Cognitive Zest » Windows http://jedypod.com cerebular exocarp Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:33:58 +0000 en hourly 1 A List of Essential Windows Software http://jedypod.com/a-list-of-essential-windows-software http://jedypod.com/a-list-of-essential-windows-software#comments Thu, 31 May 2007 12:08:04 +0000 jedypod http://grace.evergreen.edu/~smijed07/blog/?p=80 Often I have come across very intense opinions about the superiority of the Mac user interface. While true with “stock” software options, it is my opinion that when bolstered with certain amazing freeware applications, the Windows XP user interface experience can surpass osX in terms of efficiency of operations. Thus, in the style of those lists that have come before me and informed this list, here are a collection of small utilities without which the efficiency and enjoyability of the Windows XP user interface would indeed be nearly as bad as its reputation.

Interface
xplorer2 – The single best file manager I have ever used, and I have used alot. I wish there were anything that remotely approached an equivalent on the osX side of things. (lite version = freeware, more advanced version is shareware)
Launchy / Colibri – Keyboard launching utilities are the single greatest enhancement in interface technology since … (freeware)
TaskSwitchXP – A superior replacement for the Alt-Tab task switcher built into windows
Stickies – Sticky note program, freeware
EssentialPIM – Calendar / ToDo / Personal Organization utility, freeware

MultiMedia
Foobar2000 – Audio player, encoder, ripper, tagger, cataloger, with many more advanced features (freeware)
VLC – Monolithic multimedia player with Matroska support (freeware)
Mediaplayer Classic – DirectShow multimedia player. Best when combined with the Combined Community Codec Pack (freeware)
XnView – Photo viewer / editor (freeware)
wScite / Notepad++ – Text editors for programming and just plain text editing (freeware)

Network
Firefox / Opera – Web browsers (freeware)
Pidgin (formerly Gaim) / Miranda – Instant messaging multi-protocol clients (freeware)
X-Chat 2 – IRC client (freeware)
uTorrent – Torrent client (freeware)
StrongDC++ – Direct Connect client (freeware)
eMule – eDonkey client (freeware)

Security/System
Sygate Personal Firewall Pro – Firewall
NOD32 Antivirus – Antivirus software

]]> http://jedypod.com/a-list-of-essential-windows-software/feed 0