Ben's Technology Blog

Am I Finally Ready to Upgrade from Windows XP? -- Part 1

2009-08-20T15:15:00.006-04:00

Windows XP was released 8 years ago, in 2001. Like many home users and IT professionals, I elected to "upgrade" from Vista to XP. I cannot tolerate Vista. Sure, the Aero interface looks nice, but Vista itself is a mess. In stark contrast to Vista, I have consistently found WinXP SP2 to be the most reliable, secure, compatible, and responsive Microsoft O/S.

Incidentally, I advise against installing the latest XP service pack, SP3, due to widely reported problems. Additionally, SP3 offers little beyond the countless Windows Updates that have been released separately since SP2. If you regularly download and install these Windows Updates, there is no compelling reason for the average user to download and install the risky SP3.

Vista was obviously poorly received overall by home users and businesses alike, due to problems with reliability, security, compatibility, and responsiveness. Vista epitomizes the bloatedness and sluggishness that M$ is (in)famous for. A few examples of perplexing problems I have personally encountered with Vista:

A Windows Update that essentially forced Vista to self-destruct. It would not even boot the recovery partition.
I have never been able to convince Vista to properly work with a projector. I've never had a significant problem connecting to a projector from XP.
Productivity hits via unintuitive settings placement and overall sluggishness.
UAC. Enough said.

I certainly am not claiming that XP SP2 is flawless. But at least until Windows 7, it was the least problem-ridden and most productivity-enhancing M$ O/S since the ground-breaking Windows 95.

Update -- Aftermath of Social Networking DDoS

2009-08-09T20:37:00.004-04:00

Apparently, the recent DDoS attacks crippling social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook actually targeted a single user, probably for political reasons. Details here.

"Autopsies" of 22 PC Parts

2009-08-07T13:55:00.002-04:00

Fascinating inside look of everything from a hard drive to a netbook, from MaximumPC.com.

Since I Can't Tweet...

2009-08-06T11:58:00.001-04:00

#Twitter is under a DOS attack. #Facebook problems may be related. http://status.twitter.com/ http://tinyurl.com/nm2vwv

UPDATE (8/7/09 00:10)
#Twitter, #Facebook, & other social networking sites are recovering from #DDoS attacks. http://status.twitter.com/ http://tinyurl.com/kjewm2. Facebook seems more responsive now, but I still cannot update my Twitter status.

Links Roundup -- Hands On With Hardware; Portals & Search Engines

2009-08-03T17:57:00.000-04:00

Top 10 Computer Hardware Fixes and Upgrades

Focus is on desktops and MacBooks. NOTE: Lifehacker.com has been experiencing technical difficulties lately, and may not be accessible. If in doubt, try this.

Video: How to Build a PC - Every Step Explained

For more in-depth coverage of dealing with hardware.

Yahoo Redesigns Home Page; Does It Matter?

I personally am not thrilled by Yahoo's recent redesign of www.yahoo.com, which enables a lot of customizable apps. The old design was simple, uncluttered, and efficient, and regularly supplemented iGoogle in my Firefox. What portal, if any, do you use?

Microsoft and Yahoo Sign Deal, Ink Partnership

Microsoft and Yahoo recently reached an agreement that will replace Yahoo's own search engine with Microsoft's new Bing, in exchange for ad revenue sharing. The goal, of course, it to better compete with Google. According to this analysis of search engine market share, the combined Microsoft/Yahoo effort will roughly yield 20.36%, while Google dominates at 77.54%.

Editorial Cartoon re: Microsoft - Yahoo "Merger"

To close on a lighter note...

Update 2 -- Windows Live Mail Woes

2009-08-03T16:56:00.000-04:00

I just opened Windows Live Mail, re-added my Hotmail account, and watched in amazement as it promptly downloaded all my Hotmail folders and emails. Hopefully they will not disappear again. I will continue to research this mysterious problem with syncing Hotmail in WLM.

Update -- Windows Live Mail Woes

2009-08-03T12:35:00.000-04:00

I submitted a help request to Microsoft Customer Support, and received the following notification via email:

"Ben, if you can properly access your messages and folders through Web-user interface (www.hotmail.com) and the issue only occurs in Windows Live Mail, we have confirmed that the problem that you have described is a known and unresolved problem with Windows Live Mail. Our product development team is aware of the problem and they are working to resolve it for a future release. Please understand that I cannot determine when the problem will be resolved."

Wow. So MS is encouraging Hotmail users like me to migrate to Windows Live Mail, and then acknowledges that it's broken. Maybe I would be more sympathetic if WLM's Hotmail synchronization was simply buggy. In reality, WLM fundamentally won't work with my Hotmail account, and presumably countless others. Perhaps MS should once again postpone its termination of Outlook Express' Hotmail support?

Windows Live Mail Woes

2009-07-30T19:19:00.001-04:00

After initial testing on a different PC, I downloaded Windows Live Mail, Microsoft's simplistic successor to Outlook Express. As explained in an earlier post, OE's support for Hotmail syncing is nearing its bitter end, necessitating migration to WLM. While sluggish, WLM ultimately got the job done on the test PC.

Installing on my main PC, however, is another story. After the rather bloated install program finally finished installing WLM, it kindly began to import my Hotmail account from OE. The import seemed to work, although I was disappointed to discover that, even on this faster PC, previewing email was still strangely sluggish. Then my Hotmail folders, including the inbox, suddenly disappeared. I clicked the Sync button, and WLM informed me that "Windows Live Mail needs to download the folders before you can read the messages in this account. To download the folders, click Download." So I clicked the Download button. And nothing happened. Double-checking settings, deleting and re-adding my Hotmail account, and restarting WLM all failed to remedy my problem.

I googled this phenomenon, and a few recent hits indicated that I was not the only frustrated user confronted by this problem. As the sever URL used by WLM appears to be correct , it appears to be a server problem on Microsoft's end.

After trying the Download button for the 100th time, I got bored and decided to change the theme color for WLM, via the Colorizer toolbar button. At first, I thought that the Colorizer was also broken, because I did not perceive the theme color change when I selected a different shade of blue. Then I finally realized that the color was indeed applied, just very subtly. So at least this isn't a problem after all.

I really don't want to resort to the Godzilla that is Outlook for simply checking my Hotmail account (via the Outlook Connector referenced previously). And I would prefer a full-fledged email client versus resorting to Hotmail on the web. Hopefully the WLM situation is resolved soon. Stay tuned...

Seagate Outlet Center - Incredible Deals on Quality Hard Drives

2009-07-19T20:09:00.000-04:00

A few months ago, I stumbled upon Seagate's Outlet Center -- essentially a part of its e-store that offers amazing bargains on its high quality, high performance hard drive models that are being liquidated in favor of newer models. Most of the drives are external models (e.g., USB, FireWire, and/or eSATA). Imagine purchasing a 200 GB USB drive for a mere $24.99, or a 1.5 TB FireWire drive at over 50% off! These represent real deals that were featured in the most recent Outlet Center sale.

The Outlet Center opens about once a month, and typically remains open until its products are all sold out. Products are sold out quickly, so I recommend that you sign up for the email list and that you buy a drive ASAP.

Seagate has an excellent reputation for its hard drive products, and as far as I know it is the only manufacturer that routinely offers a 5 year warranty on its drives. On the topic of reliability, while I was never impressed with Maxtor's reliability (e.g., lots of failed drives), it is possible that Seagate's acquisition has improved the quality of Maxtor drives.

Computer Hardware Chart

2009-07-19T20:02:00.001-04:00

As featured on Digg, check out this comprehensive pictorial guide to PC components. Apparently you can even order it as a poster print. Beyond it's obvious value to a geek, it might also be useful to direct computer novices to this chart when providing remote tech support (e.g., instead of trying to explain what a PS/2 connection looks like).

Low-Res

Hi-Res (warning : 24 MB .PNG)

Links Roundup

2009-07-15T13:51:00.000-04:00

So Many Passwords, So Little Time
I'm sure we can all relate to Washington Post columnist John Kelly's password angst.

Does Google Know Too Much About You?
In brief, yes. Google recently announced the development of its own operating system, Chrome OS. The more Google expands its business model and electronic services, the more personal information we readily surrender to this single corporation. As the author notes, "... many of Google's privacy measures were introduced only after public outcry." Are you concerned that Google quite possibly knows your email, searches, calendar, voice, chats, blog, videos, location, ads, and/or browsing habits? While Microsoft may have a monopoly on your OS platform, does Google indeed have a monopoly on your information?

Norton Internet Security 2010 (beta)
My obligatory PC Mag review. I am long-time Norton fan, recognizing both the ups and downs of Norton-branded software over the years. I recommend Norton Internet Security 2009 for a robust (though not free) security suite.

Firefox 3.5 Released!

2009-07-01T22:55:00.000-04:00

Mozilla officially released Firefox 3.5 to the masses on Tuesday. Unsurprisingly, 3.5 is getting highly positive reviews. Many of the enhancements are somewhat subtle or "under the hood," but ultimately produce a richer browsing experience.

Personally, so far I have noticed the promised speed improvements, and appreciate the addition of a new tab button in the tab bar.

PC Mag Review - You may have noticed that I generally respect and often concur with PC Mag's reviews. Amid the browser wars, Firefox 3.5 is the clear Editor's Choice. PC Mag notes that Firefox remains the most customizable browser, thanks to its numerous extensions, themes, and other add-ons.
The Fantastic Firefox - Slate's Farhad Manjoo reviews 3.5, lauding the implementation of HTML5, the web coding standard of the future. Many reviews are focusing on how HTML5 can revolutionize embedded, open format video in websites
Firefox 3.5 benchmarked: Twice as fast as Firefox 3 - Benchmarks are usually controversial, but the point remains: 3.5 is noticeably faster, especially thanks to its enhance JavaScript rendering engine, TraceMonkey.

What browser are you using, and why? What features are most important to you? I am obviously a loyal Firefox fan, but respect people who choose alternatives such as Opera, Chrome, and Safari... and even Internet Explorer is growing more respectable. As the browser wars heat up, it is evident that the intensifying competition is good for the consumer.

Pre-Release Reviews Lineup

2009-06-25T12:50:00.000-04:00

Top 10 Firefox 3.5 Features
The next version of Firefox will be released soon, probably within the next week. Firefox 3.5 includes numerous enhancements for tab behavior, the awesome bar, embedded video, private browsing, and geo-location.

Windows 7 Release Candidate
I'm cautiously optimistic about the next version of Windows, set for general release in October. Like many others, I elected to "upgrade" from the disappointing Vista to the stable workhorse Windows XP with SP2. Perhaps Windows 7 will indeed be what Vista should have been.

Microsoft Security Essentials Review (With Screenshots)
Code named Morro, this is MS's latest foray into the security software market. The recently released beta has produced generally positive reviews so far. It is ironic, however, that MS is constantly pushing its own security software that necessarily exists because of numerous vulnerabilities in MS operating systems.

A Syncing Feeling: How to Sync Windows Live Hotmail with a Local Email Client

2009-06-19T22:42:00.000-04:00

After an initial delay, Microsoft recently announced the retirement of the legacy DAV protocol used to sync Hotmail (a.k.a. Windows Live Mail) in Outlook Express and Outlook.

While somewhat sluggish, buggy, and indeed outdated, the DAV protocol allowed me and many other Hotmail users to easily sync email between Hotmail's web mail service and Outlook Express. Thanks to DAV and Outlook Express, I was able to seamlessly sync my Hotmail -- including all emails and folders -- between the web mail service accessible on any PC, and my two home computers running Outlook Express (a little dated, but simple and efficient overall).

With the retirement of DAV, such users are now compelled to find another solution to access/sync Hotmail, by September 1, 2009. The main options include:

Accessing Hotmail via the POP3 protocol supported by Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, and other local mail clients. The significant downside here is that emails downloaded / filtered / read / deleted / sent via POP3 will not sync with Hotmail on the web, nor on another PC's email client. Likewise, folders will not be synced. In short, changes in one interface will not be reflected in another. If you choose the POP3 protocol, follow the setup instructions carefully, and be sure to check the "Leave a copy of messages on server" option unless you want your Hotmail inbox to appear strangely empty the next time you access it via the web.
Replacing Outlook Express with Windows Live Mail, Microsoft's successor to OE. I am currently testing Windows Live Mail. As advertised, it feels very similar to Outlook Express, and syncs Hotmail just like DAV did in Outlook Express. The email search is essentially the same as in OE, although added features include an in-line search box under the toolbar, event reminders, and calendar syncing / sharing. Windows Live Mail also suggests that you download Desktop Search, Microsoft's search index utility. On the negative side, Windows Live Mail seems to be rather sluggish when opening an email in the preview window. Outlook Express did not present this problem on my test machine, which is a Centrino-based laptop running WinXP Pro SP2 with 512 MB of RAM.
Ditching Outlook Express or other email programs, and exclusively accessing Hotmail via the web. Obviously, not a solution for those who prefer a desktop email client. However, Hotmail's web interface is excellent, and mimics a local email client like Outlook Express. One possible downside is the lack of offline access to Hotmail, although these days the lack of an Internet connection is rather rare.
For Outlook 2003/2007 users, downloading Microsoft's Download Connector to continue to access Hotmail within Outlook. Alternatively, Outlook (including Outlook 2002) users can access Hotmail via POP3.

Feel free to share your own experiences with Hotmail and the syncing dilemma. Another time, I will post my thoughts and frustrations about syncing other email services such as Gmail and Yahoo! Mail with a local email client like Thunderbird.

New to Twitter

2009-06-18T15:23:00.001-04:00

I just joined the Twitter craze. First Facebook, now Twitter... where will it all end? In the meantime, check out the helpful links below for Twitter noobs and veterans alike.

Twitter Support
Everything you need to know to get started.

Top 10 Twitter Tips for Beginners
Expert advice from PC Mag.

Oh, You Vulnerable Twit! Why Twitter Needs Security
Also from PC Mag. Security/privacy assessment and advice.

TinyURL.com
I'm sure you've clicked on a TinyURL link before. TinyURL easily shrinks a lengthy URL for more manageable clickable links.

While I'm rather selective about who follows me (i.e., I'm wary of strangers), I'm interested in hearing your experience and tips about Twitter. Post a comment, tweet, email, etc.

Updated Recommended Downloads List

2009-06-18T15:20:00.000-04:00

... is in my Facebook notes. I was surprised by the limits of Facebook's note application. Facebook notes require manually inserting HTML tags to format text, versus a WYSIWYG editor.

Recommended Software for Windows XP/Vista (mostly free downloads)

2009-06-05T03:33:00.000-04:00

Web Browser: Mozilla Firefox

Email Client: Mozilla Thunderbird

Anti-malware: Avast (only downside is no scan scheduler)

Firewall: Comodo Internet Security (decline to install the antivirus component)

Office Suite: MS Office 2003 (not a fan of 2007's ribbon)
Or if you're on a budget, OpenOffice (free alternative that is powerful, but not as polished)

PIM: EssentialPIM (Outlook alternative)

Compression Utility: SecureZIP Express (adds encryption & polished interface) or 7-zip (very simple)

Photo Editing / Uploading: Picasa or Paint.net (think Photoshop Lite)

Download Manager: GetRight

Torrent Manager: Vuze (I don't condone the trafficking of copyrighted materials)

Password Manager: KeePass

Encryption: TrueCrypt

Notepad Replacement: Notepad2 (lightweight) or Notepad++ (tabs, programming tools)

Virtualization: Microsoft VirtualPC (although it has given me a lot of trouble lately)

Bible Study: E-Sword (add free ESV module)

Email me with any suggestions or questions. Mini-reviews & links will be added later.

Stay Tuned...

2009-06-05T00:46:00.001-04:00

Updates are on the way, including an updated list of recommended software!

Top Downloads - Update in Progress

2006-07-01T23:09:00.000-04:00

Downloads

An annotated list of my favorite downloadable software follows. Nearly all of these programs are well-regarded freeware, including several open source projects. A few programs are ad-supported, shareware, or commercial products. I have excluded programs that constitute de facto spyware.

My basic criteria for evaluating software:

Functionality: The features that are included, and how well they work. Innovative and missing functionality is taken into account.
User interface: Is the interface clean or cluttered? Are the settings easily accessible?
Stability: With a few exceptions, it must be a stable release. Bugs and crashes are to be minimalized.
Value: Freeware, especially open source software, often represents the better value when compared with commercial products.
Privacy: I have a zero tolerance policy for spyware and intrusive adware, and prefer programs that do not require registration.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for these software programs or the content of their respective websites. Most of the software has been tested on Windows XP only; check each program's website / documentation for compatibility information and system requirements. In brief, download and use at your own risk!

Feedback is welcome! Feel free to contact me at: litterae05-web@yahoo.com. Updated: 07.01.06.

Top Download: Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.4

"Safer, faster, better" - and it works as advertised! I hope you are already viewing this page with Mozilla Firefox. This increasingly popular web browser offers fast and accurate page rendering, a tabbed interface, built-in popup / ad / spyware blocking, many intuitive features, and virtually unlimited potential via plugins, extensions, and themes. With the AdBlock extension, I am currently blocking ~90% of all web ads and Flash animations. With another popular extension, FlashGot, I am automatically redirecting downloads to my download manager (GetRight).

Office

AbiWord 2.2.8
Lightweight, multiplatform word processor.
Adobe Reader 7.0
Necessary for viewing the ubiquitous PDF documents. Reader is slow and includes features that the average user will never use.
EssentialPIM 1.x
Free PIM that mimics many features of MS Outlook. Includes calendar, address book (with customizable fields), to-do list, and notes. In v1.5.2, I encountered a bug while customizing the address book’s fields, and am still testing v1.5.3 to verify that this annoyance has been fixed. Pro version available for purchase.
OpenOffice 2.0.3
The highly popular open source alternative to MS Office. OpenOffice includes full-featured programs comparable to MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as graphic design and database tools. Although it pushes the new open document formant, OpenOffice includes compatibility with MS Office documents (both open and save). It can also export to PDF, a convenient feature currently lacking in MS Office.

Antivirus & Security

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition 1.06
Popular anti-spyware utility; its registry cleaning seems particularly effective. Pro version available for purchase.
Avast! 4.6 Home Edition
Highly popular and highly rated antivirus package - for free (i.e., for personal home use only)! Include real-time protection, email scanning, system integration, and automatic updates. Incorporates more features and better detection than competitors. Pro version available for purchase.
AVG Free 7.0
Another well-regarded antivirus program. Auto updates, real-time protection, email scanner, scheduler, etc.
KeePass 1.0
Open source password manager. Many useful features in a well-polished and extremely secure interface.
McAfee Stinger 2.5.4
Free antivirus utility; detects and deletes the most common viruses, and is updated periodically. This is not a full-featured antivirus solution, as it detects only about 50 specific viruses and their variants. Best for cleaning a system that has been recently infected with a virus on the Stinger list.
MS Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Similar to McAfee Stinger; updated monthly. Use this MS tool to remove malware that exploits one of Windows’ many vulnerabilities.
Microsoft Windows Defender Beta 2)
One of my favorite anti-spyware utilities; highly effective and easy to use. Unfortunately, the latest beta removes several of the advanced tools found in an earlier version.
SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.4
Popular freeware utility for finding and removing spyware. Frequent definition updates.
WebRoot SpySweeper 4.x
Weapon of choice for the Geek Squad. Above-average detection and removal, even of rootkits.
ZoneAlarm Free 6.0
Seems to be the best free firewall. Easy to configure. Pro version available for purchase.

Email, IM, File Sharing, etc.

Azureus 2.3.0.4
BitTorrent client with many advanced features. Requires Java. (BTW, I personally oppose the illegal sharing & downloading of copyrighted material. Please only share and download material that may be freely distributed.)
GAIM 1.5
Open source IM client that is compatible with multiple protocols (AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, etc.).
MSN Messenger 7.0
Microsoft’s free IM client. Includes voice and video chat capabilities.
Skype 1.3.0.54
Free PC-to-PC phone calls, and extremely cheap PC-to-phone-number calls. Skype works on a variety of platforms.
Thunderbird 1.5
This powerful email client and open source complement to Firefox offers a clean interface, adaptive SPAM filtering, an integrated RSS reader, and of course countless extensions/themes. New features include the ability to delete attachments while keeping the rest of the email intact and security warnings for possible phishing attempts. While I like Thunderbird on the whole, addressing a new email to numerous recipients is surprisingly counter-intuitive.
Yahoo! Messenger 7.0
My preferred IM client. It offers many features, but is not nearly as cluttered or bloated as competing IM clients. Integration with Yahoo! Mail, news, weather, sports, stock market quotes, and even Launchcast radio. Version 7.0 includes free PC-to-PC calls.

Internet & Network

In case you missed my previous praise for Mozilla Firefox & Thunderbird 1.06 ...
GetRight 6.0a
A powerful download manager that includes pause/resume for large downloads, mirror search, expedited downloading via multiple streams, and ability to schedule automatic download starts. With the latest release, GetRight is now compatible with BitTorrent downloads too. I have successfully downloaded many gigabytes with GetRight; it is fast and reliable. Works with IE, Firefox, and Opera (plug-in needed for the latter two browsers). Shareware; unlimited trial.
LeechGet 2005 1.5
A decent download manager that is free for personal use. Like GetRight, features include auto downloading, segmented downloading (called “tasks”), pause & resume, etc. I have more success with GetRight though.
Opera 8.5 / 9
Fast web browser with many built-in features such as a tabbed interface, pop-up & cookie controls, integrated email client, etc. This is another excellent alternative to IE. My preference is Firefox (better page rendering, less cluttered, offers endless extendibility, etc.), but Opera may better suit your needs. Opera has removed its ads.
TightVNC 1.3
Free remote control package, based on the popular VNC standard. Cross-platform.

Media

GIMP 2.2.8
Essentially the open-source alternative to Photoshop. This very powerful and very complicated graphics editor produces professional results. Multi-platform.
iTunes 5
The only Apple product that I currently use. 99 cent song downloads; albums are $9.99. And now you can download videos, including TV episodes, for $1.99. A simplistic & polished interface, but a little sluggish (it probably works better on Mac OS X). iTunes obviously integrates with Apple’s popular iPod.
QuickTime Player 6.5.2 / 7.0
Apple's free media player has a clean interface and is easy to use. I have been using 6.5.2, and have not tried 7.0 yet. Mild adware - it sometimes asks you to buy the Pro version.
RealPlayer / RealOne
For playing the numerous Real-encoded media files on the Internet. I despise Real products because they generally act like spyware. Even trying to download Real software from the official website is an ordeal. Download and use only if absolutely necessary.
Windows Media Player 10
Many useful features in a fairly intuitive interface. It can organize your media files, play numerous media formats (CDs, MP3s, WMA, streaming video, etc.), copy music to/from CDs & USB devices, and stream online radio stations. Unfortunately, "Plays for Sure" remains an elusive standard.

Utilities

7-Zip 4.42
Free ZIP/compressed archive manager. High compression rates, integration with Windows, etc. 7-Zip is very minimalist; if you want a more powerful archive utility and don’t mind shareware, try PowerArchiver instead.
MetaPad 3.5
Excellent NotePad replacement; small and fast, offering many useful features.
Notepad2 1.0.12
Another excellent text editor, customized for programmers (e.g., line numbering, syntax color-coding, etc.).
ScreenHunter Free 4.0.85
Full-featured screen capture utility. Plus and Pro versions available.
SyncBack Freeware V3.2.8.500
Excellent backup and synchronization utility. It can compress and encrypt backups, update existing backups, and synchronize the contents of two folders. You can customize every operation.
WinMD5sum
Simple utility for calculating MD5 checksums and verifying the integrity of your downloads.
I am currently testing out several free CD/DVD burning programs. http://www.deepburner.com/ http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ So far, the main problems would be lack of compatibility with some drives and the absence of verification of a successful burn.

Web Publishing

FileZilla 2.2.14
Free, open source FTP client. I have not used it yet myself, but it receives highly positive user reviews.
Nvu 1.0
This website was originally created using Nvu, which attempts to provide the basic functionality of FrontPage and Dreamweaver in a more user-friendly environment. A decent choice for creating a basic website. Unfortunately, it feels somewhat sluggish and buggy on the Windows platform; I suspect that Nvu works best in its native Linux.
Open Clip Art Library
Freely distributable clip art images.

Development

MS Visual Studio Express
Notepad2
Powerful Notepad replacement for coders. Includes syntax highlighting (many common languages supported), line numbering, and more.
Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS) 2.07
Open-source tool for creating professional installers for Windows. Script-based, although a few GUI editors are available (e.g., HM NIS Edit 2.03).

Other…

E-Sword 7.7.0
Full-featured Bible software … and it’s free! Numerous translations, dictionaries, commentaries, e-books, etc. Even includes the Vulgate and a Korean translation.
Celestia 1.3.2
Open-source planetarium software. Explore the universe in stunning 3D!

Broadband Internet connection required! (In some cases, it may be possible to order CD media online.)

Open Source CDs

The Open CD 2.0
Download or order the entire CD, or download the programs separately. Contains dozens of high-quality open source freeware.
Ultimate Boot CD 3.4
Troubleshooting boot CD filled with advanced diagnostic and admin tools. Basic (121 MB) and Advanced (186 MB; includes Linux-based INSERT) versions.

Linux CDs

Knoppix 4.0
One of the most popular Linux live CDs; a live CD allows you to boot into and run a Linux-based OS completely from a CD, without touching your hard drive. Knoppix includes kernel 2.6.x, KDE 3.x, Firefox & Thunderbird, OpenOffice 2.0 (beta), and much more. Excellent hardware support. Useful for troubleshooting a Windows system (e.g., file recovery) and as an alternative, portable OS. You can save settings to a hard drive or USB drive. 4.0 Lite CD was just released; a DVD is also available.
Ubuntu 5.04
A relative newcomer, Ubuntu has been consistently ranked #1 on Distrowatch.com’s popularity list. One of the more philosophical yet user-friendly distros, Ubuntu is designed to bring Linux to the masses. Ubuntu has a new release every 6 months; live CD and install CD are available for download and can also be shipped for free. Ubuntu is based on Debian and Gnome 2.10, although a KDE 3.4 version is also available (Kubuntu 5.04).
Xandros Open Circulation Edition 3.02
Not a live CD, but an installation CD for a full-featured Linux OS. Includes customized KDE 3.3, Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, CodeWeavers CrossoverOffice trial, easy updates, media players, and much more. Xandros is currently one of the most talked about Linux distributions, and has received a lot of praise in reviews. Commercial Xandros products available in new version 4.

Top Downloads - original list (2005)

2006-07-01T23:08:00.000-04:00

My basic criteria for evaluating software:

Functionality: The features that are included, and how well they work.
User interface: Is the interface clean or cluttered? Are the settings easily accessible?
Stability: With a few exceptions, it must be a stable release (e.g., version 1.0 or later).
Value: Freeware, especially open source software, often represents the better value when compared with commercial products.
Privacy: I have a zero tolerance policy for spyware and intrusive adware, and prefer programs that do not require registration.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for these software programs or the content of their respective websites. Most of the software has been tested on WinXP only; check each program's website / documentation for compatibility information and system requirements. In brief, download and use at your own risk!

Feedback is welcome! Feel free to contact me at: litterae05-web@yahoo.com. Updated: 8/19/05.

Top Download: Mozilla Firefox 1.0.6

"Safer, faster, better" - and it works as advertised! I hope you are already viewing this page with Mozilla Firefox. This increasingly popular web browser offers fast (and accurate) page rendering, a tabbed interface, built-in popup / ad / spyware blocking, many intuitive features, and virtually unlimited potential via plugins, extensions, and themes. With the AdBlock extension, I am currently blocking ~90% of all web ads and Flash animations. With another highly popular extension, FlashGot, I am automatically redirecting downloads to my download manager (GetRight).

Office

AbiWord 2.2.8
Lightweight, multiplatform word processor.
Adobe Reader 7.0
Necessary for viewing the ubiquitous PDF documents. Reader is slow and includes features that the average user will never use.
EssentialPIM 1.5.3
Free PIM that mimics many features of MS Outlook. Includes calendar, address book (with customizable fields), to-do list, and notes. In v1.5.2, I encountered a bug while customizing the address book’s fields, and am still testing v1.5.3 to verify that this annoyance has been fixed. Pro version available for purchase.
OpenOffice 1.1.4 / Beta 2.0 (1.9.m122)
The highly popular open source alternative to MS Office. OpenOffice includes full-featured programs comparable to MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as graphic design and database tools. Version 2.0, which includes major revisions and additions (e.g., a new XML-based file format standard), will be released this fall.

Antivirus & Security

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition 1.06
Popular anti-spyware utility; its registry cleaning seems particularly effective. Pro version available for purchase.
Avast! 4.6 Home Edition
Highly popular and highly rated antivirus package - for free (i.e., for personal home use only)! Include real-time protection, email scanning, system integration, and automatic updates. Incorporates more features and better detection than competitors. Pro version available for purchase.
AVG Free 7.0
Another well-regarded antivirus program. Auto updates, real-time protection, email scanner, scheduler, etc.
KeePass 1.0
Open source password manager. Many useful features in a well-polished and extremely secure interface.
McAfee Stinger 2.5.4
Free antivirus utility; detects and deletes the most common viruses, and is updated periodically. This is not a full-featured antivirus solution, as it detects only about 50 specific viruses and their variants. Best for cleaning a system that has been recently infected with a virus on the Stinger list.
MS Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Similar to McAfee Stinger; updated monthly. Use this MS tool to remove malware that exploits one of Windows’ many vulnerabilities.
Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta 3)
My favorite anti-spyware utility; highly effective and easy to use. Includes advanced tools for restoring hijacked IE settings, killing suspicious processes, blocking startup programs, etc.
SpyBot Search & Destroy 1.4
Popular freeware utility for finding and removing spyware. Frequent definition updates.
ZoneAlarm Free 6.0
Seems to be the best free firewall. Easy to configure. Pro version available for purchase.

Email, IM, File Sharing, etc.

Azureus 2.3.0.4
BitTorrent client with many advanced features. Requires Java. (BTW, I personally oppose the illegal sharing & downloading of copyrighted material. Please only share and download material that may be freely distributed.)
Eudora 6.2.1
Powerful email client can run in 3 modes: light (free, but limited features), sponsored (nearly all features, but ads), or paid (all features and definitely not free). Try Thunderbird first.
GAIM 1.5
Open source IM client that is compatible with multiple protocols (AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, etc.).
MSN Messenger 7.0
Microsoft’s free IM client. Includes voice and video chat capabilities.
Skype 1.3.0.54
Free PC-to-PC phone calls, and extremely cheap PC-to-phone-number calls. Skype works on a variety of platforms.
Thunderbird 1.0.6
This powerful email client and open source complement to Firefox offers a clean interface, adaptive SPAM filtering, an integrated RSS reader, and of course countless extensions/themes. While I like Thunderbird on the whole, addressing a new email to numerous recipients is ridiculously counter-intuitive.
Yahoo! Messenger 7.0
My preferred IM client. It offers many features, but is not nearly as cluttered or bloated as competing IM clients. Integration with Yahoo! Mail, news, weather, sports, stock market quotes, and even Launchcast radio. Version 7.0 includes free PC-to-PC calls.

Internet & Network

In case you missed my previous praise for Mozilla Firefox & Thunderbird 1.06 ...
GetRight 5.5d
A powerful download manager that includes pause/resume for large downloads, mirror search, expedited downloading via multiple streams, and ability to schedule automatic download starts. I have successfully downloaded many gigabytes with GetRight. Works with IE, Firefox, and Opera (plug-in needed for the latter two browsers). Shareware; unlimited trial.
LeechGet 2005 1.5
An excellent download manager that is free for personal use. Like GetRight, features include auto downloading, segmented downloading (called “tasks”), pause & resume, etc.
Opera 8.02
Fast web browser with many built-in features such as a tabbed interface, pop-up & cookie controls, integrated email client, etc. This is another excellent alternative to IE. My preference is Firefox (better page rendering, less cluttered, offers endless extendibility, etc.), but Opera may better suit your needs. Adware - In sponsored mode, you can choose Google text ads or graphical ads; buying Opera removes the ads.
TightVNC 1.3
Free remote control package, based on the popular VNC standard. Cross-platform.

Media

GIMP 2.2.8
Essentially the open-source alternative to Photoshop. This very powerful and very complicated graphics editor produces professional results. Multi-platform.
iTunes 4.9
The only Apple product that I currently use. 99 cent song downloads; albums are $9.99. A simplistic & polished interface, but a little sluggish (it probably works better on Mac OS X). iTunes obviously integrates with Apple’s popular iPod.
QuickTime Player 6.5.2 / 7.0
Apple's free media player has a clean interface and is easy to use. I have been using 6.5.2, and have not tried 7.0 yet. Mild adware - it sometimes asks you to buy the Pro version.
RealPlayer / RealOne
For playing the numerous Real-encoded media files on the Internet. I despise Real products because they generally push lots of ads and content, include annoying tray icons, try to collect user info, consume system resources, and generally act like parasites on your system (just like junkware). Even trying to download a Real product from the official website is an ordeal. Download and use only if absolutely necessary.
Windows Media Player 10
Many useful features in a fairly intuitive interface. It can organize your media files, play numerous media formats (CDs, MP3s, WMA, streaming video, etc.), copy music to/from CDs & USB devices, and stream online radio stations.

Utilities

7-Zip 4.23
Free ZIP/compressed archive manager. High compression rates, integration with Windows, etc. If you want a more powerful archive utility and don’t mind shareware, try PowerArchiver 9.25.
MetaPad 3.5
Excellent NotePad replacement; small and fast, offering many useful features.
Notepad2 1.0.12
Another excellent text editor, customized for programmers (e.g., line numbering, syntax color-coding, etc.).
ScreenHunter Free 4.0.85
Full-featured screen capture utility. Plus and Pro versions available.
SyncBack Freeware V3.2.8.500
Excellent backup and synchronization utility. It can compress and encrypt backups, update existing backups, and synchronize the contents of two folders. You can customize every operation.
WinMD5sum
Simple utility for calculating MD5 checksums and verifying the integrity of your downloads.
I am currently testing out several free CD/DVD burning programs. http://www.deepburner.com/ http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ So far, the main problems would be lack of compatibility with some drives and the absence of verification of a successful burn.

Web Publishing

FileZilla 2.2.14
Free, open source FTP client. I have not used it yet myself, but it receives highly positive user reviews.
Nvu 1.0
This website was originally created using Nvu, which attempts to provide the basic functionality of FrontPage and Dreamweaver in a more user-friendly environment. A good choice for creating a basic website. 1.0 was just released; I suspect that Nvu works best in its native Linux environment. It feels somewhat sluggish and buggy on the Windows platform.
Open Clip Art Library
Freely distributable clip art images.

Development

Notepad2
Powerful Notepad replacement for coders. Includes syntax highlighting (many common languages supported), line numbering, and more.
Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS) 2.07
Open-source tool for creating professional installers for Windows. Script-based, although a few GUI editors are available (e.g., HM NIS Edit 2.03).

Other…

E-Sword 7.7.0
Full-featured Bible software…and it’s free! Numerous translations, dictionaries, commentaries, e-books, etc. Even includes the Vulgate and a Korean translation.
Celestia 1.3.2
Open-source planetarium software…explore the universe in 3D!

Broadband Internet connection required! (In some cases, it may be possible to order CD media online.)

Open Source CDs

The Open CD 2.0
Download or order the entire CD, or download the programs separately. Contains dozens of high-quality open source freeware.
Ultimate Boot CD 3.3
Troubleshooting boot CD filled with advanced diagnostic and admin tools. Basic (121 MB) and Advanced (186 MB; includes Linux-based INSERT) versions.

Linux CDs

Knoppix 3.9
One of the most popular Linux live CDs; a live CD allows you to boot into and run a Linux-based OS completely from a CD, without touching your hard drive. Knoppix includes kernel 2.6.11, KDE 3.4, Firefox & Thunderbird, OpenOffice 2.0 (beta), and much more. Excellent hardware support. Useful for troubleshooting a Windows system (e.g., file recovery) and as an alternative, portable OS. You can save settings to a hard drive or USB drive. 4.0 DVD was just released, and a 4.0 Lite CD is expected soon.
Ubuntu 5.04
A relative newcomer, Ubuntu has been consistently ranked #1 on Distrowatch.com’s popularity list. One of the more philosophical yet user-friendly distros, Ubuntu is designed to bring Linux to the masses. Ubuntu has a new release every 6 months; live CD and install CD are available for download and can also be shipped for free. Ubuntu is based on Debian and Gnome 2.10, although a KDE 3.4 version is also available (Kubuntu 5.04).
Xandros Open Circulation Edition 3.02
Not a live CD, but an installation CD for a full-featured Linux OS. Includes customized KDE 3.3, Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, CodeWeavers CrossoverOffice trial, easy updates, media players, and much more. Xandros is currently one of the most talked about Linux distributions, and has received a lot of praise in reviews. Commercial Xandros products available.