Even if some software packages are also available for other platforms (operating systems), this section only concerns software packages for Windows. 

Firefox instead of Internet explorer (IE 6 or IE7)

Open PDF files: Foxit Reader versus Adobe Reader

Create PDF files

OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office

Protect your computer with an anti-virus

Firefox instead of Internet explorer (IE 6 or IE7)

Firefox can be considered as a better Internet browser than Internet Explorer 6 ou 7,  is it has been proved faster et safer (the security updates are released faster). It is however not necessary to uninstall IE, just make Firefox your default browser. The complementary addons are the real strength of Firefox. It is possible to install spelling checkers for different languages. A vital addon is PDF download (to view and download PDF files).

Open PDF files: Foxit Reader versus Adobe Reader

 

To open PDF files on your computer, you can use Foxit Reader or Adobe Reader (both freely available). Foxit reader is probably faster than Adobe Reader (vs 8).

Create PDF files

It is possible to create PDF files from any office document (Word .doc or OpenOffice .odt), spreadsheet (Excel .xls or OpenOffice .ods), image, map etc.

For office documents (text, speadsheets, presentations) you can use OpenOffice, a freely available office suite. With an integrated tool (accessible via a toolbar button) you can create a PDF file with one mouse click from the open file within Open Office. Openoffice can read all (or most) of the files created with Microsoft Office (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt).

It is possible to print a PDF file from any file that you have opened (for example a document in MS Office). Some freely available PDF printers are PrimoPDF or DoPDF. 

OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office

OpenOffice is an office suite [rich text, spreadsheets, presentations...] equivalent to Microsoft Office. This suite has advantages compared to  Microsoft Office: you can use and download it freely without having to buy a licence. An other advantage is the possibility to extend the functionalities of OpenOffice by adding free addons. The third major advantage is the possibility to transform open (active) files instantly to PDF files!

Protect your computer with an anti-virus

A protection of your computer is vital to avoid that it slows down or to avoid the risk of loosing all the data on your hard disk drive due to viruses. Several antivirus packages are freely available:

AVG Basic is free. This version does not need a registration key. Unlike Avast and Avire, the updates of the virus database are not systematically automatic.

Avast for personnal usage is freely available. The updates of the virus database are automatic. It is however necessary to register online (a registration key to be entered will then be sent by email).

Avira PersonalEdition Classic is a freely available anti virus, which does not require registration. The virus database update can be scheduled.

Except of the update of the virus database it is important to execute (or schedule) scans of you local drives.