Lesser known Windows software (11-20)
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The first list of lesser known, yet useful and powerful software is quite long time ago. We have just updated it with the newest information, and here are the next 10 titles we find very useful, yet not that popular as they deserve.
11. Opera
Current Version: 10.00
Type: Browser
License: Free
Replaces: Internet Explorer/ Firefox
Well, to call Opera a lesser known software is not right, but it is unfairly non-popular, compares to the bigger brothers like Firefox and Internet Explorer. A real little gem by the software company Opera Software ASA from Norway. Standards-compliant, very fast and lightweight, and probably the only product that brings most innovations into the browsers’ scene. Tabbed interface, mouse gestures, quick preferences, quick search dropdown, fast forwards, thumbnails startpage… all are the Opera’s inventions (and then quickly copied by the big bros). But when we talk about browsers (and/or IE alternative), why Opera is nowhere? Dunno, probably a series of mistakes by the Opera Marketing team (not releasing free version early, late multiplatform support…). I only know that Opera replaced Firefox as my main browser, and I highly recommend it.
Current Version: 2.3
Type: Internet Downloads
License: Open Source
Replaces: These services.
Watched a video and want to have it saved? There are several services where you can do that online. But having a download manager to do it is really faster and more convenient. Supports multiple online video sites (55 to be exact), can be run in any platforms (Win, MAC, Linux…), batch, simultaneous downloads… There is even a video converter for post-processing, so you can convert the downloaded .FLV files to more popular .AVI files. Or just watch them with the SMPlayer, featured in our previous list of cool, useful softwares.
13. Wavosaur
Current Version: 1.0.5.0
Type: Audio Editor
License: Free
Replaces: Adobe Audition / Audacity / GoldWave
Audacity is one of that popular titles that everybody mentions when talking about alternative software. I just cannot explain why Wavosaur does not reach that level of popularity like the Audacity. Tons of features, like ASIO support, multichannel editing (but not mixing), VST plugins support, 24bit audio… and all packed in an incredible 213 KB package!!?!?! Very rare piece of software, in this world of multi-megabytes bloatwares.
14. LMMS – Linux MultiMedia Studio
Current Version: 0.4.5
Type: Music Studio
License: Open source
Replaces: FruityLoops, any commercial sequencer/studio software
Talking about music software, here is the one that will really amaze you. LMMS is multiplatform MIDI sequencer/multichannel audio mixing, which the source code is publicly available. Features list looks really impressive, and the video talks much about itself.
Current Version: 7.6
Type: 3D rendering software
License: Free
Replaces: 3D Studio
Once commercial, now they offer the full package for 3D rendering, 3D animation and video courses for the software package all for free.
16. CamTheremin
Current Version:
Type: Fun music toy
License: Free
Replaces: Unique of its kind
Do you know the Theremin? One of the first ever eletronic music instrument, it was developed in the Soviet Union, and even demonstrated to Lenin. Lenin was so impressed with the device that he began taking lessons in playing it.
Now, you can be like… Lenin by downloading this tiny music toy, turn on your Webcam and start playing the virtual Theremin. Here to its page.
17. Blue Lock
Current Version: 1.92
Type: Security utility
License: Open source
Replaces: Unique of its kind
Blue Lock is a quite unique, and useful little utility: it uses Bluetooth to monitors your presence (via the phone) and automatically locks the computer if you are away of the desk. The original idea I think is BlueProximity, which is for Linux only, while Blue Lock is for Windows.
18. Blanch
Current Version: 1.9e
Type: Utility
License: Free / Shareware
Replaces: Windows Quick Launch tray
This piece of software is one of the oldest I have ever installed permanently in my computer. Originally made in 1999 by someone called himself One Guy Coding, this small utility is a launchpad, where you can hold all the shortcuts to programs and documents that you need, instead of having them scattering all around the desktop. It autohides itself when not needed, and the tabs ensure you have a lot of space for all your shortcut icons.
Current Version: 2.4.7
Type: Vector Graphics software
License: Free
Replaces: Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw
One of the most comprehensive vector drawing package, and yet free. I am amazed of the quality of the software, although the fact it is made entirely with .NET, the performance might be a bit slower for the older computers.
20. InfraRecorder
Current Version: 0.50
Type: CD/DVD burning software
License: Open source
Replaces: Nero
InfraRecorder is a solution for your CD/DVD burning needs, and it does the job quite good. If you just need to write some data or music/video disks without any other extras (like cover editing, sound editors, …), InfraRecorder is for you. And when it burns, it does really mean that something is… burning (watch the video above).
So, this is the second round of our introductions to good alternative software titles that you might not know, yet. Do you find this useful? Do you know any other software that we have to include in the next 21-30 round? Please leave us a comment. Thank you.
@ haha.nu
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