Robotik - Software-U-Like

Software-U-Like

Sunday, September 07, 2008, 08:44

I know it's old, but XP has served me well. I still use it on my main PC (everything else is Linux now). Here is a selection of software I use on XP. All these apps are free (as in gratis) and some are also free (as in libre).

Browers
- Firefox: Open source web browser from Mozilla.

Communication Applications
- Thunderbird: Open source e-mail application from Mozilla.
- Skype: Internet telephony for free.
- Teamspeak: VoIP client/server for free!
- Pidgin: Chat application that supports ICQ, IRC, MSN, Yahoo! and AIM.

Utilities
- Bulk Rename Utility: Need to rename 1000 mp3 files? BRU is the way forward. Renames files and folders.
- Metapad: A full replacement for Windows Notepad with everything Notepad should have offered.
- FileZilla: Open source FTP application for Windows.
- 7-zip: Open source compression utility. Supports myriad formats.
- Sumatra PDF: Slimline PDF viewer.
- TeraCopy: Enhance your file copying.
- Dropbox: Online file sync - just like having a flash drive shared over the web.

Audio and Video
- VLC Media Player: Plays almost anything you can throw at it.
- Foobar2000: Odd name, awesome digital audio player. Has support for Ogg.

Emulation / Virtualisation
- ScummVM: For all your point-and-click-adventure needs.
- DOSBox: x86 emulation to transport you back to the age of DOS.
- VirtualBox: Sun Microsystems open source VM.
- MagicDisc: Virtual drive manager that allows mounting of ISO files.

Office
- OpenOffice.org: Open source office suite.

Backup
- Macrium Reflect Free: Quickly make an image of your system disk, even while it is active.
- Karen's Replicator: Schedule backup jobs. Well designed application which keeps things simple.