A while ago I posted a blog about free software (here) that would save you a few bucks. If you haven't read the original list, I really recommend it.
I've recently compiled an addendum to this list (below). Actually, it's not an addendum, because that would be just tagged on to the existing list. So, it's actually a completely new list. Anyway, here it is:
Useful for Home
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit: Helps protect your browser from potential threats. This is the same company that produces the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware utility (which I also highly recommend). I'd say it's a must for any of you who consider yourself dummies when it comes to computers.
Of course, the best defense (other than security software) against infections is knowledge. One of these days I'll post my security briefing. It'll scare the hell out of you.
7zip: This free utility will unzip pretty much any compressed file, such as RAR, ZIP etc. Useful for when people send you a compressed file that's been zipped using proprietary software and you don't want to shell out cash for a one time unzip.
Ninite: Don't want to spend hours downloading and re-installing third party programs after re-installing your computers OS? Click on the applications you want from your browser and then Ninite does the rest. Pretty slick.
Tor Browser: If you haven't heard of Tor, you probably need to read up on it here. Very briefly, this browser takes advantage of the Tor network, allowing you to browse the internet anonymously, concealing your location and your usage. I guess if you don't want the government and your internet provider knowing that you're really into furry porn, then this is the browser for you. If you don't know what furry porn is, then you might find it useful from keeping the above mentioned entities from finding out that you're googling "furry porn" to find out what the hell that is.
People are into all sorts of weird &@$* and the internet is the place to find it.
For the Computer Literate
File Puma: One stop site for downloading free software. Pools pretty much every piece of free software on the internet in one place. Great for finding stuff quickly that you need without all the annoying adverts that a lot of other download sites have. It's also great for exploring to see what's out there.
Universal Extractor: Will open all sorts of archived file packages, including old email archives. Useful for when some dummy has sent you an archive package of something that windows doesn't recognize and expects you to know what the hell it is.
iehv: Want to see a complete history of every site visited in Internet Explorer? This will do the trick. Of course, who's still using IE? I've mostly used it in environments where people are forced to use IE and want to see what sites they've been wasting their time at.
Glarysoft: I'm not completely sold on this one, but essentially it pools a number of similar services regarding computer performance and upkeep in one easy to access place that are already provided by on-board Windows tools and other free applications. In a few tests it seemed to do what it says, but it's main benefit seemed to be the easy access to a comprehensive suite of tools. If anyone else has an opinion on it, I'd be interested to know.
Rufus: A neat tool for putting bootable ISOs on a USB drive easily. This is handy for creating a bootable USB with Clonezilla, DBAN, or even a Windows OS. Why waste a DVD or CD? Of course, if you don't know what "bootable" or "ISO" or anything after that means, you can click here and see some amusing badgers from a video that went viral about 15 years ago.
Tuxboot: Does the same thing as above, but specifically for Clonezilla and Gparted.
dban: Getting rid of an old hard drive and want to make sure there's nothing readable on it? DBAN will overwrite the disc as many times as you want (3 is usually plenty) making any information on the disc unrecoverable. It's easier and more effective than smashing it with a hammer.
Spiceworks: A must for small businesses that want to monitor their network, manage their inventory and track help desk tickets (and much, much more). It's also a great tech community that can provide lots of answers to tricky questions.
Macrium Reflect: A cloning, backup and imaging tool that you can run from within your computers OS. I'm still testing it, but so far, it's pretty cool.
Linux Mint: One of the best flavours of the Linux OS I've used. It's easy to use and Windows users find it easy to jump over to. It's also great for installing on older computers that still have lots of life left in them, but won't run a newer Windows OS, or will run it slowly.
If anyone has questions or needs some pointers with any of the above software, feel free to contact me.
If anyone has encountered free software you think I should add, please suggest it!
I've recently compiled an addendum to this list (below). Actually, it's not an addendum, because that would be just tagged on to the existing list. So, it's actually a completely new list. Anyway, here it is:
Useful for Home
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit: Helps protect your browser from potential threats. This is the same company that produces the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware utility (which I also highly recommend). I'd say it's a must for any of you who consider yourself dummies when it comes to computers.
Of course, the best defense (other than security software) against infections is knowledge. One of these days I'll post my security briefing. It'll scare the hell out of you.
7zip: This free utility will unzip pretty much any compressed file, such as RAR, ZIP etc. Useful for when people send you a compressed file that's been zipped using proprietary software and you don't want to shell out cash for a one time unzip.
Ninite: Don't want to spend hours downloading and re-installing third party programs after re-installing your computers OS? Click on the applications you want from your browser and then Ninite does the rest. Pretty slick.
Tor Browser: If you haven't heard of Tor, you probably need to read up on it here. Very briefly, this browser takes advantage of the Tor network, allowing you to browse the internet anonymously, concealing your location and your usage. I guess if you don't want the government and your internet provider knowing that you're really into furry porn, then this is the browser for you. If you don't know what furry porn is, then you might find it useful from keeping the above mentioned entities from finding out that you're googling "furry porn" to find out what the hell that is.
People are into all sorts of weird &@$* and the internet is the place to find it.
For the Computer Literate
File Puma: One stop site for downloading free software. Pools pretty much every piece of free software on the internet in one place. Great for finding stuff quickly that you need without all the annoying adverts that a lot of other download sites have. It's also great for exploring to see what's out there.
Universal Extractor: Will open all sorts of archived file packages, including old email archives. Useful for when some dummy has sent you an archive package of something that windows doesn't recognize and expects you to know what the hell it is.
iehv: Want to see a complete history of every site visited in Internet Explorer? This will do the trick. Of course, who's still using IE? I've mostly used it in environments where people are forced to use IE and want to see what sites they've been wasting their time at.
Glarysoft: I'm not completely sold on this one, but essentially it pools a number of similar services regarding computer performance and upkeep in one easy to access place that are already provided by on-board Windows tools and other free applications. In a few tests it seemed to do what it says, but it's main benefit seemed to be the easy access to a comprehensive suite of tools. If anyone else has an opinion on it, I'd be interested to know.
Rufus: A neat tool for putting bootable ISOs on a USB drive easily. This is handy for creating a bootable USB with Clonezilla, DBAN, or even a Windows OS. Why waste a DVD or CD? Of course, if you don't know what "bootable" or "ISO" or anything after that means, you can click here and see some amusing badgers from a video that went viral about 15 years ago.
Tuxboot: Does the same thing as above, but specifically for Clonezilla and Gparted.
dban: Getting rid of an old hard drive and want to make sure there's nothing readable on it? DBAN will overwrite the disc as many times as you want (3 is usually plenty) making any information on the disc unrecoverable. It's easier and more effective than smashing it with a hammer.
Spiceworks: A must for small businesses that want to monitor their network, manage their inventory and track help desk tickets (and much, much more). It's also a great tech community that can provide lots of answers to tricky questions.
Macrium Reflect: A cloning, backup and imaging tool that you can run from within your computers OS. I'm still testing it, but so far, it's pretty cool.
Linux Mint: One of the best flavours of the Linux OS I've used. It's easy to use and Windows users find it easy to jump over to. It's also great for installing on older computers that still have lots of life left in them, but won't run a newer Windows OS, or will run it slowly.
If anyone has questions or needs some pointers with any of the above software, feel free to contact me.
If anyone has encountered free software you think I should add, please suggest it!
Hello,
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