Want to break free from a Microsoft world? Leigh Dyer looks at the alternatives.

Web Easy promises that anyone can use it to create Web sites and even a complete novice can create and publish a page in less than an hour. With only a few qualifiers this is absolutely true.

With the free products on our new cover DVD, you need never buy software again. So why do we still keep paying?

If all you want is a simple Web page generator, then a template-based, wizard-driven Web designer such as Web Easy Millennium is all you need.

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

We provide the commentary on a bruising eight-round battle between Vista and Tiger.

Your photos, music and data are just a virus or hard disk failure away from oblivion. Build a triple-layer defence using PC Authority's practical guide.

Do you have a business or are in charge of a business’ tech security? Get some tips from PC Authority’s experts.

With such a vast range of portable applications, which ones should you install? And are any worth paying for?

Microsoft’s radical redesign promises ‘better results, faster’. Be fully prepared for this world-leading productivity software.

Easy to setup, easy to use, and very powerful - perfect for small business

Easy CD Creator (ECD) 6 is a complete CD-R and DVD recorder that allows you to create audio CDs, video CDs (VCD and SVCD format) and data and movie DVDs.

Stack your system full of software without paying a penny, with our guide to essential downloads

We've searched every corner of the web for the most useful (and useless) sites you've never seen. Download free movies and music, find the cheapest shopping sites, get a degree, make money, walk on Mars and much more.

Climb the steps all the way to Windows guru status with our invaluable selection of tips and shortcuts for XP and Vista.

You still get a lot for your money, but HD optical burning only extends to data discs

Impressive and free antivirus and antispyware package

One of the original anti-virus programs, Norton AntiVirus is one of the trusted standards. The current version is extremely easy to set up out of the box and, if you are regularly connected to the Internet, it will automatically keep itself up to date.