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Subject: OT: Useful Computer Programs Posted by: Matt S - [57543213] Tue, Sep 26, 16:38 I'm starting this thread to allow for us to share thoughts about some of the free computer programs out there that might be helpful in our everyday computer lives. This is not meant to be a self promoting thread for sites like Alladvantage or the like. All posts like that will be deleted. Please include a short description of the program, and if possible a website where it can be downloaded. I'll start it off with some programs that I have been using: Winamp - A media player, that I'm sure everybody knows about. www.winamp.com Napster - Another program most people know about. Mp3 file sharing program. Don't d/l Metallica files! Very easy to use! www.napster.com Seti@home - Doesn't really do anything for me, but it looks kind of cool. It searches for extraterrestrial life on other planets. I don't reccommend this if you have a weak computer. setiathome.berkley.edu Hyper Alarm - I found this last night. If you have your system in your bedroom, this is kinda cool. You can make a playlist in Winamp, and set the alarm to wake you at a certain time with that music. A $10 fee for the full version of this. I might fork it out... novasoftinc.virtualave.net That's all I got. Add to this as you wish! For some reason my links weren't working... Matt S | ||||||
| 1 | Eustacio ID: 1485810 Tue, Sep 26, 17:07 |
Almost all of these can be downloaded from www.hotfiles.com Winzip: Basically, it compresses the size of files and places in them in one file called a .zip file. ICQ: A sophisticated chat program. AIM (AOL Instant Messanger): The simple, standard chat program out there. Realplayer: Lets you listen to radio stations over the web. | |||||
| 2 | swami ID: 238301623 Tue, Sep 26, 20:08 | If your ISP or university blocks napster, I have found the Scour exchange, found at www.scour.com. They even have video and image file sharing, so you can d/l your favorite plays by your sw players! | |||||
| 3 | Mike D ID: 5844236 Tue, Sep 26, 21:03 |
I like the Windows Media Player 7.0 for audio/video playback. Currently, Free Memory Professional is my top choice. You can keep freeing up memory to speed things up. It sits in the system tray. Nice for multi-tasking. | |||||
| 4 | swami ID: 238301623 Tue, Sep 26, 21:06 | Where can I find that memory program Mike D?? | |||||
| 5 | Mike D ID: 5844236 Tue, Sep 26, 21:08 | Good question Swami. It was e-mailed to me a few months ago, so I'd have to probably either pass it along to you or start searchin' the web. Don't know the original source. | |||||
| 6 | Mike D ID: 5844236 Tue, Sep 26, 21:10 | Actual name is "FreeMem Professional." | |||||
| 7 | Mike D ID: 5844236 Tue, Sep 26, 21:12 | Can be downloaded here Swami. Didn't take long to find. The 30 day trial has never run out, BTW. | |||||
| 8 | swami ID: 238301623 Tue, Sep 26, 21:16 | Thanks Mike | |||||
| 9 | devils1 ID: 041430 Tue, Sep 26, 22:28 |
Finally, a thread in which I might be able to offer something to you guys instead of the other way around :-) I have Winamp, but I like Musicmatch Jukebox better because it rips at higher quality than the Winamp plug-in does. The free version lets me rip at 160kbps instead of the ~98kbps that Winamp gives me. Available at http://www.musicmatch.com/ For MP3, etc. downloads, I've been using www.audiofind.com and following the link there to their gnutella search engine (freestanding at www.gnute.com, but the audiofind site link takes you to a slightly different version that lets you ignore modem users for faster downloads). Audiogalaxy.com lets you search for FTP sites for MP3s. I find that takes a bunch of time, though, because many of the sites want you to go click ads to get passwords, etc. Too cumbersome for me. I like guru's ads better :-) The MP3 newsgroups also are handy. I use Agent (registered version) for them. Download Free Agent at www.forteinc.com I also like the Windows Media Player for video playback. For image viewing, I use ACDSee (registered version), which gives very fast image loading, with the ability to page through images very quickly. A shareware version is available at: http://www.acdsystems.com/english/products/download.htm Another great site for finding application software is http://cws.internet.com/menu.html That's where I first discovered many of the programs I've been using for the past 5 years. They rate/review software in numerous categories, saving the user lots of work in evaluating different programs. ZDNet also has loads of software reviews and download links. Happy hunting! | |||||
| 10 | Matt S ID: 57543213 Tue, Sep 26, 23:03 |
Just the stuff I was hoping for. I like that RAM program, Mike. It really speeds it up, when I have 10-15 windows open! Keep 'em coming! | |||||
| 11 | Mike D ID: 1417106 Wed, Sep 27, 06:26 | Good to hear, Matt S. Anytime, swami. Devils1, great tips. I'm going on an MP3 exploration soon (maybe tonight). | |||||
| 12 | WiddleAvi ID: 08242123 Wed, Sep 27, 08:43 | I have this program called Gator and it remembers all my usernames & passwords for everysite. The first time I log into any site it asks if it should remember the username & password. can be downloaded at www.gator.com | |||||
| 13 | WiddleAvi ID: 08242123 Wed, Sep 27, 08:47 |
If anyone here has credit cards they are trying to pay off there is this program I haver called debt relief. You put in your salary....all your monthly expenses. Then put in all your debts with the APR and it tells you how much to pay each debt every month. Great program. can be downloaded and www.debtanalyzer.com By the way both programs (gator & this one) are free programs | |||||
| 14 | Perm Dude ID: 55845197 Wed, Sep 27, 08:56 |
Good stuff, guys. I've got a lot of these, ACDSee, Media Player (last 2 versions, the new one is a resource hog so I use the old one when I have lots of windows open), WinZip, Eudora for e-mail, Real Player. Others: Download Accelerator: Helps in keeping track of downloaded files/programs by listing all programs for later downloading. If you disconnect (intentional or not) it will begin the download from the point that you stopped rather than having to start again. Alladin Expander: Like WinZip but for Mac files; great for Mac graphics files (which can't be expanded on WinZip). Netscape: Still the best. Adobe Acrobat: For viewing certain text files. All these are available through download.com, a great site for just browsing for free programs. I went and bought Norton Clean Sweep instead of the free memory management tools out there. It's great for cleaning up all sorts of things (registry, cookies, old program files still resident, duplicate dll's, etc). Worth the money, in my opinion. pd | |||||
| 15 | Warders ID: 138391112 Wed, Sep 27, 13:57 |
In addition to the above... Hypersnap DX: My favorite screen capturing prog. DL it here. Fineprint 2000: Allows you to print 2, 4, even 8 to one side of each sheet. Allows duplex printing. Saved me tons of paper. DL it here. Nero burning ROM: Best CD burning software out there... 30 day trial run. It's here. Opinions needed: Difference and preference between download accelerator and getright... | |||||
| 16 | Perm Dude ID: 55845197 Wed, Sep 27, 15:24 |
Tried getright for a short period, but it seemed more limited than what I'm getting with DA. Just my opinion, and it's been awhile since I did them head to head. pd | |||||
| 17 | Madman ID: 44633210 Wed, Sep 27, 17:35 |
Hey guys, great OT thread. I have a few of these, but this just shows why this forum is so awesome. Too many smart people with good info. to share like this. I've downloaded one of the suggested programs and am impressed. I don't think I have anything more to share, but I invite others to pipe in if they do. Just wanted to say thanks. | |||||
| 18 | WiddleAvi ID: 08242123 Wed, Sep 27, 19:28 | Warders - You shouldn't need a program to print 2,4 to a page!!! Should be an option you have in printer properties !! | |||||
| 19 | Mike D ID: 248352720 Wed, Sep 27, 20:49 |
Madman, nice to see you be the one to benefit from others for a change. BTW, there is a security alert regarding the Windows Media Player: "Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability that lies in Microsoft Windows Media Player (WMP) 7 but primarily affects e-mail applications. The net effect of the vulnerability is that it could enable a malicious user to create an email that, when closed after being read, could cause the email application to fail." Source--- Updates.com Download the update here. | |||||
| 20 | Warders ID: 138391112 Wed, Sep 27, 23:34 |
To WiddleAvi: I shoulda just copied and pasted :) FinePrint is an easy-to-use printer driver that gives you unprecedented control and customization of your printing. It allows you to print 2, 4, or 8 PAGES onto a sheet. | |||||
| 21 | WiddleAvi ID: 08242123 Thu, Sep 28, 00:13 | I checked out the site .......I see it has other benefits too.....but like I said if you are want to print 2 or pages onto one page you don't need that program....for 8 on 1 you do need it though. | |||||
| 22 | devils1 ID: 107452911 Fri, Sep 29, 10:59 |
Thanks, all. I also use Nero Burning Rom, but I have version 4. Warders, is the upgrade to version 5 worth it? thanks. | |||||
| 23 | Warders ID: 138391112 Fri, Sep 29, 13:01 |
At least make sure that you're using Nero 4.0.9.1. If Nero 4.0.9.1 is working fine for you, then I think there is little reason for you to upgrade. The upgrading itself was pretty straightforward, though, so don't let that stop you. And besides, if you've bought Nero 4, you're probably eligible for a free upgrade... see here for details. I did the upgrading after I installed Windows 2000. One problem is that the InCD is not yet available for Win2k, so I've still had to use the adaptec directCD that came with my CDRW drive. Here is a list of new features. | |||||
| 24 | hoops boy ID: 96111914 Fri, Sep 29, 13:32 |
www.gnu.org anyone? seriously though, i do recommend freeamp. its an open source mp3 player that supports streaming, playlists, skins, and more.. currently (at least the version i have) doesnt support ripping mp3s (i still use music match for that) but it runs with a lot less overhead than musicmatch | |||||
| 25 | devils1 ID: 107452911 Mon, Oct 02, 13:10 | Thanks, Warders. I read the bit about the free upgrade before, but when I followed their link things suddenly became confusing. I like the new version's CDDB tie-in. | |||||
| 26 | James K Polk ID: 114581215 Mon, Oct 02, 13:24 |
Good thread. I've downloaded a couple files here I hadn't heard of, and I'm looking forward to trying them out. Always good to get recommendations on what's useful. I'll throw out one of my favorites -- EditPlus. It's a text editor that's designed to make it easier to code HTML. I prefer writing my own code rather than using a WYSIWYG-style editor, and this has made my life MUCH easier. There are too many cool things about it to list here, but here's a few -- quick view lets you see what your page looks like in a browser; it automatically color codes HTML tags so you can easily tell the difference between page content and page mechanics (and also when you've written a bad tag); menu bar at bottom lets you quickly switch back and forth between open files; downloadable libraries of things like HTML tags, XML, CSS entries, etc.; spellcheck; FTP capability; running line count ... Anyway, I highly recommend this for anyone who likes writing and editing their own HTML code. | |||||
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