OPERATING SYSTEMS
Ubuntu
URL: http://www.ubuntu.comIt can be run beside Windows, by itself, or as a portable OS from a USB stick or CD. Whichever you choose, the latest version of Ubuntu has a handful of updates, including better visuals and hardware acceleration, and, as of version 11.04, there's just one edition for desktops, laptops, and netbooks using the Unity interface.
BROWSERS
Google Chrome
URL: http://www.google.com/chrome/Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Portable
The latest version is the fastest browser out there, and it also features great security, extensions and Web apps, tab implementation and isolation, great HTML5 support, and even built-in support for PDFs and Flash.
SEARCH
Copernic Desktop Search Home
URL: http://www.copernic.com/en/products/desktop-search/index.htmlPlatform: Windows, Mobile
It is the master, combing through the contents of files, attachments to emails, metadata/tags on files, and inside archives if you need to do an in-depth search of your hard drive's contents.
ARCHIVERS
IZArc
URL: http://www.izarc.org/Platform: Windows, Portable
The drag-and-drop interface of IZArc will get you started quickly packing and unpacking files in more than 45 formats, even peeking inside of disk image files to extract files as needed.
COMMUNICATIONS & VIDEO CONFERENCING
Skype
URL: http://www.skype.comPlatform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile, Portable
Pricing for Skype can be complicated, but this one isn't: free Skype-to-Skype user calls plus instant messaging and screen sharing. It now supports HD video and has full integration with Facebook.
AUDIO
Audacity
URL: http://audacity.sourceforge.netPlatform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Portable
The grand poobah of open-source audio editing, It can record and edit audio files on more tracks than you can imagine. It then outputs exactly what you need, even to MP3 if you use a plug-in. It is perfect for newbies and professionals alike, on any OS.
BITTORRENT
Vuze
URL: http://www.vuze.com/Platform: Windows, Mac
It is an almost-perfect combination of BitTorrent searcher, downloader, RSS reader for grabbing torrents, remote access over the Web, and a media server, with automatic transcoding to watch or listen to whatever you want on any device on your network.
BLOGGING & JOURNALING
ScribeFire
URL: http://www.scribefire.com/Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Its not a standalone software, but I'll let it slide because this browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera is so good. It gives you a full WYSIWYG blog editor in a tab for just about any blogging platform.
BACKUP & SYNC
Dropbox
URL: http://www.dropbox.comPlatform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Mobile
It provides the brain-dead simplicity to backup/sync we all crave. Put all your files in the Dropbox folder, and all files are synced to the Web and all other computers with the same account, plus they can be accessed on almost all mobile devices.
CALENDAR
Desktop iCalendar Lite
URL: http://www.desksware.com/desktop-icalendar-lite.htmThis calendar's placement on your desktop—means you'll be less likely to miss an appointment as it works with existing calendars like those in Apple iCal, Thunderbird, and even Google Calendar.
PDF's
Nitro PDF Reader
URL: http://www.nitroreader.comPlatform: Windows
Nitro is a PDF Reader, as well as a creator, and can be used in converting up to 300 different formats to PDF via drag-and-drop or as a print driver. The latest version also integrates with Web browsers and will import your signature to sign documents electronically.
PRINTING
iPrint
URL: http://www.clicktoconvert.com/iprint/Platform: Windows
It claims to save you as much as 60 percent in printing costs by putting multiple pages on a single sheet of paper and by not printing blank pages. You'll be happy to save a few trees, but iPrint also tracks its work so you can measure your savings in ink and paper.
SOCIAL MEDIA
TweetDeck
URL: http://www.tweetdeck.comPlatform: Windows, Mac, Web, Mobile
It is now owned by Twitter and has undergone some changes. It dropped support for some services like LinkedIn, MySpace, and Foursquare, while also getting native apps for Windows, Mac, and a special Web version to run in Google Chrome. It still has a great interface for accessing Twitter and Facebook.
CLIPBOARD
Click.to
URL: http://www.clicktoapp.com/Platform: Windows, Mac
You used to have to click something, copy it, and then paste it. Click.to promises to eliminate clicks by instantly sending what you copy to your pre-defined apps or websites when you press Ctrl+C.
DISK UTILITIES
Disk Space Fan
URL: http://www.diskspacefan.comPlatform: Windows
Looking at directories doesn't tell you everything, but a beautiful pie graph can help. Disk Space Fan's free version will diagram your drive and let you drill down to what's stored.
FILE TRANSFER
TeraCopy
URL: http://codesector.com/teracopyPlatform: Windows
It gives you a better look at progress, and it promises to speed up transfers over a network, skipping bad files and resuming after you pause a transfer in progress. It's even ready for Windows 8.
FINANCE
HomeBank
URL: http://homebank.free.fr/Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
It is used to make an excellent ledger and accounting notebook for tracking your personal transactions.
MINDMAPS
XMind
URL: http://www.xmind.net/Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
Multi-lingual, open-source XMind is the best-looking free mindmapper. It also stresses sharing maps and using them for collaboration with others.
REMOTE ACCESS
TeamViewer
URL: http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspxPlatform: Windows, Mac, Mobile, Portable, Mobile
It offers a brain-dead simple setup and a remarkably fast screen redraw when controlling another desktop, whether from a PC or Android and iOS devices. You get access to a single system, which is perfect for providing tech support to family and friends for free.
UNINSTALLERS
PC Decrapifier
URL: http://www.pcdecrapifier.comPlatform: Windows
It is the software you find on a brand new computer. If you want to clean up that system without reinstalling Windows, try PC Decrapifier to get it as close as possible to pristine.
VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS (VPN)
LogMeIn Hamachi
URL: https://secure.logmein.com/US/products/hamachi/Platform: Windows
Up to 16 systems can log into Hamachi's hosted VPN to share access to each other or a secure server. It's perfect for a small business that needs some privacy.
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