Applications that are indispensable for netbooks

Finding software for netbooks is relatively difficult work due to small hard drive capacity, low processing capacity, low RAM and limited screen. But that doesn't mean you have to skip interesting and useful programs.

All of the entertainment, production, security and communication applications . for netbooks are great because it doesn't consume much processing power of the system, and most importantly they are free.

* 360 Desktop ( http://www.360desktop.com/ )

With a maximum resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels of most netbooks today there is not enough space needed to open multiple windows at the same time. Desktop 360 is the satisfactory answer to keep windows displayed side by side. This small utility will expand your desktop background so you can rotate 360-degree windows. 360 Desktop replaces the Windows background with large, wide-spread images, and a small widget at the top of the screen, where you can manage all open windows on your computer.

* AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 ( http://free.avg.com/ )

Just like any PC, your netbook needs to be protected from the dangers of losing security from the Internet. Of course, due to limited processing power, a netbook cannot run 'hardware killer' security applications such as Symantec AntiVirus, BitDefender . but must run lightweight applications. And AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 is the answer. This software will help Windows netbooks fight adware threats, identity theft, spyware, and, of course, malicious virus programs. All are done by thorough processing capability that does not affect system performance. Of course, since it is free, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 loses some features such as secure download and IM protection. In return, this program runs very light and hardly causes any effect.

* Digsby ( http://www.digsby.com/ )

With a 10-inch standard screen of netbooks will not create a full time to track multiple chat windows at the same time. Digsby allows you to sign in to chat via popular IM applications such as AOL Instant Messenger, Facebook Chat, Google Talk, ICQ, Jabber, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger in a single window interface (no cost space) ). All of your chat windows are organized in a tab that is easy to track and manage. You can switch chat tabs back and forth with the function key combination Ctr + Tab. The program also lets you view the most recent emails (compatible with AOL / AIM Mail, Gmail, Hotmail .), and upgrade social networks (Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter).

* Dropbox ( http://www.getdropbox.com/ )

Not only is the answer to the limited storage capacity of netbooks, Dropbox also simplifies the transfer of files from a computer hard drive to a mini hard drive. For Windows, Mac, and Linux, Dropbox lets you upload 2GB of data to the network and then access it via a Web portal or from a PC. Download Dropbox for netbooks, PCs, or laptops, and then create folders to share from other computers. Files that are dragged and dropped into Dropbox will be accessed from any computer if they have a username and password (reserved for folders).

* Gmail Offline

Now Gmail users can read both e-mail and attachments even without an Internet connection, via a software called Gmail Offline. Google will save all your emails to your hard drive via Google Gears software. Then, whether or not your computer is connected, simply open the browser and type in the address www.gmail.com that you have replaced the e-mail in the e-mail section. You can even reply to an e-mail even if there is no network connection, something the reply is saved and only sent when there is a network.

* Google Chrome ( http://www.google.com/chrome )

Most netbooks are preinstalled with Windows XP and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 browser (old version). Therefore a new browser version like Google Chrome is an opportunity that you can hardly ignore. Not only does Google Chrome have great memory management capabilities, it also 'plans' the web pages into a separate processing process, and if a website is suspended, you can completely turn off the page. The web goes without affecting the entire open web browser. Keep the key combination Ctr + to enlarge the text on the web page for easy reading.

* Launchy ( http://www.launchy.net/ )

With a tiny mechanism like the netbook, it is very inconvenient to use the Start key to activate the programs in it. Launchy is a very light application, you just need to type the file name or the application to search is displayed. Soon after typing the first character, Launchy will automatically complete the rest of the characters. Alternatively, you can use Launchy to search the Web.

* OpenOffice 3.0 ( http://www.openoffice.org/ )

If you use Microsoft Office, most Windows XP netbooks install, you only have 60 days to try it out. That makes you feel more comfortable using the open-source office application OpenOffice 3.0. This program allows to create, edit documents, lesson items, spreadsheets, databases, draw and even read files of Microsoft Office 2007. Even though the download capacity of OpenOffice 3.0 comes up 142MB but once installed, this program consumes very few system resources.

* Paint.Net ( http://www.getpaint.net/ )

A high-end photo editing program like Adobe Photoshop cannot work smoothly on today's netbooks, but Paint.Net is totally possible. With an intuitive interface, various layers of support, many editing tools and special effects, Paint.Net can be considered as the best candidate for photo editing on netbooks. For netbook bloggers, Paint.Net helps to minimize photo editing time, narrowing the size, and adjusting the brightness in the blink of an eye. In addition, Paint.Net manages multiple photos on a single interface, so you won't have to open multiple windows at once.

* VLC Media Player ( http://www.videolan.org/vlc )

Because of problems with video codecs, Microsoft Media Player is not suitable for netbooks, but VLC Media Player instead. This program weighs only 116KB, and is very convenient for video playback. VLC Media Player can also play videos on external DVD drives.