10 Greatest Open Source apps of 2009 http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/10-greatest-open-source-software-of-2009.html
These are full-featured cross-platform softwares, free as in
beer and speech. Vivek Gite picks his best open source software of
2009.
#1: Inkscape ( Vector Graphics Editor )
Inkscape is a vector graphics editor. It is similar to
Illustrator, CorelDraw, and Xara X. This is perfect for object
manipulation and styling objects. From the project home page:
Inkscape supports many advanced SVG features (markers, clones,
alpha blending, etc.) and great care is taken in designing a
streamlined interface. It is very easy to edit nodes, perform
complex path operations, trace bitmaps and much more. We also aim
to maintain a thriving user and developer community by using open,
community-oriented development.
#2: 7-Zip ( Archiver )
7-Zip is a file archiver and open source software. No need to use
winzip or anything else. It does everything for you without paying
a single penny:
- Supports many formats:
- Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
- Unpacking only: ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH,
LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z.
- Fast.
- Free and open source.
- High compression ratio.
- Works best with Windows operating systems.
Note: For Linux / UNIX desktop I prefer to use native tools such
as zip/unzip, tar etc.
#3: VLC ( Media Player )
Great media player which supports almost all formats (audio,
video formats DVDs / VCDs, and various streaming protocols) and is
stripped down to its most fundamental features (i.e. portable media
player). A must have software for all anim and movie fans.
#4: VirtualBox ( Virtualization )
Run Linux / MS-Windows or any other supported os directly
without removing Windows, Linux, OpenSolaris or Macintosh (OS X)
host operating systems. A professional class software that is
freely available as...
