Sam’s Software Picks

This is going to be a work in progress so bare with me on this one.

In no particular order or fashion I will randomly add the software titles that I use.  Some of these may cause damaging effects to your system if used improperly.  So if you are having a problem with any aspect of your system and don’t know what is causing it, seek professional help.

FREE Software

VideoLAN VLC Media Player - This wonderful little media player will play ALOT of stuff including maintaining its own DVD Codec for DVD Playback.

Spybot Search & Destroy - Spy-ware removal and protection

HijackThis - A nice tool used to detect browser hijackers and unwanted start-up items.

DVD Flick - A nice DVD Burning Utility for making Menu based DVDs out or your videos.

ImgBurn - A nice little CD Burning Utility.  Erase, copy and what not.

OpenOffice.org - An office suite that can be used for spreadsheets, publishing, databases and much more.  Plus it’s Free!

AVG Free Antivirus - A free basic antivirus protection.

Spyware Terminator - A free spy-ware watch program when integrated with Clam AV (which installs with it) makes for an effective protection pack.  Kind of annoy until it learns what is good.

Not So Free Software

Microsoft Office 2007 - Nothing beats professional grade Genuine Microsoft Office just to stay compatible with the curve.

Quickbooks - Not really a recommendation but a necessity.  I can’t find a better replacment to do the job that I need.

Operating Systems

Windows XP

Windows XP 64-bit - Not as bad as people think if you don’t use a bunch of peripherals like printers and scanners and cameras.  True 64-bit computer is truly much faster.

Windows Vista Business - Kind of laggy if you have a low end system but works well for other applications such as searching and organization.

Ubuntu - Linux at it’s best.  Every once in a while a guy needs to touch up some pictures or get cross compatible with something.  Linux has a compliment for just about everything.  Kind of difficult to maintain unless you have a lot of working computer knowledge.

Ubuntu Server - Need I say more. If you are looking at this webpage you are seeing it in action.