Nov 24 2008
What to install on a virgin hd?
I thought an interesting post would be around what I do and don’t install on my new Samsung NC10 netbook.
Although it has a massive 120gb HD, massive by netbook standards, I thought I would take great care in what I install to its virgin bites and bobs.
The software world has changed a great deal since I bought my last Windows laptop 4 years a go. One main difference being the number of options of running software in the Cloud – or software as an online service. And it’s mostly free!
One main established provider for the personal market being Google – I am actually hoping to do without MS Office for the first time, by installing their Doc’s pack and running it offline with their Gears enabled Chrome browser.
But firstly, and even before I connect it to the net, should be anti virus provision. I have heard scare stories about the tiny amount of time it takes to find an unprotected Windows machine once it’s connected to the net. Again, there are pretty decent ones for free. I have done a bit of research and have decided that the avast! antivirus Home Edition is the one for me – I have downloaded it at work and it will be the first thing I install after set up.
Next will be the browsers, might not even bother with IE this time. Firefox and Chrome it will be. And I might throw Safari into the mix, though I don’t think their windows version is as good as their Mac.
Then the Adobe package of reader, writer and flash(er). Ill be nice to Microsoft and install Silverlight too. From Apple, quicktime is a must.
Next, iTunes, mainly just to control my main install on my MacBook – I don’t expect to have two iTunes libraries, but can connect to my main one via my AirPort. Talking of Airport, I will need the plugin so I can see my shared drives.
Now a bit of social networking, Flickr uploader and TweetDeck – most of my other SoNets don’t need an offline installation. Of course, I’ll need to have Last.FM installed. Also need a little app for uploading the steps I do on my pedometer to FitBug.
So, that may be it for now – I’ll keep this updated as I go along – sure there is loads I can’t think of for now – but I am going to try and keep this a lean install if I can – that’s the style of the netbook.