This will be the last you hear from me in the DNR until 2012 so I thought I would give you some Christmas geek tips and sites to tide you over through the holidays.
First, I figure a few of my readers are getting new computers for Christmas. Yes, from your emails I realize some of you wanted a column about picking new computers. I only do those every couple of years so you will have to wait on that. However, I do have a couple of suggestions on applications you should use on your new computer.
Before you go anywhere online with your new computer MAKE SURE you have an antivirus application working. After your new computer is online go to pcdecrapifier.com to download Decrapifier. Geeks call the free apps that come preinstalled on a new computer "Crapware" since most of it is junk and unnecessary. I will not list them here but there are many. I even suggest removing the free antivirus app that comes preloaded and getting one those you can get for free. Most likely the free antivirus software is free for a short period of time. Then you have to purchase it to keep it going.
Decrapifier scans your system and suggests software you can remove which you most likely do not need. You can choose which ones to get rid of and keep the ones you like. Just follow the directions and you will be fine.
After you remove the programs you may never use it is time to install all of your favorites. You know the apps I am talking about. For example the applications I always want on my computer are Firefox as my browser, Thunderbird for email, Skype, iTunes, VLC, Microsoft Security Essentials and several others. I count these as my personal default applications.
If you go over to the Ninite site at ninite.com you can choose programs you want installed on your computer. Now not all of the programs in the world are on the site, but the major ones you hear about and use are available. If you want one that is not on the site you are out-of-luck this time. However, you can ask for the missing app to be added to the list and it may be there next time you visit. Once your list is complete click the, "Get Installer" link, download it and run it. The applications will automatically be installed on your new computer.
I have run Ninite several times over the past few years and it works very well. However, the last time I ran it; one application could not be installed. So for that one, I had to go to the application’s site and install it there as I did in the "old" days.
OK, I know this is the Christmas column so I cannot leave without giving you the link to Norad so you can follow Santa on his flight later this week. Surf to the Norad Santa Tracker at noradsanta.org and follow the man.
