This is a list of software that is free and can be used forever!

Antivirus

• Microsoft Security Essentials – A free and good antivirus by Microsoft. ONLY does antivirus and antispyware. Does not take over your computer and is generally low impact on your pc.

• Avast – Good free antivirus/ antispyware

• AVG – Good free antivirus/ antispyware

Audio/ Music Player
· Offline Music

• Jangle – Probably the best there is. It plays virtually any type of music file AND it can automatically download artist bio, album cover art and related information to the song.

• iTunes – You can’t list free, outstanding music players without this one.

• Media Player – Still a good player built into Windows. Keep it updated!!

· Online Music

• Pandora – Online music player. You can create your own station for FREE!! Low ad rotations. Once you start, you will see why all of your friends are already using it.

• Last.FM – Another online music player. You can create your own station like Pandora. Not quite as easy to navigate or use though.

Audio Recorder

• Audacity – A fantastic and robust program to record audio. This is even used by professional musicians to record new tracks for songs.

Auto Installer of Free Software

• Ninite.com – This website can automate installing a whole list of free software on your computer for you.

Backup Solution

• Paragon Backup Free Edition (for personal use) – A very powerful backup solution for home users. This is primarily for creating images of your entire drive.

• Cobian Backup – This is a powerful open source backup solution that can backup any file to anywhere. Try it out!

Bluetooth

• Broadcom Bluetooth Driver - This is a driver that is the most widely compatible with bluetooth devices in the industry. If there are any issues with your bluetooth device connecting to your laptop or pc, download this driver and install it.

Browser

• Internet Explorer 9 – This is still the elephant in the room as it is on every Windows machine. IE9 is actually pretty good and has reduced it’s overall screen real estate.

• Firefox – Still the best with low memory use and VERY customizable with plugins

• Chrome – Very fast but still young compared to Firefox or Internet Explorer

• Safari – As used on Apple computers

CD/ DVD Burner

• Image Burner – There are a lot of advertisements on this page so just watch where you click.

• CD Burner XP – Don’t let the name fool you, it also works on Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Clean Temp Files

• CCleaner – Simply the best temp file remover out there.

Download Client

• Flashget – if you don’t know what it is, ask first as it is a little confusing. I find version 1.9 works best with sites like Rapidshare or Hotfile.

Email Clients and Services
· Offline Clients

• Zimbra Desktop Client – This is the best looking Outlook replacement and works really, really well. Though it doesn't come with a myriad of plugins, yet, it is the most Outlook like and works easily with Gmail out of the box.
• Thunderbird Email Client – This easily replaces Outlook. It works especially well with Gmail. From the makers of Firefox, this also can be customized using plugins to make it even better!

· Online Services

• Gmail – BEST BUY (Price? FREE) – This is not only email, but also Google Docs, Calendar, IMAP/ POP3 services and lots of other toys they have available. Signing up for this one service gives you access to the rest of Google’s applications online except Google Voice. That integrates to this account once you sign up for it though.

• Hotmail – Second to only Gmail/ Google – Microsoft has done a lot to provide free services with their Live center. Check it out and you may be surprised with how far they’ve come.

• Yahoo Mail – Free for online use. $14.95/yr for POP3 access to it.

• AOL Mail – Free for online use. Does not easily work or support offline use.

• Everyone else… - This is reserved for all other email services out there. Normally they are not as mature as the above services and therefore cannot provide as many tools or goodies with their services.

File Encryption

• TrueCrpyt – This provide encryption and even password protection to your files.

FTP Client – Server

• FileZilla Client – Best free FTP client

• FileZilla Server – Best full featured free FTP server

• Small FTPD – Smallest and easiest FTP server

Image Editor/ Viewer

• GIMP – this is a free replacement for Photoshop. VERY good.

• Zoner Photo Studio Free – This is VERY good at browsing directories and viewing multiple images. It is not as full featured as GIMP at editing but has a good layout and is fairly easy to understand. There is a large green download button on the right hand side of the screen.

Media/ Collection Manager

• GCStar - This is a highly recommended collections software as you can take your ripped movie collection and make it easily available for you to use at any time. We find this to be superior to a lot of paid versions out there. It uses your built in player to play the movie and doesn't require any extra plugins to love it. The learning curve on this is small and is FREE. You can use a built in skin to make it look like a collection on shelves.

Messenger Client
· Primary Clients – These are the most robust clients with the most features.

• GTalk – This gets the number one slot here thanks only to Google Voice getting integrated. GTalk is a very simple and low impact client that is also integrated in Gmail and NOW you can make calls from the online client if you have a Google Voice account! It’s Free too!

• Windows Live Messenger – Microsoft has come a long way to make this part of their new Live services. Try it out.

• Yahoo – Y! – Yahoo instant Messenger – Still a very stable and robust messenger

• AIM – AOL Instant Messenger

• ICQ – Old faithful. Though being squeezed by the giants above, it is still a very stable and active network.

· All-In-Ones – These are good for managing multiple messenger networks but do not have all the features of a single messenger client.

• Trillian – This client even has an online version that you can access from any browser!

• Pidgin – A popular messenger client that has a lot of plugins to make it customizable for you. This client can allow you to chat on virtually any chat network all at the same time.

Office – Online and Offline
· Online Services

• Google Docs – Part of the Google Apps services. I call it Office Lite.

• Office Live – Microsoft Office online. Nuff said. Awesome service for FREE!

· Desktop Programs

• Open Office – office program from Sun Microsystems

PDF Printer

• Primo PDF – This adds a printer in your Printers and Faxes area that allows you to “print” a Word, Excel, Internet Page or other file to a PDF file. It is very cool and easy to use.

PDF Reader

• Adobe Acrobat Reader – Make sure to uncheck the added software before download.

• Nitro PDF Reader – Very fast. The only reason it’s second is you still can’t beat the powerhouse called Adobe. Nitro is faster and lower impact on system resources, but isn’t as pretty or user friendly as Adobe.

Product Key Finder

• Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder – free and paid version – The free version is ok for Office and Windows XP and before. The paid version (one time fee) is a GREAT program for getting keys to virtually any program on your system.

Remote Desktop

• Remote Assistance/ Help
  • TeamViewer - This is a VERY fast program that is free for personal use. You can finally assist your parents in finding their printer!!
  • Join.Me - This is a lightweight, remote control program that can be used as web conference software or remote assistance. Easy to use.
  • Crossloop - This is based on VNC and is OK if NOTHING ELSE works.
• Remote Control
  • VNC - Many variants of VNC will allow you to connect to your pc. TinyVNC, UltraVNC, RealVNC, etc...
  • Log-Me-In - This is a great free service that is web based and will allow you to connect to your home pc from anywhere.

System Specs/ Tech Specs

• Speccy – This lays out your system specifications, such as RAM, CPU and hard drive, very nicely and easy to read.

Text Editor

• Notepad++ – This is a more robust version of the classic Notepad. Highly recommended.

• UltraEdit – This is only put in here because I love the program. It’s Notepad++ on steroids. It has a trial you can download and try out then buy if you want. For most, use Notepad ++.

Uninstall Client

• Revo Uninstaller – No paid or free competition compares to this program.

Video Converter – WARNING!! These are not easy to use but they do a great job.

• Handbrake

• SUPER – This is probably the worst layout for a website EVER!! Look for the link that says “Download SUPER © setup file” to get it. It is usually near the bottom of the page. Too bad as it is a really powerful program that outdoes it’s paid competition.

Video Player

• GOM Player – Can play most video formats from the beginning, it may require a codec install for some rare types of video file formats. Easiest to use and learn and has a very low impact on your pc.

• KM Player – Has most video formats built in. I have experienced some memory issues with this program though I still recommend it since it plays everything I throw at it.

VPN Client – WARNING!! If you don’t know what VPN is, you don’t need it.

• Shrewsoft VPN – Simply the best open source VPN client out there.

ZIP – RAR – ACE Client

• IZARC – This program can unzip over 30 different types of compressed files. And it’s FREE! This page has a lot of advertisements on it, so just find the link next to the IZArc in red.