65 Open Source Downloads That Could Change Your Life: Page 2

1. BleachBit

Another bad computing habit: forgetting to maintain your system. BleachBit frees up disk space, deletes cache and cookies, cleans up your browser, and generally frees up your system for better performance. It can also guard your privacy by "shredding" files so that they can't be recovered after deletion. Operating System: Windows, Linux.

2. AxCrypt

Yet another bad habit—storing personal or sensitive data on your system without encrypting it—is especially bad if you use a laptop. AxCrypt makes it fast and easy to encrypt files with Windows. Just right-click files or folders in Windows Explorer, and they'll be encrypted automatically. Operating System: Windows.

3. TrueCrypt

Another encryption option, TrueCrypt is particularly helpful if you want to encrypt an entire drive, not just a couple of files or folders. You can also use it to encrypt data on a thumb drive so that you can take sensitive information with you without worrying about losing your drive. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

4. KeePass

The last bad computing habit on our list is bad password selection, as in picking passwords that are easy to guess or using the same password for all of your accounts. KeePass makes it easy to choose different passwords for every login, because it remembers the passwords for you. All you have to remember is the one master password to unlock the encrypted database. Operating System: Windows.

5. PWGen

Have trouble thinking of strong passwords? PWGen thinks of random strings of letters and numbers for you, so that you don't end up choosing something easy to guess, like "123456." Operating System: Windows.

Get Organized

6. Data Crow

If you'd like to organize your collection of books, CDs, DVDs, or anything else, Data Crow simplifies the process and gives you a tool for tracking when your friends borrow your stuff. When last we checked, the project's main site was down, but you can still download the app from Sourceforge at the link above. Operating System: OS Independent

7. eLibrary

If you have a growing collection of ebooks, you may have trouble keeping track of what you have. It automatically downloads your books' covers from the Internet and makes it easy to browse or search your collection to find the eBook you want. Operating System: Windows.

8. Krecipes

Krecipes combines several New Year's resolutions into one app: it lets you try a new hobby (cooking), manage your caloric intake, and organize your recipes. It also lets you track and plan meals on a calendar and creates shopping lists. Operating System: Linux.

9. FreeMind

The FreeMind mind-mapping software makes it easy to create free-flowing diagrams like you would in a brainstorming session. Because mind-mappers are so different from other types of applications, it sometimes takes a while to get used to them. However, often people get hooked and use FreeMind on a daily basis to organize their thoughts. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

10. Dia

For those who are really serious about organizing their lives, Dia can help you create flowcharts for any process. It's very similar to Visio, and has extensive help for new users. Operating System: Windows, Linux/Unix.

11. GanttProject

If you're undertaking a large, multi-step project, say organizing a PTA fundraiser or managing your own home remodel, project management software like GanttProject can be extremely helpful. Within just minutes you'll be breaking your project into tasks, assigning tasks to particular people, and scheduling when you want everything to be done. Operating System: Windows, Linux, OS X.

12. OpenProj

Similar to GanttProject, OpenProj was specifically designed as a replacement for Microsoft Project and other commercially available project managers. It claims to offer "the most advanced scheduling, resource and cost algorithms in the industry." Operating System: Windows, Linux, Unix, OS X.

13. PNotes

Always forgetting things? PNotes lets you leave yourself electronic "sticky notes" on your desktop. You pick the size and color of the notes. Operating System: Windows

14. DocFetcher

Can't remember where you put a file or what you called it? DocFetcher searches the text of your files to help you find the document you were wanted much faster than you would with the built-in Windows search feature. Also, because it only searches documents (not photos, music, videos, applications, etc.), DocFetcher usually works faster than most other desktop search apps too, including Google Desktop. Operating System: Windows, Linux

15. Launchy

Another desktop enhancement that makes it easier to find files on your system, Launchy starts applications or open files when you start typing the name. With this utility, you'll never need desktop icons, your Windows start menu, or even a file manager. Operating System: Windows, Linux

Make Better Use of Your Time

1. Rachota

This app can track the amount of time you spend on any task—whether it's work-related or a project you're working on around the house. Plus, it's portable, so you can take it with you on a USB drive or a handheld device. Operating System: OS Independent.

2. RedNotebook