These are the software threads from the now disbanded Face of Smogon forum. Most of the lists are pretty small, so feel free to supply more alternatives if you have a "tried and true" suggestion. Be sure to check out the ones already offered though, chances are they actually are better than what you are using right now.
Remember to read the Rules if you haven't already. Smogon does not condone piracy and similar acts!
We really suggest you only post freeware, nobody is really willing to cough up money for software.
1. Media Players
Foobar2000 (Windows, Free)
Great music player, doesn't hog a ton of memory like iTunes, and it's also very easy to use. -Noobster
VLC Media Player (Windows, Free)
A great media player that accepts practicly any file format, is easy to use, and receives great critics. -Norulz
2. Downloading/Torrent
uTorrent (Windows, Free)
My BitTorrent client of choice, it has generally robust features and doesn't use a lot of memory. The executable is very small and doesn't require installation so it's easy to start using. - SSBM roy
DownThemAll (Multiplatform, Free)
A Firefox extension that supports mass downloading groups of files on a page through customizable filters and splits files for faster downloads. I've seen notably increased speeds using this compared to an ordinary download. - SSBM roy
Free Download Manager (Windows, Free)
Easily the best download manager. Easy to use, fast and light on hard drive. Can be used to download from HTTP/S, FTP servers and also has BitTorrent support. The best thing about this is, there is an opinion section of files, opinions contributed by other users. So you can check before you download whether the software is safe or not. Get it! - CrabNebula
GetRight (Windows, Free/Pay)
Same as Free Download Manager. Also has BitTorrent support. But it is trialware. So if you dislike Free Download Manager for some reason, this is for you! - CrabNebula
FlashGet (Windows, Free)
A leading download manager which supports many protocols. It also includes ed2k (eMule) functions, so you can download torrents as well. You can customize it to your liking, and even use it for downloading from popular download sites such as RapidShare, MegaUpload and FlashGet. If you have any type of account with the download sites, you may also use the login feature provided by FlashGet to download with your account. Say goodbye to your browser's download, and welcome FlashGet downloads. You may also run this program in the background, and it'll still download files, like in Limewire. - Faltzer
Azureus (Cross-platform, Free/Open-source)
BitTorrent client with many, many features, highly customizable interface and useful plugins. However, because it's cross-platform, it can't be as light and fast as other clients. My second choice, after uTorrent. -Wizard
3. Anti-Virus
Avast! (Windows, Free/Pay)
Great antivirus program. I suggest using it in tandem with Spybot. -Sanders
AVG Antivirus (Windows, Free/Pay)
On par with Avast and one of the best. Advantage this has over the other Antivirus softwares is that this takes very low system resources. -CrabNebula
NOD32 (Windows, Pay)
Awesome. If you have the money, get it. Small footprint and amazing security. -Sanders
ZoneAlarm Antivirus (Windows, Trial/Pay)
One of the best Antivirus software out there. Its decently fast and has a good database of viruses. It doesn't take up much hard drive space either, though while scanning it might eat your memory. Also frequently updated and while you are in the 15 day trial period, the updates are also free. -CrabNebula
4. Spyware Removal & Protection
Ad-Aware (Windows, Free)
Catches more of the lower-level threats than Spybot, I've found; works great with it. -Obi
Spybot - Search & Destroy (Windows/Linux using Wine, Free)
One of the best, if not the best spyware remover out there, it's free and the scans are fairly quick. Highly recommended as it does a great job of cleaning your computer! -Noobster
SpywareBlaster (Windows, Free)
This software doesn't scan for or remove spyware but prevents infections in the first place. Using it is as simple as turning on protection and occasionally checking updates. -SSBM roy
STOPZilla (Windows, $20)
Scans for free, but requires purchase/registration to delete/quarantine files. Award-winning, quickly updating, free email/phone hotline help. If you're willing to shell out, definitely a good purchase. -Basics
Spyware Doctor (Windows, Trial/Pay $50)
At $50 this is probably the most expensive piece of stand-alone anti-spyware, but it has been reviewed as the most effective at detection on numerous websites. A trial version is available which can't remove spyware (it only detects)
Windows Defender (Windows, Free)
Very quick scans, pretty good at detecting most stuff. Works great with Ad-Aware or SpyBot. Both of them if you're really paranoid. -Hazerider
5. Chatting and IM
Adium (Mac, Free)
The best multi-protocol IM client for Mac I've come across. -Sanders
Pidgin (Windows/Linux, open source)
Formerly known as GAIM (until America Online got uppity and told them to change it). A small, free multi-protocol IM client. Keeps all your GAIM settings (on windows anyway) if you install it while GAIM is installed, which I thought was nice. Universal IM client like Trillian. -Vagabond Aeon
mIRC (Windows, Free/Pay)
Everyone's favourite for IRC. Easy to use and has some advance features. With practice you will get used to using it easily and efficiently. - CrabNebula
XChat (Multiplatform, Free)
Sweet and simple. If you dislike mIRC for some reason, use this. XChat has a simple interface and fairly customizable. - CrabNebula
Trillian (Windows, Free/Pay) (Cost: $30)
Universal IM client, supports AIM, YIM, MSN, IRC, ICQ. Pro version also contains support for Jabber. - Kikuichimonji
6. FTP
FileZilla (Windows, Free)
Awesome FTP client. After using SmartFTP, CuteFTP and numerous others, this one came out on top. -Sanders
7. Burning
CDBurnerXP Pro (Windows, Free)
Nero alternative. Works awesome. -Sanders
DeepBurner (Windows, Free)
What I said before. -Sanders
FireStarter FX (Mac, Free)
Great burning application for Mac, with tons of functionality. -Sanders
Nero (Windows, Trial/Pay)
This is probably the best burning software out there. It can automatically convert mp3s to wavs for burning music CDs. It can do any sort of burning operation that you could ever think of. -Justin8649
Alcohol 120% (Windows, Trial/Pay) (Cost: $38)
Image ripping/burning software, also supports image mounting. Required to burn/mount proprietary .mds/.mdf format, also supports .bin/.cue, .iso, and .ccd formats and can burn/mount .nrg formats - Kikuichimonji
8. Ripping
EAC (Windows, Free)
Produces perfect rips of CDs by doing multiple passes. -Sanders
Max (Mac, Free)
Runs on the same principal as EAC, instead using the cdparanoia engine. -Sanders
Alcohol 120% (Windows, Trial/Pay) (Cost: $38)
Creates disk images, also supports burning and mounting. Creates disks with formats .bin/.cue, .iso, .ccd, and proprietary .mdf/.mds - Kikuichimonji
Remember to read the Rules if you haven't already. Smogon does not condone piracy and similar acts!
We really suggest you only post freeware, nobody is really willing to cough up money for software.
1. Media Players
Foobar2000 (Windows, Free)
Great music player, doesn't hog a ton of memory like iTunes, and it's also very easy to use. -Noobster
VLC Media Player (Windows, Free)
A great media player that accepts practicly any file format, is easy to use, and receives great critics. -Norulz
2. Downloading/Torrent
uTorrent (Windows, Free)
My BitTorrent client of choice, it has generally robust features and doesn't use a lot of memory. The executable is very small and doesn't require installation so it's easy to start using. - SSBM roy
DownThemAll (Multiplatform, Free)
A Firefox extension that supports mass downloading groups of files on a page through customizable filters and splits files for faster downloads. I've seen notably increased speeds using this compared to an ordinary download. - SSBM roy
Free Download Manager (Windows, Free)
Easily the best download manager. Easy to use, fast and light on hard drive. Can be used to download from HTTP/S, FTP servers and also has BitTorrent support. The best thing about this is, there is an opinion section of files, opinions contributed by other users. So you can check before you download whether the software is safe or not. Get it! - CrabNebula
GetRight (Windows, Free/Pay)
Same as Free Download Manager. Also has BitTorrent support. But it is trialware. So if you dislike Free Download Manager for some reason, this is for you! - CrabNebula
FlashGet (Windows, Free)
A leading download manager which supports many protocols. It also includes ed2k (eMule) functions, so you can download torrents as well. You can customize it to your liking, and even use it for downloading from popular download sites such as RapidShare, MegaUpload and FlashGet. If you have any type of account with the download sites, you may also use the login feature provided by FlashGet to download with your account. Say goodbye to your browser's download, and welcome FlashGet downloads. You may also run this program in the background, and it'll still download files, like in Limewire. - Faltzer
Azureus (Cross-platform, Free/Open-source)
BitTorrent client with many, many features, highly customizable interface and useful plugins. However, because it's cross-platform, it can't be as light and fast as other clients. My second choice, after uTorrent. -Wizard
3. Anti-Virus
Avast! (Windows, Free/Pay)
Great antivirus program. I suggest using it in tandem with Spybot. -Sanders
AVG Antivirus (Windows, Free/Pay)
On par with Avast and one of the best. Advantage this has over the other Antivirus softwares is that this takes very low system resources. -CrabNebula
NOD32 (Windows, Pay)
Awesome. If you have the money, get it. Small footprint and amazing security. -Sanders
ZoneAlarm Antivirus (Windows, Trial/Pay)
One of the best Antivirus software out there. Its decently fast and has a good database of viruses. It doesn't take up much hard drive space either, though while scanning it might eat your memory. Also frequently updated and while you are in the 15 day trial period, the updates are also free. -CrabNebula
4. Spyware Removal & Protection
Ad-Aware (Windows, Free)
Catches more of the lower-level threats than Spybot, I've found; works great with it. -Obi
Spybot - Search & Destroy (Windows/Linux using Wine, Free)
One of the best, if not the best spyware remover out there, it's free and the scans are fairly quick. Highly recommended as it does a great job of cleaning your computer! -Noobster
SpywareBlaster (Windows, Free)
This software doesn't scan for or remove spyware but prevents infections in the first place. Using it is as simple as turning on protection and occasionally checking updates. -SSBM roy
STOPZilla (Windows, $20)
Scans for free, but requires purchase/registration to delete/quarantine files. Award-winning, quickly updating, free email/phone hotline help. If you're willing to shell out, definitely a good purchase. -Basics
Spyware Doctor (Windows, Trial/Pay $50)
At $50 this is probably the most expensive piece of stand-alone anti-spyware, but it has been reviewed as the most effective at detection on numerous websites. A trial version is available which can't remove spyware (it only detects)
Windows Defender (Windows, Free)
Very quick scans, pretty good at detecting most stuff. Works great with Ad-Aware or SpyBot. Both of them if you're really paranoid. -Hazerider
5. Chatting and IM
Adium (Mac, Free)
The best multi-protocol IM client for Mac I've come across. -Sanders
Pidgin (Windows/Linux, open source)
Formerly known as GAIM (until America Online got uppity and told them to change it). A small, free multi-protocol IM client. Keeps all your GAIM settings (on windows anyway) if you install it while GAIM is installed, which I thought was nice. Universal IM client like Trillian. -Vagabond Aeon
mIRC (Windows, Free/Pay)
Everyone's favourite for IRC. Easy to use and has some advance features. With practice you will get used to using it easily and efficiently. - CrabNebula
XChat (Multiplatform, Free)
Sweet and simple. If you dislike mIRC for some reason, use this. XChat has a simple interface and fairly customizable. - CrabNebula
Trillian (Windows, Free/Pay) (Cost: $30)
Universal IM client, supports AIM, YIM, MSN, IRC, ICQ. Pro version also contains support for Jabber. - Kikuichimonji
6. FTP
FileZilla (Windows, Free)
Awesome FTP client. After using SmartFTP, CuteFTP and numerous others, this one came out on top. -Sanders
7. Burning
CDBurnerXP Pro (Windows, Free)
Nero alternative. Works awesome. -Sanders
DeepBurner (Windows, Free)
What I said before. -Sanders
FireStarter FX (Mac, Free)
Great burning application for Mac, with tons of functionality. -Sanders
Nero (Windows, Trial/Pay)
This is probably the best burning software out there. It can automatically convert mp3s to wavs for burning music CDs. It can do any sort of burning operation that you could ever think of. -Justin8649
Alcohol 120% (Windows, Trial/Pay) (Cost: $38)
Image ripping/burning software, also supports image mounting. Required to burn/mount proprietary .mds/.mdf format, also supports .bin/.cue, .iso, and .ccd formats and can burn/mount .nrg formats - Kikuichimonji
8. Ripping
EAC (Windows, Free)
Produces perfect rips of CDs by doing multiple passes. -Sanders
Max (Mac, Free)
Runs on the same principal as EAC, instead using the cdparanoia engine. -Sanders
Alcohol 120% (Windows, Trial/Pay) (Cost: $38)
Creates disk images, also supports burning and mounting. Creates disks with formats .bin/.cue, .iso, .ccd, and proprietary .mdf/.mds - Kikuichimonji