Open Source or Free Alternatives for Paid Software, Part II
October 14th, 2009 by Open Source or Free Alternatives for Paid Software, Part II
Last post we discussed open sources, and we stated that open sources are a way to design, development, and distribute software through source codes, which can make the job of web development so much easier and straightforward, while increasing the quality of work developers produce, because since the code is open it can be modified, corrected, and improved. Also last week, we submitted a list of open sources and free alternatives for paid software for you to use in your web design and development work, which was more oriented towards designers. This post as promised, has more open sources that cater to developers and programmers. Remember, like the last post, this list is not a best of or all inclusive, just ones that I have found to be helpful! Once again, I hope you find them useful! Feel free to leave your own links, or pass this along! Enjoy!
Development
Komodo Edit
Komodo Edit is a free, open source editor from dynamic language experts. Komodo Edit supports PHP, Python, Ruby, Perl and Tcl, plus JavaScript, CSS, HTML and template languages like RHTML, Template-Toolkit, HTML-Smarty and Django.
Aptana Studio
Aptana Studio is a complete web development environment that combines powerful authoring tools for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with thousands of additional plugins created by the community.
KompoZer
KompoZer is a complete web authoring system that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG web page editing. KompoZer is designed to be extremely easy to use, making it ideal for non-technical computer users who want to create an attractive, professional-looking web site without needing to know HTML or web coding.
Amaya
Amaya is a Web editor, i.e. a tool used to create and update documents directly on the Web. Browsing features are seamlessly integrated with the editing and remote access features in a uniform environment. This follows the original vision of the Web as a space for collaboration and not just a one-way publishing medium.
Work on Amaya started at W3C in 1996 to showcase Web technologies in a fully-featured Web client. The main motivation for developing Amaya was to provide a framework that can integrate as many W3C technologies as possible. It is used to demonstrate these technologies in action while taking advantage of their combination in a single, consistent environment.
Notepad++
Notepad++ is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL License.
SeaMonkey
The SeaMonkey project is a community effort to develop the SeaMonkey all-in-one internet application suite (see below). Such a software suite was previously made popular by Netscape and Mozilla, and the SeaMonkey project continues to develop and deliver high-quality updates to this concept. Containing an Internet browser, email & newsgroup client, HTML editor, IRC chat and web development tools, SeaMonkey is sure to appeal to advanced users, web developers and corporate users.
Nvu
Nvu (pronounced “N-view,” for a “new view”) is a free, open source software program that allows you to build websites and web pages using a simple WYSIWYG editor (what-you-see-is-what-you-get). Nvu makes creating web pages as easy as using a word processor and rivals such programs as Adobe’s Dreamweaver and Microsoft’s Expression Web, only for free! With Nvu’s built-in site manager, connecting to your website and making changes is a snap.
BlueFish
Bluefish is a powerful editor targeted towards programmers and webdesigners, with many options to write websites, scripts and programming code.
Xinha
Xinha (pronounced like Xena, the Warrior Princess) is a powerful WYSIWYG HTML editor component that works in all current browsers. Its configurabilty and extensibility make it easy to build just the right editor for multiple purposes, from a restricted mini-editor for one database field to a full-fledged website editor. Its liberal, BSD licence makes it an ideal candidate for integration into any kind of project.
Mono
Mono, the open source development platform based on the .NET framework, allows developers to build Linux and cross-platform applications with improved developer productivity. Mono’s .NET implementation is based on the ECMA standards for C# (http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-334.htm) and the Common Language Infrastructure (http://www.ecmainternational.org/publications/standards/Ecma-335.htm).
ArgoUML
ArgoUML is the leading open source UML modeling tool and includes support for all standard UML 1.4 diagrams. It runs on any Java platform and is available in ten languages.
PSPad
There is no complex installation process, PSPad is ready to work immediately without requiring customization. The editor supports many file types and languages, with syntax highlighting. There are macros, clip files and templates to automate repetative tasks. Integrated HEX Editor, Project support, FTP Client, Macro Recorder, File Search/Replace, Code Explorer, Code page conversion… these are just some of the many features that PSPad offers.
Extras
SSuite Office
Office Software Suites are all about you… the first time computer-user as well as the more experienced or general computer-user, who needs more functional applications than just the basic ones that are shipped as standard with current Operating Systems. As you might have noticed, all of the interfaces are much more user-friendly and colorful than other Office Software, making it much more visually intuitive and pleasing to the senses.
IBM Lotus Symphony
IBM (NYSE: IBM) is now offering Microsoft customers free of charge Lotus Symphony software that is compatible with Microsoft Office formats and supports a wide range of widgets which extend the functionality of the software. IBM and a variety of third parties — including independent software vendors, individual developers, customers and IBM business partners — are writing a variety of widgets to take advantage of this new feature.
DoInk
DoInk is a place to enjoy art and animation, and make your own. Have a great idea, but can’t draw? No problem. Are you an amazing artist, and want to share your talent with the world? We love you. You can do both? There’s an audience here for you! So if you want to be entertained, learn something new, or create something fun, do it on DoInk.
Further Reading
Teylor Feliz is a well-known XHTML/CSS/JavaScript enthusiast from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has more than 10 years experience in the computer programming and development world, including 2 years teaching computer science. He is currently living in Louisiana, where he plans to complete his degree in Computer Science, and begin a Masters in the field.
Subscribe to our RSS
Please help us to promote this article.
Sponsors
A Leading B2B platform with 10 years history. Compare & Inquire with Trusted China Suppliers (SGS certified). Log on & Order now!
Another nice list!
The link for Nvu is wrong though.
@Richard
Thanks, Link fixed =)
This article has been shared on favSHARE.net. Go and vote it!
so where are the mac apps dude?
Great article tho
@slayaz
We planned on making a post about MAC Open sources, but believe it or not they are very hard to find! There are very few open sources out there for MAC, if you find some, pass them on. We plan to put together a directory in the future! Thanks for the comment!