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  1. #1
    Join Date
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    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:

    ------
    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.
    ------

    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.
    Corfy
    Laugh at life or life will laugh at you.
    Website | DVD Collection

  2. #2
    Join Date
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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.

    Why don't we just finish the job by flushing our brains down the toilet?

    My DVD Collection

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by htitos View Post
    You could add a couple of the most used add-ons for Firefox and Thunderbird.
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by htitos View Post
    Also you could add a html file with some good web links in it.
    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.

  4. #4
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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.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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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

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Granite View Post
    I'm suprised you don't put Quicktime and Divx on there!
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by Granite View Post
    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.
    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.

  7. #7
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    If you put an html file to useful websites, make sure we're on there.

  8. #8
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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? ...
    Me angry! Where´s my food!

    My DVD Collection, My Blu-ray collection

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