Before the world said, “There’s an app for that,” it said,
“there’s free software for that.”
OK, maybe no one really said that. They didn’t need to. They were busy doing cool things with the
free software they’d installed. From fix-its to system monitors to data
backups, there’s a wealth of free software. Of course, if you download it all,
you might need something like recuva, for data recovery.
Here’s nine essential programs we found. After all, what’s the coolest hardware
without a good suite of (free) software?
For an operating system
Ubuntu
With a sleek, intuitive interface, Ubuntu feels like the
future. It has the speed and security you’d hope for, and thousands of
applications for customization. Firewall and virus protection are built-in,
with quick, automatic updates available. It’s especially speedy on new enabled devices.
For browsing
Google Chrome
This browser can cook. Meaning, it’s really fast, and the
security is tight. In true Google fashion, it includes instant site prediction
and loading. The extensions are plentiful, useful and innovative, and can be
synced to other devices. The integrated Flash player and PDF reader are
definite plusses.
Mozilla Firefox
Fresh and minimalist in design, Firefox is a fast web
browser with customization potential. It supports HTML5, and is quite secure.
You can sync your extensions, history, passwords, and tabs. An integrated PDF
viewer is a nice touch, as is the Do Not Track option to keep surfing data from
advertisers.
For productivity
Foxit Reader
Some even consider Foxit superior to popular Adobe Reader,
especially with the 5.0 update, including tabbed PDF viewing. The new version comes
with an upgraded interface. Beware numerous opt-ins and opt-outs as you install
Foxit. Choose your color scheme and customize your toolbar and shortcuts.
For system health
CrystalDiskMonitor
This comprehensive dashboard covers the hard-disk,
solid-state and several external drives on your system, in an efficient,
user-friendly display. It’ll warn you of possible trouble, in an unobtrusive
position atop your window. Check details of your current firmware versions with
the click of any drive’s icon.
Soluto
It’s a unique concept: Soluto checks out your system, and then
confers with an online database for answers to performance roadblocks. It
specializes in startup-time reduction, web-browser optimization, and crash
remedies. Soluto tells you what to boot, and what to skip, and its data base
grows all the time.
WinDirStat
How much disk space do you use? This program shows you
visually your hard-drive usage. Local devices can also be examined, and, in
about 10 minutes, you’ll get a color-coded rendition of your files. Your most
memory-gluttonous files will show blue, followed by red, then green. Where can
you save space?
For virus protection
AVG Free Antivirus
Updates in 2013 have tightened up this program, including a
new interface optimized for Windows 8. It’s quick from download to first use (5
minutes), and has a slimmer presence (from 100MB to 33MB) than before. The Do
Not Track feature works only if you opt in for the AVG toolbar.
For recovery
Recuva
Undeleting, made easy. Recuva allows you to securely delete,
if you’re absolutely sure. Take the portable rendition of Recuva on a USB
stick. For-pay alternatives might be more comprehensive, but for free, it does
a great job.
The pleasant interface and easy-to-use navigation are
perfect for stressful moments when you wonder if your data can be retrieved, or
is lost forever.
