Free Software
From web browsers to office apps to complete operating systems, free software is becoming more and more common. Hopefully this list can save people some money by helping to find free alternatives.
This list is for software that is completely free to use, not time-limited trials, adware, or nagware.
This list is for software that is completely free to use, not time-limited trials, adware, or nagware.
Items
Tremulous
Type: Game
License: GPL
Website: tremulous.net/
Operating System: windows, linux, cross-platform
Description: Tremulous is a multiplayer-only hybrid between a first person shooter and a real-time strategy game. Each match is fought between a team of humans and a team of aliens, usually with between 2-8 players per team. Humans earn cash for killing aliens and can spend that to buy better weapons, armor, and other upgrades. Humans can also grab a special build gun to create sentry guns, armories, spawn points, health stations, and more.
Aliens, however, are quite different. They use no technology, but can be very fast and some classes can run on walls and ceilings. As an alien player kills more humans, they earn points to evolve into larger and more powerful aliens. Aliens can also choose to spawn in as a builder alien, to build various alien buildings.
For the technically inclined, Tremulous is based on the now open-source Quake 3 engine, meaning that the graphics aren't on par with most modern commercial games, but they still hold their own and the game will run well on new and old computers alike.
License: GPL
Website: tremulous.net/
Operating System: windows, linux, cross-platform
Description: Tremulous is a multiplayer-only hybrid between a first person shooter and a real-time strategy game. Each match is fought between a team of humans and a team of aliens, usually with between 2-8 players per team. Humans earn cash for killing aliens and can spend that to buy better weapons, armor, and other upgrades. Humans can also grab a special build gun to create sentry guns, armories, spawn points, health stations, and more.
Aliens, however, are quite different. They use no technology, but can be very fast and some classes can run on walls and ceilings. As an alien player kills more humans, they earn points to evolve into larger and more powerful aliens. Aliens can also choose to spawn in as a builder alien, to build various alien buildings.
For the technically inclined, Tremulous is based on the now open-source Quake 3 engine, meaning that the graphics aren't on par with most modern commercial games, but they still hold their own and the game will run well on new and old computers alike.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
Type: security, antivirus
License: free for personal use
Website: free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
Operating System: Windows
Description: I'm not sure why so many people pay for anti-virus software when quality anti-virus software like this is available for free. I guess people just use what comes pre-installed on ther computers and don't know anything else. AVG is free for personal use and includes daily updates.
You might also look at Clam-AV, but I've never tried that one.
License: free for personal use
Website: free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
Operating System: Windows
Description: I'm not sure why so many people pay for anti-virus software when quality anti-virus software like this is available for free. I guess people just use what comes pre-installed on ther computers and don't know anything else. AVG is free for personal use and includes daily updates.
You might also look at Clam-AV, but I've never tried that one.
Trillian
Type: Instant Messaging
Website: http://
Operating System: Windows
Description: Trillian is an instant messaging program that lets you have your contacts from a wide variety of networks (AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabbber, and more) on a single contact list. It supports file transfers, chat history, video conversation, and hundreds of customization options. There's also a pro version that supports plugins for things like email, weather, birthdays, and more.
The soon-to-be-released Trillian Astra will add support for Mac OS X
Website: http://
Operating System: Windows
Description: Trillian is an instant messaging program that lets you have your contacts from a wide variety of networks (AIM, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabbber, and more) on a single contact list. It supports file transfers, chat history, video conversation, and hundreds of customization options. There's also a pro version that supports plugins for things like email, weather, birthdays, and more.
The soon-to-be-released Trillian Astra will add support for Mac OS X
Mozilla Firefox
Type: Web Browser
License: MPL, GPL, LGPL
Website: http://
Operating System: Cross-Platform, Windows, Linux, Macintosh
Description: Firefox contains all of the features you'd expect from a modern web browser, including a bookmark and download manager, tabbed browsing, spell-checking, skins, and more. Internet Explorer users should feel at home since the interface is very similar.
License: MPL, GPL, LGPL
Website: http://
Operating System: Cross-Platform, Windows, Linux, Macintosh
Description: Firefox contains all of the features you'd expect from a modern web browser, including a bookmark and download manager, tabbed browsing, spell-checking, skins, and more. Internet Explorer users should feel at home since the interface is very similar.
