displays a list of all updates that it found on a website divided into full and beta updates. The version on the local computer and the latest version are mentioned in the list and a link to download the update is next to every entry.

Downloads start immediately if you click on the green download icons next to each application. Great that you do not have to navigate through endless webpages to reach the download.

FileHippo does not scan applications that they do not have in their database or do not provide version information that FileHippo can access.

Many useful free applications are not processed but a test scan on my system found 9 updates for applications and 2 for beta applications. Most have been standard applications like Flash Player, Java Runtime Environment or Nero Burning Rom. Great for a quick lookup. Works on Windows 98+

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