New PC Software

[wolfman]

I just built my first PC and would like to know what additional software I should install on it. Such as an application for unzipping files (winzip or something else), music (real one or ???). I've already got an Antivirus and firewall, just looking for other "necessary" files that would work best.

Thanks,

[kram 2.0]

Adaware SE PE, Spybot S&D 1.3, Adobe Acrobat, Firefox (if necessary), and most importantly, check Windows Update. Congrats on the new build .

Hope that helps,
kram

[RJ]

Adobe Acrobat

I'm sure you mean Adobe Reader. . the Acrobat is a bit expensive

(real one or ???)

Well, instead of the bloated RealOne Player I recommend RealAlternative to play RealMedia files.
If you need to play QuickTime files as well, there's also an alternative, called the QuickTime Alternative
For the archive software I recommend WinAce, it's shareware and can decompress almost everything.

RJ

[kram 2.0]

Yes, sorry I meant Acrobat Reader. Quicktime is actually pretty good on its own, unlike Real One. I'd suggest installing the real version of Apple QuickTime Player there.

Hope that helps,
kram

[Force Flow]

A firewall, such as Sygate, Kerio or ZA 4.5

[TheMajor]

As archiver use WinRAR http://rarlab.com; it supports more formats than WinACE or WinZIP
As audioplayer use WinAMP5.03 http://www.winamp.com

[TheMajor]

yes Force Flow..I'm using SyGate too..its very good

[wolfman]

Thanks for all the suggestions, this is exactly the response I was expecting!!!

[TheMajor]

for high quality picture editing you wil need Ulead PhotoImpact or Adobe Photoshop, and the best HTMLetc editors are Macromedia Dreamweaver and Adobe GoLive

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Wow... that's one hefty sig there TheMajor

You also install BitTorrent and then TorrentStorm(Maybe you only need TorrentStorm) since downloading by way of torrent files is becoming more common(SP2? ISO's? Games(legit of course )).

Possibly a Download Manager such as FlashGet or a better one that I lost and havent bothered to find. Good for larger files at least.

Maybe a CD burning utility as well, such as Nero or a free alternative(don't know if there is a good one).

Sorry I didn't do links... I'm feeling really lazy right now.

[TheMajor]

some P2P apps you could install:
KaZaa
LimeWire
BearShare
ShareAzA
WinMX
Morpheus
E-Donkey

[Gibble]

Sorry, but I'm going to go against TheMajor and the P2P. A good deal of the ones he listed contain spyware and can hose a system in no time. I would say go to zero paid and read reviews and check and see which ones contain spyware (also which ones you like )

[TheMajor]

Never had problems with spyware...
But thanks anyway..others might benefit

[j4ck]

There are more tradeoffs for using ANY P2P application. Namely, I am thinking about creating open ports on your computer for the bad guys to get in through.

I issue this only as a warning since I use Kazaa Lite myself, but I keep my usage to a minimum for the reason I just mentioned. The issue of unsecured open ports is also the basis for why many system administrators will literally *shut down* computers on their network that are using any P2P program.