Topher's "Incredibly Useful Information"
Our Favorite Free Software Programs |
| There are a few incredibly useful high-quality software programs available free for personal use. We use every one of these free programs, and highly recommend you consider downloading them for use on your computer. [It is usually a good idea to reboot your computer after each installation]. All of these programs are complete, non-crippled, programs. Some are upgradeable to versions chock full of extra features. A few of the programs are considered "freeware" which means that if you like the program, you should send the author a few dollars for their hard work. Check out our favorite Windows XP Hints, Tips, Tweaks, and Fixes if you like to get under the hood. |
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| SpywareBlaster | |
| What this does: | SpywareBlaster is another layer of protection which helps prevent spyware from installing in the first place! Helps prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests. And unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background. Works well with Spybot. Freeware. Option to donate. |
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| Website: | SpywareBlaster at Javacoolsoftware.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download SpywareBlaster" link. B) Click on a download location link. The first link is the primary download location. C) When download location site loads, click on another "download" link. Again, the first link is the primary download site. D) A new page appears and the download should begin shortly. If not, follow instructions on this page to start download. E) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file). F) Double-click on the saved file. It will automatically walk you through the install process. |
| Adobe Reader | |
| What this does: | Adobe Reader is free software for viewing and printing PDF (Adobe "Portable Document Format") files. PDF is format you want to be able to open. The IRS, most manufacture's product manuals, and business research reports are all available predominately in this format. |
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| Website: | Adobe.com |
| What to do: |
A) This screen has 1 box in it labeled "Step 1 of 2". B) In Step 1 enter which language you'd like to use (English default), which operating system you have (usually Windows 98, 2000, or XP) and your connection speed (dial-up or broadband. Broadband is another name for DSL or Cable, like RoadRunner). C) Step 2 will appear below Step 1 once Step 1 completed. If there are checkboxes in Step 2, I recommend you check the first box, and leave the second box unchecked for now --- otherwise move on to instruction "D". D) Click on the red box labeled "download". E) When the next window comes up choose "Run this program from its current location", and then click OK. (Takes 15 min with 56K Modem or less than 3 min with RoadRunner). F) When finished, a new window will appear. When prompted, click YES, (new window) NEXT, (new window) NEXT, (new window) OK. Adobe Acrobat Reader is now installed on the computer. Notes: If any other windows appear, you can generally ignore and close them. I've seen one where they ask you for personal info and will enter you in a contest. It's safe to ignore it. I do not recommend giving anyone personal info via websites or email. |
| Avast! AntiVirus, Anti-Spyware and Anti-Rootkit for Windows | |
| What this does: | Avast! AntiVirus, Anti-Spyware and Anti-Rootkit for Windows (Home Edition) provides important protection and automatic updates for your computer. Free. |
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| Website: | http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download Now" button. B) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file). C) Double-click on the saved file. It will automatically walk you through the install process. Important note: if you already have an antivirus program on your computer, be sure to disconnect from the internet after downloading this program, then uninstall your current antivirus program, reboot, then proceed to step (C). |
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| Yankee Clipper III | |
| What this does: | Yankee Clipper is a Windows clipboard extender that stores hundreds of "copy" and "cut" commands to make "paste" really easy. It handle text, richtext, images, and URLS, of any size. Features printing, drag and drop, and optional permanent storage of clippings. Freeware. |
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| Website: | Yankee-clipper.net |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "download" link at left to proceed to download site. B) Input your name and email address where requested. Select "Yes" or "No". Submit. C) Click on the "Thanks. Click here to download ...." link. D) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file named "YC3Setup.EXE"). E) Double-click on the saved file. It will automatically walk you through the install process. |
| Audacity | |
| What this does: | Audacity is an audio editor. Open-source freeware. |
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| Website: | Audacity.sourceforge.net |
| What to do: |
A) Click the Download "Audacity Installer" link and proceed to download site. B) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file). C) Double-click on the saved file. It will automatically walk you through the install process. D) Now go back to the beginning, click on the Optional Download "LAME MP3 encoder" and follows the instruction to download an encoder to export MP3 files with Audacity. |
| CCleaner | |
| What this does: | CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. |
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| Website: | CCleaner.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download CCleaner Now..." link and proceed to download site. B) Click the "Download from FileHippo.com" C) On the right hand side, click on the big green down arrow to "Download Latest Version" D) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file). E) Double-click on the saved file. It will automatically walk you through the install process. |
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| McAfee SiteAdvisor | |
| What this does: | Program will integrate itself with your Internet Explorer browser and provide color-coded icons to signify risk factors for sites that appear in your Google, MSN, and Yahoo web search results. It is intended to help keep you safe from spyware, spam, viruses and online scams. Free. |
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| Website: | SiteAdvisor.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download SiteAdvisor Now" link. B) It will automatically walk you through the quick install process. |
| Printee for IE | |
| What this does: | Printee is a Web Printing tool for Internet Explorer. You can pick, edit and then print web pages with only what you want to appear on the page. Very easy to remove ads and images prior to printing. Helps free up printer memory for quicker printing. Free. |
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| Website: | www.irido.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download Now" link. B) Click the "Download Now" link a second time and follow the instructions on that page. |
| Skype | |
| What this does: | Program will allow you to make free PC to PC calls (with or without video) from your computer. For a small fee you can also make PC to landline and PC to mobile phone calls as well. Free. |
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| Website: | Skype.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download Now" link. B) It will automatically walk you through the quick install process. |
| PC Decrapifier | |
| What this does: | You just bought a new computer. You start it up and it is filled with trialware, bloatware, internet service programs, and other junk. This program helps to identify all of the crap and uninstall it. Start it up and it will make a list that you can review before it uninstalls any program. Simply uncheck any program you wish to keep and decrapify the rest! Free. |
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| Website: | PCDecrapifier.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click the "Download Now" link. B) Save As... (and remember where you saved the program). C) Locate the saved program and launch it. D) It will automatically walk you through the quick install process. |
| This utility is for experienced computer users only... |
| HijackThis! | |
| What this does: | A computer hijacker detector and spyware remover. Lists legitimate and illegitimate programs currently running on your computer, but does not differentiate between the two. A great program for unloading hijackers which most other programs miss. Unless you are sure what you're doing, you should always consult with knowledgeable folks (like the forums) before deleting anything. HijackThis was sold to TrendMicro in 2008. Freeware. |
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| Website: | Trendsecure.com |
| What to do: |
A) Click on "Download". B) Click on the "Download HijackThis Installer" link. C) Select "Save". (Remember the directory where you saved this file named "hijackthis.zip"). D) Click on the resulting file "HJTInstall.exe" to install and run the program. |
| Here's a handy piece of hardware... |
| Connect a Parallel Printer to a USB Port | |
| What this does: | CablesToGo and a couple other manufacturers make a cable which will allow you to connect older printers (which only have a large parallel port connection) to your computer's USB port. It's called a USB to DB25 IEEE-1284 Printer Adapter. You can find them on ebay and amazon. |
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Information is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. The information presented is intended to assist site visitors in quickly finding "must have" software programs for their computer.Feel free to contact me to correct any information in this article or to alert me to additional information one should consider. © 2004 Topher Updated 2009 Thank you for visiting. Aloha!  (Consider a donation). |
