Best/Useful Free software

b33r

I suggested in a thread on the freebies board that it might be good to have a list of the best and most useful freeware apps there are on the net (for Windows, although any *nix or mac software could also be added) so here it is.

Sites with many free Apps:
Portable Apps - Portable versions of many free programs which you can run on usb sticks etc.
Mozilla Addons - There are many add ons for Mozilla, here's the place to get them, some recommendations: NoScript, Forecastfox, Web Developer, Adblock Plus, Foxmarks, Pdf Downloader, VideoDownloader)
46 Best ever Freeware Apps - A whole host of freeware apps including descriptions
Freeware Replacements For Common Commercial Apps - Another List of good apps
Free Apps for Macs - Loads of free software for Mac Users
Open Source God - Loads of Open Source Apps


Programs Recommended specifically by MSE Users:
Izarc - A free archive utility
Infranview, XnView, Google Picasa and Paint.net - Image tools
The Gimp - Image editing tool, much like photoshop
Notepad++ - Alternative to notepad
ImgBurn - Media image reader/writer
OpenOffice - Alternative to Microsoft Office
Avg - Anti Virus
WinDirStat - Windows drive space graphical Viewer
Firefox - Internet browser
Opera - Internet browser
Thunderbird - Mail Client
FileZilla - FTP Client
SIW - System Information Tool
CutePDF - PDF Writer/Printer
Audacity - Audio Editer
WINSCP - SFTP, FTP and SCP Client
Media Player Classic - Cut down media player
Truecrypt - Disc encryption software
ZoneAlarm - Firewall
Copernic Desktop Search - Searching system for desktop
Google SketchUp - 3D drawing software, also integrates with GoogleEarty.
dbPowerAmp - Audio Conversion
Essential PIM - Portable contacts manager
Cybershredder - Deletes files safely and completely, portable
FSCapture Screen capture utility

Feel free to post anything you know of and the list will be updated every so often.

It must be free, no shareware or illegal content and must not contain adware or spyware to the best of your knowledge.

If anything use it as a central place to link me/you to all the useful software you need reminding of when setting up a new system

albertross_2

http://portableapps.com/

superscaper

Adzha wrote: »

I think xxxx is best, if you know how to use it legally

Except you're not allowed to mention it on this forum.

Adzha

How come?
If everything else is allowed

superscaper

Adzha wrote: »

How come?
If everything else is allowed

Forum rules, no discussion of p2p at all. It's all explained there.

Adzha

Ok Sorry I'll delete it
I'm still pretty new to this site

superscaper

Adzha wrote: »

Ok Sorry I'll delete it
I'm still pretty new to this site

No worries, I didn't know when I first started posting (TBH who really reads through all the rules before signing up to a forum?). Also nice to see a fellow Blackpool resident posting.

Adzha

superscaper wrote: »

No worries, I didn't know when I first started posting (TBH who really reads through all the rules before signing up to a forum?). Also nice to see a fellow Blackpool resident posting.

:rotfl: Go Blackpool
Your right rules are there not be read, like the small print, T&Cs etc

superscaper

Truecrypt - open source encryption

If you want encryption, you can't any better.

isofa

The current issue of PC Pro (Issue 157, November 2007) has just listed and reviewed the 50 "best" free downloads for software and tools, which may also be interesting.

I'll add my favourite browser plug-ins (FireFox naturally) to improve your browsing experience and make it more secure:

To save me linking to each one individually, they are all available from searches from:

http://addons.mozilla.org

NoScript - essential security to block scripts - the most essential add-on, if you only get one plug-in/add-on it should be this!

Adblock Plus - remove and block annoying adverts
CopyPlainText - anything you copy from a webpage turns into plain text
FireFox Showcase - thumbnail view all your tabbed windows
Flashblock - blocks flash animations, giving you the option when to view
Foxmarks - fantastic bookmarks sync tool, great if you have more than one PC/Mac
PDF Download - gives you the option of what to do when you click a PDF link, rather than always opening in the browser.
VideoDownloader - save videos from YouTube and other sites to files to view later.

All should be cross compatible with PCs and Macs running FireFox, and all are free!

isofa

And to add 6 more freebie applications to b33r's original list:

ZoneAlarm - Excellent free firewall - a must have!
Copernic Desktop Search - fantastic searching system for your desktop and all your files.
Google SketchUp - 3D drawing software from Google, also integrates with GoogleEarty.
Google Picasa - Organise, upload and share photos.
Paint.net - great imaging software
dbPowerAmp - supports and converts most audio formats