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Community => Games & Programming => Topic started by: Spanky on Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 23:16:50 PM
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I'm going to be updating this thread with useful programs that some of you may not know about. They will help you get the most out of PC and possibly make it run better and last longer.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Archive & Backup:
- 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org)
Open source compression and archive program.
- Dropbox (http://www.dropbox.com)
Allows you to sync files on your computer with files on the internet for backup or sharing.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Burning & Emulation:
- VirtualBox (http://www.virtualbox.org)
Test, install and employ Operating Systems inside your OS.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Burning & Emulation:
- Daemon Tools (http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/home)
Virtually mounts ISO's and other disc formats.
- ISORecorder (http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm)
Burns ISO's and other disc formats.
- IMGBurn (http://www.imgburn.com)
Burns ISO's and other disc formats. Also look out for advertisements on the website and during install; they're sneaky.
- Burrrn (http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Burrrn.htm)
(Original site (http://www.burrrn.net/) is down.)
Burns music cd's using any format (FLAC, MP3).
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Cleaning:
- CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/)
All around free generic cleaner.
- Windows 7 Manager (http://www.yamicsoft.com/windows7manager/index.html) / Vista Manager (http://www.yamicsoft.com/vistamanager/index.html) / XP Manager (http://www.winxp-manager.com/xpmanager/index.html)
These programs get some of the deep stuff and have awesome features but it comes with a price.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Defragging:
- MyDefrag (http://www.mydefrag.com/)
Great program, plenty of options to defragment different drives and even schedule defragging.
- Defraggler (http://www.defraggler.com/)
Made by the same company as CCleaner, this is a good and easy to use defragger.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Internet:
- Google Chrome (http://www.google.com/chrome)
Fast, small & open source web browser.
- Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html)
Open source web browser with tons of customizations and extensions.
- JDownloader (http://jdownloader.org/)
Download manager. Works with sites like YouTube and Rapidshare.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fmacos.png&hash=f67f749a1cb29e6309058149266b04e2)(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Internet:
- uTorrent (http://www.utorrent.com/)
A very tiny yet powerful Bittorrent client.
- Trillian (http://www.trillian.im/download/)
Powerful instant messaging client that supports MSN, AIM, YIM, ICQ, IRC and many more. Has iPhone and web support.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Internet:
- PeerBlock (http://www.peerblock.com/releases)
An updated version of PeerGuardian2. This program blocks IP addresses and ranges at your computer. People can still connect to your computer as they have to in order to be denied information. Also use IBlockList (http://www.iblocklist.com/lists.php)'s lists in PeerBlock.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Media:
- VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/)
Plays everything, small footprint. Easy to use.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Media:
For better quality but a more complicated setup on Windows-Based computers, I recommend using the following combination:
- Windows Media Player
- ReClock (http://forum.slysoft.com/forumdisplay.php?f=85)
- CoreAVC 2.0 (http://coreavc.com/)
- Xvid Codec (http://www.xvid.org/Downloads.15.0.html)
- Haali Media Splitter (http://haali.su/mkv/)
- AC3 Filter (http://ac3filter.net/projects/ac3filter)
*Note: For Audio, Visit the following thread:
http://hsc.natescomp.com/index.php/topic,5.msg7.html (http://hsc.natescomp.com/index.php/topic,5.msg7.html)
- Mp3tag (http://www.mp3tag.de/en/)
Powerful tool to edit metadata of common audio formats (flac, mp3, ogg) and more.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Misc.:
- Blender (http://www.blender.org)
Open Source 3D content creation suite.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) (https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fmacos.png&hash=f67f749a1cb29e6309058149266b04e2) Misc.:
- TeamViewer (http://www.teamviewer.com)
Remote support program, similar to RDC.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc)Misc.:
- File Hippo Update Checker (http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/)
Checks for updates to software and programs.
- DriverMax (http://www.drivermax.com/)
Finds and downloads the latest drivers for your computer.
- HashCheck (http://code.kliu.org/hashcheck/)
Shell extension to create and verify checksums (sfv, md5, etc) and hashes for any file.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=a661b05bbc68719a09c79aed4e81c392) Text Programs:
- Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/)
Open source Microsoft Office alternative.
- PDF Split and Merge (http://www.pdfsam.org/)
Split and merge PDF files. Also rearranges pages in a PDF.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Text Programs:
- Foxit Reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/)
Alternative to Adobe, this will read your PDF's faster and with less memory usage.
- Notepad++ (http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm)
Awesome text editor, has all the features you will need and more. Great to use for coding.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Tweaking Programs:
- EVGA Precision (http://www.evga.com/precision/)
Quick and easy overclocking tool for Nvidia-based graphics cards. Also has in-game temp, fan speed, time and FPS meters.
- Windows 7 Manager (http://www.yamicsoft.com/windows7manager/index.html) / Vista Manager (http://www.yamicsoft.com/vistamanager/index.html) / XP Manager (http://www.winxp-manager.com/xpmanager/index.html)
Tweaks you never even thought about, but it comes with a price.
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F464376%2Fheadshot%2Fwindows.png&hash=101109f7961b820c06a65bd0362130fc) Specs & Information:
- Speccy (http://www.piriform.com/speccy)
Beta program from Piriform (Makers of CCleaner & Defraggler) that can tell you everything you need to know about your computer and share it in a file.
- GPU-Z (http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/)
Shows everything you could possibly want to know about your graphics card.
- SpeedFan (http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php)
Shows temperatures, voltages, S.M.A.R.T. info and more.
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You should add Dropbox under something like "File Backup Utilities".
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you should add winrar and 7zip to the list.
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Done & done. Thanks guys. I still have to clean up the list a pinch but it's coming together well.
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I don't know if these are exactly must have but I use these programs quite alot
nhancer- allows you to further edit your GPU performance for games. nvidia cards only
EVGA Precision- lets you control core clock, shaderd clock, memory clock, and fan speed of your GPU. usable for any nvidia geforce card.
utorrent- downloads torrent files.
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Cleaned up original post and added JDownloader.
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Ooh, I think it would be cool if you add little 24x24 images of OS's next to each program instead of [Windows Only] or [Cross Platform]. ;-)
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Fwindows.png&hash=7dbf0033e04be8267298b6bc6e123c52)
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Fmacos.png&hash=98d55be0a9f50b359a8e2c1b0cb80211)
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Flinux.png&hash=c1cad60361da918f2a94e155586eb96f)
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Fbsd.png&hash=c75ba97dbcf74519445105626aa10893)
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I'm always up for pimpin it out, I just suck at it :D What's the red icon for?
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Thats BSD
http://www.freebsd.org/ (http://www.freebsd.org/)
Linux and BSD are not the same to anyone who comes running in here to tell me that.
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On average, what programs include cross platform? Just so I can put the images together into one ;)
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On average, what programs include cross platform? Just so I can put the images together into one ;)
Huh? Cross-Platform is usually the top 3.
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(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=170d682c42d582297c157137044262c1)
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Woot, looks better :)
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Awesome! I'll be posting some stuff for Mac users later tonight.
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Can u play all the games using a mac computer? because i don't think mac is used as a gaming pc
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Spanky, Google Chrome is cross-platform too, only it's called Chromium (http://code.google.com/chromium/) instead. Don't ask me why they use different names, but they're pretty much the same thing.
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If you dualboot XP and are able to find one of the 3 video cards that can actually render graphics, yea. But Dann is talking about applications, not just games.
*EDIT*
Delta, I thought Chromium was Google's Linux-Based OS?
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No, I think that's called Chrome OS. Chromium is the open source version of Google Chrome.
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Organized it a bit more. Feedback?
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Looks a lot better. Nice. Heres a couple programs I suggest:
Daemon Tools - makes virtual drives and mounts images
UTorrent - obviously downloads stuff from torrents
Trillian - instant messaging client supports basically everything and looks super sexy
Blender - open source 3d modeler
VirtualBox - best open source virtual machine
TeamViewer - used as remote assistance support, vpn, file transfer, and screen presentation. encrypted, easy to use
ImgBurn - burn images, files, folders. make images, create statistics of your disc burner, change burner options. both basic and advanced
Burrrn - burn audio files as an audio cd. does mp3, flac, mpc, ogg, pretty much everything.
I have a feeling the list might need to get split into 'programs mostly every user needs on a basic install' and 'other useful programs that are awesome'.
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I added a couple, I have the others open in websites and will add them later. Got dinner right now though so I'll be back later.
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Very clean list, great job.
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Finished adding all of Blueblasters programs, and did a pinch of cleanup.
*EDIT*
Also alphabetized the whole list and added Speccy.
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Added beta download link for Media Player Classic. << The beta is awesome.
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Add EVGA precision. It works for any Nvidia card.
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Peerblock, PeerGuardian2
blocks Ads, Spywares etcc....
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Peerblock, PeerGuardian2
blocks Ads, Spywares etcc....
yes, that's good. but they stopped supporting peergaurdian 2, no more updates. So just add peerblock.
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So just add peerblock.
Yea, that's what I told him last night.
List is updated.
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Added File Hippo's Update Checker.
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Added:
PDF Split and Merge
Mp3tag
Also fixed a link from the old headshot site. Does anyone every look at this topic anymore?
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Added:
PDF Split and Merge
Mp3tag
Also fixed a link from the old headshot site. Does anyone every look at this topic anymore?
Not unless I need a program for something.
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I added DriverMax. I think it's a superb program and is actually better than I am at finding drivers. There was only 1 driver that didn't work out of a couple dozen on 3 different computers. Highly recommended.
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I still have to do the compilation of apps for Mac, don't I? Fuck. I know I swore I would, but I haven't been very time-free lately.
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Updated recommended media playback for Windows.
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WMP replaced MPC?
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To me, yea. I like it better. Windows 7 (WMP 11?) has the added aero effect so all buttons appear transparently over the video so there's more screen space for the video. With MPC, the video rarely touched the sides of my monitor so it wasn't as large as it could be, with WMP it does and it is. Install the other things I listed and it's better than MPC.
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lol I managed to botch my WMP install, so I flip between MPC or VLC with ffdshow tryouts.
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I think it's WMP 12. The Aero effects make it really worthwhile. I don't know if it's available on XP or not. +1 for Windows 7.
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Im very sure its Windows 7 only lol. I believe I looked for it a long time ago and that what I remember. Man I was angry, WMP was actually a pretty good program from MS.
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Yea. On another subject (I might split the thread) why aren't you running 7?
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Since XP is working now, I don't need to take the time to switch the entire OS. Plus i have linux and XP on the same HD, so Id rather not try and overwrite XP with 7.
Next time I reformat itll be with 7 since XP has been kind of, done. There's prolly more hacks to discover on 7!
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"working" is fine but there's something to be said about more efficiency and productivity in a newer OS. XP to 7 is a HUGE difference. There's no reason NOT to use 7 these days. I'm sure you could clone your linux install and then format and restore it that way.
As I showed AJ my most favorite theme for Windows 7, I noticed in it there's a screenshot of WMP12:
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/skins/windows7/visualstyle/#/d2eaqwm
Can't get cleaner than that :P
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Back to must-have programs . . .
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Yea. On another subject (I might split the thread) why aren't you running 7?
i'm still on xp
cos you are a pussy
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Added HashCheck.
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Burning & Emulation:
Daemon Tools
I'm a BSOD analyzer, and I just want to say that I would be careful with Daemon Tools. They have been a known problem to cause BSODs in windows 7. Just a heads up.
Other than that, great list!
-Fire
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A list from 3 years ago if you didn't notice :)
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A list from 3 years ago if you didn't notice :)
Oh lol. Yeah I need to start looking at that lol. xD
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WinCDEmu nigga
http://wincdemu.sysprogs.org/
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Blue's back :D
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bout the time