Dummys guide to software (Software tips and advice)

Member Name: shuttlex

Product:	Software tips and advice
Date:	24/08/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: See review

Disadvantages: See review

No matter how fast the processor and ram inside a computer is, without good software the hardware is useless. The first and most essential piece of software required is the OS (operating system). When choosing an operating system one can choose either the standard Windows software or a Linux package. The average user is better off with Windows since most hardware manufacturers today manufacture their hardware for compatibility with the latest Windows OS. There's nothing worse than the frustration of trying to install a printer with a Linux OS.

Every time I need new software, I visit download.com. This is a fairly safe website and you're unlikely to download anything with a virus. Some of the software is free but a lot of it is trial software. Also most of the software listed includes a lot of bloat ware, unwanted software included with the main software that simply slows down your system such as a web browser plug in. Once you've installed the software, if it doesn't meet expectations, simply uninstall it. I recommend installing Spybot Search & Destroy and CCCleaner. These two pieces of software will search the computer for any hidden bloat ware hidden in the system.

Finally general software I recommend for anyone to have installed on their PC are the following:
Firefox, an excellent web browser with many useful plug-ins
Google Earth
Spybot Search & Destroy
CCCleaner
MSN Messenger
Imgburn, free software for burning DVD's
Mediamonkey for organizing MP3's, highly recommended for anyone with an MP3 player
Skype

I always install the above software when installing a new OS.

Summary: See review

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