KyleSorkness.com

Software, computer programs, applications, whatever you like to call them, here is a list of some of my favorite free ones. I’m doing this because I think it’s nice to tell people when you find something worth using, especially when said thing is free (for a longer backstory, read this blog post).

First up is my list of desktop applications (applications you install on your computer), followed by Firefox add-ons, and (eventually) iPhone/iPod touch apps.

All lists are simply in alphabetical order.

It should be obvious, but the symbol means that the software runs on Mac OS X, the symbol means it runs on Windows, and the symbol means it runs on Linux (I realize this is specifically the Ubuntu logo, but Tux doesn’t shrink very well!). Keep in mind that I’m a Mac guy, so about half of the desktop applications are Mac-only. I also note when there’s an iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app available and when the service works through a website.

If you have any suggestions or questions, please leave them in the comments section at the bottom.

Desktop Applications

Audacity The most popular free audio recording and editing software.

Burn Basic CD/DVD burning application. Has saved my rear a few times when iDVD wouldn’t work for something.

Cyberduck Does more than just FTP, but that’s what I use it for. Bonus: you get a rubber duckie icon in your dock.

Dropbox (also iPhone, iPad, Android, & web apps) Sync files across computers and mobile devices over the Internet, share those files with one or many other people, and more. As of right now, the Basic (free) plan gives you 2GB of storage. I found this useful when I was collaborating with another guy on a school newspaper and we had to share files back and forth.

Firefox My favorite web browser. Fast, secure, and best of all, has tons of available add-ons.

Flip4Mac The free Flip4Mac Player allows you to play Windows Media files using QuickTime. If you have a Mac, I hope you have this one already.

iStat Menus “The most advanced system monitor.” Gives you a customizable display in your menu bar with system stats. I have mine set to show my CPU usage on a graph, my RAM usage in percent, and my system temperature in degrees, but you can have it do much more (or less) than that.

GIMP Basically a free, open-source version of Photoshop.

Google Notifier Lets you know when you have new Gmail email or an upcoming Google Calendar event. This is for those of us who want to know instantly when we have a new email. If you’re one of those people, know that you’re not alone. There is help for us…like this application.

Growl As the website says, “Growl lets Mac OS X applications unintrusively tell you when things happen.” Many applications work with Growl. For example, on my Mac, Cyberduck, GrowlTunes, and TweetDeck are just a few applications that use Growl to give me messages on the screen. This is basically a must-have for Mac users.

GrowlTunes A Growl (see above) “extra” that uses Growl to tell you what’s currently playing in iTunes.

HandBrake An open-source video transcoder. Probably most useful for ripping DVDs (hopefully for legal purposes).

Img2icns As in “image to icons.” The free version creates OS X icons from image files. Cool for making custom dock icons for applications or folders.

Last.fm (also iPhone/iPod touch & web app) If you’re not familiar with Last.fm, think Pandora. If you’re not familiar with Last.fm or Pandora, you’re probably not reading this list right now. You can use Last.fm through the website alone or take it to the next level and download the scrobbler app so that Last.fm can know which songs you listen to so it can tune your personal radio stations.

OpenOffice.org Basically a free, open-source alternative to Microsoft Office. Includes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access wannabees as well as a drawing/graphic design application. I use this word processor everyday. Stickin’ it to the man.

Perian Gives QuickTime support for many popular video formats. Again, if you have a Mac, you should have this one already.

Skype (also iPhone app) The free version of Skype allows you to call, video call, conference call, and instant message with other Skype users. Paid plans let you call landlines and mobile phones, give you voicemail, etc.

TweetDeck (also iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app) Imagine one application that would allow you to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and LinkedIn, Google Buzz, and/or Foursquare all in one location. That application is TweetDeck. With TweetDeck, you’ll never miss anything…for better or worse.

TweetMyMac This is an awesome little application that lets you get screenshots, iSight photos, and your current IP address from your Mac as well as make your computer shutdown, restart, open and close applications, speak phrases and more just by tweeting to a Twitter account that’s set up for your Mac. You kind of have to try it to understand how cool it really is.

VLC A media player that you’re just supposed to have. If you’ve got a file that you can’t open with your usual media player, give VLC a try. Does more than that, but that’s what I’ve used it for.

Firefox Add-ons

ColorZilla – I use ColorZilla’s eyedropper to select colors from websites, usually for web design purposes.

Download Statusbar – Manage your Firefox downloads with this simple statusbar and never deal with the stupid download window again.

Firebug – Web development tools for Firefox. I wish I could say more about it, but I haven’t used it enough yet. I just know that all web designers should give it a try.

Firefox PDF Plugin for Mac OS X – Allows you to view PDF files within Firefox (without using Preview) like you can on a PC. A MUST have.

IE View Lite – Unfortunately a must for web designers on the Mac. Allows you to view webpages through Firefox as they would appear/be rendered by Internet Exploder…I mean Explorer. No, wait, I meant Exploder.

Web Developer – Another one for web designers.

iPhone/iPod touch Apps

Coming soon.

————

Any registered trademarks remain the property of their respective holders. Thanks to The IconBlock for the icons.