Useful Programs
This is a list of useful programs to serve all purposes. All of these are free and easy to use and of a high quality.
Anti-Spyware
Combat malware and spyware
Get rid of all that junk and spyware and stop those annoyning pop ups (or just get a better browser).
This, coupled with Ad Aware, will enable you to pretty much clean up an infected PC.
An excellent complement to the above from AVG. Couple this with their Anti-Virus suite and you will have good all round protection.
Anti-Virus
Protect your computer from viruses
Perhaps the best free anti virus program there is
Excellent and free for home and non-commercial use.
This also comes highly recommended.
The Windows version of the excellent Clam software available on Linux
Audio
Create and adjust sound files
Everything you would need to edit, play and convert sound files
Backup
Backup all your data and important files
Backup all your important files and data
Browsers
Browse the internet in safety
Probably the best browser around. Fast, powerful and easy to configure and edit. Can be used for email and reading newsgroups too. Sticks to conventions yet has many tricks and useful features.
Another quality browser. Either Opera or Firefox will make your life a lot easier than having to use IE.
Calendars
Organise yourself
An outstanding calendar program
A very good calendar program
Desktop Publishing
Design and print newsletters and more
An excellent desktop publishing package
A good open source DTP program
Send and receive emails
A good quality program. Underneath its simple look is a very powerful email program without any of Outlooks vulnerabilities.
Another quality alternative to Outlook.
A good alternative from the makers of Firefox
Firewall
Protect yourself from harm on the net
Everyone needs a firewall. The free version will stand any single user in good stead and is easy to install and use.
Graphics
Edit, view and create pictures and photos
Can open just about any graphic format on the planet and can even do some simple editing.
A long standing linux program ported over to Windows
This is a modified version of Gimp that replicates the feel of programs like Photoshop
Complements the ither Free Serif programs with 3D work
Very good for mainpulating photos
A very good drawing package
Tux Paint is a free, award-winning drawing program for children ages 3 to 12.
Music
Listen to music and songs
Can play just about any music format and is excellent for storing and managing those piles of mp3 files.
Office
Word process and spreadsheet your way through your work
A complete and fully featured alternative to Microsoft Office.
A very compact version that can easily fit onto a usb key or similar. Packs an incredible amount into such a small space.
Outlook Express Backup
Backup and restore data from Outlook Express
This program will backup and extract everything that you use in Outlook and restore it back again
PDF Creators
Easily produce PDF files
A free alternative to the full version of Adobe Reader.
Video
Play and convert video
Does everything you need in one small, easy to use package
If you need a quality player this is the one. Required for .mov.
Quite bloated but still useful.
Not the leanest of players but can play the latest files.
Viewers
View common filetypes
A must have. Will open and read Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
If you just want to peek at a word .doc but dont have word try this out.
If you just want to peek at a excel .xl? but dont have excel try this out.
Powerpoint 97, 2000 and 2002 Viewer
If you just want to peek at a powerpoint .ppt but dont have powerpoint try this out.
Web Editing
Create your own website
A complete web authoring system to rival the likes of Dreamweaver.
Part of the Serif Free range. Well worth a look for beginners.