For those who are interested, the following are some of my favorite programs.
NOTE: Some of the following SHAREWARE or FREEWARE filenames are linked to www.download.com. This website address is less transient than other software resources. Just use the search function of the website to locate and download the program.
  • Microsoft Word
    Still have to admit that this is a good word processing program. Not the best for large, complicated desktop publishing projects, multi-level documents, or hypertext as it has a tendency to choke when the job is too big or complex, but great for most word processing and documentation. For large, complex technical authoring projects, I recommend Framemaker. For information on Microsoft Word - search for WORD on www.microsoft.com.
  • XnView
    This well-designed general purpose FREEWARE program allows you to easily view, convert, print, and organize graphics, fonts, movies, and many other file formats when you don't need the fancy, expensive, multi-layer, overstuffed, complex, graphic whiz-bang program. This is the image viewing program you will use the most.
  • Adobe PhotoShop
    Sometimes this seems to be a bloated, complicated graphics program that is more expensive than any program should be, but it gets the job done when you need advanced editing and effect functions. I was especially impressed by the number of websites online with PhotoShop tips, techniques, plug-ins, advice, etc.
  • Teleport Pro
    Exceptionally useful program for downloading entire websites for off-line viewing. Also can download selected file types (jpg, gif, zip, txt, etc.). Nice addition to anyone's net utilities.
  • Dreamweaver
    Dreamweaver is the program to use when you want to go beyond regular HTML. Dreamweaver provides advanced design and layout tools, as well as making it easy to use Dynamic HTML features such as animated layers and behaviors without writing a line of code. Browser-targeting checks your work for potential problems on all popular platforms and browsers. The new features in Dreamweaver enhance HTML editing; improve site management; let you add elements such as special characters, navigation bars, and image maps; streamline your workflow; and allow you to customize and extend Dreamweaver. If you don't need all the extra bloated expensive functionality, you can use Webuilder (described above).
  • Webuilder
    My favorite general purpose HTML, CSS, and PHP editor. It makes creating HTML documents easier with its CSS, PHP and Scripting functions and HTML Validator. If I am not creating a new website and just want to edit an HTML file - I use Webuilder.
  • TopStyle Pro
    If you've ever created a web site, you've most likely used an assortment of tags to control how your pages look. This ties the presentation of your site with its content, making it hard to modify your site's design. Suppose you later decide you want to change the color scheme or fonts used in your site - you'll have to edit every page in order to do this. Style sheets provide a solution to this problem. TopStyle Pro makes creating style sheets easy. Topstyle is an efficient HTML, XHTML and CSS editor.
  • Synchronize It!
    Synchronize It! is a powerful directories synchronization tool. I use Synchronize It! to create BACKUP directories on my BACKUP drive. Although this program was primarily targeted to help in team software development and anyone who shares documents/programs with friends and colleagues, I find it perfect for making sure I always have a exact backup of all my directories and hard drives - it is the perfect backup solution. With Synchronize It! you can easily see what have changed in your folders and transfer changes with single mouse click. Moreover, Synchronize It! now supports various archive types. Although there is a lot of such programs on the market, Synchronize It! has some unique features and an easy to understand interface that makes it a pleasure to use for backups.
  • Search and Replace (Funduc)
    If you need to find and replace text, or just find text, this utility is a must have. It is significantly faster than other Windows grep-only utilities and allows replacing for the same price as those programs which offer only grep capabilities.
  • CCleaner
    CCleaner is a useful FREEWARE system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner and a free space wiping option.
  • Your Uninstaller!
    The folks at ursoftware finally got it right. I tried all the other uninstaller programs, but I like this latest version of Your Uninstaller!. Your Uninstaller! can automatically detect rubbish registry keys and entirely clear them with your permission, thus make your add/remove list clean. Even a single drag-drop performs an uninstall process. All these can be done with in few simple clicks or drag-drop operations under step by step instruction.
  • WinRAR
    I find WinRAR is more useful and easier to use than WinZIP. WinRAR makes it simple and trouble-free to compress or decompress RAR and ZIP files and manage the handling of a variety of other compression formats.
  • Cute FTP
    This ftp client program makes FTP file access, downloading, and uploading a breeze.
  • VLC Media Player
    It plays everything! The one media player that fills all your needs. This FREEWARE media player can handle DVDs, (S)VCDs, Audio CDs, web streams, TV cards and much more. You don't need to keep track of a dozen codec packs you need to have installed. VLC has all codecs built-in. It comes with support for nearly all codec there is. And what is more it can even play back the file or media if it is damaged! Missing or broken pieces are no stop to VLC, it plays all the video and audio information that's still intact. This is my favorite program for viewing movies and other media files.
  • Nero Burning ROM
    I have tested many programs for burning video, audio, and data CDs and DVDs and I always come back to Nero. Nero Burning ROM, commonly called just Nero, is an optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Nero Express, a simplified edition of Nero Burning ROM targeted for entry-level customers, is also available with the Nero software suite. Although Nero Express is not as powerful as the full-featured Nero Burning ROM, it features a more streamlined user interface that appeals to most users and offers a broader range of features than those offered by Windows.
  • Proshow Producer
    ProShow Producer is a a high-end professional program for generating content-protected slide and multimedia shows using photos, video, music and special effects. Proshow Producer allows users to create impressive-looking slideshow presentations that blow Microsoft PowerPoint out of the water. This program is NOT intended for new users or computer novices. The program's interface is attractive and sleek, but it contains a lot of options and it's not immediately obvious how a user should begin. A visit to the built-in Help file offers guidance and allows users to get started creating slides. The basics are easy, but users will need to take some time to figure out how to best exploit the many features that the program offers. And what a lot of features there are. All the standard slideshow features are here, but ProShow Producer contains many extras, such as the ability to upload your slideshow to YouTube or convert it to Flash. And even the standard features offer almost infinite tweakability, which is both a blessing and a curse; novice users will likely be confused and overwhelmed by all the options. ProShow Producer lets you make DVDs, auto run CDs, VCDs, self-contained executables, on-line shows and screensavers. Did I mention that you can create MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and AVI files? Publish streaming shows to your website? You can also burn multiple copies of disks that will play on both a TV and a computer.