Which software should I choose to have installed in a laptop I'm buying?

by contemplative imaging

Ok, I’m export this laptop for fleeting usage while I’m out of the country for 3-6mos. I just started a small advertising business online, so I need it to keep my website and directory “updated”.
The ad says “Additional Software available for FREE! Just tell me what you want loaded on!” and these are the options…

DVD- VIDEO SOFTWARE:
Movies 2 Go
Video Studio 6
Nero 6
Nero 7
Media Show
WinDVD

PUBLISHING/GRAPHICS SOFTWARE:
Desktop Publisher
ClipArt Warehouse
Greeting Card Magic
ResumePro

PHOTO SOFTWARE:
MS Digital Image Suite
Photo Explorer (Cool360)
Camera Suite 1.3
Photo Impression
Photo Express Deluxe
Photo Album 6 (Corel)

MISC.:
Quicken 2002
Naturally Speaking
Stuff It

My question is… Can someone help me make a pronouncement as to “which” software is excellent to have?
I’m particularly attracted in software that’ll help me with the building/upgrading of my website… but if there’s other stuff that’d be fantastic to have, delight also let me know =)
Much thx!!!
**10 POINTS**
ADD: Oh! Don’t know if you necessarily need these details, but just in case:
It’s a Dell Inspiron 1000 series with the following comments:

* VERY clean (inside & out)
* Fresh bed in of XP Pro sp3
* Norton Security Suite
* All updates are current
* Celeron CPU 2.2Ghz
* 512 RAM
* 30 GB HDD
* DVD/CD-RW
* Internet ready!
* Original users manuals
* Comes with charger & nice case

Answer by Maitomaito
If you need a software to build / upgrade your website, i would recommend Microsoft Office Publisher. It’s kind of simple software, simple to learn to use.

Add your own answer in the comments!

New Camera


Image by sirwiseowl
Yesterday Sylvia and I called into our local "The Warehouse" to pick up some bits and pieces for Sylvia’s jewelry making leisure activity.

I somehow ‘drifted’ into the area that sells cameras. mobile phones …….. While admiring the camera range (very limited being a chain store) I spotted a ever so tiny ‘Kodak Simple Share’ digital camera that was no larger than now’s mobile phone.
Now, I thought, this would be ideal for carrying around in my pocket all day long for those ‘Wish I had my camera with me’ captures.

Why not get a camera moble phone you say? Personally I consider mobile phone built in cameras a waste of time because of the inferior quality.

Now this small beauty also has 10.3 mega pixels. Within a matter of minutes I convinced for myself that I ‘needed’ this camera because my camera only has 6.3 mega pixel and printing out enlargements over 5×7 one looses quality rapidly.

Talk about impulse export…. Two excellent reasons why I had to have this small beauty… better quality enlargements plus being able to carry it with me always.
No. not with me to bed! Sylvia would certainly not approve!

Now the price 9. Well, what are credit cards for?

Okay, I now own a new camera and have taken half a dozen photos. I’m amazed at the quality of the images. Here are a few shots taken in our flower backyard. Why pay 00 for a camera with each gadget on it and get the same results with a 0 one.

I have always been of the opinion that a excellent photo is made with thoughts and then plotting the composition, lighting and taking time ‘to get it right,’ even if when taking a landscape returning to the vista numerous times to record the situation that gives most satisfaction and the feeling that this is the best the vista can provide.

I have seen photos taken with ancient box cameras and entered into photography competitions and win top awards.

So to me, the ‘perfect’ photo is made by the person behind the camera who has the thoughts, plotting, creativity and enthusiasm.

I know of photographers who have the most expensive camera and each possible bit of equipment but never seem to come up with pleasing photos. They are always looking for and talking about the next’ gadget that comes out.

I don’t use a tripod, and have no extra lens and even my tabletop set alight box is just an ancient cold/ice bin. I most times just use the set alight coming through the window for tabletop work.

So, all you need is a camera, enthusiasm and an over active creative mind.
Oh! I’ve written so much here, naturally I don’t bother with words, I like to take photos!

Lost luggage, now arriving in Alabama
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. | Welcome to the final resting house for lost luggage. Along a country road next to a muffler shop and a cemetery is a 40,000-square-foot store filled with all the items that never made it home from vacation. Shoes, samurai swords, iPods, even lingerie, all available for 20 …
Read more on The Washington Times

Digital camera clip of Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice live in Columbus, at BLD Warehouse (RIP). Summer 2004.