The first thing I do. (part 2 - Windows)

Every time I setup a new windows VM or system I do the following:

1:  Go grab Microsoft Security Essentials.  It just works and I like that.

2:  Head over to Ninite.com ( http://ninite.com/ ) and add the following:

• Putty -- to get real work done
• CutePDF or FoxIt reader -- to look at pdf's
• Notepad++ -- handy notepad replacement.
• WinMerge -- great for comparing source files
• FileZilla -- in case I'm too lazy for the command line
• 7-zip -- to uncompress stuff
• WinRar -- ditto
• WinDirStat -- shows where all the disk space went
• Launchy --  can't live without keyboard shortcuts.

3:  Install cygwin from (http://www.cygwin.com/ ) to get some real power in the windows environment.

NOTE:  to get telnet you need to include inetutils.

4:  Grab Firefox from firefox.com.


That gets me to where the new box is somewhat useful.