Some applications made redundant?

[Halo]

Hello,
Is it still necessary to install some applications even though XP does the job? That is.. will installing a non-XP application boost functionality or something? In particular, will I benefit from installing:
- Winzip
- Nero CD burner
- ZoneAlarm Firewall

Thanks.

 

[Khayman]

Most people will tell you yes. Personally i think, with the exception of the XP built in firewall, XP does a good job with zip files and CD burning. But they only do the most basic operations of these things. So if you only want to zip and unzip files, or throw a few files on a CD from time to time, then i think the Windows tools are fine.

Of course there will be people on here who will tell you the XP built in tools (especially CD burning) are the devils work and void them like the plague

 

[djwhite]

Well I don't really think they are the devils work, but evil forces are at work in there
I generally use third party software as it offers more functionality