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Best Free Open Source Software For Windows

Posted by timothy on from the where's-vlc? dept.

snydeq writes "InfoWorld surveys the FOSS-on-Windows landscape, detailing the 10 free open source solutions most likely to unseat proprietary offerings. 'Some, like TrueCrypt and VirtualBox, are real diamonds in the rough: enterprise-grade solutions that deliver many of the same bells and whistles of their commercial brethren, but for free. Others, like Firefox and OpenOffice.org, are already legendary, and their strong followings ensure their continued development and support at levels that rival the best proprietary solutions.'" Rather than click through 10 different pages, the slideshow presentation at least lets you hover over each page's link to preview the author's top picks.

5 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. paint.net? by fermion · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Never heard of the application. Summary say it is extremely limited. Is there a reason, other than complexity of interface, that one might choose it over gimp. I suppose gimp does not have all the shapes of a drawing program, but it does paint, with colors.

    --
    "She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
    1. Re:paint.net? by Nimloth · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Paint .NET is a real good middle ground between MS Paint and Photoshop. The interface is lightning fast and neat, real easy to use, and pretty powerful. For a home user who occasionally has to edit graphics and/or photos, it's a neat program and it's free. Sure beats MS Paint at anything. If you're used to the GIMP, stick with it.

  2. This will be unpopular but... by bschorr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...Microsoft Office 2007 (and 2010) create PDF files just fine too.

    So does Corel's WordPerfect product.

    (and yes, I do have OpenOffice installed on this machine...I'm just sayin')

    --
    -B-
  3. Re:What about VLC? by tepples · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Surely VLC should have made this list?

    The list was posted on a U.S. web site. VLC contains patented algorithms but doesn't come with a license to use the algorithms in the United States.

  4. AutoHotKey and AutoIt are a necessity. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 2, Interesting

    AutoHotkey is a necessity. Open Source, free, but unfortunately no Linux version. Automates keystrokes. Very professionally maintained. The programming language is quirky.

    AutoIt makes programs that do automatic installations for examples.

    Both can imitate keystrokes and mouse movements.