Free Download Manager
There are loads of stuff that you can do with it but I'll just list a few of the common things I use it for.
The most important thing is that it has auto-resume. That means that while you are downloading something, if the connection is lost or the server breaks the connection prematurely, the program will automatically reconnect and start downloading again. The great part is that it restarts from where the connection had broken, not from the beginning of the file. You'll know the kind of peace of mind you get with Free Download Manager acting as a safety net if you have ever had a 85 MB download interrupted after 98 % had already been downloaded.
You can also set it up to download a whole bunch of files at one go while you go off for lunch. Alternatively, you could schedule it to start the download at 02:00 a.m. when traffic on the net is low and to disconnect automatically when it is done.
It will also accelerate your downloads by opening multiple connections to the file -- up to 600 % increase in speed. It really works, I've tried it.
It can do lots more, but you get the idea.
This is currently my favourite browser.
It's tabbed interface, and built-in pop-up and pop-under blockers are just the beginning of the good stuff you'll find here.
Click on Tools, Extensions, Get More Extensions (bottom right of the Extensions dialogue box) and a whole new world of browsing is open to you. There are all kinds of really great additions and plug-ins. Some you've wished for all your life, others you haven't even dreamt of. Even more amazing, I have often made suggestions to the authors of the extensions and you know what, they actually listen and try to implement your suggestions if they think they are reasonable suggestions.
Some of my favourite extensions include,
I'm sure you'll find other extensions that are more suited to the way you surf.
Unfortunately, some sites are not compatible with Firefox (online bank sites are particularly irksome), and for those sites, there's IE View, which will automatically launch Internet Explorer and load the offending page.
For a new experience in browsing (seriously)
There's a whole bunch of really great stuff here. The pack includes Google Earth, Picasa (Photo Organiser), Goolge Desktop, Google Toolbar (with pop-up blocker), Firefox and Ad-Aware.
However, I would strongly recommend you stay away from Norton Antivirus. After the free 6-month subscription is up and if you don't want to renew your subscription subsequently, Norton will keep on reminding you to renew your subscription. It will continue to do so even after you have uninstalled Norton Antivirus. Absolutely annoying. I even had to reinstall Windows to stop the reminders. Beware!
If you need a free antivirus program, see below.
This is a good alternative to the Google Toolbar and comes with anti-spyware as well.
This free anti-virus program comes with automatic updates to make sure that your virus list remains up-to-date.
Download PTFB here.
If the previous link didn't work, try visiting
PCWorld Downloads.
Enter "PTFB" in the search box and click on
Search. Look for the entry listed as
Hard Disk > PTFB.
Click on the word PTFB
and then on the words Download PTFB.
This is the last free version as far as I know.
Oh yes, did I forget to mention that all these great stuff is available for
zero ringgit. That's free. Percuma. Min-fai (Cantonese).