The Necessary Software Thread

[jdog]

Name of Software: Paint.NET

Where to Get it: http://www.getpaint.net
Cost: Freeware
Size: 4.8MB
Version: v3.5.1
What is it: Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. Originally intended as a free replacement for the Microsoft Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool. It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP.
Ease of Use: 8
Free Support: Yes (Online)

[jdog]

Name of Software: StaxRip
Where to Get it: http://staxmedia.sourceforge.net/
Cost: Freeware
Size: 20.9MB
Version: 1.1.1.4 beta
What is it: With StaxRip you can easily convert your DVD's, DVB captures and many more formats into MPEG-4 with codecs like x264, XviD and DivX.
Ease of Use: 10
Free Support: Yes (Online guides and how to's)

[jdog]

Name of Software: Microsoft Security Essentials
Where to Get it: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
Cost: Freeware
Size: 8MB
Version: 2.1.1116.0
What is it: Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is an antivirus software created by Microsoft that provides protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and trojans for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, free of charge. MSE replaces Windows Live OneCare, a commercial subscription-based antivirus service and Windows Defender, which only protects users from adware and spyware.
Ease of Use: 10
Free Support: Yes (Online)

[AYHJA]

^ nice one J ^

[jdog]

Yeah, Microsoft really did well on this one. Best free AV program I have ever had. Cake to install, easy to use (single interface) and detected stuff that Avast did not.

[jdog]

Name of Software: VirtualBox
Where to Get it: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Cost: Freeware
Size: 75.6MB
Version: 4.0.0
What is it: VirtualBox is a powerful x86 and AMD64/Intel64 virtualization product for enterprise as well as home use. Not only is VirtualBox an extremely feature rich, high performance product for enterprise customers, it is also the only professional solution that is freely available as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Free Support: http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Documentation

[Skinny Bastard]

Great additions!

[jdog]

Note that Paint.NET has been updated. The interface is a lot better than previous versions.

[Skinny Bastard]

I use it all the time.... great freeware

[AYHJA]

Damn, that looks good...I've gotten used to the GIMP now though...