Windows, recommend apps

I recently advised my dear Mother Duck on some software to install on her new Windows installation. Now those that know me well will now that I’m an advocate of Linux and open source software in general, but unfortunately it’s “just easier” to have her running Windows at the moment, long story.

However that does not mean that open and free software  needs to go out the window…There some great apps out there and I tried to include some of these in my selections for her.  I’ve listed these below in case they can help some others too. These are a mixed selection of propriety and open software, but all at zero cost.

• Web browser: Firefox
  (http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/)
• Email client: Thunderbird
  (http://en-gb.www.mozillamessaging.com/en-GB/thunderbird/)
• Photo manager: Picasa
  (http://picasa.google.com)
• Office Suite: OpenOffice
  (http://www.openoffice.org/)
• Skype
  (http://skype.com)
• Antivirus: Avast FREE version
  (http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html)
• Hard disk De-fragmentation:
  (http://download.cnet.com/Smart-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10759533.html?tag=bc)
• File sharing & online backup: Dropbox
  (http://www.dropbox.com)

There is of course a TON of other stuff to do to get a Windows machine as you want it, but thought this list of apps might be useful to others too, so enjoy!

Lastly, when you tired of faffing with Windows, try something better… www.ubuntu.com