A question for everyone...
- Thread starter Tabby432
- Start date
Dillinger
Guerrilla Ontologist
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- Sep 19, 2000
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I recommend only loading those programs you need and use regularly. The more you stuff onto the system the more likely you'll have to do a another reformat sooner, rather then later.
If you're asking for specific program suggestions that you might want to use - what categories? Games? Graphics? Word Processors?
If you're asking for specific program suggestions that you might want to use - what categories? Games? Graphics? Word Processors?
Tabby432
Nostalgic
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2001
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- 4,111
oops!
Ok a little more information is needed.
The reason I had to do a format & recovery is because when I bought this computer, 2 months ago, Windows me wasn't installed correctly. I had dll error messeges from day one but had no idea that was a problem.
My system:
AMD Athlon 1 GHz processor
128 MB SDRAM memory
60.0 GB ultra DMA hard drive
DVD 12x max. speed DVD-ROM drive
CD-RW 8x4x32 cd-writer plus
(info. from a sticker on the computer)
The only thing I've used is the works programs that came with it and the internet(obviously). What I want is some info. on what I can do with the damn thing. I have no idea what I want or need. Just some suggestions on what I should have or any cool stuff I can use.
Bookmark Lit.- check
Ok a little more information is needed.
The reason I had to do a format & recovery is because when I bought this computer, 2 months ago, Windows me wasn't installed correctly. I had dll error messeges from day one but had no idea that was a problem.
My system:
AMD Athlon 1 GHz processor
128 MB SDRAM memory
60.0 GB ultra DMA hard drive
DVD 12x max. speed DVD-ROM drive
CD-RW 8x4x32 cd-writer plus
(info. from a sticker on the computer)
The only thing I've used is the works programs that came with it and the internet(obviously). What I want is some info. on what I can do with the damn thing. I have no idea what I want or need. Just some suggestions on what I should have or any cool stuff I can use.
Bookmark Lit.- check
indyweasel
Roadkill
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2001
- Posts
- 1,837
a messanger service like ICQ or Yahoo, etc.
Email
good games
checkbook software ( I use MS Money)
hmm.. what else is there to need??
good games
checkbook software ( I use MS Money)
hmm.. what else is there to need??
Neale
Old school bastich
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2001
- Posts
- 1,921
IF you know how to make it behave...
Norton Utilities/SystemWorks is the very first thing that should go on after you install the operating system. Warning: the default installation will make all sorts of things constantly active, babysitting you to a degree you may find annoying. When I install it, I tell it not to do anything automatically. The reasons to install it first of all, are so you can a)run the optimization programs right off, fixing some of Windows' bad decisions; b)have CleanSweep immediately active, so you can easily clear out future programs completely, if you decide to get rid of them; c)have it set your swapfile up in an optimum fashion.
If you don't have it already, you can typically find it for around $30 after rebate. Systemworks includes all the Utilities, plus the CleanSweep and Antivirus software.
After that, install what you will. Personally, I don't bother with themes, since I'm a 'power' user, and loathe to give up ANY system resources to decorations... however, they really don't take that much overhead, and a sane user would never notice a difference. Good luck!
Norton Utilities/SystemWorks is the very first thing that should go on after you install the operating system. Warning: the default installation will make all sorts of things constantly active, babysitting you to a degree you may find annoying. When I install it, I tell it not to do anything automatically. The reasons to install it first of all, are so you can a)run the optimization programs right off, fixing some of Windows' bad decisions; b)have CleanSweep immediately active, so you can easily clear out future programs completely, if you decide to get rid of them; c)have it set your swapfile up in an optimum fashion.
If you don't have it already, you can typically find it for around $30 after rebate. Systemworks includes all the Utilities, plus the CleanSweep and Antivirus software.
After that, install what you will. Personally, I don't bother with themes, since I'm a 'power' user, and loathe to give up ANY system resources to decorations... however, they really don't take that much overhead, and a sane user would never notice a difference. Good luck!
Dillinger
Guerrilla Ontologist
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- Sep 19, 2000
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- 26,152
Get a Firewall too - especially if you have a cable modem... see KillerMuffin's thread on that subject. Norton Utilities is a great overall utilities program that includes virus protection - but it doesn't include a firewall. Get that and the firewall... (I recommend a hardware firewall but if you go the software route I recomment Symantec (Norton) Personal Firewall - I think some places even sell Utilities and Firewall as a package - look online)
Do you like games? Depending on your graphics card you might want to consider some... what games do you like? Quake has been among my favorites for a long time. In the same vein I would also recommend Tribes 2 or Unreal Tournament.
General Productivity - Microsoft Office is the one to get. If you only need a word processor then get Microsoft Word. Not that their aren't other good processors out there but you can't go wrong with word and it reads and writes to most all formats.
Email - works comes with Outlook Express, doesn't it? That will work just fine. If you're more of a power user then consider the full version of outlook. If you don't already have Outlook Express I believe you can get it for free from the Microsoft site.
Browser - Netscape or Internet Explorer obviously. Personally I prefer Netscape. (both are free)
Make sure you download the latest version of Microsoft Direct X as well as Windows Media Player - both available from the Microsoft Site where you should also download the latest updates to your operating system.
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Microsoft Messenger (MSN) - get them both - not just one. Those are the top two I would list. Many people have ICQ but it is difficult to configure from behind a firewall (not impossible). Yahoo Pager is another possibility. Most people seem to have at least two instant msgr programs... I think with AIM and MSN you should cover most of the field. (both are free)
Napster and Aimster if you like to download music. WinAMP for an excellent mp3/music player. (all three are free) Keep in mind that Napster works on certain ports that are normally closed off if you have a firewall installed (did I mention that EVERYONE should have a firewall installed?) DO NOT turn off the firewall when using Napster - only open the necessary ports.
Get a Hotmail address.
ACDSee32 - excellent graphic viewer/organizer/slide show - really usefull if you collect lots of pornographic images!
Do you like games? Depending on your graphics card you might want to consider some... what games do you like? Quake has been among my favorites for a long time. In the same vein I would also recommend Tribes 2 or Unreal Tournament.
General Productivity - Microsoft Office is the one to get. If you only need a word processor then get Microsoft Word. Not that their aren't other good processors out there but you can't go wrong with word and it reads and writes to most all formats.
Email - works comes with Outlook Express, doesn't it? That will work just fine. If you're more of a power user then consider the full version of outlook. If you don't already have Outlook Express I believe you can get it for free from the Microsoft site.
Browser - Netscape or Internet Explorer obviously. Personally I prefer Netscape. (both are free)
Make sure you download the latest version of Microsoft Direct X as well as Windows Media Player - both available from the Microsoft Site where you should also download the latest updates to your operating system.
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and Microsoft Messenger (MSN) - get them both - not just one. Those are the top two I would list. Many people have ICQ but it is difficult to configure from behind a firewall (not impossible). Yahoo Pager is another possibility. Most people seem to have at least two instant msgr programs... I think with AIM and MSN you should cover most of the field. (both are free)
Napster and Aimster if you like to download music. WinAMP for an excellent mp3/music player. (all three are free) Keep in mind that Napster works on certain ports that are normally closed off if you have a firewall installed (did I mention that EVERYONE should have a firewall installed?) DO NOT turn off the firewall when using Napster - only open the necessary ports.
Get a Hotmail address.
ACDSee32 - excellent graphic viewer/organizer/slide show - really usefull if you collect lots of pornographic images!
Xander
Rekindled
- Joined
- Dec 20, 1999
- Posts
- 17,089
AIM = http://www.aim.com
MSN = your hotmail account or http://www.msn.com
Napster (music download program) = http://www.napster.com
Aimster (search and download prg) = http://www.aimster.com
RealPlayer (Music and video player) = http://www.real.com
Real Jukebox (part of Realplayer, and is exactly what it says, a jukebox) = http://www.real.com
Screensavers = gotto http://www.cnet.com and click on "downloads" and type in "screensaver" and you'll get a long list of all you want.
ZoneAlarm = See KM's thread on Firewalls. a MUST HAVE!!!!
MSN = your hotmail account or http://www.msn.com
Napster (music download program) = http://www.napster.com
Aimster (search and download prg) = http://www.aimster.com
RealPlayer (Music and video player) = http://www.real.com
Real Jukebox (part of Realplayer, and is exactly what it says, a jukebox) = http://www.real.com
Screensavers = gotto http://www.cnet.com and click on "downloads" and type in "screensaver" and you'll get a long list of all you want.
ZoneAlarm = See KM's thread on Firewalls. a MUST HAVE!!!!
Tabby, I have a great Desktop theme that I think you will like...It is called "Fitzgerald's Fairies" and it comes with wallpaper and sound, and a couple of add in fonts for writing. Do you want me to send you stuff?
I even have a desktop kitty that runs around and does silly and cute shit.
There is also... a thing to get cool cursors from that I can send you a link to.
I know that if you simply search Yahoo for something of interest in desktop theme form you'll get results.
Type in "Garden"(optional subject) desktop themes...
etc.. search......and you are at the door to the marketplace of fun!
I am not a Gamer so I can't suggest anything in that catagory.
Let me know if you want the stuff I have.
I even have a desktop kitty that runs around and does silly and cute shit.
There is also... a thing to get cool cursors from that I can send you a link to.
I know that if you simply search Yahoo for something of interest in desktop theme form you'll get results.
Type in "Garden"(optional subject) desktop themes...
etc.. search......and you are at the door to the marketplace of fun!
I am not a Gamer so I can't suggest anything in that catagory.
Let me know if you want the stuff I have.
Weird Harold
Opinionated Old Fart
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2000
- Posts
- 23,768
Tabby432 said:
Quicken Basic is the money management software I use to track my credit card balance and checkbook balance. It interfaces with TurboTax to make your taxes easier if you have a need to track particualar costs for tax purposes. Quicken Deluxe also includes investment mangement functions.
Go to http://www.JASC.COM and download the trial version of PaintShop Pro. It's good for 60 days from when you install it, which should be more than sufficient time to realize that it's the most versatile image manipulation software available. It can read almost any picture format, and convert to everything it can read except Kodak's PhotoCD format.
Tabby432
Nostalgic
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2001
- Posts
- 4,111
Dillinger,
You seem to be most concerned about security. I have Norton AntiVirus and just downloaded ZoneAlarm. I use a dial up service. Is that good enough?
Zander,
I have AIM and MSN.
I already have MusicMatch Jukebox. Is that good or is Real Jukebox better?
I also have Real Player 7.
G.R.
Thanks I found some stuff that I like.
Everyone else,
Thanks I'll be checking out the stuff you mentioned, I can only do so much. lol
Anything else??
You seem to be most concerned about security. I have Norton AntiVirus and just downloaded ZoneAlarm. I use a dial up service. Is that good enough?
Zander,
I have AIM and MSN.
I already have MusicMatch Jukebox. Is that good or is Real Jukebox better?
I also have Real Player 7.
G.R.
Thanks I found some stuff that I like.
Everyone else,
Thanks I'll be checking out the stuff you mentioned, I can only do so much. lol
Anything else??
Dillinger
Guerrilla Ontologist
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2000
- Posts
- 26,152
Tabby432 said:
Considering you're on a dial up connection then you are probably in very good shape. If you ever go to cable modem or another form of persistent connection you might want to consider additional precautions.
A general FYI regarding any AntiVirus software. If you're not getting new virus definitions at least weekly and running it at least once a week its doing you no good. With Norton AntiVirus make sure you're using LiveUpdate.
CoolCucumber
The Non-Vegetarian Veggie
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2001
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- 2,522
Get poppit! It's an amusing little game...and quite addictive.
-CoolCucumber
-CoolCucumber
MinkSoul
Monkey
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2000
- Posts
- 4,878
128Mb memory???
you need more.....A Lot more...
find out what the max your comp can take and get it...
espetialy if your going to do much graphics work...
or else your going to be accessing your HD a lot which slows down the process
give that 1 gig brain something to work with...
you need more.....A Lot more...
find out what the max your comp can take and get it...
espetialy if your going to do much graphics work...
or else your going to be accessing your HD a lot which slows down the process
give that 1 gig brain something to work with...
