EDIT: Trusted Software page under construction

There is a plethora of software available which is either free (open source and freely given to the community) and the software you can or could buy. This is a very difficult area but I will try and walk you through the problems of deciding what you are going to use. Much software offered is of the order 'try before you buy' (30 day trial). One problem here is that you might have to input your Credit/Debit card details to 'register' to use the product. Oh yeah, we gonna do that? Bollocks...or as my old Dad used to say, small round spherical things.

However, saying that, the proportion of internet users inputting CC/CD details ad lib is quite frightening, and fall for all the contemptuous scams on offer.

Most of the software recommended on this page is either freeware or open source. Vistamike likes free and open source, especially as it  sometimes outperforms  'paid for' versions of similar advertised software.

I and others have tested all programs and applications and all links given are original or take you to a verified download site. This page is updated on a regular basis. To download, click on the product icon. Not all software automatically looks to see if there is an update or a newer version so it pays to check this on a regular basis.

INTERNET BROWSERS

These were mentioned on the home page but for reference, links are below.

EMAIL PROGRAMS

Without a doubt, this is one of the best email clients I have ever used. It will handle multiple accounts and will set up a Gmail account in under a minute. The beauty of Firefox and Thunderbird is the back up software available. Download the Mozbak program and you can backup ALL your settings in Firefox and Thunderbird easily. If you have to reinstall either FF or TB you won't have to worry about Bookmarks, themes, add-ons or settings; emails, addresses and setting etc.

SYSTEM CLEANUP / SYSTEM MONITORING 

This is a 'here be dragons area' and I cannot give any guarantee: please read the 'readme.txt' on all downloads. Always make a restore point and make regular backups of your data. This can be an external drive, memory stick or a DVD -R (rewritable), but do copy your documents, pictures and music so you have a retrieve if things go pear shaped. Imaging is a way of ensuring a quick backp/restore and I will describe how this done below. Windows does have a backup option; It is completely fucking useless!

XP, Vista and Win7 do have their own cleanup apps included. It ends there. They are pretty abysmal considering they are supplied by M$, your OS provider. One would have thought that the apps would be efficient and adept at cleaning your system regularly and without effort. Diskcleanup is crap as is the inbuilt defragmentation offering; both are laborious in operation and bloody time consuming in setting up. So I offer you a few apps that will help resolve this anomaly. So let's get a few downloads and a little info on each one.

CCleaner: For God's sake, steer clear of so called registry cleaners, most have to paid for and most don't and your machine will end up in my Casualty Department! Follow the suggestions below and your machine will live a little longer and survive another day. The first one is a little application called Ccleaner previously mentioned but let's get up to speed as to what it REALLY does for you and your next visit to the GP. Formerly known as Crap Cleaner, this app from Piriform has come a long way, is used by regular users as well as professionals. Download the software and install. Run the cleaner: your first screen will by default open to.....your first task. Cleaning. This mode will delete all your unneeded and unwanted temp files, cookies, history etc. Now that is good. Close all browsers and click to the bottom left 'analyze', then click 'run cleaner'. A load of crap gone. Ccleaner is a little more powerful than this to boot. There is an option to 'wipe free space' in the menu. It is not set as default because this type of cleaning can take a while. I suggest you DO select this once a week though. Nice clean drive. One of the other tools included is REGISTRY, perhaps one of the most dangerous areas to touch if you are not sure. Well, I can tell you that this is probably safest registry cleaner to use. So, click registry, click 'Scan for issues', soon a report will appear. In most cases there will be references to uninstall leftovers or a shortcut not found. OK.... click 'fix issues' and you will get the Wanna back the reg box. Click yes and follow the prompts. No reboot is required, close the program when you get 'issues resolved'. You have already  backed up the registry file so can be reinstated if there is a problem later.

Defraggler:

Speccy:

OFFICE / WORDPROCESSING / SPREADSHEET / PRESENTATION

    OpenOffice   WHY IS IT FREE!

OpenOffice, a fully working office suite, completely free and compatible with M$ Office. Ditch (uninstall) the bundled M$ Works and don't buy the Home & Student edition of Office 2007 or 2010 or purchase any version of M$ Office unless your BUSINESS environment might require it (and afford it). For home use Works was quite a good idea but we find now our kids at skool use Office and this can cause problems with file saving and transfer. Thus, this is an alternative for a fully fledged office site. The GUI is quite easy to navigate and you have the options in all apps to 'save as' in the dialogue box. .doc .xls and .pps are happily read and edited. Happy writing folks.

GRAPHIC / PHOTOGRAPHIC EDITING TOOLS