==== Post COOL and USEFUL programs here!!! STICKIED ====

[Texun]

I did a search for "slipstream" and "slipstreaming" and came up with zip.

If you are like me and have WinXP, but hate downloading or digging around for the CD where you burned your Windows Service Pack each time you reinstall the OS, you might want to take a look at this page. I added SP1 to my WinXP CD and it worked great.

Link for XP(Easier to use than MS instructions): Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 1a and Create Bootable CD
Microsoft also has a link for Slipstreaming SP1 to your Win2K CD as well: Integrate Service Pack 1 into a Windows 2000 Installation

Hope this helps.

 

[TP]

- myie2 is a nice n fast free tabbed browser with mouse gestures and its tweakable: http://www.myie2.com/
- gallery is a free php based photo gallery software you can run on your website.. its fast and flexible: http://gallery.menalto.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index
- zipgenius is an excellent freeware archiver: http://www.zipgenius.it/index_eng.htm
- cobian is a great freeware backup tool: http://www2.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cbu5.htm
- mwsnap is a great freeware screen capture tool: http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html
- tightvnc is a great open source remote control software: http://www.tightvnc.com

 

[d3n]

sKype is based on a propritary type of VOIP communications owned by sKype

... looks like it could be used as an attempt to gain a corner on the desktop VOIP market. Most other VOIP programs are based on an open protocol that can be shared and more easlily gateway'd to public telephone networks. Id like to see VOIP advance for home users without a standards battle that are so common between vendors these days.

 

[bleuiko]

Hey guys, I know this thread is getting way too long and disorganized, especially for people who have not been subsrcibed to it since the beginning.

I have found a smaller core list of freeware listed very nicely here:

Thanks Neowin.net

Our list is longer and more commented but for new readers, you might wanna start there. Someday, one of us kind anandtech souls will create a complete listing of all these sotware huh? :beer:

bleuiko

 

[ParatoOptimal]

Get free MS Security Update on Cd
-------------------------------------------
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

Microsoft Security Guidance Kit CD v1.0
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.microsoft.com/security/guidance/order/default.mspx

MS Office Service Packs on CD-ROM
--------------------------------------------
http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?assetid=FX010383631033&CTT=98

You can also get complete windows updates on CD
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.autopatcher.com

------------------------------------------------------
There's also a process called slipstreaming
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.msfn.org/unattended/xp/index.htm

Member Pages and Tutorials created by MSFN members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.msfn.org/unattended/xp/members.htm

You can slipstream (combine) your XP install Cd with
all the updates and even your personal info, timezone,
cd key, etc so that XP will install unattended. You
don't have to be present to insert CD's or input your
info. It allows you time to get that second, 8-shot
espresso of the day at Starbucks.

PC Utilities (UK Magazine), www.pc-utilities.co.uk, available at
Boarders and Barnes & Noble has a 2 page "How To" on slipstreaming
in their Issue 43. It includes a CD of 523 essential programs.
I think the mag with CD runs you @ $12.

--------------------
KeePass v0.92a
--------------------
300K/Win9x/2k/XP/FREE
http://keepass.sourceforge.net

Passwords are stored in an encrypted database using
AES/Rijndael ecrypted, SHA-256 (as password hash). For
organized freaks, the program supports groups for easy
password sorting. It comes with a password generator,
a search feature, and copying information to the
Windows clipboard. KeePass doesn't install anything
into the Windows environment or the registries. The
settings are stored in a file in the same directory of
the executable and lists can be exported to txt, html,
xml, or csv files as well as printed. Nice and simple
utility that can even be translated to other
languages.

-----------------------------
Ultimate Boot CD v2.21
-----------------------------
45.8M/Win9x/2k/XP/FREE
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4019.html

Free yourself from the slow loading speed of the
floppy drive. Even if you do have a floppy drive, it
is still much much faster to run your diagnostic tools
from the CD-ROM drive rather than wait for the tool to
load from the floppy drive. Consolidate as many
diagnostic tools as possible into one bootable CD.
Wouldn't you like to avoid digging into the dusty box
to look for the right floppy disk, but simply run them
all from a single CD? Then the Ultimate Boot CD is for
you!

----------------------------------------
Cool Development Tool for Linux
----------------------------------------
GAMBAS.
http://gambas.sourceforge.net/

Amazing program. The GAMBAS GUI itself is written in
Gambas (controls and compiler code in C). I could
build the source in Fedora-1, with no problem. Make
sure you install PostgreSQL before that, so that you
can try database applications also. Browse through the
GAMBAS Gui project itself to see the power of GAMBAS
script. There is one more real world application -
"Gambas Database Manager". Simply amazing!! (It is
currently at version 0.84 - and is already very
usable).

------------------------------------------
Boot Linux Fron A USB Flash Dirve
------------------------------------------
Looking to run a bare bones system (no floppy/HD/CD)
with Linux booting from a USB Pen Drive of approx
64MB?

The distro that your are looking for is called "damn
small linux" do a google search for it and you will
find it.

Something like this will do the trick:

http://www.8ung.at/spblinux/concept.htm

http://syslinux.zytor.com/

http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS6805529669.html

http://n0cmonkey.net/docs/index.html
Re-implementing what I designed in 1979 is not
interesting to me personally." -Bill Joy on Linux

http://www.goosee.com/puppy/
This one sticks out in my mind.
----------------------------------------------------
If you have Linux installed look in
the /usr/local/doc dir, the HOWTO you are looking for
is called "diskless" I beleive, it may be updated to
explain a USB flash drive.
----------------------------------------------------
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/darktips/story/0,24330,3591332,00.html

 

[iwillhelp]

www.gaim.com check it out. also www.treiber-acrheive.com http://www.treiber-archiv.de/Best Place if your a tech

 

[sharq]

Open Office as a free alternative to MS office (not sure if it was already mentioned).

 

[Andvari]

Originally posted by: Gorgonzola
Miranda ICQ
Icq without the bloat!
can now also communicate with MSN users.
the program itself is under 300kb, and you choose which plugins you need instead of installing all the crap from Mirabilis that you never use!

Does this have the typewriter sound ICQ has/had? I haven't used ICQ in a while, but would like to go back to it because I like the sound effects heh. I only have AIM buddies though. Right now I'm using GAIM.

 

[Rally1]

Wow no one listed WINPATROL Like MSconfig on steroids. Lets you control startup items plus:
WinPatrol with Scotty the Windows Watch Dog will sniff out Worms, Adware, Spyware, Cookies, Trojan horses and other virus type, malicious, nasty "mysteryware" that may attack your computer. WinPatrol puts you back in control of your computer with no need for constant updates.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

MP3 Autorunner

Drop this little proggy on a CDR along with up to 12 albums of MP3s. Regardless of whether you have an MP3 program installed on your computer or not, set the CDR up correctly (almost impossible not to) and pop it in any computer that has a sound card and speakers. Voila. Instant player for the albums on CD complete with album cover art capability, very functional and user-friendly GUI and keyboard shortcut controls.

 

[Aquaman]

Inksaver

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Chumster]

Hope this isn't a repost...

I had to recover a file from a formatted (NTFS) drive. After being aggravated by various demos (which will show you the lost files but not let you restore unless you purchase), I came across:

PC Inspector

It was able to scan my drive, locate the file and restore. Best of all, it is completely functional and completely free.

Chum

 

[jimmyl930]

I've made a huge list of cool apps here.

 

[biostud]

Spyware Blaster Protects for incomming spyware. Used in combo with Spybot S & D for best protection. Also CWShredder When something has hit the fan.

Google Toolbar

 

[Slickone]

Quick View Plus opens over 225 types of files.

 

[TeamZero]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but pop-up manager is a great small and free popup blocker.

Pop-up Manager

 

[AncientPC]

Firefox 0.8 is the best IE replacement I've found yet.

 

[absinthe]

Don't know if this has been mentioned yet. I've recently stumbled across 2xexplorer. This is a great little file manager, like your Windows' "Windows Explorer." It's "old-style," by which I mean it has 3 panes, so you can drag-n-drop and view/manage files from pane to pane without having to have 2 Explorers open. It also has added functionality like bookmarks (!) (can't begin to tell you how useful that's been for me), and it has a great little teeny thumbnail viewer that loads instantly and is faaaast.

It's small, it's doesn't install (just run the .exe file), and best of all it's FREE!

Get it at CNET, or visit the author's homepage where there's apparently an alpha version available of a successor app he calls "xplorer²" (haven't tried that one out yet myself).

Guarantee you won't go back to Windows Explorer again!

=Aaron

 

[dudeman007]

Zone Alarm A MUST HAVE. Organizes which programs can access the internet and which ones cant!

Incredimail A fun email app with neat backrounds and animations to spruce up your email.

WinRAR This compression app is what i consider the best out there. Can deal with tons of formats. Its 30 bucks, but there is a free trial which is well worth the dl even if you dont want to buy it.

WinMX This p2p sharing program is great for music and what not. I find to work great with high quality downloading available. I dl at 320 all the time. Good program. Better than Kazaa any day.

StyleXP Customize your desktop with stylexp. Can change load up screens, logon screens, themes, etc. Great program and easy to use.


ps. A month since I've joined! yay. Anandtech rules.

 

[flavio]

Antoher vote for HTMLKit which has got around a billion plugins for added functionality.

And if you do any kind of web development or design you're just silly not to have the Web Developer plugin for Mozilla Firefox. I also recommend Live HTTP Headers, Linky, Checky, Image Zoomer, Window Layers, x, and the Sted Sidebar.

View all the extensions

 

[tahoe1]

AGD Interactive, makers of the free remastered King's Quest 1 and 2
http://www.agdinteractive.com/games.php

TaxAct 2003 Standard, free tax software
http://www.taxact.com/

SmartBarXP, Longhorn-like taskbar: great for dualmonitor
http://www.smartbarxp.com/cgi-bin/main.cgi?parent=main&display=screenshots

I see Celestia, Audacity, IRFanView, DVD Shrink, Netstumbler, and Clone CD have already been mentioned....

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: warmonger
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.headius.com/hackit.html">Hack-It</a> -- Not what it sounds like. This is actually a really cool window managing program. Let's you set which windows are topmost, transparency for ANY window, process priority, etc.

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.sysinternals.com">Bunch of little apps</a> -- There's a whole bunch of (sometimes) useful and fun little utilities here. For example, there's an app called Contig that lets you see the fragmentation for any specific file, and defragment it. Can't find a direct link to it though.

thanks for that second link - found some really cool stuff there.

 

[Nemesis300]

Not sure if these are listed. Sorry not free

Remote Administrator Viewer: Radmin is an award-winning multifunction remote control program. Radmin enables you to remotely monitor or work on one or more network computers right from your own workstation. It is a complete remote control solution with such features as File Transfer, NT security, Telnet and Multilanguage Support built-in.

R-Studio Data Recovery woops you formatted a drive and now you need the data off of it? Reviews at CNET
R-Studio is a family of powerful and cost-effective undelete and data recovery software. Empowered by the new unique data recovery technologies, it is the most comprehensive data recovery solution for recovery files from FAT12/16/32, NTFS, NTFS5 (created or updated by Windows 2000/XP/2003) and Ext2FS (LINUX file system) partitions. It functions on local and network disks, even if such partitions are formatted, damaged or deleted. Flexible parameter settings give you absolute control over data recovery.

 

[konakona]

i am soooo surprised there are still people out there thinking winamp is the best thing for music. sure it had been good for a while like ICQ was the thing for messaging and DFX was thought to be a must have. but things change, there is always something better out there... if you havnt heard of foobar2000, get out of the cave you live in and download it @ www.foobar2000.org NOW. i could understand people using coolplayer or QCDplayer for looks and such but winamp? pfffft gimme a break foobar comes with most plugins ya need like convolver, replaygain, SSRC resampler, kernel streaming output and many more. the only custom plugins i downloaded in addition are columns UI, otachan's ASIO output - works well with Asio4all.

I would also suggest Gomplayer by gretech : ffmpeg based player that has an array of most built-in codecs, no hassle of downloading divx and xvid codec packs. due to its ffmpeg heritage it has least sytem requirement of any player i have seen up to date. HIGHLY customizable, supports winamp sound plug-ins, lets you take auto screenshots up to 999 continuous frames, arguably best smi support to boot. if this is not an viable option, i would be using either WinDVD or WMP classic for my divx viewing pleasure.

EDIT : Radmin rox, served me well for years... StyleXP on the other hand, is a resource hog that can be easily replaced by hacked uxtheme.dll. just make sure you get the right version, or else you will find yourself in deep sh!t (i know it from my personal experience)

 

[gentobu]

Tigcc is a C compiler for the TI-89.