Free/ open source software?

[Geo]

Hi all
What are some of the free / no cost software/utility programs that are being used and for what ?.... I think this would be beneficial to all us poor suffering techs.

Thanks Geo

[mikadonovan]

Re: Free/ open source software?

The greatest thing I've done in a while was converting my home PC from a Microsoft OS to UBUNTU. It's a great OS that didn't cost a dime and does everything I need, including printing and scanning. It's loaded with software that very similar to Microsoft Office Suite and many more apps are available from Ubuntu.

[allan]

Re: Free/ open source software?

The greatest thing I've done in a while was converting my home PC from a Microsoft OS to UBUNTU. It's a great OS that didn't cost a dime and does everything I need, including printing and scanning. It's loaded with software that very similar to Microsoft Office Suite and many more apps are available from Ubuntu.

Started here is RSA.
I am a believer. Great stability.
The forum support and capabilities are awesome.
If you want some windows applications to run use WINE or Vbox.
Openoffice works well. Started here is RSA.

Thanks Mark!


"Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'. It also means 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers."

[allan]

Re: Free/ open source software?

Wordpress!!!!!

[NeoMatrix]

Re: Free/ open source software?

"Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'. It also means 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers."

It's interesting the meaning of words from different cultures.
The word "Buntu" in Australian is sometimes referred to as Bum or @sshole.

It's use in a derogatory sentence like "Behave yourself lad or I'll give you a kick up the Buntu". I guess a kick up the "Buntu" makes one behave more humane towards others.



I have download the Ubuntu software, I just have to find a spare HDD for a test trail.

[allan]

Re: Free/ open source software?

It's interesting the meaning of words from different cultures.
The word "Buntu" in Australian is sometimes referred to as Bum or @sshole.

It's use in a derogatory sentence like "Behave yourself lad all I give you a kick up the Buntu"
I guess a kick up the "Buntu" makes one behave more humane towards others.



I have download the Ubuntu software, I just have to find a spare HDD for a test trail.

It will run off a CD/DVD.

[SargeNZ]

Re: Free/ open source software?

You can run ubuntu from a flash drive even.

[Iowatech]

Re: Free/ open source software?

Open Office is good software, and so is Libre Office.
That I use Libre Office is merely a personal preference.

The free version of Spybot Search and Destroy has been part of the security on my computers for years, and it has worked well with several antivirus programs during that time. It does block some websites, though.

CCleaner Free will speed up computers, but careful supervision and a full hard drive backup are required the first few times it is used. You do have a backup, don't you?

The Pale Moon browser is a Firefox fork that I think runs faster. While not all Firefox extensions work, enough do that I can maintain revenge mode (stupid flashy blinky stuff that I don't want, BEGONE!).

There is some neat free stuff at Sourceforge, but there is also some stuff there you wouldn't want to touch with your buddy's hand. So take care when checking their listings. (Full disclosure for what it is worth: I do read Slashdot on a regular basis, and they and Sourceforge are owned by the same company.)

[MCC-support]

Re: Free/ open source software?

I've been a big fan of the Ricoh app 'Smart device monitor for Admin'

Saves me HEAPS of time looking for machines of the network (for any brand) and pulling address book/User code data (on Ricoh/Laniers).

On top of that, Teamviewer free version can be handy for the occasion need to remote into a customers PC when checking IT related issues like drivers (Save the need to go onsite).

[allan]

Re: Free/ open source software?

One of my favorite sites. FileHippo.com - Download Free Software

Like CCleaner all the stuff from piriform is legit

[theengel]

Re: Free/ open source software?

Textpad (for text file editing)
7zip (for archives & zip files)
NCH Software (for editing sound files & converting to MP3... although I don't know if they still exitst; I keep an old version backed up)
Freemake (for converting video)
VLC (to play video)

[Ottawatech]

Re: Free/ open source software?

Teracopy for speeding up those file transfers to your USB key.

[rthonpm]

Re: Free/ open source software?

One of my favorite sites. FileHippo.com - Download Free Software

Like CCleaner all the stuff from piriform is legit

File Hippo used to be a better site: too much garbage now, as well as 'special installers'. Try https://ninite.com/ instead: it has most of the common software for almost every purpose. Best of all: you select the software you want and the site creates a download file for you. It installs the software the first time you run it, and then updates anything there are updates for when you run it in the future.

The best are:

7-Zip: great not only for compression and extraction, but it also works to unpack a lot of .exe files for making driver installs without all of the bloatware (*ahem* HP) much easier.

VLC: Plays just about anything.

PuTTy: Can't manage Linux servers without it.

Classic Start: Makes Windows 8/8.1 and Server 2012 usable again.

Firefox: Great browser that works on everything. I tend to go with their Extended Support Releases (ESR), which get the security updates over the latest and greatest feature set, but there's nothing that great that's getting missed. https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo...nizations/all/ Between that and the ublock Origin add-on there's not much more you can ask for from a browser.

[qbert69]

Re: Free/ open source software?

GWX Control Panel:

Ultimate Outsider - Software Downloads



PS--*Kills* "Get Windows 10" systray update icon, removes & deletes Windows 10 download cache folder, and sets updates to NOT automatically download and install.

[nekowaiidesu]

Re: Free/ open source software?

A lot of good recommendations here!
surprised no one has mentioned:

eM Client (free email client for windows. supports MS and Gmail exchange. I'm currently using it at work in place of Outlook.)
Notepad++ (great text editor. especially useful for code)
Google Chrome (beats Firefox nowadays imho) / Chromium (for Linux users) / Tor (if you're on THAT side of the internet)
Paint.NET (poor mans Photoshop. Easier to use than GIMP in my opinion)
Malware Bytes (free version / trial) - Spybot S&D too (already been mentioned though)
mIRC (great IRC client for windows. can still be used after trial expires)
WireShark (Packet sniffer / network analysis)
ZenMap (Network scanner. It's NMap with a GUI)


Got a bunch more, but they are getting more specific to programming and network security - If anyone interested, just ask for more. Also keeping it to windows as there are so many open source wares for nix (and they're pretty easy to find too. if you're using nix you'd probably already know most of em)

Also as a South African and Linux user I have further promote Ubuntu! Great OS. Easy to find loads of open source wares!