Open source software is a boon to people like me. Here is a list of amazing softwares which will blow away paid ones.

 

Windows Live Writer

Best Blogging Tool Ever! There is nothing that can beat this application. You can use Blogger, WordPress, Typepad and what not. As a matter of fact I am using this right now.

 Open Office
Why do you want to spend $200 on Microsoft when you can get Open Office for Free! It has almost all features which MS office boasts of. It is also lighter than MS word.

VLC Media Player
VLC Player is one heck of a media player. If you have this, all your media needs are sorted. Another worthy mention would be the K-lite codec.

Audacity
Want to record a podcast, or a song, or just want to fool around with your voice. Look nowhere when you have Audacity. This is the Ultimate software for all your audio recording needs. You can edit songs like a professional Audio editing software.

TrueCrypt

Want to keep your files personal? Encrypt it with TrueCrypt.You can make a virtual encrypted disk and mount it as real disk. You can also completely secure your USB flash drives, External Hard drives etc.

Freemind
This is a very unique piece of software where you can ‘map your mind’. It helps you link brainstorming ideas and create a ‘mind map’. This can help bloggers get ideas etc.

KeePass Password Safe

If you are like me, you’ll have loads of password to remember. There’s too much pressure! KeePass Password can store your passwords in a highly-encrypted database, which is locked with one master password or key file.

Recuva

Accidentally deleted an important file? Lost something important when your computer crashed? Recuva recovers files deleted from your Windows computer, Recycle Bin, digital camera card, or MP3 player.

Eraser

Want to delete your embarrassing photo and bury it forever? This is the software your looking for.. It completely removes sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.

GIMP

Need to edit your photos? You can do tasks like photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Who needs Photoshop when you have GIMP. I use this very frequently.

 

GParted

This software is for the people who just want to fix their computers. This Hard disk utility can create / delete partitions, resize it, backup, and what not. Also You can get a Live CD / Pen drive. Ultimate software for fixing Hard drive errors.

 

Firefox
I know most of you must have already switched to Firefox but this a worthy mention. This open source software is a great competition to Internet Explorer. It literally coined the words ‘tabs’ and ‘addons’ in browsers. It’s got the best plugin library. Google Chrome is fast browser but lacks a plug-in library. By the way, Happy 5th birthday!!

Check out SourceForge for more.