Utilities

We have listed a few progams and utilities that we use currently or have in the past.  Most of these were chosen for their reliability and our good experiences with them.  This list will be updated from time to time as we come across others that we hear about and test.

Kids Stuff

  • TuxPaint – drawing program for kids that has a nice interface and sound capabilities.
  • MiniKidsGames – (OSx) – collection of small games for kids on the Mac.
  • Tux of Math Command – up to 10 years. They will learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of positive and negative numbers through lessons in this math drill game.

File Utilities

  • Undelete-plus – Bring back those document files or pictures you deleted by mistake.
  • 7-zip – open compressed (zip, rar, ace, arc) files.  Nice replacement for WinZip.
  • HJ-Split – there are several “splitting” utilities here.  Quite a few uses…. Documents too large for email?  Need to piece together movie files?
  • Q-Dir – great alternative to Windows Explorer.
  • Foxit Reader – tired of the other bloated pdf file readers?
  • CutePDF – need to print a file and send to someone that does not have a certain application installed?  Make sure you also get the freely downloadable GhostScript, as it requires it to function.
  • FileZilla is a great FTP utility for websites, backups, etc. if you are not familiar with the command line.

Spyware, Malware and AntiVirus

  • AVG AntiVirus – we have been using this for years.  Regular updates and dependable.
  • CCleaner – one of the best removal utilities for Antivirus 2008/2009!  We really like this one.
  • Spy-bot Search & Destroy – can be used in conjunction with other spyware removal utilities.  Beware of imitations!  Their homepage is “safer-networking.ORG“.
  • Clamwin – another alternative to the larger, more expensive companies’ products.

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