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

Be realistic

[Ass, Ltd. Ho!]

You need MS Office. You can't operate a home computer without basic functionality and communication with all your friends and collegaues who ALL USE OFFICE.

but being still more realistic, who ever PAYS for MS software anymore? just borrow a CD from a friend and find a registration number on Surfer's serialz or something. I mean come on.

really, that's about all of it. Everything else comes with windows.

Re:Top ten Windows apps to install.

[mosch]

That's a great setup... for a family of geeky coders. For a normal family, I'd say:

• Microsoft Office
• Acrobat Reader
• Macromedia Flash
• Norton Anti-Virus
• Google Toolbar
• Quicken
• TurboTax
• Print Shop
• Nero
• Backyard Baseball
• Grand Theft Auto

Normal people don't need ftp or ssh clients, or specialized editors. They need simple to use tools.