Some Things We Like
Various Programs
- Web Browser: Chrome or Firefox. More secure, more standards-compliant, and faster than IE8.
- Word Processing & Spreadsheets: OpenOffice.org or Google Docs
- Email & Calendar: Google Apps or Gmail (using Chrome, it's faster). Dump Outlook, even if you keep Word and Excel.
- Chat: Google Talk or Skype
- PDF viewer: Foxit Reader. Seriously, dump Adobe Acrobat Reader. Now.
- File Encryption: TrueCrypt, to secure the important things or hide the shady things.
- PC Maintenance: CCleaner and Defraggler. Use them, love them.
Web Hosting
If you're serious about things like top notch support, reliable and accessible backups, and very little downtime (if any), then you should take a look at Rochen Host. We've been using them for years and couldn't be happier.
Data Backups
For dead simple set it and forget it backups we like Mozy. For just $4.95 per computer you can automatically and securely back up an unlimited amount of data, and there are a number of methods to get that data back in case of disaster. Another option is a combination of Amazon S3 and CloudBerry S3 Explorer or CloudBerry Backup. We use all of these to create what we feel is an incredibly reliable and redundant backup solution.
Anti-virus
Nobody likes having to run a real time antivirus program, but if you are unable to control your users/spouse/kids and find that you must, we like Panda Cloud Antivirus. If you just need to clean up a little malware we suggest taking a look at Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. If you want to know why you even need to run antivirus on your Windows PC while your Mac and Linux friends make fun of you for unecessary resource usage, get in touch and we'll fill you in.
