Wanted: Open Source Programs / Ideas

[kstatefan40]

I would just like to see if anyone had any specific open source programs that are high in quality that would be a cool addition to the Open Source Spotlight. I've been doing my best to find some cool programs, but I've been having trouble finding the time to dig through SourceForge's archives to find a good program every week that is big enough to review. There are some cool ones out there, but there is no way that I can write a full column length paper about some of them because of their simpleness. There are alot of programs geared toward chatting and such, but I don't want to beat a dead horse with the same type of program every week. I am trying to find some variety, and would like to get some input from readers.

1) What types of programs would you like to see? Are diagnostic software programs something of interest (like the Ultimate Boot CD)?

2) Do you have any specific open source programs that you think would be helpful to a wide base of readers?

3) Do you mind me throwing in a freeware (not open source, but free) program every once in a while to add to the variety? I threw in two cool ones (Skype and IrfanView) that had a broad range of use, but recieved a complaint that they were not Open Source - as the column title implies.

I'd just like to get your suggestions so I can continue to improve the column. Please feel free to post any other comments or suggestions here so that I can get a better idea of what my readers think. I am open to any suggestion that comes in - whether its about program types or a possible change in my writing style. I get limited reader feedback without posting in the forums, so please feel free to give me a piece of your mind.

Thanks alot,
Tyler

[Floppyman]

Something like IPCop (www.ipcop.org) or another open source linux based firewall/router distro. There are tons out there, I just happen to be using IPCop. HTH

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by kstatefan40 3) Do you mind me throwing in a freeware (not open source, but free) program every once in a while to add to the variety? I threw in two cool ones (Skype and IrfanView) that had a broad range of use, but recieved a complaint that they were not Open Source - as the column title implies. I'd just like to get your suggestions so I can continue to improve the column. Please feel free to post any other comments or suggestions here so that I can get a better idea of what my readers think. I am open to any suggestion that comes in - whether its about program types or a possible change in my writing style. I get limited reader feedback without posting in the forums, so please feel free to give me a piece of your mind. Thanks alot, Tyler

I see very little difference in the end between an OpenSource and a Freeware software - to the consumers, it's free. I'd say go for it - OpenSource is too specific and you won't find as many softwares to fill columns.

kram

[TheJackal]

Head on over to SourceForge... They have 102,009 projects to choose from...

Im even sure that there are many people, other than myself who host one of those projects...

*SHAMELESS PLUG*http://sourceforge.net/projects/periodictables/ *SHAMELESS PLUG*

[Force Flow]

The thing is, tyler is looking for programs that have enough features for a through discussion on the software. Little applications like that periodic table app are nice, but they can really be talked about in maybe three sentences.

Tyler was looking for programs with enough substance where he wouldn't have to painstakingly stretch out those three sentences to a full page-long article.

[kstatefan40]

Originally Posted by TheJackal Head on over to SourceForge... They have 102,009 projects to choose from... Im even sure that there are many people, other than myself who host one of those projects... *SHAMELESS PLUG*http://sourceforge.net/projects/periodictables/ *SHAMELESS PLUG*

I will check out your program and see how it goes. Yes, I realize that there are 102,009 projects on source forge, but the problem is - many of them are not large enough to write a 900+ word review on, which is where I've been running into problems lately. It takes time to go through sf's archives, download a program that has a good description and play with it - and most of the time I think that it would be impossible to write a full column length about it. That is why I am probably going to be opening it up to freeware also very soon. Please comment.

[kram 2.0]

A few ideas crawled into my mind - I don't know if you've written on these yet, but look at Lavasoft's Adaware SE and Spybot Search & Destroy. As well, consider HiJack This! and Opera Browser. Just some random thoughts. I hope that helps.

kram

[mairving]

A lot of choices out there. Some of the biggies like Samba, Apache, MySQL, Squid, Postfix, vim can be reviewed but they are such large projects it would be difficult. You might consider some of smaller projects and may even just pick a category. Something like Open Source CMS's and put them through the test. Other smaller projects like Zabbix, nmap, proftpd, etc. would be easy enough to review.

[Panama Red]

I'm a newcomer to the Alternative OS world. Just loaded Ubuntu on a machine here just to gain some experience. One thing I noticed right off is the number of Applications/Programs that are included with Ubuntu making in much like Windows with the built in features. Since many of these apps can be used on all the other Linux distros, maybe a review of these included apps would be informative. Some have already been reviewed, I'm sure, but others might be interesting.