Holiday Software Buyers Guide 2009 Discussion

Believe it or not, there is a bigger software question this holiday season that "Do I need to upgrade to Windows 7?" (For those struggling with that question, we have a To Buy or Not To Buy guide for Windows 7 and a Guide to the Editions to sort out which flavor of Windows 7 is right for you.) But for the largely issue, what software stocking-stuffers should you buy for a new (or old) PC? Below we rate the best software application in six key categories -- Security, Office Suites, Photo Editing, Video Editing, Online Backup, and Personal Finance -- and offer free alternative apps in each sector for those of you shopping for software on a recession-friendly budget.

Read the full content of this Article: Holiday Software Buyers Guide 2009

Related Articles:

• Windows 7 - To Buy or Not to Buy?
• Windows 7 - A Guide to the Editions
• Online Backup Service Buyers Guide 2009
• 2009 Backup & Recovery Software Home Buyers Guide
• Home PC Photo Editor Buyers Guide 2009
• Personal Finance Software 2009 Buyer's Guide
• 2009 Home PC Video Editor Buyers Guide
• 2009 Antivirus Software Home Buyers Guide

[Serg]

Nice read. Thanks for the information Jay!

Althoug I think Avira AntiVir Personal and Avast are better options than AVG Free Edition. They are lighter, and have a great range of detection, not to say that the checking is faster.

There is a typo in there, BTW.

Free Alternative: Microsoft Security Essentials -- For anyone running a "genuine" copy of Windows, which to say anyone who has a Windows Genuine Advantage verifier installed, MS Security Essentials is a totally free, dead-simple security suite. It's a little slower than the third-party security apps, but its Windows intergati0ons means it's very efficient and doesn't hog system resources. For those of you who don't truck with Windows Genuine Advantage -- or Microsoft's less than stellar security record -- there's always AVG Free Antivirus, which is slightly slower but still a solid security app that's solidly free.

Other than that, I could suggest some utilities to be added? To keep the registries clean, and run the computer better.
Spybot Search And Destroy is very good.
CCleaner is highly recommendable.

And some firewalls?

[John Ratsey]

I have been using PaintShop Pro for longer than I can remember (starting when it was still free).

However, I am increasing becoming disillusioned with it. I'm using X2 and have just discovered that if it resizes a geotagged image then it loses any negative signs. ie anywhere west of Greenwich moves the same amount east of Greenwich. There's clearly lax programming if resizing an image messes up the EXIF data. Even Microsoft's Image Resizer Powertoy gets that right.

When I check for updates all I get is an invite to buy the Ultimate version. Surely there should have been some bug fixes during X2's lifespan?

John

PS: I tried to report this bug through Corel's support system and got this response:

Thank you very much for your e-mail. Please Note: The product that you have submitted a support request for does not qualify for free support via email. This product is an NFR ( Not For Resale ) product. NFR software is given to Resellers strictly for evaluation purposes and as such does not include free technical support.

I had paid for that software and registered it a long time ago, so this NFR business is new to me. However, my real gripe is that there is failure to acknowledge that the bug exists.

[gooberlx]

Just a note that Corel PSP X2 will silently install a service called Protexis Licensing.

Annoying but not a deal breaker. These disabling instructions seem to have worked for me in Win 7. I installed all patches first, so I didn't have to do it twice.

Other than that, I've been a fan of Corel's imaging products for quite some time when considering the features you get for the price.

Another free alternative suggestion has to be Gimp, which improves with every release.

[sahaskatta]

I've got quite a different opinion on some of those recommendations

For example, Photo Editing:

Free Alternative: Gimp

Movie Editing:
Free Alternative: Live Movie Maker

Online Backup:
Free Alternative: Dropbox