5 Certifiably Open-Source (and awesome) Windows Utilities
Even though Windows sucks, there are still plenty of open-source programs to soften the blow. All of these programs are free as in beer, and free as in speech. Enjoy!
- June 4, 2008
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cory doctorow, free software, GPL, launchy, open-source, pidgin, print flush, truecrypt, Windows, winscp
Even though I prefer to use Linux, I use Windows for one big reason. Even though this juggernaut operating system sucks, there are still plenty of open-source programs to soften the blow. All of these programs are free as in beer, and free as in speech. Enjoy!
1. Launchy
Launchy is the free and open-source program launcher that takes its cue from Quicksilver for the Mac. Summon Launchy with a configurable keystroke, type enough for Launchy to determine what you’re trying to launch and hit enter! Launchy will open whatever you typed. In the picture, Launchy knows that I want to launch Mozilla Firefox.
License: GPL
launchy.net
2. Print Flush
If you hate the way that Windows handles print queue management, you need Print Flush! Print Flush takes all of the steps involved in emancipating a stuck printer queue and puts them at a double click. It’s easy enough for your Grandma to use, and I just GPL’d it–loosely. I didn’t include the GPL license because that would have more-than-doubled the size of the download! Print Flush is designed to be lean and mean.
License: GPLv3
bradkovach.com to learn more or download now
3. TrueCrypt
I hesitated to put TrueCrypt on the list, but decided to do so because it has one very strong focus: user security. TrueCrypt is the most robust file encryption system in the world. TrueCrypt combines open-source and military-strength in a very beautiful, cross-platform solution. It has support for keyfiles, hidden volumes (which are too cool to explain), and–did I mention that it’s cross-platform?
License: TrueCrypt Collective License
truecrypt.org
4. Pidgin
Instant messengers rejoice! Pidgin provides open-source instant messaging built on the open-source libpurple. Supports ANY messenger platform you can think of (except Facebook Chat–but I’m sure it’s coming).
License: GPLv2
pidgin.im
5. WinSCP
WinSCP provides open-source, high-security file transfers using a variety of transfer protocols: SCP, SFTP, and the less-secure FTP. WinSCP is very stable, very robust, and very easy to use. Supports SSH keys for extremely secure authentication.
License: GPL
winscp.net
Honorable mentions
I’m including these programs because they are good, but their licenses are somewhat restrictive or they’re not appealing to a massive audience.
- RSSOwl is a great RSS reader. It is built on Java, so it is cross-platform. I happily use it. It is licensed under the Eclipse Public License which is a business friendly free software license.
- Notepad++ is a free, open-source file editor. It features syntax highlighting features for dozens of languages, a tabbed interface, and a powerful find and replace system. It is licensed under the GPL (good for you!) but it’s rather intimidating to the casual user, which is why it is an honorable mention.
- Mozilla Firefox is the poster-child for the open-source movement.
Unfortunately, although it claims to be GPL licensed, it is licensed under the MPL or Mozilla Public License. MPL isn’t GPL compatible, which means that Mozilla Firefox isn’t GPL compliant. Also, users are subject to the Mozilla EULA, which is a corporate end user license agreement. That is semi-restrictive–therefore: honorable mention.* See corrections
Corrections
Apparently, with Mozilla Firefox’s source, you get to pick the license you operate under.
Most of the source code in mozilla, including the firefox bits are tri-licensed under the MPL/GPL/LGPL, meaning you pick which license you want to use the source as. It’s not a smelly ExtJs situation. You want it to be GPL, it’s GPL.
- according to itsnotlupus and eurleif from reddit
About Brad
Brad Kovach is an award-winning web developer from Afton, Wyoming. In his spare time, he enjoys drumming on Rock Band, and playing with this website.
22 Responses to “5 Certifiably Open-Source (and awesome) Windows Utilities”
tom
On June 3rd, 2008
8:58 pm
Facebook chat is already in Adium, a libpurple based messenger for Mac OS X.
See here: http://adiumx.com/blog/2008/05/facebook-chat-in-adium/
a name
On June 3rd, 2008
9:33 pm
Arent those all apps native on linux anyway? So 5 awesome programs for windows that originate from linux?
gaylard
On June 3rd, 2008
10:00 pm
7zip is NOT a viable alternative to zip files. It has a major bug tha causes it to corrupt files that are being 7zipped and it can not correctly unzip certain files. You are honestly better off using winrar.
mister_fab
On June 3rd, 2008
10:14 pm
-launchy->katapult in linux/kde
-print flush->don’t need it if you run linux
-true crypt->has a linux version - a bit behind in feature tho
-pidgin->has a a linux version
-winscp->feature taken for granted in every mature linux file managers
-Rsowl->like you said it’s cross platform
-notepad++->gedit, kate, jedit…
-firefox->firefox, konqueror
glza
On June 3rd, 2008
10:43 pm
filezilla
vlc
clamav
thunderbird
gimp
azureus
glza
On June 3rd, 2008
10:44 pm
a name — you’re wrong.
launchy is not a linux native app
the print thing is obviously windoze only
glza
On June 3rd, 2008
10:45 pm
omg… openoffice
Charlie
On June 3rd, 2008
11:17 pm
I’d add two to the list:
Winroll
Deskpins
Ghora
On June 4th, 2008
4:40 am
Also take a look at this list of open source applications:
http://techwatch.reviewk.com/2008/04/top-100-best-of-opensource-applications-2/
DC
On June 4th, 2008
4:42 am
Digsby is far superior to Pidgin in my opinion. It has Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, e-mail notifiers, and all major IM clients all built into one app.
david
On June 4th, 2008
4:53 am
a_name:
well, no, the ONLY one that originated in linux in that list is Pidgin…
Darren
On June 4th, 2008
5:19 am
[a name] In what way did the Print Flush app, which works directly on the Windows print spooler, originate on Linux? You are a moronic Linux fanboi. Get a life.
nerdd.net | news and opinion
On June 4th, 2008
5:47 am
5 Certifiably Open-Source (and awesome) Windows Utilities | nerdd.net…
\r\nEven though Windows sucks, there are still plenty of open-source programs to soften the blow. Al…
Peter Pawan
On June 4th, 2008
6:13 am
Yeah! It appears so!!!
John Person
On June 4th, 2008
6:35 am
“takes its *cue*”
queue = ordered line or FIFO list
cue = prompt, signal, suggestion, direction
takes a cue = derives inspiration from
eoghan
On June 4th, 2008
6:40 am
Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Launchy - definitely qualifies as “awesome”. It’s the best tool I’ve come across in a long time. (Okay, so it’ll only save me a few seconds here and there each day, but these things add up!)
Sridhar Katakam
On June 4th, 2008
7:10 am
If you like Launchy, take a look at http://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Mouser/findrun/
I have switched to Find And Run Robot completely now.
TC
On June 4th, 2008
7:39 am
LOL @ typing “Mozilla F” and pressing return, when you can single-click a taskbar icon!
unlrn
On June 4th, 2008
8:14 am
This is obviously for those who prefer not to use the mouse.
The Official Blog of Ben Hale » Blog Archive » 5 Open-Source Windows Programs.
On June 4th, 2008
8:24 am
[...] These are great, free programs: http://www.bradkovach.com/2008/5-certifiably-open-source-and-awesome-windows-utilities/ [...]
ch1d3th
On June 4th, 2008
11:39 am
DC -
While Digsby is an excellent cross-platform im client, it is not open source so it wouldn’t make this list.
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Manuel
On June 3rd, 2008
7:47 pm
Jedit.org and 7zip are good options too.