So, how can I use Open Source?
If you are a teacher that tries to “stay connected” you’ve probably heard the term Open Source Software, but haven’t had the time or energy to look into it. What I’d like to do here is make a list of available “free” software you can use, with links on how to download, install and use it. My emphasis is not so much “freeware” as it is software whose source code is open (ie, readable by humans), and not proprietary (closed source) software that is free of charge. One of the many sites that provides Open Source software is the TTCS and the links below were adapted from their website:
- OpenOffice.org 3.0 free productivity suite compatible with all major office suites
- AbiWord 2.6.4 Free Word processing program similiar to commercial products
- GanttProject 2.0.7 Gantt chart based project scheduling and management tool
- Grisbi 0.5.9 personal finance manager
- 7-Zip 4.57 file archiver with high compression ratio.
- Rainlendar 0.22.1 displays skinnable calendar on your desktop
- Programmers Notepad 2.0.8 text editor with special features for coders
- Notepad2 2.1.19 text editor with the look and feel of Notepad but with more features
- Sumatra PDF 0.9.3 slim, portable, open-source PDF viewer for Windows.
- WinMerge 2.10.0 WinMerge is a Win32 tool for visual difference display and merging, for both files and directories.
- ConvertAll 0.4.2 Unit Conversion program
- GTD TiddlyWiki Plus 2.1.3 complete wiki contained in a single HTML file.
- Wikidpad 1.8rc16 Wiki-like notebook for storing anything you can think of to write down
- TreeLine 1.2.0 store your data in a tree structure to keep things organised
- GraphCalc 4.0.1 an enhanced calculator application that can solve equations
- Tux Paint 0.9.20b Tux Paint is a free drawing program designed for children
- Tux Typing 2 1.5.17 “Tux Typing” is an educational typing tutor for children
- TuxMath 1.6.3 “Tux, of Math Command” is an educational typing tutor for children
- Celestia 1.5.1 Freeware Educational Astronomy Program
- Stellarium 0.10.0 Map the night sky on your computer
- MegaTrack 1.4 track storms on a map
- Maxima 5.16.3 A sophisticated computer algebra system
- Childsplay 0.85.1 Childsplay is a ’suite’ of educational games for young children
- The Babbleback Machine 1.0 Records and Playback voice game
- Kobo Deluxe 0.5.1 space ship “shoot-them-up” style game
- Tux Racer 0.61a Race down the mountain as Tux the penguin
- Crack Attack 1.1.14 fast-paced puzzle game inspired by the classic Super NES title Tetris Attack!
- FloboPuyo 0.20 Clone of the famous PuyoPuyo
- Anagramarama 0.2 Create as many words from the given letters
- Portable Puzzle Collection r8200 collection of small one-player puzzle games
- Sokoban YASC 1.435 Yet Another Sokoban Clone – for Windows
- Pengupop 2.2.2 online multiplayer clone of Frozen Bubble/Bust a move
- Pang Zero 1.3 fast paced action game that involves popping balloons with a harpoon.
- NeverBall 1.4.0 tilt the floor to roll a ball through an obstacle course
- Armagetron Advanced 0.2.8.2.1 action game modeled after the lightcycle sequence of the movie Tron ; supports multiplayer over LAN
- pouetChess 0.1.1 3D chess
- Enigma 1.01 find and uncover pairs of stones. Based on Oxyd
- Critical Mass 1.0.0 space shoot’em up game with gameplay similiar to Galaga
- Space Invaders OpenGL 0.6.1 An OpenGL version of the classic arcade game
- LBreakout2 2.5.1 Use your paddle to aim a ball at bricks until all bricks are destroyed
- FooBillard 3.0 OpenGL-based billiards (pool) game with realistic physics, AI-player and many gametypes such as pool carambol or snooker.
- SuperTux 0.1.3 a 2D jump ‘n run sidescroller game.
- GIMP 2.6.1 bitmap editor suitable for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
- Paint.NET 3.36 image and photo editing tool for Windows XP and greater
- Blender 2.47 3D modeling, animation, rendering application
- Dia 0.96.1-8 A diagram creation program program similiar to “Visio”
- Cornice 0.6.1 Image Viewer for both Linux and Windows
- Inkscape 0.46 scalable vector graphics format (SVG) drawing tool
- Mozilla Firefox 3.0.3 Award-winning Web browser that’s fast, secure, and easy to use
- Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.17 powerful e-mail and newsgroup client.
- FileZilla 3.1.3.1 fast FTP and SFTP client
- Halite 0.3.1 download files via BitTorrent, a client file-sharing protocol created to overcome the obstacles of transferring large files over the Internet
- Thingamablog 1.1b6 standalone blogging application
- Kompozer 0.7.10 a WYSIWYG HTML editor to create/edit webpages without necessary knowledge of HTML
- tsWebEditor 2.2.20.79 text editor with syntax highlighting and code completion
- HTTrack Website Copier 3.43 HTTrack is a free and easy-to-use offline browser utility.
- Miranda IM 0.7.10 A multi-protocol instant messenger (IM) client
- Poptray 3.2 POP3 Mail checker
- Juice 2.2 The cross-platform podcast receiver
- wxDownload Fast 0.6.0 Open Source Download Manager
- XAMPP Lite 1.6.8 Bundled web server containing Apache, PHP and MySQL
- Hmailserver 4.4.1 – Build 273 Free Email server supporting POP and SMTP
- Audacity 1.2.6 Free sound editor
- Gungirl Sequencer 0.3.1 Sequencer
- Hydrogen 0.9.4-svn Advanced Drum Machine
- VirtualDub 1.8.6 VirtualDub is a video capture/processing utility
- MusikCube 1.0 Music “library” application similar to iTunes
- CoolPlayer build 219 Audio Player similar to Winamp
- VideoLAN 0.9.4 VLC is a multimedia player for various audio and video formats
- Media Player Classic 6.4.9.0 Media Player Classic is an all-in-one video player
- PDFCreator 0.9.6 easily create Adobe Acrobat® PDFs from any Windows application that can print.
- ClamWin Free AntiVirus 0.94 ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003.
- WinPooch 0.6.6 detects and blocks programs (such as trojans or spyware) attempting to modify your Windows 2000 and later system
- LetMeType v1.81 helps you enter frequently-typed text strings in Windows applications
- WinDirStat 1.1.2 disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Windows
- InfraRecorder 0.45 CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows
- PathSync 0.35 an interactive directory (path) synchronizer for windows
- UltraVNC v1.0.5.1 remotely control a computer over TCP/IP
- Virtual Dimension 0.94 A free, fast and feature-filled virtual desktop manager for Windows.
- Virtual Magnifying Glass v3.3.1 screen magnification tool for Windows
- TaskSwitchXP 2.0.11 replacement for the standard Windows Alt-Tab dialog
- Folder Size 2.4 adds a new column to the Details view in Windows Explorer to show the size of folders.
- Safarp 0.5 fast alternative to the Add/Remove Control Panel applet to Win2k/XP
- WinCalendarTime 1.0 enhanced replacement for the Windows clock in the system tray
- TrueCrypt 6.0a creates on-the-fly-encrypted disk partitions (hard disk, USB flash drive)
- KeePass 1.13 KeePass is an open-source password safe
- AxCrypt 1.6.4.4 File Encryption Software for Windows.
- winMd5Sum 1.0.1.55 Md5 checker
- WinRoll 2.0 WinRoll easily manages multiple open windows
- Launchy 2.1.2 The Open Source Keystroke Launcher for Windows
- Qliner Hotkeys 2.0.1 easily configure Windows keyboard shortcuts for programs
- Ant Renamer 2.10 makes easier the renaming of lots of files and folders by using specified settings.
- AutoHotKey 1.0.47.06 scripting language to automate Windows tasks
- Vital Desktop 1.42 runs screensavers in the Windows desktop.
- Drempels 1.5.0 a screensaver that can also be run in your Windows background or “desktop”.
- Really Slick Screensavers 1.0 a collection of OpenGL-based screensavers
- Spirex 2.23 an OpenGL based 3D screensaver
- Run With Parameters 1.1.2 Run windows apps with parameters without using a command prompt
For more information on Open Source you can visit 