[8 Essential Computer Applications You Probably Didn't Know About]
In a world where the average consumer does whatever they're told, there IS a better way..... to use your computer. I've created a list of essential, but unknown apps that the average consumer most likely doesn't know about that will save your life, and the best part is, they're all free. When I get a new computer, or I'm asked to install an os for a friend, this is how I set up my computers.
#1. WinRar
WinRar is one of my favorites. It has saved my life. More than once I've sent someone to get something that is downloaded, and they come back going "What is a .rar file?" Rar files are becoming more and more common. WinRar also can extract .zip, .iso, and other important archived file types.
#2. VLC
VLC is my media player of choice. It plays things that can only be played in iTunes. It plays things that can only be played in Windows Media Player. It plays DVDs, it plays just about any type of video file that is out there.
You will want the K-Lite Codec pack to make your experience even more enjoyable with VLC.
# 3. DropBox
Oh my goodness I love dropbox. Dropbox is a folder - sever sync program. Pretty much you'll have a folder on your computer that anything you put in it gets uploaded to a storage server somewhere, and anyone else with a folder connected to the storage, that person gets the same files. Example: I have a dropbox set up and created a shared folder and gave the connection to Chris. While he was in london, he dumped pictures and video into the folder and went to bed. On my end, my computer was updating with the files that he was sending me. (Email definitely couldn't send the pics and the video) This is essential to my wellbeing. I share a folder with Steph and Kristen so that I can send the originals of pics and music....
#4. AVG
I worked for Symantec. I hated the AntiVirus. It was slow, and left a large footprint on my computer. Everyone I've talked to hates Mcafee. AVG is free, and is small. It doesn't slow down my computer and it auto updates. Nuff said.
#5. Gimp
Gimp is the open-source version of Photoshop. If you want to be doing image editing and graphic art, go get gimp. Its practically the same, with a cool UI, and its free... (for those of you who are too poor for photoshop).
#6. Picasa
Anyone who has seen me looking at photos on my computer has seen me quickly flip through pictures with a picture viewer that darkens the screen around it. This was picasa. Picasa is google's version of iPhoto. Its a picture organizer. It tags pictures too. Its very easy to keep everything together with it.
#7. Digsby
If you're like me, you have an AIM account, a Google account, a Hotmail account, a Jabber account, and a Yahoo Account. Digsby lets you log into all of those chat clients from one place, AND links to facebook chat too. 1 program, all your chat apps.
8. Audacity
Audacity is optional. Its a sound editor. It lets you edit music. And it records music.
P.S. Check out my 101 in 1001 and see how I'm doing!
WinRar is one of my favorites. It has saved my life. More than once I've sent someone to get something that is downloaded, and they come back going "What is a .rar file?" Rar files are becoming more and more common. WinRar also can extract .zip, .iso, and other important archived file types.
#2. VLC
VLC is my media player of choice. It plays things that can only be played in iTunes. It plays things that can only be played in Windows Media Player. It plays DVDs, it plays just about any type of video file that is out there.
You will want the K-Lite Codec pack to make your experience even more enjoyable with VLC.
# 3. DropBox
Oh my goodness I love dropbox. Dropbox is a folder - sever sync program. Pretty much you'll have a folder on your computer that anything you put in it gets uploaded to a storage server somewhere, and anyone else with a folder connected to the storage, that person gets the same files. Example: I have a dropbox set up and created a shared folder and gave the connection to Chris. While he was in london, he dumped pictures and video into the folder and went to bed. On my end, my computer was updating with the files that he was sending me. (Email definitely couldn't send the pics and the video) This is essential to my wellbeing. I share a folder with Steph and Kristen so that I can send the originals of pics and music....
#4. AVG
I worked for Symantec. I hated the AntiVirus. It was slow, and left a large footprint on my computer. Everyone I've talked to hates Mcafee. AVG is free, and is small. It doesn't slow down my computer and it auto updates. Nuff said.
#5. Gimp
Gimp is the open-source version of Photoshop. If you want to be doing image editing and graphic art, go get gimp. Its practically the same, with a cool UI, and its free... (for those of you who are too poor for photoshop).
#6. Picasa
Anyone who has seen me looking at photos on my computer has seen me quickly flip through pictures with a picture viewer that darkens the screen around it. This was picasa. Picasa is google's version of iPhoto. Its a picture organizer. It tags pictures too. Its very easy to keep everything together with it.
#7. Digsby
If you're like me, you have an AIM account, a Google account, a Hotmail account, a Jabber account, and a Yahoo Account. Digsby lets you log into all of those chat clients from one place, AND links to facebook chat too. 1 program, all your chat apps.
8. Audacity
Audacity is optional. Its a sound editor. It lets you edit music. And it records music.
P.S. Check out my 101 in 1001 and see how I'm doing!
2 thoughts :
If you're running a genuine version of windows, use Microsoft Security Essentials instead of AVG. Runs very light, very effective, and free.
WinRar is good to have, but personally I like 7zip File Manager much better.
Post a Comment