Software Recommendations

These recommendations are from December 2008, that makes them a little outdated.   So take that into consideration.  I’ll update them at some point.

I decided to compile a list of the software that I use on a regular basis.  I’l break it down between stuff that is freeware or open source and stuff that you have to pay for a license.  I’ll mention the free things that I’ve donated money towards because I like them so much.  I’ve tried to categorize the applications to give you a better sense of what they are if my description is lacking.  Also, the [P] means you can run it without installing or from a flash drive.  You can visit PortableApps.com for portable versions of most of the programs.

Free

  • Firefox (Web Browser) [P] – if you need a browser, which every one does, use Firefox. Below are the handy extensions I use:
    • Adblock Plus (Security) – never see ads or at least the ones you don’t want to see.
    • NoScript (Secuirty) – only allow sites you trust to run scripts.
    • Download Status Bar (Usability)- preferred over the default download manager.
    • FireGestures (Usability)- for faster navigation.
    • GreaseMonkey (Customization) – when you need that extra customization.
  • Thunderbird (Email) [P] – for non-cloud based email.
  • Google (Search) – I am a Google fan, hopefully not to the extreme like mac users.
    • Gmail (Email) – why settle for Hotmail or Yahoo when you can have a Gmail account?
    • Calendar (Scheduling) – at this point I don’t think I could be as organized as I am without it.
    • Docs (Word Processing, Spreadsheets)- handy for quick little projects.  Since I have access to Microsoft Office at work I don’t use Docs for all of my word processing and spreadsheet needs.
    • Groups (Communications) – I run my Fraternity Alumni Association with Groups.  And I also run a Family email list with Groups.
    • Picasa (Photos) – great for simple photo organizing and edits.  I like their collage options.  Easily manages your stuff on PicsaWeb.
    • Reader (RSS/Feeds) – keep yourself on the bleeding edges of everything from international news to blogs to comics (web and newspaper kinds).
    • Talk (Chat) – I use the version embedded in Gmail, especially now that it has video chat.
    • Earth (Geography)- it’s where we are!
  • StereoPhoto Maker (Photos) [P] – I wouldn’t make 3D photos any other way.  I’d pay for this if I had to.
    • Autopano-SIFT (Usability) – a necessary add-on to auto align your hand held stereophotos.
  • WinAmp (Music)- I still like it better than iTunes or WMP.
  • FileZilla (FTP) [P] – FTP like a pro!  Server version is also easy and great to use.
  • Komposer (Web Publishing) [P] – edit your html pages wysiwyg style, download and publish pages via built-in FTP.
  • PortableApps.com (Portability) [P] – anything they offer is great.  Works well on your flash drive or in an encrypted partition.
  • TrueCrypt (Security) [P] – when I want my data secured I use this program.
  • Eraser (Security) [P] – delete your files with the satisfaction (or dismay) of knowing they can’t be retrieved.
  • uTorrent (Downloading) – for all your legal torrent downloading needs.
  • KeePass (Security) [P] – never use password123 as a password ever again.
  • 1-4a Rename (Utility) [P] – manage your file names with ease!  (also try Bulk Rename Utility)
  • WinDirStat (Utility) [P] – find out what is clogging up your hard drive.  Awesome visualization, that is actually useful rather than just cool looking.
  • SysInternals Suite (Utility) [P] – helps you figure out what is going on with your computer when you suspect it’s borked.
  • Starter (Utility) – sorted view of start up applications.
  • EasyGPS (Mapping) – for quickly looking at your data.
  • GPSBabel (Mapping) [P] – convert to and from different data formats.
  • 7zip (Utility) [P] – my current favorite zip program.  Beats my old one of ZipGenius in performance and simplicity, but doesn’t integrate into Windows as well.
  • Power Menu (Utility) – send it to the tray!
  • Comodo Firewall (Security) – the free version is pretty good once you figure out how to use it.
  • Avast! (Security) – decent and non-invasive, AVG made me frickin’ reboot every twenty minutes it seemed.
  • Yawcam (Video) – when you want to do cool stuff with your webcam.
  • WordPress (Web Publishing) – I used it to make this page!

Donated to (so far)

  • JAlbum (Photos) – when you need more control over your personal photo galleries.
    • Chameleon (Theme) – a nice simple skin, I’ve modified it to my tastes.  If you want my modifications just ask.

Paid For

  • Photoshop (Photos) – because, you know, for like every reason ever…  Don’t have the $$$ for the full version, then try Photoshop.com.
  • Lightroom (Photos) – makes being a photographer easier!  I didn’t shoot 100% RAW until I got Lightroom.
  • BeyondCompare (Utility) [P?]- I wouldn’t be able to manage the sevral terabytes data I have with out it.  Not only can it compare files and folders of files, but it will copy/sync them too.  Works over FTP even!
  • RoboGeo (Photos/Mapping) – for geotagging your photos in batch and helpful for creating Google and Google Earth maps from GPS data files.
  • dBpowerAmp (Music) – mp3 encoding/ripping and tagging.