FREE SOFTWARE
Note: This list was compiled in January 2007. Please check at each website, before you download a program, that it is the latest version and compatible with your operating system (Windows XP, Windows XP SP2 or Vista ).
General
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. Record live audio. Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs. Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files. Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together. Change the speed or pitch of a recording. And more!
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
iTunes Organize and play all multimedia on your PC and sync it to your iPod. Links directly to the iTunes store to buy music, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks, or for the download of free podcasts.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
Juice is dedicated podcasting software. It lets users select and download shows and music automatically. These files can then be played whenever you want on a portable digital media player, or on your computer.
http://juicereceiver.sourceforge.net/index.php
OpenOffice is a multiplatform and multilingual office suite and an open-source project which is compatible with all other major office suites. It contains a word processor, a spreadsheet, multimedia presentation software, a drawing program, database software and a program to create mathematical equations.
GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed piece of software for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It works on many operating systems, in many languages.
Cutepdf Writer creates professional quality PDF files from almost any printable document. PDF is the de facto standard for electronic documents and forms exchange.
Mozilla Firefox Web browser. A popular alternative to Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic aims to protect your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and diallers. This free version is for private, non-commercial use only.
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition has the ability to scan your RAM, Registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-Aware SE can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web. This free version does not do a real-time scan.
https://secure.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, dialers, browser hijackers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in IE and Mozilla/Firefox, and restrict the actions of spyware/ad/tracking sites. Note that it doesn't scan for and clean spyware--it prevents it from being installed in the first place . It has a built-in Check for Updates feature. Free for personal and educational use only.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
WordWeb is a free cut-down version of the WordWeb Pro software. It includes a comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary, and can be used to look up words from within most programs.
Skype is a piece of software that lets you make free calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world. The calls are free. If you and your friends, family or business contacts are using webcams, you can also make free video calls. You can also call landlines and mobile phones at cheap per minute rates (and there's no setup or subscription fee).
http://www.skype.com/helloagain.html
Microsoft Software
To download any of the programs listed below you must have a valid copy of Microsoft Windows.
Direct X is a group of technologies designed to make Windows-based computers an ideal platform for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia elements such as full-colour graphics, video, 3D animation, and rich audio.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx
Microsoft Windows Defender is a program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP is designed to store and play all your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx
Internet Explorer 8 . This is the latest version of Microsoft's web browser.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx?mg_ID=10010
Photostory 3 . Create slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures. Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions. Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Watch them on your TV, a computer, or a Windows Mobile–based portable device. To download this program you must have a valid copy of Microsoft Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx
Google Software
Google offers a Download Pack however at this point it does not contain the most up to date versions of the programs.
Picasa Locates and organises all the photos on your computer. Edits and add effects to your photos with a few simple clicks.
Google Earth combines the power of Google Search with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings.
Google Desktop Search your computer for emails, web history, and files. View news, photos and more anywhere on your desktop. Add Google Gadgets to customize your desktop and Sidebar
Google Toolbar for Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Adobe Software
Adobe Reader 8 is essential software for viewing and printing PDF documents.
http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/
Flash & Shockwave are essential players for viewing multimedia internet content.
http://www.adobe.com/downloads/
Miscellaneous
The Free Software Foundation (FSF), established in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' rights to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. Click on the Resources tab to go to The Free Software Directory