Essential software for any new pc?

[Third Sector Lab]

Any SBFers know of a list of must-have applications every new PC should have?

Obviously this is open to debate, I'm referring to an average user rather than someone uber-techy. Something like this: The 32 Totally Essential (and Free) Apps for Every New PC | Maximum PC

If anyone would like to add their own list to the thread feel free!

 

[Lanarkshire IT Services]

Hi There

I guess it depends on what the PC is being used for - home or business.

But here are some things that I'd install for definate. All are FREE:

Security:
Malware Bytes Anti Malware
AVAST, AVG, AntiVir anti-virus
SpywareBlaster - Browser protection
SpywareGuard - Browser protection
Comodo, Sunbelt personal firewall
Firefox with various security add-ons

Remote Access:
Teamviewer

CD / DVD Burning:
ImgBurn

HDD Tools:
MyDefrag
Easus Partition Master

Backup:
DiscWizard - Cut down version of Acronis for Seagate / Maxtor drives
Western Digital Acronis - Cut down version of Acronis for WD drives
Macrium Reflect or
DriveImage XML

IM:
Trillian

Multimedia:
VLC player
XVID Codec

Think that should do it, again NOT a penny spent.

I keep images of a system based on something similar.

I have a big list of FREE computer tools and programs that cover just about every situation.

Regards

 

[Mike Lewis]

OK, I'll jump in here with a few more suggestions.

1. An FTP client, such as FileZilla

2. A good programmer's editor. I use Programmers Notepad 2.0 (I realise that this reflects my main focus as a programmer and won't be relevant for everyone).

3. An image / photo-editor. My choice is Paint.Net, but Photoshop or Photoshop Elements would also be good.

4. A clipboard enhancer. Mine is ClipX. There are several others around.

5. A tool called Pixus, from Adobe, which lets you measure objects in the screen in pixels, mm, inches or whatever. Really useful whe developing graphics-rich software.

6. Skype.

7. Total Recorder. This is a simple audio recording tool that lets you capture any content that come though your sound board. Good for "taping" programmes from BBC iPlayer.

I'll probably think of a few more later. The above are all things I use every day (as well as all the obvious things like a web browser, word processor, etc).

Mike

 

[Canary Dwarf]

Google Chrome OS. Perios.

Of course it's isn't out yet, so:

For PCs (before your industry-specific applications are added):
AVG Free or AVG Internet Security
Firefox, Opera, IE8, Safari, Chrome
Outlook if you use Exchange, Thunderbird if you don't
Notepad++
Skype
Picasa
WinDVD
Nero Essentials
Tweetdeck
TeamViewer/VNC if you expect to use remote connection
MS Office/OpenOffice
Spotify
Adobe Acrobat Reader

for Macs:
iLife
iWork

 

[Gordon N]

Google Chrome OS.

I must admit I like the look of, and theory behind ChromeOS however I think it will be a long time before the majority of businesses put it to any use! Plus it isn't planned as a standalone product for distribution on any form of disk media or download (initially at least),in fact to begin with it will only be available preloaded on a couple of netbooks.

The biggest issue for businesses and ChromeOS will be security of, and location of data storage - seeing as the whole thing is going to be make full use of cloud computing. Added to that is the fact that the majority of apps will be only be available whilst you have an active internet connection (I know some of it will use Gears to overcome this though).

 

[Canary Dwarf]

I must admit I like the look of, and theory behind ChromeOS however I think it will be a long time before the majority of businesses put it to any use! Plus it isn't planned as a standalone product for distribution on any form of disk media or download (initially at least),in fact to begin with it will only be available preloaded on a couple of netbooks.

The biggest issue for businesses and ChromeOS will be security of, and location of data storage - seeing as the whole thing is going to be make full use of cloud computing. Added to that is the fact that the majority of apps will be only be available whilst you have an active internet connection (I know some of it will use Gears to overcome this though).

I agree its still far from perfection at the moment, but when the time is right, this will be the SAFEST way for businesses to access data, particularly when mobile.

Having a large player such as Google or Amazon behind a business's datacentre will make it available to large and small without the associated costs of management and security.

UK businesses and even the Government have a shocking record in data security. Of all the media reports of lost data, it has always been in the possession of the user or its agent. With data in the cloud the risk is vastly reduced.

The biggest problem I see with Chrome OS is the lack of control we are likely to be given. But I suspect that control will come with a price tag to match, but still a lot cheaper than doing it yourself.