top 10 Essential programs for a comp?

[Tim]

I can't believe it went all the way to post 15 before somebody finally said CCleaner.

Posters 1-15... GET WITH IT!

 

[JechtShot]

^
Whoops, yeah forgot to mention Ccleaner

 

[realmike15]

So I built my son a comp and I cant think of what he might need for it or what would be just plain good to have. He will be running win 7 64. He is 10 Years old, Wont be using the comp THAT hardcore at first, i am hoping that the next year will help him get comfortable using a comp and that in a year or two I can start introducing more complex stuff for him if he takes care of it and show interest.

So far I have

1. Avast Antivirus
2. Microsoft Office

and thats where I draw a blank...


Also I am thinking I show install hamachi so I can remote into his desktop if I need to. I live in AZ he lives in Cali. Any recommendations for a different way or alternative easier method?

Top Ten:
CCleaner (best computer cleaning/maintenance software out there for Windows)
Firefox w/ AdBlock Plus & NoScript (most secure way to browse)
Avira Anti-Virus (arguably one of the better free AV Software titles)
TrueCrypt (open source extremely secure containers for important files)
VLC Media Player and K-Lite Codec Package (plays just about every video file type, including corrupt files)
uTorrent (awesome light weight torrent software, never crashed or failed me)
Daemon Tools Light (excellent virtual drive mounting software)
7zip (open source zip tool with great features)
ImgBurn (one of the best and easy to use CD-R DVD-R Blu-ray-R software around)
mIRC (amazing internet relay caht client, if you aren't familiar with IRC you should be!)

Honestly, not to sound cocky. But my list comes from 20 years of experience, and I strongly believe I have one of the best bundles of software around. Feel free to PM me with questions, and good luck!

 

[Slugbait]

Top Ten:
CCleaner (best computer cleaning/maintenance software out there for Windows)
Firefox w/ AdBlock Plus & NoScript (most secure way to browse)
Avira Anti-Virus (arguably one of the better free AV Software titles)
TrueCrypt (open source extremely secure containers for important files)
VLC Media Player and K-Lite Codec Package (plays just about every video file type, including corrupt files)
uTorrent (awesome light weight torrent software, never crashed or failed me)
Daemon Tools Light (excellent virtual drive mounting software)
7zip (open source zip tool with great features)
ImgBurn (one of the best and easy to use CD-R DVD-R Blu-ray-R software around)
mIRC (amazing internet relay caht client, if you aren't familiar with IRC you should be!)

Honestly, not to sound cocky. But my list comes from 20 years of experience, and I strongly believe I have one of the best bundles of software around. Feel free to PM me with questions, and good luck!

Honestly, you DEFINITELY sound cocky suggesting uTorrent, TrueCrypt, CCleaner, mIRC, Daemon and any media player other than WMP for a ten year old child.

 

[realmike15]

Honestly, you DEFINITELY sound cocky suggesting uTorrent, TrueCrypt, CCleaner, mIRC, Daemon and any media player other than WMP for a ten year old child.

I feel like you don't understand the definition of "cocky", because in no way can you use the word "cocky" to describe my suggested collection of software, that doesn't even make sense. When I said "cocky" I was talking about how I mentioned that I thought my list of recommended software was "one of the best". Now if you wanted to suggest that I was dead wrong in my suggestions, and that there is far better software out there... then your statement would probably hold more merit. Furthermore, and I quote

Wont be using the comp THAT hardcore at first, i am hoping that the next year will help him get comfortable using a comp and that in a year or two I can start introducing more complex stuff for him if he takes care of it and show interest.

There is definitely an interest in his son learning more complex software, and more importantly, in no way can the software I suggested be considered "complex" except maybe advanced use of IRC. Also, installing the software does absolutely no harm, it's there when he's ready to use it, that's it.

 

[Slugbait]

I feel like you don't understand the definition of "cocky", because in no way can you use the word "cocky"

You're incorrect.

When I said "cocky" I was talking about how I mentioned that I thought my list of recommended software was "one of the best".

For a 10-year-old child, you're incorrect.

Now if you wanted to suggest that I was dead wrong in my suggestions, and that there is far better software out there... then your statement would probably hold more merit.

I already gave a list that was far better for a ten-year-old child. So yeah, you're dead wrong.

There is definitely an interest in his son learning more complex software

Yeah, but his son is only ten years old.

and more importantly, in no way can the software I suggested be considered "complex" except maybe advanced use of IRC.

Complexity hsa nothing to do with it. And there's also your suggestion of installing uTorrent. It's already been established that it's a stupid suggestion for a ten-year-old child.

Also, installing the software does absolutely no harm, it's there when he's ready to use it, that's it.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

 

[realmike15]

You're incorrect.

Pretty sure I'm spot on. Perhaps you should consult a dictionary?

For a 10-year-old child, you're incorrect.

None of the software I mentioned is overly challenging for a 10 year old. Do you think 10 year olds are toddlers?

I already gave a list that was far better for a ten-year-old child. So yeah, you're dead wrong.

Yea your list consisting entirely of software that will teach him nothing about his computer is stellar! Don't forget to add Dora The Explorer video game, that'll really help him.

Yeah, but his son is only ten years old.

Nothing I mentioned is beyond a 10 year olds level. I did not tell him to start learning how to program Java Script, or start making 3D models in AutoCAD. I suggested he start him off with a bundle of software that will allow him to conquer basic functions of a computer like watching a movie, burning a disc, downloading a program.

Complexity hsa nothing to do with it. And there's also your suggestion of installing uTorrent. It's already been established that it's a stupid suggestion for a ten-year-old child.

It has everything to do with it, that was your argument... and torrents are not just used for illegal downloads. I shouldn't have to tell you this.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

For you to act like any harm could come from the programs I suggested, just shows how utterly ridiculous your statements and opinions are. A proper filter and monitoring will block any irresponsible activity, as will proper parenting.

My brother uploads youtube videos of his action figures fighting, and not once have we ever had a issue. He doesn't go to websites he shouldn't, and it's all due to proper parenting.

As much as I'd love to continue hijacking this thread. I have better things to do than argue with someone who can't even form a solid argument. Everything you write is one sentence long and brings nothing to the conversation. From what I can gather through your responses, you really are utterly clueless. Have a nice day.

 

[Slugbait]

blah, blah, blah...

If you want a flame war, keep talking out of your ass

 

[irse]

I would put on Web of Trust and Buffer Zone.

 

[MonKENy]

sorry, just got back. Build went fine. Doesnt have internet yet so not to worried about anything just yet.

Yes this is for ideas for my 10 year old son but since there will be many people reading it besides me go ahead and add any ideas you want. Never know what might peak someones interest or turn them on to something new. Heck I love to see new programs and Ideas myself, so dont limit your ideas just for that sake.

 

[stevech]

Microsoft Security Essentials
Firefox
VNC
SecondCopy
MS Office
Safehouse (private data)
NitroPDF

 

[Emulex]

in-private browser and better privacy for his man needs.

 

[CuriousMike]

K9 Web Protection

 

[lxskllr]

sorry, just got back. Build went fine. Doesnt have internet yet so not to worried about anything just yet.

Yes this is for ideas for my 10 year old son but since there will be many people reading it besides me go ahead and add any ideas you want. Never know what might peak someones interest or turn them on to something new. Heck I love to see new programs and Ideas myself, so dont limit your ideas just for that sake.

Here's a PDF from MS that's geared towards teens for protecting themselves online...

Own Your Space

This brings up a good point, and why not including bittorrent is nonsense. You're basically building him a crime machine. There's no end to the criminal activities he can engage in, bittorrent or not. The key is education, and teaching him to be a good net citizen. Being a good net citizen means conducting yourself appropriately online, and using the myriad of tools appropriately. TEACH your kids how to protect themselves, and TEACH them how to use the tools available. Electronic solutions will only work so well, and can be easily bypassed as soon as he learns how to use a boot disc from SOMEONE ELSE.

 

[Anneka]

Go with antivirus 1st.
Then the media programs you need.
I would add the things for reading different documents like Office and Adobe products.
And then it's up to you i think

 

[uberman]

Thanks for the suggestions. pouetChess sounded interesting, so I googled it and went to sourceforge to download. I did and the zipped file wouldn't open. My unzipper said it was corrupt.

I went to another source to download. I went to CNET and downloaded it in exe. format. As I installed it, MacAfee jumped up and said it had just removed a trojan automatically. Interesting?

I dowloaded Toolbar Cleaner the other day. I hate toolbars eating up my viewing space. It did remove the toolbars and hijacked my homepage. So, I simply uninstalled Toolbar Cleaner and fixed my homepage manually. All these tricks and traps.

I've been using Download Accelerater Plus for years. I finally purchased it. That's a good idea. The paid for version hijacked my homepage and I had to download software from support so it would quit hijacking my browser.

The lesson here is the child must be careful what he downloads and installs. He needs some mentoring from parents.

 

[secretanchitman]

-firefox
-microsoft security essentials or nod32
-microsoft office
-utorrent
-cccp + media player classic
-foxit pdf reader, though mostly everyone ive seen always ends up installing adobe reader...ugh
-winrar
-tuneup utilities (but not so much anymore)
-cdburnerxp (great freeware tool to burn everything)

 

[akugami]

Suggestions below. Some are for your use when you need to troubleshoot the PC.
Some sort of codec pack. The current version of WMP is drop dead simple to use. Installing another codec pack is for compatibility reasons. I like VLC and all but we have to keep in mind this is for a 10 year old kid.

Alternative browser. Take your pick of Chrome or Firefox. With FF you need to make sure you add a few add-ons like Noscript, Web of Trust, and Adblock but once you do it's more secure (nothing is 100% proof) against malicious web sites. It's also a good idea since most browser hijacks target Internet Explorer and it's good to have a second browser in case you need to research an issue and IE is foobared.

7zip for file decompression.

I prefer Microsoft Security Essentials but whatever floats your boat as long as you have a decent antivirus program.

I also like to use hijackthis from Trend Micro. There is a version that doesn't need to be installed to use. Good for quick troubleshooting of browser hijacks or some malware starting up that you want to get rid of.

LibreOffice. Get the kid typing since he'll need it in school eventually. There are web sites that assist with helping people learn to type.

Image viewer. Get irfanview. Much much much better than the default windows picture editor/viewer.

You'll want a PDF viewer. Adobe Acrobat if you want the "official" viewer or something like Foxit.

Get the kid a few games. I'd try to stay away from game web sites targeted at kids because they always seem to want to install a toolbar of some sort and a bunch of tracking cookies. I'm sure there are some safe ones but I haven't researched any yet.

 

[super_sinbad]

Teamviewer is easy to use and works really well to remote in, it's free for personal use.

Here is my list

Microsoft Office 2010 Pro Plus
Kaspersky Internet Security 2011
FireFox 4 (Some of my Addons: Adblock, Flashgot, Better Privacy, XMarks, Flagfox, Faster Fox, Fastest Fox)
Pidgin
CCleaner
Winrar
Free Download Manager
ACDSee Photo Manager
The KM Player
uTorrent
Power ISO
Teamviewer

 

[boochi]

Add EasyBCD to the list.

 

[Modelworks]

For a kid one of the best things you can do is use Kidzui. Kidzui is a browser interface that is designed for kids. It has members from lots of kid groups that control the content and it is really a fun browser to use. In a way I find it relaxing to use compared to mainstream browsers because everything is so straight forward.

Kids are locked into the browser so they can't just enter any site and go where they please. It has games, a kids version of youtube, educational sites, etc. There are sites for homework help and more. It is one of the least known about things for kids, overall just can't say enough good things about it.
http://www.kidzui.com/

 

[georgec84]

Macrium Free Reflect - disk cloning and backup

 

[chusteczka]

Macrium Free Reflect - disk cloning and backup

This is a very good point. Once the build is complete, make and image of the drive. A year from now, when the system has a few viruses, the reinstall will be simple. I use Acronis for this purpose.

 

[Cogman]

1. Chrome
2. MSE
3. Virtual box
4. Some sort of build environment (GCC, Visual studios, whatever)
5. Steam
6. 7zip
...
The rest

That is pretty much all I use or install. I might install some random program, but I do usually use it on a regular basis.

 

[NeoV]

K9 is a great suggestion given the target audience

MSE for AV needs

Teamviewer for you to remote onto the system