The Generic Free Software Thread

Long-Haired Narcissist · 07-16-2007, 12:54 AM

So later this week, I'm getting a laptop, the Dell XPS M1210, and I'm a cheep bastard so I'm wondering what free software would you recommend.

I already know that I'm going to download the essentials like AVG, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, and Paint.net.

Mirai Gen · 07-16-2007, 02:19 AM

If you plan on doing any writing - school or like me, fiction and articles - you NEED Open Office. Nice, free, open source, and it's more friendly than the same thirty versions of Microsoft Word you've put on a million times.

Mozilla Firefox is crucial, but if you swing with Opera I'll understand it too.

And hell, let's throw in a good old Streets of Rage Remake while we're at it?

Nikose Tyris · 07-16-2007, 07:24 AM

Okay let's go down the list here.

www.openoffice.org
www.lavasoft.com (Get the free stuff from there)
www.spybot.com (Get the spyware one to go with the other you won't be sorry)
www.grisoft.com (Antivirus)
www.videolan.org (Media player that plays ALMOST everything)
www.bitcomet.com (Torrent downloader, good one)
7zip.com (File Zipper/unzipper, all formats of zips including .rar's)
I'll edit and add to this list when I get to my own compy.

Dagoth · 07-16-2007, 08:53 AM

Hey! Here's a list of freeware that I use. It's a long one. D;

Web Apps
Awesome fun Tower Defense game.
BayIMG, an excellent image hosting site.
Google Calender Online Calender, you can set your own dates, et cetera
Google Docs/Spreadsheets Online document and spreadsheet making/editing. Can allow for multiple people editing.
Gmail Best email ebar.
Google Reader RSS reader
Meebo Browser IMing, supports several clients
Your Minis An online desktop
Pandora Internet radio
Keepvid Download videos from popular websites, like youtube
Guerrilla Mail Makes a 15 minute email address for you, for quick registering
Tiny Url Allows you to create small links to websites that would require very large links
Internet Archive The archive of the internet, view long dead sites
ASCIIomatic Creates ASCII art from pictures
Ottobib Automatically makes a bibliography page
Zoho Internet powerpoint, basically.

FireFox Extensions
FasterFoxMakes Firefox faster. <_<
FoxMarks Firefox universal bookmarking tool
BlackJapanMAX theme Awesome black theme
Adblock Plus Blocks pop ups and other things you want to block
Forecast Fox Forecast
Gmail Manager
NoScript Helps prevent teh haxx0rz
Download Status Bar Small download bar at the bottom of the browser, instead of a window

Programs
XP Shell Replacements
3D Cube Desktop, similar to Linux.
Audacity Audio Editor.
Hamachi Allows you to create virtual private networks; or lan without a physical cable between the computers
Google Desktop Excellent search function, and several widgets.
Google Earth The virtual globe
Picasa Photo manager
Skype Mainly a calling program, it has both free pc to pc calling and calling pc to phone.
Microsoft Framework 2 Framework for windows, required for some programs
Direct X Direct X 9c, required for many games
Pidgin IM The renamed Gaim, supports multiple chats
Windows Live Messenger
Thunderbird Email client, very handy
Google Pack The google pack, add/remove whatever programs you like.
Infrarecorder Open Source iso maker / recorder
Avast Anti Virus
Open Office Microsoft Office mirror
7 zip Archiving tool
Winrar Opens many different archived formats
Azureus Torrent Downloader
Klipfolio A program that allows you to add / remove different 'klips,' small programs similar to widgets
Paint.net A program similar to Gimp, only looks better and is more functional to those without a lot of experience using it. I prefer it over Gimp.
Radeon x1300 drivers Radeon drivers to myself, though, the link leads to a place where you choose what drivers you need. Ati cards onry.
DvdShrink Allows you to make back up dvds, and shrink the size to fit on discs.
Blender 3D modeling program
Democracy Player Video downloader, aggregater, useful for podcasts.
MusikCube A very lightweight music manager
Nvu A web page maker, similar to DreamWeaver. (I think it's called...)
Scribus Desktop publishing, make professional looking magazine articles (For example) easily.
AdCalls Free phone calls, tell me if you get it. I know how to make it not spam the people you call.
TuneXP Windows tweak to make thing run faster.
VLC Player A lightweight media player, can play multiple formats, even bin/cues right from your pc.
Foxit Reader A PDF file reader, much smaller system usage than Adobe's.
FireFox Web Browser.
Unlocker Allows you to delete files are are currently "in use."
XP Antispy Stops XP from "phoning home." Also good for other privacy stuff.
SpyBot Anti Spyware.
CCCP Codec Pack and Media Player Classic, a light weight media player.
MyUninstaller A uninstaller to replace windows'.
ZoomIt A zooming tool.
Omniformat Allows you to convert a host of images to one type of format.
RegCleaner Cleans your registry.
CCleaner Cleans up PC.
Daemon Tools Lightweight program that runs disk images.
Riva Convert and play flash videos.
iMesh Music, music video download. Lots of free songs, legal.
Steam Valve's video game service.

Arlia Janet · 07-16-2007, 07:36 PM

Ubuntu for security.
OSalt for all your free app needs.

Wine, Crossover office and Cedega are really good gaming solutions for linux.

Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope · 07-16-2007, 07:50 PM

Any Flash Movie program?

Donomni · 07-16-2007, 07:58 PM

Alzip, can open any of those archive formats like .RAR and .ZIP.

Alshow, if it's a movie file, this can play it. Always, without question.

Mirai Gen · 07-17-2007, 02:22 AM

...Okay, so, I think we're done here!

That was fast.

Bob The Mercenary · 07-18-2007, 05:35 PM

I'd also recommend Mihov Image Resizer if you want a quick and simple shrink or enlargement of a picture for use as an avatar or something.

Donomni · 07-20-2007, 02:22 PM

Maybe this should be stickied, there is a buttload of programs in here.

07-16-2007, 02:19 AM	#2
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	If you plan on doing any writing - school or like me, fiction and articles - you NEED Open Office. Nice, free, open source, and it's more friendly than the same thirty versions of Microsoft Word you've put on a million times. Mozilla Firefox is crucial, but if you swing with Opera I'll understand it too. And hell, let's throw in a good old Streets of Rage Remake while we're at it? __________________

07-16-2007, 07:36 PM	#5
Arlia Janet Worrying Myself Gray Join Date: May 2004 Location: Valley of Sunflowers Posts: 1,102	Ubuntu for security. OSalt for all your free app needs. Wine, Crossover office and Cedega are really good gaming solutions for linux. __________________ Fortuna Saga (Complete) Hymns of the Apostate (Complete) My Guest Comics: In A World... Corneria's Kick Ass Newspaper

07-16-2007, 07:50 PM	#6
Daimo Mac, The Blue Light of Hope Definitely NOT a samurai Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Location: Wherever the wind leads me Posts: 5,347	Any Flash Movie program? __________________ Lost in the Music ~ On Hiatus Tales of a Torn World ~ World Building

07-16-2007, 07:58 PM	#7
Donomni Would you deign to supply me food? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 2,004	Alzip, can open any of those archive formats like .RAR and .ZIP. Alshow, if it's a movie file, this can play it. Always, without question. __________________ Dance your cares away! Chirrrrrrp. Also, dead blog.

07-17-2007, 02:22 AM	#8
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	...Okay, so, I think we're done here! That was fast. __________________

07-18-2007, 05:35 PM	#9
Bob The Mercenary Bob Dole Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bob Dole Posts: 5,606	I'd also recommend Mihov Image Resizer if you want a quick and simple shrink or enlargement of a picture for use as an avatar or something. __________________ Bob Dole

07-20-2007, 02:22 PM	#10
Donomni Would you deign to supply me food? Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 2,004	Maybe this should be stickied, there is a buttload of programs in here. __________________ Dance your cares away! Chirrrrrrp. Also, dead blog.