Even if you've purchased your computer primarily for work-related reasons, you'll probably still want a few programs that are a bit more, well, fun. We could fill many pages suggesting games and screensavers, but we've chosen to keep the focus on the first few bases you'll want to cover by recommending essential media and communication tools. After you've outfitted your machine with these five applications, take some time to browse all the Download.com listings; you'll find so many entertaining programs, you may never be productive again.
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FastStone Image Viewer Programs such as Photoshop offer a full-fledged workshop for editing and creating images, but they're too powerful, complicated, and expensive for casual photographers. True to its name, this intuitive program does indeed let you view your pics, but it also does much more. For starters, it can convert and rename images in batches--a handy, timesaving feature. It also provides a decent set of basic editing tools, including those for cropping, rotating, removing red-eye, and adjusting brightness, color, and contrast. FastStone Image Viewer can even display your photos as a slide show, complete with your favorite songs. There's a lot to like here, and nothing to pay.  Free |
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iTunes Just because Windows Media Player came installed on your PC doesn't mean you should skip Apple's much-loved jukebox. This looker lives up to all the hype, with an exquisite design and a laundry list of features, including multiple EQ presets, visualizations, and CD ripping. iTunes also is a necessity if you plan to patronize Apple's megapopular online music store. If you've never used the program, you might want to take a look at Download.com's iTunes Advanced feature, which provides basic tips along with advice for more seasoned folks. Free |
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Nero 7 Ultra Edition Nero is one of the best-known names in disc-burning software, and once you take a look at this comprehensive suite of tools, you'll know why. Nero 6 Ultra Edition goes far beyond the standard CD- and-DVD-burning formula, packing in features such as the ability to watch and record TV, a cover-creation utility, audio-mixing and audio-editing tools, and a file converter. At $80, Nero Ultra is the most expensive of our 20 essential programs, but we think you'll agree it's a fine investment. $79.99 |
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Skype E-mail and instant messages are certainly efficient communication tools, but some complain they lack the personal touch of traditional mediums such as the telephone. Skype combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to place free PC-to-PC voice calls around the world via VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology. Of course, to use the service you'll have to plunk down a few bucks for a microphone, and any call recipients will need to install Skype, too. Also, you'll need to sign up for a paid service if you intend to call a landline or cellular phones. VoIP may not have reached critical mass yet, but this is one technology that's on the way up. Free |
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Trillian Anyone who's into instant messaging--and that would cover a large portion of the industrialized world--knows that having a bunch of chat clients running simultaneously can take a toll on system performance. The beauty of Trillian is it lets you talk to your Yahoo, AIM, MSN, and ICQ buddies in one interface. If you already have a username and a buddy list on one of those services, the program can quickly import that data. If you've never had an IM account, Trillian can help you set one up with very little hassle. Stop fooling with multiple windows, usernames, and passwords; Trillian embodies the spirit of one-stop shopping. Free |
