The Spark Between

Google Pack

Colin M | January 6, 2006 | 5:30 pm

Tired of installing all the essentials of a modern virus-free, spyware-free, multimedia-capable internet-connected PC every time you buy/set up one? Things like Ad-Aware, Acrobat Reader, Firefox, etc? Check out the Google pack, a prepackaged suite containing most of the essentials and a bunch of other neat software.

My take: Sounds pretty cool, and even gives you a free 6-month version of Symantec’s virus scanner (though the marketing implications of that are a little underhanded). I’m glad to see that it installs Firefox, though I could do without Trillian and have never heard of GalleryPlayer HD. I know Google Talk will soon connect with the AIM network, if it doesn’t already, thanks to the new Google-AOL partnership, and it’s made by Google so I get why it’s in the mix, but how about Gaim as an alternative to Trillian? Oh, and what’s with RealPlayer? Yes, I know you need it, but then why not QuickTime? You need that just about as often. Or better yet, include a stripped-down, legal-codecs-only version of VLC or something.

Still, looks like it could be pretty handy at getting a new installation off the ground in a hurry, and according to the website, you don’t have to install any parts that you don’t want.

Here’s the complete list of included programs:

Google Software