This list comprises of free software available for download that most users would normally pay for. All/Most of the software should be classed as freeware or open-source, but some of it maybe shareware. Currently it is just for Windows, I will probably create a list of Linux software I use too as I have recently migrated to Ubuntu on my aging laptop. I do not use Apple so it is pointless me creating a list for it as I can not comment on it personally. Comments are enabled if you have any other suggestion.

Audio

1. Itunes – For playing audio
2. Audiograbber - For ripping CDs
3. MediaMonkey - For organising music

CD/DVD

1. Express Burn – For CD/DVD burning
2. Daemon tools – Virtual CD/DVD (mounting ISOs etc)
3. DVD Decrypter – Rip DVDs
4. ImgBurn – Burn ISOs (DVDs etc)

Codecs

1. K-Lite Codec Pack – Generally has all the codecs you could need to play media.

Developers

1. Notepad2 – Excellent Alternative to Notepad
2. Block Note – HTML Editor (note we don’t actually use this but we couldn’t have a developers section without an HTML editor)

Image

1. Gimp – Image Editor, an excellent open source alternative to photo shop etc

Internet

1. Firefox – I highly recommend the use of this over Internet Explorer
2. Opera – Another web browser that is better than IE
3. Thunderbird – Developed by the same people as Firefox this is an excellent alternative to Outlook
4. Smart FTP – Good FTP that is free to use for personal use
5. FileZilla – Another good free FTP solution
6. Pidgin – If you use more than one Instant Messaging program this makes a good alternative to the single programs.
7. Skype – A good VOIP program that is free to use for Skype – Skype calls.

Office/Productivity

1. OpenOffice – Our personal opinion is that this is without a doubt the best alternative to Office, it includes alternatives for Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Acess.
2. Google Docs – Another excellent alternative to Office that is sed online. Google Docs has allows you to create and manage word documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Security

1. AVG Free – An excellent Anti Virus
2. Avast Home Free – Another good Antivirus
3. Comodo Antivirus – And another antivirus
4. Comodo Firewall – An excellent Firewall
5. Zone Alarm – Another free firewall.
6. Search and Destroy Spybot – Free Anti Spyware

I recommend that all users have an Antivirus, Firewall and Antispyware installed

Video

1. VLC media player – Our favourite Video/Media Player, will play absolutely anything.
2. Media Player Classic (MPC) – Good alternative to VLC though you will need codecs installed (K-Lite Codec Pack) this apparently has some advantages over VLC as some of the Codecs are less resource intensive and can handle HD Video better.

Miscellaneous – This was going to be added to Security but then I thought of more and more random programs/tools to add

1. Angry IP-Scanner – Very fast IP/Port Scanner, useful for finding out what devices are connected to the network and their IP.
2. NetMeter – Network Bandwidth Monitoring.
3. Netstumbler – Tracks down Wi-Fi Access points, usefull if you have switched off SSID on your router.
4. OpenVPN – Free Virtual Private Network sotware.
5. UltraVNC – Remote PC Control, excellent for remotely logging into a server etc.
6. DD-WRT – Not technically free software for your computer but it is a free firmware upgrade for certain routers. It is basically linux for your router and can be used to add a great deal of advanced features to a router.
7. Synergy – Share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers. Similar to a KVM but without the Video bit. My favourite random piece of software ever. Though it shouldn’t be used over a wireless network unless you have set up SSH
8. FolderShare – An excellent tool that is used to synch folders over the internet or a LAN
9. 7-Zip – 7-Zip is one of the best file compressors available
10. PuTTy – SSH Client, this can be used for SSH with Synergy, and also SSH with Bittorrent.