Ok, so you have a computer, new or old, and now you need to be set it up so that you can actually make proper use of it and not struggle with viruses, or not be able to play some movies and videos due to lack of codecs or whatever. Here’s what you nd2knw:
Im assuming that the operating system you’re using is Windows (Windows XP or Vista, whatever you prefer or got stuck with when you got your pc) because then you will need the following:
- A Web browser
- Media Players (Audio and Video)
- A Word Processor (Office software)
- Antivirus software
All the following software are free to download and use, absolutely free.
Web Browsers
Assuming you have windows, you’re probably using Internet Explorer (IE) which comes installed standard. If you are happy with it then keep it, but everyone knows IE is a piece of junk. Its insecure, takes loads of memory, and its “safety & security features” just drive you nuts. If you really want a good, fast, simple and stable browser then try Firefox by Mozilla.
(Click here for the direct download link for Mozilla Firefox).
If you want a super fast, fully featured web browser then go for Opera. In my opinion this is the best browser by a mile. It has so many extra features which other browsers don’t have, or only support with extra addons to the browser. For example it has a quick search feature: so if you wanted to search for free software, instead of navigation to “www.google.com” then typing “free software” then
clicking the “google search” button, in Opera all you do is go the the address bar and type “g free software” and the results page automatically loads. There are many other search engines (eg. yahoo, ebay) which are included with Opera, and you can also add your own custom quick search functions for your favorite sites.
(Click here for the direct download link for Opera version 9.5)
Media Players (Audio and Video)
The only video and movie player you are ever gonna need is Media Player Classic with KLM-codecs. This might sound old school, but this software installs all the codecs you will ever need as well Windows Media Player Classic which will play just about anything, even realmedia files. (Here’s the direct download link). If the 17MB download is too large for your connection then try downloading the basic version: K-Lite Codec Pack Basic Version. The media player included with the download (Media Player Classic) is a good media player an has enough features for most users. But if you prefer using Windows Media Player (WMP), then you will be happy to know that the codecs installed are integrated into WMP so that all your movies and videos will be able to play in WMP as well.
For music (any audio really) you could use Media Player Classic or WMP, but i prefer Winamp. Win
amp offers features such as media library, skins, free internet radio, etc. I generally find winamp less intrusive since I let it run in the background (it sits in the tray) and i control it with any application open using the universal hotkeys that it allows you to customize (eg. play, pause, stop, next / previous track, etc.). (Click here for the direct download)
A Word Processor (Office software)
If you don’t have office software (word processing, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc) for
example Microsoft Office, then you’re definitely gonna need to download Open Office. It’s a free suite of office applications and provides alot of functionality, everything most people will need.
Click here to find out more.
Click here for the direct download link.
Antivirus software
There are so many different anti-virus programs its not even funny. I actually think the companies
make the viruses themselves and then when their software kills it it makes them look good. At first there’s usually only one brand of antivirus software that can kill that new virus that’s been spreading the internet. Back to the point… You wan’t a free do-it-all antivirus that will completely protect your pc. Too bad such software doesn’t exist. Your best bet is AVG Anti-virus. I use the totally free AVG Anti-virus Free Edition which includes both AVG Antivirus and AVG Antispyware.
(Click here for the direct download link)
So that’s it. That’s all the software you really really need to have. I’l tell you about other software such as email, instant messaging, photo viewing and organising, graphic editing, and others in another post.
