The thing that I always dread the most about formatting my computer is installing all of the programs that I use. Most of the programs are freeware so there should be an easier way to install all of them, right? There is, and that way is AppSnap (the homepage is running a little slow so you can get it from Softpedia). It will download and install all of the latest programs from the application’s server and then it will install it for you.
After installing AppSnap and reviewing the changelog I noticed that this thing has a really nice list of free programs that many of you probably wouldn’t mind seeing. Basically, I would say that this is a condensed list of the one started in our forum by wipeout140 where you’ll find a very extensive list of applications that is constantly being updated, along with preferred applications in bold font.
Well, here are the applications that are included in AppSnap:
- Internet
- Azureus – BitTorrent Client
- *FileZilla – FTP Client
- *Firefox – Web Browser
- *Gaim – Instant Messenger
- Miranda IM – Instant Messenger
- *Putty – SSH and Telnet Client
- *Thunderbird – Mail Client
- TightVNC – VNC Server
- *uTorrent – BitTorrent Client
- Google WebAccelerator – Web Cache
- WinSCP – SFTP Client
- Xming – X-Windows Server
- Entertainment
- Productivity
- Abiword – Crossplatform Word Processor
- Adobe Reader – PDF Reader
- Audacity – Sound Editor
- BurnAtOnce – CD Burning
- FreeMind – Mind Mapping Tool
- *Google Desktop – Desktop Search
- *Notepad++ – Advanced Text Editor
- *Nvu – Web Authoring System
- *Paint.NET – Image Manipulation
- PDFCreator – Print to PDF
- *Picasa – Photo Organizer
- Vim – Advanced Text Editor
- Utilities
- *AutoHotKey – GUI Automation
- *CCleaner – System Optimization
- ClamWin – Antivirus
- Clump – GUI Tail Utility
- Command Prompt Here – Explorer Folder Context Menu
- SevenZip – Multi-Format File Archiver
- Stickies – Virtual Post-IT Notes
- Development
- Ant – Java-based Build Tool
- InnoSetup – Install System
- *MySQL – Relational Database
- *NSIS – Nullsoft Scriptable Install System
- *Python – Programming Language
- PyCurl – Python URL Transfer Library
- PyYAML – Python YAML Library
- wxPython – GUI Library for Python
- XAMPP – Apache/MySQL/PHP/Perl Distribution
An (*) represents a program that I have personally used AND would recommend that others use it as well.
It took me awhile to manually put together that list so hopefully you’ll find something that strikes you fancy. Of course, if you download and install AppSnap all of the programs above can be installed for you so you don’t even have to worry about finding the download links. Lazyness and convenience win once again! 
News Source: Lifehacker
You mean that AppSnap that’s in the forum has those programs (the listed ones) in it right? And can we choose not to install some of them if we don’t need them?
AppSnap has the programs that I listed above in the post and you can pick and choose which ones to install, or you can install them all if you really want to.
Let me know if that answers your question.
*cough*InstallPad ripoff*cough*
Automatix2 is usefull on a Linux distro where installing some software can be painful… but a Windows counter-part? Oh well… tech was made to make us lazy
For most of my other programs I have a CD-RW I keep updated. Things like Nero, my Firewall, and a few other programs.
But this program is nifty. In the future I imagine a googlepack like setup where you choose what programs you want and it collects it from the servers and in allows you to download 1 package.
Yup, it answered it. Thanks!
Funny, I’m using CD-RW too
to keep all latest apps in one place.