These are all programs you should have installed on your computer (for anyone and everyone). I suggest you at least read this, as you probably have some of these already.
1. (Free) Virus protection software
This is one thing pretty much everyone should have. What most people don't know is that free virus protection is actually better than the stuff you pay for. Software like Norton or McAfee normally give you more protection than you need (or want), slows your computer down, and can be really annoying when it asks for updates and stuff like that. I would suggest installing AVG Free, Microsoft Security Essentials, or Avast!.
2. A better internet browser
Time to face the truth: Internet Explorer is the worst browser out there. Because it is used by a TON of people, it's the most targeted for virus attacks and, therefore, the most exploited. It also is missing support for a lot of standardized web features and, as such, makes web developers' jobs a nightmare. Plus, other browsers have lots of great features that Internet Explorer doesn't have, a better design, and are faster by far. I suggest either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. (If you're still unsure why you should switch, or which one to choose, take a look at these pages.
(If you, for whatever reason, feel like you must use Internet Explorer, I urge you to at least download the new Internet Explorer 9. While still not the best choice out of all the browsers available, it's much better [and much more web-standards-compliant] than Internet Explorer 7 or 8.)
3. Some sort of office suite
Unfortunately, unlike the other two applications I suggested you download here, this one more than likely costs you money, but, trust me, it's worth it. Almost everyone one (Friends, family, work, school, etc.) uses Microsoft Office, and, if you don't, it's kind of hard to get around. I suggest Home and Student (or Professional, if you'd like Outlook, Publisher, or Access.)
Of course, if you really need to, there are some free alternatives. Google Docs, Open Office, and Microsoft Office Web Apps all offer about the same functionality (which is to say, not much). They all also let you read Office documents. Open Office is downloadable, if you'd like an offline client as well. I honestly would suggest actually buying Microsoft Office, but, if you're really that frugal, these are your best options.
That's all for now. I might add more later.
1. (Free) Virus protection software
This is one thing pretty much everyone should have. What most people don't know is that free virus protection is actually better than the stuff you pay for. Software like Norton or McAfee normally give you more protection than you need (or want), slows your computer down, and can be really annoying when it asks for updates and stuff like that. I would suggest installing AVG Free, Microsoft Security Essentials, or Avast!.
2. A better internet browser
Time to face the truth: Internet Explorer is the worst browser out there. Because it is used by a TON of people, it's the most targeted for virus attacks and, therefore, the most exploited. It also is missing support for a lot of standardized web features and, as such, makes web developers' jobs a nightmare. Plus, other browsers have lots of great features that Internet Explorer doesn't have, a better design, and are faster by far. I suggest either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. (If you're still unsure why you should switch, or which one to choose, take a look at these pages.
(If you, for whatever reason, feel like you must use Internet Explorer, I urge you to at least download the new Internet Explorer 9. While still not the best choice out of all the browsers available, it's much better [and much more web-standards-compliant] than Internet Explorer 7 or 8.)
3. Some sort of office suite
Unfortunately, unlike the other two applications I suggested you download here, this one more than likely costs you money, but, trust me, it's worth it. Almost everyone one (Friends, family, work, school, etc.) uses Microsoft Office, and, if you don't, it's kind of hard to get around. I suggest Home and Student (or Professional, if you'd like Outlook, Publisher, or Access.)
Of course, if you really need to, there are some free alternatives. Google Docs, Open Office, and Microsoft Office Web Apps all offer about the same functionality (which is to say, not much). They all also let you read Office documents. Open Office is downloadable, if you'd like an offline client as well. I honestly would suggest actually buying Microsoft Office, but, if you're really that frugal, these are your best options.
That's all for now. I might add more later.
