Software Opinions

coolcat50

Dec 30 2007, 09:59 PM

Hello! I just bought a laptop and I am getting all my software I need for it. I can't decide whether to get Winamp or use Windows Media Player. Also, should I use OpenOffice or Microsoft Works. Also I need a good desktop recording program. So what are your opinions?

shadowx

Dec 30 2007, 10:28 PM

Well MS works is fairly terrible IMHO. It lacks a friendly interface and a hell of a lot of features so my advice is to go with Open Office as its got the features of word with the stability, security and ease of use (let alone the FREE price tag) of Open Source software

Saint_Michael

Dec 31 2007, 04:03 AM

Well there are other players I like DivX they have a good set up in watching videos, and of course getting the right codecs will make life enjoyable. As for document processing Open office hands down, just because Microsoft Works is outdated in the sense Microsoft Office suite is better organized, and of course open office is free.

jlhaslip

Dec 31 2007, 09:50 AM

Open Office, for the features, the fact that its format is Open Source, and also, the consideration that its format is fast becoming the 'standard' format in the world of Documents. The price is good, too.
MS Office is bloated. Sure, its is pretty, but the performance leaves something to be desired. And it costs too much, besides.

rvalkass

Dec 31 2007, 09:50 AM

QUOTE(coolcat50 @ Dec 30 2007, 09:59 PM)

I can't decide whether to get Winamp or use Windows Media Player.

Personally I've never liked either of them, so you're on your own with that one (I use Amarok)

QUOTE(coolcat50 @ Dec 30 2007, 09:59 PM)

Also, should I use OpenOffice or Microsoft Works.

Even by Microsoft's standards, Works is a heap of junk. You can't open the files anywhere and you get very few features (although I did find its calendar quite nice). OpenOffice has many more features and is very easy to use. The download is a little big, but you can set that going and just leave it while you get on with other stuff.

QUOTE(coolcat50 @ Dec 30 2007, 09:59 PM)

Also I need a good desktop recording program. So what are your opinions?

Do you mean recording videos of what you are doing on your desktop? If so, I haven't yet found a good free piece of software that does the job consistently. Sorry.

pedrofmj

Dec 31 2007, 01:08 PM

At first, you could change the Operating System..
You could put a good Linux running on it.
After that, you can put a music server as Music Player Daemon and work with some good interfaces for it, like MPC, or pitchfork
For Office Suite, I think Open Office has a good status today. Linux has a lot of Calendar and Scheduling software.
After this, you won't need Microsoft Money

But if you'd like, there is grisbi

coolcat50

Dec 31 2007, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the opinions. I am totally going with OpenOffice on this one. Also, I can't change my OS because Guild Wars and Halo won't run on Linux. Also, I would have to learn Linux which I kinda wanna wait to do. My mind is already boggled with C++. Also by the desktop recorder, I mean a screen recorder for recording games and stuff.

schulz

Jan 3 2008, 12:40 AM

As for me, i use Light Alloy for video, Except for DVD. Open Offis used some time, but it worked slower, than MS Off 2003.

klusk

Feb 21 2008, 05:50 AM

QUOTE(coolcat50 @ Dec 31 2007, 03:29 AM)

I can't decide whether to get Winamp or use Windows Media Player.

for audio its up to you .... how you like the GUI and mp3 organising..
but for video..if you are using either of them you need to install a good codec pack..
i think k-lite media pack is good, i have used it personally...it also installs media player classic which i prefer for watching videos...
without a codec pack your players wont be able to play all the formats...
you can use VLC player which works great without codecs (it has its own)...

demank

Feb 21 2008, 02:58 PM

If compare open office and microsoft office, I have a diffulcties in using open-office-calc.,
better using microsoft excel for me,
especially when handling graph..,

Latest Entries

etycto

May 31 2008, 05:11 PM

i dont know about open office or works but i say open office because it's free but if works already came with the laptop you should leave it alone unless it'realy bugging you.

for the media player i say WMP i works pretty good for me.

for recording my desktop i use camstudio it works realy well but it would probably slow down the game.

Striker9

May 31 2008, 04:22 PM

QUOTE(coolcat50 @ Dec 31 2007, 12:59 AM)

Hey, well personally I do not prefer Winamp nor Windows Media player, I currently use RealPlayer 11 which is pretty much good. And I have DFX to enhance the sound to the maximum (I have a subwoofer as well) so my sound system (software and hardware) is really great.

Concerning OpenOffice or Microsoft Works, I suppose OpenOffice is much better because the interface is more friendly and it is free as well. And they both have almost the same features anyway...

I do not know of any good desktop recording program but I will suggest some other useful software: Kaspersky Antivirus is the best so far, so I advise you to use it if you want to protect your laptop. You will also need WinRAR, Mozilla Firefox which is MUCH better than Mircrosoft Internet Explorer (faster and much more stable), Adobe Reader, Adobe Photoshop CS3 or maybe GIMP (if you want something good and free). I guess these are the most important software you might need.

ivantoar

May 31 2008, 07:32 AM

Microsoft Office is too expensive, better have your time learning Open Office. A good screen capture software eh? Try Freez Screen Capture. Here is link http://www.smallvideosoft.com/screen-video-capture/

iGuest

May 12 2008, 09:22 AM

Replying to coolcat50
I understand the C++ stuck mind problem :)
Not for Recording Desktop
Well, there is recordMyDesktop for linux.

-reply by pedrofmj

zer000s

Apr 9 2008, 05:07 AM

here is a list of "features" of Wmp against winamp:

Memory Usage:
Taken from the task manager.

WMP - 8776k
Winamp - 7264k

Playing song:

WMP - 21328k
Winamp - 23114k

First Run:

WMP - Very quick. Very simple. It sets up and scans your library within 10 minutes or at least on my machine.
Winamp. As as WMP. Done everything in about 10 minutes.

Plugins:

WMP - Has a good number of plugins ranging from visual to effects to codecs.
Winamp - A large community of developers. 100’s of them.

Skins :

WMP - Has a selection. Not a good selection but a selection none the less.
Winamp - A huge number of skins! Many are great and can totaly change the way you use the program.

HotKeys

WMP - Can’t add custome keys but will use the media controls on your keyboard
Winamp - Uses media keys plus allows the creation of custome keys.

Sharing Media

WMP - Simple to use and share.
Winamp - Can only do it with a plugin and even then its horrible.

Playlists:

WMP - Handles them nicely. Very simple. Allows you to save them in several different formats.
Winamp - Very simple, just like WMP. It also allows your to save them out in a few different forms.

well... i use winamp... the new version is friendly and good

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