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11-17-2008, 11:54 AM #1
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Location
- Greenfield, IN (near Indianapolis), USA
- Posts
- 1,775
- Credits
- 1,110
Need help with a Christmas present
I am going to ask the people here at ML for some help, even though this isn't an ML issue.
For the last several years, I have made up free software CDs and given them out as Christmas presents. Last year, between co-workers, family, friends, and people at church, I gave out 120.
But I have looked at these programs hundreds of times since I first came up with the idea in 2003 (it started as some free software downloaded off the web to help my sister-in-law who got a new computer with no software but only had a dial-up connection, and it kinda grew from there).
I could use some suggestions on what to add and/or what to remove. I'm a little too close to the situation, and a bit too much of a computer geek, to think clearly on what should be on the CD.
All of these programs are free for home use. Most of them are free for any use. But I don't want trial or shareware software.
Here is what I have, in alphabetical order:
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7-zip 1 MB
A zip/unzip utility that can handle many different compression formats, includeing zip, 7z, rar, gz, tar, arj, cab, and many others.
Ad-Aware 18 MB
Adware and spyware removal tool.
Audacity 2 MB
Very powerful audio file editor.
Avidemux 12 MB
Simple video editor.
BonkEnc 4 MB
Basic CD to MP3 ripper.
CCleaner 3 MB
Windows system optimization tool.
Celestia 23 MB
Realistic space simulator and astronomy tool.
ClamWin 25 MB
Anti-virus identifier.
Comodo Internet Security Suite 25 MB
Anti-virus program and firewall.
FileZilla 4 MB
Powerful FTP client.
Firefox 7 MB
Web browser
Fonts 7 MB
A collection of free fonts from a variety of places across the web.
FoxIT Reader 3 MB
Small and fast PDF reader
GIMP 37 MB
Powerful photo editor.
GnuCash 54 MB
Personal/small business financal program, similar to Quicken
ImgSeek 5 MB
Photo organizer.
InfraRecorder 3 MB
CD/DVD burning software.
Inkscape 34 MB
Graphics design program.
KeePass 1 MB
Password organizer.
KompoZer 6 MB
HTML editor
Lightscreen 5 MB
Screenshot program
LinCity 31 MB
City simulation game.
musikCube 3 MB
Music player and organizer
Notepad++ 2 MB
Notepad replacement with syntax highlighting
Opcion Font Viewer 1 MB
A font viewer
OpenOffice.org 151 MB
Office suite with word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, and database
PDF Creator 16 MB
A PDF printer
Pidgin 13 MB
Instant messaging client that can connect to multiple networks
Scribus 30 MB
Desktop publishing program
Spybot: Search and Destroy 15 MB
Adware and spyware removal tool
Sunbird 5 MB
Calendar
SuperTux 7 MB
Run and jump arcade game similar to the original Super Mario Bros.
The Sword Project 10 MB
Bible reading and study tool
Thunderbird 6 MB
Email program
TuxPaint 37 MB
Painting program for children
VLC Player 15 MB
Audio and video player
Wormux 52 MB
Turn-based battle game featuring teams of software mascots.
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I included approximate sizes because, currently, my CD is nearly full (I have a 700 MB limit... I don't want to use DVDs just yet). So if you have any suggestions on programs I should add, it would be helpful to suggest some programs to remove to make room for it, but it isn't necessary.
But if anyone has some suggestions for programs or types of programs I should be looking for, I would be very grateful. I can't guarantee I will use the suggestions.
Thanks for your help.
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You could add a couple of the most used add-ons for Firefox and Thunderbird. Also you could add a html file with some good web links in it.
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11-17-2008, 01:53 PM #3
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
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- Greenfield, IN (near Indianapolis), USA
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I thought about that, but I find it hard enough to keep up with the latest program updates, keeping up with the latest updates from extensions is probably more work than what I want to go through. And trying to keep up with what is the most popular isn't that easy, either. However, I do mention that extensions can be added and even link to the extensions websites.
While my main thrust of this is for Christmas, I try to keep up with the latest changes so that I can burn another CD or two as needed during the year. As you can see, that is a lot of programs to keep up with... some are easier than others.
I will say that I had a hard time deciding whether to add Sunbird or Lightning. They are both Mozilla's calendar program, but Lightning is an extension to integrate the calendar into Thunderbird, while Sunbird is a stand-alone program. Ultimately, I chose Sunbird so that it can be used even if Thunderbird isn't the users' main email program.
That's a good idea. I already have some links on the CD, mainly pointing to the programs' websites or forums, or to things like the website for Firefox extensions, but adding some other links would be a nice addition to the CD and wouldn't take up any space (or at least, very minimal space). Thanks for the idea.
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Here's one, FileHippo has a totally free update checker utility that handles quite a few programs and works trouble free, I have been using it for a few months now and it's great.
While we are on the subject, does anyone know of a similar FREE program that actually checks for the latest drivers ??
I can't see through walls, but I can kick your ass.
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I'm suprised you don't put Quicktime and Divx on there!
Also Infranview is a great picture edit and more importantly picture conversion software. My favorite is that is very easily converts PCD files (picture CD) to JPG.Our greatest accomplishments cannot be behind us, because our destiny lies above us. - Matthew Mcconaughey - Interstellar
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11-22-2008, 09:14 PM #6
- Join Date
- Feb 2003
- Location
- Greenfield, IN (near Indianapolis), USA
- Posts
- 1,775
- Credits
- 1,110
I have VLC Player on there instead. It handles Quicktime and Divx files, as well as many others, including DVDs, avi, mpg, ogg, flv... just about every video file format except RealPlayer's.
I may use that program again. I used to have InfranView on my CD, but then replaced it with Picasa, but then replaced Picasa for various reasons, but I'm not happy with it's replacement.
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If you put an html file to useful websites, make sure we're on there.
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I´d go with IrfanView too, its very quick and simple.
I would also suggest NetTransport or Free Download Manager for downloading, SUPER! for simple encoding of EVERY single format you could think of and maybe DVDshrink? ...
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