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Community => Games & Programming => Topic started by: Spanky on Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 23:16:50 PM

Title: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Wednesday, December 02, 2009, 23:16:50 PM
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:
Open source compression and archive program.
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:
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:
Virtually mounts ISO's and other disc formats.
Burns ISO's and other disc formats.
Burns ISO's and other disc formats. Also look out for advertisements on the website and during install; they're sneaky.
(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:
All around free generic cleaner.
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:
Great program, plenty of options to defragment different drives and even schedule defragging.
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:
Fast, small & open source web browser.
Open source web browser with tons of customizations and extensions.
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:
A very tiny yet powerful Bittorrent client.
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:
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:
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:

*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)

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.:
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.:
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.:
Checks for updates to software and programs.
Finds and downloads the latest drivers for your computer.
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 source Microsoft Office alternative.
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:
Alternative to Adobe, this will read your PDF's faster and with less memory usage.
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:
Quick and easy overclocking tool for Nvidia-based graphics cards. Also has in-game temp, fan speed, time and FPS meters.
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:
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.
Shows everything you could possibly want to know about your graphics card.
Shows temperatures, voltages, S.M.A.R.T. info and more.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: -Delta- on Thursday, December 03, 2009, 01:04:19 AM
You should add Dropbox under something like "File Backup Utilities".
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Alex on Thursday, December 03, 2009, 21:01:20 PM
you should add winrar and 7zip to the list.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Thursday, December 03, 2009, 21:33:17 PM
Done & done. Thanks guys. I still have to clean up the list a pinch but it's coming together well.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Alex on Thursday, December 03, 2009, 22:02:25 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Friday, December 04, 2009, 23:10:33 PM
Cleaned up original post and added JDownloader.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 13:19:09 PM
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)
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 14:26:46 PM
I'm always up for pimpin it out, I just suck at it :D What's the red icon for?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 14:29:56 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 14:30:58 PM
On average, what programs include cross platform? Just so I can put the images together into one ;)
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 14:39:22 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 14:54:41 PM
(https://aao25.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv317%2Fblueblaster64%2Fcrossplatform.png&hash=170d682c42d582297c157137044262c1)
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 15:08:30 PM
Woot, looks better :)
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Dialects on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 17:16:07 PM
Awesome! I'll be posting some stuff for Mac users later tonight.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Thor on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 18:34:52 PM
Can u play all the games using a mac computer? because i don't think mac is used as a gaming pc
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: -Delta- on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 18:44:28 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 18:44:57 PM
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?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: -Delta- on Saturday, December 05, 2009, 18:58:05 PM
No, I think that's called Chrome OS. Chromium is the open source version of Google Chrome.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, December 06, 2009, 17:05:57 PM
Organized it a bit more. Feedback?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Sunday, December 06, 2009, 17:28:15 PM
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'.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, December 06, 2009, 17:50:38 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Archeh on Sunday, December 06, 2009, 18:20:17 PM
Very clean list, great job.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, December 06, 2009, 19:10:20 PM
Finished adding all of Blueblasters programs, and did a pinch of cleanup.

*EDIT*
Also alphabetized the whole list and added Speccy.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 16:20:05 PM
Added beta download link for Media Player Classic. << The beta is awesome.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Alex on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 16:57:32 PM
Add EVGA precision. It works for any Nvidia card.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Big.Bang on Thursday, March 11, 2010, 03:22:00 AM
Peerblock, PeerGuardian2
blocks Ads, Spywares etcc....
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Alex on Thursday, March 11, 2010, 07:03:39 AM
Peerblock, PeerGuardian2
blocks Ads, Spywares etcc....

yes, that's good. but they stopped supporting peergaurdian 2, no more updates. So just add peerblock.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Thursday, March 11, 2010, 15:51:14 PM
So just add peerblock.

Yea, that's what I told him last night.

List is updated.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Friday, June 11, 2010, 21:26:43 PM
Added File Hippo's Update Checker.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 23:50:44 PM
Added:
PDF Split and Merge
Mp3tag

Also fixed a link from the old headshot site. Does anyone every look at this topic anymore?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Alex on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 23:58:36 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Thursday, July 15, 2010, 00:40:24 AM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Dialects on Thursday, July 15, 2010, 12:24:27 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, August 28, 2010, 23:42:17 PM
Updated recommended media playback for Windows.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Saturday, August 28, 2010, 23:54:45 PM
WMP replaced MPC?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Saturday, August 28, 2010, 23:59:45 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 15:03:23 PM
lol I managed to botch my WMP install, so I flip between MPC or VLC with ffdshow tryouts.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 15:45:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 15:48:16 PM
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.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 16:18:26 PM
Yea. On another subject (I might split the thread) why aren't you running 7?
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 18:43:09 PM
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!
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, August 29, 2010, 20:00:04 PM
"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
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Monday, August 30, 2010, 15:37:34 PM
Back to must-have programs . . .
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: [Nifty]-mister on Monday, August 30, 2010, 15:38:46 PM
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
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Monday, November 29, 2010, 13:05:25 PM
Added HashCheck.
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Fire@enemy on Saturday, November 24, 2012, 13:19:20 PM
Quote
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
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: teddy_grizzly_bear on Saturday, November 24, 2012, 14:12:27 PM
A list from 3 years ago if you didn't notice :)
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Fire@enemy on Saturday, November 24, 2012, 14:45:41 PM
A list from 3 years ago if you didn't notice :)

Oh lol. Yeah I need to start looking at that lol. xD
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: BlueBlaster on Sunday, November 25, 2012, 21:38:06 PM
WinCDEmu nigga
http://wincdemu.sysprogs.org/
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Spanky on Sunday, November 25, 2012, 22:38:09 PM
Blue's back :D
Title: Re: Must-Have Programs
Post by: Possessed on Sunday, November 25, 2012, 23:51:59 PM
bout the time