- a superb freeware file viewer.  Great for looking at, and enhancing, digital photographs.

OpenOffice.org - a real alternative to Microsoft Office - for free!   Version 3.1.0 now available.

SuperAntiSpyware - the name makes you think it’s another of the many fake or rogue anti-malware programs, but no, this is the genuine article.  It’s absolutely excellent and is highly recommended.  The free version is legal for home use.

SpyBot Search and Destroy - prevents and removes spyware and adware.

SpywareBlaster - reduces the risk of spyware infection.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE - another very good anti-malware product.

Windows Defender - I held off recommending this one’s predecessor, Microsoft Antispyware, for a while, because Microsoft seemed reluctant to commit to the continuing free provision of the product when it came out of the Beta testing stage.  It now looks as if Windows Defender will be permanently available for free to users of genuine and properly licensed copies of Windows.  Vista comes with it pre-installed, but XP users should download and install it.

Grisoft AVG 8.5 - effective, easy to use anti-virus program, free for home use. The latest version looks a bit slicker than 7.x and incorporates AVG Anti Spyware, making it even better.  When Grisoft release a major upgrade of AVG, they give the free version a very low profile indeed, leading many to think that only the paid for version will be available.  The free one is still there if you look hard enough.

ZoneAlarm - a free software firewall.

Comodo Internet Security - now an integrated firewall and anti-virus package, although the individual elements can be installed singly.  Perhaps the best software firewall available, either free or paid-for.  It can be a bit intrusive and some non-technical-savvy users may find it a little intimidating, but it’s as solid as they come.  The anti-virus part of the package is perhaps too new for its effectiveness to be relied upon, but it looks promising.  

PCTools Spyware Doctor - a cut-down version of one of the market leaders, given away as part of the Google Pack of free software.

PCTools Antivirus - another freebie from the same stable.  There’s nothing that I can find in the licence that prohibits business use, so I assume this one’s OK for installation at home and at work.  The last time I tried to install this and Spyware Doctor on the same machine though, the two weren’t happy bed-fellows.  I’m sure the good folk at PCTools will fix this little problem before too long.

Tech Support Alert - loads of useful technical information.

Clif Notes Newsletter - lots of hints and tips with a strong emphasis on free software.  Great!

Terry’s Computer Tips - another very good newsletter.  Regular recommendation of particular commercial products sometimes make me wonder about Terry’s impartiality, but it’s still a good read.

The Register - a wry look at what’s going on in the world of IT.

Advance Computer Fairs - organisers of fairs here in the north west.

All Saints’ Learning Centre - the friendly place to learn about IT.

Mozilla - the home of the Firefox browser and the Thunderbird email client.  Both great, both free.

MozBackup - backup your Firefox and Thunderbird data with this free utility.

CDBurnerXP - I used to use Nero, but when it started crashing, and reinstallation wouldn’t fix it, I thought I’d look for a free replacement.  I found this and have used it ever since.

Skype - free phone calls across the internet.  Sounds too good to be true, but it really works and it’s just brilliant.  Now supports video as well.

GetSafeOnline - an excellent source of internet security information for home and small business users.  Written in largely non-technical language, it’s easy to understand and is essential reading for every internet user.

ThinkUKnow - Lots of advice for parents who want to ensure that their children use technology safely.

Autostitch - a great little program that joins digital photographs together to create stunning panoramas.

Google Earth - just amazing!  If you have a reasonably new PC and a broadband internet connection, you’re missing out if you don’t have this installed.

Nonags - loads of great software for free.

Media Player Classic - small, easy to use, light on system resources and free. Plays almost anything you throw at it, including DVD movies.

Real Alternative - as its name suggests, an alternative to Real Player, which you need to play most of the audio and video content on the BBC web site.  It’s actually Media Player Classic with an add-on, so you don’t really need to install the separate Media Player Classic at all.  This one is all you need.

VLC - another excellent media player.  There are very few files that Media Player Classic can’t cope with, but if you find one, VLC will probably do the trick.  I have both installed on all of my PCs.  

McAfee SiteAdvisor - gives an instant warning if you visit a dangerous web site. Superb and free.

CCleaner - safely removes the junk and clutter that accumulates as you use your PC.  



Downloads from some of these sites are rather large and can be time consuming and / or expensive if you have a slow dial-up connection.  I’m happy to help by downloading files for you, writing them to CD and delivering anywhere in Cockermouth for little more than the cost of the blank CD.  Just send me an email with details of what you need.



Other links

Cockermouth.org.uk - a lovely website, all about our town.

VisitCumbria.com - another great site from the same author.

Jennings Brewery - where I can sometimes be found working as a part-time tour guide when I’m not fixing computers.

The Bitter End -  one of my favourite places.

The Kirkstile Inn - and another one!

Cockermouth Astronomical Society - where science and fun come together.

Tight But Loose - all the latest news about a rock band that broke up in 1980.
Did you know that the largest Led Zeppelin collection in the north of England has its home in Cockermouth?

Cockermouth Harmonic - my wife’s choir (and one of my other web sites).




This page last updated 9 May 2009.

Here are links to some of my favourite PC-related resources.  If you’ve found anything that other PC users in Cockermouth might find useful, please email the URL to me and I’ll add it to this page.