I have long been a PC user and have dabbled in many different areas of computing which has given me an opportunity to use many different programs. So I have picked my favourites for almost every imaginable task. All these programs are run on my dirt cheap laptop with 2 GB RAM and a Windows Experience Index of 3.1 on Windows 7 release candidate.
- Adobe Air: Lightweight Apps – Allows me to run apps such as a Facebook client, Fontpicker, scheduler (Klok).
- Adobe.com: Collaboration/Screen sharing – Upload files to access them anywhere or share your screen with a partner.
- Adobe Media Player: Media/FLV – I originally used a codec on Windows Media Player to play .FLV’s but found it to be too buggy. I’m sure there is a better alternative, but it works
- Adobe Master Collection CS4: Image editing/Video editing/Desktop Publishing – Edit everything. Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and so much more. The best of the best.
- AutoDesk Maya PLE 8.5: 3D Animation/Modeling – This I have for the sake of learning and I couple it with 3D Studio Max to take care of every 3D need I could have.
- AVG Free 8.5: Virus Protection – The best free antivirus solution available by far. I’m waiting to upgrade to the new version this week.
- Destroy Twitter: Blogging/Networking – Free twitter client for your desktop.
- DivX: Media/DivX – Well this one is obvious DivX is one of the most popular codecs out there you need it.
- DVDShrink: Backup/DVD ripping – A free and very useful DVD ripping application.
- ElectricSheep Screensaver: Fun/Screensaver – The coolest screensaver available it connects to the net to download and evolve new fractal patterns.
- FileZilla: FTP – Free FTP solution quick and easy to use.
- Google Chrome: Browser – A simple and effective browser from Google I use it to test website designs.
- Google Earth: Mapping/Directions/Fun – An interactive globe that is beyond compare. View anything on earth or mars.
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2010: Application development – I grabbed the free beta on this and have used it for C#, C++, VB and HTML.
- Mozilla Firefox: Browser – In my opinion the best browser out there because of its customizability.
- Open Office 3.1: Productivity – A free fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office.
- Photosynth: Fun/Photo tool – I haven’t really used this much but it basically links photos together to created 3D interactive views of an area…
- Picasa 3: Photo Albums – An excellent photo organizing tool that does so much from face recognition to geotagging to editing.
- PoweISO: Virtual Disk/ISO/Disk Images – Capable of mounting up to 8 virtual drives as well as handling almost every disk image available.
- RadarSync: Updating/Drivers – I almost never use this anymore. keeps your PC up to date by checking for the latest drivers and program updates.
- Smart Project’s ISOBuster: ISO/Disk images - Another extractor but lacking in mounting options
- SpeedFan: Utilities/Fan/Info - A free program that shows your core temp and allows you to adjust many system level functions such as fan speed/voltage.
- Universal Extractor: Extracting - Name says it all extracts almost every archive format from ZIP to RAR.
- Windows 7 Codecs: Media/Codec – Allows Windows Media Player to play almost every media format.
- Windows Live Essentials: Photo/Messaging/Blogging/Video/Email/Phone – Microsoft’s Free app suite that includes a Mail program, Instant Messenger, Blogging software, Video maker, Photo editor. Well rounded and a must have for me.
- uTorrent: Downloads/Torrents - Lightweight and awesome the best torrent app around.
- Zbrush: 3D Models – A 3D program that is best described as painting in 3D.
These are just my picks if I have access to these I am a happy camper. These are all used in conjunction with the default programs such as Media Player, Notepad, Internet Explorer ect. If you have these you can essentially do anything with a PC.
Please comment and leave your suggestions for alternatives or programs I missed.
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