We reveal the 100 applications that make Windows Vista the best operating system in the world. By James Stables
Published
on Monday, September 01, 2008
CrazyTalk
If fun is the order of the day then you can’t get much more interactive than CrazyTalk. Now in its fifth incarnation, CrazyTalk enables you to manipulate your photos to make them talk, with easy editing and sound recording functions that are great for all ages.
Price
£19.99
Web www.reallusion.com
Camtasia
Camtasia enables you to take video captures of your screen, which is an easy way to create video tutorials and demonstrations.
Price
£179.99
Web www.techsmith.com
Skype
Get free calls to other users and cheap international calls to landlines using your PC. Skype supports video calling, and offers a great and inexpensive way to keep in touch with friends and relatives across the world.
Price
Free
Web www.skype.com
Windows Live Mesh
Connect your PCs and digital devices together in one application, designed to blur the lines between PCs and the internet, and break down barriers between where your data is stored.
Price
Free
Web www.mesh.com
Windows Live SkyDrive
An application that enables you to store 5GB of files, documents, music and pictures online, so that they can be accessed and downloaded from anywhere you can connect to the internet.
Price
Free
Webskydrive.live.com
YawCam
YawCam turns your webcam into a motion-sensing security camera, which saves pictures then emails them to you. It’s great for catching burglars or other intruders, or simply seeing what your cat gets up to while you’re at work.
Price
Free
Web http://www.yawcam.com/
TunerFree MCE
A favourite Media Center plugin, TunerFree MCE enables you to access iPlayer, 4OD and ITV on-demand services. What’s more, it works with Windows Media Extenders such as the Xbox 360, which means you can have TV streamed to your living room.
Price
Free
Web http://www.milliesoft.co.uk/
Last.fm
Social networking hits music with Last.fm, which enables you to listen to music, get recommendations, stream radio tailored to your tastes, make friends and get local gig recommendations.
Price
Free
Web www.last.fm
Joost
The free internet TV service promised growth when it launched last year, and it’s delivered, with new content being added almost daily, and deals being brokered with major television networks.
Price
Free
Web www.joost.com
iTunes
For iPod owners, iTunes is an essential application for organising and purchasing music, and now downloading videos and podcasts, too.
Price
Free
Web www.itunes.com
FeedDemon
Get all your news delivered to one place with FeedDemon. This once paid-for, now free, application makes keeping up with your favourite web sites easy, and more importantly, helps you keep on top of thousands of feeds.
Price
Free
Web www.newsgator.com
MCE Buddy
The ultimate Windows Media Center add-on, MCEBuddy enables you to convert your recorded video for any media device, and even trims out the adverts for seamless viewing pleasure.
Price
Free
Web http://www.mcebuddy.com/
Aerofoil
A quick application that enables you to turn off Windows Aero graphics at the touch of a button, which is great for gaming and notebook applications alike. It also enables you to set power plans for mobile devices, to make batteries last that bit longer.
Price
Free
Websilentdevelopment.blogspot.com
iPlayer
The BBC’s on-demand video service has exceeded all expectations, taken the country by storm and has soared to millions of viewers. You can stream video, or download programmes to your computer to watch in high quality whenever you want.
Price
Free
Web www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
eBay Desktop
If you’re a serial eBayer, this desktop application is essential. Using Adobe Air, this slick program lets you finetune searches, watch auctions and make bids in a smooth interface away from the linear web site structure.
Price
Free
Webdesktop.ebay.com
Audacity
From creating ringtones to editing sound recordings and making podcasts, anything is possible in Audacity, the open-source sound editor.
Price
Free
Webaudacity.sourceforge.net
Windows Live Listas
Microsoft started Windows Live Listas as an easy way to create and share lists – but ended up with one of the best ways to store web favourites and clippings, accessible from anywhere.
Price
Free
Weblistas.labs.live.com
Steam
Catapulting PC gaming into the 21st century, Steam lets you download and play the latest games and provides a great multiplayer platform, too. Most new games are available through Steam, and it includes friends, groups and invitations.
Price
Free
Web www.steampowered.com
Windows Live Messenger
Staying in contact couldn’t be easier, and now you can start video calls, voice chat, shared folder sending, webcam viewing and even on-demand TV. Windows Live Messenger is fast becoming an entertainment hub, with millions of users.
Price
Free
Webget.live.com
GIMP
Photo manipulation doesn’t get easier than with GIMP, with a simple interface and plenty of functionality.
Price
Free
Web http://www.gimp.org/
100 -80 │ 79 - 60 │ 59 - 40 │ 39 - 20 │ 19 - 1