Desktop software

Archived

This page has been archived and will receive no further updates.

Notes:

  • In general, these will be listed in order of preference
  • Open-source unless otherwise noted

Audio editor

Blogging client

FTP/SFTP client

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)/code editor

  • Eclipse
    • Excellent for coding in all kinds of languages, including PHP, Perl, Python, Java, C…
    • Written in Java
    • Disadvantage (over Netbeans): necessary to install separate plugins for some tasks, such as SVN repository connectivity
    • Advantages (over Netbeans): plugins available for almost anything, like Android development, more widely used
  • IntelliJ IDEA
    • The basis for the new Android Studio IDE
    • Community Edition available with fewer features than the paid edition
  • Lime Text
    • In progress, very promising clone of Sublime Text
    • UI not yet ready, but should be much faster than Atom and Brackets
  • Atom
    • Created by GitHub
    • Promising, but currently a bit sluggish (possibly because it’s written in JavaScript)
  • Brackets
    • Created by Adobe
    • Especially geared toward web development
  • Komodo Edit
    • Base for commercial Komodo IDE

Image editor

LDAP client software

MP3 tagging

Mockup/wireframe software

Note taking

Photo organizer

  • Shotwell
    • Written in Vala by Yorba team
    • Probably not as good as Picasa (yet)

Publishing software

Screenshot tool

Video editor

  • Pitivi
    • Written in Python
    • Easy-to-use interface
  • OpenShot
    • Written in Python
    • Easy-to-use interface
  • Lightworks
    • Professional video editor (read: possibly harder to use) recently made open source, with professional plugins for sale

Video encoder/reencoder

  • Handbrake
    • Very nice video encoder, easy to use
    • Presets for Android and Apple devices

Writing software

  • FocusWriter
    • Distraction-free editor for writing documents