|
COOL FREE SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS AND UTILITIES
 Free Software Online?There is a ton of free software available for download or for web-based use out there on the Internet. Software and other utilities to help make our lives easier from organizing our book collection into a database to managing large files to editing our digital photos with a professional look. The adult services librarians have organized a list of free applications and other tools designed with our patrons in mind - they have been well-reviewed by technology editors and simple to use.
Free Office Productivity and Image Editing Software Online
GIMP: The GNU image manipulation program or GIMP is a freely distributed piece of open source software for tasks to include: photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Visit the GIMP site and check out the link to the tutorial to learn how to create a Gaussian blur overlay using GIMP 0 a feature well used in some of the proprietary graphic design software such as Adobe’s Fireworks, Photoshop and Illustrator. Unlike some of the other free image editing tools, GIMP allows users to create and manage multiple layers for a more professional edge. The software can be downloaded to multiple operating systems to include: MAC OS X or higher, Windows NT4 or higher, and Unix.
Google Docs: Users must sign-up for a free Gmail account. Files are stored remotely and the suite includes word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs in a Web-based environment. Users can save documents to their desktop as well.
Jing is free screen-capture software. It can be used for taking both screen shots and screencasts. The user can narrate both the screen shots and the screencasts and the product can be shared and saved via the web, IM or email. It can be used by both PCs and Macs.
NeoOffice: NeoOffice was designed as “OpenOffice” for native MAC users before OpenOffice 3.0 rolled out with native support for MAC. There are dozens of native MAC features so that files can be exchanged with Office and other popular programs. Word processing, spreadsheet, drawing, and presentation programs are included in the suite.
OpenOffice: OpenOffice 3.0 is fully interoperable with Microsoft Office 2007 with a suite that includes presentation software, word processing software, a graphics editor, a spreadsheet program, and a database program. It runs natively on Windows, MAC, and Linux.
Photofiltre: The free version of Photofiltre does not offer the option to create and manage multiple layers or .8bf plug-in capability; however, it has been called “user-friendly” by a frequent CNET forum contributor. Photofiltre has been called by software editors a “solid image editing app” that takes up much less hard drive space with a quicker load time than some of the image editing desktop applications designed for graphic designers and professional photographers such as Photoshop.
Photostory is a Web 2.0 technology used in digital storytelling. The user creates a story by uploading photos into a slideshow. The photos can be edited in a variety of ways and a soundtrack, narration, special effects, titles and captions can also be added to the story. This free technology can be used for both personal and professional use. Not compatible with Macs.
Picasa: Google Pack is pre-selected downloadable free software offerings. Picasa is an image editor that permits users to: remove red-eye; crop photos; share photos. New to Picasa 3.6, geotag photos. With geotagging, users can launch Google Earth to display a photo on a satellite map or embed location information within a photo. Compatible with Windows XP or higher to include Windows 7.
Picknik: There is no registration required to start “picniking,” though the homepage of the Web-based software boasts that “Picnik is even better if you create a [free] account.” Beyond your digital photo library, Picnik offers extensions for Google Chrome, Firefox, and IE so users can grab photos from Web sites and edit them in a browser window. Edit your photos to include those from Web sites, your desktop collection of digital photos or connect Picknik to your social net sites like MySpace, Facebook and Flickr and open and edit those pics. Service acquired by Google in March 2010, but still free. Layer photos, create collages and slideshows to share with your network.
Pixen: Designed specifically for users running Mac OSX v. 10.4 or higher platforms, Pixen 3.0, recently released, it’s designed for both pixel artists and those who wish to create animated gif files and Quicktime movies. Are you designing online games? Check out this site.
Photoshop Express: In 2008 Adobe, the makers of Photoshop, launched a free, Web-based version of an image editing tool. For the free service you receive: 2.0 GB of online storage for your digital image library, and a personal URL (Web address) to display and share photos online. Upload photos to your registered account and begin to create albums, tag, and edit photos. Registration is easy and quick. Features are broken into categories within the editing tool to include: Basic editing such as cropping, removing red eye, and choosing a saturation level. Adjustments such as sharpening or softening focus on a photo. Advanced editing such as changing photo to black and white mode, and changing hue or saturation. Refer to Matt Kloskowski’s article on “My Top 10 Favorite Features of Photoshop Express Beta” from March 2008 to read about other cool tricks for users of this software. Recently launched in beta is the Decorate mode, which allows the overlay of text and objects onto images.
Zoho: Zoho offers free versions of all its software including business apps such as CRM (customer relationship management programs). Need to set up a Zoho account to receive from access to the personal edition of its Web-based office suite of programs that include: online spreadsheets, word processor, e-mail service, and presentation tool. Like Google Docs, this “on-demand” service can be accessed anyone from an Internet browser.
ZoooS: ZoooS is still under development but “test away.” Apps include a word processor, vector drawing program, and spreadsheet and presentation software. Data sources such as Picasa and YouTube are also available. It is designed to be, according to its press kit, “OpenOffice 3.0 in a browser.” Free online registration required.
Calendar and Workgroup Collaboration Tools
Bedework is an open source calendar that was originally designed for use in higher education but has been adopted for personal and corporate usage. There are a number of modes (public, personal and admin) that dictate the access granted to each calendar.
Collanos Workplace is a space where coworkers can share their project in a single location. Users will be notified when a change has been made to a project and allows communication via Instant Message.
GBridge allows remote access and control of PCs, sync filing synching and folder sharing. It can be used to form a Virtual Privacy Network that connects multiple computers together.
Mikogo is an online meeting and web conferencing tool. It can support up to 10 participants at a time. It is compatible with both Macs and PCs.
Mozilla Sunbird is Mozilla’s calendar application that runs on Windows, Linux, MAC, Solaris (with Intel processor), and Solaris SPARC. Like Outlook, it’s a calendaring application that also offers meeting management tools.
Rainlendar is an open source calendar. The lite version is available free of charge and it works with Linux, Windows and Mac OS X. It includes a to-do list, alarms and a search function for your calendar.
VCalendar is an open source, online calendar used for maintaining and scheduling events online. It has multiple program languages and includes monthly, annual, daily and weekly views. The site offers free e-mail based support.
Wiggio is a free utility for workgroup collaboration and shared calendaring. Wiggio allows groups (from civic to academic to business to family) to set up chat rooms for web meetings and manage shared files online. Also includes features such as free conference calling and Web meetings.
Zimbra is Yahoo's open source online messaging and workground collaboration software, the Zimbra Desktop is available free-of-charge for download and includes calendaring and collaboration tools (manage contacts lists, calendar, and aggregate and manage multiple e-mail accounts in one place). The Desktop lets users tag and search conversations, and runs on Windows, MAC, and Linux.
Portable Document Format (PDF) Creation Tools
Cute PDF Writer: Create PDF files, preserve form elements, add, delete, re-order, and resize PDF pages, digital sign PDF docs, or make compact PDF booklets. Please note that the direct editing of PDF pages including adding comments is not part of the free package, but there is a free trial offered.
Shrink for Your Web Addresses and File Attachments
bit.ly: Shorten a long Web address. Beyond just a URL shrinker, bit.ly offers free registration and registered users can track clicks to analyze Web page traffic stats.
MailBigFile.com: Completely Web-based process to upload a large file and then enter the e-mail address of the recipient. Send a file up to 200MB in size to your recipient who will receive notification of the file to download. No software to install locally. A great way to get around the file upload restrictions on your local or Web–based mail server.
Tiny URL: Sending long Web addresses to friends, family or co-workers via e-mail only to have them break apart onto another line making it harder for your network to copy and paste into a browser’s address bar? Posting a link to your Twitter only to exceed your character length? Tiny URL will take your long URLS and turn them into manageable lengths. The addresses you create via TinyURL never expire.
YouSendIt: Like mailbigfile.com, YouSendIt is a completely Web-based utility to upload file attachments. Post sender and recipient e-mail addresses and upload a file up to 100MB in size. Delivery can also be tracked and password protected for extra security.
Trusted Sites That Offer Freeware, Shareware, and Reviews for End-Users
AARP's "Software on the Cheap" offers a guide to five basic freebies on the Web with editorial reviews for each featured application.
CNET is always a favorite among the IT world. Click on the “reviews” tab from the home page and choose a category from the left-hand navigation bar. From cell phones to desktops to laptops to televisions, the site combines editor’s picks with user reviews, product specs and prices.
CNET Downloads: From the homepage, click on the “downloads” tab. Downloads for Windows, MAC, and Mobile platforms are available and include anti-virus software, file-sharing software, media players, image editors, and malware removers.
ComputerWorld A good site to glean important information about new devices you’ve recently or have recently considered purchasing. Is there a free trial available for Microsoft’s Office Professional Plus 2010? What’s the relationship between Web apps and the desktop applications for the MS Office Home and Business 2010 and is it available yet in beta? I have an iPad, what apps are essential as suggested by technology editors? This site should be a starting point for answers.
Engadget: AOL Tech channel's Engadget Tech Editors post copious reviews in text, video, image, and audio formats of new gadgets and consumer electronics -- from mobile to HD and from harddrives to more hardware.
PC World & Mac World: Having over 25 years of credibility and a reputation for quality, PCWorld and Macworld deliver excellence through award-winning content, trusted product reviews, and freeware/shareware downloads. Focusing on the PC, Apple and Mac markets, the highly regarded company brings together technology inspired consumers, readers, users, writers, newsmakers, journalists, reviewers, marketers and advertisers who all share a “consuming interest in technology.” People look to PCWorld and Macworld for expert guidance and purchasing advice for their information technology needs.
PC Mag delivers authoritative, lab-based reviews of computing and Internet products. PCMag defines technology for e-business and is the only magazine with in-depth reviews and accurate, repeatable testing from PC Labs. PCMag provides product guides, reviews and an extensive download library of shareware, demos and freeware.
Tech Column New York Times: David Pogue’s technology column has appeared in the New York Times since each week since 2000. He also writes the Times e-mail column “From the Desk of David Pogue,” creates short, funny Web videos for NYTimes.com, and posts entries to his Times blog. David tests out, reviews, recommends and/or points out the pitfalls of new products. Read his reviews for a first-hand account before you buy a product.
Tech Spot is a leading independent computer technology publication established in 1998. TechSpot’s daily coverage of the tech scene is complemented by their comprehensive product reviews, software downloads & drivers updates, PC and laptop buying guides, and the hundred of tech tips offered in their guides section.
TuCows offers free downloads for Windows, MAC, and Linux, platforms. Software downloads are generally broken up into categories such as: Audio and Video; Games; Web Authoring, Business; and Design Tools.
Wired is a daily technology news website which provides helpful reviews, video how-to’s, and cool apps for people trying to make the most of technology.
Web Traffic Analysis (Analytics Tools)
What is analytics and how can it help improve my Web site? "Web analytics is the process of gathering and analyzing your web content's data in order to glean meaningful information about how your site is being used by your users," according to one definition posted to SixRevisions. In short, Web analytics can help you design your Web site to help your users find the information they need quickly and learn about your clients, customers, or other user base as you build and improve your business' online presence.
Clicky: A free Clicky account offers 3,000 page hits tracked daily for one Web site and includes: 30 days of data history, IP addresses of visitors captures, iPhone and Droid mobile versions, and individual user actions tracked - to name a few. A web-based, customizable dashboard helps manage your analytics profile.
4Q Website Survey: A web-based survey ready to be integrated into your site that asks your visitors why they visited your site and if they were able to complete their tasks at your site and, if not, why not.
Pagealizer: The free version can track up to 200 page visits per month as well as each user time spent on pages. Page clicks also tracked. The free service supports one landing page.
Reinvigorate (beta): Access by invite only - as easy as entering your e-mail address and waiting for confirmation via e-mail. Tracks real-time activity on your site as well as where visitors click the most and least. Get hourly, daily, and monthly activity states as well as bounce rates for visitors. Page tracking in real-time is offered in a desktop app.
Woopra (beta): Stats updated at least once per day. The tool differentiates between repeat and first-time visitors to your site and offers details on site referrals.
For Gadget Lovers
Google Gadgets: A library of Google's gadget for your computer's desktop. Scroll through the thumbnail images and descriptions for each gadget from XM Online Radio to the Stock Market Tracker.
For Web Designers: Basic to Advanced Coders
Aptana Studio: A user interface similar to that of Adobe's Dreamweaver, the editor is designed for both standard HTML coding as well as CSS and Javascript. A 30-day free trial download of Dreamweaver CS5 is linked to the site as a visual design complement to the web editor. For Windows XP and higher.
NetObjects Fusion Essentials is free web design software - a lite version of the NetObjects Fusion Suite. Some of the features in this free package include: rollover images, easy to design drag and drop layouts, a form builder tool and e-commerce capabilities. A free user guide is available for download in PDF format from the web site. For Windows and Mac users.
SeaMonkey: An "all-in-one Internet application suite, this Mozilla-backed project (same group behind Firefox browser) includes an HTML editor with built in browser for viewing code. Also includes a Javascript debugger for more advanced coders. For Windows and Mac users.
Visual Web Developer Express: A free web development tool that has capabilities for basic HTML coding as well as support for more complex scripting to include capability for database development and deployment. (Microsoft product for Windows users)
Free AntiVirus and Spyware Protection
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: Linked up to the download that includes the CNET review, this application is designed, per reviewers, as "simple [for] home users." It is also compatible with Windows 7. Bundled with the anti-virus tool is an anti--malware tool and email scanner. Links are scanned for safety ratings as returned from major search engines: Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Bloggers have called it easy to install. Antivirus updates are pushed out for the lifetime of the product.
Top 8 Best and Free AntiVirus Software for Windows 7 is an article posted in early August 2010 to the online tips and tech news blog, SaveDelete by its Editor-in-Chief. Check out his picks.
Spybot-Search & Destroy: Spybot has been around a long time, as confirmed by CNET reviews, and scans computers for evidence of spyware - the stuff that can track your searching behavior, install toolbars and even change your home page. The site itself posts info re: product updates and any type of new spyware of which consumers should be aware.
Ad-Aware: Ad-Aware by Lavasoft has a free version for home use only. It provides protection against virus and spyware threats as well as download protection. Like other a/v software, it's updates are pushed out automatically.
Your Free Personal Bookshelf OnlineBartleyby.com: Bartleby.com offers great books [both fiction- and reference-based] with an impressive collection of non-fiction materials to include: Gray's Anatomy, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, US inaugurals, and Robert's Rules of Order.
LibriVox offers free audiobooks of works in the public domain from Aesop's Fables to The Velveteen Rabbit to Whitman's Leaves of Grass. The goal of the site is to make all books in the public domain available in audiobook format.
Project Gutenberg: Download over 33,000 free ebooks currently out of US copyright. Compatible with Kindle, PCs, iPads, Sony Readers, iPhones, Androids and other portable devices.
This list was compiled by the Adult Services Librarians at the Tappan Library.
Updated August 21, 2010
Recommend a free application you love
|
