Top 10 free PC programs everyone should have

There are millions of free and open source projects available, many of them better than any commercially available product. Below is a short listing of what we think is the best out there, broken down into ten categories.

Antivirus and malware protection

Most PC users realize that they need protection on their computer or may have an installed antivirus program from their computer manufacturer. What most don't realize is that there are free programs that are just as good and in some cases better than the commercial products. Below are our recommendations

Antivirus program: Avast! or AVG

Malware and Spyware protection: Malwarebytes

Backup solutions

There are dozens of free and commercially available backup programs for computers. Unfortunately, many of those backups are stored locally, meaning if your house were to catch fire, get robbed, or if you lost your backup discs all your data would be lost. This is why when dealing with important data we suggest users use online backup services.

Online backup solution: Mozy or Dropbox

Browsers

Although Microsoft Internet Explorer comes pre-installed on Windows computers. There are several excellent free alternatives that everyone should try. These free alternatives can often be faster, have more options, and in many cases be more secure than Internet Explorer.

Internet Browser: Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome

Compression utility

When downloading files on the Internet you'll eventually encounter a .zip, .rar, or other compressed file. Dealing with these files can be easy with our below free file compression utility.

File compression utility: 7-Zip

Disc ripper and creation utility

Creating an audio or data CD/DVD, ripping the data from an audio CD, or creating a CD from a .ISO file can also be done freely using our below free recommendation.

CD burner utility: CDBurnerXP

E-mail

E-mail is yet another service that can be done freely. Most users today use online e-mail solutions like the one listed below. However, for those still using an e-mail client such as Microsoft Outlook we strongly suggest one or both of the below suggestions.

E-mail client: Mozilla Thunderbird

Online e-mail: Gmail

FTP, SFTP, and SSH Utility

Users who maintain their own web page or need to upload or download files to or from a server have to use an FTP utility or an SSH client. There are many commercial programs capable of doing this but our below free recommendations beats them all.

FTP client: Filezilla

SSH client: MobaXterm and Putty

Image editor, paint program, and picture organizer

There are many great free solutions for editing, creating, and organizing your images on your computer. Many of the programs capable of doing these tasks can be several hundred dollars, but all of the below programs are completely free.

Image editor: GIMP

Paint program: Paint.net

Picture organizer: Google Picasa

Multimedia

There are dozens of different multimedia programs with different capabilities and limitations. Below are our top free multimedia programs for watching video files and recording audio.

Audio editing and creating tool: Audacity

Video and DVD Player: VLC and MPC-HC

Office Suite

An Office suite such as Microsoft Office is often one of the most expensive programs that a user can install on their computer. Why install these expensive programs when there are free solutions that are just as good.

Office suite: OpenOffice

Notepad and Source code editor: Notepad++

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Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know

Using keyboard shortcuts can greatly increase your productivity, reduce repetitive strain, and help keep you focused. For example, highlighting text with the keyboard and pressing Ctrl + C is much faster than taking your hand from the keyboard, highlighting the text using the mouse, clicking copy from the file menu, and then putting your hand back in place on the keyboard. Below are our top 10 keyboard shortcuts we recommend everyone memorize and use.

Ctrl + C or Ctrl + Insert

Both Ctrl + C and Ctrl + Insert will copy the highlighted text or selected item. If you want to cut instead of copy press Ctrl + X.

Ctrl + V or Shift + Insert

Both the Ctrl + V and Shift + Insert will paste the text or object that's in the clipboard.

Ctrl + Z and Ctrl + Y

Undo any change. For example, if you cut text, pressing this will undo it. This can also often be pressed multiple times to undo multiple changes. Pressing Ctrl + Y would redothe undo.

Ctrl + F

Pressing Ctrl + F opens the Find in any program. This includes your Internet browser to find text on the current page.

Alt + Tab or Ctrl + Tab

Quickly switch between open programs moving forward.

Tip: Press Ctrl + Tab to switch between tabs in a program.

Tip: Adding the Shift key to Alt + Tab or Ctrl + Tab will move backwards. For example, if you are pressing Alt + Tab and pass the program you want to switch to, press Alt + Shift + Tab to move backwards to that program.

Tip: Windows Vista and 7 users can also press the Windows Key + Tab to switch through open programs in a full screenshot of the Window.

Ctrl + Back space and Ctrl + Left or Right arrow

Pressing Ctrl + Backspace will delete a full word at a time instead of a single character.

Holding down the Ctrl key while pressing the left or right arrow will move the cursor one word at a time instead of one character at a time. If you wanted to highlight one word at a time, you can hold down Ctrl + Shift and then press the left or right arrowkey to move one word at a time in that direction while highlighting each word.

Ctrl + S

While working on a document or other file in almost every program, pressing Ctrl + Ssaves that file. This shortcut key should be used frequently anytime you're working on anything important.

Ctrl + Home or Ctrl + End

Ctrl + Home will move the cursor to the beginning of the document and Ctrl + End will move the cursor to the end of a document. These shortcuts work with most documents, as well as web pages.

Ctrl + P

Open a print preview of the current page or document being viewed. For example, pressCtrl + P now to view a print preview of this page.

Page Up, Space bar, and Page Down

Pressing either the page up or page down key will move that page one page at a time in that direction. When browsing the Internet, pressing the space bar also moves the page down one page at a time.

Tip: If you are using the space bar to go down one page at a time, press the Shift key and space bar to go up one page at a time.

Other Recommended Shortcuts

We also recommend the following keyboard shortcuts, as they can be very useful:

Ctrl + O

Allows you to select and open a file within the current software program. This works in most programs, including Internet browsers.

F2

After highlighting or selecting a file, pressing F2 changes the file name to be editable, allowing you to rename the file.

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How to Set Up a Home Wireless Network on Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP

While many people can remember the days of dial-up modems and being shackled by physical wires, wireless Internet has become the standard for new home networks. Advancements in networking over the past two decades have provided the ability for more than one computer in a home to connect to the Internet at a time. Wireless networks also allow users to connect from anywhere within range of the router’s reach, giving users the luxury of checking their e-mail from their favorite spot on the couch.

Setting up a home wireless network is easier than ever. Here is a quick guide to get you started.

1. Check that your computer’s operating system supports wireless networking.The new Windows 7 operating system comes prepared to support wireless networking. Windows Vista and Windows XP users will be able to set up a wireless network, but it is recommended that users first consult Microsoft’s homepage and download the applicable service packs in order to make the process easier. These updates should be free if you already have the operating system installed.

2. Sign up for broadband Internet service. Most Internet service providers (ISPs) will provide wireless options such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or cable internet. They’re generally sold on a monthly subscription basis.

3. Purchase a wireless router, DSL modem, or cable modem. Check with your ISP as they may provide this as part of your subscription fees.

4. Plug one end of a network cable into your modem to connect it to the port labeled Internet, WAN, or WLAN on your router. Some newer modem models come with networking technology built in. Make sure the router and modem are turned off when you connect them.
Once connected, turn on both devices.

5. Connect your computer to an open network port on your router. Your computer will not stay directly connected to the router, but this step is necessary in order to set up the network. Make sure not to plug your computer into the Internet port, WAN port, or WLAN port. If your computer is turned on, it should automatically recognize the router and establish a connection.

6. Visit the URL indicated in the router’s packaging to configure your router.Different routers have different instructions for this configuration, so follow the directions that accompany your model.

7. Establish your network name and security settings. You can decide whether to add password protection to your connection.

8. Disconnect your computer from the modem. Your wireless internet should now be correctly configured and ready to use.

9. Connect your other computers, printers, and gaming systems to the network.This should be as easy as following the device’s configuration settings and selecting your established network. Consult your device’s specific instructions, as necessary.

By following these easy steps, your home wireless network will be up and running in no time.

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Setting Up a Home Network

It is just as well that domestic Internet is cheaper and faster than ever today. Devices that never used to have any use for the Internet use it all the time now – television and gaming consoles for instance. If you don’t already have Wi-Fi in place, this could be the time to take the plunge. If you’re planning on setting up a home network with Wi-Fi, here are the mistakes you need to step around.

Not planning ahead

Many people buying their first Wi-Fi router are simply looking for a way to connect a new mobile device to the Internet. The mistake they make, though, is to not plan for the kind of coverage that they need and the number of devices they need simultaneous use for.

Wi-Fi routers usually get placed where the Internet cable enters the house. This point may be far away from the place you actually wish to use your mobile device – out in the garden, the bedroom or bathroom, the kitchen and so on.

People also underestimate the amount of Wi-Fi bandwidth they need. While they may have a fast Internet connection coming into the house, their Wi-Fi router could be a basic model that is capable of only enough speed for YouTube videos. When more people in the house get mobile Internet devices or when someone decides to subscribe to Netflix, it begins to be apparent that the Wi-Fi router’s throughput is inadequate.

The way to sidestep these problems is to do some basic calculations. You need to work out how far away each point is that you might wish to take your mobile device and look at the kinds of the walls you have in between. When you buy a router, it’s important also to plan for the number of devices that you may get in the future and make sure that it is powerful enough for the kind of distances you have in mind.

Buying the fastest router you can afford is easily the best idea.

Neglecting to reconsider where the router goes

The point where the Internet cable enters the house isn’t often the best place for the router. It’s usually a better idea to either place the router in the middle of the house or to place it in a part of the house that’s close to where most people use their Wi-Fi.

Hot swapping the Wi-Fi router

Sometimes, you have a wired Internet modem in place and you only need to buy a Wi-Fi router to connect to it. If you simply remove the old wired router and plug your new Wi-Fi router in, though, the modem will refuse to recognize it. It will be stuck on the old router. You need to turn the modem off before you plug in a new Wi-Fi router.

Neglecting to note down all the necessary settings before getting rid of the old router

Routers can be complex devices to set up. Not only do you need usernames and passwords to connect to your ISP, you need information for all kinds of arcane settings, as well – QoS, port forwarding and so on. The way out is to write down every single setting on your old router before you take it out.

Leaving the channel setting on default

Wi-Fi is popular today – most homes have it. If you live in a crowded neighborhood, you probably have dozens of Wi-Fi routers in the immediate area. This is a problem when everyone uses the same Wi-Fi transmission channel. If everyone uses the same frequency, the channel can become crowded and slow down speeds for all concerned.

It’s a better idea to download a free Wi-Fi channel changer tool to find out which channel in your area is the least crowded. You should then delve into your Wi-Fi router’s settings page and change the channel to the least crowded one.

Finally…

Wi-Fi has been around for years now and many standards exist. If your laptop or other device is a few years old, it could use an older Wi-Fi standard. Upgrading your home network to a modern high-speed standard, you can only make full use of the speed you have if the devices that use the Wi-Fi connection are upgraded to be faster, too.

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Are Your Important Documents Safe? Backup Your Files and Be Sure.

You might be wondering why you need to backup your files. What is the importance of having backup files? Are they really necessary? You might find backing up files or documents a tiring job but it is wise to do just that. It is one of the essential parts of the computing if you spend long periods of time on a computer doing documentation or saving up very important files for your business or work. There have been too many stories about users who have lost all of their important files from their computer because of computer crashes, virus infection and mistakes on saving the files. Without back up files, those corrupted important files are virtually non-retrievable.

Back up files are the duplicates or copies of your important files that are saved in a different location, external hard drive, flash disks or CDs. When you back up your files, you are storing them in a secure and safer location, away from damage and virus attacks and can be accessed anytime. In this manner, you are protecting your files from damage and corruption due to virus and Trojan attacks, misuse of the computer or file loss. Do not think that computer problems like that won’t happen to you.

You don’t need to back up the entire computer, mind you. You only do that when you are reformatting the computer or upgrading the operating system to a new version. However, there are many possible methods on how to back up your important files. The most common nowadays is the flash drives or USB. It’s a plug and play kind of device used to copy, save and transfer files from one computer to another. It can store numerous data depending on the capacity it can carry. CDs and DVDs are excellent methods for storing music, movies and important files from your computer. What’s more, CDs allow you to write or add more files in it making it a great storage for documents you will use for presentations and businesses. Also, it is not more likely to be destroyed if it is stored properly.

Another way to save copies of your data is through an external hard drive. An external hard drive is a portable hard drive used mainly for backing up large amounts of files, video presentations, movies and virtually anything you can transfer from your computer to the drive. Another method of saving file is uploading them online on a cloud computer or a virtual storage place. What it is, it is a site where you can upload and save you data and access and download them anytime in any computer. You can upload up to 10 gigabytes of information, depending on the site you are using and the service you got. If you use the site for free, you got lesser storage capacity compared to paid options but still, that free space is enough to save thousands of files you have on your computer. One example of cloud is dropbox.com. All you have to do is install their software and register and you’re on your way to saving your files on a virtual computer.

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How to Properly Install Additional Hardware on Your Computer

Are you the typical computer user who is not adventurous enough to explore his/her computer? You’re so worried that you might break something that you don’t make any effort to learn everything there is to learn about it. You would rather spend money hiring someone to install a simple video card for you even when you are more than capable of doing it yourself.

Contrary to what some people may think, installing computer hardware is not difficult to do. It is actually very easy and, in fact, it is difficult to get it wrong. The reason for this is because these components are designed in such a way that it will only fit a certain port, slot or bay. If you try inserting it somewhere else, it will not fit. Also, you don’t have to worry about inserting it the wrong way because figuring out which end goes where isn’t difficult at all. With the exception of PS/2 connections and audio ports, everything else will fit in only one slot type and in only one way or direction.

Input devices such as the keyboard and mouse connect to the PS/2 ports. There is no other port that will fit the connectors, but there is a slim chance for error here because although the ports are the same, each of these ports is designed to only operate either a keyboard or a mouse. Even then, it is unlikely that you will get it wrong because the ports are color-coded and so are the connectors. Similarly, the ports found on sound cards use the same 3.5mm jack but each port is device-specific. These are also color-coded to hint which goes where.

To be able to understand all this, you have to first be familiar with your motherboard. Go ahead, remove the side panel of your computer case and look inside. Motherboards come in various shapes, colors, sizes and layouts but they all have more or less the same components. By referring to your user manual while looking at the motherboard, it will be easier for you to identify the different parts of your motherboard and what hardware device goes where. Basically, it will have the following:

• AGP/PCIe slot for your graphics card
• PCI slots for other add-on cards such as sound cards and capture cards
• Memory slots for your RAM (Random Access Memory)

The hardware components mentioned can only be installed on the appropriate slot. This means that a graphics card will only go in the AGP/PCIe slot, PCI-based cards will only go in the PCI slots and so on. Installing the parts is very easy as long as you get the right hardware specified for your board. If you get an AGP card and your graphics card slot turns out to be a PCIe slot, it’s not going to happen. Be sure to check the user manual first to determine what type of hardware you can add.

Finally, you should be aware of some rules before you go digging inside your computer case to change or add hardware. First of all, remember to ground yourself before touching any electronic component inside your computer to discharge static electricity left in your body. You can do this by touching any metal object such as the computer case itself. Second, please be careful when using a screwdriver to remove screws. If you scratch the motherboard, you could damage it. Third, don’t use too much force when installing memory or add-on cards. If it refuses to go all the way in, it might be because the memory/add-on card is not properly aligned or the orientation is wrong. Some memory chips have notches at the bottom and if the notches are not properly aligned with the slot, it will not go in completely and forcing it will only damage it. With add-on cards, the presence of the metal bracket on one side of the card is enough to tell you that the metal bracket part goes at the back where the bracket meets the case part. When you’ve figured all that out, it will be easier for you the next time you have to install a new hardware component.

After a while of learning and experimenting, you will realize how easy it really is. Imagine how much money you would save from simply doing things yourself. If you find yourself stuck and out of answers because of a particular problem in the future, don’t worry because you can always look it up online. There is an ocean of resources available just waiting for you to access so go ahead and try it.

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How to Adjust Your Computer’s Brightness for Each Hour of the Day

The default brightness for a majority of computers is set to a level most suitable for mid-day use. The level is light emitted from your screen is meant to mimic the sun. When you’re checking your e-mail at lunch time this is not a bad thing, but if you are working on a paper late into the night or checking in for a flight in the early morning hours, the brightness of your computer screen can be jarring or uncomfortable. Some individuals complain that experiencing bright computer light in the evening makes it difficult for them to fall asleep.

F.lux is a software program that adjusts the brightness and color of your computer screen based on your location and the time of day. By taking into account the type of lighting in your house and your location, it will make adjustments to keep your eyes comfortable.

1. Download f.lux and install the software onto your computer. F.lux can be downloaded at stereopsis.com/flux. The program is compatible with Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, and Cydia platforms.

2. Check that the program launches and explore the available settings. F.lux should automatically run in the background after it is installed. There are various ways to play with the settings to suit your needs, so explore the possibilities before setting your preferences.

3. Once you have decided, click “Change settings” and set your preferences. The “Change settings” button will prompt you to enter information about your exact location and the lighting in your home or workspace. You can choose to have it transition between stages quickly or gradually.

4. If at any point you need to view something with true color, you can turn off the adjusted settings for hour-long intervals by ticking the box in the bottom left corner of the main window.

Whether or not you have trouble sleeping after a late night in front of a bright computer screen, your eyes will thank you for keeping their light expectations consistent with the time of day.

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Keyboard Troubleshooting

If you begin to experience problems with your keyboard not working or some of the keys not responding, the first thing you should try is to Press CTRL+ALT+DEL (all at the same time).

Depending on what version of Windows you have, you should get the Task List. In Windows 7 you may be given a list with the last option being Start Task Manager and that is the one you select.  A box will pop up that says Windows Task Manager.

In the image above, you will see a list of all tasks currently running including this tutorial being created called “Keyboard Troubleshooting”.

On the right hand side you will see in the title bar, the word “Status”. Under the Status column it indicates which programs are running as shown in the below image.

Not the case for the example above, but on your computer check for any programs that say “Not Responding” and select the first one with a “Not Responding” status. Next, click the End Task button on the bottom of the pop-up box as shown here:

Be sure to repeat the process until all tasks labeled “Not Responding” have ended. You will need to do this one at time.  Periodically check if the keyboard will work properly.

Check the keyboard is properly connected to the computer. If the keyboard has been disconnected, try rebooting the computer.

Recommendation

Your keyboard is one of the dirtiest parts of your computer.  Practice cleaning your computer on a regular basis.  This will help maintain your keyboard.  You can purchase a can of compressed air to blow air in the tiny spaces in between your keys to remove small particles of dust.

If you have tried a number of things and your keyboard is still not working, disconnect the current one and plug in a keyboard that you know is working if one is available.   This may determine if you need to get a new keyboard or if you have a central processing unit (CPU) problem.

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How Do You Know if It’s Hardware or Software That’s Behind a Problem?

When your computer decides to act up, how do you decide if it's a hardware problem or a software problem that's behind it? The tips that follow should help you determine where the cause of your problems lies.

When your computer has slowed down

Computer magazines and knowledgeable people often talk about older computers being slower. If you aren't that familiar with computers, you may misinterpret what they actually mean.

A computer can be slow in two ways. One way is when it takes too much time to complete simple, everyday tasks such as starting up or opening programs. The second way is when it grows obsolete because modern programs make demands that it can't meet. An obsolete computer doesn't exhibit slowness when performing everyday tasks.

Any computer from the last 10 years should be able to start up in one minute and quickly load commonly used programs as long as it runs an OS that it was designed for. If you find that your computer takes much more time than it did before to merely start up or to fire up programs, the problem isn't usually the hardware. You may have malware or some sort of operating system housekeeping problem. Cleaning up the browser cache, defragmenting and running your antivirus program should take care of the problem. You don't need to buy a new computer just because it seems to have slowed down.

If your computer's components are too slow for modern programs, the problem usually appears as a complete inability to work rather than a general slowness. For instance, if you run a Celeron from 2007, you'll find that while browsers do open quickly, they aren't able to play high-definition YouTube videos at all. It is when you see such complete inability to function that you should consider your computer old enough to replace. There's an easy way to tell if your computer's slowness comes from obsolete hardware -- simply go to the Task Manager and check out your CPU graph. If it is at or near 100% most of the time, your computer can no longer keep up.

You have a blue screen problem

In the past, blue screen crashes -- when your computer spontaneously crashed after a brief blue-colored error display -- used to be a Windows problem. They were so common and such a drag on Microsoft's reputation that hundreds of jokes about it circulated the Internet. These days, though, Windows is a stable OS that rarely crashes on its own. If your computer has a frequent blue screen problem, the problem is usually  hardware-related or related to poorly programmed drivers that come with low-quality hardware. You should check either recently added hardware or recently installed drivers. If neither seems to be a problem, you can safely assume that you have failing hardware -- the motherboard, a graphics card or anything else.

If your computer refuses to start

A computer that's completely dead always has a hardware problem - it could be as simple as loose connections within the computer or as complicated as defective hardware. If your computer starts but doesn't go as far as fully booting up, it could either be the hardware or the software. You could try repairing your Windows installation or reinstalling Windows to see if it fixes the problems you experience.

Fixing computer problems can be a trial-and-error process

It can take a great deal of patience to narrow a computer problem down. The easiest way to tell if it's the hardware or the software that's at fault in a particular problem is to reinstall Windows. If the problem persists, you can safely assume that you have a hardware problem.

Hardware problems don't always have to be major ones. If you have a frayed-out or rat-bitten cable going from your graphics cards to your monitor, for instance, it can make your computer spontaneously crash. Narrowing down a computer hardware problem can be painstaking work.

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