The Ten Best: Software packages
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.1 Apple iLife '06 (Mac) £55
This package lets you edit and share photos, videos and music in dozens of ways, from burning home movies to creating Podcasts and even constructing websites in minutes.
www.apple.com/uk; 08000 391 010
2 Office Professional 2003 (PC) £400
Each of the Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Publisher) has become standard in its field. An updated Office 2007 will be on sale from January.
www.microsoft.co.uk; 08706 010 100
3 Photoshop Elements 4.0 (PC/Mac) £65/£60
You don't need to be a darkroom fanatic to want good image editing software. This version of Adobe's professional Photoshop package has nearly all the power of its big brother.
www.adobe.co.uk; 020-8606 1100
4 Novell SuSE Linux 10.0 (PC) £40
Linux is an Open Source operating system that can replace Windows. This contains the latest version, plus more than 4,000 programs. Some PC knowledge will help.
www.novell.com; 01344 724 000
5 ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite (PC) £40
This one-stop package protects from hackers, crackers, phishers and identity thieves, as well as the thousands of net viruses. The price includes a year of automatic updates.
6 Norton Ghost 10.0 (PC) £40
Hard drives can and do fail. The best solution is back up your computer regularly, using CD and DVD discs or, preferably, a second hard disc. Ghost does all this automatically.
www.symantec.co.uk; 08702 431 080
7 Google pack (PC)
Free
This freeware collection features a fantastic web browser (Firefox), media player, photo organiser, spyware remover, instant messenger and more to download.
http://pack.google.com/
8 Encarta 2007 Premium (PC) £40
Microsoft's encyclopaedia software contains 64,000 fact-checked articles, plus photos, videos and sound clips. It has just about everything needed to research school work.
www.microsoft.co.uk; 08706 010 100
9 Driving Test Success Theory (PC) £10
This package could put you in the driving seat. It contains all 1,200 possible questions from the theory section of the Driving Test, complete with hints and explanations.
www.focusmm.co.uk; 01889 570 156
10 Who Do You Think You Are? (PC) £30
Track your family history using this genealogy software. It comes with discs containing basic parish records and census data, although you'll find much more online.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments