Open Source Windows Programs
From LinuxServerTech
Yes, everyone knows that Firefox beats all other browsers, that it is Open Source (free and more stable), and that it is available for the three main operating systems (Windows, Mac and Linux).
What many people don't realize is the shear number of open source applications that will run on Windows and OSX. Open Source is not just for Linux anymore (though Linux is, for many purposes, the better operating system also).
I have had many people ask me for a list of Open Source software for Windows, and here is a small list of my picks. Note that most of these are available for OSX also.
| Category | Program | URL | Benefits | Bad things |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | GnuCash | http://www.gnucash.org | Excellent for personal use with multiple accounts | No auto-download of bank transactions. You must manually download transactions, then import them into GnuCash |
| Graphics (Photos) | GIMP | http://www.gimp.org/windows/ | Excellent program with many add-ins. "Knows" several picture formats, works with layers, and is extremely customizable | Uses an interface completely different than Adobe Photoshop and many other image programs, so may have a steep learning curve for people already familiar with those programs |
| Music/Video Player | VLC Media Player | http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ | Works with almost all conceivable video formats with excellent playback functionality. Even allows you to stream video over your network to other workstations. | None that I am aware of. |
| Music Player | Amarok | http://amarok.kde.org/ | Excellent playback of a very wide range of music formats. Nice Library functions | |
| Word Processing/Spreadsheets | OpenOffice.org | http://www.openoffice.org | Handles a wide variety of formats including those from Microsoft and Word Perfect Office. Will import and export to those formats, and export to PDF automatically. You can even put it in Microsoft Office mode where it automatically saves and loads .doc and .docx format. Interface is very familiar to anyone who has used Microsoft Office. | As with any Word Processor, import from another program (MS Office, WordPerfect) will usually cause formatting errors. Spreadsheets, on the other hand, are basically seamless, though the chart creation is sometimes difficult. |
| Games | Battle for Wesnoth | http://www.wesnoth.org/ | Excellent strategy game with ability to play against the computer and/or other players on your computer, your local network, or through a game server. | NOT a first person shooter, so if you want that real-time excitement, this is not for you. Client and Server must match closely on version, so setting up your own game can be a problem at times. |
| Games | BZFlag | http://bzflag.org/ | Great first person shooter with ability to play against other players on your local network, or through a game server. | The servers have at times been loaded with people playing cheat versions, which kills the fun. However, look around and you'll find a server where people are playing the game well. If all else fails, set up your own server (very easy to do) and play your friends on your local network (or, across the internet) |
