Top 10 Software Titles Every Home PC Needs?

eabell asks: "I'm buying a new mid-grade laptop computer, which I plan to dual-boot between Windows XP Home and Mandrake 9.x. Before its arrival in a few weeks I'm trying to think of what 'essential' software I'll need to make a usable home system. In general I'd like to spend as little money as possible (free is good). As far as my needs, think 'typical family PC' without an emphasis on gaming. I know I can get something like Open Office for word processing, presentation, etc. needs, but is there such a good thing as a good free virus checker? A good free email client? A handy web browser? What would you consider the top 10 (or so) pieces of software for a new home system, bearing in mind that I need software for both the Windows and Linux side of things?"

Comments

Kazaa Lite

[delphin42]

Once you have that, everything else is only a few clicks away...

Re:Kazaa Lite

[Anonymous Coward]

everything else is only a few clicks away...

Including an RIAA subpoena.

Windows XP

[inertia187]

All I know is that Windows XP is the best $300 game of Solitaire I've ever played.

Something that blocks pop-ups

[Gortbusters.org]

for better porn browsing. Search your feelings, you know this to be true!

Good god

[sbeast702]

This has to be the dumbest Ask /. posts EVER... somebody give him a coke, a smile and a fuckin link to download.com

Re:MySQL...

[greenhide]

Yeah, really frikkin interesting.

Jeez, do mods even READ?!?

If you have to mod this up, mod it funny. And I guess it's sorta funny, in a kind of "Oh look. A pron joke" way.

*sigh*...

Re:If you are too cheap for an AV program....

[SirGeek]

Free for non-commercial, non-networked

Ummm.. Errr. If it is non-networked, how is it going to get a virus ?

Re:Top ten Windows apps to install.

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't see most families doing C++ development coding in EMacs

exactly my feelings. people in my family use vi.

You are all *WRONG*

[JavaLord]

Here are the programs you need to have a k-133t windows system.

1. AOL- DUH, they are the greatest ISP ever.

2. Webshots - Impress your friends with your changing wallpaper!

3. Hotbar - Skin Internet Explorer and Impress your friends!

4. AOHell This program will make you l33t!

5. Incredimail This makes your e-mail look k00lah then everyone elses.

6. Microsoft Outlook because all the anti-virus tools work with it. You don't want to use another e-mail client, you might get a virus!

7. Comet Cursor. Makes your cursor R0x0r.

8. Intruder Alert 99 You need a firewall, the internet isn't a safe place!

9. Gator Gator is an awesome program that helps u remember ur passwords. This way u don't have to fill out stupid forms!

10. BO Server The guys in my gaming clan sent me this, they said it would improve my FPS, and make windows run faster. I think it did!

Re:You are all *WRONG*

[ChaoticLimbs]

I have all of these but really couldn't get anyting done without Bonzi Buddy also. Xupiter is nice, too.

Re:Top ten Windows apps to install.

[willy134]

AOL allows you to get "content" that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere else.
Gator allows all sorts of useful searching and ads on your computer.
MSN explorer A very nice web browser that takes over your whole web experience.
Webshots is a very nice background rotator that hogs bandwidth and proccesor time and whaterver else it does.
Weatherbug is a handy little sys-tray app that shows the weather, and watches your every move.


So if you are willing to listen to all the "help" given here on /. You will have the buggiest bulkiest computer there is.

Although some essential programs include...
xmms,Mozilla (most incarnations are great), Gimp (The best FREE image editor)
Also check out Easy URPMI for obtaining linux software.

RE: You MUST have NetHack installed on everything.

[namespan]

You MUST have NetHack installed on everything...

In fact, once you install nethack on everything, you won't need to install anything else for months or years, considering how much else you're actually going to get done...