Since the last topic "Things to use" are gone, due to the incident that occurred long ago, I've taken the liberty of restarting this topic.

Keep in mind that I don't know every program that is out there, so if you know any programs that may help anyone in terms of, but not limited to, multi-media (including Movies, Painting, Music, etc), maintenance (such as virus protectors, and information retrievers), documentation (Open Office), etc, feel free to post it, and if it is appropriate (as in, nothing vulgar, doesn't involve computer risk (such as viruses), and helpful in some way), I will place it in the first topic; recommendations for the topic is also welcome. I'm not Einstein either, so if I make a mistake in anything on this topic, or forgot to add something (such as which OS it uses), feel free to correct me (thou, I prefer if it is corrected in form of a PM).

Update: You should also note that myself, and the staff of the Fallout Shelter do not advocate any form of piracy, and will not assume any responsibility if that is to happen, so old gaming emulators are not included on this list.

It can be said that this topic serves as a glossary of programs to enhance your PC usage experience.


-Computer Protection (i.e: Software that helps your PC instead of destroying it)

CPU-Z
A free, installation-free software that collects and displays information on some of the main devices of your computer. As mentioned in the "Read" topic by Korvaz, and by my experience, it is best to use this software for whenever you have a PC related problem, and you got some data to show us so PC experts here may aid you in repairing your PC, whatever the hell is wrong with it. Simply: Help us (Download and use this), help you (distribute data to us in your topic in this sub-forum).
~Supports All versions of Windows?*

System Requirements Lab`
Thinking about buying yourself a new PC game, but unsure if it'll work with your PC, or you're not much of a tech guy? Then System Requirements Lab will be your greatest friend when it comes to finding the correct hard-ware and soft-ware needed to run your game, in minimum and required settings.

Spybot - Search & Destroy.
A free, and most trustworthy spy-ware protection program. Also protects against ad-ware, hi-jackers, and other malicious software.
~Supports All versions of Windows, Mac OS-X, and Linux/Unix

Lavasoft Ad-Aware**
Another virus protection software that I trust.
~Supports All versions of Windows.*

Cocktail
Cocktail is an award winning general purpose utility for Mac OS X. It is a smooth and powerful digital toolset with a variety of practical features that simplifies the use of advanced UNIX functions and helps hundreds of thousands of Mac users around the world to get the most out of their computers.
~Supports Mac OS-X.


-Entertainment (Basically: laugh, cry, get angry, whatever set's the mood)

JoyToKey (Download Page, look for JoytoKey to download)
If you have a Game pad for your PC, but your game doesn't support it, or you wish to do something that a regular game pad couldn't, you can use this to fool your PC to think you're using a Keyboard and mouse, but you're really using a Game pad.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista.

iTunes
An online service offered by Apple, where you can view and purchase music tracks, television episodes, movies, ring-tones, etc. Basically X-Box Live Market-place and Playstation Market-place for a computer, and on steroids.
~Supports Windows XP and Vista, and Mac OS-X

Adobe Flash Player
If for whatever reason you cannot view anything that is in .swf format (or can't watch a damn thing on Newgrounds or Youtube), you'll need this.
~Supports pretty much any OS*

VLC Media Player
A cross-platform, multimedia player that can play nearly any music and audio file you throw at it.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

WinAMP**
A customizable, apparently complex media player that too can play almost anything you show it to.
~Supports Windows 98-Vista.*

WHAMB
The name may be amusing, but it is just as enjoyable since it can play MP3s, CDs, and Ogg Vorbis along with Internet Streams.
~Supports Mac OS-X.

Audio Overload
Audio Overload emulates the sound hardware of vintage consoles and computers, allowing you to listen to completely authentic renditions of classic video game tunes.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux

DOSBox
Got something that can only work with DOS? Are you busting your butt, trying to get Duke Nukem 3D or all those other old programs lying in your archive storage (like P&C adventure games, Wolfenstien 3D, etc), look no further than this DOS Emulator.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

Real Alternative
Believe that Real Player is too much for your PC? Get Real Alternative instead, without all the bullshit!
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista.

QuickTime Alternative
Don't want to install QuickTime AND iTunes on your PC? Get QuickTime Alternative instead, without all that junk!
~Supports Windows XP-Vista.


-Multimedia (i.e: Editing software, documenting, resources, etc)

Audacity.
Free audio editing and recording.
~Supports Most versions of Windows, Mac OS-X, and Linux

Windows Movie Maker
A Free movie making and editing software released by Microsoft. New to the movie making genre? This program is a good way to get started. However, this is no where as advanced as Adobe Premiere Pro.
~Supports Windows XP and Vista.

Paint.NET
A Free image and photo editing software that works similar to Adobe Photoshop. Originally suppose to be a replacement for the very simple yet non-complex Windows program: Paint.
~Supports Windows XP and Vista?.

FRAPS*
An excellent real-time Video and Audio capture software, which is great to use for making video tutorials or PC Game-play footage. Works with Direct X and OpenGL graphics.
~Supports Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.*

CamStudio
A Free alternative to FRAPS. Not as effective as far as I can tell, but great enough to allow you to make video tutorials.
~Supports Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.*

GIMP
An image manipulation program. Works similar to Adobe Photo Shop.
~Supports Windows XP and Vista. Linux i386 and PPC. Mac OS-X. Sun-OpenSolaris. FreeBSD.

OpenOffice
A free equivalent to Microsoft Office Word.
~Supports Windows 98-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

AbiWord
A free to use, multi-platform word processor that holds benefits that Microsoft Word doesn't hold.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

Photo Bucket`
A Free, and reliable Image hosting service.
~Supports anything

Image Shack`
Don't feel like registering? You don't have much images to share anyway? Image Shack can be used to upload your image, and distribute anywhere you want.
~Supports anything

PutFile`
Upload your video of almost any format, your Flash files, and even most music files for others to watch. Just like PhotoBucket.
~Supports anything

YouTube to MP3 Converter
If Sound Recorder won't cut it for sound capturing from anything on the web, or for this case: Youtube, then use this program. Just install, enter the link, set the location to download, ???, PROFIT!
~Supports Windows XP*

RPG Maker Resources**
Ever wanted to create an RPG, or want to program your own game? Well this website contains all the information and files you need to get started. Here's a short run down on each game.
-RPGM2K is free to use, and the quality is similar to the old SNES final fantasy games. It's not too hard, but it is a bit limited. You'll need a run-time package (RTP) to get yourself started, or to play any game made using this system. 1.0 is just fine, but 1.32 (composed by various of users) gives you more graphical options.
-RPGM2K3 is also free to use. Though I wouldn't consider this more user-friendly, but it is very helpful, and does provide more options, and features a battle system similar to what you've seen in the Final Fantasy Games (4-9).
-RPGMXP is the official english port (which means you'll have to purchase it), but includes the ability to add your own programing, and provides more options and is more user-friendly, and supports more files. It's barely limiting you.
-RPGMVX is another official english port, though I don't know too much about it. It seems more better. Maybe someday I'll try it out. Like RPGM2K, it has it's own RTP as well.
-Game Maker 7...I don't know much about it, but it seems worth checking out.
~Supports Windows 95-XP*


-File Sharing (Self-explanatory)

Bittorrent
The first, and basic torrent program.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista.*

Tomato Torrent
Exactly like Bittorrent, but it's usable for Mac users =).
~Supports Mac OS-X.

uTorrent
An easy to use BitTorrent client that can be installed and used within seconds.
~Supports Most versions of Windows. Linux.

Cabos
Cabos is Gnutella file sharing program based on LimeWire and Acquisition. It provides simple sidebar user interface, firewall to firewall transfers, proxy transfers, Universal Plug and Play, iTunes + iPod integration, "What's New?" searches, international searches, and more.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

Transmission
If uTorrent is easy for Windows, then Transmission is what Mac users need.
~Supports Mac OS-X.

RapidShare**`
It's not a Torrent Client, but if there is something you must give to your friends on the net, and Torrent isn't going to help you? Perhaps this File uploading service can help out. Think of it as Image Shack or Photo Bucket, only for movies, flash, games, etc.
~Supports anything.


-Web Browsers (Tired of old and boring Internet Explorer?)

FireFox
A unique and the second most popular web browser, FireFox is easy to use, and you can customize your web browsing experience with Add-Ons.
~Supports Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Also Mac OS-X, and Linux.

Opera
Love the Web browser on the Wii? Why not get it for the PC? Web browsing experience simplified.
~Supports Windows XP and Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

Netscape
The browser you've most likely have seen at your public libraries. Has few features, but it's a good start to trying something different.
~Supports Most versions of Windows, Mac OS-X, and Linux.


-Communication (Say Hi to eachother :3)

Adium
An instant messaging software. It can work with multiple, currently existing IMs, such as AIM, MSNIM, YIM, etc.
~Supports Mac OS-X.

Pidgin
Like Adium, you can use accounts from multiple IMs, including AIM, Yahoo, MyspaceIM, etc.
~Supports Windows and Linux.

American Online Instant Messenger
The most popular instant messaging software available. It's also the most common =P.
~Supports Windows 95-Vista.*

MSN Web Messenger
Basically the same as AIM, only hosted by Microsoft.
~Supports most versions of Windows.

Yahoo! Messenger
Same as above, only Yahoo host it.
~Supports Most versions of Windows, Mac OS-X, and Linux.


-Gaming Enhancements/Services.

If you are looking for game mods, you should look at Mod Database

xFire
A great online community service where you can chat with other players via IMs or Voice Chat (similar to Team Speak). You can also be informed of what games your friends are playing, or what they have, and xFire can find the latest updates for the games you have, saving you the trouble of looking all over the net. Community wise, it works similar to X-Box Live. A gamers best friend.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista.*

Steam
An online gaming service, provided by Valve. You'll need this in order to run Valve's latest software (including Half-Life 2 and the Orange Box). This also acts as a gaming market place, where you can purchase and download full games online, instead of searching at your game store for the game. Basically iTunes for gaming, Playstation Network, or a free version of X-Box Live.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista.

zDoom
If you recently picked up Doom: Collectors Edition, or still have your own registered copies laying around, and feel inclined due to todays FPSes, zDoom attempts to combine the common elements in the modern FPS game and bring it to the Classic Doom games. The only most notable differences are controls. Hexen 1&2, and Heretic can work on this as well.
~Supports Windows 98-Vista, and Linux.

zDaemon
Basically zDoom, with online support for Deathmatch and CTF game modes, along with unranked Coop games. Be prepared to download custom maps, because there are plenty.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, and Linux.

WON2
Enjoy the older version of Counter Strike, but don't really like Steam very much? WON2 is a good alternative for Online Service. Refer to the FAQ page to learn how to use it.
~Supports Windows 98-Vista.*

_____________________________________________________________________
*(Software) This program may have a free trail, but isn't free in general.
**(Software) There are Free and Premium versions of this software.
`(Software) This program works on browser, and isn't downloadable.
*(Supported OS) I may not be exactly sure what Operating Systems it supports.

Free Editing Program

Paint.NET
Paint.NET is free image and photo editing software for computers that run Windows. It features an intuitive and innovative user interface with support for layers, unlimited undo, special effects, and a wide variety of useful and powerful tools. An active and growing online community provides friendly help, tutorials, and plugins.
It started development as an undergraduate college senior design project mentored by Microsoft, and is currently being maintained by some of the alumni that originally worked on it. Originally intended as a free replacement for the Microsoft Paint software that comes with Windows, it has grown into a powerful yet simple image and photo editor tool. It has been compared to other digital photo editing software packages such as Adobe® Photoshop®, Corel® Paint Shop Pro®, Microsoft Photo Editor, and The GIMP.
The programming language used to create Paint.NET is C#, with a small amount of C++ for installation and shell-integration related functionality. The source code is available under the terms of the MIT License.

This is a really good program, and I use it for filler comics and such. Until I can figure out how to do .gif's on it, however, I'm stuck with the actual Photosop program for now.
I would rate this, compared to the others, a 8/10.

Great find nyrin II. I've been looking for a great alternative for a while. =3

Thanks Halo, I'll see if I can find other little thing here and there to put here.

That'll be good.

I will include as much programs as I can, for anyones confidence; those I know about at least. I encourage anyone to share any program they know of that may help anyone here. As I mention before, in case I made any errors, and I may have did, send me a PM, and I'll correct them.

GIMP

Another free alternative to Photoshop. It's not fantastic, but if you want something that can do layers, and other things you can't do in Paint but you can do in Photoshop, it'll do.

There was this one program where you can extract audio from any video on YouTube. What was that program called?

I can't think of the program you're talking about, but I know a site that does that and also allows you to download a video off of youtube.

http://vixy.net/

Hey, since we're talking about Torrents, mind if I throw in a few Emulators to the mix?

By emulators, you mean gaming emulators?

Why, Yes, yes I do. I've got some good ones right now. Just wondering if I can share.

So... yeah, don't think you can.

Hmm, Gotcha. I wont post them then.

Keep contributing. don't spam it, or Asses will be LARTed.

I did as much as I can remember. I've added a few more software programs and simplified the categories a bit. Lets get this out of the way right now: No emulators will be included. Even if you may own the system or game itself, we will not put any up.

Keep contributing, people. The more, the mirier.

I should probably mention VLC media player. Plays just about every audio/video file, and it's fun to screw around with sometimes.

And Winamp too, though I never really cared for it. Here it is anyway.

I completely forgot about those. Thanks for the find, Wolf.

Audio:
Whamb
Yes, that's the actually name. This handy Audio player works like most modern players. It can play MP3's CD's, and even Internet streams. More ifo at the above site.

For Mac's only

Audio OverLoad
Audio Overload emulates the sound hardware of vintage consoles and computers, allowing you to listen to completely authentic renditions of classic video game tunes.


For Mac, Linux, and Windows/Vista

Instant Messaging:
Adium
Adium is an instand messaging program that runs for the Mac. It can connect to almost all Instant Messaging types, such as MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, YIM, and much more!

For Mac's Only


Word Processor:
AbiWord
AbiWord is a great word processor for all your needs. It also has many benefits that Microsoft word doesn't.

For All OS's.


Torrents and File Sharing:
Cabos
Cabos is Gnutella file sharing program based on LimeWire and Acquisition. It is free software. No spyware. No adware. Guaranteed.

Cabos provides simple sidebar user interface, firewall to firewall transfers, proxy transfers, Universal Plug and Play, iTunes + iPod integration, "What's New?" searches, international searches, and more.

For Windows 2000 or later. Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later. Mac OS 8.6 or later.

Tomato Torrent
Tomato Torrent is exactly like Bit Torrent, except that it's for the Mac instead!

For Mac's Only.


Maintain your System
CockTail
Cocktail is an award winning general purpose utility for Mac OS X. It is a smooth and powerful digital toolset with a variety of practical features that simplifies the use of advanced UNIX functions and helps hundreds of thousands of Mac users around the world to get the most out of their computers.

The application serves up a scrumptious mix of maintenance tools and interface tweaks, all accessible via a comprehensive graphical interface. Most of Cocktail's major features are arranged in five basic categories. In addition, a Pilot lets you clean, repair and optimize your system with one click of the button.

Mac's only.



Okay, I think I'm done. Trust me, good programs, I've tested a few myself.

Transmission: The best when it comes to torrent programs for the Mac.

All added. Please forgive me if it seems like I've ripped your descriptions off. I've also added a few more programs on here. I just remembered, it's Christmas Eve =D.

System Requirements Lab

While it's not an actual program, and I'm sure some people have heard about it, I think it should be posted just in case. With System Requirements Lab you can select any PC game released in the last decade or so, and your computer will be scanned to see if your computer will be able to run the game. And if it can, it'll tell you how well it can run. It'll also tell you how well your RAM, video card, CPU, and other things are for the game.

I think this is very useful, especially for people who aren't exactly tech savy but still want some PC games for their computer.

Useful it is, Wolf, thanks.

Oh, and I'm suffering from PC problems. I've made a topic earlier today, so if anyone can help me with at least one of my problems, that will be great, thank you.

Here's one I've found.

DOSBox
Got something that can only work with DOS? Are you busting your butt, trying to get Duke Nukem 3D or all the old Point-&-Click adventure games, or any game or program in general, working on your brand new PC? Look no further than this DOS emulator.
~Supports Windows 2000-Vista, Mac OS-X, and Linux.

RapidShare
It's not a Torrent Client, but if there is something you must give to your friends on the net, and Torrent isn't going to help you? Perhaps this File uploading service can help out. Think of it as Image Shack, only for movies and clips.
~Supports anything.


I've also threw in some IM programs on there, and added a new category called "Gaming Enhancements/Services". Don't worry, it ain't going to include the Add-ons, such as Half-Life 2: Substance, but more of something to give you a different feel of playing, such as zDoom. If you're really looking for a full list of mods, you can find them at Mod Database.

Xfire
With this program, you can add and talk to friends, but also included with the chat application is the in-game chat. With a quick button combination you can have your chat window pop up without having to alt-tab out of your game just to talk to your friend. It also allows you to join and add servers to your favorites for any online game. You can just click on a server without the game even on, and you'll be joining in no time.

Been a while, hasn't it?

You'd expect much from a long trip of no replies, but unfortunately, only PutFile and YouTube to MP3 converter came to thought.

Both have been added under the Multimedia section of the front page.

Pidgin

All the Messenger Clients in one, without all the shit.

Gee, over a month, and I already got a couple of updates.

You'll find QuickTime Alternative, Real Alternative, and a link to all the RPG Makers EVER MADE for the PC on the Entertainment and Multimedia lists.