Must Have Apps

I just did a fresh install of Windows 7, legitimately gotten through MSDNAA, and so I decided to write up a list of applications that I don’t think a windows user should be without.

Browser

To me, you have two real choices here. Either Firefox or Chrome. Chrome doesn’t support extensions that I require so Firefox is it for me. Chrome offers allthe features that Firefoxdoes except for extensions, but if you just need something to browse the next, Chrome is it. You’ll find it faster than Firefox too when it comes to rendering pages, and when you have 20+ tabs open, it will feel a lot snappier. Firefox, on the other hand, offers an extensive extension library as well as tabbed browsing, password management (albeit very basic), anti-pshishing controls, standards compliant web-browsing and a pop-up blocker (Chrome offers these as well).The extensions add everything from Chat to advanced download managers to twitter clients. Once you get used to that, I’d recommend checking out this video I made a long time ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXGpBYjnFkE It covers converting your default browser to take advantage of as much screenspace possible, and also covers a more advanced tip about search shortcuts.

Winner – Firefox
Runner Up – Chrome

Chat Service

There are numerous chat services out there, but for me only two matter. Windows Live Messener (or MSN Messenger as it used to be called) and Google Talk. In fact, it’s safe to say that my chat services are dominated by WLM to the point that I can get by without installing Google Talk as a separate client and I just use the web version. This will sorta be dictated by geographic region, I find countries like India and Indonesia use Yahoo! Messenger more than WLM, which seems to dominate the West. You can also go with Skype, Digsby (if you’re into multiple chat clients), Trillian and a host of others. However, these are kinda dictated by your friends. If everyone uses WLM, you’re probably going to use it too.

Winner – Windows Live Messenger
Runner Up – Digsby

Anti-Virus
This is the biggest thing that Windows users need.  I can’t point my finger at Windows forbeing riddled with security holes in comparison to other systems. It’s just that so many more people use Windows, and so many people are looking for ways to break it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a few steps to secure your system against threats. A good anti-virus program won’t cost you much (heck, it’s probably free) but will save you tons of time and headaches later on. A good anti-virus should provide constant scanning and frequent updates to its virus database. As well, it should be as light on resources as possible. Price is also a factor. For that reason I have chosen NOD32 and Avast!. Avast! offers a free version of their anti-virus located here, while NOD32 is pay only. I highly recommend NOD32 if you have the cash, because it is a great piece of software. However, if you’re strapped, Avast! offers much of the same functionality.

Winner – NOD32
Runner up – Avast!

Those 3 types of applications form the basis of all your computing. Your browser allows you to interact with the web, your anti-virus keeps you safe, and your chat services let you connect to friends. Everything else is just icing on the cake.