Essential Programs that every computer should have..

[Arcadio]

Every time I install WinXP on a PC for an average user, I install:

-Antivirus
-IE7
-Adobe Reader
-Nero (to burn CD's)
-Power DVD (to watch DVD's)
-Flash Player
-Shockwave Player
-Java Runtime Environment
-.NET Framework
-Windows Live Messenger

I want to make the list shorter. I just want to install the bare minimum number of programs that every user will need. Which of these should be removed from the list. Should I add any other programs???

 

[Billb2]

Partition Magic is nice to have around.
X-Setup Pro is nice for getting everything just the way you like it.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: Billb2
Partition Magic is nice to have around.
X-Setup Pro is nice for getting everything just the way you like it.

Partition Magic is good to have, but most people don't use it. The computers I build and repair all come from homes with users who don't know a lot about computers.

I'm going to take a look at X-Setup Pro

 

[nismotigerwvu]

How about we make some substitutions here:
foxit (adobe)
Miranda (live messenger)
Media player classic & ffdshow (powerdvd)
infrarecorder (nero)
firefox (IE)

All pretty much better in every way (especially foxit) and free.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

I'd like to add AVG and Spybot to the list.

Beats the hell out of Norton bloatware.

 

[RESmonkey]

Don't need Windows Messanger, Shockwave. For Nero, make sure it's version 6 or earlier (5.9 is good). 7 is bloatware and utter shit.

 

[ShawnD1]

While somebody already said ffdshow, I'll say ffdshow tryouts. It's the most recent version of ffdshow, dated december 2007, while normal ffdshow is from June 2002.

Opera, web browser because it's easy to disable picture loading. Good for when your internet is super slow for unknown reasons.

Alcohol 52%, freeware version. It's literally the same thing as Alcohol 120 except it's free. Daemon Tools is good too, but I like Alcohol.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Lockdown their PC with a limited user account (while informing them on how to install programs if needed) and hook them up with a router.

Originally posted by: Arcadio
-Java Runtime Environment
-.NET Framework

I only put these on the machine if the user requires them, they might introduce security exploits.

Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
I'd like to add AVG and Spybot to the list.

Beats the hell out of Norton bloatware.

The lean Antivir Free Edition beats the hell out of AVG Free Edition.

 

[pcslookout]

Sorry I hate java because it is slow and stays running in the background even when not in use. Well at least after you use it. Can be a security risk as well.

 

[ShawnD1]

Is there an alternative to Java?

 

[Mojoed]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1
While somebody already said ffdshow, I'll say ffdshow tryouts. It's the most recent version of ffdshow, dated december 2007, while normal ffdshow is from June 2002.

Hrm.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: ShawnD1
While somebody already said ffdshow, I'll say ffdshow tryouts. It's the most recent version of ffdshow, dated december 2007, while normal ffdshow is from June 2002.

Hrm.

That looks like a trojan, sort of like those fake web pages for eMule and Shareaza.

The official website for ffdshow is on Sourceforge.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow
http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow-tryout
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ffdshow

Quote from your link
"Some antivirus software -like AVG- may "detect" a trojan in FFDShow builds. This is a false positive, there are no trojans in FFDShow builds!"

That's strange. I have AVG installed on all of my computers, and ffdshow from Sourceforge has never been detected as a virus.....

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1
Is there an alternative to Java?

Nope.

 

[Evander]

Originally posted by: ShawnD1

Alcohol 52%, freeware version. It's literally the same thing as Alcohol 120 except it's free. Daemon Tools is good too, but I like Alcohol.

Not really, alcohol 52% is only useful as a virtual cd-rom device (like daemon tools), alcohol 120% has the benefits of being able to copy discs (and remove troublesome copy protection) and burn discs

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Evander

Not really, alcohol 52% is only useful as a virtual cd-rom device (like daemon tools)

You can rip images with Alc 52% free edition and mount them, just cannot burn them.

 

[TheEarthWillShake]

VLC (instead of installing millions of codecs that end up screwing your OS up)

 

[law9933]

FireFox+addons
SpywareBlaster
SUPERAntispyware
IE-SPYAD
ATF or CCleaner
Zip Reader

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: TheEarthWillShake
VLC (instead of installing millions of codecs that end up screwing your OS up)

Can I install VLC in silent mode? And will it work as a DVD decoder in Windows Media Player?

 

[Sylvanas]

Why is Firefox not on the list! I'd also say VLC and CCleaner.

 

[law9933]

Sylvanas, FF is listed at least twice & CCleaner is there also.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: law9933
Sylvanas, FF is listed at least twice & CCleaner is there also.

Not on the OP's list.

 

[RandomFool]

That's a pretty good list. I'd add firefox, spybot, CCleaner and AIM too. Possibly quicktime too.

Some of the open source alternatives are nice but it's tough getting some people to use them, especially IM clients.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: Evander

Not really, alcohol 52% is only useful as a virtual cd-rom device (like daemon tools)

You can rip images with Alc 52% free edition and mount them, just cannot burn them.

Yup, but what ShawnD1 said is definitely misleading as it is certainly not "literally the same thing". Heck, it isn't even the same thing as the paid version of 52%, but most users aren't going to care... Needing support for more than 6 emulated drives is in the realm of ridiculousness.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
Every time I install WinXP on a PC for an average user, I install:

-Antivirus
-IE7
-Adobe Reader
-Nero (to burn CD's)
-Power DVD (to watch DVD's)
-Flash Player
-Shockwave Player
-Java Runtime Environment
-.NET Framework
-Windows Live Messenger

I want to make the list shorter. I just want to install the bare minimum number of programs that every user will need. Which of these should be removed from the list. Should I add any other programs???

I am going to show some of, but not all of, my ignorance with this question:

Why does the average non-techie user need .NET Framework?

MotionMan

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: MotionMan


I am going to show some of, but not all of, my ignorance with this question:

Why does the average non-techie user need .NET Framework?

MotionMan

Some 3rd party programs require it for operation. Paint.net comes immediately to mind. It isn't so ubiquitous that everybody has to have it, but it could save an "average" computer user some frustration if he tries to use some downloaded software, but it errors out due to the lack of .NET framework(where the hell do I get that?!?!)