What do you consider must-have software?
I've just reinstalled windows after a nasty virus did a lot of damage.
This is all I've installed so far, and I can't really think of anything else I need - which is weird because I normally have hundreds of programs installed
Opera
Milkshape 3D
Anim8or
Nero Ultra Edition
Avira Antivirus
Acrobat Reader
BitTyrant
Paintshop Pro 9
Corel Draw 12
Office 2003
Multimedia Fusion 2
Media Center 14
VisualBoy Advance
Is this a general poll or asking for what you've missed?
I always install skype and (grudgingly) iTunes. As well as AVG and Spybot. Chrome rather than Opera... TGF1... GIMP, Filezilla, VLC (though I've been using this less as of late), Macrium Reflect (backup), Super F4, Pidgin, Audacity, and assorted other software, according to the machine's purpose.
OMC: It's mostly just a poll - thought it might be interesting so see what software other people use. I've never even heard of half the stuff you have
Klikmaster: I already installed 7-Zip, but just forgot to put it on the list - definitely an essential though.
Nim: Thanks for the link, but I like Media Center - you have just reminded though, that I'm going to need to look for a codec pack, sooner or later...
I've learned from experience to always have a backup copy of the MMF2 extensions folder on disc, so that's no problem.
Also, I've been meaning to reformat the disk anyway (getting very short on free disk space), so it's kind of good that the virus has finally forced me into taking action.
I used to reformat quite regularly. Sometimes out of necessity, and sometimes just for that clean-slate feel.
Haven't done one by choice recently though (Since using Vista/7). I've got so many preferences and files and programs. Half of which probably wouldn't be reinstallable since they aren't all from CDs.
I had to reformat recently due to an extreme virus attack that basically stopped anything opening whatsoever.
It's great having a nice clean computer but a clean install of Windows is missing SO much it's insane.
Of course MMF2 is essential.
I always install Irfanview too because it's pretty handy for making quick palette changes If i'm being lazy with my pixel art.
And Ive downloaded Modplug tracker because i'm into making music too now.
Oh and Firefox.
Well my desktop computer died just in time for me to get a laptop computer, so I don't have everything on this laptop just yet.
Skype (although I find it annoying, sitting in the taskbar all the time)
MMF2 (of course)
Chrome
Google Sketchup
GIMP
OGG Codecs for Windows Media Player
Steam
Spybot Search & Destroy
iTunes
jGrasp (since I have Java classes now )
Originally Posted by Sketchy What do you consider must-have software?
I've just reinstalled windows after a nasty virus did a lot of damage.
This is all I've installed so far, and I can't really think of anything else I need - which is weird because I normally have hundreds of programs installed
Opera
Milkshape 3D
Anim8or
Nero Ultra Edition
Avira Antivirus
Acrobat Reader
BitTyrant
Paintshop Pro 9
Corel Draw 12
Office 2003
Multimedia Fusion 2
Media Center 14
VisualBoy Advance
If I were you I'd drop the Antivirus. I never get viruses and never use AV .
On a different note, I would drop Acrobat Reader for Foxit. Much faster and I believe its much less memory-intensive.
You did read the bit where I said I was reinstalling all this stuff specifically because a virus just trashed it, right?
Maybe you do get viruses, but you just don't notice because you have no antivirus to detect them - all the while, you keep spreading the virus to other computers.
i never get any viruses. its usually all just spyware and adware. i used to get trojans and worms up the wahzoo. but im a lot more careful now.
follow the following rules:
-do not visit obscure/shady sites.
-never click on ads. of any kind! google ads are not your friends.
-clear out your cache and cookies regularly.
use the following cleaning software:
-atf-cleaner (cleans out any junk on your computer. including web browser crap)
-disk cleanup (same as above but can get things atf doesnt like old system restore points, and unused software)
-defrag (makes your harddrive cleaner faster)
use the following malware detection/removal software:
hijackthis
malwarebytes
spybots
follow those rules, and run the software regularly and you should never have a problem on windows. or better yet, just run linux and never worry about defragging or viruses in the first place.
And it might be wise to use a different browser than Internet Explorer since IE has the largest market share, most browser-based virusses are aimed at this browser.
Originally Posted by -eviscerator- And it might be wise to use a different browser than Internet Explorer since IE has the largest market share, most browser-based virusses are aimed at this browser.
Internet Explorer is a lot safer now. It's just slow as hell. Firefox is getting that way too. Chrome ftw.
Opera ftw.
It's faster and doesn't hog resources like Firefox.
It has the best interface - really clean and efficient.
It has the best ad-blocking system.
It has a built-in email client.
It has Speed-dial.
Up until recently, site compatibility was a big problem, but that's totally fixed now
IE is just so annoying - if you ever try your hand at web-design, you'll find that IE always has to be different from every other browser, on everything.
As far as antivirus goes, I found a really good one called "Dr Web Cureit". It only scans on-demand, so you need something else like AVG as well. It has an excellent detection rate as you'd expect, but the difference is that it's also surprisingly effective at repairing infected files, as opposed to simply quarantining them.
Pah, Opera's UI is mediocre. The tabs don't go all the way to the top of the screen, so clicking has to be exact and slow. Plus, the buttons are finicky and the loading is weird.
I still have to use it so I can get on TDC via 3G, but Chrome is my browser of choice these days.
Chrome is my browser of choice too. Fast and simple. I used to use Firefox but I find it pretty slow in comparison.
Also viruses are indeed easy to avoid, but if you start doing silly things like using Google for stuff like mp3s or anything warez related you're doomed. That's what I heard anyway.
Originally Posted by Sketchy Opera ftw.
It's faster and doesn't hog resources like Firefox.
It has the best interface - really clean and efficient.
It has the best ad-blocking system.
It has a built-in email client.
It has Speed-dial.
Up until recently, site compatibility was a big problem, but that's totally fixed now
IE is just so annoying - if you ever try your hand at web-design, you'll find that IE always has to be different from every other browser, on everything.
As far as antivirus goes, I found a really good one called "Dr Web Cureit". It only scans on-demand, so you need something else like AVG as well. It has an excellent detection rate as you'd expect, but the difference is that it's also surprisingly effective at repairing infected files, as opposed to simply quarantining them.
the last time i checked. opera and ie were neck-n-neck for worst/slowest browsers. firefox was slightly better than safari. and chrome won by a long shot. as far as statistic comparisons go.
I do have a bit of trouble with Chrome hogging memory, but not nearly as bad as firefox does. I also open a bazillion tabs too though and use way outdated computers like Celeron Ds, Older P4s, and crap :/. 1-few tabs seems fine.
My gf also has an older computer (p4 socket 47 and was using firefox back when it only had 256 ram in it. I had to get on to her all the time .
Originally Posted by SiLVERFIRE
Originally Posted by -eviscerator- And it might be wise to use a different browser than Internet Explorer since IE has the largest market share, most browser-based virusses are aimed at this browser.
Internet Explorer is a lot safer now. It's just slow as hell. Firefox is getting that way too. Chrome ftw.
Firefox 4.0 is a lot faster than previous versions, but still can't contend with chrome IMO . After using Chrome, firefox feels so cramped as well.
I've learned to use both Windows (vista, eww) and Ubuntu, so have two lists, and a few games to keep my sanity..
Windows:
Opera
MATLAB
MMF2
Notepad++
mIRC
Songbird (might go back to winamp on Win 7)
Europa Universalis 3 (In Nomine)
A big pile of freeware, mostly RPGs
Ubuntu:
Firefox
Pidgin/Gyache
SciTE
Dungeon Crawl Stone Siege
Both:
Texmaker (for science reports)
Dia (for diagrams)
Open Office (for word processing and stuff)
Battle for Wesnoth
DOSBox
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
Advertisement
Post Reply
Edited by Sketchy
Half of which probably wouldn't be reinstallable since they aren't all from CDs.
)
and was using firefox back when it only had 256 ram in it. I had to get on to her all the time 
