By Peter Butler
(9/22/06)
Even in a day and age when hard drives are cheap and RAM is plentiful, there's no excuse for bloatware. For software with basic functionality, I want a quick download, easy installation, and a small memory footprint. In that spirit, I've collected 10 of my favorite programs in the CNET Download.com library with installer files under 1MB. No plug-ins, extensions, or add-ons were considered, nor did I allow stub installers that connect to the Internet for downloading a separate, larger installer. These are all standalone applications that do one thing and do it well, without taxing your system. What's even better is that they're all free!
IrfanView
Created by developer Irfan Skiljan, this simple, fast, and customizable image viewer with some image-editing options has caught on with the CNET Download.com audience in a big way, recently making its way back into the top 10 most popular programs.
HijackThis
Whenever none of the other adware- and spyware-detection programs can help, I always turn to this tiny app that quickly scans all relevant areas of your machine for trouble. It's best suited for advanced users, but several online communities are devoted to helping beginners with scan results.
7-Zip
You've heard of WinZip and WinRAR, but you'll be surprised at the power of this freeware archiving utility. Despite a rather inelegant interface, it handles all the usual formats plus its own 7Z format that boasts an impressive compression ratio.
DeepRipper
Sometimes you just want to rip a CD, not organize your entire music collection. This simple freeware app lets you convert your discs to MP3, OGG, or WAV format digital files. The publishers also offer a very good free burning application.
Seterra
Can you find Dakar on a map? With 70 exercises for learning about world geography, this educational app will help you find your way about the globe. Quizzes are offered in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Swedish.
Tweak UI
Sure, it's from Microsoft, but that doesn't automatically make it bloated. Only for experienced Windows users, this suite of tools from the Redmond developers will let you customize nearly every aspect of the Windows interface. You can even change the name of the Recycle Bin!
Roger Wilco
One of the pioneers in the online voice-messaging revolution, this groundbreaking app lets you talk to your buddies while you're playing games. Just don't get upset when your friends start their incessant verbal taunting. It's inevitable.
Pawn
What kind of chess engine can someone pack into a 614K download? Thomas Starke has included a mighty good one in his tiny game. You won't find many bells and whistles, but you will get a customizable chess game that's perfect for beginning players.
ePrompter
How many e-mail accounts do you have? For those of us bouncing around Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, and our usual POP mail, this useful little app puts all your messages into one spot. The design is garish but compact.
GraphCalc
Sometimes the Windows calculator in your Accessories panel isn't enough. Sometimes you just need the cube root of 234.5 or a graph of x2 + sin(x3). This excellent freeware app covers all your mathematical needs, from simple arithmetic to complicated calculus.
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