The Google Pack is collection of free software applications recommended by Google. This article will take a look at the recommendations and, where applicable, recommend alternatives.
There was quite a lot of speculation about Googles motives in promoting this pack when it came out, with one critic calling it a ‘ragtag package‘. Whilst I appreciate that many users are already well aware of all of the software listed here (and some better alternatives) it is still a very helpful offerring for the great many PC users that aren’t advanced enough to know what they can get for free on the web. When a company of Google’s prominence makes such recommendations they reach many people. These recommendations go a long way to helping new (and older) users of the Internet save money that would otherwise be taken by the Microsoft, Dell and PC Worlds out there and for that reason we will help promote it by discussing further here.
Google Desktop
Google Desktop is a multifunctional sidebar addition to your desktop that lets you search your home computer in the same way you would the web. Search all documents, images and emails and receive the results in the usual Google format. This is a very customisable and useful addition but it can impair the performance of your system. Definitely worth a try as it may speed up your productivity but if you find your system sluggish because of it I would recommend remoiving it and improving your filing instead!
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
If you must use Internet Explorer and I don’t recommend it, this is the only toolbar that you will need even though you may have thousands!
Picasa
An image viewing tool, not a bad one, but I am suspicious of anything that sits in your systray waiting to take resources. Try it, if you don’t use it more than three times in the first month, remove it.
Google Photos Screensaver
Not really worth having as Windows has this as a built in feature.
Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar
If you don’t have this already, you should. It’s by far the best browser and is almost limitlessly extensible due to the huge number of easily installed add pons you can get for it. An absolute must.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Essential yes, interesting, no.
Norton Security Scan
You will detect that your system is now running very slow. Forget this and get AVG Free instead.
Spyware Doctor Starter Edition
Spyware detectors are essential but there is no need for this one. You can use Adaware and Spybot which are much better for free.
RealPlayer
A great looking media player but one that wants to take over your whole computer. This was once one of the best media players out there, now it spends all your resources and bandwidth talking to ‘Real Network’. A ‘Real’ shame if you ask me. As intrusive as iTunes without the kudos. Stick with Windows Media Player or go for the perennial favourite Winamp.
Skype
If you need a Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone then shop around, Skype is the most well-known but may not suit you best.
GalleryPlayer HD Images
There are ten free HD images with this but you can find free HD images on the web if you want them so please leave this out of your Google Pack.
