Linux
Originally Linux is a operating system kernel but nowadays it names a Unix-like operating system. The kernel was first released for intel architectures augmented with system utilities and libraries from the GNU project to create a usable operating system, which led to an alternative term, GNU/Linux. Linux is packaged for different uses in Linux distributions, which contain the sometimes modified kernel along with a variety of other software packages tailored to different requirements. Some of the free distributions are:

• Ubuntu / Kubuntu - Debian based linux distribution. It is quiet easy to install and maintain. Especally that's why this distribution is very popular with beginners and professionalst.
  
• Ubuntu-Studio - Ubuntu Studio is aimed at the GNU/Linux audio, video and graphic enthusiast as well as professional..
  
• Linux MCE - LinuxMCE is a free, open source add-on to Kubuntu including a 10' UI, complete whole-house media solution with pvr + distributed media, and the most advanced smarthome solution available. It also supports home automation using the European Installation Bus (EIB).
• SELinux - Security-Enhanced Linux implements mandatory access controls for linux using use of Linux Security Modules (LSM) in the Linux kernel. It is not a Linux distribution, but rather a set of modifications that can be applied to Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux and BSD.
  
• CentOS - CentOS is an Enterprise-class Linux Distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public by Red Hat. Therfore CentOS should be fully compatiple to RHEL 5.1.
  
• openSUSE - openSUSE.org provides free, easy access to the world's most usable Linux distribution, openSUSE. The openSUSE project gives Linux developers and enthusiasts everything they need to get started with Linux.
  

BSD
Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) is the UNIX derivative distributed by the University of California, Berkeley, starting in the 1970s. The term BSD describes a family of unix derivats. Next to the System V BSD is one othe main branches of the unix operating systems. most notable descendants in current use are:

• FreeBSD - FreeBSD aims to produce an operating system usable for any purpose. It is intended to run a wide variety of applications, be easy to use, contain cutting edge features, and be highly scalable on very high load network servers. FreeBSD focuses on a narrow set of architectures.
  
• PC-BSD - based on Free-BSD it focus on desktop appliycation.
  
• NetBSD - NetBSD places emphasis on portability, correct design, well-written code, stability, and efficiency. It runs on a wide variety of 32-bit and 64-bit processor architectures and hardware platforms, and is intended to interoperate well with other operating systems. Over 50 different hardware platforms are supported.
  
• OpenBSD - OpenBSD foccus on security, correctness, and being as free as possible. Security policies include revealing security flaws publicly, known as full disclosure; thoroughly auditing code for bugs and security issues; various security features, including the W^X page protection technology and heavy use of randomisation; a "secure by default" philosophy including disabling all non-essential services and sane initial settings; and integrated cryptography
  
• DragonFly BSD - Starting with FreeBSD 4.8, the main aim is to radically change the kernel architecture, introducing microkernel-like message passing which will enhance scalability and reliability on symmetric multiprocessing platforms, and also be applicable to NUMA and clustered systems. The long-term goal is to provide transparent single system image clustering.
  

MediaPortal
userinterface for Windows PC in order to turn such a system into a MediaCenter. Like Linux MCE or Windows MCE MediaPortal provides a user interfaces which simplifies the usage of common multimedia functions by provding a unified handling of the diffrent functions. Moreover the software supporting the usage of a remote control.

VirtualBox
a type 2 VMM for 32-bit and 64-bit x86-systems running on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and OpenSolaris hosts. It supports Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), Solaris and OpenBSD guest operating systems. It can be recomanded for destop systems to run alternative operationg system plattforms application or testing software leaving the host operating system untouched..

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VMware Server
a type 2 VMM especially for server system virtualization using hardware not supporting virtualization natively. Windows and Linux hosts can run DOS, Windows, Netware, Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD guest systems using VMWare Server.

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Xen
a type 1 VMM providing high performance espacially on hardware supprting virtualization natively like Intel VT oder AMD-V (processor flag: VMX or SVM). Guest operating systems can be Windows, Linux Solaris or BSD.
For security reasons Xen should be installed on all systems which nativley support virtualization.
A very easy way of installing and operating a Xen host is provided by Citrix called Citrix XenServer.

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Java
Java-Runtime Environment (JRE) from Sun Microsystems is a Java Virtual Machine executing Java bytecode.

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Python
Compiler and runtime environment for python programs. Python's core syntax and semantics are minimalistic, while the standard library is large and comprehensive. Its design philosophy emphasizes programmer productivity and code readability. Python is often used as scripting language within application (like openoffice, gimp) or for WEB-programming. Next to simplicity and clarity of the python code the support of other program language code is a big advantage of python.

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Perl
Program interpreter for the Perl program language. It is mostly used to make report processing easier on UNIX system and network adminstration activites. It is quiet often used within evironments where data streams from very diffrent sources have to be processed.

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TCL
Tool Command Language (TCL) has a simple syntax and grammar, can be extended with other langauge code, supports multithreading and self modifing program code. It is most commonly used for rapid prototyping, scripted applications, GUIs and testing.

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PC INSPECTOR™ File Recovery
Data recovery program that supports the FAT 12/16/32 and NTFS file systems.

Dvdisaster
stores data on on media in a way that it is fully recoverable even after some read errors have developed. This enables you to rescue the complete data to a new medium.

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Recuva
Utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted by bugs, crashes and viruses!

DriveImage XML
DriveImage XML is an easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up partitions and logical drives. The program allows you to Backup logical drives and partitions to image files, Browse these images, view and extract files, Restore these images to the same or a different drive, Copy directly from drive to drive.
DriveImage XML runs under Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista only since it uses Microsoft's Volume Shadow Services (VSS), allowing you to create safe "hot images" even from drives currently in use. The program will backup, image and restore drives formatted with FAT 12, 16, 32 and NTFS.

DRBD
The software enbales to setup a RAID 1 between 2 computers connected via a TCP/IP connection. Mirroring all access on a harddisk via a TCP/IP to another computers harddisk a distributed RAID 1 sytsem can be implemented.

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MBRwizard
Utility designed to help with difficulties surrounding the the Master Boot Record: Save or Backup MBR, Restore MBR from backup, Delete MBR, Fix or repair a corrupt MBR, Copy Sectors, Modify the disk signature, Sort partition table entries.

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Antivirus Software

• ClamWin - open source. It does not include an on-access real-time scanner. To scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware the sooftware has to be starteted manually.
  
• Comodo AntiVirus - On-access real-time scanner. Protects against viruses, worms, spyware.
  
• PC Tools AntiVirus - real-time scanner with a comprehensive system scanning to ensure the computer to remain safe and virus free. It does not support windows server systems!
  
• AntiVir - free for personal use. On-access real-time scanner. Runs as a background process, checking for viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits and protection against dialers and phishing. It also performs Internet updates (daily by default). Windows server systems are not supported by the free version.
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Antirootkit
Tools supporting detectin and removale of rootkits on Win32 plattforms by scanning for hidden processes, threads, services, files, Alternate Data Streams, registry keys mbr, and driver hooking.

• RootkitRevealer - Helios Lite - GMER - Helios Lite - IceSword - Comodo BOClean
  
• Rootkit Hunter - This tool scans for rootkits, backdoors and local exploits by running tests like:
  - MD5 hash compare
  - Look for default files used by rootkits
  - Wrong file permissions for binaries
  - Look for suspected strings in LKM and KLD modules
  - Look for hidden files
  - Optional scan within plaintext and binary files
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Personal Firewall
A personel firewall is software to control applications and network traffic on a computer enforcing rule based policies. Diffrenet to common firewalls a personal firewalls has to support the access control of code execution and the conjunction of application and network activities on a computer. A classical firewall is foccused on controling network traiffic for a network.

• Comodo Internet Security - Softwaresuite providing personal firewall and antivrus functionallity. Each function module can be installed and used speratly or together. As a pity windows server operatings systems are not supported.
  
• PC Tools Firewall Plus - personel firewall providing protection against threads like rojans, backdoors, keyloggers and other malware by monitoring applications that connect to the network and the complete network traffic. It supports IPv6 as well windows 2000 and 2003 server systems.
  
• TuxGuardian - Personal firewall for Linux enabeling to enforce access control policies to the network resources in order to identify and control every application that tries to access the network.
  

SIW
SIW is tool that gathers detailed information about a Windows operated PC system properties and settings. The information can be accessed via the programm interface or report files. CSV, HTML, TXT or XML formats are supported and the software can be run in a batch mode for applications like for Asset Inventory Tracking, Software and Hardware Inventory, PC Audit, Software Audit, Software License Compliance Management.

Unknown Devices
Unknown Devices helps to find out about the unknown devices indicated by Device Manager reporting the manufacturer, device-ID and OEM data.

Baseline Security Analyzer
The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer tool (MBSA) is a tool which centrally scans Windows-based computers for common security misconfigurations and generates individual security reports for each computer that it scans.

Security Assessment Tool
The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool (MSAT) is a risk-assessment application designed to provide information and recommendations about best practices for security within an information technology (IT) infrastructure.

DriverMax
DriverMax is a new program which allows you to easily reinstall all your Windows drivers. DriverMax is able to display a complete report of all drivers (versions, release dates) installed on your system. The Export Wizard will only export the drivers you select by copying the needed files to a folder or a compressed ZIP file. The Import Drivers wizard allows to install all the drivers being exported earlier.

Personal Software Inspector (PSI)
can be used to flag insecure/end-of-life software and find direct download links to missing security updates.
The tool examins files on a computer (primarily .exe, .dll, and .ocx files) for meta information on specific software builds installed. After examining all the files on the machine, the collected data is sent to Secunia’s servers and matched against the Secunia File Signatures engine determine the exact applications installed on your system.

FileAlyzer
Analysis of files (showing file properties and file contents in hex dump form) and interpretation of common file contents like resources structures (like text, graphics, HTML, media and PE).

ADS Locator
This small tool can be used to find files that have alternate ADS streams attached. It will only find those ADS entries that are of the user type "alternate", which is sometimes used by spyware, malware and viruses.

Keylogger
Software for capturing and recording user keystrokes.

• Simple Python Keylogger - open source
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• Home KeyLogger - Freeware
  
• ttyrpld - open source
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HowtoForge
How to Frog provides helpful tutorial to install and configure UNIX systems. Main topics are Desktop Systeme, Virtualization, VPN, Email, WEB, DNS, Backup and Server management.

SwitchDisplay
Very simple and comfortable way to change display resolution between preconfigured screen modes. Switching can be done by either using the mouse, keyboard hot keys or command line. Therfore ideal for presentations (adapt notebbok to projector resolution) home cinema (change from TV to projector resolution), supporting different standard resolution for users on a windows pc (configure automatically the screen resolution in relation to the logged on user)

XP-AntiSpy
Configration tool for Windows operating systems dedicated to functions exchanging data between the computer and software vendor like automatic updates, error reports, configuration reports and so on. XP-Antispy enables you to administrate these functions in an easy way.

Tweak UI
System settings that are not exposed in the Windows XP default user interface can be configured very comfortable with this soaftware.

Launcher Service
enables to run any program as Winows service. Diffrent to the tools provided by the Windows Resource Kit "instsrv.exe" and "srvany.exe" launch service restart a program if it crashes, or when the computer enters in hibernation state, closes the program nicely if the user stops the service and deletes *.tmp files in the program's working folder that may prevent it from starting.

IPv6
is a replacement Internet Protocol that will enhance the ability to sustain the continuous growth of the Internet. Solving the IP address space depletion dilemma of IPv4 ( 10⁹=2³² to 3.4 x 10³⁸=2¹²⁸) and enhancing other properties IPv6 is more than an improved long term addressing facility. It is a protocol that offers more scalable network architecture, improved security and data integrity, improved quality of service and security enhancements.

To aktivate and operate IPv6 on a computer the following links might give some valuable hints:

• Advanced Networking Pack für Windows XP - IPv6 for Windows XP.
  
• Howto install and configure IPv6 - insrtuction to activate IPv6 on different OS plattforms (german).
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PatchLoader
pcwUltimateLoader is a tool which creates an update archive with all relvant windows updates for the system the software is executed. Threfore it is very helpful for creating XP-Setup-CDs with all actual windows updates.

Installation Media
The tools below support to customize demand-oriented M$ OS installation media. Very essential if a computer has no floppy dirve and drivers needed to install the computer which are not on the installation CD.

• nLite - for W2k, XP, 2003.
  
• vLite - for Vista 32 and 64 Bit.
  

QuickOpen
This utility lets you open files, folders or programs with ith one or more keystroke you defined, and memorize easily. It supports USB sticks to provide a familry environment on any PC without leaving any traces.

Notepad++
Open-Source-Editor.

Microsoft Utilites
On the Microsoft WEB-Site different utilities are available which support every days configuration and maintinance tasks for Win32 platforms:

• Sysinternals - Sysinternals host advanced system utilities and technical information to help manage, troubleshoot and diagnose Windows systems and applications.
  
• Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools - Set of tools to help administrators streamline management tasks such as troubleshooting operating system issues, managing Active Directory®, configuring networking and security features, and automating application deployment.
  
• System Tools - Tools, utilities, updates, and more to help you manage your IT systems.
  
• Windows PowerShell - object oriented command-line shell and scripting environment that brings the power of the .NET Framework to command-line users and script writers.
  
• TechNet Magazine - Magazine Source Code 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  

RegAlyzer
A tool to browse and change the registry, providing some features the original regedit lacks.

CCleaner
CCleaner removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history.

Ken Rename
Multi-file rename utility.

Defraggler
Defragmentation tool enabling a quickly and simply defrag of the selected files without having to process the whole drive.

Capivara
Graphical file transfer and file synchronization application supporting SFTP and FTP network protocols.

Boot CDs
A Boot CD enables a computer to be started and operated from a CD/DVD drive without using a hard disk. Boot CDs are very helpfull to repair OS installtions on harddisks, scan for and remove viruses, back up data or test hardware.

• BartPE and PE Builder - enables to create a Boot CD from a Windows XP or Windows 2003 installation CD.
  
• VistaPE - enables to create a Boot CD from a Windows Vista installation CD.
  
• KNOPPIX - Linux based boot CD.
  
• Morphix - tool to setup a Linux based boot CD.
  
• FreeBSD LiveCD - tool to setup a freeBSD based boot CD.