List of most necessary programs

[humbert]

I agree! In fact I too have Sumatra installed, I love it and I have no intention of removing it. However, it's only a reader.

What I'm looking for is a PDF program that'll allow me to do things such as fill out downloaded application forms without having to put them on paper and do it with a pen. I've got several I've been collecting from the torrent sites but I don't know all that much about them.

Once BladeShark recommended Foxit Phantom with I still have. The problem is the fact that it's much too bloated for what I want, which is far more simple and doesn't need a full 200 MB on the hard drive. It goes without saying that Adobe Acrobat is infinitely worse.

Any recommendations?

[Ahmad]

Sorry, dear.
I never dealt with such things.
I only used PDF readers not editors because I didn't need them.

[aa1234779]

imdisk virtual disk driver (mounting images)
pdf xchange imo is freeware & better than foxit & better support than sumatra
djview
Calibre is the king of ebook readers\libraries
directx & all dlls \ distributions that are needed should be installed
kmplayer & vlc together don't hurt
irfanview for viewing all images
gimp photoshop like freeware
imgburn
format factory (must have)
http://www.pcfreetime.com/index.html


look here for more ideas
http://www.portablefreeware.com/

If you actually compile a winxp or 7 with such programs, it would be lovely to have it uploaded here!

Best wishes & thanks to all for the beneficial apps

[ixalon]

I would add two freeware programs.

Bullzip PDF Printer. 
http://www.bullzip.com/products/pdf/info.php

Great for re-distilling or creating PDF files.  Even allows you to "print" copy-protected PDFs to DRM free PDF.

Secunia PSI
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/

Free personal vulnerability scanner.  Essential for those of us that browse the more colorful side of the web. It automatically keeps your system up-to-date with the latest patches for Java, Flash, Acrobat, and MS Updates.  It also tracks the CVE database and informs when vulnerabilities are present.  I actually do Enterprise Anti-Malware support for a living and this is one of the most useful tools I have come across  (I don't work for Secunia BTW).

[humbert]

One program looking for is a simple PDF editor. All I'm looking to do is to something like being able to fill out PDF forms and print them, with the possibility of maybe inserting a pic. I know there's a lot of stuff out there that'll do this, but the problem is most of these progs are extremely bloated and add gazillions of features you'll never even use. Some even integrate themselves into MS Office, Firefox and heaven knows what else.

Any recommendations?

[Daniil]

Well, I don't know any good PDF editors except of made by Adobe.
If you need to change something in PDF docs, I can remember a method used at one office which I know.
You need for this an Abbyy FineReader.
In FineReader, as I can remember, there was a function for scan from file. You scan data from PDF, FineReader read scanned data (as it can) and then you can save it to .doc. You edit it in .doc, and then use any of .PDF virtual printers to convert .doc back to .PDF.
Well, you should know, that FineReader reads scanned data "fine" not always. 
Yes, I know, that's a bit difficult and weird method, but that's only one I know.

[humbert]

I'm seeing there's quite a bit of OCR in Abbyy Finerader, something I don't really need. I think if I really needed to edit a PDF, I'll look at those programs I have in stock and see if I can select the least bloated. I guess something will work.

Thanks for your help

[gale82]

Freware programs that I will add : Skype , IrfanView , ImgBurn , Ccleaner  , ....about antivirus programs  Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0.1   (freeware) is not bad solution for me (extremly light and do all job) ...... 

[humbert]

Freware programs that I will add : Skype , IrfanView , ImgBurn , Ccleaner  , ....about antivirus programs  Panda Cloud Antivirus 2.0.1   (freeware) is not bad solution for me (extremly light and do all job) ...... 

I'm with you on Irfanview and Ccleaner. I prefer Burnaware for burning. As for Skype, it it simply a program for making free phone calls or does it have other uses too?

If you're on Windows 8, I honestly see no need for an external antivirus. The one it includes is pretty good and very lightweight. In fact, in the 3 years I was on Win7, I never installed nor saw the need for an external antivirus and my worst problem was when it falsely identified keygens and patches as viruses. Fortunately it could be configured to ask me what to do first before killing it.

[aa1234779]

I've previously requested daniil to upload such a windows installation that includes such apps.. I'd like to again ask & also Maher could release such a feature packed release on a bi-yearly or quarterly basis.. it would be just great wouldn't yous think?