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Open Source / Freeware
Linux System Essentials

(To access the download page for the item click item name)

Last Update: 2007-09-11

    Always Need - Install it... NOW!
    Often Needed - Depends on how you use your PC.
   Rarely Needed - Unlikely to use this unless you're a specialist.
   Included in OS Update - Make sure you're updating your OS!

This document is aimed at Linux users.
As such before continuing we would always advise you ensure your installation of Linux is as up to date as possible.
(When updating remember to continue " looping" through the update process,
including all optional updates, until ALL categories show "0" updates).

Category / Name / Link   Description
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Linux "Versions"    
Ubuntu   Currently the "Best" choice for almost all users.
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3rd Party Runtimes    
GTK+ for Windows   Infrastructure for running many Open Source applications.
Java   Infrastructure for running Java based software.
Perl   Infrastructure for running Perl based software.
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Applications    
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Admin    
AutoStreamer   Application for integrating patches onto install CDs.
AusLogics Disk Defrag Excellent disk defragmentation program.
Cacheman   Modify / Optimise your system cache settings.
CPU-Z   Get full CPU / Motherboard information.
Disk Space Reporter A great disk / file / folder size analysis tool.
JDiskReport   Review hard disk / system storage usage.
NTRegOpt   Defragment your system registry.
PC Wizard    
Sandra Lite    
SpeedFan   Monitor / Manage system fan / cooling devices.
Aurionix FileUsage Another file / disk / folder size info tool.
System Info for Windows    
Tree Size   Review hard disk / system storage usage.
WinDirStat   Review hard disk / system storage usage.
StepTree   Review hard disk / system storage usage.
Unlocker   Unlock system locked files.
X-SetupPro   Optimise / modify numerous hidden system settings.
Z-Misc (Various)    
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Connectivity    
BitTorrent   The leading Peer-2-Peer network client.
FileZilla Client   FTP Client.
FileZilla Server   FTP Server.
Firefox   Web Browser, leading alternative to Internet Explorer.
Free Download Manager   Download accelerator.
GAIM   Multi-network chat client. (Messenger, ICQ, etc)
GrabIt   Usenet / NNTP Browser.
HTTrack   Website Downloader.
LeechGet   Download accelerator.
MailEnable   Personal Mail Server. (SMTP, POP3, etc)
Kompozer   Website creator / editor.
Spamhilator   Spam filtering tool.
Thunderbird (Portable)   Email Client, leading alternative to Outlook.
TightVNC   Remote Desktop Control system (Client & Server)
Download Managers    
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Media    
Acrobat Reader   Reader for PDF documents.
PDFCreator   Powerful PDF Creation tool.
CutePDF   PDF creation (Via "virtual printer") from any software.
Audacity   Audio editor.
BentleyView   CAD viewer.
Blender3D   3D Rendering / Modelling tool.
EditPad Lite   Text file editor.
Flash   Internet multimedia infrastructure.
GIMP   Powerful image editor. (requires GTK+)
iTunes   Audio file playing and management.
IrfanView   Simple multi-format image viewer.
7Zip   File compression & uncompression.
IZArc   File compression & uncompression.
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack   Play most types of audio & video files.
Paint.NET   Excellent image editor.
Shockwave   Complex Internet multimedia infrastructure.
Simple OCR   Simple, fast & free.
SyncBackSE   Simple file / folder synchronisation.
VirtualDubMod   Video editing.
Winamp   Audio file playing and management.
     CD / DVD    
     InfraRecorder   CD / DVD Data.
     CDBurnerXP Pro   CD / DVD Data.
     ISO Recorder   CD / DVD ISO Images & Copying
     Final Burner   CD / DVD Data & Audio CD from MP3.
     DeepBurner Free   CD / DVD Data & Audio CD from MP3.
     AudioGrabber   AudioCD to MP3.
     MP3 CD Doctor   AudioCD from MP3(s).
     ImgBurn   CD / DVD Image (ISO) Burner / Creator.
     Easy Burning   CD / DVD Data creator. Also many other free CD / DVD tools.
     AVS Disc Creator   CD / DVD / Bluray Data.
     LC ISO Creator   CD / DVD ISO Creator.
     Easy Photo Tools   PhotoCD & PhotoDVD Creation (Advanced)
     Photo VCD   PhotoCD Creation (inc menus)
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Security    
Ad-Aware SE   System spyware scanner / cleaner.
AVG Free   Anti-Virus.
Avast   Anti-Virus.
CCleaner   Privacy tool. System usage history deletion.
CWSShredder    System exploit remover.
HijackThis   System startup review and management.
Jetico Personal Firewall   Personal Firewall, better than Zone Alarm & far less annoying!
Comodo   A good range of good security products.
GRC LeakTest   Test your firewall!
Spybot   Protect / scan your system against / for malware.
ZoneAlarm   Personal Firewall, protect your system from attack.
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Large    
AutoPatcher   Alternative to Windows / Microsoft Update.
     XP    
    2000    
OS Service Packs;   Official Microsoft Operating System service packs.
     Windows XP SP2    
     Windows 2000 SP4    
OpenOffice   Free replacement for Microsoft Office
Benchmarking   Test the performance of your system.
     Aquamark   Test the graphical performance of your system.
     3DMark 03   Test the graphical performance of your system.
     3DMark 05   Test the graphical performance of your system.
     PCMark 04   Test the overall performance of your system.
MS Office SPs   Official Microsoft Office service packs.
     2000    
     XP    
     2003    
Ultimate Boot CD   An excellent "All in one" boot CD with MANY tools.
Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows   The Windows based younger brother of the above!
     
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Devices / Drivers    
Display / Graphics Cards  
     NVidia  If you use a "gaming" graphics card then it's either Nvidia...
     ATI  or ATI!
          RivaTuner  The best way to "safely" get the most out of your NVidia card.
     

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