Martin's list(s) of (free) stuff
FUN STUFF
FUN STUFF
This is what computers are _really_ for, eh? :) Here is all frivolous stuff that I use (or have used at one time or another) and like. Yes, there are TONS of good things on the Internet but there is lots of crap as well. I have compiled this list to let you benefit from my experience so hopefully you won't have to waste as much time as I have finding the good programs that actually work, are not bundled with loads of spy and adware, cause conflicts with other programs, cause conflicts with Windows, make you swear like a sailor with Turrets, make you stay up all night reinstalling your OS and apps from scratch, etc.
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ESSENTIAL STUFF anti-virus firewall anti-spyware browser zip utilities Adobe Reader software updater WEBMASTER STUFF web hosting HTML editor HTML stuff email hider java scripts code stuff |
USEFUL STUFF web browsers pop-up blocker text editors office suite FTP Telnet SSH RAM PDF creator search search-and-replace RSS reader TinyURL screen capture send large files calculator |
ADMIN/UTILITY STUFF DNS remote control remote reboot remote monitoring atomic clock sync hardware inventory registry backup/undelete service killer security boot disks hard drive cleaner TCP/IP Perl blat VPN file sync browser stuff wireless |
MUSIC [file types] media players internet radio music services MULTI-MEDIA rip encode convert share stream video graphics Flash Shockwave Java DirectX |
GAMES games FUN STUFF IM sounds power user toys bandwidth tests webcam FREE STUFF This is a list of some of the better sites I have found that feature freeware. |
Gaim - Do you use more than one IM client? This program consolidates them all into one. Sure, you do lose some of the 'features' of each individual one but hey, it's very cool.
MSN Messenger - Designed in cooperation with Logitech so that you can easily share your webcam plus loads of new [gag] emoticons and 'features'. Plus, did you know that you can register any email address with MSN Messenger...? Well you can; very nice.
Messenger Plus - Adds TONS of features to Microsoft and MSN Messenger...! Just be careful during the install and read everything so that you knowingly select the sponsored or sponsor-free install.
Yahoo! Messenger - Because not all your friends use Hotmail.
AOL Instant Messenger - Because not all your friends use Hotmail or Yahoo. And you don't have to sign up for AOL to use AIM. And lots of cellular phones come bundled with it.
ICQ - Because not all your friends use... you get the idea.
Google Talk - Need I say more...?
SimpLite by Secway - Encrypt the contents of MSN, Yahoo, ICQ or AIM traffic. This is the best encryption product I have found for instant messaging. And it does not spit out warnings to other users like the one from Zone Labs. NOTE - for traffic to be secure, you AND the person you are IMing need to have this installed and running.
IMsecure - Get it? "I am secure" / "IM secure"...? The folks at Zone Labs are pretty bright. In addition to being adept at marketing, they seem to make a damn fine IM product in addition to their damn fine firewall. This will encrypt the traffic from one IM client. NOTE - again, you and the person you are IMing need to have this running for traffic to be secure.
- SayIt - A cool tool to create computer-generated spoken words from the text you type. Then again, pretty much ANYTHING from AnalogX is cool.
Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP - Loads of extra programs that are not included with Windows; including Tweak UI (Tweak the User Interface). Perfect for the Windows Power User; if you have Windows XP that is. If you have an older version of Windows, the older version of Tweak UI is available here.- Bandwidth tests
ConquerCam - A great webcam utility that will upload images to your web server via FTP or mapped drives.
