The Generic Free Software Thread

[Long-Haired Narcissist]

So later this week, I'm getting a laptop, the Dell XPS M1210, and I'm a cheep bastard so I'm wondering what free software would you recommend.

I already know that I'm going to download the essentials like AVG, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, and Paint.net.

[Mirai Gen]

If you plan on doing any writing - school or like me, fiction and articles - you NEED Open Office. Nice, free, open source, and it's more friendly than the same thirty versions of Microsoft Word you've put on a million times.

Mozilla Firefox is crucial, but if you swing with Opera I'll understand it too.

And hell, let's throw in a good old Streets of Rage Remake (http://www.bombergames.net/) while we're at it?

[Nikose Tyris]

Okay let's go down the list here.

www.openoffice.org
www.lavasoft.com (Get the free stuff from there)
www.spybot.com (Get the spyware one to go with the other you won't be sorry)
www.grisoft.com (Antivirus)
www.videolan.org (Media player that plays ALMOST everything)
www.bitcomet.com (Torrent downloader, good one)
7zip.com (File Zipper/unzipper, all formats of zips including .rar's)
I'll edit and add to this list when I get to my own compy.

[Dagoth]

Hey! Here's a list of freeware that I use. It's a long one. D;

Web Apps
Awesome fun Tower Defense game. (http://www.candystand.com/play.do?id=18047)
BayIMG, an excellent image hosting site. (http://bayimg.com/)
Google Calender (http://www.google.com/calendar) Online Calender, you can set your own dates, et cetera
Google Docs/Spreadsheets (https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=true&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2F&ltmpl=WR_tmp_2_lfty&nui=1&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-et-more&utm_medium=more) Online document and spreadsheet making/editing. Can allow for multiple people editing.
Gmail (http://gmail.google.com/) Best email ebar.
Google Reader (http://googlereader.blogspot.com/index.html) RSS reader
Meebo (http://www.meebo.com/index-en.html) Browser IMing, supports several clients
Your Minis (http://www.yourminis.com/) An online desktop
Pandora (http://pandora.com) Internet radio
Keepvid (http://keepvid.com/) Download videos from popular websites, like youtube
Guerrilla Mail (http://www.guerrillamail.com/) Makes a 15 minute email address for you, for quick registering
Tiny Url (http://tinyurl.com/) Allows you to create small links to websites that would require very large links
Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org/web/web.php) The archive of the internet, view long dead sites
ASCIIomatic (http://www.typorganism.com/asciiomatic/) Creates ASCII art from pictures
Ottobib (http://ottobib.com/) Automatically makes a bibliography page
Zoho (http://show.zoho.com/jsp/zoho_login.jsp) Internet powerpoint, basically.

FireFox Extensions
FasterFox (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/1269/)Makes Firefox faster. <_<
FoxMarks (http://www.foxmarks.com/) Firefox universal bookmarking tool
BlackJapanMAX theme (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3248) Awesome black theme
Adblock Plus (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865) Blocks pop ups and other things you want to block
Forecast Fox (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/398) Forecast
Gmail Manager (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1320)
NoScript (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722) Helps prevent teh haxx0rz
Download Status Bar (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/26) Small download bar at the bottom of the browser, instead of a window

Programs
XP Shell Replacements (http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.id.130.htm)
3D Cube Desktop, similar to Linux. (http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.id.1250.htm)
Audacity (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFrqEzeCqpvdVos_lqNYbHqr9RzJymDq2g) Audio Editor.
Hamachi (http://www.hamachi.cc/download/list.php) Allows you to create virtual private networks; or lan without a physical cable between the computers
Google Desktop (http://desktop.google.com/?utm_source=en-et-more&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=en) Excellent search function, and several widgets.
Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/) The virtual globe
Picasa (http://picasa.google.com/#utm_source=en-us-more&utm_campaign=en-pic&utm_medium=et) Photo manager
Skype (http://www.skype.com/download/) Mainly a calling program, it has both free pc to pc calling and calling pc to phone.
Microsoft Framework 2 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=0856eacb-4362-4b0d-8edd-aab15c5e04f5&displayLang=en) Framework for windows, required for some programs
Direct X (http://www.softwarepatch.com/security/directxdownload.html) Direct X 9c, required for many games
Pidgin IM (http://pidgin.im/downloads.php) The renamed Gaim, supports multiple chats
Windows Live Messenger (http://www.download.com/3405-2150_4-5163671.html?tag=lst-0-2)
Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/) Email client, very handy
Google Pack (http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_installer.html?hl=en&gl=us&utm_source=en_US-et-more&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=en_US) The google pack, add/remove whatever programs you like.
Infrarecorder (http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/?page_id=5) Open Source iso maker / recorder
Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/programs.html) Anti Virus
Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/) Microsoft Office mirror
7 zip (http://www.7-zip.org/) Archiving tool
Winrar (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm) Opens many different archived formats
Azureus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net/) Torrent Downloader
Klipfolio (http://www.klipfolio.com/) A program that allows you to add / remove different 'klips,' small programs similar to widgets
Paint.net (http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html) A program similar to Gimp, only looks better and is more functional to those without a lot of experience using it. I prefer it over Gimp.
Radeon x1300 drivers (http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/xp/radeonx-xp.html[/url) Radeon drivers to myself, though, the link leads to a place where you choose what drivers you need. Ati cards onry.
DvdShrink (http://www.softpedia.com/get/CD-DVD-Tools/CD-DVD-Rip-Other-Tools/DVD-Shrink.shtml) Allows you to make back up dvds, and shrink the size to fit on discs.
Blender (http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/) 3D modeling program
Democracy Player (http://www.getdemocracy.com/) Video downloader, aggregater, useful for podcasts.
MusikCube (http://www.musikcube.com/) A very lightweight music manager
Nvu (http://www.nvu.com/index.php) A web page maker, similar to DreamWeaver. (I think it's called...)
Scribus (http://www.scribus.net/) Desktop publishing, make professional looking magazine articles (For example) easily.
AdCalls (http://www.adcalls.com/) Free phone calls, tell me if you get it. I know how to make it not spam the people you call.
TuneXP (http://www.download.com/TuneXP/3000-2086_4-10290928.html) Windows tweak to make thing run faster.
VLC Player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) A lightweight media player, can play multiple formats, even bin/cues right from your pc.
Foxit Reader (http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php) A PDF file reader, much smaller system usage than Adobe's.
FireFox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/) Web Browser.
Unlocker (http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/) Allows you to delete files are are currently "in use."
XP Antispy (http://xp-antispy.org/index.php?option=com_remository&func=sellang&iso=en) Stops XP from "phoning home." Also good for other privacy stuff.
SpyBot (http://www.safer-networking.org/) Anti Spyware.
CCCP (http://www.cccp-project.net/) Codec Pack and Media Player Classic, a light weight media player.
MyUninstaller (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/myuninst.html) A uninstaller to replace windows'.
ZoomIt (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/ZoomIt.mspx) A zooming tool.
Omniformat (http://www.omniformat.com/download.html) Allows you to convert a host of images to one type of format.
RegCleaner (http://www.webmasterfree.com/RegCleaner_d7625.html) Cleans your registry.
CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) Cleans up PC.
Daemon Tools (http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php?mode=ViewCategory&catid=5) Lightweight program that runs disk images.
Riva (http://www.rivavx.com/index.php?id=422&L=3) Convert and play flash videos.
iMesh (http://www.imesh.com/) Music, music video download. Lots of free songs, legal.
Steam (http://www.steampowered.com/) Valve's video game service.

[Arlia Janet]

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) for security.
OSalt (http://www.osalt.com) for all your free app needs.

Wine, Crossover office and Cedega are really good gaming solutions for linux.

[Mac]

Any Flash Movie program?

[Donomni]

Alzip (http://www.altools.net/ALTools/ALZip/tabid/53/Default.aspx), can open any of those archive formats like .RAR and .ZIP.

Alshow (http://www.altools.net/ALTools/ALShow/tabid/57/Default.aspx), if it's a movie file, this can play it. Always, without question.

[Mirai Gen]

...Okay, so, I think we're done here!

That was fast.

[Bob the Mercenary]

I'd also recommend Mihov Image Resizer if you want a quick and simple shrink or enlargement of a picture for use as an avatar or something.

[Donomni]

Maybe this should be stickied, there is a buttload of programs in here.

[Eldezar]

Are there any flash movie makers or graphic design programs on the gpu license?

[R|Я]

Anyone know a good (free) dungeon creator? For RPGs and the like. (Grids, please, no hex boards)

[Doppler12]

DVD Flick (http://www.dvdflick.net/download.php)- Video DVD author, kinda limited on what it can do. No watermark. Also makes ISOs.

Any Video Converter (http://www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_free/)- Converts most video files to most others, also, No watermark

[Mad Jack the Pirate]

anyone know a good tutorial to set up ubuntu or linux? I'm using my laptop a hell of a lot more these days and I think I might get on the "hey fuck vista" train so long as I can still play games.

[Lost in Time]

I run Arch Linux (http://www.archlinux.org) on my laptop, and it has it's own beginners guide on the website if you're interested in a nice lightweight OS that isn't Ubuntu.

[bluestarultor]

Anyone know a good (free) dungeon creator? For RPGs and the like. (Grids, please, no hex boards)

There is Dungeon Hack (http://uaf.sourceforge.net/) (formerly UA Forever), based on the DOS-era Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures (now abandonware).

I took a look at it and honestly can say it was in-depth enough that I threw my hands up after 5 minutes, but I was incredibly busy at the time and really was only in the market for something that would handle a 5-person party. FRUA itself has a bazillion hacks for it that can turn it into damn near anything if you don't mind the dated graphics, but it's hard to work with in its own ways. Either one is a time-eater, at least by my viewpoint.


You also have the RPG Maker series of software. I've looked at a lot of them, actually, and can list off some points.

RM 2000: Fairly easy to work with, but battle is 1st-person for the most part and generally isn't pretty by design. Battle graphics are pretty nice, but the view doesn't do it for me. Field graphics are tiny and basic.

RM 2003: Field graphics still suck, but battle is much improved with a FF-like side view of battle. Up to 4 people are supported natively in a party, despite the ability to manually rearrange them. In terms of graphics, battle sprites are handled by what appear to be 8-bit paletted PNGs that get bitchy if you save them as anything else and can't be just made in Paint or something and work. It's sadly best to take a pre-made sheet and edit it in MS Paint, which seems to keep the file info together better than more advanced software.

RM XP: Some things were greatly improved, while others make me want to shoot them. Field sprites are now hi-res, making the 2-D world beautiful, but the entire thing is generic Western fantasy-themed, severely limiting world creativity out of the box. Field sprites are now able to be any size, where there were previously hard limits. Battle animations are also beautiful and now feature transformations capabilities not seen in previous versions. However, sprite editing is painful because rather than choosing a neutral green or teal, it's all done on a very specific near-white color that often ends you up looking at seemingly blank slots. Also, battle is back to a head-on view, and to make matters worse, the characters and enemies now all have horribly-done, flat-shaded, bow-lined styled generic animu graphics.

The good news is that XP is fully fixable if you can learn RUBY to script in it. Examples of things you can do is have any number of party members you like and build back a side-view battle system complete with animation (one my friend uses is effing hard to work with, but the graphics are insanely good and even have animated enemies).

RM VX: This one my friend has, but I never got it. It takes it to 3-D, but that's really all I know about it. I believe it also supports 2-D.





While I'm here, I did find a nice piece of music-making software similar to FL Studio, but arranged a bit differently and with slightly different capabilities. It's called Renoise (http://www.renoise.com/) and frankly suits my current DOS project pretty well, all things considered, so far as I've seen. It's not FREE free, but the demo is pretty well-endowed for most purposes, unless you really need ASIO and to make things directly into a WAV file. It's only ~50 Euros, which means, what, $60US(?) for the full package, which is a lot cheaper than the best of the best from FL. It also seems to double as a MIDI sequencer, which was really what I was looking for. Also, the interface is incredibly flexible and pretty simple and doesn't make my head explode, so that's good.

[Kozar]

I'm looking for a screenshot app that will work on Vista.

[Eltargrim]

Synergy (http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/).

I have a laptop and a desktop. I hate switching between them when I'm using them, however. This fixes that. When my mouse hits the adjacent edge of the screen, my keyboard, mouse, and clipboard switch over to the other computer. I can type, browse, copy files, and play games all using the same keyboard and mouse. I can toggle it on and off, too, so I can quickly switch between playing a game and chatting on IRC. Super easy to set up, too.

[Cati]

Wanted to add to the list of useful programs:

Duplicate File Finder (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/dupfilefinder.html) -- Does exactly what it says. It does a byte by byte comparison of all files, identifies which files on your computer are exact duplicates, and gives you the option to either just delete all newer versions of the duplicate file (keeping just the original), or selecting which versions of it you want to delete. Very easy to use, and free!

[Viridis]

^That sounds awesome. I am bad about leaving duplicates around.


I'm looking for a screenshot app that will work on Vista.
I use Gadwin Printscreen (http://www.gadwin.com/printscreen/)

anyone know a good tutorial to set up ubuntu or linux? I'm using my laptop a hell of a lot more these days and I think I might get on the "hey fuck vista" train so long as I can still play games.
Generally you can't play Windows games on Ubuntu. But for other things, Ubuntu is really easy to install inside Windows so it'll run as a dual boot. Just download it here (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download), burn it to a CD, then run it while Windows is on. Then select Install inside Windows.

[Athas]

For free software you can't really beat eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org)
FreeMind (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page) freemind is also pretty cool.
StarUML pretty cool too.

[Odjn]

There's not been a post here forever.

Anyone know a free calendar that will pop up with events offline?

[TheSparrow]

There's not been a post here forever.

Anyone know a free calendar that will pop up with events offline?

I am experimenting with Mozilla Sunbird (http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/sunbird/) right now, so I have no idea what it is capable of yet. You might check it out?

[synkr0nized]

I am now convinced that everyone should keep a copy/maintain an up-to-date version of Dr. Web's CureIt Live CD (http://www.freedrweb.com/livecd/). It's a Linux-based live CD that has their CureIt cleaner built into it and has good NTFS support, making it a superb tool for recovering from a nasty virus infection. This is updated nearly daily, but when running the actual CureIt scanner you have the ability to download updates if yours is older.

Another good one would be Ultimate Boot CD for Windows (http://www.ubcd4win.com/). Like Linux live CDs, this PE (built up from BartPE, I think) is also quite useful for diagnosing, recovering from, and handling various issues.

MBAM is also pretty rad. I think I may like it more than Spybot and Ad-aware.

I'm looking for a screenshot app that will work on Vista.

I know this is an old post, but Vista's built-in snipping tool (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Use-Snipping-Tool-to-capture-screen-shots) is great for screenshots and capturing windows/sections of your display.

[krissgjeng]

7stack (http://www.alastria.com/index.php?p=software-7s) is nice, you can have a collection of software and put it in the win7 superbar in a stack.

[Preturbed]

[COLOR="Red"][FONT="Tahoma"]I am now convinced that everyone should keep a copy/maintain an up-to-date version of Dr. Web's CureIt Live CD (http://www.freedrweb.com/livecd/). It's a Linux-based live CD that has their CureIt cleaner built into it and has good NTFS support, making it a superb tool for recovering from a nasty virus infection. This is updated nearly daily, but when running the actual CureIt scanner you have the ability to download updates if yours is older.

I found a pretty awesome tool called Sardu that compiles a ton of Live CDs onto one Mega-Awesome virus killer. It handles Avira, BitDefender, Dr. Web, F-Secure, GDATA, Kaspersky, Panda, and VBA rescue disks, and that's just the first tab.

[bluestarultor]

Hey, anyone in the market for a pretty comprehensive MIDI sequencer? I've fallen in love with Anvil Studio (http://www.anvilstudio.com/). It can even open and edit MIDI files you didn't make to help figure out what makes them tick. It's also got the unique and wonderful feature of generating sheet music for every track, which helps a guy with a musical background like me see where things are going. The interface looks straight out of Win98, but, well, it actually IS. This thing works on Win98 up through Win7. AND it features raw audio recording and use of a MIDI instrument to arrange the music. It does pretty much everything you need to to for the low, low price of $0. $19 if you need up to 8 tracks of raw audio to play for up to 1 hour.