Abiword: http://www.abisource.com/
Why? This is a free word processor which has loads of features, lots of languages and runs on several operating systems.
Editpad Lite : http://www.editpadpro.com/editpadlite.html
Why? This is a free text editor which has more useful features than Notepad. There is a Pro Version which you must pay for but first check out the lite version which is free for personal and non commercial use.
Gishpuppy : http://www.gishpuppy.com/ and Kasmail : http://www.kasmail.com/
Why? These free programmes will forward your email to your standard address while protecting you from spam. These are essential if your sign up for things on the internet.
Sandboxie : http://www.sandboxie.com/
Why? This will protect your web browser from lots of nasties on the internet. The free version will remind you occasionally but it’s well worth it.
Textfixer : http://textfixer.com/tools/remove-line-breaks.php
Why? This is a handy online way of reformatting your text so that you can read it the way you like.
Free PDF Readers
Sumatra : http://portableapps.com/apps/office/sumatra_pdf_portable
Why? It’s a lightweight product packaged as a portable application
Foxit : http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php
Why? It’s a stable well-developed lightweight PDF reader with limited writing capabilities..
The PDF-XChange PDF Viewer :
http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_user/PDF-XChange_Tools/pdfx_viewer
Why? The free version has lots of features and there’s a portable version available.
7 - Zip : http://www.7-zip.org/
Why? it’s a free Open Source utility for zipping and unzipping files.
Real Player : http://uk.real.com/player/more
Why? It’s the recommended player for BBC listening and plays Real audio format files.
Real Alternative : http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Real_alternative.htm
Why? The name says it all - it’s an alternative to Real Player
Videolan : http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Why? This is a free Open Source player which works across Operating Systems and there is a portable version available.
viddiradioplayer : http://www.viddiradioplayer.com/index.php
Why? This is a free radio player with many advanced features. It is donationware which means that it’s free but you’re welcome to give a donation.
Solway’s Task Scheduler : http://www.theabsolute.net/sware/#tasksched
Why? You can schedule your programmes and this is simpler than the scheduler built into windows.
Audiograbber: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Audiograbber.htm
Why? With this free programme you can record almost every sound on your computer.
LAME: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Lame_Encoder.htm
(you need the lame_enc.dll file which is included in the download)
Why? LAME MP3 Encoder is a great mp3 encoder and is available for free! - You can use it so that Audiograbber can record directly to the mp3 format.
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows
Why? This is a great free sound editor and recorder which works on most platforms - not just Windows.
MP3 Cut: http://mpesch3.de1.cc/mp3dc.html
Why? It’s easy to cut MP3 files just as you like easily and without conversion.
Vista Shutdown Timer: http://www.vistashutdowntimer.toflo.de/
Why? With this programme you can tell your computer exactly when you want to.
Slice Audio File Splitter (http://www.nch.com.au/splitter/index.html)
mp3el (http://www.nch.com.au/components/index.html)
(This is vital as without it, you’ll get no sound.)
Why? Because with this programme you can split your audio files into smaller parts and do it automatically.
