Emil J. Wisekal's Suggested Software Titles
"Freshness dated" for your viewing pleasure: 3-April-2005
FREE software:
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since 05-May-1998.
Spend some time away from Microsoft: SUSE Linux
This Open Source operating system can be customized to look like Windows XP. But that is not the best
thing about SUSE Linux. When you install this operating system, included are thousands of applications
- literally - that would cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars if you had to buy them
'a la carte', as you must if you buy Windows.
Mozilla Firefox Browser: The Original Browser
Replace Microsoft Internet Explorer with Mozilla Firefox. This is Netscape in
the plain brown wrapper, without AOL's icons and advertisements. Firefox stops pop-ups by default;
optional 'extensions' (plug-ins) include Weather.com updates, Adblock, bandwidth tester, etc.
Spybot Search and Destroy: Spybot S&D
If you are going to stay in the Windows environment, you ought to download this software and run it
about once a week. You may not need it, but if you visit web sites that install spybot software on your
Windows computer (there are many), it can cripple your computer. Its free and the benefits could be
*priceless*.
Convert CD / WAV to MP3 / OGG: FreeRip
This is a small but very powerful application that will amaze you with its simplicity. Drop your
CD in, and convert it to MP3 or the newer better OGG format. Contains "freedb" for music titles, etc.
Anti-Virus Protection: AVG Anti-Virus Suite
The free version is very good and it is up to #7 (previoulsy only available for $$).
Firewall: ZoneAlarmThis product also stops OUTgoing transmissions, but don't get complacent. If your
computer is invaded by a "worm", it may disguise itself as a trusted program and ZoneAlarm may ask you to allow it to
communicate. So be vigilant - pay attention to ZoneAlarm's messages!
Time Synchronization: Dimension 4Sychronize your computer's clock (to the US Naval Observatory, etc).
Graphics Viewing:
Irfan ViewThe best FREE graphics suite I've ever seen. Small, fast, and powerful.
You may send the author $10.00, if you love it as much as I do.
File Archiving:
WinZip
You may send the author $10.00, if you love it as much as I do.
Even the free version is quick and easy to use.
Reasonably priced software titles:
Sound Editing: Sound Forge Studio 6.0
Easy to learn graphical sound editing. Burn CD or DVD, in all the popular
music formats, including "wav", "mp3" and "ogg". Inexpensive, but a very powerful program.
Text Editing: Ultra-EditRemember how easy it used to be to view and edit files with Norton®?
This is the BEST text editor available, for any price. Version 11 is now available.
Video Editing and Recording: NeroVideo editing and recording is a bit complex, but this
product makes it manageable.
Graphics
Creation/Manipulation: Paint Shop ProLarger and more complex than it needs to be, but still an
excellent choice.