Downloads for new laptop? Definitely need a spellchecker

xoxyx

Hey. I'm the proud owner of a new laptop. I had my last one for over five years and have long since forgot where I found all the little things that made my own laptop so personal.
I know, for example, on my last laptop, I had a spellchecker that acted like the MS Word one did, so, whenever I was typing a message (like this one) it would put nice red squiggly lines under misspelled text and when I clicked on the word, it would give me suggestions. Now, I find it difficult to tell if I've spelled squiggly properly.
Can anyone tell me where I could find a spellchecker like that one, and also recommend any other good things I should download. I do remember having to download Java on my last laptop so that I could play Jet Slalom (that game is mega addictive!).
But, I want to be very, very careful not to get any viruses. My old computer had a few minor ones that I just couldn't get rid of. I currently have a trial version of McAfee Security Protection to, um, protect and secure me - but I've no idea how good it is.
Thanks for any help!

Tallon

Ninite

Alanstrainor

Download chrome or firefox for a spell checker in your web browser.

Oh and download microsoft security essentials, it's pretty good for viruses and the likes and it's free.

admiralofthefleet

download avira as your anti virus software.

ccleaner is a good program to clean junk off your system

xoxyx

Cheers! I've bookmarked the ninite page (first bookmark!). Are there any downsides to Chrome? I know I tried Firefox before and had difficulties getting into a lot of sites.
I think I'm ok for anti virus 'cause I can get Norton free from work. I just don't have it yet but assume McAfee will tide me over for the next week or so.

davenewt

Sunbelt personal firewall... free version... http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/home-home-office/sunbelt-personal-firewall/

sceptre

z_topaz wrote: »

I know, for example, on my last laptop, I had a spellchecker that acted like the MS Word one did, so, whenever I was typing a message (like this one) it would put nice red squiggly lines under misspelled text and when I clicked on the word, it would give me suggestions. Now, I find it difficult to tell if I've spelled squiggly properly.
Can anyone tell me where I could find a spellchecker like that one

If you're using Firefox, you want this

unnameduser

Here is a list of items that I would install on a fresh new machine (except some of the techhy things that most people wouldn't use)

Antivirus - Free: Avast or Paid: ESET NOD32
Firewall - Comodo or Zonealarm
Media Player - VLC Player
DVD Burner - DVD Flick
Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Java
Ccleaner for regular junk clean ups
Malwarebytes antimalware for regular malware scans
Revo Uninstaller to ensure removing programs is done 100%
CutePDF to print to PDF

Use the Decrapifier tool to get rid of the junk that comes with most new PC's

Don't forget to get all the latest updates too!

Oh and Tallon thanks for the link to Ninite - its v good.

Tallon

unnameduser wrote: »

Oh and Tallon thanks for the link to Ninite - its v good.

Cheers, I really can't stress enough how good that programme is.
Its a batch file so it only takes seconds to download and when you rebuild a machine, you just let it run and it will install all those programmes for you

RolandIRL

would definitely recommend zonealarm firewall. it's free and i think it's the best firewall out there.

also check the sticky at the top of the forum. most of what's on my laptop i got from there.