|
If you
want software that works, doesn't cost an arm and a
leg, contains no spyware and just plain doesn't suck
- you're at the right place.
If you don't see a program listed
here, it is probably not a good idea to download it.
However if you know of a good piece of software that's
not listed, please let me know so I can test it. If
it passes all the testing, it will be added.
I am always updating and testing
free software. I will not add something here unless
I approve of it. None of these
carry ANY - spyware, ad-ware , pop-ups. All "trial"
software includes FULL functionality. If your
software made it to this list, congratulations. We appreciate
your work.
If you know where to look - there is no reason to "buy"
software. Please donate to the makers of the software
if you use it.
Newly added *
Updated:
8.19.08
|
|
AllThingsThatFly Podcast
Viruses - Worms - Spyware - Hijacks
- Spam
|
Viruses
|
|
|
| AVG:
- No longer recommended. Since version 8, it's bloated and doesn't catch the latest threats. Use Anti-Vir for free.
Avast:
Another free Anti-Virus software. Just as good
as AVG. However this one is more system intensive
than AVG or NOD.
Bitdefender:
Popular anti-virus software- Free of charge.
(Free- NOT real time scanning
-only manual scanning)
ClamWin:
Small and non-intrusive anti-virus. Like Bitdefender
(Free- NOT real time scanning
-only manual scanning)
AntiVir:
An anti-virus that has been around for a long
time - still free for home use.
Blink:
First security solution to build all of the
necessary protection layers into a very lightweight
package. I'll test against NOD and may switch
what I sell.
NOD32:
The absolute BEST anti-virus protection. (I
know, I clean scumware for a living). 30day
trial. Or purchase.
Kaspersky:
A very sweet anti-virus software with
a 30day trial.
It's very worth the trial!
back to top
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|
Worms/Trojans
|
|
TheCleaner:
This finds/prevents trojan horses. This is on a 30day
trial, however very recommended - try it.
DiamondCS:
Many high-end programs for worm/Trojan detection, 30day
trial.
Windowsecurity:
Free online Trojan scanner.
back
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|
Spyware/Hijacks/Malware
|
| Ad-Aware
SE: Great for getting rid of spyware
and malware - the items that can cause annoying
pop-ups.
SpyBot:
Similar to Ad-Aware, however more aggressive.
Clean up spyware and hijack attempts.
SpyCatcher:
Active Protection. One of the most
advanced antispyware solution available as a
free service.
AVG
AntiSpyware : Clean
annoying malware such as spyware, Trojans and
hijackers. Great compliment to an anti-virus.
MalwareBytes: Since programs like Ad-Aware have become.. crap, this is a GREAT replacement for cleaning.
CounterSpy:
Probably the best shield against spyware.
The best database cleaner there is. Period.
30day
trial.
Comodo
BOClean:
This is more of a "real time"
(run the the background) anti-spyware. Not a
fan of TSR's, but this works.
CWShredder:
Takes care of many hijacking software - run
if you get many pop-ups/redirecting pages.
HijackThis:
Tool to find out if there is "hijack" software
on your system. Use the logfile
analyzer if
your not sure.
Kill2me:
Another stomper of spyware - bring it on.
KillBox:
Very nice for taking care of "Abetterinternet"
and other n00bish software.
a²
free: This bridges the gap with anti-virus
and malware. This free scanner cleans Trojans,
worms, spyware (all malware).
SpywareBlaster:
Active prevention against spyware,
adware, browser hijackers and dialers.
HitmanPro2:
Incorporates all major Anti-Spyware software
and updates/runs them all for you. Too cool.
WinDiz:
Windows updates with FireFox. Great if ActiveX
is damaged by spyware.
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Spam
|
|
POPfile:
Perfect/Free ani-Spam tool. Involved installation, but
once it's set - it's good.
IHateSpam:
For Exchange (V5.5, 2000 and 2003) was uniquely developed
to be both user and admin-friendly. 30day
trial.
Spamihilator
works between your E-Mail client and the net. Useless
spam mails (Junk) will be filtered out.
SpamBayes:
is a tool used to segregate unwanted mail (spam) from
the mail you want (ham).
SpamPal:
Mail classification program that separates your spam
from the mail you really want to read.
OSpam:
A great and simple spam solution for any POP account.
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Security
|
Firewall
|
|
Caution:
Do not install a software firewall. Great for
testing security and diag if your a tech: -
My clients - please ask me about it before
doing it.
Sygate.
Just bought by Symantec - now it's going to
be crap. Hurry and get this before it happens.
Tiny:
Tiny is a free firewall. It is designed for
the more advanced due to the heavy features
included.
Comodo:
Great little personal firewall. This is pretty
new and robust.
OutPost:
An Opensource based firewall. Works very well
protecting against worms, trojans and hackers.
Kerio:
Smart, easy-to-use personal security technology
that fully protects PC's against hackers and
internal misuse. The
best.
Protowall:
Very small application that blocks IP address.
Very cool.
Prevx:
Stops the attacks that bypass anti-virus and
firewall products.
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Data
Encryption/Passwords
|
| PowerCrypt
2000: Encrypted files, folders and
E-mails. This free file lets you hide all your
data.
PGP:
"Pretty Good Privacy". Actually it's probably
the best encryption software out there. Free
- PC/MAC
Cryptainer
LE: Secure your data and ensure absolute
privacy with Cypherix's powerful 128bit encryption.
BitCrypt:
A sophisticated tool allowing for encryption
of plain text within a bitmap image.
EasyCrypto:
Encrypt both standalone files and entire folders.
Many cool options here.
Truecrypt:
Free open-source disk encryption software for
Windows XP/2000/2003.
MD5HashGen:
Simple application that can generate one-way
MD5 hashes - Great for password generations.
PerfectPasswords:
GRC's Ultra High Security Password Generator.
RoboForm:
A free password manager and one-click web form
filler. Just be carefull who uses your PC.
Password
Safe: Allows you to have a different
password for all the different items that you
deal with - remembers for you.
CutePasswordManager: Form filling software that auto fill user/password. Stores info with 256-bit AES encryption - 1click login. *
PIN's:
Storing of any secure information like passwords,
accounts, PINs etc.
448 bit Blowfish. Does not install.
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Data
Destroyers
|
|
Eraser:
FBI just kick in the door? This little program will
erase data to a level that the Dept. Of. Defense uses.
KillDisk:
KillDisk conforms to US Department of Defense clearing
and sanitizing standard DoD 5220.22-M.
AutoClave:
Hard drive sterilization on a bootable floppy.
SuperShredder:
Shred's individual files. It's stronger than DOD specs.
DBAN
("Darik's Boot and Nuke") is a self-contained
boot floppy that makes it an appropriate utility data
destruction.
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IP
Spoofing
|
|
Anonymizer:
Installs a small toolbar into your browser. Moves your
connection to proxies around the word. Slows connection.
Proxify.com
Spoof your IP address without installing software. The
paid version is much faster.
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Tuning
|
Monitor
System Resources
|
|
SpeedFan:
Allows you to see your CPU temperature. Good for overclockers
and modders.
Motherboard
Monitor: Like speedfan, reads temperature
and fan RPM data - alerts you when there's trouble.
Si
Meter: Great/free/small application that
does live monitoring on system resources.
TDIMon:
Lets you monitor TCP and UDP activity on your local
system.
InterMapper:
Gives a visual in real-time view of traffic flows through
and between critical network devices and links.
WinBar:
A compact program that lets you monitor your system
and provides easy access to frequently used controls.
back
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|
System
Cleaning
|
|
RegSupreme:
Clean up the registry from old entries, speed up your
system. 30day trial.
RegSeeker:
Very tiny - does not install. I have tested this and
trust it. Many tweak options with it.
RegscrubXP:
A great free registry cleaner for XP. Fix those "weird
issues" with Windows.
Beclean:
is the complete suite of system cleaner. Registry to
history - cleans many things.
CCleaner:
Removes unused and temporary files from your PC - allowing
it to run faster, more efficiently and saving space.
MyUninstaller
1.0: Uninstall anything,clean out old video
drivers, uninstall programs that are not in "add/remove".
DriverCleaner:
Made to fully clean out the drivers
of ATI and NVIDIA.
MSconfig:
Get rid of startup programs that slow your PC down.
This would be for Windows 2000.
Starter:
It's better than Msconfig. Also works with Windows 2000,
which is nice due to the fact that 2k doesn't have msconfig.
PreFetch
cleaner: A pre-fetch scrubber to clean out
files that are used commonly - can be corruption or
spyware hiding.
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|
Diagnostics
|
|
Belarc:
Takes a snap-shot about a PC (hardware-software)
with a full profile report. This is very handy.
SIW:
A small .exe that when ran - gives you all kinds
of info about your PC and software. Need this
on your tools disk.
PcpBios:
Very tiny script that looks at all BIOS related
information. RAM, CPU and motherboard instant
info.
EVEREST:
(recently AIDA32). Like Belarc, gives full system
summary of hardware and software/keys.
SpaceMonger:
A tool for keeping track of the free space on
your computer. It shows a graph of files and
sizes.
IP
subnet calculator: A diagnostics
tool to calculate your network latency and subnet
information.
CPUid:
A very small application that tells you about
your specific specs. (FSB, core clock, dual
channel etc.).
PC
Pitstop: A good site to check how
your doing on fine tuning your computer. It
will also help you fix your issues.
PowerMax:
Diagnostics for hard drives made by Maxtor.
Download, put on a floppy or CD and test your
HDD.
MemTest86:
Diagnostics for your RAM. Download, put on a
floppy or Cd and test your RAM.
Monitor
Asset Manager: A Plug and Play monitor
information utility. Provide detailed technical
information about the target display.
ShieldsUP:
Port scanning of all ports or custom scans.
See how good your firewall is doing.
BandwidthTest:
Test your internet connection speed.
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|
Customizing
|
TweakUI:
Perfect for somebody who really wants to customize
there XP. Made my Microsoft
X-Setup:
Like TweakUI but with more functionality and options.
Very slick.
ResourceHacker:
Get in and really tweak or fix Windows. Great registry
GUI hacking.
RenameRecycleBin:
I made this registry value in notepad, download/double-click/"yes"/throw
away, rename your recycle bin.
Matrix
Screensaver: Best (only) Matrix screensaver
out on the web. Great options. Here
is actual text (change name for you)
FOOOD's
Icons: Great free icons for XP. Default
is boring.
Strokit:
Advanced mouse gesture recognition engine and command
processor.
ReForce:
Windows 2k and XP have an issue with Hz in games.
This will allow you to set all games at a specific
Hz setting.
Keyboard
Remapper: Remap your keyboard keys. Easy
enough.
ClocX:
Analog clock for the desktop.
Xpadder: Map your game pad or RC TX to keyboard keys. Wokrs great for customized controllers.
Alarm:
A digital clock that you can set to display a message
and play a sound at a time of your choice. AlarmClock
WeatherPlus:
Display satellite images and video around the globe,
stay updated on current and expected weather conditions.
Nlite:
Remove or add Windows components to your Windows CD
- for next time you re-install Windows.
AutoStreamer:
Just like Nlite, this is specifically for adding Service
Packs to your Windows install CD's.
Digital
Blasphemy: Probably the best wallpapers
and images on the net.
Konfabulator:
Engine that lets you run little files called Widgets
that can do pretty much whatever you want them to.
back
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Tasks
|
Data
Recovery
|
|
File
Recovery: This is free software made by PC
Inspector. Really, Really nice if you lost or trashed
a file and need it back.
Smart
Recovery: Recover data from flash drives:
CF, SM, Thumbdrives, micro drives - etc.
Disk
Investigator: Discover all that is hidden
on your computer hard disk, recover lost data.
File
Scavenger: Undelete
and data recovery utility for NTFS volumes. 64KB or
smaller files can be recovered with free trial.
CDCheck:
Utility for the prevention, detection and recovery of
damaged files on CD-ROMs and error detection.
Restoration:
Tiny program that doesn't install. Perfect if you trashed
a file (even emptied the recycle bin) and you need it
back.
RecoverOutlookMail:
A little trick for recovering those corrupted .PST files.
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|
|
Browsers
|
| FireFox:
Drop Internet Explorer and get a superior browser.
Great pop-up blocking features. (no more spyware!!)
Opera:
If you don't use FireFox, use Opera. Now that
it is free and Ad-free - it is now recommended.
Safari:
Apples web browser now for Windows. Great web
browser next to Firefox.
Reload
Every: Extension for FireFox. Allows
you to set reload times on your browser windows
so you won't be logged out.
back
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|
FTP/Remote
Administration
|
| FileZilla:
An FTP program that is superior to "Cute", and
is Free.
WinSCP:
Open source SFTP client for Windows
using SSH and SCP protocol's. Secure FTP.
FireFTP:
If you use FireFox browser (like you should
be) - use this plug-in for FTP functionality
in your browser.
Hamachi:
Setup two or more computers with an Internet
connection into their own virtual network for
direct secure communication. How-to's
FolderShare:
Securely keep files synchronized between your
devices and remotely download your files from
any browser.
LogMeIn:
Easy to log into a PC from a PC, MAC or linux
machine. No port forwarding involved! Just like
terminal services but easier.
Avvenu:
Remote connect to your PC from another PC or
any web-enabled handheld. Perfect for getting
those files you forgot.
Crossloop:
Secure screen sharing utility designed for people
of all technical skill levels. Basically, TightVNC
but no port forwarding needed.
TightVNC: Remote control software- see the desktop
of a remote machine and control it with your
local mouse and keyboard.
RemoteDesktop:
Microsoft remote desktop client side installer
for older Windows versions.
RDPortX:
A small app I made to change the defualt 3389
port that Remote Desktop ueses. Great for multiple
RD servers on the same network. 
eMando:
Client/server package which you can use to control
and manage a computer over a LAN or the Internet.
DirectUpdate:
Get an Email of your WAN IP address changes
even behind a router (for dynamic ISP's). 60day
trial ($15.00 - buy).
DynDNS:
A full list of dynamic IP administration software
tools.
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|
CD
Burning
|
CDBurner-XP
Pro: Just like it sounds, burning
program for Windows. Free.
ImageBurn: A lightweight CD / DVD / HD DVD / Blu-ray burning application.
ISORecorder:
Small program to burn images of CD's. Once installed,
right click an .ISO's or a ROM drive and "create
CD image".
DeepBurner:
A full featured Burning app for CD's, DVD's
and ISO's. Much like Nero only totally ~~Free
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|
File
Sharing/Communications
|
| LimeWire
Pro : Great GNU file sharing application.
Never pay for this type of software.
Shareaza:
Like kazaa, however it combines all good P2P
networks into one. This is an open source application
(GPL).
uTorrent:
A great torrent client to download "items".
Offers multiple torrent downloads, queuing/priority
systems.
Skype:
Make phone calls for free (VOIP). Sounds better
than your normal phone.
HFS:
This is an instant HTTP web server. Very tiny.
File server and web server - easy to setup GUI.
Pando:
Personal P2P software that makes sending and
receiving large files a breeze
OpenWengo:
Phone calls and video chat from PC to PC. (for
free). Also supports SIP.
Orb:
Stream all your live and recorded TV, your photos
and your music to any web-connected device.
Secure login to your drive content.
iTalk2U:
Basically like Skype, but with some advanced
features. WebClick2Call is great for site admin's.
Gizmo:
Internet telephone. Like Skype however better
quality and custom add-ons. More options and
cheaper to call normal phones.
Trillian:
Perfect for friends and family who use different
instant messaging clients. This combines them
all into one.
Pidgin:
The Open Source AOL IM client -but without the
ad's. Combines IM clients all into one.
Jabber:
Open protocol instant messenger. Setup your
own internal server. Great universal client.
GoogleTalk:
Much like GAIM and Skype. With VOIP and mail
capabilities. (It will add a TSR for itself
- fyi)
TeamSpeak:
Talk to one another with voice. 1on1 or a bunch
of people. Great for multi-player games.
AllSeeingEye:
(ASE)- Find your friends playing any popular
multi-player game.
XFire:
Like "Messenger", however for gamers. Find
your friends and join the game they are playing-
all in real time.
Agent
Newsreader: The best newsreader there
is. free
Juice:
Great "pod casting" software. Subscribe to some
good audio.
Don't every pay for podcast software.
Miranda:
A multi protocol instant messenger client. Very
tiny - does not install. Great for portable
USB drives.
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|
Office
Applications
|
| OpenOffice:
Free Office suite and is back-ward compatible
with Microsoft Office docs. (It's better too).
Templates.
Templates
2.
OpenOffice
Extensions: Tons of add-ons for OpenOffice.
Why even use Microsof Office?
NolaPro: web-based accounting. POS system that is just great. Using open standards.
Palm
Organizer: Now have the awesome Palm
organizer for Windows. Easy to use and nice
for free. (choose PalmV in the list)
7-Zip:
A file archiver with high compression ratio.
OpenSource GPL. Much better than WinZIP. Free
no ad's.
IZark:
IZArc is the ultimate archive utility supports
many archive formats. Supports most formats.
Bit bigger downlaod than 7-Zip.
PDFcreator:
Create PDF's. Download a ghostscript and the
patch - print to PDF.
Foxit
Reader: Reader/viewer/printer for
PDF documents - has a size less than 1M, needs
no installation and opens up immediately.
ThunderBird:
ThunderBird replaces that Outlook mail client
with a real mailbox.
SunBird:
Want the nice calendar in Office 2003? This
stand-alone calendar is very sweet. Or just
get the Thunderbird calendar add-in.
TinySpell:
A very small application that spell checks for
you while you type anywhere - I need it. ;)
Google
Calendar: Online calendar that can
be shared with clients, friends and family.
Easy to print, share and modify.
AceMoney:
A freeware personal finance manager. Like MS
Money or Quickbooks - free.
ESBCalc:
is a Freeware Scientific Calculator.
FireFox
remiders: Tiny Firefox extention
for easy reminders through the day. Very handy
(aways on - no extra TSR).
Thunderbird
minimize to tray: Great extension
to make Thunderbird run in system tray- not
task bar.
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|
Backup
Solutions
|
| BackRex:
Outlook Express and Outlook backup
tool. Most features in the free version.
Mozbackup:
Simple utility for creating backups of Firefox,
Thunderbird profiles. It allows you to backup
and restore bookmarks, mail, contacts, history
etc.
IMAPSize:
A great tool to transfer Thunderbird e-mail
to Outlook/Outlook Express (not sure why you
would - but it's here).
NasBackup:
Is a great backup solution. Designed
to be easy for end desktop users, yet scalable
to enterprise setups.
DriverBackup:
finds and collects the drivers for the hardware.
After it collects them, the program backs them
up to a specific folder.
CopyX:
This little customizable backup/copy utility
is in Windows by default - but this makes things
easy.
Gmail
Drive: If you have a Gmail account
you can use this to create a drive on your system
to drag-n-drop files for backup.
Box.NET:
A free data storage that is online and can be
accessed anywhere in the world. 1GB is free.
Works perfect.
Cobian
Backup: Backup program that can be
used to schedule and backup your files - drives,
directories and FTP.
SyncBack:
Powerful program that backups and synchronizes
your files to: same drive, different drive,
CDRW, Network, Zip.
SyncToy:
Customizable application helps you copy, move,
rename, and delete files between folders and
PC's. Automated sync as in "RAID1".
Replicator:
Automatically backup files, directories, even
entire drives!
HTTrack:
Download a web site from the net to a local
directory, building all directories, getting
HTML, images and files from the server.
Comodo
BackUp:
Easily create backup copies of files. Includes
complete file and folder-duplication to local
network drives and FTP servers.
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|
Text
Editors/HTML Editors/Development
|
|
--Text--
Crimson
Editor: is a professional source code editor
for Windows.
jEdit:
A mature and well-designed programmer's text editor
that has been in development for over 5 years
Vim:
Highly configurable text editor built to enable
efficient text editing. - voted best text editor
Notepad++:
Source code editor and Notepad replacement, which supports several programming languages
--HTML--
Matrix
Y2K: A free and very slick GUI Website builder
like Dreamweaver.
Nvu:
Web editing environment based on the Mozilla platform
and its Gecko layout engine.
FirstPage:
HTML editing software gives you unsurpassed freedom
to create and edit web documents with absolute code
control.
--Development--
Jitterbit:
Client and server designed to configure, test,
and deploy integration solutions. Connect ERP
and CRM data -ect.
PHP
DESIGNER 2006:
A freeware IDE for coding PHP for both professional
and novices.
Sun
JSC: Sun Java Studio Creator development
environment is the next-generation tool for Java application
development.
Google
WebToolKit: Java software development framework
that makes writing AJAX applications (Google Maps,Gmail)
easy.
Netbeans:
Open-source project dedicated to providing rock solid
software development products.
NSIS:
A professional open-source tool for the development
of Windows installers.
Zip2Secure:
Create .ZIP into .EXE. Great for letting somebody download
a self extracting zip. Even .ico icon settings.
MyGeneration:
The free code generator / mapping and architectures
tool.
SketchUp:
Simple but powerful tool for quickly and easily creating,
viewing and modifying your 3D ideas.
FreeMind:
A mind-mapping software written in Java. Great for flow-charts,
networks, layouts etc. (much like Graphviz).
Graphviz:
A way of representing structural information as diagrams
of abstract graphs and networks. Automatic graph drawing.
Maguma: Full-featured, modular Integrated Development
Platform. Full feature set for PHP and Python, can be
customized for your project.
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|
|
Misc.
|
|
FSRaid:
Want to read and reconstruct your PAR files? Get it
now.
WiGLE
and Jwire:
WiFi Access Locators. Before traveling, take a look
at access points you can get on for free.
Stellarium:
Planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic
sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye,
binoculars or a telescope.
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|
Multimedia
|
Media
Players
|
| QuickTime
Alternative: No need to download
and install "QuickTime", use this instead. Much
smaller application.
RealPlayer
Alternative: Don't ever install
"real one player", just use this instead.
MediaPlayerClassic:
Slim down hacked version of old Media Player.
Has pretty much all codecs - can play anything.
Democracy:
Download and watch all the best internet
TV shows and videos. RSS feeds including podcasts,
video blogs, BitTorrent feeds.
VLC
Player: VideoLan is a perfect DVD/Divx
media player. Much like PowerDVD. The only video player needed for everything.
MediaMonkey: Very powerful media player. Much like iTunes, however this gives much more flexibility. Drag items back and forth from an iPod.
SongBird:
A desktop Web player, a digital jukebox and
Web browser mash-up. Supports extensions, built
from Mozilla and open source.
iTunes:
A digital jukebox with a download music store
inside.
JetAudio:
Play most all types of media files with internet
broadcasting and a nice alarm clock.
MediaPortal:
Turn your PC into a media center. Like Windows
Media Center - but free.
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|
Codecs/Rippers/Converters
|
|
MP3DirectCut:
Fast and extensive audio editor and recorder
for compressed mp3. No need to recompress.
SLD
codec pack: All Dvix, Xvid etc. codecs
combined in one install. Great for using Windows
Media Player for these file types.
K-Lite:
KL is a large "all-in-one" codec pack.
HandBrake: Great DVD ripping tool for OSX and Winodows. Rip DVDs to the hard drive.
DVDFlick:
Turn almost any video file and make it into
a DVD to play on your DVD player (TV). Simple
and easy.
CDex: A free tool allows you to Rip you CD's into
MP3's.
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