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Starting From Scratch

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by yellow belly

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Hey - I have come to the point where I am just about to reformat my computer and start loading from scratch. Due to a friends job I have access to virtually any program I want and I wanted some opinions of the 5-10 top programs you would recommend. I am fairly new to the inner workings of the computer world but have found this site (and the members) to be bang on when I needed help. Looking for a good program in each aspect, without tons of baggage (Nero 6, Office 2003, etc.). Also am looking for the best newbie web designer program (I have Web Easy 7). Appreciate any help. I also am running Norton 360 (with 200 days left).

33 replies

by jamesrl

Eevn if you have zero chance of getting caught, why steal? Would you come into my house and help yourself to my money? Cause I make my money in the software industry.

I help alot of friends with their computers, and I can find programs to help them that are open source or freeware.

I use Open Office at home, as well as AVG free (anti-Virus and Spyware). I wouldn't run Norton if they paid me, had too many issues in the past. I also use CC Cleaner, AdAware and other free programs to help keep my computer running well.

There is a lot of free web designing software out there, just google it and look for reviews. Tucows.com is a good site for downloads, they verify the software before allowing downloads.

James

by yellow belly

Normally I am an upstanding citizen, but in my condition where my medical bills have cost me my house, my car and made me move back home with my 72 year old father - I just might walk into your home and take your money....sorry. I actually like the Norton 360, though I do have an AVG virus finder as well. I have CCleaner and have downloaded a lot of free programs from CNET, but I will check out Tuscows.com. Outside of that, I will be taking my friend up on his offer so I do apologize for my thievery.

by jamesrl

You can lose your house and your car to others but no one can take away your principles except yourself. Thats really sad. Especially when there are good alternatives to just about every program you want to steal.

I always found Norton to take up too many resources, interefere unnecessarily with the functioning of other apps etc. And I used to like Norton tools, once upon a time.

I doubt you will actually be stealing my money, as the software my company creates is for businesses not indivuduals, but the principle is the same. If I expect and hope that others will respect my property, I have to respect others property.

James

by charliespencer

'I've got medical bills so I'm entitled to steal things. And not food or medicine or anything necessary to keep me alive, but stuff just 'cause I want it. Boo hoo hoo!'

Under what circumstances are you a normally upstanding citizen, thief; when it's not inconvenient for you?

by 1bn0

OpenOffice suite. http://www.openoffice.org
AVG free, http://free.avg.com
IZArc zip utility, http://www.izarc.org/
CDBurnerXP, http://cdburnerxp.se/
MWSNap screen capture, http://www.mirekw.com/winfreeware/mwsnap.html
pdfCreator, http://www.pdfforge.org/products/pdfcreator
Irfanview picture utility, http://www.irfanview.com/
NVu web authoring, http://www.net2.com/nvu/
Opera web browser, http://www.opera.com
FireFox web browser, http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ie.html

or check out Opendisc for a bigger list of recommended software.

http://www.theopendisc.com/education/

or this list from PortableApps, http://portableapps.com/apps, many favorite OSS applications repacakged to run from a usb drive so you can take them anywhere.

They are all free software.

"Due to a friends job I have access to virtually any program I want "

Doesn't mean he is legally allowed to give the software to you or that you are legally allowed to install and run it.

by yellow belly

My friend is not legally allowed to give me the software - yet he is.

I am not legally allowed to install it - yet I will.

by bizzo

Maybe the moderators here will send your logged IP address to FAST. Will easily be able to track you down with that one! Get the license number from the software you're using and track it down to your friend, wherever he "works", and sack him. And then you both get fined, happily ever after.

Nowadays there's no excuse to pirate software, look at http://www.osalt.com/ open source alternatives to almost all licensed software

by the 'g-man.'

Think about this. You admit you will break the law on a forum where your location and a whole lot more can be traced if the law requires.

There are people who contribute to this site who work for software companies and law enforcement agencies.

Brilliant!

Knock, Knock....

EDIt: Your company theif friend could be in a whole lot of hot water now. Even lose his job. Do you think that will be taken lightly?

by jackofalltech

First (and last) get rid of Norton. Get either Avast or Comodo Internet Security suite, both free.

Don't use Nero, get either CD Burner XP Pro or similar freeware.

Don't use M$ Office, use OpenOffice.

Don't use Acrobat Reader (for PDFs) use one of the many freewares such as Foxit or Sumatra.

There are freeware/Open Source alternatives for just about any commercial app you need.

by charliespencer

Why are you reformatting and reloading? What problems are you having, or what do you hope to gain by doing this?

If you're new to computers, do you know how to back up any files, pictures, music, or other data you may have?

by yellow belly

Yup, just got a nice 1Tb hard-drive for backing up movies, music, pics and personal stuff. I had unprotected computer sex so-to-say and I have caught a doozy. Even with all the checks I've run and programs I've installed I just want to start off fresh and clean, with new protection and better habits.

by boxfiddler

Bein's how you're starting off with stolen software, there's nothing clean and fresh about it.
Nor, apparently, about you and your friend the company thief.

Strikingly apt moniker...

etu

by ed woychowsky

At Penn State the web master curriculum had a required course on ethics. The class was both amazingly informative and amusing, the subject matter was informative while the reaction of some of my fellow students was amusing. I lost count of the number of times that I heard; ?But, how are they going to find me?? and ?It's not like it's stealing.?

Unfortunately that was the only ethics class that I've even heard of, which is too bad.

by gsg

Everyone here is part of the TR Community and we're professionals. As such, we'll not help you break the law by stealing software and reserve the right to ridicule you endlessly until you go away. This is how we make our living, so you are in effect asking us to help you steal from us. While you're at it, here are the keys to my car, why don't you steal that, too?

Everyone has given advice and even links to alternative software that is free and legal, and in many cases (like open office) works just as good, if not better, than the software you are trying to obtain illegally. Yet you persist in going forward and installing the illegally obtained software.

Why? That's like someone offering you a free $100 bill and you saying, nope, I'd rather rob this bank, so why don't you disable that alarm for me while I cock my gun?

So, if you won't use the legal alternatives, sit down, shut up, deactivate your TR account, and go far far away, because we won't help you.

Oh, and may you and your "friend" get what you deserve.

by yellow belly

Thanks to a lot of people here I have learned about a lot of great free software of which I have gotten pretty much everything I'll need.

Some of your comparison's are quite poetic and I'm sure could be put to much better use.

Thank you anyway.

by yellow belly

Hey, I had no idea that this type of freeware was out there and after checking out the sites that were told to me I have found most of what I will want and more, and when I told my bank robbing partner in crime he suggested CNET which has been great. I apologize for my misguided ways which I have been rightfully flamed for. Since I own Nero 6, Office 2003 and Norton already and am familiar with them I will probably continue to use them. I am spending most of my time sorting through the endless junk that HP installed had already installed when I got this, most of seems like drivel, but I am not sure since they all seem to tie into the system. I shall now fade off back into the world of reading your people's posts from which I came. Forever deemed an offender - Yellowbelly

by charliespencer

"Forever deemed an offender - Yellowbelly"

Not forever. Yes, we're harsh on software licensing violations because many of us write software for a living. Others of us are charged with enforcing the licensing agreements our companies have signed with software vendors.

But we can be a pretty forgiving bunch around here, and errors committed in one discussion aren't held against the poster in other discussions. Stick around, there are some long-term members here who got off to a worse start than you have.

When Norton expires, consider Avast or AVG antivirus software. Not only are they free to install, there's no subscription fees so the updates are always free too!

by jardinier

Because AVG announced that there would be no new updates for version 7.5 earlier this year, I purchased the paid version 8.0. It was a disaster and so I got rid of it and now have Avast on all my computers.

From memory you are allowed to run it on multiple computers for personal use.

by jardinier

I have four computers (including a laptop) running XP Pro.

I am a software junkie. I love collecting and installing software.

Would you expect me to pay for four copies of every program that I use on my own four computers?

by charliespencer

It's what printed in the license agreement. If the license specifies the software can only be installed on a single system, then you're legally required to pay for four copies / licenses. If the license says you can install it on multiple systems, then you're in compliance.

by jardinier

OK, I might try reading the EULAs before I click "Accept."

But tell me. Do you personally know of anyone who purchases multiple copies of the same program for their own use only?

Do you always read the EULAs yourself?

by charliespencer

so it isn't an issue for me at home. I'm not personally acquainted with many people who have more than one home system. I've never thought to ask what apps they have on their systems or how they acquired them.

I do read a EULA occasionally, especially if it's an app from a company I've never dealt with before. I'm also reading a lot more privacy statements than I used to.

by jamesrl

I know that 15 years ago, the company that I worked at negotiated a MS Office license for all of its employees that allowed them to install at home on their personal computers - 1 for every business use license bought.

And I made a similar arrangement with MS about 10 years ago. But at that time, they told me that when the license term was over, the privelege would end and not be able to be contracted for again.

I know MS used to have provisions for laptops -as long as only one copy was in use at a time. Think they are gone now.

James

by jardinier

Go to worldstart.com and you can get heaps of LEGAL software, covering most applications, for ridiculously low prices like $10 or $20.

Furthermore shipping in the USA is free.

Since I discovered this website maybe two years ago or more, I have not purchased software from any other source. (Unless of course I am offered a bargain from some other website)

by charliespencer

To get rid of all the crud HP pre-installs, download a utility called CCleaner (with two C's; the first one stands for 'Crap').

As to my avatar, I'm not a graphics artist either. Ironically, I'm 'borrowing' it from the South Carolina government's web site. I figure as a taxpayer that I'm entitled to. (Yeah, yeah, I'm a damn hypocrit. At least I'm not sleeping around on my wife, governor.) If you're really interested in designing avatars, look for TR member CaptBilly1Eye.

by yellow belly

Way to make sure you got your 2 cents posted. I am glad I asked the question I did and after being put into my place I received some great feedback and have cleaned my system and am now using total freeware (minus Norton), my system is running great and at 1/3 the memory. Way to beat a dead horse. a) I was wrong b) Got the thorough blasting I deserved c) Got great advice which and have put to good use d) Then you jump in to make sure the world knows you too think I was wrong....great.....I get it....

by charliespencer

G-Man posted his comments almost a week ago, before your posted your decision to use freeware instead of proprietary apps. At the time he made his remarks, you're reputation was still that of an illegal operator.

He's not beating a dead horse; you are.

by 1bn0

We have recently upgrade to OFfice 2007.

MHUP allows employees to purchase a license for $11.00 and they will ship a dvd to you for an additional $11.00 (cdn, $us is a little bit cheaper). The employee has to have a company email address to be abe to register their purchase.

The license is for the complete Enterprise Office 2007 package. If you need office for compatability or for training purposees, you can't get it any cheaper without stealing it.

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