Mike's Corner

The Top 5 Free Software Downloads on the Internet

This is my list of software, available over the net for download, ranked by value, ease of use and usefulness.

1. Open Office: Open Office is a office suite that replaces the high cost of microsoft office. The functionality and feel is practically the same as microsoft office and it is just as easy to use. This software will open and edit any microsoft office document such as excell, word and power point. On compusa's web site, the price for microsoft standard edition is $399 open office is absolutely free and gives you the same major functionality. Open office can be saved in .doc, .ppt or .xls and can also create .csv files. This software is quite comparable with microsoft office so you can still open and send documents to/from office users.

2. AVG Free Edition: AVG (ANTI VIRUS GUARD) offers a free version of their anti virus software. Any anti virus software is only as good as the latest definitions the company provides. The cost for Norton, outside the initial cost of the software, is the yearly subscription for definition updates. AVG is free to download and offers updated definitions constantly. I love this virus scan software and use it myself. It also comes with an email scanner. This is a great product that can replace an initial cost of $39 and cancel a yearly subscription $40 +.

3. Cute PDF: If you desire to create pdf files from any type of text or graphic editor cute pdf is a great free software that does this. A good number of people purchase Adobe Professional and only use the conversion feature. Cute PDF will do the conversion feature but not the searchable and form fill function. Cute pdf will quickly create a professional looking document and is easy to use. It installs and works like a printer, so any program that has printing capabilities can create a pdf file. This download could possibly save you as much as $299.

4. K9 Web Protection: This is an internet filter that works! If you desire to have full con troll of your PC and block certain sites or certain type of sites, this software does it. It absolutely works and it is absolutely free. Parents have had me install this program to block pornography, violence, and site that contain them. I have used this software to block chat rooms and sites like myspace. You can allow no time access, one time access or allow full access with a button click. Also, when a web page is blocked you hear a dog bark, letting you know if someone tried to access a restricted site. I love this software!

5. Spybot Search and Destroy: This is a great spyware removal tool. Updates are easily and always available as well as protection against known spyware threats. Out of all the spyware suites, fake and real, I find that spybot is the easiest to use. As an added suggestion, update spybot before you run the system scan. After you update, restart your computer in safe mode and then run spybot's scan. This in conjunction with AVG is a great way to keep your computer clean. I have seen webroot's product sell from anywhere between $29 - $59. Spybot will not perform automatic scan and removal, but it will remove any spyware from your computer.