Mozilla's browser is quicker than Firefox. The con is that it's not as customizable as firefox. Most apps are garbage if you own a slower computer. Adeelsiddiqui's list works pretty well if you do. If users still get slowdown playing their videos, try VLC player version 7.8. utorrent doesn't hog resources for file shareres. Newer versions aren't always better. Also just as important is to rid yourselves of programs that are secretly running on your tray, like real player, quicktime, AOL, etc...
Gaim (all-in-one chat program). MUCH better than Trillian and FREE Google Pack. Comes with: Google Toolbar Google Deskbar Picasa Adobe Reader Norton Antivirus free 6-month Trial (for your antivirus needs) Google Earth, a neat mapping toy. also, Winzip or Winrar if you're a little more saavy Winamp (free music player) DAEMON Tools (a virtual CD simulator. If you download .iso images of disks, this plays them so you don't have to burn the disk) Some kind of burning software. They're all decent. Anti-spyware programs (several) like ad-aware (with Google Pack). The more you have, the more you will catch. Firefox, simply because you will get less drive-by spyware installs this way. I prefer IE because it seems more 'snappy' to open web pages. (also with Google Pack) Hardcopy Pro, a utility that integrates with your 'Print Screen' keyboard button. Very useful MS Office. Or the soon to be released FREE Google Office. K-Lite Codec Pack. Has pretty much ever codec out there to play downloaded video clips, including DIVX. Azureus if you're going to download bittorrents. It can be complicated to optimize, so here's a nice guide. A couple of notes. I didn't include a Firewall program because I think that Windows XP's is more than adequite. Also, if you're behind a router, you really don't need a firewall at all, on the computer or the router. The Router does NAT (network address translation) that gives you an internal IP that hackers or hacking programs can't see from the internet. If it makes you happy, go for it, but I don't think it's a needed app. If you can get ahold of Symantec Corporate Antivirus V10, use that above any antiviruses out there. It's the best thing in my opinon, and it even protects against spyware. One more thing-DON'T use two differnt antivirus programs at once. I've seen it pretty much completely cripple computers. If you're going to try a different antivirus, make sure you take the old one off first.
a couple of more notes. you can install multiple AV progs...you just dont want them all running realtime scanning. Have your primary one running fulltime to scan files as they are accessed....but keep the other one installed so you can run system scans with them. A lot less likely to run into problems that way. agree with the note on firewalls...un-needed if behind a decent broadband router...Do not agree with the WInXP firewall...if you insist on/need to use one...use ZoneAlarm another thought on antivirus progs....Ive experienced problems and have seentons of tech support problems with Norton/Symantec and McAfee...they may have started out good...but they are just way to bloated and bugridden to be the best there is. The one he has installed is just as good...and free. using a program that does many things ensures that it wont do any one thing well. If you want a program that protects against spyware...use a dedicated program for that...if you want a AV prog..use a program that only protects against virii.
I agree with this. I have Norton and will continue to run it for the next two years because I paid for it, but it is buggy. It occasionally freezes my computer when it boots.
New computers will generally come with something but those will expire at some point. I personally use AVG. It's free and it regularly scans and updates itself every night. Haven't had any issues with it. The other services are fine but they cost money.
agreed and on top of that, it was given high marks(Editor's Pick iirc) from either PC Mag or one of the other Tech mags Ive had zero issues since Ive been using AVG. adn did I mention ITS FREE?
So I d-loaded it, but cant figure out how to do anything with it. How do I add my contacts from AIM/MSN onto it?
