100 Open Source Downloads

No, it’s not the “Top 100,” nor does this list contain the “only” 100 open source downloads you should consider – there’s a big ocean out there, so please keep swimming.

But this list does reflect the growing vitality of the open source ecosystem. It just keeps growing…and growing…

Feel free to browse the list – heck, the whole darn thing spans just a handful of pages, so take a moment, would you? I mean, what are you, busy?

Or, if you’re one of those modern, time-obsessed types, you can jump – without delay! – to the pages that include:

• 3D Animation Editor, Address Book, Audio Tools, Bulletin Board, Compression Utility

• Content Managers, Databases, Developer Tools

• Document Publishing, Education, Emulators

• File Sharing

• File Transfer, Games, Instant Messaging, Mind Mapper, Mobility Tools

• Photo Tools, Remote Desktop, Security, System Administration Tools

• Video/Multi-Media Tools, Wikis, Window Manager

3D Animation Editor

1. White_Dune

This 3D modeler and animation tool allows users to read, display, and perform low-level editing tasks on VRML97 files. VRML97, which stands for "Virtual Reality Modeling Language," is the current industry standard for displaying 3D animations on the Web. Operating system: Windows, Linux/Unix, OS X.

Address Book

2. Rubrica

Written using GNOME and GTK+, Rubrica stores contact information as XML data. It can import/export from a variety of formats, including GnomeCard, KAddressbook, Evolution, and csv file format. Operating system: Linux/Unix.

Audio Tools

3. Audacity

Audacity allows users to record live audio, convert tapes and records to digital formats, or mix pre-existing digital audio tracks. Supported formats include Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files. Operating system: Windows, Linux/Unix, OS X, Classic Mac.

4. AC3Filter

This audio decoder and processor filter allows media players to play AC3 and DTS audio tracks from movies. It also allows you to mix audio tracks and adjust sound quality. Operating system: Windows.

5. MP3Gain

Tired of constantly adjusting the volume on your MP3 player? MP3Gain uses statistical analysis to gauge how loud songs sound in the human ear, and then modifies the volume appropriately without degrading the quality of playback. Operating system: OS Independent.

6. CDex

This CD ripper supports a number of different audio encoders, as well as audio tag formats. CDex also allows direct recording of multiple tracks and provides advanced jitter correction. Operating system: Windows.

7. StreamRipper

StreamRipper allows you to record and save Shoutcast streams and other Internet audio. Its key feature is the ability to find silences and mark them as possible points of track separation. Operating system: Windows, Linux/Unix.

8. LAME

Although LAME stands for "Lame Ain’t No MP3 Encoder," the first line on the its Web site states, "LAME is an MPEG Audio Layer III (MP3) encoder." It was intended as an educational tool for those interested in improving the speed and quality of MP3 files. Operating system: OS Portable.

9. Cdrtools

Formerly named "Cdrecord," Cdrtools includes a complete set of applications for recording/burning CDs, DVDs, and BluRay disks. Ports are available for nearly every imaginable operating system, and it supports a wide range of hardware options. Operating system: OS Portable.

10. EasyTAG

EasyTAG allows users to view and edit the tag fields on MP3, MP2, MP4/AAC, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, MusePack, Monkey's Audio, and WavPack files. It includes a tree-based browser and CDDB support for manual and automatic searches. Operating system: Windows, Linux.

11. Moosic

The key feature of this music player is its playlist management/queuing abilities. By default, Moosic supports MP3, Ogg, MIDI, MOD, and WAV files, but it can be configured to support other file formats as well. Operating system: Unix.

12. MOC

Simply select a directory, and the MOC (Music On Console) audio player will play all files in that directory. Supported file formats include MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Musepack, Speex, WAVE, AIFF, and AU. Operating system: Linux/Unix.

13. Amarok

This audio’s player’s claim to fame is its easy-to-use, attractive interface. Amarok's browser-like feel also makes it easy to use playlists. Operating system: Linux/Unix.

Bulletin Board

14. phpBB

The world’s most widely used forum creation software, phpBB, lets you set up an online community in just minutes. The latest release, tagged "Olympus," includes the ability to send attachments, create unlimited sub-forums, add custom BBCodes, and many other new features. Operating system: OS independent.

Compression Utility

15. zlib

The zlib developers describe it as "a massively spiffy yet delicately unobtrusive compression library (also free, not to mention unencumbered by patents)." This lossless data compression and decompression utility works with nearly any type of file, any type of hardware, and any OS. Operating system: OS Portable.