[ Useful Information for PC newbies ] aka My first real contribution
 

Hi there. This is my real first contirbution to the tfp and i hope it answers questions that many PC newbies have.

Antivirus Software
It is essential to have antivirus software. You can get viruses and trojan horses (hidden programs that gives almost god-like power to a remote user over the internet) from e-mail, instand messengers, and from downloads. Therefore, the installation and proper use of an antivirus software is a necessity. ALWAYS remember to keep antivirus software updated.

There are lots of antivirus program out there, even free ones like AVG.

There are also online scanners, for example Mcafee's

Steal, trick, lie to get a virus scanner. It is a nesscecity, not another layer of protaction.

Internet Browsers
You may be reading this with Internet Explorer, maybe even Netscape. There are a lot of internet browsers on the internet that you can choose from. MS's Monopoly means that IE is the default browser for most people. However, should you like a possibly smoother or faster, bug-free experience, there are a few other options.

Mozilla - this one recieved lots of praises for its size and speed. It is a no-frills, vanilla browser with your choice of additional toppings.

Netscape - well, it's another option; but i'd go with IE anytime.

Opera - similar to mozilla (i think) i personally have no experience with this..

Instant Messengers
Lots of way for you to communicate with your friends and family.

ICQ - the world's most popular instand messenger. It literally started instant messenging.

MSN Messenger - My favourite, its reliable and has a nice clean user interface unlike the cluttered ICQ.

AOL Instand Messenger - I do not live in any area with AOL, so i dont have any experience with this

Yahoo! Messenger - a messenger by yahoo, similar to MSN.

giam - software that handles ICQ, MIRC, MSN messenger, yahoo, etc. Useful for hardcore users (credit goes to Latch - thanks!)

Trillian - similar to Giam, suggested by Pragma



File Sharing Programs
P2P file sharing networks are all the rage now. Using these, you can download files from people all over the world.

Kazaa Lite K+ - one of the more popular ones, modified version of kazaa which works the same but with lots more features and NO spyware/adware! thanks to sixate.

Edonkey - another one, same advice- spyware.

BitTorrent - new thing; you click on small files, DL them, and bittorrent starts pieceing them from users all over the net. For sites with these small "bits", try http://www.btsites.tk/ or Supernova.org



Spy/Ad ware
a hidden software program that transmits your user information via the Internet to advertisers. Bad thing.

LAvasoft's AD-Aware - one and best choice for ad/spy ware removal.




That's all for now; i'd try and add more stuff if time permits. And i hope this posed some help to you guys.

I'd put down Trillian as another entry in the IM Program list - as it handles AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, and IRC all in one.

Also, you don't need AOL to use AIM, so you might as well link to it. Another browser you may want to put down is AvantBrowser. It uses IE's rendering engine, looks and acts almost identical to IE, but supports Pop-Up Blocking (no 3rd party apps), tabbed browsing, etc.). It's quite nice.

What are the differnt file sharing programs advantages? I already got kazaa so what advantages would having bittorrent and edonkey be? Also what do you mean about try supernova.org is that another program that bittorrant requires? Does bottorrant have any spyware

Don't use the regular old Kazaa. It sucks donkey nuts!

Get Kazaa Lite K++.

• No spyware, adware, pop-ups, or banner ads. (Yeah!)
• No bitrate limits for MP3 files. (Cool!)
• Multisource downloads have a maximum of 40 simultaneous sources. (Daddy like!)
• Finds sources for a download once every minute instead of every 10 minutes. (Oh yeah!)
• Uploaders can't cut in line anymore regardless of their participation level. This improves the number of completed uploads and takes away the advantage that cheaters have. (Ha!)
• Shared files are scanned every five minutes instead of every minute to save system resources.

I'd like to add gaim (http://gaim.sf.net/) to the list of IM programs. It's like Trillian, but doesn't cost anything and is less clunky (in my opinion). It also supports many IM networks at once. It comes for Windows and Linux.. it's just great hehe.

KaZaa Lite K++ (not KaZaa) is a requirement.

Bittorrant doesn't have any spyware, although the GUI it uses may (highly doubt it though). Not sure what EDonkey has. I don't think having bittorrent and edonkey when you already have KaZaa gives you any more advantages, although I could be wrong. I know BitTorrent is used (among other things) between tapers to share concerts that they've recorded. That kind of specific stuff may apply to you in you want to be part of it.

ironx, well done on the summary!

edit: I kan't spel

How do you install bit torrent, it seems I have to shut down my firewall to download the GUI but I not going to shut it down now, not with all this happening

Hi all.

Hanabal: well, you could try disconnecting your internet connection if you're paranoid (especially with the blaster worm virus rampagin'). If you're on cable, simply off your cable modem. Proceed to download bittorrent. Be sure to check out soon as i'd be adding some mroe links for bittorrent sites..

Blu2e: Well, it's possible that avaliability and connectivity an issue, and having multiple file sharing software means an alternate means of looking for that elusive mp3 of yours.

Thanks for all comments every1; i'd add the links you guys suggsted :)

spybot is a better spyware removing software....adaware sold out.

Is eMule the same as what Kazza Lite K++ is to Kazaa but to edonkey 2000

Does it not have any spyware, or is it that I am being mislead?

NEVER install eDonkey!

<font size=3><b>stroke-it</b></font> is proportionally the best program i have ever come across

http://www.tcbmi.com/strokeit/

it's free too

pm me if you need tips on figuring it out.