There’s some software that is indispensible to me and there’s some software that’s just cool. Most of it is open source. Here’s a list of what I’ve been using for a while and what I’ve recently discovered, in no particular order:
- Firefox - The only web browser I use these days unless I’m testing compatibility. Available for Linux, Mac OS X, Windows and others.
- WordPress - This blog is powered by WordPress, the best blogging solution I’ve found. And if you’re nervous about hosting your own blog software you can always use wordpress.com. I’ve just upgraded to 2.1 (still in beta) and it’s looking good.
- Google Reader - I’ve just switched to using this for my RSS feeds, mostly so that I have the same list of articles at home and at work. I’m very impressed so far, the interface is slick considering it’s browser based.
- Akismet - Over 20,000 spam comments blocked. This blog would not be manageable without the fantastic Akismet service.
- SongBird - This one isn’t quite ready for mainstream use yet but it’s under rapid development and is worth trying out. It’s basically a music player and web browser combined allowing you to browse music sites and add their content to your playlists dynamically. Available for Linux, Mac and Windows.
- RockBox - I would not own an iPod if I hadn’t found out about RockBox. It’s a firmware replacement for digital audio players, including iPods, which has lots of added functionality including the ability to play OGG format. It doesn’t do DRM, so if you’re an iTunes fan, don’t use Rockbox.
- Stellarium - If you’re at all interested in the night sky you must try this. It shows a very pretty representation of the current night sky at your chosen location, letting you move around and zoom in and out. Available for Linux, Mac and Windows.
- Mutt - My preferred email client. You probably won’t like it. Pretty much Linux only.
- Battle For Wesnoth - A geeky game I’ve been addicted to for way too long, and they just released a new version! Available for Linux, Mac and Windows.
