Recommended

Google Chrome Web Browser

http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/more/index.html

We use Google Chrome at spectre micro systems. It’s fast, intuitive, light weight (doesn’t use a lot of disk or memory), and isn’t integrated with operating systems. The operating system doesn’t care if I uninstall Chrome, unlike that other web browser. And… there’s plenty of gadgets if I want ’em! Google Chrome Web Browser is open source technology. We like that.

avast! Free Antivirus and Anti-spyware

http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

avast! Antivirus has been protecting our systems for two years. No viruses! Not one virus has invaded our systems or network. Scheduled scans, scheduled virus definition updates, completely configurable. And something I haven’t found in any other antivirus program… a boot scan. Why is this important? Because a scan of the system is performed before the operating system loads and viruses haven’t had time to start running. This allows avast! to quarantine stubborn viruses that were allowed to penetrate the system by the system administrator before they have a chance to start running. It’s very unobtrusive, meaning that I can surf the web, download stuff, run programs, and I don’t even notice that avast! is monitoring my system. I can’t say that about any other antivirus program I’ve used, even the purchased software. By the way, did I mention it was free?

Zorin OS 4 Desktop

http://www.zorin-os.webs.com

We like Zorin OS 4 desktop operating system because of its speed, look, and the fact that it’s open source technology which supports our company philosophy. It’s easy to use, especially if you are accustomed to Windows operating systems like Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. Installation is fast and trouble free. It’s very likely you won’t need all those Windows installation disks for your system hardware. Zorin uses Ubuntu at it’s core and your hardware will likely be identified without a hitch. If you do run into a compatibility problem, Zorin has options to allow windows drivers to be installed. And it’s free open source technology.

Wireshark Network Packet Sniffer

http://www.wireshark.org

Although Wireshark is a valuable tool for troubleshooting networks, I also use it to tune computer operating systems and applications. I use it when I need to find computer system services and applications that are causing too much unnecessary network traffic. It’s also a great tool to fine tune a network set up that includes gaming systems, multi-media hardware, iPads, and entertainment systems. It’s free to download and use and part of the open source technology philosophy.

Open Office Software Suite

http://why.openoffice.org

We use Open Office software at spectre micro systems. The user interface, rich functionality, and compatibility with other office software, documents, and PDF make it one of the best Open Source offerings out there. And it’s free.

Cisco Networking Academy

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html

Want to learn more about networking, wireless and wired routers, learn more about how computers interact with networks and networking equipment? Maybe you need to upgrade your status in your profession to include certification? This website is rich with information about anything you could possibly want to know about networks. You wouldn’t believe how much of the equipment running the web is made by Cisco.