Tools Tools Tools

So, I just got a new computer, and trying to remember all of the software that I use on a regular basis (mostly free, open-sourced packages) was daunting. Then I remembered that I have created my own personal software installer over at Ninite.com.

Here's the link. (It should ask you to download the file.)

I went to their site, selected all of the freeware I use from their lists, then they assembled the file linked above. That file opens an installer which determines the best version of each software package for your particular operating system.

My file contains the stuff I use regularly:

7zip (zip utility)
Audacity (WAV recorder/editor)
Auslogics (better defragger)
Avast (excellent antivirus)
Ccleaner (cleans browser cache, registry, startup processes, etc.)
CDBurnerXP (burns audio, data, ISO, DVD, etc.)
Chrome (quick browser)
Dropbox (file sync tool)
Filezilla (FTP client)
Firefox (complete browser)
Foxit (PDF reader)
GIMP (image editor)
Irfanview (image converter)
MediaMonkey (media player)
OpenOffice (MS Office replacement - saves as PDF!)
Picasa (photo organizer, basic editor)
Skype (video calling)
Steam (game aggregator/ gaming friend tracker)
Thunderbird (email client)
uTorrent (torrent client)

Notable omission is an instant messaging client. I use Meebo inside of Firefox because it runs over HTTP, which means the IM traffic looks like normal web traffic to my corporate firewall. It also allows me to be online in my Yahoo, Gtalk, jabber, facebook, and other clients at the same time. I'm pretty surprised Meebo hasn't either gotten super popular or killed, since that's what happens to the stuff I love.