Best free essential software for a new laptop

[This-is-it 10]

hello:hihi:

 

I have recently bought a new laptop and have installed the following free software....

 

Real player......to watch videos mp3 etc

 

microsoft security......anti virus

 

malwarebyte...... anti malware

 

Mozilla firefox.......for internet

 

Ashampoo........... burning software

 

cleanup!........for cleaning

 

 

have i missed anything?what have you installed on your machine? and what software do you recomend from your experiences?

[segasonic 11]

GIMP - Free alternative to Photoshop.

OpenOffice - Free alternative to Microsoft Office.

CDex - Free CD ripper/convertor.

Audacity - Free audio editor.

Edited March 12, 2010 by segasonic
Addition

[sccsux 10]

Real player......to watch videos mp3 etc

 

You'd be better advised to remove real player and install the K-Lite codec pack (which includes the real player alternative & quick time alternative).

[segasonic 11]

You'd be better advised to remove real player and install the K-Lite codec pack (which includes the real player alternative & quick time alternative).

 

Agreed, Realplayer is an awful bit of software.

 

While we're on the subject of media ...

 

Last.fm - A free tool that keeps a database of everything you listen to (as long as the ID tags are present and correct) and provides free internet radio. It's ace, check the link in my sig.

[This-is-it 10]

do you have link for k- lite codec pack and is it better than real player?

i did have a few problems with real player on my previous laptop which had vista but fingers crossed its been ok on my new laptop which has windows 7

Edited March 12, 2010 by This-is-it

[Greybeard 10]

And a sandbox to tun your browser in. Sanndboxie free version has a nag screen but it's a small price to pay for the protection it gives.

[alchresearch 213]

microsoft security......anti virus

 

Ha ha. Microsoft is one of the most hated companies in the world, with hackers deliberately targeting their OS and web browsers. What makes you think their AV software will be immune and perfect?

[drinkingman 10]

http://www.filehippo.com is your friend for all the best in free software.

[segasonic 11]

Ha ha. Microsoft is one of the most hated companies in the world, with hackers deliberately targeting their OS and web browsers. What makes you think their AV software will be immune and perfect?

 

I must've missed the bit where anyone said immune and perfect.

 

I gave it a try when it launched and had it on ever since. Seems decent enough.

[This-is-it 10]

You'd be better advised to remove real player and install the K-Lite codec pack (which includes the real player alternative & quick time alternative).

 

were is the best place to download from does anybody know a link?

and do people agree that real player is rubbish?because im thinking about removing it:confused:

[gillybear 10]

Thunderbird fro E-mail - http://en-gb.www.mozillamessaging.com/en-GB/thunderbird/

 

MozBackup - To backup all your Firefox and Thunderbird Settings, Bookmarks, E-mails, Passwords etc... - http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/

 

Google Earth - http://earth.google.co.uk/

 

Superantispyware - for extra protection - http://www.superantispyware.com/

 

Adobe Reader (a necessary evil) - http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/

 

Defraggler - To defrag that hard drive - http://www.piriform.com/defraggler

 

VideoLAN for video playback - http://www.videolan.org/

[Ghozer 112]

Personally i'd avoid real player AND K-Lite, and just use GomPlayer - no need to install any codec packs..

 

also, i'd avoid microsoft security, its not very good at what its (meant) to do..