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Computer programs for free
Put the Finishing Touches on Your Fresh Build of Windows XP
The hard drive received a full format, Windows XP has finished installing, and now it's time to decide what to install next. Whatever you do, don't allow that PC to touch the Internet before finishing it off with the most important updates and applications.
Gather and Burn
Before you rebuild any PC, gather the latest (non-beta) drivers for your PC's hardware and burn them to CD. The most important driver (and the very first thing you should install) is the motherboard's chipset driver. Other important files to gather ahead of time include the drivers for the network
adapter(s), sound card, and video card.
Besides drivers, there are several updates and applications I consider "must-have" items for a rebuild CD.
1. Windows XP Service Pack 2: Speed up the process of installing this massive update by doing it locally.
2. SpywareBlaster: An excellent
spyware-prevention tool. SpywareBlaster does not repair/remove anything. Instead, it configures popular browsers so that
spyware/malware can't install in the first place. Compatible with IE, Mozilla, and
Firefox, this application is among the very first things I install on a clean PC.
3. AVG Free Edition: Good and free antivirus software that offers automatic updates and integrates into Outlook and Outlook Express.
Another Alternative is Antivir XP : http://www.free-av.com
4. Firefox: A great alternative browser, and it's less hacked/attacked than Internet Explorer.
I USE THIS ONE ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5. Trillian: The ultimate all-in-one instant
messenger/IRC client.
I use Gaim: http://gaim.sourceforge.net/downloads.php
And the rest (in no particular order):
6. Winamp 5: The granddaddy of multimedia players offers thousands of streaming audio channels, great visualizations, and a good media manager.
7. OpenOffice: Why pirate MS's pricy office suite when you can enjoy the same functionality for free!
8. Spybot Search & Destroy and
Ad-Aware SE Personal: Got
spyware? If you need to rid your PC of unwanted guests, these two tools are considered the best.
9. GIMP for Windows: Why pirate Photoshop...
10. ZoneAlarm: A great software firewall program. If you feel SP2's firewall isn't good enough, give the Zone Labs folks a try.
Other programs I use often can be found here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
They are very useful to remove hijacks, pop ups, etc.
Also http://sourceforge.net/
is the world's largest
Open Source software development website,
with the largest repository of Open Source code and applications available on the Internet. SourceForge.net provides free services to Open Source developers.
Free Alternatives to Big-Bucks Apps
Not all of us can afford to buy important apps with hefty price tags even if the rest of the world can. So why not try the least expensive alternatives – free ones? Sure, they may not be as stable, and they may be prevalent like those “name” programs, but hey – they’re FREE. Here are Kevin’s favorite shareware/open-source alternatives to the big boys:
Adobe Photoshop – Alternative: The GIMP – http://gimp.org/
MS Office – Alternative: ABI WORD – http://www.openoffice.org
Adobe Illustrator – Alternative: KARBON14 – http://koffice.org/
WinZip – http://sourceforge.net/projects/sevenzip/
Norton AntiVirus – Alternative: AVG – http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
New programs which are in testing phase from microsoft (FREE for now)
-You need an ORIGINAL OPERATING SYSTEM FROM MICROSOFT and this is test
software if you are not comfortable with testing then do not install it
- Antispyware
- Antivirus
and backup
I INSTALLED BOTH AND HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS here is an explanation from
Microsoft:
- This is pre-release (beta) software distributed for feedback and testing
purposes. Microsoft does not provide technical support for beta releases .
If Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is causing an issue with your system, we
recommend removing it by using Add or Remove Programs and even using System
Restore if the problem persists.
IF you are looking for a specific application e-mail me, I might be able to
direct you to some that I know which are not here webmaster@countryoaksah.com
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