Best-of-breed free software for Microsoft Windows
Please note: the use of non-open-source free software may be subject to limitations, such as non-commercial use only.  Read the documentation carefully.
	xplorer² lite -- Windows dual-pane file manager (free version) An excellent partial replacement for Windows Explorer, with more features--and it's easier-to-use.  Support for the free version is via forums.  Current: v1.3.0.2 http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm
	7-Zip -- Archive management tool (ZIP and more) Beats WinZIP, in my opinion (it's less bloated, features more compression options, and it's more secure).  LGPL open source.  $20 donation suggested (it's worthy).  Current: v4.23 http://www.7-Zip.org
	AVG Anti-Virus -- free edition An excellent virus checker.  Better than Norton or McAfee due to its lower system overhead.  Updated often.  Now version 7, with support forums.  Worth paying for! http://free.Grisoft.com
	Zone Alarm -- firewall, free version (limited functionality, firewall-only) A software firewall - the useful minimum needed for broadband setups under Windows (the Windows XP and XP-SP2 firewalls are virtually worthless, due to having intentional holes).  Current: v5.5.094.000 http://www.ZoneLabs.com/store/content/company/zap_za_grid.jsp
	JAVA Runtime Environment Java language runtime support.  Beats Windows built-in support by a mile.  Windows installation is mid-page (scroll down).  Required by OpenOffice, Mozilla, and others.  Current: version 5.0 update 4 (v1.5.0_04). http://Java.Sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.html
	Firefox browser (Mozilla) -- a stand-alone light-weight browser Part of a suite of the formerly-integrated Mozilla programs including the Thunderbird mail reader.  Open source.  Current: v1.0.6 http://www.GetFirefox.com  Tutorial
	Thunderbird (Mozilla) -- mail reader  A stand-alone mail reader derived from Mozilla Mail. More secure than Outlook or Outlook Express, more powerful than OE. Has Bayesian spam filtering and other features. Open source.  Current: v1.0.6 http://www.Mozilla.org/Products/Thunderbird
	IrfanView -- graphic-file viewer An excellent graphics viewer with basic-but-useful editing and format-conversion capabilities.  Be SURE to get the plug-ins - then it will play sound files, video, and most Flash animations, too.  Current: v3.97 http://www.IrfanView.com
	Picasa -- media organizer utility "Software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Picasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips."  Provided by Google. http://www.Picasa.com
	MultiRes -- video resolution changer Change screen resolution, refresh rate, and color depth on-the-fly.  Useful for CRTs and LCDs. Current: v1.54 http://www.EntechTaiwan.com/util/multires.shtm
	OpenOffice.org -- office software suite (open source) OO.o is a free replacement for most of MS Office.  A word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software, and drawing tools are included.  It can read and write MS formats--and much more!  Current: v1.1.4, beta: v1.9 http://www.OpenOffice.org   Tutorials
	Audacity -- sound-file recorder & editor Powerful, easy-to-use graphical sound editor.  Record from any source, mix, add effects, make MP3s from WAVs (uses the best-of breed LAME encoder), turn LPs to CDs, and much more.  Cross-platform open source.  Current: v1.2.3 http://Audacity.SourceForge.net   Tutorials
	GAIM -- multi-client Instant-messaging utility Handles AIM/ICQ, Yahoo!, MSN, Jabber, IRC, and more.  Open source.  Current: v1.5.0 http://GAIM.SourceForge.net/win32/index.php
	Mozilla -- integrated Internet browser and email client Replaces Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.  More secure, more features, and more standards-compliant than the MS products.  Open source.  Current: v1.7.10 http://www.Mozilla.org
	WinAmp v5 -- music-file and video player for MP3s (and more) Plays CDs, streaming audio, and video too.  Skinnable.  Check the visualizations!  Current: v5.094 http://www.WinAmp.com
	VLC -- video/audio streaming client A player that handles a broad variety of video & audio streams and file formats better than some of the commercial and adware players.  Can play DVDs (it ignores region limits, as it comes with LibDVDCSS).  The Get VLC download link is on the right side of the page.  Open source.  Current: v0.8.2 http://www.VideoLAN.org  Tutorial
	WinGIMP 2.2 -- graphics manipulation program A Windows port of the GNU Image Manipulation Program, very powerful, many new features.  Open source.  Current: v2.2.8 http://GIMP-Win.SourceForge.net   Tutorial  Mailing list
	XnView -- graphic-file viewer and manipulator Two "best-of" graphic file viewers? Sure! They overlap, but each has its strengths. XnView's is its image-manipulation tools.  Cross-platform; I use it a lot under Linux.  Current : v1.80.1 http://www.XnView.com
	PowerBullet -- Flash-based presentation software Create PowerPoint-like Flash presentations that can be played back in any browser. http://PowerBullet.com
	WinKey 2.8 -- programmable-hotkey utility Can also be used to disable the Windows-logo keys' menu pop-up, useful in some programs, especially games. http://Download.com/3000-2344-913626.html?tag=lst-0-1
	Pixia -- Artistic paint program From Japan, an interesting and useful art tool, nice effects.  Current: v3.1 http://park18.wakwak.com/~pixia  Tutorial
	Project Dogwaffle -- a "natural paint" program Has sort of a "painterly" feel.  Complements Pixia and the GIMP well.  Neat!  Current: v1.2 free http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free/index.html    Tutorials
	SwiffRec -- Flash-based audio software Create Flash audio files that can be played back in any browser.  http://PowerBullet.com/swiffrec
	Kanotix -- live-Linux-on-CD A good way (and site) to learn about Linux.  Based on Knoppix, (but more-oriented toward hard drive installation) this CD-bootable full environment can be used as a training aid, a Linux installer, or even as a Windows backup/rescue disc, which is why it's mentioned here.  Open source.  Current: 2005-03 (June 2005) http://www.Kanotix.com   Forums (English forums halfway down the page)
	The Open CD -- open-source software for Windows Much of the software on this list, collected in one place.  Now boots into Ubuntu Linux, as well.  Current: v3.0 http://TheOpenCD.org
	Related links: Windows+Microsoft resources   PricelessWare
	Other: The OPCC Articles page   The OPCC Links page   My personal blog
	Audio-related:  My Audio Tech's page  My Audio Tech's blog

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Last modified: Sunday, 14-August-2005 -- Greetings from Royal Oak, Michigan!