75 Popular Open Source Desktop Downloads

June 22, 2008
By

Jeff Vance

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16. NASA World Wind

NASA World Wind is a virtual 3D globe that runs on Windows systems. Taking images generated from a number of satellites, NASA World Wind lets you zoom in on any place in the world to see graphically views. Operating System: Windows.

17. FreeMind

FreeMind is mind-mapping software written in Java. No, this isn’t for neuroscientists. A mind map is a diagram that takes a central concept and maps words, ideas and other information around it. Typically, they are used for brainstorming, memorization and problem solving. Operating System: OS independent.

18. Inkscape

Looking for an open-source alternative to Illustrator, CorelDraw or Visio? Inkscape could be the answer. This SVG vector graphics editor features transparency, gradients, node editing, pattern fills, and PNG export. Operating Systems: Linux, BSD, Windows, OS X.

Window Managers

19. VirtuaWin

Windows users still don’t have the same access to virtualization technology as those in the open-source world. VirtuaWin aims to change that. A virtual desktop manager, VirtuaWin allows users to organize applications across several virtual desktops. Operating System: Windows.

20. Virtual Dimension

This project intends to enhance the Microsoft Window Manager. By adding virtual desktops and other features that make application management easier, especially for power users with many applications open at once, Virtual Dimension promises to bring the Window Manager up to the level of the UNIX Window Manager. Operating System: Windows.

21. Enlightenment

Enlightenment is a Window Manager for the X11 windowing system. Designed to be extremely configurable, Enlightenment is known for its graphically rich architecture. Operating System: Windows.

22. Blackbox

Blackbox is a fast, light Window Manager for the X Window System. A key advantage is that it comes “without all those annoying library dependencies.” All you need is a C++ compiler and the X Window System to compile and use it. Operating Systems: Linux, BSD, UNIX.

User Interfaces

23. MacLin

This project brings the Mac OS X interface to Linux. The newest version, which is still in beta, will make Mac4lin compatible with GNOME 2.22. Operating Systems: Linux, UNIX, BSD.

24. Crazy Eddie’s GUI System

This project is a free library that provides windowing and widgets for graphics APIs and engines that do not have such functionality – or where the native offerings are considered lacking. The library is object orientated, written in C++, and targeted at game developers, who the Crazy Eddie’s developers say “should be spending their time creating great games, not building GUI sub-systems.” Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, UNIX, BSD, OS X.

25. Visual WebGui

Visual WebGui is a rapid application development (RAD) framework intended to deliver AJAX and Silverlight GUIs to Microsoft-based corporate developers. Visual WebGui provides integration to Visual Studio and the .NET framework and extends ASP.NET. Operating System: Windows.

Screensavers

26. Really Slick Screensavers

This is a collection of 3D OpenGL screensavers. Some cool screensavers include Cyclone, which looks like a tornado on your desktop, and Skyrocket, a fireworks show. Operating System: Windows.

27. Vital Desktop

Vital Desktop is a desktop animation utility. It takes your favorite screensaver and runs it on your desktop as animated wallpaper. For the short-attention-span crowd, I suppose. For me, this program would make it impossible to find anything on my desktop. Operating System: Windows.

28. Karsten SlideShow Project

This is a playlist-based slideshow for Windows. It can display both photos and video clips. Karsten SlideShow gives users item-related control over the presentation sequence, and can run slideshows in a window, as the screen saver, or as desktop wallpaper. Operating System: Windows.

Office Applications

29. AbiWord

AbiWord is a free, open-source, cross-platform word processor designed to be similar to Word. Operating Systems: UNIX, BSD, Linux, Windows, QNX Neutrino 6.2, OS X.

30. PortableApps

Do you have trouble keeping your home and work applications in synch? This application lets you carry your bookmarks, program settings, email, calendar and more along with you. An intuitive interface helps you download your settings to removable media, such as USB devices, iPods or portable hard drives, giving you a consistent experience on any Windows computer. For those using public PCs, no personal data is left behind. Note, however, that although this is designed for Windows environments, the applications it supports are open-source ones, such as OpenOffice, ClamWin and Firefox. Operating System: Windows.