Bookmarks
Bookmarks for programs I use and recommend using.
Skype – VoIP (Internet Calling) (download)
Call to others for free, exceptional quality on the sound, and extremely easy to set up. Personally I had troubles with the sound, but that’s my own damned fault for not turning off certain idiotic sound settings on my own computer.
Register with your email, get a nick, and you’re off to a flying start.
Teamviewer – Remote Assistance (download)
If you need help with something and you can’t figure out what the idiot on the other end is saying, this software’s pretty handy because it allows him to co-control your computer with you while you’re watching. Simple as hell. Download, run, and the explanations there should be pretty straightforward. There’s the odd bug here and there, but overall this program’s so easy to use, and so damned handy I wonder at times why it’s not just default with Windows. Which it is in another form, just alot more tricky to use.
Also works for Macs
IRC – Chat/File Transfer (download)
Might seem to some like another MSN. Why get this if you already have MSN? Because IRC is chatting in channels with access to several thousand channels with even more people at once. Contains several options for transferring files and messages, this one’s handy to atleast know about. There’s a help-channel available for everything there. You need to open ports in your router/firewall for it to work properly, among them are the most important 6667 and 1024-10** (depending on amount of concurrent transfers).
Opera supports IRC as well, albeit a less powerful client it does the basics, and requires little to no hassle to get to work.
FTP – Best File Transfer Method (download)
Requires an open port, usually 21, and you’re normally set to go. Point it to the server, input name and password – enjoy. Sometimes you don’t even have to touch port 21.
FTP Server – Best File Serving Method (download)
Not as easy as the previous one, but definately not hard. Filezilla’s uncomplicated. Set up a user, set up a folder, start sharing through port 21. I’m telling you right now, sharing through ‘ftp://login:password@address/filename.filetype’ is far easier than trying to send stuff through MSN since it’s a direct send with little to no middle medium. Sometimes you don’t even have to touch port 21.
Digsby – Like MSN, just better (download)
Supports a plethora of protocols and social networks. From MSN to Facebook. Neat and tidy program, very customizable.
Greenshot – Screenshot Tool (download)
Save a screenshot or a part of the screen to a file within a second. Apply text and shapes to the screenshot. Offers capture of window, region or full screenshot. Supports several image formats. Brilliant program.
CCleaner – A Crap Cleaner (download)
Scans your machine for unnecessary clutter and crap, then gives you the option to remove it. Also scans your registry for inconsistencies, and then gives you the option to remove it. Amazing tool for an efficient machine.
K-Lite Codec Pack – For Media Playing (download)
You know those moments when your movie refuses to run, and you’re about to shoot someone in frustration? Then here’s probably your solution, a solid collection of uncluttered codecs in a professional package. Has been a solid package of codecs for as long as I’ve been using it. Use it with Quick Time Alternative for better streaming of quick time videos (same site).
Best used with Media Player Classic – Included in the package
Also, simple installation, no hassle, generally direct play – VideoLAN Codec Player
Notepad++ – Powerful Text-Editing Tool (download)
Shit, where to begin? Open Source. Can edit anything. Has tons of awesome plugins. Has tons of awesome options. Supports all kinds of programming languages. The list goes on!
7-Zip – File Compression (Like WinZip, just better) (download)
Powerful and free Open Source compression program in the same vein as WinRAR (.rar) and WinZip (.zip). One of the first things I install on a new machine.
LavaSoft Ad-Aware – Anti Spyware (download)
There could be better alternatives for doing these jobs, but this one’s what I’ve been using for a long time, and I’m not dissatisfied with it.
Spybot – Search & Destroy (download)
For more anti-evil goodness. Immunizes your computer for you as well.
DAEMON Tools – CD/DVD Emulation Software (download)
Emulates CD/DVD’s so that you can use digital copies of a game or a program instead of the physical medium. Saves you alot of scratching of the buggers. Very important program.
Best used with
torrent-sites
uTorrent – … bittorrent! (download)
Most used protocol on the internet. Can be a hassle to set up, but in the end it’s highly rewarding.
Opera supports BitTorrent downloads as well, although not as robust.
ComicRack (download)
ComicRack is the most feature rich of them. Library-management and tons of options. A bit clunky and slow though.
Best used with awesome sites like StopTazmo.com (the fastest, but less organized) and MangaTraders.com (the slowest, but the best organized) – both which requires registration that takes you 2 minutes of your time, and will save you hours and hours in the future.
Opera Browser – Fastest Browser (download)
My favoured browser. Has craptonnes of functions, and can be customized to a minimum interface, Opera Link, a million shortcuts, and is generally just the best there is.
Opera Mini – Best Phone/PocketPC Browser (download)
Contacts Opera’s servers for websites, which then compresses the websites to 30% of what they were (maybe less), saving you lots of downloading time and money. Beautiful stuff.
Firefox – The other awesome browser (download)
A solid and good browser, vastly more popular than Opera due to it’s Open Source and plugins – which are endless.
By order of preference I use Opera, Chrome, Firefox.
GIMP – Image Manipulation (Photoshop Stuff) (download)
Free and Open Source alternative to Photoshop. Fill my needs splendidly, so why spend a buttload of cash, or torrent-time, on something more expensive that’s way beyond my needs and scope?
Picasa 3 – Picture Organizer (download)
A simple and useful picture organizer that has an inbuilt scanner looking for new pictures where you want it to look. Also allows you to do edits to your pictures. Not a particularly powerful editor, but it covers the simple needs. Highly recommended if your picture-library is getting messy.
In the third version they’ve added a Picture Viewer that works like an awesome version of the default Picture and Fax Viewer.
Launchy – Quick access to files and folders (download)
Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks that aren’t a part of the Start Menu with just a few keystrokes!
openoffice – Free Microsoft Office Replacement (download)
Like Microsoft Office, but FREE. Might lack some things that Office has. Chances are high you won’t need those things.