New computer! What do I need?

[Icewalker]

I just bought a new computer, all I've done so far is set it up, install Firefox, and come here. I need some help figuring out a few things, as I've never used Vista.

It is a regular thing to complain about the major problems with Vista. Are there any particular settings or details that I should change to ensure a better experience (Don't suggest switching to another OS, I'll only do that if it actually actively stops working)

Computer/internet security: what do I need? I did not install the free trial McAfee security that was offered with the computer (although I still can). Right now as it stands, the computer is asking me whenever I try to install or run a program whether I want to, as a double check. Can this function effectively as protection assuming I only allow programs I know I've activated or downloaded?

[Jack Squat]

I would install Avast! and MalwareBytes for antivirus. I'd then disable the User Account Control as it gets annoying having my computer ask me to confirm every time I want to install a program or download a picture.

I've never really had much of a problem with Vista, and as I understand, most of the problems people were complaining about were more or less taken care of with SP1.

[Mando Knight]

If you've used XP, you can use a properly updated Vista. However, not all of the glitches may have been caught, so here's a few pointers:
-If a program doesn't run properly, first try running it in XP SP2 compatibility mode if it was made after 2000, or possibly 98 compatibility if it was made before then. It's in the Compatibility tab in the Properties dialog for the program you want to run.
-If it still doesn't work, try running it as an administrator as well. You'll have to be running an administrator account (or at least know the username and password of one) to do so, and Vista will ask for confirmation every time you use the program... but it tends to fix most problems.
-On older programs, you may need to also disable visual themes while running the program. This is also in the compatibility tab. This works usually because Vista's Aero effects don't always cooperate with older programs.

[bluewind95]

Windows Classic view will solve a lot of the problems with Vista being slow and a memory hog. I could only stand using it after I switched to that mode.

[Crispy Dave]

programs you need.

AVG free (http://free.avg.com/)-virus protection
CC cleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/)-clears unnecessary files
Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/)-you know this
Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im/)-universal IM software
Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/)-replacement for Microsoft office(only get if you don't have MSO)
Skype (http://www.skype.com/)-internet calling(only if you have a mic)

feel free to PM if you wish to add me as a contact for anything(I have all the major IM services)

[Yarram]

programs you need.

AVG free (http://free.avg.com/)-virus protection
CC cleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/)-clears unnecessary files
Steam (http://store.steampowered.com/)-you know this
Pidgin (http://www.pidgin.im/)-universal IM software
Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/)-replacement for Microsoft office(only get if you don't have MSO)
Skype (http://www.skype.com/)-internet calling(only if you have a mic)

feel free to PM if you wish to add me as a contact for anything(I have all the major IM services)

You just said every single program I was about to suggest. Poot on you.
Also get:
inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) a good drawing program
Gimp (http://www.gimp.org/) Another good drawing program
Quicktime (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/player/) A better video player that quickly displays some kinds of images that windows doesn't naturally have

[thubby]

not security, but you will generally want to get, flash player, though I'm sure you'll be harassed into it the second you try to do anything on the web. :smalltongue:

[FdL]

I need these things for any PC that's going to be my main computer:

-Firefox, with the following plugins:
......-Mouse Gestures
......-Tab Mix Plus
......-FlashGot
......-NoScript
......-Download Helper
-Winamp
-Zoom Player (possibly won't need the Combined Community Codec Pack if I use it, but otherwise I'd install that too for video playback). With this one, besides being the best multimedia video player I've ever tried, you don't need Realplayer or Quicktime in your system.
-For IM I'll stick with MSN and AIM clients. Sadly no other single program works as well as the official clients.
-IrFanView: Small picture editor and viewer.
-Inkscape and Artweaver. For creative
-PDF X-change Viewer, or Acrobat Reader for PDFs.
-GetRight is my download manager of choice.
-Avast for antivirus. For anti-spyware the last thing I used in my main PC is Lavasoft Ad-Aware. I'm a conscious, responsible user so I never get spyware though.
-CDisplay to read comics.
-MapTool to play D&D online.
-Tag & Rename. An essential program for organising mp3 albums.
-Various P2P programs.
-Nero Burning ROM
-Daemon Tools
-FRAPS

I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of things.

This is without listing my usual commercial programs, which would be:
-MS Office
-Photoshop
-Cakewalk Sonar
-Corel Draw
-Oxford English/Spanish dictionary



Windows Classic view will solve a lot of the problems with Vista being slow and a memory hog. I could only stand using it after I switched to that mode.

I guess so, but well, what's the point of using Vista then?