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List of Applications That Everyone Should Have on Their Computer

List of Applications Everyone Should Have On Their Computer

Andrew Saladino’s List of Must-Have Computer Applications

I haven’t made a blog post in quite some time but this list is something that I had to share with all of my amazing readers (all two of you). There was a post on reddit this week (see original post here) where a user asked, ‘What is something you think everyone should have installed on their computer or laptop?‘ and as usual, the reddit community delivered with some absolutely amazing application recommendations. I went through the comments and compiled this list of applications that you need to download ASAP:

Video:

  • VLC – Open source video player.
  • Media Player Classic – Home Cinema – Light-weight media player for Windows. I personally like MPC-HC much better than VLC. Supports more codecs/formats and video looks better.
  • Combined Community Codec Pack – A simple playback pack for Windows with the goal of supporting the majority of video formats in use today. Must have if you watch certain tv-shows or anime.

Audio:

  • Foobar 2000 – Extremely lightweight and customizable free audio player for Windows. Supports a wide array of different audio formats.
  • Audacity – Free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds.
  • Spotify – Listen to music for free.
  • Grooveshark – Listen to music and radio stations for free.

Browsers:

  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Waterfox – 64bit browser based upon the Mozilla Firefox source code.
  • Pale Moon – Open Source, full-featured, speed optimized browser based on the popular Firefox browser.

Extensions for browsers:

  • Reddit Enhancement Suite – Make surfing Reddit so much more enjoyable. Highly customizable and easy to set up.
  • Honey – Chrome extension that autoscans for working coupon codes during checkout.
  • Adblock Plus – Blocks annoying ads on webpages and in videos. Surf faster and safer.
  • Ghostery – Anti ad/tracking extension.
  • ProxTube – Circumvent blocked Youtube videos.
  • Speed Dial – Allows fast access to your most visited websites. Extremely useful if you visit or want to keep track off a lot of different websites.
  • NoScript – Open source add-on (for Firefox) which allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice.
  • ScriptNo – Similar to NoScript only for Chrome instead.
  • Search by Image for Google (Firefox) – Fast way to reverse search an image. Very handy if you’re looking for a source, more information or if anyone posts “original content“.
  • Search by Image for Google (Chrome)

Security:

  • Microsoft Security Essentials – Lightweight antivirus software.
  • Avast! Free Antivirus – Antivirus software.
  • Malwarebytes – Anti-malware software.
  • TrueCrypt – Free open-source disk encryption software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux.
  • Keepass – Free, open source, light-weight and easy-to-use password manager.
  • LastPass – Another password manager that makes web browsing easier and more secure.
  • Prey – Lets you keep track of your laptop, phone and tablet whenever stolen or missing. It’s lightweight, open source software that gives you full and remote control, 24/7.

System, cleaning and recovery:

  • CCleaner – A freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. For Windows and Mac.
  • Defraggler – Defragmentation software for Windows.
  • Recuva – File recovery software for Windows.
  • Speccy – Give you detailed statistics on every piece of hardware in your computer. For Windows.

Communications:

  • Skype – Call friends/family on their computers or phones. For Windows and Mac.
  • Pidgin – Open source chat client which is compatible with several different chat networks.
  • Trillian – A fully featured, stand-alone chat client that supports several different chat networks.
  • HexChat – IRC chat client for both Linux and Windows.

Documents, images and graphics:

  • Foxit Reader – Free PDF reader for Windows, Linux and smartphones.
  • Sumatra PDF – Free PDF reader for Windows.
  • Open Office – Open source personal productivity suite.
  • Libre Office – Open source personal productivity suite for Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • GIMP – Free image manipulation software.
  • Paint.net – A free image and photo editing software. For Windows.
  • IrfanView – The best freeware image/graphic viewer for Windows. Extremely lightweight and supports a wide arrange of different formats.

Compression:

  • WinRAR – File archiver (You can still use the software after the trial period has run out).
  • 7-Zip – Open source file archiver.

File sharing:

  • uTorrent 2.2.1 – uTorrent became extremely bloated after they released version 3.0 and on. Version 2.2.1 has everything you need without using many resources or having any ads.
  • Transmission – Extremely lightweight BitTorrent client for Mac and Linux. There’s an unofficial Windows version which you can get here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/trqtw/[46]
  • Deluge – Lightweight, cross-platform BitTorrent client.
  • qBittorrent – Free, lightweight cross-platform BitTorrent client.
  • Trixati – Free BitTorrent client for Windows and Linux.

CD/DVD-tools:

Online Storage:

  • Dropbox – Cloud storage. For Windows, Mac, Linux and smartphones.
  • Google Drive – Google’s cloud storage solution similar to Dropbox.
  • Skydrive – Microsoft’s cloud storage solution. Now also available on Xbox360.

Live streaming/recording:

  • Open Broadcaster Software – Free and open source software for media streaming/recording.
  • FFsplit – A free front-end application that allows you to capture and record what is happening on your desktop. For Windows.
  • DXtory – Dxtory is a movie capture tool only for DirextX/OpenGL application. For Windows.

Other:

  • Steam – PC-game client for PC, Mac and Linux (Linux version is still in closed beta).
  • f.lux – Makes the color of your computer’s display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day. Must have if you have problems with going to sleep or have problems with eyes or headaches. For Windows.
  • RedShift – Just like f.lux but for Linux (there exists an experimental Windows build though).
  • Sublime Text 2 – A great text editor for code, markup and prose. For Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • Notepad++ – Free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. For Windows.
  • Rainlendar – A lightweight customizable calendar.
  • Hamachi – A hosted VPN service that lets you create LAN-like networks. Very useful if you want to play older pc-games with friends.
  • Tunngle – A p2p VPN tool somewhat similar to Hamachi.
  • Paint.Net – If MS Paint and Photoshop had a baby. It’s a free image and photo editing software for Windows and is a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool.

There you have it — the complete list of software that you need on your computer to handle nearly every situation possible. I’m going to periodically be uploading this list so please leave a comment with your feedback or if there’s an application that you think I left out that belongs on this list.

Would You Rather Wednesday: Coke or Pepsi?

I apologize for not writing in my blog in ages but I thought it’d be the perfect time to start on a Wednesday with a ‘Would You Rather Wednesday?’ question. Today’s question is pretty simple: Would you rather drink Coca-Cola or Pepsi?

Coca-Cola: I’m referring to the Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Coca-Cola Zero products (this does not include all of the other beverages that Coca Cola owns)

Pepsi: I’m referring to the Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Max products (this does not include all of the other beverages that PepsiCo owns)
Coca-Cola BeveragesORPepsi Beverages

Tay Zonday – Call Me Maybe?

There’s probably a new version of Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen almost every day but this one caught my attention. Why you ask? Because it’s song by the Chocolate Rain YouTube sensation Tay Zonday. I thought this guy fell off the planet after the song but apparently he has over 40 videos in his YouTube channel. Check out this absolutely hilarious and strange rendition of Call Me Maybe performed by the one and only Tay Zonday.

Would You Rather Wednesday: Fall to your Death, Burn to Death, Drown to Death, Eaten Alive?

Today’s ‘Would You Rather Wednesday’ is a little different than the previous ones. I’m giving you four options to choose from and they are all really bad situations. Today’s question is, ‘Would you rather fall to your death, burn to death, drown to death, or be eaten alive?’ Please read the below scenarios for the specifics of your horrible death!

Fall to your Death: You know how all of your friends always say they want to go skydiving? You caved in to their peer pressure and you went. You jump out of the plane with your instructor and then he realizes that the parachute won’t open. He says, “Don’t worry, that’s what the backup parachute is for!”. He then tries to open that one and it won’t open either. You are now cutting through the air with nothing to slow you down.

Burn to Death: You’re in an enclosed room that is locked shut. You’re surrounded by flammable objects and the fire has spread to a point where you have absolutely no way to put it out. It’s a large room and you’re on the other side of the fire. It’s only a matter of time until it reaches you.

Drown to Death: (DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE MOVIE TITANIC)  You’re Jack Dawson on the Titatic in the scene where he’s handcuffed to the pipe while the ship is sinking. The only problem is that there is no Rose to come and save you with an ax. The room is slowly filling up with water and your demise is inevitable.

Eaten Alive: Like a scene from Resident Evil, you wake up one day and you’re stuck in a mansion. Doesn’t seem too bad. The only problem is everyone that you know and everyone in the mansion is a hungry flesh eating zombie. You’re their dinner for tonight and there’s no way out of the mansion.

Would You Rather Wednesday: Punched in the Face by Mike Tyson Hit with a Bat by Barry Bonds

This Would You Rather Wednesday is going to hurt … literally. Today’s question is, “Would you rather be punched in the face by Mike Tyson or hit with a bat in the chest by Barry Bonds?” It’s going to hurt either way so you’re in trouble either way. Some things to think about:

Mike Tyson: Mike Tyson has 50 professional boxing wins. 44 of them were by Knock Out. He has completely floored some of the best fighters of all time. He’s punching you in the face.

Barry Bonds: Barry Bonds has the record for most home runs in a single season and also has the record for most career home runs. He swings pretty hard. He’s hitting you in the chest.
Mike Tyson Knock OutORBarry Bonds Home Run

Would You Rather Wednesday: No Salty Junk Food or No Sweet Junk Food for a Month

I’d like to thank Stephanie Behie for today’s ‘Would You Rather Wednesday’ question. I think this is one of the toughest choices yet. To my faithful fans, I ask you, ‘Would you rather not be able to eat salty junk food (chips, popcorn, etc) or sweet junk food (cake, ice cream, candy, etc) for an entire month?

Some Delicious Salty Junk Food: Potato Chips, Pretzels, Popcorn, Doritos, Party Mix, Cheeze-Its, Cheetos, Cheese Puffs, Hot Fries,Goldfish, Fritos, etc.

Some Delicious Sweet Junk Food: All Cake, All Ice Cream, Gushers, OREO cookies, Twizzlers, Chocolate Bars, Sweedish Fish, etc.
Salty Junk FoodORSweet Junk Food

Best Draw Something Drawing Of All Time

I’ve seen a ton of Draw Something pictures that I thought were absolutely amazing but I think this one is by far the best. It combines creativity with great artistic ability. I think that the reason I like it so much is that I’m just a huge nerd.

This artist could have easily drawn a huge beautiful picture of ‘PIkachu’ but chose to go a completely different route. Utilizing the ‘Who’s That Pokémon?’ game screen with the silhouette of PIkachu just brings me right back to my childhood. See below photos of the Draw Something picture and the actual Pokémon TV show reference.

Draw Something Picture:
Best Draw Something Drawing of All Time: Pikachu

TV Show Reference:
Who's That Pokemon? Pikachu

Would You Rather Wednesday: No Music or No Cell Phone for 3 Months

Today’s ‘Would You Rather Wednesday’ is a tough one. I ask you this question: ‘Would you rather not be able to listen to music for 3 months or give up your cell phone for 3 months?’ It takes two things that everyone loves and makes you choose between them. As usual, here are some rules and things to think about:

No Music: You can’t listen to music at all for these three months. This includes television (no MTV!), no bars, no clubs, no movies, etc. If there’s music, you can’t hear it.

No Cell Phone: No cell phone at all. No iPhone. No iPad, none of that stuff. Picture your life during the 90s when you actually had to go and socialize and call people on land line telephones. That would be your life for the three months. I’m the type of person who freaks out if they don’t know where their phone is for 5 minutes, let alone 3 months!

Never Listen To MusicORGive Up Your Cell Phone

Would You Rather Wednesday: Be Stuck in a Broken Elevator for 10 Hours or on a Broken Ski Lift for 10 Hours

Today’s Would You Rather Wednesday question is ‘Would you rather be stuck in a broken elevator for 10 hours or on a broken ski lift for 10 hours?’ Some Rules:

For Both: You’re by yourself. You have no electronic devices on you (no iPhone, no iPad, NOTHING!) The only food you have on you is an Almond Joy and some Tic Tacs.

EDIT Broken Elevator: You’re in the oldest elevator in ALL of New York City. This thing is freaking scary. It breaks down all the time, the door closes on people’s body parts. You’re surprised it even works. There’s no elevator music. It’s in the heart of Winter and this elevator doesn’t have heat. You’re stuck in-between the two highest floors of this building.

Broken Ski Lift: You’re at one of the highest points of the ski lift where it’s impossible to jump down. It’s pretty cold outside (you were skiing!). @Matt Ramos — The ski lift is not going to fall or break.
Broken ElevatorORBroken Ski Lift

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