I recently got a new computer.

*Windows Vista home basic
*1GB of RAM
*1.60GHz
Some other stuff way better than my old computer

However, I feel the need to download a plethora of software for no reason other than to take up disk space. So what should I get?

Things I DON'T need:
Antivirus
Antispyware/adware
Anti-phishing
IM software

Things I DO need:
Everything else not really. Stuff like a better word processor than OpenOffice (if there is any).

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_instal...hl=en&gl=us

The google pack is alright, should cover some of the basics, adobe reader. However the software you need should really be relivant to what you need your computer to do.

i do suggest you look at vista tweaks, perhaps a 3rd party disk defragment if your concerned. nothing major really. open office is the best legal free office package out there really.

Meh, for a minute there I thought you didn't have ANY protection on your PC, but then I realized you already do

I would first suggest downloading Mozilla Firefox as an alternative to IE. With the No script plugin It is arguably the safest browser on the web.

I would then suggest viewing this site for alternatives for Microsoft Word:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XP...are.html#Office

Although the guide is intended for Windows XP, I'm sure many of the software listed will apply to what you need and work on Vista. Just check all the requirements.

Linux


Thread over

@djpailo
FF is definitely good stuff, but I like Opera better.

@Fumetsu Neko
Okay, I guess Linux is something. I have my computer on Dual-Boot with XP and Ubuntu Feisty Fawn.

Software that I would recommend:
Audacity-if you like audio editing and open source
PaperlessPrinter-for printing files into other formats
CCleaner-for cleaning out the bad stuff in your computer
OOo-pretty much the best free office suite out there, if you don't like you'll have to go with MS Office
The GIMP-great open source Photoshop alt
Google Earth-great thing to just have
WhatPulse-a cool but useless app, I think there is or was a Sal's team
NetZero or Juno-they both offer 10 free hours of ad-supported dial up, good for if your main internet ever goes down

There.

paint.NET is also a good, free image/photo editing software. Very useful that it is pretty much a free Photoshop.

Command Prompt.
It's great for when your feeling...a little MS-DOS-y.