When you get a new computer, the first thing you want to do is delete the venderware that comes with it. The second thing you want to do is load it to the brim with the best software to date. To keep your computer working and your hard drive clear of junk, consider these awesome programs.
Spybot Search and Destroy/Avg Free
These 2 programs are the backbone of my computer security. Each one compliments the other in the sense that one will take care of the malicious software that the other doesn't. First you have Spybot, an easy to use anti-spyware program that has a very useful feature, immunization. Used on both Internet Explorer and Firefox, Immunization stops spyware from entering your computer. Second you have Avg Free, which is a powerful Anti-Virus program that block viruses from entering though downloads or Peer-to-peer traffic. You set AVG free to do full hard drive searches for viruses during times that you are away, asleep or otherwise not at the computer. My only complaint about these 2 programs is that they are memory hogs when they run full searches.
Winamp
Yep, good old winamp. I choose Winamp over many other media players because it can play back a wide selection of media file types, both video and audio. Unfortunately, many people cut it short because they don't realize that Winamp has plug-ins that allow you to run many types you would not expect, such as Real Media (.rm) and Flash Movie (.flv) files.
Firefox
Please for the love of Ra, don't use Explorer. Firefox is a heavily customizable browser that give the power and flexibility needed when doing things like watching streaming media, playing online games or just surfing the web. You can also do some of the strangest things like check the country of the website your on, or color code your tabs. but this is apart of Firefox's unique user base.
Open Office
A good program but I'd only install it if you don't already have Microsoft office already aboard. Open office is a free alternative to the much necessary in the day and age program.
Crimson Editor
A personal choice and it's a bit dated but it's a good replacement for notepad. tabbed for organizing multiple text documents a spell checker for multiple programing languages. It's a great program for those who create web pages from scratch.
FrostWire/BitTorrent
If your into the whole Peer to Peer thing, the FrostWire and BitTorrent combo is for you. FrostWire is a hacked up free version of LimeWire Pro, FrostWire comes with no bundled viruses or spyware. Fairly easy to install, you can use LimeWire to share your favorite (non-copyright) software, games, and more! BitTorrent is the same but for .Torrent files. A word of advice though: You should always seed the files. If you fear the fact that a certain organization (like for instance the RIAA) will come after you, then you already know it's illegal and should never have downloaded the files to begin with. Not seeding is quite inconsiderate and can leave others who wish to have to file, hanging at 5%.
Peer Guardian 2
Good for keeping your Peer to Peer activity and web browsing private from them peering eyes. Blocks the IP addresses of known troublemakers from gaining access to your computer.
IceChat
A Great IRC Chat program for those who know IRC. It's simple to use and has extra features for those who really know what they're doing.
