75 Popular Open Source Desktop Downloads

June 22, 2008
By

Jeff Vance

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31. PDFcreator

Use this tool to create PDFs from nearly any Windows application that is able to print. Features include the ability to encrypt files, send files via email, time-stamp files, and merge multiple files into one PDF. Operating System: Windows.

32. Scribus

Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing application. Designed to provide “press-ready” output, Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation. Operating System: Windows, BSD, UNIX, Linux, OS Portable, OS X, IBM OS/2.

33. OxygenOffice Professional

Based on OpenOffice, OxygenOffice Professional adds new templates, clip art, fonts and VBA support. While the interface and basic features are indistinguishable from OpenOffice, the focus of this project is add-ons. One cool plug-in is OooWikipedia, which allows you to search Wikipedia within your OpenOffice document. Operating Systems: Linux, Windows, OSR2.

34. Java Excel API

An OS java API, Java Excel API gives developers the ability to read, write, and modify Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Any operating system that can run a Java virtual machine can both process and deliver Excel spreadsheets through Java Excel API. Moreover, the API can be invoked from within a servlet, providing access to Excel spreadsheets over the Internet and intranet Web applications. Operating System: OS independent.

35. PDF Split and Merge

Ever wish you could pare that too-long PDF file down to only its relevant sections? PDF Split and Merge lets you do just that. Oh, and you can merge documents too. Operating Systems: OS independent.

Operating Systems

36. eyeOS

eyeOS is an operating system designed for Web computing. Open a browser from a laptop, PC or smart mobile device, and eyeOS serves up a traditional desktop environment. From there, you can access your previously uploaded files and supported applications such as Office. Operating Systems: OS independent.

37. Pendrivelinux

Can’t bear to be away from Linux? Pendrivelinux gives you a portable Linux OS that you can carry with you on a USB drive, iPod, smart phone or other mobile device. Operating Systems: Linux.

38. Syllable

Add Syllable to your list of alternative operating systems. Lightweight and fast, this OS has its own kernel, file system, GUI and applications. Syllable comes in both a desktop and server version. While the server version is based on Linux, the desktop version is based on the lesser-known AtheOS operating system.

System Shells

39. GeoShell

GeoShell replaces the standard Windows Shell (start menu, desktop, taskbar, system tray) with a smaller and faster shell. The advantage of GeoShell is that it is far more configurable than the Windows shell and consumes fewer resources. Operating System: Windows.

40. BlackBox for Windows

Blackbox for Windows is an alternative shell for Microsoft Windows. Stylistically, it is based on the Blackbox Window Manager for the X Window System, although it does not use the same codebase. While it is developed to be fast and consume fewer resources than the standard Windows shell, BlackBox for Windows offers hundreds of themes. Operating System: Windows.

Productivity

41. A Note

A Note lets you create post-it type notes on your desktop. When you shut down your PC, the notes are uploaded to a database, allowing you to share them among PCs. Features include synchronization, alarm, autosave, stay on top and more. Operating Systems: Windows.

42. ThinkingRock

If you’re one of those David Allen productivity nuts, ThinkingRock is for you. A Java application, ThinkingRock automates the Getting Things Done (GTD) action management methodology. As you enter thoughts, it helps you process them into actions, projects, reference items or someday/maybe items. Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, UNIX, BSD, OS X.

Collaboration

43. eGroupWare

Designed for enterprise settings, eGroupWare manages contacts, appointments, to-dos and other features for an entire organization. Its native-Web interface allows users to access data from any platform with an Internet connection. Support is provided for a number of clients, including Kontact, Evolution, and Outlook. Portable device support is provided via SyncML. Operating Systems: Linux, OS X, Windows.

44. OpenProj

OpenProj is intended to be an alternative to Microsoft Project and other commercial project management solutions. OpenProj is built on the Project-ON-Demand scheduling engine and provides Gantt Charts, Network Diagrams (PERT Charts), WBS and RBS charts, Earned Value costing and several other features. Operating Systems: Linux, UNIX, BSD, OS X, Windows.

45. WebCollab

WebCollab is a Web-based system for project management designed to encourage groups to work together collaboratively. It tracks multiple projects and tasks across an organization. Operating Systems: OS independent.

46. GanttProject

A Java-based application, GanttProject creates project schedules through Gantt charts and resource load charts. GanttProject breaks each project down into a tree of tasks and assigns resources to those tasks. You can establish dependencies between tasks, such as prioritizing one over another. Operating Systems: OS independent.