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pHaestus · 04-09-2004, 10:03 PM

I just got a new notebook this week, and had to go through the joy of reinstalling all my work/play apps and configuring it the way I like. I figured that since it was fresh on my mind that I might as well post the "must have" freeware apps and files that I went to the web for after first boot. Who knows, you might find something you haven't heard of that's useful, or you might have another free app that does the job even better. Anyway here goes:

Media Player Classic: This no-frills media player replacement is especially dear to my heart. It's reminiscent of Windows Media Player before they started adding a crappy interface, tons of bloat, and DRM to it. The best part about Media Player Classic though is that you can get codecs that play Real audio/video files and quicktime movies without installing those programs on your machine at all!

Quicktime Alternative
Real Alternative

You can also download Microsoft's Windows Media Player 9 codecs separately. Combine these with your latest divx codec (make sure to get one without spyware), latest xvid codec, and AC3 filter, and you should be able to play pretty much any movie/video file you find on the intareweb.

Irfanview: A great free image viewer/editor for basic tasks like converting bmps to jpgs and resizing pics for posting and such

Powertoys XP The TweakUI and command line here utilities are must haves, of course. I'm also fond of Black Viper's WinXP service descriptions

I'm a tabbed interface junkie too. I use Myie2 for web browsing (popup stopper, tons of plug ins, tabs, and compatibility of IE6) and GAIM for instant messaging (connects to pretty much all IM networks simultaneously and keeps all conversations in a single tabbed window).

You might have tried to download desktop themes from the web on Windows XP to find that they wouldn't show up or install on your box unless you bought MS's Plus pack. No worries; you just need a single uxtheme.dll from the web. More discussion is found here on that topic.

At the risk of being labeled a homo, I have to admit that I use iTunes for mp3 playback. Its equalizer and search are really nice and other than being forced to get my ID3 tags in order I have no complaints. I found a way to play Vorbis OGG files in iTunes btw.

Speaking of ID3 tags and mp3s, Tag&Rename is the greatest app ever if you have poorly named/incorrectly tagged mp3s of albums. For cd ripping to mp3 I am pretty fond of CDEX with the LAME codec at 256kbps highest quality.

Rainlendar: This little app puts a calendar on your desktop that's synched up with your Outlook calendar. Somewhat a mix between eyecandy and useful but I have gotten quite used to it on my work machines.

The rest of the apps I use daily and love I mostly had to pay for, but I'm sure that you guys have some additional tips/utilities/freeware that you can recommend.

04-09-2004, 10:03 PM	#1
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	Favorite freeware/utilities from web? I just got a new notebook this week, and had to go through the joy of reinstalling all my work/play apps and configuring it the way I like. I figured that since it was fresh on my mind that I might as well post the "must have" freeware apps and files that I went to the web for after first boot. Who knows, you might find something you haven't heard of that's useful, or you might have another free app that does the job even better. Anyway here goes: Media Player Classic: This no-frills media player replacement is especially dear to my heart. It's reminiscent of Windows Media Player before they started adding a crappy interface, tons of bloat, and DRM to it. The best part about Media Player Classic though is that you can get codecs that play Real audio/video files and quicktime movies without installing those programs on your machine at all! Quicktime Alternative Real Alternative You can also download Microsoft's Windows Media Player 9 codecs separately. Combine these with your latest divx codec (make sure to get one without spyware), latest xvid codec, and AC3 filter, and you should be able to play pretty much any movie/video file you find on the intareweb. Irfanview: A great free image viewer/editor for basic tasks like converting bmps to jpgs and resizing pics for posting and such Powertoys XP The TweakUI and command line here utilities are must haves, of course. I'm also fond of Black Viper's WinXP service descriptions I'm a tabbed interface junkie too. I use Myie2 for web browsing (popup stopper, tons of plug ins, tabs, and compatibility of IE6) and GAIM for instant messaging (connects to pretty much all IM networks simultaneously and keeps all conversations in a single tabbed window). You might have tried to download desktop themes from the web on Windows XP to find that they wouldn't show up or install on your box unless you bought MS's Plus pack. No worries; you just need a single uxtheme.dll from the web. More discussion is found here on that topic. At the risk of being labeled a homo, I have to admit that I use iTunes for mp3 playback. Its equalizer and search are really nice and other than being forced to get my ID3 tags in order I have no complaints. I found a way to play Vorbis OGG files in iTunes btw. Speaking of ID3 tags and mp3s, Tag&Rename is the greatest app ever if you have poorly named/incorrectly tagged mp3s of albums. For cd ripping to mp3 I am pretty fond of CDEX with the LAME codec at 256kbps highest quality. Rainlendar: This little app puts a calendar on your desktop that's synched up with your Outlook calendar. Somewhat a mix between eyecandy and useful but I have gotten quite used to it on my work machines. The rest of the apps I use daily and love I mostly had to pay for, but I'm sure that you guys have some additional tips/utilities/freeware that you can recommend. __________________ Getting paid like a biker with the best crank... -MF DOOM Last edited by pHaestus; 04-09-2004 at 10:29 PM.