Essential Applications and Programs for Windows (and some for OS X and Linux)

Ok...


We all have computing needs to some degree or another, right? The majority of the time, these needs require software, software that sometimes might be expensive or difficult to use. Well we have compiled a list of our favourite, latest and greatest software that has helped us help you, and will help you continue to meet your computing needs.


All the software here is freeware or open-source.


Anti-Virus, Spyware, other
- AVG 2012 : Anti-Virus
- CCleaner : Utility program used to clean potentially unwanted files and invalid Windows Registry entries from a computer
- MalwareBytes : Finds and removes malware
- Microsoft Security Essentials : Program for your PC and provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software
- Spybot : Popular spyware and adware removal program


Audio
- Audacity : Music editor, with codecs/plugins
- Acoustica Beatcraft : Drum machine, beat creator
- Acoustica Mixcraft : Affordable multi-track audio and MIDI recording software
- LMMS : Linux Multi-Media Studio, digital audio workstation
- MIXXX : open source digital DJ’ing software
- Spotify : music streaming service
- Virtual DJ : DJ software


Graphics
- Toy Camera : Digital image processing
- GIMP : free software raster graphics editor
- Paint.net : image and photo editing software
- Polaroid : Digital image processing


Internet
- Chrome : Internet browser
- Safari : Internet browser
- Skype : VoIP


Utilities
- DeFraggler : utility which allows users to defragment individual files on their computer system
- FileZilla : open source, cross-platform FTP software
- LinuxLive USB Creator : Linux USB creator
- Nero KwikMedia : All-in-one multi-media buddy
- Recuva : data recovery program
- RocketDock : Application Launcher similar to that on OSX
- solutoinstaller : Community driven Troubleshooter
- Speccy : system information tool, giving detailed hardware statistics
- X-Lite : VoIP


Video
- DVD Shrink : DVD transcoder program
- Handbrake : open-source program designed to convert MPEG video (including DVD-Video) into an MPEG-4 video file in MPEG-4 Part 14 (.mp4) or Matroska (.mkv) containers
- Lightworks : Academy and Emmy award winning professional-grade editor


Well there you have it, a complete list of essesntial applications and programs that will help you meet your computing needs. There are plenty more applications and programs out there! So please feel free to add more in the comments.


You're welcome.

Cavtec Systems Limited

Cavtec Systems Limited, established 1991. Providing the finest quality computer support and additional services to Small Medium Enterprises and Home users. Newcastle upon Tyne, London and East Grinstead.

http://www.cavtec.co.uk

admin@cavtec.co.uk

The journey of my HTC Trophy

January, The month of hope and new beginnings. Full of promise and aspirations for us all. For me, the month in which I got my brand new HTC Trophy, fashioning Windows Phone 7! I was so thrilled. I had read so much about WP7, its innovations and new concepts and I was excited to see it and use it for myself.

Now I don't want you to misunderstand me here when I say I wasn't overly impressed with it. The device itself, the hardware and the way it looked was great. The software handles like a dream with its smooth animations and interactions. It was just the lack of external application development which let it down. There are some great apps from HTC, and a few notable others, but compared to iOS or even Android, it was (is?) lagging far behind.

Anyway, I persisted/endured my device.

2 weeks ago I noticed that the volume up button and the power button were not working any more? They just wouldn't "click", and to get it to even do what it was supposed to do you had to nigh on crush the device! The device was promptly shipped off back to the manufacturer for a warranty repair. The notified me that the standard turnaround time was 7-10 days. Whether that was working days or otherwise, they weren't clear. So for these few days I was without my HTC, I had to use something from the 90's! It wasn't really from the 90's but the way it performed it certainly seemed like it was.

Then it struck me, and really that is what this "iGeneration" has come to. Overly high expectations and ridiculous demands for something that it providing you with the service! How I longed for my HTC to come back, to provide me with on demand information burning into my face! I had become so demanding, that I couldn't wait a few extra seconds to get the information I wanted. Really!? Urgh!

Anyway, the HTC came back long before the 7 day mark, so I was pleased with that (satisfying my high expectations and ridiculous demands again!). It was shipped in a lovely little novelty box, on it printed "I'm Back", as if to somewhat invoke an emotional response from me?! 

HTC - "I'm Back. I'm Fixed now."

Expected response - "Oh I missed you sooooo much! Never leave me again! I'm sorry I hurt you!".

No! Not from me. Thanks.

These companies who manufacture such devices are clever. Very clever. In everything the device is, or what we perceive it to be, they market it to be a part of us. Even to the point where if it is sent off for repair, it is made out to be a journey of self-discovery for the device!

When I seen that, it was the light bulb moment. Things need to change in my life. I can't be so attached to an inanimate object. It does not have feelings or emotions and will not reciprocate affection no matter how hard we may try. Its just a medium for obtaining information.

A way in which you can help yourself is by using task/action specific devices. If you want to make a phone call, use a phone. If you want to take a picture/video use a camera, etc... It was either Lifehacker or Gizmodo who posted about this but I cant find it?!

Having employed such practice for a few days, I found it quite refreshing to say the least. Relying on those devices I have already got for what they are truely for! Genius!

 

The BBC presented an article about how a lot of us today are addicted to our smartphones?

I hope this has made some sense to you. I hope it can help/shed some light on your current technology addiciton.

Thanks,

Cavtec Systems Limited

Cavtec Systems Limited, established 1991. Providing the finest quality computer support and additional services to Small Medium Enterprises and Home users. Newcastle upon Tyne, London and East Grinstead.

http://www.cavtec.co.uk

admin@cavtec.co.uk

Laptops, Tablets, Smartphones or any mobile device...

Afternoon,

So I've had my Samsung Q330 for a couple of months now, and to say the least I'm more than happy with it! Its light-weight, Its has more than enough power for what I need. It looks great, it feels great, it sounds great.

I have one issue with it. Just one. The Battery.

If you do anything that requires constant, above average processing power, drawing upon a lot of system resources, you will find that the life of the battery will not last you too long.

I did my research on this laptop. I read that it could have a decent battery life, or rather read that it should have a decent battery life, but my experiences show that not matter how hard I tried to get 5+ hours... I couldn't. I just couldn't get it!

I was adamant to get the 5+ hours the Q330 could give me! I got down to business. 

Ctrl + Alt + Del > Task Manager - Lets see whats eating my resources!

Applications/Programs like MS Office are fine, and at a push you could squeeze 5+ hours, but the killer is Skype! That bad boy just goes through battery like no other! As soon as I quit that, straight up there, knocking on 6 hours!

So... To simply put it > If you're not using it... TURN IT OFF! This will save you loads of battery life! Really it will. Anything you have running in the background, that your not using, just Alt + F4 that bad boy (but make sure it hasn't just minimised to your Taskbar!?)

If you're always loading up programs and needing to get to places all the time, one word - RocketDock - This is so helpful! It can also come fully customisable. Get it sorted!

Also... Get your bookmarks sorted as well. They do make life so much easier online.

You're welcome.

Cavtec Systems Limited

Cavtec Systems Limited, established 1991. Providing the finest quality computer support and additional services to Small Medium Enterprises and Home users. Newcastle upon Tyne, London and East Grinstead.

http://www.cavtec.co.uk

admin@cavtec.co.uk

Following on from yesterdays post...

This isn't a ploy to get you to buy anything, its just some information and insights for your reference. Yesterday I outlined the criteria that you should use. We'll bear that in mind always. Sometimes you might get a smaller hard drive in the refurb/open box, but it might be worth the compromise. It takes a lot to fill 140GB!


Here's an example following on from yesterdays post.


NEW Samsung R540 - http://bit.ly/kwmqi1 - CCLOnline - £414.13
Intel Pentium Dual Core (P6100) 2.13GHz 
4096MB 
640GB 
15.6 inch WXGA LED 
WLAN 
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit 
(Intel GMA HD Integrated) 
(Silver)


Refurbished - Cavtec - £359.99


It really does pay to ask! You're welcome.


Cavtec Systems Limited

http://www.cavtec.co.uk
admin@cavtec.co.uk

Windows 7:God Mode

I you haven't already seen the post over at CNET check it out!

Basically... God Mode in Windows 7! Access all the key customisable features on/for your PC from this handy little Easter Egg.

How to:

1. Right click on your desktop
2. New > Folder
3. Give it the name - GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} - (GodMode is the name of your folder as you will see it, so technically you can call it what you wish! and the memory reference is a culmination of all the settings/customisable features.)
4. When you click off the folder, the icon will change. This signifies that it is ready!

This is a fantastic little feature that really does give you that GodMode feel!

Enjoy!

Cavtec

admin@cavtec.co.uk
www.cavtec.co.uk