7 Programs to Install on Your New Computer

For any of you out there who might get a new computer for Christmas or are setting a computer up for others, this guide is for you.*

1.) Google Chrome (Web-browser):

An essential for any new computer is a good safe web-browser. There are loads to choose from, as long is it's not Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Today, we're going with Google Chrome, Google's new web-browser.
Google Chrome is safe, easy to use, fast and most importantly: secure.

Faster then most other browsers I've used and tested, this Java based open-source browser truly is something worth trying, and offers a new and wonderful experience from casual users to true enthusiasts.*

Download here

2.) VLC Media Player (Media Player):

VLC is another powerful open-source program, and one of the best media players out there. While you may need iTunes to download songs onto your iPod or iPhone or like it's organization, or you use Windows Media Player to play your movies. Nothing comes close to using VLC as your main media player. Why? VLC offers something that most other media players don't, almost every codec that you'd ever need (a codec is code that allows you to view media in formats not supported originally like .ogg, .xvid, ext.) By offering the latest Community Coder Codec Pack in each update, the folks behind VLC make sure everything you need to play, you can play. While you may not set this up as the default media player, you should have it.

Download here

3.) Foxit Reader (PDF Document Viewer):

While most will say that you can just use Adobe Reader, Foxit offers a lot more then what you will find with the other guys. Foxit gives you all the plugins you need to view your PDF documents in any web-browser, and gives you all the tools for your desktop. In the basic free version, you can even edit and highlight your PDF documents. Need to highlight and check off that list of AFI's top 100 lists? No problem, just click the highlight button and you're set. It offers a lot, and it extremely easy to use.

Download here


4.) Trillian (Instant Messaging Client):

Do you find yourself messing about with AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Facebook Instant Messenger, Myspace Instant Messenger, Google Talk, Skype, ICQ, Yahoo Instant Messenger or Jabber? Finding yourself transfering from window to window to manage all your friends who use different instant messenger clients? That time messing with different programs is over, Trillian is your one stop instant messaging client that allows you to log into every single one of those instant messaging protocols without having to have all the applications.*

Download here

5.) OpenOffice.org (Office Suite):

So the new college semester starts up soon, but you don't want to shell out the cash for another Microsoft Office license on a new computer or on your old one. OpenOffice.org is for you in that case. OpenOffice.org (yes the ".org" is part of it's name) is an open-source, totally free, office suite that offers everything from a word processor to a keynote presentation maker. It offers it all and then some that companies like Microsoft and Apple charge a good deal of money for. While it may take a little time getting use to a new office suite it's well worth it when you can update it to the next big version without killing your wallet.

Download here

6.) 7-Zip (Packing and unpacking):

Someone sends you a archived file, say a .rar file, and you don't know what to do! Sure WinRar is a solution, but it costs money. So here you lie with a problem on you hands, you don't want to fork over some money for a simple file unpacking!
7-Zip is free and does it all, what WinRar can do, 7-Zip can do as well.

Download here



7.) AVG Free (Anti-Virus):

Norton, McAfee, they cost money. They are good, but again cost the extra pennies. You want a trustworthy anti-virus without the cost. AVG Free is a free suite containing some of the main parts of the larger AVG suite. If you don't want to pay for another anti-virus, AVG is for you. It works, is managed by a large trustworthy company.

Download here



Have you any other programs you like or recommend? Tell us in the comments!

*All programs listed except Trillian (windows only) and AVG Free (Windows and Linux) work with Windows, Macintosh, and any Linux Distro
*When it comes to browsers that are many alternatives, Firefox, SeaMonkey, Opera, Safari. Chrome was picked out after toying with the lot and testing speeds and interface.
*Some features offered in other clients are not compatible with Trillian (such as video chat with Windows Live or application use)
*All logos posted are trademarked by there perspective companies, all rights are reserved.