|
Browser |
|
Software: | Mozilla Firefox |
Replaces: | Internet Explorer; Netscape; Opera |
License: | Open Source |
Web Site: | http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox |
Version: | 2.0.0.4 (May 30/07) |
|
Advantages | Extremely secure, unlike Internet Explorer.Built-in pop-up blocker.Built-in Download Manager.Tabbed browsing.Almost infinitely customizable via Extensions & Themes. |
Disadvantages | Loads slower than Internet Explorer, but only because Explorer loads with Windows.Some sites won't work properly with Firefox. The IE Tab Extension helps with this. |
Notes: | I've been using Firefox for years now. I love it!
There are tons of open-source Extensions to make it do just about anything you want, and the browser can completely transform its look by installing a Theme. |
| Downloading |
|
Software: | eMulePlus |
Replaces: | Kazaa Lite; Kazaa; Morpheus; Napster |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://emuleplus.sourceforge.net |
Version: | 1.2b (Feb. 2/07) |
|
Advantages | Downloads the files you want in "chunks" from different sources, so the remote files don't need to be complete; the sources just
need to have the pieces you're looking for. |
Disadvantages | None. |
Notes: | The larger downloads (> 500 MB) can take a while to complete (days), but eventually I get everything I'm looking for.
Lauded by Kevin Rose over at TechTV. |
| Downloading |
|
Software: | FileZilla |
Replaces: | CuteFTP; Bulletproof FTP; SmartFTP;
your browser |
License: | Open Source |
Web Site: | http://filezilla.sourceforge.net |
Version: | 2.2.32 (Apr. 16/07) |
|
Advantages | Nice Explorer-like interface, including
drag-and-drop.
Supports resumable downloads.
|
Disadvantages | None
|
Notes: | I used to advocate the use of SmartFTP, but if you tried to use it between 9-5 on a weekday it would nag you, thinking you were using it for commercial purposes. FileZilla has no nag screens. |
| Downloading |
|
Software: | NetMeter |
Replaces: | NetPerSec |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://www.metal-machine.de/readerror |
Version: | 1.1.0 beta (June 2/07) |
|
Advantages | Will show you the speed of your network
traffic either by its main interface or
a mouse hover pop-up.
The main interface supports transparency
(Win2k or higher required).
|
Disadvantages | None |
Notes: | Most of the search engine hits to this web site are for people looking for NetPerSec, so I was happy when I found a real Freeware alternative. |
| Downloading |
|
Software: | uTorrent |
Replaces: | BitTorrent; Azureus; BitComet |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://www.utorrent.com |
Version: | 1.61 (Feb. 14/07) |
|
Advantages | Incredibly small memory footprint.
Encrypted transport.
Random port usage.
Pick and choose the parts of the torrent you wish to download.
|
Disadvantages | None
|
Notes: | Definitely the best torrent program available. |
| Instant Messaging |
|
Software: | Trillian |
Replaces: | ICQ;
MSN
Messenger; AOL
Instant Messenger; Yahoo!
Messenger |
License: | Liteware |
Web Site: | http://www.trillian.cc |
Version: | 3.1 |
|
Advantages | Combines most of the different IM (Instant
Messenger) networks in one application.
Skinnable.
Encrypted communication with other Trillian
users.
|
Disadvantages | Occasionally loses compatibility with some
IM networks when they change their protocols,
but the Trillian programmers quickly update
their software to match.
Rare
nag screens to get Trillian Pro.
|
Notes: | I
started with ICQ, but the ads turned me off.
Same with MSN Messenger. I have friends on
both networks, so an IM that connects to both
is great. There are a LOT of skins
for Trillian, so you're not stuck with only
one look, like the other IM's. |
| Newsgroups |
|
Software: | XNews |
Replaces: | Outlook Express; Agent |
License: | FREE |
Web Site: | http://xnews.newsguy.com |
Version: | 2006.08.24 |
|
Advantages | Threads multi-part binary newsgroup postings
into single-line objects -- very helpful
when trying to download large files from
news servers.
|
Disadvantages | Occasionally produces memory error dialogs,
but they don't seem to affect the program's
function.
|
Notes: | Your ISP's news server allows the fastest downloading of binary attachments, from graphics to MP3s to full movies. The latter two types must be posted in multiple parts due to their size, and spotting missing pieces of those binaries can be difficult with some newsgroup readers. XNews "threads" those binaries, allowing you to see when a binary is complete or not, keeping you from wasting your time. |
| Remote Computing |
|
Software: | PuTTY |
Replaces: | Telnet; SecureCRT |
License: | Open Source |
Web Site: | http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty |
Version: | 0.60 beta (Apr. 29/07) |
|
Advantages | Easy-to-use Secure Shell (SSH) connections.
|
Disadvantages | If you don't know what SSH is for, then
this program is not for you.
|
Notes: | I used to work for an ISP and had to connect to the web and authentication servers via telnet a lot. SSH is much more secure, and I wish this program had been available then. |
| Remote Computing |
|
Software: | TightVNC |
Replaces: | PCAnywhere; WinVNC |
License: | GNU General Public License |
Web Site: | http://www.tightvnc.com |
Version: | 1.3.9 (May 8/07) |
|
Advantages | Remote control of any PC, from virtually any platform. |
Disadvantages | Data is not encrypted. |
Notes: | This program is amazing! TightVNC is covered by the GNU Public License, which means that programmers can take the program and the protocol and modify it as they like (as the TightVNC programmers
did from the original VNC). There are VNC
clients and servers for Windows, Linux and
Macintosh.
Microsoft's
Remote Desktop is a serious contender, but currently
only works when connecting from any Windows
machine to Windows XP Pro. |
| Web Sites |
|
Software: | WebLog Expert Lite |
Replaces: | Analog;
Webalizer |
License: | Liteware |
Web Site: | http://www.weblogexpert.com |
Version: | 4.1 |
|
Advantages |
Detailed, graphical reporting on your
web traffic.
|
Disadvantages |
Feature-limited compared to the full version
of WebLog Expert.
|
Notes: | My hosting provider uses Webalizer, which is good, but WebLog Expert Lite gives me more specific information, such as more information on what sites directly link to mine. |
|
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