Skype
As the web site says, the world can now talk for free. Once installed, it works just like your phone. Free long distance calls to a regular phone in the U.S. and free internet calls anywhere in the world. Very cool.
Belarc Advisor *
Builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, anti-virus status, benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server.
Good Sync *
GoodSync uses an innovative synchronization algorithm to synchronize your data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives and more. Very reliable with easy interface.
Firefox Web Browser
Alternative to Internet Explorer, with many features and very customizable. Highly recommended.
Windows Defende Update
If you have an error messge when you start windows, download this file and run it.
Ad-Aware
Spyware remover. Run at least once a week with heavy internet usage.
Spybot
Another spyware remover. Run at least once a week with heavy internet usage. (It is ok to have two spyware removers running at once.)
Google Earth
Google Earth puts a planet's worth of imagery and other geographic information right on your desktop. View exotic locales like Maui and Paris as well as points of interest such as local restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more.
Picasa
Picasa is software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Every time you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and make labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized..
The Gimp
The GIMP is a free PhotoShop equivalent. It has a high learning curve, but it very powerful as well.
Sketch Up! *
SketchUp is a simple but powerful tool for quickly and easily creating, viewing and modifying your 3D ideas. It links seamlessly with Google Earth.
Celestia *
Space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Extremely Cool!
Google Toolbar
A Google search from any web page and blocks annoying pop-ups.
Audacity
Audio recording program. A must have.
iTunes Media Player
Media player for music, podcasts and videos.
Primo PDF
Creates PDF files that can be read by any computer from your Word documents.
