Free Software

[pesoto74]

There are a lot of free software programs that will do the same or better than the software that you have to buy.  Here will be some of the best programs that we have had personal experience with.

[pesoto74]

I have used versions of IrfanView for years and think it is one of the best free programs of all time.  Here is a description from PCWorld.com

If you're looking for a lean and mean graphics utility, IrfanView is a top choice--and the fact that it's both free and a high-quality program makes it nearly irresistible.

The program's no-frills interface makes itself known at a glance; unlike Photoshop's many cascading menus, IrfanView's menus are spare and well-chosen. Import images, view images, perform basic image editing, create slide shows, and convert files from one format to another. Crop, blur, and sharpen your images. Make modifications in regular mode or, if you have a jeweler's eye for detail, make changes in zoom mode.

The program lets you set the compression level when you save files, and it supports all major graphics formats, including .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .png, and .tif.

IrfanView Homepage

[pesoto74]

There are many alternatives to the Internet Explorer web browser that most of you had come with your computer.  Generally these browsers are more secure than Internet Explorer and have more featutes.  Below are two browsers that I have found to be much better than Internet Explorer.

Firefox
From the Firefox website.

Popup Blocking
    Stop annoying popup ads in their tracks with Firefox's built in popup blocker.
Tabbed Browsing
    View more than one web page in a single window with this time saving feature. Open links in the background so that they're ready for viewing when you're ready to read them. Find out more...
Privacy and Security
    Built with your security in mind, Firefox keeps your computer safe from malicious spyware by not loading harmful ActiveX controls. A comprehensive set of privacy tools keep your online activity your business.
Smarter Search
    Google Search is built right into the toolbar, and there is a plethora of other search tools including Smart Keywords (type "dict <word>" in the Location bar), and the new Find bar (which finds text as you type without covering up anything).
Live Bookmarks
    RSS integration lets you read the latest news headlines and read updates to your favorite sites that are syndicated. Find out more...
Hassle-Free Downloading
    Files you download are automatically saved to your Desktop so they're easy to find. Fewer prompts mean files download quicker.
Fits Like a Glove
    Simple and intuitive, yet fully featured, Firefox has all the functions you're used to - Bookmarks, History, Full Screen, Text Zooming to make pages with small text easier to read, etc.
S, M, L or XL—It's Your Choice
    Firefox is the most customizable browser on the planet. Customize your toolbars to add additional buttons, install new Extensions that add new features, add new Themes to browse with style, and use the adaptive search system to allow you to search an infinite number of engines. Firefox is as big or small as you want.
Setup's a Snap
    At only 4.7MB (Windows), Firefox takes just a few minutes to download over a slow connection and seconds over a fast connection. The installer gets you set up quickly, and the new Easy Transition system imports all of your settings - Favorites, passwords and other data from Internet Explorer and other browsers - so you can start surfing right away.
A Developer's Best Friend
    Firefox comes with a standard set of developer tools including a powerful JavaScript and CSS error/warning console, and an optional Document Inspector that gives detailed insight about your pages.

Firefox Homepage
Opera

Description: (Opera is now completely free, no banners!) - The most full-featured Internet power tool on the market, Opera includes pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, integrated searches, and advanced functions like Opera's groundbreaking E-mail program, RSS Newsfeeds and IRC chat. And because we know that our users have different needs, you can customize the look and content of your Opera browser with a few clicks of the mouse. Fresh new look.

Security
Stay away from spy-ware, viruses, and other malicious applications that silently attack your computer while you are surfing the Web. For example, Opera displays security information inside the address bar, located next to the padlock icon that indicates the level of security present on a site. Opera 8 also provides protection against phishing attacks and automatically checks for security updates.

Speed
We're holding on to our claim: "The Fastest Browser on Earth". In Opera 8, further improvements have been made in the way the browser reads pages to allow you to fly the Web.

Tabbed browsing and pop-up blocking, Integrated search, Customization, Password manager, Full support for Gmail, Support for Atom newsfeeds, First Web browser to natively support Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and more....

Opera Homepage

[pesoto74]

Clipboard Magic
Windows clipboard only lets you copy and paste one item at a time.  With Clipboard Magic the text you copy is archived and you can use it again later. 
http://www.cyber-matrix.com/cmdownloads.html

[pesoto74]

Anti-Virus Protection
Here are two free anti-virus programs that I have used and found to be effective.  Both the programs and the virus updates are free.

AVG Anti-Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/10/
AntiVir PersonalEdition
http://www.free-av.com/

[Guardian Angel]

Now if I only knew how to download them.....

[pesoto74]

Now if I only knew how to download them.....

For most things you only need to click on the download link and a box will pop up asking you where you want to save the file.  Save it to some place where you can remember it.  Once it is downloaded find the file.  If it has an extention like .exe you can click on it and it will install itself.  If it has an extension like .zip you will need to extract it first.  With Windows xp all you need to do is right click on the file and choose extract from the menu.  Once the file is extracted you might have something as simple as one file with the .ext extension.  If there are multiple files look for one that says setup.exe and click on it.  The file should then install.  This is the most common way that downloading files work.  If you run into anything different let me know and I will be glad to answer your questions.

[Guardian Angel]

I have a computer intelligent person coming to help me.  If I have someone show me, hands on, I will be OK. 

[pesoto74]

If you need an office productivity suite, but don't want to spend a lot on MicroSoft Office then you should check out OpenOffice.

OpenOffice.org the product is a multi-platform office productivity suite. It includes the key desktop applications, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager, and drawing program, with a user interface and feature set similar to other office suites. Sophisticated and flexible, OpenOffice.org also works transparently with a variety of file formats, including those of Microsoft Office.

http://openoffice.org

[pesoto74]

Two programs that can help protect your computer from spyware are Ad-Aware and Spybot - Search & Destroy.
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition

With the ability to scan your RAM, registry, hard drives, and external storage devices for known data-mining, advertising, and tracking components, Ad-aware SE easily can clean your system, allowing you to maintain a higher degree of privacy while you surf the Web.

Ad-Aware
Spybot - Search & Destroy

Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents.

Spybot - Search & Destroy

[pesoto74]

This program can record any sound that you can play on your computer.

MP3myMP3 Recorder 2.0 - FREE

Record internet radio and save to mp3 or wav. Record streaming audio from the Internet, microphone, or any other source for that matter. MP3myMP3 Recorder works directly with your system sound card - if you can hear it, you can record it! Use the scan tool to list all mp3, wav, aif, swa, or sun au audio files on your computer - then play and record portions of any of these files. MP3myMP3 Recorder offers customizable colors, timer, on top mode, and skinning.

[pesoto74]

If you ever want to make your own web pages, but don't want to learn html you should check out Nvu.  With Nvu you can make your page in much the same way that you make a document in a word processor.
Nvu

[pesoto74]

TheSage's English Dictionary and Thesaurus

TheSage's English Dictionary and Thesaurus is a professional software package that integrates a complete dictionary and a multifaceted thesaurus of the English language into a single and powerful language reference system.

TheSage's English Dictionary and Thesaurus

[pesoto74]

Cultris is another Tetris-Clone. But an especially nice one.
Cultris

[pesoto74]

Tweak UI 1.33
This is a free program from Microsoft that lets you have a little more control over how Windows works.  Probably more for the geeks than for the regular computer user.
http://www.download.com/Tweak-UI/3000-2341_4-10002117.html?tag=txt