Adobe Reader
www.adobe.com
Windows | MacOS | Linux | Mobile This simplest of Adobe's PDF programs lets you do just about anything PDF-related (besides create new ones), including online collaboration. It includes a host of features to aid users with disabilities.
AIM
www.aim.com
Windows | MacOS | Linux | Web One of the most widely used pieces of free software ever, AOL Instant Messenger offers a ton of capabilities.
Read our full review of AIM 6.5.
Audacity
audacity.sourceforge.net
Windows | MacOS | Linux Whether you're recording or editing, Audacity is all about audio in practically any format.
Firefox
www.mozilla.com
Windows | MacOS | Linux This PC Mag Editors' Choice Web browser has been on top of the heap since version 1.5 came out in late 2005. Read our full review of Firefox 2.0.
GIMP
www.gimp.org
Windows | MacOS | Linux The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) does most of what Photoshop does; the Gimpshop project (plasticbugs.com) even makes it look like Photoshop. Read our full review of The GIMP 2.0.
iTunes
www.apple.com/itunes
Windows | MacOS When you're attached to the top media player in the land (iPod), success is a given. iTunes continues to build sales and refine its organization of songs, video, games, podcasts, and more. Read our full review of Apple iTunes 7.6.
OpenOffice.org
www.openoffice.org
Windows | MacOS | Linux You can spend a lot for Microsoft Office or nothing for this suite with full-function word processor, spreadsheet, database, presentations, even an equations editor. Read our full review of OpenOffice.org 2.3.
Skype
www.skype.com
Windows | MacOS | Linux You'll pay to call regular phones, but if you sign up all your friends, Skype provides easy (and even international) calls and video-conferencing for nothing. Read our full review of Skype 3.0.
Thunderbird
www.mozilla.com/thunderbird
Windows | MacOS | Linux Mozilla's no-cost e-mail alternative is extensible, fast, and easy to master. And a wealth of free add-ons means there's not much this program won't do, from calendars to encryption. Read our full review of Thunderbird 2.
Ubuntu
www.ubuntu.com
Linux This Linux-based OS comes with many of these Hall of Fame products (Firefox, OpenOffice.org) preinstalled.
WinAmp
www.winamp.com
Windows After a decade of playing music, the "skinnable" WinAmp has several versions, including one with full CD ripping and burning.
COMPUTER SEARCH ENGINES
& COMPUTER RELATED SEARCHING
CNET Download.com
http://download.cnet.com/
Jumbo
http://www.jumbo.com/
Directory of freeware and shareware.
Tucows
http://www.tucows.com/
Thousands of software titles reviewed and available for download, including freeware, shareware, utilties, demo and more. Covers all major computing platforms.
KnowledgeStorm
http://www.knowledgestorm.com/
KnowledgeStorm's business-technology specialty search site provides software, service, reseller and hardware information on thousands of IT solutions, along with white papers, webinars and case studies.
Bitpipe
http://www.bitpipe.com/
Lets you search through summaries of reports from the leading IT analysts and IT vendor white papers. See what Forrester, Jupiter, Aberdeen, Giga and other analysts have to say on computing and IT topics.
Compilers.net
http://www.compilers.net/
Directory of resources about compilers.
Secureroot
http://www.secureroot.com/
Search engine with links about computer security, hacking and the Internet underground.
Sourcebank
http://www.devx.com/sourcebank/
Directory of programming resources. Lists Java, C, C++, research papers and online magazine articles.
Palowireless.com Wireless Resource Center
http://www.palowireless.com/
Search engine and directory for wireless professionals. Covers Bluetooth, WAP, i-mode, HomeRF, HiperLAN, IEEE 802.11, SMS, 3G and other wireless technologies.
SPARC Product Directory
http://www.sparcproductdirectory.com/
Guide to SPARC compatible manufacturers, products and resellers
Gamez.com
http://gamez.com/
Directory of computer game sites.
ASP Resource Index
http://www.aspin.com
Directory of sites and information about Active Server Pages.
JSP Resource Index
http://www.jspin.com
Directory of sites and information about JavaServer Pages.
PDASupport.com
http://www.pdasupport.com
Search site for PDA support, software, reviews, magazines, news, articles, a guide, and other items as well. (Feb. 2003)
Research Index
http://www.researchindex.com
Research Index is a search engine focusing on computer science research and articles. It's a wonderful browsing tool for finding articles and research relating to searching the web.
