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Building new computer for mom ... list of essential programs to install after win7?

E

endervalentine

Senior member
Got my mom a new computer! Is there a list of essential programs I should install on there?

The thing is, she's pretty far away so I want to make sure it has some of the basics on there and I don't have to debug over the phone for hrs. 🙂

So far I've installed:
1. logmein.com
2. firefox
3. vlc
4. adobe flash
5. cdburnerxp
6. ms office
7. picasa
 
If she uses Firefox on her current computer, run a free little utility called Mozbackup. This backs up all your Firefox settings, including passwords, bookmarks, cookies and everything else. When you restore the backup on your new computer, your internet settings are virtually identical, right down to the order of your bookmarks and all your saved passwords and stuff. This makes the transition way easier.
 
Does cdburnerxp work in 7? I never had it work in Vista (didn't try compatibility mode). Does she need VLC? What's mom watching that requires that? 🙂 I use Firefox, but does mom really care if it's firefox or IE8?

Oh yeah, MS Security Essentials.
 
tdawg said:
Does she need VLC? What's mom watching that requires that? 🙂
Click to expand...

VLC is nice due to the small size, and large number of codecs included. It opens very fast, and is nice for single audio/video clips. I have VLC set as my default media player for everything, but use foobar2000 for music. That way I can play a single clip, and it opens very fast, butif I want a playlist or something, I use my standard player.
 
lxskllr said:
VLC is nice due to the small size, and large number of codecs included. It opens very fast, and is nice for single audio/video clips. I have VLC set as my default media player for everything, but use foobar2000 for music. That way I can play a single clip, and it opens very fast, butif I want a playlist or something, I use my standard player.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with this post and do the same thing, except i use Exaile for music playlist(use linux OS 90% of the time)

VLC is the best media player when playing single files as far as im concerned, very lightweight and has played every format i have tried so far. Great idea for moms comp IMO.
 
I guess VLC is good, I myself use Media Player Classic. I would not see a problem with your mom also using windows media player that comes with Win 7. It does not require any 3rd party codecs. It plays almost everything. I think the only think it needs is Haali media splitter and maybe ac3 filter.

And install microsoft security essentials. Free anti virus and good ratings too.

Also adblock plus for firefox.
 
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