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Top 10 Software Titles Every Home PC Needs?

Posted by Cliff on from the stuff-to-talk-about dept.

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?"

11 of 936 comments (clear)

  1. If you are too cheap for an AV program.... by jawtheshark · · Score: 5, Informative

    For a free Antivirus software go for AVG Anti-Virus. Free for non-commercial, non-networked use. It's what I install on people's machines when they are low on cash, and want to continue running Windows.

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    Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
    1. Re:If you are too cheap for an AV program.... by cK-Gunslinger · · Score: 5, Informative

      I will second this comment, as I like AVG.

      I keep a CD of free Windows software for people (helpful when I build them a new PC.)

      AVG Anti-Virus (AV)
      OpenOffice (Office)
      Firebird (Browser)
      Thunderbird (email)
      AdAware (Spyware seek-n-destroy)
      Winamp (Multimedia)
      3DMark (benchmarking)
      some game demos
      etc...

    2. Re:If you are too cheap for an AV program.... by blibbleblobble · · Score: 5, Informative

      "I keep a CD of free Windows software for people (helpful when I build them a new PC.)"

      A good version of this is The OpenCD for people who want ideas, or to check your own "useful programs" CD against what other people are using.

      (disclaimer: one of my programs was on the suggestions list for theopencd)

  2. Kazaa Lite by delphin42 · · Score: 5, Funny

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

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    -- Adam
  3. Windows XP by inertia187 · · Score: 5, Funny

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

    --
    A programmer is a machine for converting coffee into code.
  4. Top ten Windows apps to install. by EggMan2000 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is my top ten list (in no particular order) for Windows. I'll let everyone argue about the Linux tools.
    CygWin the Linux-like environment for Windows.
    Mozilla naturally.... Use this for mail, news, and browsing if you like.
    WS FTP Light a FREE, FTP client that works great.
    PuTTY a free SSH client for Windows.
    VNC remote controll software, NOTE: the location is no longer on the ATT Labs UK site.
    GNU-EMacs for Windows. I usually install it, but use Vi more.
    Dev-C++ a free C++ compiler. I use VC++ 6.0, but this is free, and I think it's pretty good.
    NetHack You MUST have NetHack installed on everything...
    Free-AV free Anti-Virus software for Windows.
    Boingo to see where the closest hotspot is. (free) you don't need the service.

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    what? what I thought we were in the trust tree in the nest, were we not?
    1. Re:Top ten Windows apps to install. by rizzo420 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      note he said winamp 2.x, not 3. winamp 3 is a resource hog and sucks ass. i'm currently trying to find something better for all my media needs. any suggestions? i don't want to use media player for anything other than windows media stuff.

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      please me, have no regrets.
    2. Re:Top ten Windows apps to install. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

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

      exactly my feelings. people in my family use vi.

  5. Quicken or equivalent by mccalli · · Score: 5, Informative
    I came out of University ten years ago, got a job and wondered why I was still broke at the end of every month. I finally bought a spanking new 486 as development/Doom machine, and decided that for that amount of money I'd better try to do something useful with it too.

    Quicken.

    Now, I have no real experience with alternatives so this is a rant about using financial software in general, not Quicken in particular. However, the use I've got out of that piece of software is astounding. The information it gives you for planning is just priceless. You always know where you are, roughly what to expect, can play with what-if's to check how your situation might change...it's excellent.

    Get a home finance package, and get into the habit of using it about once a week. I guarantee you won't regret it.

    Cheers,
    Ian

  6. Pricelessware by cybermace5 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Go to the Pricelessware site maintained by the alt.comp.freeware Usenet group. On the group, they post and evalute freeware, and the winners make it on to the pricelessware list. Nagware, adware and shareware are frowned upon; the vast majority of the programs listed are no-strings freeware.

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    ...
  7. Re:Some windoze essentials by millahtime · · Score: 5, Informative

    Don't install Zone Alarm. It can cause your internet connection to stop working and is a pain to fix. There are several documented issues with it and to fix it is a total pain. They used to have some of these issues and fixes documented at their site but pulled them. One of their reps told me that the only fix for one of the problems was a reformat and reinstall of the OS because they were never able to trace the problem.

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    Evolution or ID?