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Open Source Software
Thanks to all who attended the Open Source Software presentation at the BYU Life, The Universe and Everything symposium this year. As promised, here are links to the software and resources I discussed in the presentation.
Office Applications
- Open Office - word processor, spreadsheet, presentation slides, drawing, database
- Abiword - word processor, faster than Open Office writer, make sure you install the import/export and tools bundles as well
- Scribus - page layout / desktop publishing, DTP vs. word processing
- Foxit Reader - PDF reader, faster to load than Adobe Acrobat Reader (free but not open source)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader - PDF reader (free but not open source)
- PDF Creator - create PDF files by pretending to be a printer
- The Guide - mind mapping / tree-structured organization tool
Graphics Applications
- DIA - diagrams like organization charts
- GIMP - raster image editing
- GIMPShop - GIMP with a Photoshop-like interface
- Inkscape - vector drawing tool
- Blender - 3D rendering and animation tool
- Picasa - organize, edit, and share photos (free but not open source
- Easy Thumbnails - easily bulk resizing of images (free but not open source)
Audio / Visual Applicaitons
- CDex - CD extractor / ripper
- Audacity - audio editor (add the LAME MP3 encoder to save to MP3 format)
- HardDiskOgg - simple audio recorder (add the LAME MP3 encoder to save in MP3 format)
- WinFF - video transcoder, convert videos to other formats, sizes, and codecs
- VLC Media Player - a media player and streaming server, plays just about anything
- MPlayer - a media player, plays about anything, together with VLC you should have no problems playing any media file
- Handbrake - DVD ripper and video transcoder (use with DVD43 for encrypted DVDs)
- DVD43 - decrypts DVDs on the fly
Internet Applications
- Firefox - I suggest that you get FF 2.x until the printing problems in FF 3 are fixed, suggested extensions to enhance FF: IE Tab, AdBlock Plus, All-in-One Sidebar, Tab Mix Plus
- Free Download Manager - download accelerator, BitTorrent client, flash video downloader
- Thunderbird - email client, add Lightning for integrated calendar and task management
- Sunbird - calendar and task manager
- Pidgin - universal chat / IM client, supports most networks including MSN, AIM, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, etc.
- Speak Freely - VoIP (voice over IP) client with many unique features such as answering machine and encryption
- Skype - free calls between individual Skype users (free but not open source)
- FileZilla - excellent FTP client
Security Applications
- AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - basic anti-virus protection, free for individual home users, keep following the 'free' links, don't get confused and click on the 'basic' links where you end up paying for the product (free but not open source)
- ClamWin - completely open source anti-virus software, harder to update / keep current than AVG but available for any machine, including commercial use
- Spybot Search & Destroy - not as menacing as it sounds :), malicious software (ads, pop-ups, etc.) removal tool, use in conjunction with a good anti-virus tool (free but not open source)
- Spyware Blaster - malicious software detection and removal, works with and compliments Spybot S&D, free for personal and educational use (free but not open source)
- AdAware - malicious software detection and removal, keep following 'free' links to find the free version download (free but not open source)
- Password Safe - secure, encrypted storage of all your passwords; password generator; free-form notes for each entry; autotype user name and password
- TrueCrypt - commercial / military grade on-the-fly automatic transparent disk / flash drive / partition / file-container encryption
- Windows Privacy Tray - public key cryptography tool, allows you to exchange messages securely with others, graphical taskbar front-end for GnuPG (GNU Privacy Guard) with integrated key management and the ability for file and clipboard encryption
Utilities
- Deep Burner - CD / DVD burner, make sure you get the free version instead of the free trial of the pro version (free but not open source)
- 7-Zip - File archiving tool
- IZArc - File archiving tool, probably opens more formats than 7-Zip (free but not open source)
- FastStone Screen Capture - screen capture utility, version 5.3 is freeware but later versions are commercial (free but not open source)
- XP Power Toys - several tools to add functionality to Windows, in particular look at the Virtual Desktop Manager, links to download various tools are on the right side of the page (free but not open source)
- Sticky Notes - an electronic version of those little bits of paper you have stuck to the sides of your monitor :) (free but not open source)
- PNotes - another sticky note application, this one is open source, if you don't like either of these google for other options
- TortoiseSVN - revision control system, tracks changes to files and lets you revert back to previous versions, the ultimate in 'undo'
Network Applications
You don't download anything to use these applications, they are 'virtual' software that you use through your web browser. The downside is that if the hosting site closes down, you might lose any work you haven't downloaded and saved elsewhere.
- Web-based email - if you don't have an existing email account through your ISP, or you want the freedom to change ISPs without having to change your email address, a web-based email account may work for you
- Google Docs - store and edit your documents online, collaborative document sharing with access controls
- Adobe Buzzword - online word processor; write and collaborate on documents anywhere, anytime
- Google Sites - quick online website generator and hosting with access controls, great for creating a shared environment for collaboration
- Google Notebook - clip and collect information as you surf, closed to new signups, check Google Labs, Zoho Planner or this site for alternatives
- Zoho Wiki - a quick and easy Wiki including hosting, 2 free 50M wikis
- Jooce.com - virtual machine or online desktop, mostly oriented to social networking sites
- G.ho.st - a free web-based virtual computer
Sources for F/OSS
- The Open Disc - download an ISO and burn it to a CD, now you have a huge collection of open source software including most of what is in this list
- Free Software Foundation directory - open source directory at FSF, think of it as the 'google' of open source
- Open Source for Windows project - a list of open source software for windows
- Open Source Windows - another list of open source software for windows
- Open Source List - yet another list of open source software
- Google for ‘open-source windows’ - you can substitute another operating system (e.g. OSX) for 'windows' in the search
Final Thoughts
If you don't have a computer, or don't want to get one, or don't want to lug something heavy around all the time, you might consider some of these options ...
- Flash Drives - an inexpensive way to store data without requiring a computer, cost is $10 and up (depending on storage capacity)
- PortableApps - lists a variety of open source and freeware that will run directly from a USB drive
- PenDriveApps - another site with various open source and freeware apps that run from a USB drive
- Portable Freeware Collection - a list of mostly freeware that runs from USB drives
- WinPenPack - and another site with windows apps that run from a USB drive
- Web Based Operating Systems / virtual desktops
- EyeOS - open source cloud computing, similar to Mac OSX look and feel
- iCube Online Operating System - another virtual desktop offering, very similar to XP
- G.ho.st - another virtual computer, similar to iCube but with more office apps
- AToolo - virtual desktop with sticky notes, etc.
- Netbooks - very small laptops made specifically to access the internet, these are an ideal middle ground to access cloud computing / web based applications
- Used or refurbished computers
- Laptop Depot / TAMS - local vendor (in Lindon) that offers off-lease desktop and laptop computers, ask for Jason and mention that I sent you
- USA Notebook - mail order used and off-lease laptops, good quality clean machines at reasonable prices with a good warranty
- Thrift stores such as Deseret Industries or Good Will are another good source for used desktop machines, just make sure you know what you are look for / at before you buy or take a tech-savvy friend along to help
- Open Source Operating Systems / Live CDs
- Ubuntu - Debian-derived Linux distribution that focuses on usability, best choice if you intend to install a desktop OS and you want something easy to use and manage
- Knoppix - runs on almost any hardware, excellent choice for a test-drive of Linux without changing the OS on your machine (Live CD mode)