Free Software Thread

Discussion in 'General Software' started by Big B, Aug 28, 2004.

  1. Waffle

    Waffle Alpha Geek

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  2. Sniper

    Sniper Administrator Staff Member

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    http://www.xmlsp.com/pview/prcview.htm
     
  3. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    OpenOffice.org (OOo)

    http://www.openoffice.org/

    A free, open-source office suite which is designed to compete directly with the pricey Microsoft Office. It is cross platform (Linux, Unix, BSD, BeOS, MacOS, Windows...), has international language support, dictionary, thesaurus, and an equivilent to each and every program in the MS Office suite. The quality is incredible, and it is even compatible with existing MS Office formats. In addition, it has its own, non-proprietary, XML-based format which is actually superior to MS' own, which can even be read by advanced web browsers (so even if OOo goes away 10 years from now, you can still read your old files). Why pay $600 for Office when you can get OOo for just the cost of bandwidth?

    P.S. - It's a good idea to install the Sun Java client prior to installing OOo, since it uses Java to do macros and other advanced functions. Java is strongly recommended, but not required.
     

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  4. phaedrus

    phaedrus Geek

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  5. phaedrus

    phaedrus Geek

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    yep, i've been using CD BurnerXP Pro for 12 months and had no problem with it

    here's another freebie for mpeg/dvd ripping and converting (obviously for those with their own home movies ;) )

    http://go.to/flaskmpeg
     
  6. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Azureus - http://azureus.sourceforge.net/

    The best BitTorrent client I know of. It's fast, cross-platform, has many cool features, and you can potentially add many more by using plugins. Setup wizards and an intuitive interface make Azureus one of the most user-friendly trackers out there. It even has some very slick ways of graphically monitoring traffic (see attached screenshots). Requires Sun Java to run, but don't be fooled, this thing is no resource hog (at least on Linux; I've never used it in Windows).

    Get it! :good:
     

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  7. phaedrus

    phaedrus Geek

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  8. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    JAHSHAKA

    [​IMG]

    "The worlds first OpenSource Realtime Editing and Effects System. Jahshaka takes advantage of the power of OpenGL and OpenML to give its users exceptional levels of performance. We currently support Linux, OsX, Irix and Windows, and Solaris is on the way! Jahshaka is licenced to the public under the GNU GPL agreement."
     
  9. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Komposer

    [​IMG]

    "Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users to rival programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver. Komposer makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML."
     
  10. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Inkscape

    [​IMG]

    "Inkscape is an Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw, or Xara X using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format. Supported SVG features include shapes, paths, text, markers, clones, alpha blending, transforms, gradients, patterns, and grouping. Inkscape also supports Creative Commons meta-data, node editing, layers, complex path operations, bitmap tracing, text-on-path, flowed text, direct XML editing, and more. It imports formats such as Postscript, EPS, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF and exports PNG as well as multiple vector-based formats."

    Inkscape is free (as in both gratis and libre), open-source, and cross platform. It currently runs on Linux, OS X, and Windows.
     
  11. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Opera

    [​IMG]

    Free (as in beer) web browser with great features and a very good track record for security. As of version 8.5 the free version no longer contains banner ads. Opera is available for any platform you can think of (Windows, Linux, OS X, legacy Mac, UNIX, BeOS...)
     
  12. sabashuali

    sabashuali Ani Ma'amin

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    Sygate Personal Firewall - The easiest I used so far....

    DVD Decrypter - Backing up your precious DVD's does not get any easier.

    IsoBuster - a highly specialized yet easy to use CD and DVD data recovery tool. Also very easy CD/DVD Image creator.

    Someone mentioned Daemon Tools. I would literaly die without this one....

    Although I read somewhere that it removes IE, I use it and with no problems - for spyware active sheilding, monitoring and removing - MS Antispyware

    I try and use only freeware as I am broke as an eggshell under an elephant's stiletto. If I come accross any other gems I will post...
     
  13. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Cinelerra

    Cinelerra

    [​IMG]

    "Heroine Virtual Ltd. presents an advanced content creation system for Linux. Cinelerra takes what normally is a boring server operating system - studied in computer science classrooms, hidden in back offices - and turns it into a 50,000 watt flamethrower of multimedia editing power. That's right kids. Unlike most of the Linux solutions out there, Cinelerra requires no emulation of proprietary operating systems, no commercial add-ons, no banner advertizements, no corporate dependancies, no terrorists, just a boring old Linux box. Cinelerra does primarily 3 main things: capturing, compositing, and editing audio and video with sample level accuracy. It's a seemless integration of audio, video, and still photos rarely experienced on a web server. If you want to make movies, you just want to defy the establishment, you want the same kind of compositing and editing suite that the big boys use, on the world's most efficient UNIX operating system, it's time for Cinelerra."

    As the summary states, this is a Linux program. It may be possible to get it compiled on other UNIX systems, such as BSD and Solaris (maybe even Mac OS X?). It is not possible to run Cinelerra on Windows, as it has vastly inferior threading compared to Linux. If you use Mandriva Linux, Cinelerra is available in the PLF repository; just setup your repositories and type the following as root:
    Code:
    urpmi cinelerra
    Enjoy,
    -AT
     
  14. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    amaroK

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    amaroK is, in my humble opinion, the best audio player for any platform. "amaroK is a music player for Linux and Unix with an intuitive interface. amaroK makes playing the music you love easier than ever before - and looks good doing it." Its features are too numerous to list here, but allow me to mention a few to get the ball rolling:

    • Quick and simple drag and drop playlist creation
    • Automatic lyrics download on demand
    • Support for your iPod
    • Unique and powerful context browser
    • Eye-candy interface with many availiable skins
    • Plays from System Tray
    • Wikipedia integration to grab info on the artist
    • Dynamic playlist creation
    • Visual effects
    • Clean, transparent on screen display
    • Modular sound engine
    • Much, much more...

    amaroK is included in most Linux distros. Mandriva users can get the latest version for Mandriva 2006 by adding the following urpmi mirror (as root):
    Code:
    urpmi.addmedia SoS-2006 http://seerofsouls.com/RPMS-2006/ with hdlist.cz
    ...and then running an update. I recommend using amaroK with the Xine sound engine and ALSA sound server for the best possible experience. For you Windows users who want to try out amaroK, they do have a Live CD -- no installation required, just boot to the disc. Even includes some free tunes from magnatune.com!
     
  15. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    MediaMonkey

    [​IMG]

    Probably the best audio platform for the Windows operating system. While technically inferior to the UNIX-only amaroK, it does provide a similar interface and some of the same functionality. If you're a Windows user with no desire to try out Linux, at least give MediaMonkey a whirl -- it may be as close as you can get to arguably the best audio player in the world.
     
  16. sabashuali

    sabashuali Ani Ma'amin

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    JAP -

    Basicaly, proxy surfing! It does slow surfing down slightly but it is a very small price to pay for absolute anonymety.....

    Foe more details read here - http://anon.inf.tu-dresden.de/index_en.html
     
  17. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Hamachi

    [​IMG]

    "Hamachi is a UDP-based virtual private networking system. Its peers utilize the help of a 3rd node called a mediation server to locate each other and to boot strap the connection between themselves. The connection itself is direct and once it's established no traffic flows through our servers."


    Basically, Hamachi is a free program which allows a secure connection between two or more PCs, making it as if they are both on the same physical network sans the speeds. It allows for secure gaming, file sharing, messaging, just about anything you would normally send over a network. There is a client for both Windows and Linux.

    Note: Connecting to untrusted peers with Hamachi is akin to allowing untrusted strangers to plug into your local network, behind your firewalls. Keep this in mind and VPN safely.
     
  18. Sniper

    Sniper Administrator Staff Member

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    i.ftp http://www.memecode.com/iftp.php this is quite decent, its all you need to transfer files.


    Please don't leave any comments etc this thread is only to post software! thanks
     
  19. Sniper

    Sniper Administrator Staff Member

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    something to keep an eye on maybe? Synfig http://www.synfig.com/overview/
     
  20. Anti-Trend

    Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek

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    Blender

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    "Blender is the open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation and playback. Available for all major operating systems under the GNU Public License. Blender therefore is fully free to use and distribute within any educational, professional or commercial environment. Artwork created with Blender - including python scripts - is the sole property of the creator."


    Blender is a powerful, professional-grade 3D rendering application. It provides an impressive array of features, including the following abbreviated list:
    • Revolutionary non-overlapping and non-blocking UI delivers unsurpassed workflow
    • Flexible and fully configurable window layout with as many screen setups as you prefer
    • Undo support on all levels
    • Powerful built-in database system allowing instances, scene management, and dynamic linking multiple project files
    • Anti-aliased fonts with international translation support
    • Windows for animation curves/keys, outliner, schematic scene diagram, non-linear video sequence editing, character animation action editor, non-linear animation mixer, image/UV editing, file/image selection and file management
    • Built-in text editor for annotations and editing Python scripts
    • Consistent interface across all platforms
    • A range of 3D object types including polygon meshes, NURBS surfaces, bezier and B-spline curves, metaballs, vector fonts (TrueType, PostScript, OpenType)
    • 'Smooth proxy' style catmull-clark subdivision surfaces with optimal iso-lines display and sharpness editing
    • Mesh modeling based on vertex, edge and/or face selection
    • Boolean mesh functions
    • Editing functions such as extrude, bevel, cut, spin, screw, warp, subdivide, noise, smooth Soft selection editing tools for organic modeling
    • Python scripting access for custom tools
    • Armature (skeleton) deformation with forward/inverse kinematics, auto skinning and interactive 3D paint for vertex weighting
    • Non-linear animation mixer with automated walkcycles along paths
    • Constraint system
    • Vertex key framing for morphing, with controlling sliders
    • Character animation pose editor
    • Animatable lattice deformation
    • 'Ipo' system integrates both motion curve and traditional key-frame editing
    • Audio playback, mixing and editing support for sound synchronisation
    • Python scripting access for custom and procedural animation effects
    • Very fast inbuilt raytracer
    • Integral support for the famous Yafray render engine
    • Oversampling, motion blur, post-production effects, fields, non-square pixels
    • Environment maps, halos, lens flares, fog
    • Various surface shaders such as Lambert, Phong, Oren-nayar, Blinn, Toon
    • Edge rendering for toon shading
    • Procedural Textures
    • Ambient Occlusion
    • Radiosity solver
    • Export scripts available for external renderers such as Renderman (RIB), Povray, Virtualight
    • UV texture editor with various mesh unwrap modes
    • Graphical editor for defining interactive behavior without programming
    • Collision detection and dynamics simulation
    • Python scripting API for sophisticated control and AI, fully defined advanced game logic
    • Supports all OpenGLTM lighting modes, including transparencies, Animated and reflection-mapped textures
    • Playback of games and interactive 3D content without compiling or preprocessing
    • Audio, using the SDL toolkit
    • Multi-layering of Scenes for overlay interfaces
    • Save all scene data in a single .blend file
    • .blend format supports compression, digital signatures, encryption, forwards/backwards compatibility and can be used as a library to link to from other .blend files
    • Read / Write TGA, JPG, PNG, Iris, SGI Movie, IFF, AVI and Quicktime GIF, TIFF, PSD, MOV (Windows and Mac OS X)
    • Native import and export for DXF, Inventor and VRML files, with python scripts available for many other 3D formats
    • Create stand-alone executables containing interactive 3D content or play back with the 3d web browser plugin

    I have personally found that Blender runs best on Linux+AMD64/Opteron, but it also runs quite well on other platforms. Linux users can download Blender with their distro's package manager, all others can find their respective binaries here.
     

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