Mr. Modem's Library | Fundamental Computer Tips, Help with Computer Problems

Click to View Alphabetical Index of Articles
A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-V | W-Z | View All

Favorite Products and Programs

I’m frequently asked what software programs I use. Admittedly, my “favorite” programs change periodically because I test a lot of software throughout the year. In this article, which is destined to become a collector’s item and thus a candidate for lamination, I profile my current favorite programs. These are all programs (and products) I use daily, so if you’re not familiar with any of them, allow me to introduce a few of my closest digital friends:

1. Moon Secure Anti-Virus (Beta)
Purpose: Virus protection. This little-known, free anti-virus program is one that I've found to be excellent. It installs easily, updates daily, and quietly sits in the background, its icon appearing in the System Tray, minding its own business while monitoring your system. If you visit this Web site, be sure to read the FAQ file, as well as other information about Moon Secure (Beta). You can also view screen shots, and download it, if you decide to install it.

You'll see two versions available for download. I'm using the Beta version as opposed to the "stable" version because the stable version isn't being updated anymore. It's an older version that's been out for quite awhile. I've found the Beta version to be very stable.

2. Thunderbird
Purpose: Email. Long-time readers know that for many years, Eudora was my email program of choice. It is still an excellent program, but as is the nature of the technology beast, change is always lurking just around the corner. In December of 2005, I made the switch to Thunderbird. Like anything new, there was a brief period of adjustment, occasional bouts of immobilizing depression, episodic screaming, hair-pulling, and paramedics were called once or twice to minister to my Eudora withdrawals. But things quickly settled down and today, I couldn’t be more pleased with Thunderbird.

This free, full-featured program provides all the tools you’ll need to manage your email efficiently and effectively. Its search feature is unparalleled: Search for any word or phrase in any message, in any mail folder. Mail filters are easy to create on the fly and address-book maintenance is a snap. Best of all, since most email borne viruses and worms target Outlook Express, what better way to get out of the line of fire?

If you plan to use Thunderbird, I’d recommend clicking the Support link located on the Thunderbird Web site. Make a commitment to study the program, learn about its many features, read the FAQ file, peruse the Knowledge Base, and visit the Thunderbird message board. Reading answers to questions posed by other Thunderbird readers is a great way to learn. While you’re visiting the Web site, you might want to stop into the Mozilla Store and purchase a copy of the Firefox & Thunderbird Garage book or a copy of Firefox and Thunderbird: Beyond Browsing and Email by Peter Hipson, available on Amazon.com.

3. Foxit Reader
Purpose: PDF Reader. For years, the Adobe Reader was the standard application to use for viewing PDF documents. It still is used by many individuals, but as the years have passed, it’s become a bit bloated (who among us hasn’t?) and a bit more problematic than it once was. Today, the Adobe Reader weighs in at more than 20MB, where the svelte and nimble Foxit Reader is one-tenth the size, a mere wisp at 2.5MB.

If you’re experiencing any problems with the Adobe Reader or you’re just in the market for a new, slimmer, trimmer PDF reader, download and install the free Foxit Reader. I use it exclusively and don’t even have the Adobe Reader installed on any of my systems anymore.

If you haven’t heard of the Foxit reader, or you would like more information about it, just visit its Web site and give it a try. I think you’ll be impressed.

4. Firefox

Purpose: Web browser. I’m in the process of transitioning from Internet Explorer to Firefox for one main reason: I’m tired of the amount of spyware, adware, pop-ups and other nonsense that target the IE browser. Just as many email-borne viruses and worms target Outlook Express (one reason I use Thunderbird), it’s equally easy to avoid spyware, adware, pop-ups -- at least for the time being -- by not using Internet Explorer.

Mozilla is available as a suite of software (similar to Internet Explorer and Netscape) that includes an email program (Thunderbird) and Web page editor (Composer). My use is limited to the stand-alone browser called Firefox.

Among my favorite features is the Firefox renowned tabbed browsing interface. This lets you open multiple Web pages so you can toggle between them, like flipping through pages of a magazine, rather than going from Web site to Web site with multiple open windows. Perhaps a better analogy is that it’s like watching two or more channels at once or having multiple books open on a table and visually moving between them. Okay, enough with the analogies.

Last, but not least, I like Firefox's stablity: The browser doesn’t crash or freeze up, and it’s almost impossible to pick up spyware while surfing. Since switching to Firefox, though I’m still running SpySweeper as my anti-spyware program, it just doesn’t find anything. When I was using Internet Explorer exclusively, SpySweeper was finding spyware almost daily.

It's unlikely that you'll need help with Firefox, but if you do, it's always close at hand in the form of the F1 key from within Firefox or in the
Support Section of the Firefox Web site.

Bottom line: Mozilla Firefox is small, fast, and free, and that’s a tough combination to beat.

Enjoying this article? Then why not subscribe to Mr. Modem's Weekly Newsletter (www.MrModem.com) today! Computer tips, tricks, virus alerts, hoax information, plus prompt, personal responses to your computer questions!

5. Google Toolbar

Purpose: Features a gaggle of Google goodies. Available for Internet Explorer and Firefox, with the Google toolbar you can launch a Google search from any location and highlight search terms in search results, block pop-ups, receive alerts to protect against phishing and spoofing sites, subscribe to news feeds, use its integrated spell checker, fill out Web forms with one click, and use PageRank to reveal the relative visit-worthiness of any site. While you’re at it, check out Soople, which assembles Google’s advanced search features on one convenient Web page.

6. CCleaner

Purpose: Registry repair and general PC cleaner-upper. The Registry is a database used by Windows to store configuration information. It’s a complex, volatile area that should not be edited without great care and an understanding of how the Registry functions. As you use your computer and as you install and remove programs, the Registry can become muddied with missing and invalid entries, corrupted hardware drivers, or disabled start-up programs. With CCleaner, you can clean and repair Registry problems that are a frequent cause of Windows crashes, freeze-ups, and error messages. Tidying up the Registry can make Windows more stable and even help it run faster.

As part of its Registry cleaning protocol, it will seek out and remove unused and old entries, including file extensions, ActiveX Controls, classIDs, progIDs, uninstallers, shared DLLs, fonts, help files, application paths, icons, invalid shortcuts, small rodents, and more.

In addition to Registry cleaning and repairing (as if that weren’t enough), CCleaner is a system optimization application that removes unused files and cleans up traces of your online activities, thus possibly eliminating or reducing felony convictions, prison, or divorce. Browser cleansing includes Internet history, temporary files, cookies, auto-complete form information, index.dat files, and other potentially incriminating, life-altering data.

CCleaner also addresses third-party programs by removing temporary files and recent file lists from applications including Windows Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many others.

7. Seagate 250GB FreeAgent External Drive

Purpose: For backing up my data. The small drive (7.5 x 1.6 x 6.4) plugs into a USB port, its AC adapter plugs into a power strip and that's all there is to it. No software is required and there are no drivers to download or update. You simply plug the device into a USB port, a message pops up telling you that new hardware has been found, and that's it. The new drive will automatically be assigned a drive letter ("F" in my case), and you simply use it as you would any other drive: Create a Desktop shortcut to it, or access it through My Computer, or use Windows Explorer. Using an external drive in this manner makes backing up a snap. It truly could not be any easier.

Copying or dragging and dropping files and folders -- even huge files -- to the FreeAgent drive occurs with blistering speed. I paid $79 for my 250GB drive at NewEgg.com, with a limited five-year warranty. 320GB and 500GB models are also available.

8. Spyware Doctor

Purpose: Spyware detection and removal. Popular anti-spyware programs include AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and SpySweeper. Having tried them all (and they’re all excellent), my favorite is -- care to guess? That’s right, Spyware Doctor.

This award-winning anti-spyware program was described by PC World as the “Best Anti-spyware Software,” and while I don’t know about “the best,” it certainly is a good one, having been downloaded more than 125 million times -- though not by me. A license is $29.95 per year, but with that license you can install it on three computers and there is a money-back guarantee. At least that’s what it says on the Web site. I’ve never asked for my money back.

The program is automatically configured right out of the box -- or hot off the download -- so there’s really minimal interaction required on the user’s part. Once it’s installed, double-click its icon in the System Tray, and take a few minutes to review each of Spyware Doctor’s primary areas: Status, OnGuard, Tools, Settings. If you click Settings > Scheduled Tasks, you can create a schedule for Spyware Doctor to update and run a system scan. I have mine configured to search and download updates at 1:00 AM and run a full system scan daily at 2:00 AM.

Spyware Doctor's “OnGuard” technology only alerts you when there’s truly something you need to know about, which is a refreshing change from some anti-virus programs that are too needy and keep interrupting with annoying questions every time you install software. Spyware Doctor is unobtrusive and functions quietly in the background, just as a good anti-spyware program should do.

9. StartUp Monitor

Purpose: Warns when programs attempt to be added to the Startup folder. Many programs today insert themselves in your system’s StartUp folder without your knowledge, causing them to launch every time you start your computer. Not only do these programs consume precious memory (RAM), but they can slow down your system’s performance, and in the case of Trojans, spyware and adware, can keep those problematic pests alive long after you think you’ve removed them from your system.

Startup Monitor is sensational in its simplicity. It’s easy to install and is invisible. It doesn’t add any icons to your Desktop or System Tray. Its sole mission in life is to stand guard and notify you when any program attempts to register itself to run at system startup. When one is detected, a small pop-up appears, tells you what’s trying to register itself, and you can then permit it to be added to your system startup or reject it.

Startup Monitor works with all versions of Windows except Windows 95. It’s only 60KB in size, so it’s a tiny one. Startup Monitor is free, though donations are appreciated. Try it out and if you decide to keep it, please send a few dollars to Mike Lin, the author, for his good work. Mike has a lovely assortment of software available on his site that I haven’t had a chance to try out yet, but based on the quality and ease-of-use of Startup Monitor, I’m planning to try them all.

10. Type-it-In

Purpose: Types frequently used words or phrases. This is one of my favorite little utility programs. Once installed, it resides in the System Tray (below the time display). Click to launch it, then right-click to create a series of buttons, each one of which can contain words, phrases or numbers that you type frequently. All information resides on your computer, so it’s safe and secure. Create buttons for your name, address, signature line, and even your credit card number. I use it to type in the first 12 digits of my credit card number, then I manually add the last four myself, just in case my PC is ever stolen or hacked. You can try TypeItIn free for 60 days and it’s $19.95 to register.

11. Open Office

Purpose: MS-Office-like suite. Once referred to as "the poor man's Office," OpenOffice has blossomed into a no-apologies-necessary office suite that rivals Microsoft Office in every area, except price. OpenOffice is free for the download and works with MS Office documents. Try OpenOffice's Writer, Calc, Base, and Impress, and you'll quickly forget about Microsoft's Access, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. And if you're new to OO, don't miss the free
OpenOffice tutorials.

12. Gmail

Purpose: Web-based email. Google’s free Webmail service, each account comes with more than 2GB of storage, spam protection, no pop-ups, plus integrated instant messaging. Find any message instantly by typing in a few keywords. Gmail will automatically display messages in chronological order making it very easy to follow a conversation or “thread.” Messages can be sent and read in more than 40 languages, which has been invaluable for me to stay in touch with my Uncle Kapangpangan in Tagalog.

13. Malwarebytes

Purpose: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is an excellent, free, anti-malware utility that’s relatively speedy, but more importantly, quite comprehensive. A quick scan takes five to ten minutes, depending on the size of the drive. Malwarebytes is designed to be capable of distinguishing between false positives and truly dangerous applications. A deep scan can take 18 to 24 hours. We’re talking really deep.

Malwarebytes supports multiple drive scanning, including networked drives, and context menu options, which includes a scan-on-demand feature for individual files.

The user interface is simple, intuitive and well-organized. Tabs reside just below the oversized logo, with very few options per tab to keep down the clutter and the confusion. Installation is fast and easy.

Realtime protection is restricted to the paid version ($24.95), as is the scheduler for updates and scans. Overall, though, Malwarebytes is an excellent malware remover that does what it should, with a minimum of fuss.

I continue to use Moon Secure (Beta) as my primary anti-virus program, and Spyware Doctor for my anti-spyware protection, but I keep the free version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware on my systems and periodically update and run it as an independent check, just to get a second opinion to confirm that my systems remain squeaky clean.

It’s Your Turn

So those are my favorites. If one or more of them sounds interesting, visit itsWeb site, read about it, and see what you think. Please keep in mind that I am not “tech support” for any of these programs; I’m just a typical user, fumbling and bumbling my way along, relying on each program’s integrated help files or any manual that might be available.

I’m always on the lookout for new programs that actually do what they’re supposed to do, and do what they promise to do, so if you have a favorite program or one that you just can’t live without, please tell me about it! So many programs, so little time…

Happy modeming!

Mr. M.

A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | S-V | W-Z | View All