So I get accused a lot of spouting off about applications I hate, and I've been asked what my typical system looks like. Good idea. I'll make two distinctions - between machines I setup for other people and my own system with the applications I need to get anything done.

My systems comprise of:

  • Windows Vista Ultimate Edition SP1.
  • Office 2007 Ultimate SP1:
      • Word 2007.
      Excel 2007.
      PowerPoint 2007.
      Outlook 2007.
      OneNote 2007.
  • Expression Studio 2:
      • Expression Web 2.
      Expression Encoder 2.
  • Emeditor Free.
  • Smart FTP 3.
  • Paint Shop Pro 7.
  • PhotoShop CS 2.
  • Sound Forge 8.
  • Virtual PC 2007 SP1.
  • WorldWide Telescope.
  • Virtual Earth.
  • Windows Live Messenger.

Yes this list isn't including the games I've got installed at the moment - as they build up in volume as I decide to play different ones.

For other people it looks more like this:

  • Windows Vista (whatever SKU they've got) SP1.
  • Office 2007 (whatever SKU they've got) SP1:
      • Word 2007.
      Excel 2007.
      PowerPoint 2007.
      Outlook 2007.
      OneNote 2007.
  • Windows Live Suite:
      • Windows Live Messenger.
      Windows Live Mail.
      Windows Live Writer.
      Windows Live Photo Gallery.
  • AVG Free 8.
  • WorldWide Telescope.
  • Virtual Earth.

Keeping your computer in good working order starts with not installing any old junk on your system, these applications are all good citizens. Well there are two acceptions: Windows Live Messenger and AVG Free 8 which need a bit of tweaking before I find them acceptable. I am always shocked at how much junk people have installed on their systems, so many little applications of varying quality all over the place cannot have a positive impact on system performance and reliability.