You can't miss these (or at least I can't).

Some time ago I posted a post regarding the software that can't miss on my computer.
I am updating the list as I am discovering more freewares and changing my needs.


Formatting is taking longer and longer because of the high amount of data to be backupped. And because of the number of softwares we use, and because of their increasing size due to their high performances. So, I have decided to post a list of the software I can't forget to install on my newly formatted computer with download links. In this way everytime I format I just have to read this post to dowload the most recent version.

What you should remember to backup:
1) email messages Use Gmail and save from the hassle!

2) documents
3) images
4) databases such as your book inventory or your CD and DVD inventory
5) address book of your email client Use Gmail and save from the hassle!

6) favourite bookmarks (Use the add-on Xmarks for browsers to have them stored on your personal account)



The softwares you will need

THE ESSENTIALS:
1) an OS (Operative System) according to your preference (get it before formatting)
2) an antivirus (get it before formatting so that you will install it before connecting to the internet for the first time), my favourite anitivirus is free and it's called Avast
3) a web browser to download the following softwares ;) I use Firefox

THE BASICS:
4) one or more antispywares such as Spybot Search & Destroy and Adaware
5) one cache cleaner, I use CCleaner
6) a PDF reader, I recommend to use Foxit which as the same functions as Acrobat Adobe but is free and lighter (unfortunately it has some troubles with Forms created with Acrobat)
7) A suite of programs to read and write word, excel, power points, access files. You can buy Microsoft Office or you can just download OpenOffice for free.
8) An email client if you don't use your webmail. I use Thunderbird for my secondary emails, just to check them simultaneously (always keep a copy of your emails on the server, so that you don't need to back it up). Thunderbird also offers superfast configuration of your gmail accounts.
9) Cellphone software. It depends on your cellphone brand. Mine is Nokia.
10) A software to listen to the music and to watch videos. My fave is winamp but I need iTunes to listen to some music I bought on their website. Winamp indexes your multimedia files and allow you to browse it, as well as to surf the web (as a built in browser) and look for radio broadcasting channels from all over the world. Use VLC for both audio and videos!

11) An IM (Istant Messenger) such as MSN Messenger, ICQ, etc. You can also get some multiple chat clients to have a single software for more than one community like IMO - it works from the web only (unfortunately it doesn't support file receiving from your accounts).

OTHERS I WILL FEEL THE NEED TO INSTALL SOONER OR LATER:
12) Some games. It's incredible how it is hard to find good games these days. They don't have to take all your screen nor 100% your attention, they shouldn't be flashy or noisy. Card games are the best, but there are some strategy games I love. Popcap Games has excellent games. They are not free but you can try them for a while before buying. My mom also plays Brickshooter , DxBall and Bubble Golden Pack 3.
13) Jack SMS: for Italian users, it allows to send a limited amount of free texts. Since Facebook, I don't need it anymore

14) Power DVD, a DVD player which allows double subtitles, very handful when it comes to learn a language throught movies. Not free but has a trial version. I have the full version because it came with my DVD burner.
15) AIDA 32 - it's a nice software which shows you how the space on your HD is allocated. You can easily individuate the bigger files.
16) DVD43  - free software that allows you to view DVD from multiple regions. Great deal!

17) A neutral screensaver such as Fliqlo, which shows the time in a old fashioned yet cool way
18) BsPlayer is a player which allow you to watch DiVx with subtitles (to be downloaded ina separated files)
19) an Italian-English dictionary with pronunciation, such as the Oxford-Paravia
20) Filezilla to easily upload via ftp you files on your webspace
21) Macromedia Dreamweaver & Fireworks. The first one is to edit/build webpages, the latter is used for the photo editing.
22) WordWeb is an English only dictionary which offers for free also synonims, nearest types and figured pronounciation. It's very light and easily to use. Just select the word you want to explore and click a combination of keys of your choice to open it. Now it features also a search on wikipedia. The software it's free, but there is also a Pro version for €19 which offers some more stuff.