CreateSynchronicity -
Backup and synchronizing utility. Makes incremental backups of changed files, folder or drives. Easy to use, works very well. Another winner from the folks over at sourceforge.
Gimpshop - Like Photoshop but FREE. This excellent program has everything that the average user would need. Might not be enough for the pros though.
OpenOffice - Like Microsoft Office but FREE. For the average user this should do all you want. No need to spend big bucks on an office suite.
Sandboxie - Protects your computer by creating a "sandbox" for you browser. If you got to a website that has been hacked and malicious script has been embedded in the code, this program will prevent the malware from being written onto your drive. This is a real ass-saver because that is how most bad code make it's way onto computers these days. Don't surf without it ! (free version has a few second wait time when it first loads)
Rocketdock - A cool little app that adds a Mac style menu to your desktop. I really like it !
Malwarebytes - An excellent anti-malware application that's really helped me out in the past. In my mind, this program -
SuperAntiSpyware - (which, like Malwarebytes, also finds problems hiding in your RAM) and
AVGFree - are essential pieces of software. This free and highly recommended virus protection software
is better than Norton or McAfee and costs NOTHING. You can't go
wrong with this software, I've been using it for years. If you
are replacing Norton anti-virus [which I highly recommend] download
and run the Norton Removal Tool before installing AVG or Norton will continue to screw things
up even after its uninstalled !!
SpywareBlaster - From JavaCool is a must-have. Inoculate your browser against
hijackers, spyware etc. This app has saved my ass many times and
does NOT run in the background. Just update it regularly and it's
Good-To-Go.
HijackThis - From Trend Micro will tell you what's gotten into your browser
just in case SpywareBlaster was updated too late ;^)
Filezilla - My FTP client. From the makers of Firefox. Easy to learn and use. My kind of software eh. Works like the others only better - & free.
CSDiff
- From Component Software. This free and extra handy program will
tell you the difference between 2 files ... and if you work on
the computer much, I don't have to tell you how handy that could
be !
DuplicateCleaner - Finds duplicate files on your computer and lets you choose what to do with them. User friendly.
PropertiesPlus
- Adds "propertiesplus" [right under "properties"]
to the right click menu for quick manipulation of hidden file extensions
etc.
FileMenuTools - If your right-click menu just isn't up to snuff, you might like this little piece of freeware. It's full of customizable options. So much so that I use the full version.
TweakUI
- A Microsoft PowerToy, can be VERY useful If you're looking
to tweak your system, check this beauty out before you buy something.
Some of the other apps on the powertoys page could also come in
handy [like the color control panel applet] but I find TweakUI
essential.
Remember tweaking your system can be very harmful if you don't
know what you're doing so be careful and make sure you have a
good & recent backup.
jv16 PowerTools - The free versions can be found at oldversion.com
[click the link] Download version 1.3 and you're good. This
one's for power users only, you noobs will probably kill your
system with this. But hey, if you have a good backup, like mentioned
above, go for it !
Windowse
- From Greatis Software is another power user tool that will tell
you more than you ever wanted to know about any window.
WhoLockMe
- Is a handy little extension that adds "wholockme"
to the right click menu so you can see what programs are locking
a file in case it won't delete or there's some other hang up.
QuickTimeAlternative - Codecs that allow the playing of Quicktime movies
in windows media player 6.4 or later so you don't have to install
QuickTime on your PC.
RealAlternative - Codecs that allow the playing of Real Media
movies in windows media player 6.4 or later so you don't have
to install RealPlayer on your PC. |