In this article I have included a list of softwares and applications, tested and proved to be of highest quality and usability. We have included downloadable applications, available for free. I hope this will improve computer usage experience and resolve many of the problems which I had experienced overtime.


Category: Images
Application: IrfanView
IrfanView is a free, small yet powerful image viewer capable to handle any image file format. It offers loads of features, some of which are –
-Thumbnail/preview option, Fast directory view
-Paint option - to draw lines, circles, arrows, straighten image etc.
-Slideshow, Support for Adobe Photoshop Filters
-Multimedia player
-Change color depth, Cut/crop /Effects (Sharpen, Blur, etc.)
-Extract icons from EXE/DLL/ICLs and much more …
Website: http://www.irfanview.com/

Category: Internet
Application: AI RoboForm Pro
AI RoboForm is an easy to use password manager and web form filler.
It was named PC Magazine Editor's Choice, and CNET Download.com's Software of the Year.
RoboForm allows you to:
-Manage your passwords and Log In automatically, Fill long registration and checkout forms with one click.
-Generate and encrypt passwords to maximize password strength, Phishing protection
-And much more... It works with IE, AOL / MSN, Firefox. So go on and Let RoboForm manage your passwords and fill forms with one click!
Website: http://www.roboform.com/
Although Roboform is available at USD $29.95, free version is also available which is equally powerful.

Application: FeedDemon
CNET says: "FeedDemon is a terrific RSS reader that can handle hundreds of subscriptions faster and better than many free Web-based readers available."
FeedDemon is an RSS feed reader that makes user updated with latest news and information in quick and convenient way. Customisation is possible, based on keywords can be setup, and podcasts can be easily transferred to portable audio devices.
Website: http://www.newsgator.com/individuals/feeddemon/

Application: Mozilla Firefox
Due to extension capabilities and friendly usage Firefox has now become one of the biggest events in software in 2008. Firefox also offers fast browsing, browser tabs, pop-up blocking, advanced privacy and security, smart searching, and more.
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Application: Mozilla Thunderbird
“If you think there's nothing more that can be added to an email client -- except for the fabled seek-out-and-destroy-spam option -- prepare to be pleasantly surprised. The new Thunderbird comes with numerous new features.” Steven Vaughan-Nichols, eWeek.
Mozilla Thunderbird is an open source, cross-platform e-mail offering simple solution for online communications. This Mozilla software is highly customizable and expandable via a collection of available extensions.
Website: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/

Application: MozyPro
Mozy Pro is an application that offers secure, enterprise-level online backup via easy to use software application. (To know more about Mozy and other similar applications click here)
MozyPro is available at a very small price of USD $3.95 + $0.50/GB Monthly, which is affordable and minimal as compared to services offered.

Website: http://www.mozy.com/

Application: Trillian Pro
Trillian is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC. It provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, while supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.
Website: http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/
Trillion Pro comes at a price of USD $25.00 and Free Version of the application is also available.

Category: Multimedia
Application: Quick Media Converter
Quick Media Converter (QMC) is a universal video converter that was specifically designed to convert video formats to other video format, QMC converts virtually any media file (audio or video) from one format to another. The application has an emphasis on simplicity: Just drag and drop a file you want to convert onto the app, click the icon of the device you're converting for, and let Quick Media Converter take care of the rest.
Website: http://www.cocoonsoftware.com/

Category: Office
Application: OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org 3 is the leading open-sourceoffice software suite for word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can serve as a replacement for Microsoft Office and contains the same basic feature-set, but saves you hundreds of dollars since it is free. But beware it does not include the grammar checking, macros, and a replacement for Microsoft Outlook, however it does offer PDF output.
Website: http://www.openoffice.org/

Category: Utilities
Application: CCleaner
CCleaner is a cleaning tool that removes unused files from the system, frees up valuable hard disk space, allowing OS to run faster. It also cleans traces of your online activities, such as Internet history along with full-featured registry cleaner.
Website: http://www.ccleaner.com/

Application: CPU-Z
CPU-Z is a freeware that provides quick and convenient information on some of the main devices of your system.
-CPU : Name and number, Core stepping and process, Package, Core voltage, Internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, Supported instructions sets and Cache information.
-Mainboard : Vendor, model and revision, BIOS model and date, Chipset (northbridge and southbridge), sensor and Graphic interface.
-Memory : Frequency and timings, Module(s) specification using SPD (Serial Presence Detect).
-System : Windows and DirectX version.
Website: http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Application: Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a free PDF document viewer, with incredible small size, breezing-fast launch speed and rich feature set.
-Annotation tool : Have you ever wished to annotate (or comment on) a PDF document when you are reading it? Foxit Reader allows you to draw graphics, highlight text, type text and make notes on a PDF document and then print out or save the annotated document.
-Text converter : You may convert the whole PDF document into a simple text file.
-High security and privacy : Foxit Reader highly respects the security and privacy of users and will never connect to the Internet without users' permission and Foxit PDF Reader does not contain any spyware.
Website: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Application: 7-Zip
Normally evaluation versions of Winzip or Winrarare used to compress a file but with those utilities you have a pop-up window which is very annoying. 7-Zip is an alternative; 7-Zip is a free file archiver with a high compression ratio and it can be used on any computer even for a commercial purpose. 7-Zip compresses to 7z format 30-70% better than to zip format.
Website: http://www.7-zip.org/

Application: Free PDF to Word Doc Converter
It's easy to convert or Word documents to PDF, but what about other way around? Application mentioned here converts PDF to Word
Website: http://www.hellopdf.com/download.php

Application: AVG Free Anti-Virus 2008

Website: http://free.avg.com/

Application: Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Website: MS Vista SP1

I hope these applications will enhance your computing experience and will benefit all-together. If you are aware about some other useful applications or have some information to share, please post a comment for the same.