Essential Internet Downloads

[AndyP]

Now that I have broadband, I was wondering what stuff I should download?

For example, I have just downloaded:

Ad-Aware and Spybot Spyware Blockers/Removers (Choice recommended that these be used in conjunction)

Firefox Web Browser

Any other helpful suggestions?

[markTHEblake]

Spybot doesnt do anything extra than what Ad-aware does. That was according to a recent independant review of Spyware removers.

Get yourself E-Mule, i think one of the better P2P programs in respect of getting very large files, like full length movies. Kazaa Lite is OK too.

Though in my experience downloading TV episodes often the original encoder didnt know what he is doing and the results are crap.

[Bruce]

The VERY FIRST thing you should download and run if you have broadband is a firewall like Zonealarm.

The VERY SECOND thing is the latest Service Pack for your OS.

Don't download the standard version of Realplayer - get the BBC customised one from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/audiohelp_install.shtml which has all the ad stuff removed. Then you can listen to thing like the new release Hitchikers Guide episodes.

Don't forget to get the Firefox extensions like mouse gestures. You will never use the BACK button again.

Go to http://www.popcap.com to find heaps of great web games.

BHODemon is a good one to get too. Stops those pesky browser help objects infesting your system (another form of spyware).

Visit http://www.ifilm.com for videos. They have music clips, TV spots, Movie trailers and other fun stuff.

[markTHEblake]

The VERY FIRST thing you should download and run if you have broadband is a firewall like Zonealarm.

The VERY SECOND thing is the latest Service Pack for your OS.

Good suggestions, but both of these things a internet user needs whether he has broadband or not.

[McMw]

I recently installed spamblockerutility -> seems to do the job well...

[Eag's]

AndyP If you are going to get Adaware then download Adaware SE. Scans your system even deeper than the original.
A even better firewall than Zone Alarm is Sygate Personel Firewall
http://www.sygate.com/ and it is also free

For music, movies etc... you can't beat a good Bit torrent client such as Azureas http://azureus.sourceforge.net/

Or a program which is a lot easier to configure that is also tops for downloads is Limewire http://www.limewire.com/english/content/home.shtml

[Jarro]

get busy AndyP ... looks like you have a lot of downloading to do

[Fishman Dan]

AP - what was your cap? Did you stick to the 200 mb, or go further?

I use Ad-Aware for my anti-spam, and don't have Zone Alarm - probably should i guess, complacency huh. Just make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus (a package that will download/update automatically) such as McAfee or Symantec anti-virus, there are plenty more out there but these ones i trust beyond all others.

And the tip about MS Security Patches is 100%. If you don't want to blow your cap (so to speak), then i am sure any nerd-based magazine with a disc on the front will have XP Service Pack 2 on it.

eMule? Make sure you have a big cap. On another note - Do you know if you are metred for UPLOADS aswell as downloads? eMule will chew up the cap if your uploads count towards it.

[drunken]

You should remember that many ADSL Modem/Routers have very good built in firewalls as well.

[AndyP]

AP - what was your cap? Did you stick to the 200 mb, or go further?

I did get the 200MB limit, hence the request for "essential" downloads. But all of the other suggestions are good too, just doesn't mean I am going to download them.

I use Ad-Aware for my anti-spam, and don't have Zone Alarm - probably should i guess, complacency huh. Just make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus (a package that will download/update automatically) such as McAfee or Symantec anti-virus, there are plenty more out there but these ones i trust beyond all others.

OK, I'll just install Ad-Aware then, and trash Spybot.
I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?

And the tip about MS Security Patches is 100%. If you don't want to blow your cap (so to speak), then i am sure any nerd-based magazine with a disc on the front will have XP Service Pack 2 on it.

When I installed Windows XP, I also installed beta versions of the Service Packs, the updates since have been very minor (about 6 MB).

eMule? Make sure you have a big cap. On another note - Do you know if you are metred for UPLOADS aswell as downloads? eMule will chew up the cap if your uploads count towards it.

Uploads are not included, but I won't be doing much of this with my cap anyway.
BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?

[Fishman Dan]

I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?

It's been around for some time. Find out if you have the full product, or a 30-day demo. As long as it updates, you should be fine. Updates are usually under 1 mb each, and come out weekly, so no thread to your cap.

BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?

A movie starts at about 700 mb for decent quality, can get to 4 gb (4000mb). Hence our advice to go after the large cap ISP's

[markTHEblake]

I did get the 200MB limit, hence the request for "essential" downloads.

well mate that means you dont 'need' any of this stuff just because you have broadband.

With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster, give you a great chance to catch Jarro for top dribbler of the year.

[/quote]BTW, how big a file is a movie or TV episode?[/quote]

Divx videos are typically sized to fit on a single CDR, so 700mb. for half or one hour tv shows, most likely they tend to fit 2 one hour episodes (46 mins each), into 700mb.

DVD full length movie files are going to be 4.4gig or more.

[AndyP]

I'm currently using PC-Cillin 2002 (with constant updates), which is anti-virus and firewall. Is this not good?

It's been around for some time. Find out if you have the full product, or a 30-day demo. As long as it updates, you should be fine. Updates are usually under 1 mb each, and come out weekly, so no thread to your cap.

Pretty sure it's the full product, came with the PC. Seems to ask for updates more often than weekly though.

With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster

Yep, got it coz it's faster, unlimited time (incl drop to dialup speed) and doesn't tie up the phone line.
We'll see what my needs are in twelve months time.

[Fishman Dan]

We'll see what my needs are in twelve months time.

I give him 4 weeks.

[AndyP]

My reporting period ends in five days, so I have over 100MB to burn.

[Jarro]

With the limit you have your just going to be happy that Ozgolf pages loads a bit faster, give you a great chance to catch Jarro for top dribbler of the year.

thanks Blakey, you sure know how to make a bloke feel good.

[Ducky]

Well, I'm just about to upgrade to a 28GB plan on 1500/256. I have went over my 16GB limit on 512/128 for the second month in a row, so it's time to upgrade. But hey, I'm sure the internet can be fun on 200MB...



Kind regards,

Ben (Ducky).

[AndyP]

So.....what's changed here?

[Moe Norman]

i for one hope you're not still on a 200mb plan - crazy stuff.

my one essential download each week is LOST, but there's been a two week break so I'm hanging out at the moment as it's getting pretty good now.

[AndyP]

i for one hope you're not still on a 200mb plan - crazy stuff.

Not crazy at all. I just changed in the last month, on 2GB now. I don't really download anything.

I'm looking into torrent stuff at the moment, so I can use up the leftover bandwidth at the end of a month, which should be 1GB plus.

[Moe Norman]

i'm on ADSL2 and hit my 20gb limit every month with a few days to go. Luckily it 'caps' me when I hit 20gb at 512k - lol.

[Eag's]

i'm on ADSL2 and hit my 20gb limit every month with a few days to go. Luckily it 'caps' me when I hit 20gb at 512k - lol.

C'mon Moe, how much Porn is enough

My must haves each week are Prison Break & Lost and a few other series I am into. I am on a ADSL2 20Gig plan as well, but never go over my cap

[Moe Norman]

how sweet is ADSL2.

My 350mb LOST Downloads take about 25 minutes now!

If i bothered to fire BT back up, it would probably be quicker.

I use alot of it up watching football replays and Golf Course flyover/walk throughs.

[Andrew]

Did you ever speak to Jack about essential downloads. I'm sure he would have some suggestions.

[Moe Norman]

boysfood comes to mind.