|
Computer Essentials are tools that you should have
installed on your computer in any situation. If you already have another
type or brand of one of the tools then you don't have to install them.
(For example you should have a Virus scanner then don't install the
antivirus program listed below.) (Note some of these programs are also
in the other categories listed below.) |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Adobe Acrobat Reader |
8.x |
01/03/07 |
08/25/07 |
|
This program will allow you to view PDF files from the
internet or other programs. This is a Standard Type of document for
sharing information on the internet.
When you get ready to download it
make sure you uncheck the yahoo toolbar. You
can also uncheck the Adobe starter album edition if you don't need a
picture manager. By un-checking the above two things you can make your
download time shorter. |
|
|
Antivir Personal Edition Classic |
7.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is a excellent Free Antivirus program for
private, non-commercial use. (Home Users)
|
|
|
AVG Anti-Spyware (Formerly Ewido) |
7.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is one of the best anti-spyware
/ anti-malware programs available.
This program
has a 14 day trial period that includes all of the features. After the
14 Day trial the program still works as the Free version but, you lose the automatic updates
and the real-time protection. However, you can still do manual updates
and still scan your computer as well. |
|
|
Zone Alarm Free Firewall |
6.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
This firewall is one of the best free firewall's on
the net.
This is a Basic firewall that also has a upgrade to a paid version if
you would like. ZoneAlarm's Firewall does a good job at keeping out
intruders and keeping hackers at bay. (click I only want the basic Zone
Alarm Protection.) |
|
|
IE7 Pro Browser
add-on |
1.x |
08/25/07 |
|
|
IE7Pro is a must have add-on for Internet Explorer, which includes a lot
of features and tweaks to make your IE friendlier, more useful, secure
and customizable. IE7Pro includes Tabbed
Browsing Management, Spell Check, Inline Search, Super Drag Drop, Crash
Recovery, Proxy Switcher, Mouse Gesture, Tab History Browser, Web
Accelerator, User Agent Switcher, Webpage Capturer, AD Blocker, Flash
Block, Greasemonkey like User Scripts platform, User Plug-ins and many
more power packed features. You can customize not just Internet
Explorer, but even your favorite website according to your need and
taste using IE7Pro. (for IE 7 Only) |
|
|
CCleaner |
1.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| CCleaner is a program for
removing temporary files and repairing problems with the registry.
It is
suggested that you download either the Basic or Slim version. This program
is 100% Free. (The Standard version comes with the yahoo toolbar which is
not needed. The less junk the better.) |
|
|
Antivirus software is a must if you use the internet
or transfer files between computers. Listed below are some free
antivirus programs and most of them you can upgrade to a paid version a
gain more features if you world like. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Antivir Personal Edition Classic |
7.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This Antivirus program is for
private, non-commercial use. (Home Users)
|
|
|
Avast Antivirus Home Edition |
4.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This Antivirus program is for
private, non-commercial use. (Home Users)
|
|
|
AVG Free Antivirus |
7.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This Antivirus program is for
private, non-commercial use. (Home Users)
|
|
|
Bitdefender Free Version |
10.x |
01/03/07 |
08/25/07 |
| This Antivirus program is for
private, non-commercial use. It also is one of the
number one rated virus programs on the market. The free version does not
include a real time scanner. So you can use this to scan a computer
manually.
|
|
|
Spyware / Malware protection is also a must if you
use the internet at all. There are to many websites out there today that
want to take your personal information or make unnecessary amounts of
popup ad's appear on your computer and even some of the Spyware can send
files and information from your computer to other unknown hackers. The
programs listed below are free versions and most of them have a paid
version which adds more features. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
AVG Anti-Spyware (Formerly Ewido) |
7.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is one of the best anti-spyware
/ anti-malware programs available.
This program
has a 14 day trial period that includes all of the features. After the
14 Day trial the program still works as the Free version but, you lose the automatic updates
and the real-time protection. However, you can still do manual updates
and still scan your computer as well. |
|
|
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition |
2007 |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
This is a popular free anti-spyware scanner.
This program is one of the original spyware scanners available on the net.
Ad-Aware does a great job at removing most spyware. The Personal
Edition is free and you have to do manual updates and manual
scans. |
|
|
Spybot S&D |
1.4 |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is another popular
anti-spyware program. This program is free and does a great job
at removing spyware form your computer. This program requires manual
updates and manual scans. |
|
|
Microsoft's Windows Defender
|
1593 |
11/03/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
This is a anti-spyware program from Microsoft. If you
have XP then you can download this program for free (Windows 2000 and
below is no longer supported). This program is good at detecting spyware
and it offers real-time protection. |
|
|
Firewalls are programs (in this case) that protect
you from intruders and other threats on the internet. If you use the
internet at all it is a good idea to have some form of a
firewall. Windows XP has a built-in firewall however, it is limited in
some ways. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Kerio Personal Firewall |
4.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This firewall is good firewall and
it is
fully functional for 30 days. After the 30 days you can continue to use
the program however it becomes more limited. Kerio's Personal Firewall
does a good job at keeping out intruders and keeping hackers at bay. |
|
|
Zone Alarm Free Firewall |
6.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
This firewall is one of the best free firewall's on
the net.
This is a Basic firewall that also has a upgrade to a paid version if
you would like. ZoneAlarm's Firewall does a good job at keeping out
intruders and keeping hackers at bay. (click I only want the basic Zone
Alarm Protection.) |
|
|
Cleanup Utilities help eliminate the temporary files
and junk files that accumulate on your computer. Also some of these
utilities can fix registry problems. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
CCleaner |
1.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| CCleaner is a program for
removing temporary files and repairing problems with the registry.
It is
suggested that you download either the Basic or Slim version. This program
is 100% Free. (The Standard version comes with the yahoo toolbar which is
not needed. The less junk the better.) |
|
|
EasyCleaner |
2.0 |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
EasyCleaner is a good utility for performing various
cleanup jobs. It cleans the registry and junk files. |
|
|
You don't have to be stuck using Internet
Explorer for surfing the internet. You have many other choices for
your internet browser. Some of the other browsers have features
that you can not get from Internet explorer. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
MaxThon
Browser |
2.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
MaxThon is also a really nice browser that is free.
This browser has tabbed browsing and also does a great job with popup
blocking. This browser has really good compatibility with Internet
Explorer Plug-ins. |
|
|
Firefox |
2.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Firefox is one of the most popular alternative web
browsers out today. This browser also has tabbed browsing. This browser
is a stand alone browser and does not use internet explorer for
anything. |
|
|
Opera |
9.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Opera is a really nice browser as well. It has tabbed
browsing and many other features. They have several options for free as
well as paid versions. |
|
|
IE7 Pro Browser
add-on |
1.x |
08/25/07 |
|
|
IE7Pro is a must have add-on for Internet Explorer, which includes a lot
of features and tweaks to make your IE friendlier, more useful, secure
and customizable. IE7Pro includes Tabbed
Browsing Management, Spell Check, Inline Search, Super Drag Drop, Crash
Recovery, Proxy Switcher, Mouse Gesture, Tab History Browser, Web
Accelerator, User Agent Switcher, Webpage Capturer, AD Blocker, Flash
Block, Greasemonkey like User Scripts platform, User Plug-ins and many
more power packed features. You can customize not just Internet
Explorer, but even your favorite website according to your need and
taste using IE7Pro. |
|
|
RoboForm
add-on |
6.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
RoboForm has a free and paid version. This
program has some really nice features. RoboForm can store
password and auto log you in on websites, It can remember what
you typed in previous forms and auto fill them. It can also
generate passwords for you. |
|
|
You don't have to be stuck using Outlook or Outlook
express for e-mail; you have alternatives. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Thunderbird |
2.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Thunderbird is a e-mail
client that has a lot of nice features that outlook doesn't have. |
|
|
Eudora |
7.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Eudora is another email client program with some
really nice features, like boss watch and super fast searches. There is
a paid and free version available. |
|
|
Calendar programs make it nice to have everything
right on your desktop. Many of them sync with Outlook and have To Do
list. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Rainlendar |
2.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Rainlendar is a n excellent calendar
that shows on your desktop. You can display as many months as you would
like at once. It will also sync with Outlook to popup notifications
about appointments. |
|
|
You don't have to be stuck switching between
different instant messaging programs. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Trillian |
3.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Trillian is an all-in-one instant
messenger program. This program allows you to connect to AIM, Yahoo,
MSN, and ICQ messengers all from one program. All of your buddies show
up in one window. |
|
|
Pidgin (Formally
GAIM) |
2.x |
08/25/07 |
|
| Pidgin is an all-in-one instant
messenger program. You can talk to your friends using AIM, ICQ, Jabber/XMPP,
MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, Bonjour, Gadu-Gadu, IRC, Novell GroupWise
Messenger, QQ, Lotus Sametime, SILC, SIMPLE, and Zephyr. This is one of
the most popular all-in-one IM programs. |
|
|
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. Which is a way
to transfer files over the internet to FTP servers. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Core FTP |
2.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Core FTP is a feature packed FTP client
and best of all its free. |
|
|
The following Office Suites are alternatives to
Microsoft Office. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
OpenOffice.org
(Microsoft Office Replacement) |
2.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| OpenOffice.org is an office
suite that is open source software, meaning that anyone can download it
and use it for free. Many companies have switched from Microsoft
Office to OpenOffice.org because of the cost and ownership of Microsoft
Office. OpenOffice.org can save and open Microsoft Office documents and
it is compatible with many of the other office suites on the market today. OpenOffice.org is almost identical looking and also functions
in alot of
the same ways as Microsoft Office. So give it a try and don't waste your
money on the other guys software. This is especially great if your are a
High School or College student. |
|
|
PDF Converters allow you to make your own PDF files
from virtually and program you can print from. PDF stands for Portable
Document Format which a lot of people use Adobe Acrobat Reader to view,
but now you can create your own PDF's for Free. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Primo PDF |
3.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Primo PDF can create PDF's from any
program that you can print from. It makes it really nice for sending
your Resume or sharing Documents with other people. It works by adding
another virtual printer to your computer so all you have to do is click
file then print and chose Primo PDF and click OK, then choose where to save
the file and your done. And best of all its Free. |
|
|
CD/DVD Burning Software is software that is needed to
make CD/DVD's. Without some sort of Burning software you can not make
CD/DVD's |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
CDBurnerXP Pro |
3.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| CDBurnerXP Pro is a nice CD/DVD
Burning program, and best of all its Free. It has a streamlined
interface and is really easy to use. Version 4 will be out soon and it
will support Vista. |
|
|
Deep
Burner Free |
1.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Deep Burner Free Edition is a nice burning program
with a nice interface. The Free edition has less features than the paid
version though. However, its still a really nice program. |
|
|
DVD Shrink
(official website) |
3.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
DVD Shrink is a program designed to make
copies of Movie DVD's. Of course this is for backup purposes
only. This program does a really nice job of coping Movies. |
|
|
Compression Programs are programs designed to take
one or more files and compress them to a smaller file size. Note: it is
usually a good practice to compress a file before emailing it. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
ZipGenius |
6.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| ZipGenius is a free
software that can compress files in several different formats,
It is designed to run under any version of Windows. It is
absolutely free,
and it supports over 20 compression formats. (It also supports Vista) |
|
|
Quickzip.org
(Official Website) |
4.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Quickzip.org is a free software that
can compress files in several diffrent formats . It is designed to
run under any version of Windows. It is
absolutely free, and it
supports over 22 compression formats and it can read 44 types of
compressed files. |
|
|
WinZip
|
11.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
WinZip is one of the most popular zip
programs on the market. It has a free trial and will continue to
let you use it but, it has nag screens after the 30 trial. |
|
|
This is a list of different programs designed for
images and photographers. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
FastStone Photo
Resizer |
2.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| FastStone Photo Resizer is a program
designed to resize digital photos and convert from one file format to
another. This programs has batch features that are really nice for
converting many folders of images at one time. |
|
|
FastStone Image
Viewer |
3.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
FastStone Image viewer is a program that is a Viewer,
Converter, and Editor all in one. It contains the FastStone Resizer
built into this program. |
|
|
GIMP
(Official Website) |
2.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Gimp is a free graphics editor program similar to
Adobe Photoshop however, it is free and open source software |
|
|
FastStone Capture
(Screen Capture) |
25x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This program allows you to take a screen shot of
any window on your desktop. |
|
|
|
Picasa |
2.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is a really good program to find, edit and
share photos on your computer. |
|
|
This is a list of different programs to be used in
conjunction with wireless devices. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
NetStumbler |
0.4.0 |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This program is used to find
hotspots or just to scope out your neighborhood. With a GPS unit you can
pinpoint the source of the wireless router. It is still a nice program
without the GPS unit. |
|
|
These programs will help to optimize you internet
connection. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Cable Nut |
4.08 |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| This is a good program for
optimizing your internet connection. It works really well and especially
on the dial-up connections. I also suggest you download the add-on
package. |
|
|
The following programs are file sharing programs that
you can download and install and share files on the internet or download
shared files from other people on the internet. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Shareaza |
2.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Shareaza is a file sharing program
that
is easy to use. It uses
the Gnutella, Gnutella2, Edonkey 2000, and BitTorrent Networks. |
|
|
BitTorrent |
5.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
BitTorrent is a file sharing program that is also
easy to use. You have to find the seeds to download files. |
|
|
These are various audio programs to play, rip or edit
music and audio. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Audiograbber |
1.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Audiograbber copies music from CDs or
external sources such as radios, cassettes, or turntables. The music is
saved on your hard disk as WAV, MP3, WMA, or OGG files. Audiograbber has
all the common features of CD-ripper programs, such as normalizing,
encoding of external files, track-name downloading and uploading from
and to FreeDB, and support for ID3 tags and CD Text. |
|
|
Winamp |
5.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Winamp is a media player for various types of
audio files. It will also rip files to MP3's and has a ton of features
for playing audio files and streaming radio. |
|
|
Audacity |
1.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Audacity is free, open source software for recording
and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows,
GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can Record live audio,
Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs, Edit Ogg
Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files, Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds
together, Change the speed or pitch of a recording And more!
|
|
|
Music Match Jukebox Free Edition |
10.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Listen to CDs, MP3s, WMAs, WAV files and more.
View album art and access artist, album and song information
while listening. Also you create play lists with ease. Music
Match also has many other features like ripping music, Burning
CD's, Auto DJ and Music Manager. |
|
|
|
The following programs are used for distributive computing. By
allowing your computer to be used while it is in idle you can help fight
Cancer, AIDS, or even search for other forms of intelligent life. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Grid.org |
3.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
| Grid.org is a worldwide gird of
computers made up of volunteers. The volunteers allow a program to run
on their computers while their computer is in idle. This allows your
computer to process information when it would normally be sitting there
doing nothing. By volunteering you can help fight cancer, AIDS, and many
other health related things. Basically they use millions of volunteers
computers worldwide to process information to help scientist find cures
for various diseases. |
|
|
World Community Grid.org |
5.x |
07/26/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
World Community Grid is the same thing as Grid.org
but it is a new comer to the world of distributed computing. It is still
powered by United Devices, the same as Grid.org but, IBM sponsors and
helps donate servers to handles these projects with the volunteers help. |
|
|
Seti@home |
5.x |
05/23/06 |
08/25/07 |
|
Seti@Home again is powered by United
Devices and is a different type of projects. These projects process
information from the worlds largest radio telescope to search for live
through space. In hopes of processing the radio signals they are trying
to find another form of intelligent life. |
|
|
Relax and have some fun download and play some free
games. |
| Description |
Version |
Date Added |
Updated |
|
Create A Ride |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is a Game where you can Create your own car with
custom everything and do different things with it like race and more.
This is a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
Donkey Kong |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is the original arcade game Donkey Kong. This is a Flash game you play online. |
|
|
Drift Battle |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This game lets you race and Drift like the
Japanese sport of drifting. This is a Flash game that you play
online. |
|
|
|
Galactic Warrior |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is kind of like one of the old space arcade
games. This is a Flash Game that you play online. |
|
|
Horse Racing |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
In this game you have to race the computer and jump
obstacles to win. This is a Flash game you play online. |
|
|
Matrix Fighter |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| You are NEO in this game battling some of the
evil robots and other evil things. This is a Flash Game that you
play online. |
|
|
|
MegaMan X |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| This is a classic MegaMan Game and I must say
its pretty awesome. This is a Flash game you play online. |
|
|
Mine Sweeper |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is everyone's favorite pastime game Mine
Sweeper. This is a flash game that you play online |
|
|
Munch Man (PAC MAN) |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is a clone of the original Pac Man Games. This
is a flash game that you play online. |
|
|
Murloc RPG |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| This is a RPG game with some interesting
characters. This is a Flash Game that you play online. |
|
|
|
Pong |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
Atari's Classic Game Pong this is a one or two
player game. This is a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
Pro Skater |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is a Skater Game that lets you skate
on ramps. This is a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
Sonic the Hedgehog |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is a fun game like the classic Sega Sonic
the Hedgehog Games. You can play as Sonic, Knuckles, Tails and Cream.
This is a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
Street Fighter |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| This is one level of the classic Street Fighter
Game. This is a Flash Game that you play online. |
|
|
|
Sudoku |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| This is the very addicting puzzle game Sudoku.
This is a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
|
Tetris |
|
05/23/06 |
|
| This is the classic Tetris game. This is a Flash
game that you play online. |
|
|
Zelda |
|
05/23/06 |
|
|
This is a few levels of a created Zelda game. This is
a Flash game that you play online. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
