It’s All About You!

When it comes to computers, there’s nothing more important than customization. Manufacturers tend to ship computers with basic configurations, that are made to agree with everyone. However, these configurations lack familiarity. People should have a computer that fits their lifestyle. This can be accomplished in many different ways, but today I will be focusing on software.

Here is a list of free programs to get you started. Tell me what you think.

Web Browsers

• Firefox (OS X, Windows, Linux): Nothing new here—if you don’t have it, get it. It is by far the most secure browser I have ever used and provides its users with a vast library of add-ons. Anything you can think of—it probably can do.

Email Clients

• Thunderbird(OS X, Windows, Linux): Outlook is a great program if you have the money, but it lacks that personal touch. Thunderbird is a free alternative, that is fully customizable. Like Firefox and Winamp, Thunderbird is based on a community effort. The more people that get involved, the better it becomes.

Instant Messenger Clients

• Pidgin(OS X, Windows, Linux): A very easy to use, but customizable solution to instant messaging. Supports all the major IM services, like AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo!, etc… (**Will Not Bog Down The System**)
• Digsby(Currently Only Windows): Instant Messaging, Email, and Social Networking all in one adjustable client. I generally like to keep it simple, but if you want something that can handle it all…this is the program for you.
• Trillian(Windows, Mac OS X): A very powerful yet easy to use Instant Messaging Client, which supports all the major services, including IRC.
• Adium(MAC OS X): Probably the most customizable Instant Messaging Client for the MAC OS. **Highly Recommended**

Media Players

• Winamp(Windows): Most media players like iTunes lack customization. Winamp eliminates this issue by providing a vast collection of user submitted plugins. As this is a community effort, the database is constantly being updated as new technologies are released. Worried about your iPod? Don’t be, the newest release of Winamp integrates perfectly with all portable media players. Ever have a hard drive fail on you—causing you to lose all your precious music? No need to worry, if its on your player, Winamp allows you to copy it right to your computer.
• SongBird(Windows, Linux, MAC OS X): A highly customizable open-source music player, thats under constant development.
• VLC Player(ALL): Ever had a problem playing a video file? Then this is the program for you. Don’t worry about downloading the right codecs, this program will take care of everything for you. It will even play ISO files.

Compression and Extraction Utilities

• 7zip(Windows, CL Linux): Forget WinZip and WinRAR, this program handles everything when it comes to file compression.
• ExtractNow(Windows): A simple to use extraction utility, that has support for numerous archive formats(ZIP, RAR, ISO, BIN, IMG, IMA, IMZ, 7Z, ACE, JAR, GZ, LZH, LHA, TAR, SIT). (**Thanks Lena**)

Anti-Virus Utilities

• AVAST!(Windows 32/64bit): Probably the best free anti-virus solution I have used for Windows. This software includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-rootkit support, as well as much more. The GUI is simple, but useful and provides automatic updates when they become available. (A version is also available for the MAC platform, but currently is not free)
• AVIRA(Windows, Linux): PC Pro rated Avira as the most effective free antivirus package they’ve seen. It supports Anti-Spam, Anti-Spyware, Firewall and Email protection, as well as malware protection. It is also said that Avira has very little impact on CPU usage.
• AVG (Windows): Basic antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows available to download for free. Limited features, no support, for private and non-commercial use only.
• ClamXav(OS X): Currently the only free anti-virus client that I know of for OS X. It seems to have very little impact on system speed and is mainly only useful for web downloads. As Mac’s continue to become popular, their virus-free nature may change as well. It is better to be safe, then sorry.

Anti-Spyware Utilities

• Ad-Aware 2008(Windows 32/64bit): Amazing FREE anti-spyware software. Has the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components–keeping your computer safe and clean. **Highly Recommended**
• SpywareBlaster(Windows): A great anti-spyware program that prevents spyware from ever even entering the system in the first place. This program provides a simple user interface, which will keep you protected without interfering with what you do. (**Great Find: Lena**)
• Spybot Search&Destroy(Windows, Linux(WINE), Symbian, Mobile 5): The best spyware detection and removal software, rated by PCWorld, PCMag.com and many others. This software provides a long list of protection and it highly customizable. **Highly Recommended**