Open-source software is computer software that has been made available freely. Source code and rights that permits users to study, change, and improve the software are provided under a software license (GNU General Public License). Open source software is often developed in a public, collaborative manner.
OPEN SOURCE FILE TRANSFER PROGRAM:
This week I tried to get my new laptop with Windows 7 setup…. only to discover that my version of WS_FTP won’t work with Windows 7 and I have to pay for an upgrade. I realized that the time had come to make the switch over to Filezilla. FileZilla is a file transfer program used for uploading files to web servers and is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License. Unfortunately WS_FTP exports file profiles to an .ini file and FileZilla won’t import that file type. I spent a long time in FileZilla looking for arrow keys to move files …. then I realized I just need to drag and drop!
FireFTP is another Open Source FTP program. It runs from the tools menu in a Firefox browser window and the layout is similar to WS_FTP.
OPEN SOURCE ZIP PROGRAMS:
As I continued to install other programs I was frustrated searching for serial numbers and activation codes. I realized there are great open source versions of some of these other programs and decided to check some of them out. I turned to twitter to ask others for their recommended zip programs. I tweeted @dandelionweb “What zip program do you use? I’m sick of having to pay for upgrades to software. Is the open source PeaZip good?”
My new friends from WordPress Toronto Meetup responded quickly ….
@JellyBeen replied “I like 7zip; it works well, handles multiple formats … and it’s free! http://www.7-zip.org/ #7zip”
7-zip is open source software – You can use 7-Zip on any computer, including a computer in a commercial organization. You don’t need to register or pay for 7-Zip.
another tweeter replied “ I use http://www.izarc.org/ , also free but will also support RAR plus a host of other formats.”
There is also a portable version of IZArc. Just drop IZArc2Go on any USB Flash Drive and you will have full functional archive utility wherever you go.
Warning both these sites feature google ads with big DOWNLOAD NOW buttons…this is a different program. So before you click look carefully for the ads by google and so you click in the correct place to get the download you want.
I’m sure any of these three will be more than adequate for my unzipping needs.
Other cool Tools:
In my twitter conversations yesterday I also learned about two other cool tools.
Reading other tweets I learned about http://pdfmyurl.com/. PDFmyURL.com is a free tool to easily create a pdf from any webpage or url.
Sue @Wordtree (who I met at WordCamp Toronto) told me about Dropbox. Not Open Source but there is a free version. The free Dropbox account comes with 2GB of space that you can use for as long as you like. Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically. Shared folders allow several people to collaborate on a set of files.
There are so many great open source options available. Please add a comment and tell me about your favourite open source programs.