All of the software below is either freeware (GPL), or shareware, unless otherwise noted.
You really should have these things installed:
Sygate Personal Firewall very secure, uses less resources. Now owned by Symantec, we'll see how THAT turns out...The Bastages discontinued it! My link goes to the old version, though... Install, right click > options > updates > uncheck auto update!
FireFox Internet browser, faster and more secure than InternetExplorer
ClamWin Anti-virus Seems to work better than AVG, Not so centered on getting you to upgrade to their $$$ verion, plus free updates.
AVG Anti-virus Catches WAY more virii than Norton or Mcafee, plus free updates. Stay away frome their firewall, it uses WAY too many resources.
cFossThis is the only one that's not free! Windows traffic shaping application, controls the speed of p2p / ftp applications, so that your web browsing is speedier.
Internet Radio Tuner, for listening to the thousands of radio stations on the net
Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks.
A human being should
be able to change a diaper,
plan an invasion,
butcher a hog,
conn a ship,
design a building,
write a sonnet,
balance accounts,
build a wall,
set a bone,
comfort the dying,
take orders,
give orders,
cooperate,
act alone,
solve equations,
analyze a new problem,
pitch manure,
program a computer,
cook a tasty meal,
fight efficiently,
die gallantly.
Specialization is for insects.
-Robert A Heinlein.
-Starship Troopers.