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Programs you need, ones to avoid, and games that need playing.
Computer programs you need, and why.
Avast! Antivirus - Visit the website
This is a free Antivirus program that protects you from internet attacks. This software has reguarly updated files and protects from the following security vunerabilities: Instant Messaging, Internet Mail, Network, P2P, Web(http), HardDrive/Media.
Registry Booster - Visit the website
The Registry Booster is a program that monitors the status of your computer registry. When programs are installed and uninstalled files get left behind and shortcuts are broken. This program fixes all inconsistencies of your registry as well as defrag your registry, making your computer operate faster.
Mozilla Firefox - Visit the website
"The award-winning, free Web browser is better than ever. Browse the Web with confidence - Firefox protects you from viruses, spyware and pop-ups. Enjoy improvements to performance, ease of use and privacy." mozilla.com
WinRAR - Visit the website
This program is used to compress and decompress many types of files. It can usually compress content by 8 percent to 15 percent more than ZIP files can. WinRAR's main features include strong general and multimedia compression, the ability to process non-RAR archive formats, ZIP compression and decompression, support for long filenames, programmable self-extracting archives (SFX), repair of damaged archives, authenticity verification, embedded file comments, and encryption. In other words: get this program, it's great.
Microsoft PowerToys for WindowsXP - Visit the website
"PowerToys add fun and functionality to the Windows experience. What are they? PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released." microsoft.com
Software Programs to AVOID.
Zone Alarm - Don't visit the website
Yes, this firewall program is a hog for memory. It sounds reliable and IS in fact pretty reliable, just don't expect to be doing anything else while it's running. If you have ~3GB+ ram (not 1-2GB), I suggest you purchase it.
Norton Antivirus - Don't visit the website
Norton!? You want me to get rid of my Norton? Are you crazy!? Yep, probably... This software isn't too bad on the computer memory, however when it comes to remembering you have a subscription to its servers, this software is clueless: You purchase a one year license, a week later it tells you to renew. (wft is that all about?) This poorly written but extremely popular software can be avoided by downloading Avast! Antivirus (see above).
Microsoft Outlook Express
"But, it comes with Windows, its got to be good." Minus security holes, vunerabilities and poor spam blocking this software is great. Backing up your software is also pretty unreliable. Download yourself Mozilla Thunderbird.
Games you need to play at least once.
Plasma Pong - Visit the website
Pong at its best. This game is only good when you're either really bored, or want to see something new. This is a fairly innovative game with really catchy music and even more trippy graphics. The graphics seem to resemble fullscreen Winamp visualizations. You can also play around with the visualizations outside of the game itself in "sandbox" mode.
Soldat - Visit the website
"Soldat is a unique side-view multiplayer action game. It takes the best from games like Liero, Worms, Quake and Counter-Strike and gives you fast action gameplay with tons of blood and flesh. Soldiers fight against each other on 2D battle arenas using a deadly military arsenal. This is what multiplayer was invented for." soldat.pl
Diablo II - Visit the website
"fter possessing the body of the hero who defeated him, Diablo resumes his nefarious scheme to enslave humanity by joining forces with the other Prime Evils, Mephisto and Baal. Only you--armed with all-new weapons, spells, and armor--will be able to determine the outcome of this final encounter. As one of five distinct character types, explore the world of Diablo II--journey across distant lands, fight new villains, discover new treasures, and uncover ancient mysteries, all in the quest to stop the Lord of Terror, once and for all." gamerankings.com
StarCraft - Visit the website
"Ground-breaking real-time strategy game that pioneered the concept of dramatically different races in one game. Players choose to control one of three races -- one human and two alien -- in single-player or multiplayer. [StarCraft] combines a smattering of maps and memorably sound bytes, StarCraft remains the high point of '90s RTS gaming." gamespy.com
Important Websites
Eicar Online - Visit the website
This website offers various types of virus attacks and checks to see how good your antivirus program is working. You can also download the virus to your computer and send it to yourself via e-mail or messaging programs.
How to Silkscreen - Visit the website
Silkscreening is the process of transferring drawn images to media such as paper, t-shirts, hats, and posters. Dan Z has put together a pretty good tutorial of how to silkscreen. He starts all the way from how to make a screen to the final product.
Core 77 - Visit the website
Silkscreening is the process of transferring drawn images to media such as paper, t-shirts, hats, and posters. Dan Z has put together a pretty good tutorial of how to silkscreen. He starts all the way from how to make a screen to the final product.
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