Links

Other Sites >> Computers

 

Information, Portals and More

Ars Technica >> science and tech news
Cryptome >> disclosures, cybersecurity and other news
Defective By Design >> science and tech news
DIY Iron Key >> creating a similar device on a portable drive
DNS Stuff >> network utilities
Geekologie >> science and tech news
HowardForums >> cellular phone modification resources
insecure.org >> network security tools
Netcraft >> network utilities and information
Slashdot >> science and tech news
SpamCop >> automated spam tracking and reporting
TechARP >> science and tech news
The Register UK >> science and tech news
Tom's Hardware >> computing news and reviews
ToolHaus eBay Verifier >> checks and lists neg/neu feedback
WikiLeaks >> disclosures, cybersecurity and other news

 

Software

The applications listed on this page can be downloaded and used free of charge. They are open source, Creative Commons, public domain, and/or freeware. As a general rule, I believe users should be able to get value out of their systems at no cost, and I'm very picky about what ends up here. All software shall meet basic quality standards of usefulness, versatility, and stability. If you have suggestions for something that ought to be listed, please send me a message about it and keep in mind that I don't accept adware, spyware, or feature-light applications.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: some programs here, in particular the data security ones, will be geared mostly toward power users and industry professionals. Please ensure at all times that you read the manual before proceeding, and do not undertake any major system changes if you're not sure of what you're doing. I take no responsibility for anyone's experimentation, ability, or inability to use these resources correctly.

 

Operating Systems

Ubuntu >> leading edge Linux OS that's updated every April and October, easy to learn, can be installed and run from a removable drive

UNetBootIn >> installs your chosen Linux version to a removable drive

 

Operating System Utilities

7zip | IZarc >> archive utilities, can open ZIP and RAR files

ImgBurn | InfraRecorder >> CD/DVD/BD disc authoring

DaemonTools Lite >> virtual drive emulation, Win7 friendly

Eraser | DBAN >> secure file deletion and media sanitization

GnuPG | PGP | TrueCrypt >> data encryption

FileZilla >> file transfer protocol (FTP) client application

File Unlocker >> bypasses a known issue in Windows XP+ where the user cannot delete a file as part of a move or as a direct deletion

 

Text Editors and Office Productivity

GlassNP | Metapad | NotepadEx | NPTabs >> Windows text editors

OpenOffice >> a free office suite with similar capabilities as MS Office

 

Audio and Video

Audacity >> a universal audio editor that's similar to Sound Forge et al.

VirualDub | Super | TMPGENC >> video editing, encoding, transcoding

WinAmp >> a multipurpose media player, best used for handling audio files, compatible with most portable playback devices (iPod, iPad, etc.)

Real Alternative >> an application that plays RealMedia files without subjecting the user to annoying DRM or bloated downloads

VideoLAN VLC >> a multipurpose media player, best used for handling video files, all media codecs are built in and updated in new releases

 

Networking

OpenWRT >> an open-source front end for wireless routers

NetMeter | NetStatLive >> universal bandwidth cap monitoring apps

Firefox (+portable) >> the Firefox Web browser

Opera (+portable) >> the Opera Web browser (my favourite!)

 

Educational

Stellarium >> astronomy software, used by many planetariums