BKaF – Brad Kovach and Friends

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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