Lou's Software Picks

Lou Suggests these Software Packages for the Cheapskate in you
(All are free) Last Updated July 17,2007

OPEN OFFICE - Free (Compatible with MickeySoft) Office Word+Excel+PowerPoint+Database
AVG Virus Protection - Very capable, not too bad on speed. Avoid the anti-spyware though - its a resource hog
AVAST AntiVirus - Might be a bit more effective than AVG, but it does have a nag screen
AD-AWARE - Scans for spyware, tracking cookies, and other privacy compromisers
Mozilla FireFox Web Browser - I use this. Faster, more secure than Internet Explorer.
Pick up some of the extensions for enhanced functionality and security. I recommend:
NoScript, Unhide Passwords, Distrust, ViewCookies, AdBlock Plus, FireFTP, WebDeveloper extensions.
Mozilla Thunderbird Email - Good for multiple accounts, very good local spam filter
Kompzer HTML EDITOR - An open source product. WYSIWYG editing without all the Mickeysoft XML code bloat
GOOGLE SKETCHUP - 3D CAD Drawing tool. There's a learning curve, but a lot of power for free.
IRFANVIEW - Basically a photo/media viewer with some editing capabilities.
Easy to "optimise" digital photos for web pages. Fast & simple. (There are many others like this though)
SMARTFTP - Stand alone File Transfer package. Very capable and clean

If you can stand to open your wallet, here are some great values in "buy it" software

SNAGIT - TechSmith makes some killer apps for the money. This one captures and edits all kinds of screen shots. May be worth it just for the editor.
CAMTASIA - Another TechSmith product that does computer screen capture to a variety of movie formats
Killer app for doing documentation & training. Not cheap.
NOD 32 by ESET - My choice for Antivirus, AntiSpyware. Fast, unobtrusive, very thorough.
Not the easiest package to setup, but very powerful & flexible .
BHG Home Designer - Need to build/remodel? Try these tools written by Chief Architect

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