Best computer application... available as freeware software

In my recent articles, I included and reviewed some great applications (see Freeware software in sidebar), which I found useful during my computer and Internet usage. I think this procedure gives a crystal clear view about the program but takes lot of time (in days and weeks to cover them) so I thought of writing an article in which includes list of software and applications, tested and proved to be of highest quality and usability during my usage. Definitely, this list can go on and on and on… but here I have included only those applications which are available as freeware software.

I hope this will improve computer usage experience and resolve many of the problems which I had experienced overtime.

Category: Images

I have already written about Images and editing tools for them in my one of my previous article Image editing tools… add power to blog posts where I have included Gimp, IrfanView, Picasa etc and finally made a recommendation for Gimp.
I must say, where Gimp needs some efforts to learn the tool, IrfanView is extremely easy to work and its, "Save for Web" capability is very helpful to create images suitable for web applications.

Computer Application: IrfanView Download
IrfanView is a freeware software, small yet powerful image viewer capable to handle any image file format. It offers loads of features, some of which are –

1. Thumbnail/preview option, Fast directory view
2. Paint option - to draw lines, circles, arrows, straighten image etc.
3. Slideshow, Support for Adobe Photoshop Filters
4. Change color depth, Cut/crop /Effects (Sharpen, Blur, etc.)
5. Extract icons from EXE/DLL/ICLs and much more …

Category: Internet

Computer Application: AI RoboForm Pro Download

AI RoboForm is an easy to use free password manager and autofill form. Log in details for your email, online casino accounts and social networking sites are easily saved. It was named PC Magazine Editor's Choice, and CNET's Download.com Software of the Year.
RoboForm allows you to -

1. Manage your password and Log in automatically, fill long registration and checkout forms with one click.
2. Generate and encrypt password to maximize password strength, phishing protection
3. And much more... it works with IE, AOL / MSN, Firefox.

Although Roboform is available at USD $29.95, it's freeware software version is also available which is equally powerful. So download Roboform and let RoboForm manage your password and fill forms with one click!

Computer Application: FeedDemon Download
CNET says, "FeedDemon is a terrific RSS reader that can handle hundreds of subscriptions faster and better than many free Web-based readers available."
FeedDemon is an RSS feed reader that makes user updated with latest news and information in quick and convenient way. Customization is possible, based on keywords can be setup, and podcasts can be easily transferred to portable audio devices.

Computer Application: Mozilla Firefox Download
Due to extension capabilities and friendly usage Firefox has become one of the biggest events in software industry. Firefox offers fast browsing, browser tabs, pop-up blocking, advanced privacy and security, smart searching, and more.

Computer Application: Mozilla Thunderbird Download
“If you think there's nothing more that can be added to an email client -- except for the fabled seek - out -and - destroy - Spam option -- prepare to be pleasantly surprised. The new Thunderbird comes with numerous new features.” Steven Vaughan-Nichols, eWeek.
Mozilla Thunderbird is an open source, cross-platform e-mail offering simple solution for online communications. This Mozilla software is highly customizable and expandable via a collection of available extensions.

Computer Application: MozyPro Download
I have written about Mozy in details in my earlier article Is your saved data, safe? , where I have given a detailed review about Mozy and similar applications.
MozyPro is an application that offers secure, enterprise-level online backup shareware via easy to use software application.
MozyPro version is available at a very small price of USD $3.95 + $0.50/GB Monthly, which is affordable and minimal as compared to services offered, although freeware software version is also available.

Computer Application: Trillion Pro Download
Trillion is a fully featured, stand-alone, skinnable chat client that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger, and IRC. It provides capabilities not possible with original network clients, supporting standard features such as audio chat, file transfers, group chats, chat rooms, buddy icons, multiple simultaneous connections to the same network, server-side contact importing, typing notification, direct connection (AIM), proxy support, encrypted messaging (AIM/ICQ), SMS support, and privacy settings.
Trillion Pro comes at a price of USD $25.00 and Freeware software Version of the application is also available.

Category: Multimedia

Computer Application: Quick Media Converter Download
Quick Media Converter (QMC) is a universal video converter that was specifically designed to convert video formats to other video format, QMC converts virtually any media file (audio or video) from one format to another. The application has an emphasis on simplicity: Just drag and drop a file you want to convert onto the app, click the icon of the device you're converting for, and let Quick Media Converter take care of the rest.

Category: Office and Business

Computer Application: OpenOffice.org Download
OpenOffice.org is the leading open-source office software suite for word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, graphics, databases and more. It is available in many languages and works on all common computers. It stores all your data in an international open standard format and can also read and write files from other common office software packages. It can serve as a replacement for Microsoft Office and contains the same basic feature-set, but saves you hundreds of dollars since it is free. But beware it does not include the grammar checking, macros, and a replacement for Microsoft Outlook, however it does offer PDF output.

Category: Utilities

Computer Application: CCleaner Download
CCleaner is a cleaning tool that removes unused files from the system, frees up valuable hard disk space, allowing Operating System to run faster. It also cleans traces of your online activities, such as Internet history along with full-featured registry cleaner.

Computer Application: CPU-Z Download
CPU-Z is a freeware that provides quick and convenient information on some of the main devices of your system.

• CPU: Name and number, Core stepping and process, Package, Core voltage, Internal and external clocks, clock multiplier, Supported instructions sets and Cache information.
• Main board: Vendor, model and revision, BIOS model and date, Chipset (Northbridge and Southbridge), sensor and Graphic interface.
• Memory: Frequency and timings, Module(s) specification using SPD (Serial Presence Detect).
• System: Windows and DirectX version.

Computer Application: Foxit Reader Download
Foxit Reader is a free PDF viewer, with incredible small size, breezing-fast launch speed and rich feature set.

1. Annotation tool: Have you ever wished to annotate (or comment on) a PDF document when you are reading it? Foxit Reader allows you to draw graphics, highlight text, type text and make notes on a PDF document and then print out or save the annotated document.
2. Text converter: You may convert the whole PDF document into a simple text file.
3. High security and privacy: Foxit Reader highly respects the security and privacy of users and will never connect to the Internet without users' permission and Foxit PDF Reader does not contain any spyware.

Computer Application: 7-Zip Download
Normally evaluation versions of Winzip or Winrar used to compress a file but with those utilities you have a pop-up window which is very annoying. 7-Zip is an alternative; 7-Zip is freeware software, file archiver with a high compression ratio and it can be used on any computer even for a commercial purpose. 7-Zip compresses to 7z format 30%-70% better than to zip format.

Computer Application: Free PDF to Word Doc Converter Download
It's easy to convert Word documents to PDF, but what about other way around? This application converts PDF to Word.

Computer Application: AVG Free Anti-Virus Download
Download computer antivirus from AVG free.

Computer Application: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Download
Annoyed with Microsoft Vista, use its service pack.

If you are aware about some other useful applications or have some information to share, please post a comment for the same.