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If you've not downloaded the newest free software bundle from Google yet, then you've gotta read this...

This package includes the latest powerful tools with countless features that will benefit you in a number of ways. There's text, photo, music, and video applications, programs that address security issues, and things to assist you in exploring the web. There's handy desktop applications and other useful, timesaving goodies. A couple of these programs have potential limited only by your imagination. This is a great collection for anyone, whether you're building websites, doing research, or just surfing the web, and, best of all, it's completely free!

Here's what's included...

GOOGLE SOFTWARE

• Google Earth is a "3D Earth browser" that lets you view actual photos of the earth from space to street level. Create maps, find driving directions, or look at your own house. A bird's-eye view of the world...
• Picasa is a photo organizer that allows you to find all of the photos stored on your computer, and organize, edit, and share them with others.
• Google Pack Screensaver allows you to convert photos from your personal collection into screensavers that may be set up as collages or full screen pictures.
• Google Desktop is a desktop companion with a TON of features. It features a sidebar that gives you instant access to a number of useful applications -- a real timesaver!
• Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer also come with a ton of features. With it, you can run a search from any webpage, autofill forms, or list the Google page rank of any webpage.

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE

• Mozilla Firefox with Google Toolbar is a quick and secure web browser. It allows you to browse using tabs rather than separate windows and has many useful plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions available. If you don't have Firefox yet, I would highly recommend it!
• Norton Antivirus 2005 Special Edition is an AV program that protects your PC from viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. The Google Pack includes a 6-month subscription and updates.
• Ad-Aware SE Personal is an antispyware utility that safely detects and removes spyware to protect your privacy.
• Adobe Reader 7 allows you to view, print, and search PDF files. This version claims to launch up to 50% faster than Reader 6.0

OPTIONAL SOFTWARE

• Google Talk is a voice & IM application that allows you to call or send instant messages to your friends for free. Get a free account using your mobile phone.
• RealPlayer is a media player that plays popular media formats, organizes music and videos, and transfers music to iPods and other portable media players.
• Google Video Player is a tool that plays videos that may be purchased and downloaded from the Google Video website.
• GalleryPlayer HD Images are high-quality images, artwork, and photos that are perfect for screensavers or desktops.

Google Pack requires Windows XP and either Firefox 1.0+ or Internet Explorer 6.0+, although some of the individual programs will work on older versions. The download process is easy and user-friendly. It allows you to pick only the software that you want, and if you already have any of the programs installed, it will check the version and will only be updated if the Google Pack includes a newer version. You'll also get updates about new software with Google Updater.

You'll wonder how you ever got by without it. :-)