Comments on: 8 Better Alternatives To Common Windows Apps http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/ Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:00:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Share Your Desktop Remotely With Multiple Viewers Easily With LogMeIn Express | Programming Blog http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-432666 Share Your Desktop Remotely With Multiple Viewers Easily With LogMeIn Express | Programming Blog Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:36:47 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-432666 [...] been a fan of LogMeIn Free for quite some time and I know that it has been mentioned several times in MakeUseOf articles.  LogMeIn, if you haven’t heard, is a remote desktop application which [...] [...] been a fan of LogMeIn Free for quite some time and I know that it has been mentioned several times in MakeUseOf articles.  LogMeIn, if you haven’t heard, is a remote desktop application which [...]

]]> By: Nicbot http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-418665 Nicbot Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:47:30 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-418665 @Ted Just wanted to point out that the free version of Logmein does not need 'assisted access' once installed. It will run in the background and allow you access to the machine remotely with zero intervention from the end user. I use it all the time for my family, personal and some work machines. Teamviewer is a good option for both assisted access like Crossloop, or unattended access. Like Logmein it just takes the correct setup...both good in my opinion, but currently Logmein has better performance. @Ted

Just wanted to point out that the free version of Logmein does not need ‘assisted access’ once installed. It will run in the background and allow you access to the machine remotely with zero intervention from the end user. I use it all the time for my family, personal and some work machines.

Teamviewer is a good option for both assisted access like Crossloop, or unattended access. Like Logmein it just takes the correct setup…both good in my opinion, but currently Logmein has better performance.

]]> By: Ted http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-418663 Ted Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:30:52 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-418663 @Lee "In reference to LogMeIn, I looked into them for my company; their enterprise products are impressive, but definitely not free. The free version works fine if you only need assisted access (someone on the other end to ‘click’ you in), and, in that respect, I found Crossloop to be just as effective, and easier to walk a ‘newbie’ through." I had the same feeling. I tried a few (I work at different places and need continual remote access)and liked this <a href="http://www.proxynetworks.com" rel="nofollow">Remote PC Access Software</a> the best. Check it out. @Lee “In reference to LogMeIn, I looked into them for my company; their enterprise products are impressive, but definitely not free. The free version works fine if you only need assisted access (someone on the other end to ‘click’ you in), and, in that respect, I found Crossloop to be just as effective, and easier to walk a ‘newbie’ through.”

I had the same feeling. I tried a few (I work at different places and need continual remote access)and liked this Remote PC Access Software the best. Check it out.

]]> By: Operanut http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-405149 Operanut Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:26:21 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-405149 Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice probably are not mentioned because anyone who likes to explore the internet and play around with various software knows about these programs. Even I do. Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice probably are not mentioned because anyone who likes to explore the internet and play around with various software knows about these programs. Even I do.

]]> By: Tracy http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-395035 Tracy Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:51:29 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-395035 Great list of tools here for. I have just replaced vista as a whole with Linux. Great list of tools here for. I have just replaced vista as a whole with Linux.

]]> By: Phaoloo http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-394937 Phaoloo Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:56:35 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-394937 GIMP is a great replace for Paint (actually GIMP is a image processor while Paint is for drawing). Notepad++ is so awesome that I bet it is already on every designers' computer. GIMP is a great replace for Paint (actually GIMP is a image processor while Paint is for drawing).
Notepad++ is so awesome that I bet it is already on every designers’ computer.

]]> By: Stanica http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-388379 Stanica Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:29:06 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-388379 I would vote for Textpad as a replacement if you want to open exceptionally large text files. We had an application that would create log files up to 1 GB in size. You can't open them in notepad, wordpad, word, etc, regardless of how much RAM or processing power you have. I would vote for Textpad as a replacement if you want to open exceptionally large text files.
We had an application that would create log files up to 1 GB in size. You can’t open them in notepad, wordpad, word, etc, regardless of how much RAM or processing power you have.

]]> By: Latest Important Articles On The Web - Dec. 7, 2008 | 4 Free On Internet http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-376744 Latest Important Articles On The Web - Dec. 7, 2008 | 4 Free On Internet Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:48:00 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-376744 [...] # MakeUseOf.com - 7 Better Alternatives To Common Windows Apps [...] [...] # MakeUseOf.com – 7 Better Alternatives To Common Windows Apps [...]

]]> By: tunghoy http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-375078 tunghoy Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:01:39 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-375078 <strong>X-PLORER VIRUS!</strong> I clicked the link above for X-Plorer, and when I clicked their download link, AVG immediately detected a virus and moved it to the vault. X-PLORER VIRUS!

I clicked the link above for X-Plorer, and when I clicked their download link, AVG immediately detected a virus and moved it to the vault.

]]> By: tunghoy http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-375071 tunghoy Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:28:04 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-375071 For a Notepad replacement, I've been using TextPad for years (<a href="http://www.textpad.com" rel="nofollow">www.textpad.com</a>). It's great for coding, system configuration, just about everything. It has tabbed files, custom file types, color coding, clip libraries and a lot of extensions, though some of them are rather old. For a Notepad replacement, I’ve been using TextPad for years (http://www.textpad.com). It’s great for coding, system configuration, just about everything. It has tabbed files, custom file types, color coding, clip libraries and a lot of extensions, though some of them are rather old.

]]> By: Diamond http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-370756 Diamond Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:42:41 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-370756 just wanted to say that Defraggler is by far one of the best defrag tools ive ever used; ive never once seen any kind of improvement after using the windows built in one, and i think i started that back in the windows 98, this one blows the built in one away - thanks for the rest of the list! just wanted to say that Defraggler is by far one of the best defrag tools ive ever used; ive never once seen any kind of improvement after using the windows built in one, and i think i started that back in the windows 98, this one blows the built in one away – thanks for the rest of the list!

]]> By: Darkstriker http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-368527 Darkstriker Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:18:19 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-368527 Well, considering that I hadn't defragged my HDD for several weeks, I decided to give #6 (Defraggler) a shot. And there is just one word for what I felt. DISAPPOINTMENT! Defraggler does not do a job any better than the standard Windows XP defragger AND takes about 10x as long. I would never recommend this. Worse still I would WARN people because this App WASTES time as if it were as readily available as water. If you want a seriously better defragger than the windows solution get JKDefrag. Its FASTER and HAS MORE FEATURES! And just to illustrate: I ran a defrag with Defraggler on a 500GB Sata2 HDD (7200rpm/16MB) and after analysis it said there were a mere 10GB fragmented. I started at 8PM and its now 12:15AM AND ITS STILL NOT FINISHED! It actually says that it only is at 66% now. IT'S REDICULOUS! Rest of the rig: AMD X2 3800+ @3Ghz 2GB DDR @500Mhz Stay away from that app! Well, considering that I hadn’t defragged my HDD for several weeks, I decided to give #6 (Defraggler) a shot. And there is just one word for what I felt. DISAPPOINTMENT!
Defraggler does not do a job any better than the standard Windows XP defragger AND takes about 10x as long. I would never recommend this. Worse still I would WARN people because this App WASTES time as if it were as readily available as water.

If you want a seriously better defragger than the windows solution get JKDefrag. Its FASTER and HAS MORE FEATURES!

And just to illustrate:
I ran a defrag with Defraggler on a 500GB Sata2 HDD (7200rpm/16MB) and after analysis it said there were a mere 10GB fragmented. I started at 8PM and its now 12:15AM AND ITS STILL NOT FINISHED! It actually says that it only is at 66% now. IT’S REDICULOUS!

Rest of the rig:
AMD X2 3800+ @3Ghz
2GB DDR @500Mhz

Stay away from that app!

]]> By: Praveen http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-367030 Praveen Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:51:43 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-367030 Very Good Collection.I have discussed in brief in my Blog to make your Windows Xp Appearance Totally different from others, <b>Top 10 Ways to Tweak your Windows Xp</b> http://praveenkumarg.blogspot.com/2008/11/top-10-ways-to-tweak-your-windows-xp.html Very Good Collection.I have discussed in brief in my Blog to make your Windows Xp Appearance Totally different from others,

Top 10 Ways to Tweak your Windows Xp
http://praveenkumarg.blogspot.com/2008/11/top-10-ways-to-tweak-your-windows-xp.html

]]> By: zer0 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-365870 zer0 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:06:27 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-365870 An alternative to logmein is www.teamviewer.com, its made by the developers at uvnc i think. I have used it loads of times with complete n00bs (family, co-workers etc...) very good, not too bad on speed too An alternative to logmein is http://www.teamviewer.com, its made by the developers at uvnc i think. I have used it loads of times with complete n00bs (family, co-workers etc…) very good, not too bad on speed too

]]> By: T.J. Mininday http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-364730 T.J. Mininday Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:50:32 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-364730 Wow, I can't imagine getting that installed on that many PCs, but I'm sure it's well worth the work. I know I love it. Wow, I can’t imagine getting that installed on that many PCs, but I’m sure it’s well worth the work. I know I love it.

]]> By: Kane http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-364646 Kane Tue, 23 Dec 2008 01:06:29 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-364646 I had a mac once, it was cute. I had a mac once, it was cute.

]]> By: Ben http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-364140 Ben Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:54:07 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-364140 I use Ubuntu - so already use Gimp, gnome-do menu (far better than Vista menu), and never worry about defragmenting the new NTFS filesystem. I use Ubuntu – so already use Gimp, gnome-do menu (far better than Vista menu), and never worry about defragmenting the new NTFS filesystem.

]]> By: Atlas IT http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363990 Atlas IT Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:17:35 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363990 Nice list. I agree with most. Particularly LogMeIn Free. The consulting firm i currently work with uses it for over 800 computers and it's great for remote desktop access over the web without the need for firewall changes. The interface lets you group the computers and label them whatever you like. I think that defragmentation is actually less of a concern today than it used to be because drive fragmentation occurs less often. With these mega-drives and people only browsing the Internet, there is plenty of room for Windows to contiguously store large amounts of data without a great deal of fragmentation. Maybe twice a year it's needed anymore and using the commandline 'defrag' scheduled through a batch has been working for me, but I'm not against new things so I'll try some of these out and see if there's any kind of improvement. Nice list. I agree with most. Particularly LogMeIn Free. The consulting firm i currently work with uses it for over 800 computers and it’s great for remote desktop access over the web without the need for firewall changes. The interface lets you group the computers and label them whatever you like.

I think that defragmentation is actually less of a concern today than it used to be because drive fragmentation occurs less often. With these mega-drives and people only browsing the Internet, there is plenty of room for Windows to contiguously store large amounts of data without a great deal of fragmentation. Maybe twice a year it’s needed anymore and using the commandline ‘defrag’ scheduled through a batch has been working for me, but I’m not against new things so I’ll try some of these out and see if there’s any kind of improvement.

]]> By: PS4Guru http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363953 PS4Guru Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:12:41 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363953 same here same here

]]> By: kırma eleme http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363821 kırma eleme Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:45:49 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363821 Very useful list. I using defraggler and Notepad++. Thanks. Very useful list. I using defraggler and Notepad++.
Thanks.

]]> By: thenetguruz http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363689 thenetguruz Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:44:49 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363689 Good list, its true that windows inbuilt defrag is not so good, its ver. 1.0 of Diskeeper actually (way too old). Wonder why firefox, open office and thunderbird is not mentioned..!! Good list, its true that windows inbuilt defrag is not so good, its ver. 1.0 of Diskeeper actually (way too old).
Wonder why firefox, open office and thunderbird is not mentioned..!!

]]> By: sarv007 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363644 sarv007 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:54:15 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363644 Gorsh! Why dont Microsoft use these apps... Gorsh! Why dont Microsoft use these apps…

]]> By: Adam http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363448 Adam Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:31:20 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363448 Dont forget Ashampoo's Magic Defrag. It automatically defrags your drives when the processor and disk activity is idle. You never have to run anything, it just does it for you. No, it's not free, but it's a good product. Dont forget Ashampoo’s Magic Defrag. It automatically defrags your drives when the processor and disk activity is idle. You never have to run anything, it just does it for you. No, it’s not free, but it’s a good product.

]]> By: Tsudohnimh http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363427 Tsudohnimh Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:16:43 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363427 I agree. JKDefrag is the best defrag available. It is efficient, effective, and extremely fast. http://kessels.nl/JkDefrag/index.html If you want an easy installer you can download it from my tools page. http://knowthenetwork.com/tools Tsudohnimh website: http://Knowthenetwork.com follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/tsudo I agree. JKDefrag is the best defrag available. It is efficient, effective, and extremely fast. http://kessels.nl/JkDefrag/index.html

If you want an easy installer you can download it from my tools page. http://knowthenetwork.com/tools

Tsudohnimh
website: http://Knowthenetwork.com
follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/tsudo

]]> By: confusion http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363409 confusion Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:51:07 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363409 Well done. Excellent post. Rocketdock is working very well for me. Well done. Excellent post. Rocketdock is working very well for me.

]]> By: 8 Ottime Alternative Alle Tipiche Applicazioni Windows » ZioGeeK.com http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-363272 8 Ottime Alternative Alle Tipiche Applicazioni Windows » ZioGeeK.com Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:01:26 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-363272 [...] [Via] [...] [...] [Via] [...]

]]> By: John http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-362881 John Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:21:48 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-362881 What I have found to be the case is that what comes with an operating system is the baseline. Especially true of proprietary OSes. The subject being alternatives in Windows. Not all are free, For E-mail try Thunderbird or Incredimail.com For Internet search utility Copernic.com Perfect Disk (defragment). For a number of good free tools freshdevices.com is my choice. Openoffice.com is a solid staple as well. I prefer Firefox 3.xx as an internet browser. What I have found to be the case is that what comes with an operating system is the baseline. Especially true of proprietary OSes. The subject being alternatives in Windows. Not all are free, For E-mail try Thunderbird or Incredimail.com For Internet search utility Copernic.com Perfect Disk (defragment). For a number of good free tools freshdevices.com is my choice. Openoffice.com is a solid staple as well. I prefer Firefox 3.xx as an internet browser.

]]> By: Lee http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-362635 Lee Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:37:23 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-362635 In reference to LogMeIn, I looked into them for my company; their enterprise products are impressive, but definitely not free. The free version works fine if you only need assisted access (someone on the other end to 'click' you in), and, in that respect, I found Crossloop to be just as effective, and easier to walk a 'newbie' through. Otherwise, if you are setting up a client to automate getting in with a password, UltraVNC is slim and GUI-less enough to have almost no complications. I've also had a good experience with GBridge; I like its VPN approach and use it to access my home files all the time. In reference to LogMeIn, I looked into them for my company; their enterprise products are impressive, but definitely not free. The free version works fine if you only need assisted access (someone on the other end to ‘click’ you in), and, in that respect, I found Crossloop to be just as effective, and easier to walk a ‘newbie’ through.

Otherwise, if you are setting up a client to automate getting in with a password, UltraVNC is slim and GUI-less enough to have almost no complications. I’ve also had a good experience with GBridge; I like its VPN approach and use it to access my home files all the time.

]]> By: Windows Guy http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-362616 Windows Guy Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:14:30 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-362616 Nice share. You could make it a perfect list by adding Office 2007 and MSN Nice share. You could make it a perfect list by adding Office 2007 and MSN

]]> By: dmc http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/enhance-or-replace-integrated-windows-applications-with-these-great-alternatives/comment-page-1/#comment-362479 dmc Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:59:20 +0000 http://www.makeuseof.com/?p=8384#comment-362479 My notepad replacement has been EditPad Lite for years: http://www.editpadlite.com/ But I don't code with it. My notepad replacement has been EditPad Lite for years:

http://www.editpadlite.com/

But I don’t code with it.

]]>