Open Source

Generally, “open source” refers to a computer program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design. Open-source code is typically a collaborative effort where programmers improve upon the source code and share the changes within the community so that other members can help improve it further. Open source software is free. Some organizations have capitalized off of providing support and modification services for open source software such as RedHat, Inc.

FreeMind

March 18, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Productivity & Utility

128px-Free_Mind

Availability: Free Download
Comparable: Inspiration, yEd Graph Editor

FreeMind is a free, open source mind mapping application written in Java.  It provides extensive export capabilities. It runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS X via the Java Runtime Environment.

As with other mind mapping software packages, FreeMind allows the user to edit a hierarchical set of ideas around a central concept. The non-linear approach assists in brainstorming new outlines and projects as ideas are added around the mind map. As a Java application, FreeMind is portable across multiple platforms and retains the same user interface, causing some amount of variation from the common interface on each platform. Mac users may notice the most difference from their traditional user interface, but  the software’s features should still appeal to the segment of users who accept function over form.

Joomla

March 11, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Design & Visualization
joomla_loloAvailability: Contact CLAS OAT
Comparable: WordPress, Drupal

Joomla is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) for publishing web content. It is built on amodel–view–controller web application framework that can be used independently of the CMS.

Joomla is written in PHP, uses standard programming techniques and stores data in a MySQL, MS SQL, or PostgreSQL database, and includes features such as page caching, RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes,blogs, polls, search, and support for language internationalization.  Joomla supports over 60 languages.

As of February 2014, Joomla has been downloaded over 50 million times. Over 7,700 free and commercial extensions are available from the official Joomla! Extension Directory, and more are available from other sources. It is estimated to be the second most used content management system on the Internet after WordPress.

Tags: web development

Ubuntu Linux

March 05, 2015 by Andy Voelker
Categories: Operating Systems

ubuntu_logo

Availability: Labs | Free Download
Comparable: Red Hat Linux, CentOS Linux
Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system, with Unity as its default desktop environment. It is based on free software and named after the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu (literally, “human-ness”), which often is translated as “humanity towards others” or “the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity”.
A default installation of Ubuntu contains a wide range of software that includes LibreOffice, Firefox, ThunderBird, Transmission, and several lightweight games such as Sudoku and chess.  Many additional software packages, including titles no longer in the default installation such as Evolution, GIMP, Pidgin, and Synaptic, are accessible from the built in Ubuntu Software Center as well as any other APT based package management tool. Execution of Microsoft Office and other Microsoft Windows applications can be facilitated via the Wine compatibility package or through the use of a virtual machine such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation.
Tags: linuxoperating system