Open Source/Free Alternatives

Sat, 25 Sep 2010

These are some Open Source Alternatives you can use rather than fork of your life savings for commercial software. I don't use Apple products so I don't know if the following are compatible with it (thanks David for some suggestions).

Operating System

Linux Ubuntu - My favorite alternative to Windows, I use it on my laptop.
There are many other Linux's you can use for an OS: Debian, CentOS, Fedora, Mint, etc.
Also if you are picky about your appearance look for comparisons of KDE and GNOME.

Graphics

GIMP (Linux/Win) - One of the best alternatives to Adobe Photoshop.
GIMP shop (Linux/Win) - A modified GIMP to behave a lot like Photoshop.
Paint.NET (Win) - Another fantastic image editor.
Inkscape (Linux/Win) - An alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
Krita (Linux/Win) - Another Photoshop alternative, you need to install KDE to use
Photoscape (Win) - A light weight photo editor, it has some pretty cool features like combining photos into one.
Seashore (Mac) - A Mini-like Gimp

Programming IDE's

Netbeans & Eclipse (Linux/Win/Mac) - Free IDE's
Komodo Edit (Win/Mac) A pretty nice code editor.

Screen Recorder

Greenshot (Win) - An alternative to SnagIt, work's exactly the same.
Microsoft Expression (Win) - An alternative to Camtasia Studio, It also has a screen recorder.

Office Suite

Open Office (Linux/Win/Mac) - An alternative to Microsoft Office, It's better in my opinion!
Google Docs (Web Based) - Spreadsheets, Documents, and Presentations in your browser.

FTP

FileZilla (Linux/Win) - My personal favorite (S)FTP application.
WinSCP (Linux/Win) - Another Open Source S(FTP) client.
CyberDuck (Mac) A free FTP for Mac

Antivirus

AVG Free (Win) - Free antivirus program, very good
Avast Free (Win) - Another good antivirus program

CD/DVD Stuff

DVD Flick (Win) - Free DVD Burner
InfraRecorder (Win) - CD/DVD Burner, I prefer this one.

Multiple Monitors

ZBar (Win) - An alternative to Ultramon, a taskbar for widescreen