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Open source is not just for Linux: 14 apps that are great for Windows users

KeePass is a dandy password store that's available free on SourceForge. I'm a consultant and, since it doesn't leave any footprint on the operating system, I can use it on any PC I'm assigned. You can keep the database file on a thumb drive on in DropBox, and it's available wherever you want it. I've used it for many years and have NEVER had a failure or data corruption.

I use open source when it makes the most sense for me. I use Gimp and Open Office, not because there is no other option, but because the functionality for the price is unbeatable. However, I do not use open source all the time at the drop of a hat just to say that I do.

So, yes - I use some open source software... when it makes sense to me to do so.

** EDIT: Sorry Plevin! This was not meant as a response to you. Used the wrong "REPLY" button. =(

I am the same way, I use some open source sofware if it is the right solution but not just to say I do.

maj

This reply comes from a Linux shop... but simply using Open Source as a default is dumb.

There is a place for closed source software, and there are some titles which are not comparable. I still miss Visio, even though Dia is out there. Dia has got a long way to go, and while I would love to see it move forward, even merging with Libre Office, I really doubt that will happen.

For much of what everyone does, the Open Source development and delivery model is best, but some want exclusivity, a company to yell at, or some sort of assurance they can sue someone, even though the EULA will block that.

The bottom line is than anyone who closes doors to a piece of software based upon its development model is like someone who votes straight ticket. Yes, it seems like a good idea, but sometimes you just don't get what you paid for.

The true power of any process comes when competing models interact. It keeps everybody more honest than if there was a defacto monopoly. Use what works.

Open Office is an excellent program unless you have to uninstall it. I tried it and decided to remove it. i used Revo Uninstaller, another excellent freebie, and it found that the program's uninstaller left over 2000,yes,2000 fragments in the registry.

I really can't say enough for the portableapp format. It is to software what the LiveCD is to bootable OS.

If you want to keep your system clean, maybe look at the OpenOffice portableapp. I'm not sure if you get full integration (right click edit with menu and such) but you'll get a more clean install and "uninstall" will mean simply deleting the directory.

I use Audacity and Gimp but not because there isn't another option.

I downloaded and installed KeePass, and part of the optimization hung at end of install. Now, I can not uninstall the program through either Ctl pannel, nor through the unins000.exe found in the installed folder. Both methods hang, and can not be killed with task manager. I am not a happy camper.

From years of experience, I've found Keepass to be a solid and reputable program. Perhaps it is a broken installer download? My usual practice is to use the protableapp version but the few full installs under Windows have been fine.

If it's a broken install then you should be able to re-run the installer; your basically installing over top to finish off what the first install attempt failed at. Hopefully you can at least get it installed cleanly so you can uninstall it.

If it's a broken installer then you'll get the same crash out consistently. In this case, you probably want to try downloading the installer again directly from downloads.com or the keepass website. Re-downloading should give you an unbroken installer that gets past whatever point the first is crashing out at.

As mentioned though, I'd look at the portableapp version. It'll give you an introduction to the application. You may find you like it enough to install or find it better to run from a USB stick. Keep the USB with you and you've always got your passwords handy. Make that USB an Ironkey and you have a password vault with self-distruct functions.

Hope it works out. If you can provide more details, someone here may have an easy answer.

Sorry to hear of your problem. The latest version I've used is Ver 1.16, which is much simpler than later (2.n) versions. I tried those but opted for the simplicity of the tried and true 1.n.

I've been using KeePass with TrueKrypt (I'm not paranoid, I promise!) for a long time and both have worked very well for me.

Thanks for the posts. Eventually deleted the folder and contents of the install, cleaned the registry of all enteries, then did a PC restore from previous day. All seems well now. I will try the portable version as suggested. Your vote of confidence on the product is enough to prompt me to try again. Many thanks.

Here are three I use all the time on Windows that you have not mentioned:
* JEdit - my editor of choice. I have yet to find another editor that enables me to do research into code faster than JEdit.
* FreeMind - A Mind Mapping tool. Easy and intuitive. Good stuff.
* Cygwin - Because I need bash.

On the other hand this is a great list thanks for the info.

maj

Clamwin has been a solid product, but recently one of the updates annihilated the hard drive on many users systems, including my own. The fix was non-trivial, and in some cases required restoring from backup.

Never used Claws Mail but have used Thunderbird with Exchange using DavMail as the connector, would be interesting to know if that works.

Excellent list, Jack.I just started using GnuCash and found it a little awkward at first, but once I built the reports it was pretty amazing.

Firefox has taken a dive of late--buggy, unstable, and a huge resource hog.

Let's add FileZilla, a fantastic FTP client; KompoZer, a great WYSIWYG Website creator; Ajax, a solid Flash sub; Ogranizer's Database, which buries Raiser's Edge; and OpenProject as an escape from the hegemony of MS Project!

What is this group's favorite FOSS CMS? Do you know of one that allows decent conversion from (gag) ExpressionEngine?

I think that it would be more helpful if you direct users to the Scribus Home Page (http://scribus.net/canvas/Scribus) rather than link directly to the SourceForge download link. That way, users would have the benefit of easily getting to the Scribus documentation and wiki as well.

Evolution is now available for Windows. Full groupware, and does Exchange.

I can vouch for Firefox, Thunderbird, FileZilla, OpenOffice, and Audacity. All are solid solutions. I am going to take a look at GnuCash and Scribus. Great list, thanks!

I have not tried PeaZip and will have to look at it, but so far have used 7-Zip almost exclusively and love it's ease of use. It works well on all platforms, even though Win 7 compression is easy enough to use.

Although I do mostly computer infection cleanup, setup, tutoring, etc., I have completely re-written a couple of websites for clients. I used Kompozer for the website and GIMP to tweak the graphics files and make buttons. I have used both programs on both Windows XP and Linux Mint.

GetLeft is a great open source program for downloading websites for editing.

your poll is missing one significant answer (that I would use as an answer here): "I use open source when it is better than other options."

I do a lot of data munging, and so I always have the Win32 ports of helpful Gnu tools, such as sed, grep and awk. My editor of choice is Vim, due to it's powerful regex and text handling abilities. And for anyone who wrangles data, it's hard to live without Perl. I could not imagine doing my job without these invaluable tools.

"Use the [Open] Source, Luke!"

I can't believe someone is still telling that Firefox is more secure and less reliable than IE 8. It's faster, but it isn't more secure. If you're talking about IE 6 (argh) or IE 7 I agree with you Jack.

Newbie Here: Is there an Open Source program similar or replacement for MS Acess? Thanks for your responses in advance.

http://www.linuxalt.com/

"
Microsoft Access
Kexi ( http://www.koffice.org/kexi/ )
knoda ( http://www.knoda.org )
GNOME-DB ( http://www.gnome-db.org/ )
"

I'm not sure how any of the three stack up to Access but they list them as alternatives.

Personally, I've found Access well suited to doing quick SQL filters on the local machine or writing database interfaces. In terms of actual data storage, Access is to real databases what MS Paint is to Photoshop.

I've heard of a few other apps, most recently it was a slick front end for MySQL databases. The data goes in MySQL and the app provides the "Access" like GUI for creating form, reports and filters.

I guess it first depends on what you want to do. What, about Access, do you like and need from a FOSS replacement?

Yes i use OpenSource but only if there is no FREE software available.

Thanks for the great list.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/

What alternatives are populair replacements for ACAD or Solidworks?

Blender exists but i'm not sure if thats the best choice for industrial grade designing.

any thoughts?

Its a decent list but... For starters LibreOffice is NOT ready for a production environment. I crashed too many times in one week and went back to OpenOffice on my Netbook. Second, Scribus is good but why compare it to PageMaker, which hasn't been around in nearly a decade? Oh, right, because as good as it is it doesn't hold a candle to InDesign. Otherwise a great list. I personally have used 8 of your 14 and found them (mostly) capable. The Gimp really needs a new interface (I kept Photoshop) and I'll look forward to checking out the work being done there.

I am using the latest release (.4) and it's quite stable. If you are using the original release you should certainly upgrade.

I disagree with your choice of PeaZip--there's nothing really wrong with it, but 7-Zip has one feature that blows PeaZip away. The inclusion of a dual-pane file manager is a useful feature that I use all the time--and the fact that it bypasses Windows Explorer is often quite useful. When Explorer lies to you, 7-Zip tells the truth. Another useful feature is that because it is not dependent on Windows Explorer, 7-Zip works in Command Line Safe Mode and in the "Bart PE" environment.

# 15 is the best
#15 SUPER ? If you need a simple, yet very efficient tool to convert (encode) or play any Multimedia file, without reading manuals or spending long hours training, then SUPER ? is all you need. It is a Multimedia Encoder and a Multimedia Player, easy-to-use with 1 simple click.

Can we add one more?
#15 SUPER ? If you need a simple, yet very efficient tool to convert (encode) or play any Multimedia file, without reading manuals or spending long hours training, then SUPER ? is all you need. It is a Multimedia Encoder and a Multimedia Player, easy-to-use with 1 simple click.

I've been searching for a good computer-based training app for ages and can't find anything that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. We tried TCExam on our Linux box, but the support for that project seemed to evaporate several years ago, and I haven't seen *anything* open-source in the Windows world...

Good CBT/LMS software ain't easy to write, and it ain't cheap, either.

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