This List of Open Software is comprised largely of open-source packages. Most people who review the list below are surprised by the quantity and depth of open-source software. Many of us think of Linux when we hear "open source". While Linux is a great example of the open-source process, it is a small segment of the movement. Many open-source applications are available for Microsoft Windows and the Apple Macintosh.
Take a tour of open-source software by following some of the links below. You'll be amazed! To learn more about how DAMICON can help you navigate the open-source landscape, visit our Open Software Program page.
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Commercial Software Category | Open-Source Equivalent |
AntiVirus Tools (eg. Norton, McAfee) |
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Application Servers (eg. IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic) |
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Asset Management (eg. Intuit, Peregrine, Remedy) |
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Backup Utilities (eg. CA ARCserve, Legato, Veritas) |
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BioInformatics (multiple highly specialized vendors) |
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Business Graphics (eg. Microsoft Visio) |
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CD / DVD Burning (eg. Adaptec RecordNow, Roxio CD Creator) |
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Configuration Management (eg. Rational ClearCase, Visual SourceSafe) |
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Content Management Systems (eg. Documentum, Interwoven, Vignette) |
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Content Management Systems - Web |
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CRM Applications (eg. Microsoft CRM, Siebel) |
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Database Software (eg. Microsoft Access, SQL Server) |
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Database (BI) Tools (eg. Crystal Reports, ERWin, Microsoft Access) |
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Desktop Publishing (eg. Microsoft Publisher, Quark Xpress) |
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Directory Servers (eg. Microsoft Active Directory) |
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Disk Imaging (eg. Norton Ghost) |
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Document Management (eg. Open Text) |
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Email Applications (eg. Microsoft Outlook Express) |
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Email List Manager |
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Email Servers - POP and SMTP (eg. Microsoft Exchange) |
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Email Servers - IMAP |
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ERP and Financial Software (eg. Oracle, SAP, Intuit QuickBooks) |
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File Compression (eg. PKzip, WinZip) |
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Flash Viewers (eg. Macromedia Flash) |
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Forums, Blogs (Weblogs), Bulletin Boards and Wikis |
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Graphics and Image Editors (eg. Adobe Illustrator, PhotoShop) |
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Groupware (eg. Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes) |
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Help Desk (eg. BMC Remedy, FrontPage Heat, Intuit Track-It) |
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HTML Editors (eg. DreamWeaver, FrontPage, HomeSite) |
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Instant Messaging (eg. AIM, MSN, Yahoo!) |
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Integrated Dev Environments (eg. Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual Studio) |
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Learning (or Course) Management System |
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Modeling Tools (eg. IBM Rational Rose, CA AllFusion) |
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Music Playing / Editing (eg. iTunes, Sound Forge, Cool Edit) |
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Network Diagramming and Monitoring |
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Network Management Tools (eg. HP OpenView, Microsoft SMS) |
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Office Productivity Suites (eg. Microsoft Office) |
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Operating Environments (eg. Microsoft Windows, Linux, VMWare) |
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PDF File Viewer and Creator (eg. Adobe Acrobat) |
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Personal Financial Managers (eg. Microsoft Money, Intuit Quicken) |
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Personal Information Managers (eg. Microsoft Outlook) |
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Photo Album Manager (or Photo Organizer) |
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Portal Servers (eg. Microsoft Sharepoint, Plumtree, Vignette) |
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Presentation Software (eg. Microsoft Powerpoint) |
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Privacy (eg. Pretty Good Privacy) |
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Programming Languages |
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Project Management and Collaboration (eg. Microsoft Project) |
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Remote Access (eg. Symantec pcAnywhere or VPN appliances) |
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Security (eg. firewalls, scanners) |
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Shopping Cart (eg. AShop, Interspire) |
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Spam Filters (eg. MailWasher, SpamEater) |
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Spreadsheets (eg. Microsoft Excel) |
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Telephone Systems - VOIP / PBX / FAX Servers |
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Terminal Server (eg. Microsoft Windows Terminal Server) |
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Test Tools (eg. IBM Rational, Mercury Interactive, Segue) |
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Text Editors & File Merging (eg. Microsoft Notepad) |
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Video Editing |
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Video Players (WinDVD, PowerDVD, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer) |
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Virtual Meetings (eg. Microsoft NetMeeting / Messenger) |
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Web Browsers (eg. Microsoft Internet Explorer) |
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Web and FTP Servers (eg. Microsoft IIS) |
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Word Processors (eg. Microsoft Word) |
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Don't let the major software vendors lock you in. Firms like Adobe, Computer Associates, Microsoft, Oracle, Symantec and others have great products. But business is about choices. You have other options and you owe it to yourself and your budget to examine them.
Open source is not for everyone (but neither is Windows). DAMICON simply wants to help you to make an informed decision.
All software available without charge is not the same. If you'd like to learn more, the Free Software Foundation has a good article about software categories and licensing methods.
The list on this page is not intended to be a complete and all-inclusive review. If you know of a software package that you think should be on this list please email us.
Much more comprehensive information can be found at SourceForge.
If you're interested in the use of open-source software in primary and secondary education, please visit Schoolforge.