Lets do it in Software.

[sniperfang]

Just bought a spanking new notebook - 2 GHz 64-bit processor, 1 GB of DDR-2 RAM, 60 GB Hard disk, DVD dual layer writer, 15.4" widescreen, Wireless (802.11 b/g), Firewire, USB 2.0.

Now here’s where the teeming millions jump in with their 2¢ and tell me what to load it up with. Seeings as how I is a control-freak, Ive divvied software up into categories for easy referencing, and listed the obvious choices to get things started.

1. Operating System

• Windows XP Pro (Vista 64-bit when it’s released as the secondary OS)

2. Internet and Internet Security

• Firefox
• Thunderbird
• Adaware
• Spybot S&D
• Zone Alarm

3. Media and Entertainment

• iTunes (Ive got a 30 gig iPod Photo )
• Winamp 5.0 (with the iPod hack)
• DivX and Xvid players and codecs

4. Productivity (yeah. sure.)

• MS Office
• Ahead Nero
  Oh, yeah - I’ll probably get a Linksys or NetGear wireless router at home and surf wirelessly. I’m pretty new to this, though, so any suggestions y’all can make will be tres welcome.

[crowmanyclouds]

2. Internet and Internet Security

[

a-squared Free
Trojans, Dialers, Worms and Spyware (Adware)

](http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/)
[

Ad-Aware SE Personal
Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components

](http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)
[

ewido anti-malware
Hijackers and Spyware, Worms, Dialers, Trojans, and Keyloggers

](http://www.ewido.net/en/)
[

SpywareBlaster
Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software.
Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
Restrict the actions of potentially unwanted sites in Internet Explorer.

](http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html)
[

WinPatrol
Spyware. ADware.
Viral infections. IE Add-Ons. Detect & Restore File Type Changes. Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies. Avoid Start Page Hijacking. Detect changes to HOSTS & critical system files. Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!

](http://www.winpatrol.com/)
BitDefender
avast
AVG
Ok, this sounds like over kill, but it’s not, I ran them all this week and each program found something!
This IMHO is one of the biggest security problems ya face, anti-virus progs don’t find the Trojans, anti-trojans don’t kill viruses!
I only have three running at all times (WinPatrol, AVG, and Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware) the rest I try to run every week or so.
WinPatrol is a must have, it prevents progs from adding themselves to your start-up without your permission, helps keep viruses from adding registry keys to auto-start them, and lets you kill annoyances like RealPlayer’s auto-start.

One extra
IrfanViewreally pic/video/audio viewer.

BTW Everything I linked to is freeware!

[don_t_ask]

Another yes for AVG - I started using it when my Norton’s licence expired and it is just as good…and free.

The best adware program I have found is the free Microsoft Beta by a long, long way. I have 3 others but don’t bother with them any more.

[sniperfang]

@crowmanyclouds

2. Internet and Internet Security
   
   [URL=http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/]
   
   [URL=http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html]
   
   [URL=http://www.bitdefender.com/]BitDefender
   avast
   AVG
   Ok, this sounds like over kill, but it’s not, I ran them all this week and each program found something!
   This IMHO is one of the biggest security problems ya face, anti-virus progs don’t find the Trojans, anti-trojans don’t kill viruses!
   I only have three running at all times (WinPatrol, AVG, and Microsoft’s Anti-Spyware) the rest I try to run every week or so.
   WinPatrol is a must have, it prevents progs from adding themselves to your start-up without your permission, helps keep viruses from adding registry keys to auto-start them, and lets you kill annoyances like RealPlayer’s auto-start.

One extra
IrfanViewreally pic/video/audio viewer.
BTW Everything I linked to is freeware!

Most excellent list. I cant believe I forgot to mention IrfanView. Ive been using it for years, its the best damn viewer around.

[samclem]

OP wants opinions, so let’s go to IMHO.

samclem GQ moderator

[bouv]

If you do any instant messaging at all, get gaim.

It does AIM, MSIM, YahooIM, IRC, and several others.

If you want to do some photo editing, but don’t feel like you need something as fancy as Adobe Photoshop, get Gimp.

Not as much functionality as Photoshop, but 100% free.

[LiveOnAPlane]

I can’t add anything to that list above. I would ask one question: Do you forsee the need to text-edit huge files?

If so, I’d think about adding something that would allow you to do this. I have no specific recommendations, there are several out there that do a really good job at this. The only reason I’m not recommending a specific one is that I only need to do this occasionally, and just don’t have enough experience with them to recommend a specific one. But do think about it.