The Best Software In The Universe

These are some of the best software packages that the Software Scouting and Acquisition Team at Ooine.com has come across.  If at all possible, we try to locate the best FREE stuff available on the net.  Some software, alas, is just too good to be free.  Just remember that if we paid for it then it must be good... because we don't like to pay for anything.






Google SketchUp - Amazingly quick and intuitive 3D rendering software - Free Download

Within hours of downloading this software I had created a fully to-scale rendering of my basement and add theoretical garage addition.  Needing a way to visualize our proposed home addition, I knew that I needed to find some sort of 3D rendering program.  Google SketchUp is EXACTLY what I needed.  And you can use it for so much more!


Sitebar - Bookmark Server - Free Download from Sitebar.org

I love Sitebar.  I run my own Sitebar server so that I can access my bookmarks from any computer on the planet.  Essentially, Sitebar is a clever, compact application that maintains your bookmarks on a server.  It has a lot of server-based functionality such as security, statistics, user management, etc.  You can export and import bookmarks.  It supports dragging and dropping.  Really a great piece of software.  Fantastic.

Coupled with the Sitebar Client Firefox extension and Sitebar truly become indispensible.


Sygate Personal Firewall - 5-star personal firewall - Free Download

This is a great little firewall program that has gotten excellent reviews all over the net, and it's totally free.  There's only one problem.  Sygate was recently purchased by Symantec (yuck), and I don't think they are making this available any more.  See?  That just proves it is good.  Symantec had to buy the company because they were sick of people using something for free instead of buying the Symantec product.


AnyDVD - Decrypts DVDs on the fly - Gotta Buy It

Supposed to be used in conjunction with other DVD burning software.  I use DVDShrink (which uses Nero), but pairing AnyDVD with CloneDVD would be ideal.  AnyDVD will break through just about any DVD encryption out there, and you don't have to think to use it... it just does it automagically.

Bonus feature!  AnyDVD will also remove all those pesky government messages and warnings that interrupt your freshly-launched DVD viewing pleasure... not that I would know.  I just HEARD that it could do this... hypothetically.


SnagIt - Amazing screen capture utility - Gotta Buy It

You can't get a better Screen Capture utility.  If you find a free one that compares, let me know.  I ask you, is there anything that SnagIt cannot snag?  Areas, windows, window sections, scrolling windows, your mom... anything!


Navicat - The Best MySQL GUI in Existence - Gotta Buy It

If you use MySQL then you should use Navicat.  Amazing.  Full-featured.  Fast.  If you use MySQL through the command prompt then all I have to say to you is... "HAHAAHAHahahaha HOHOHOHOHoh  you crack me up."  You won't believe how awesome Navicat is until you try it.

If you find a free alternative that is just as good, let me know!  But you won't.


Trillian - Merge all of your Instant Message applications into one - Gotta Buy It (free light version available)

Trillian is the answer to the prayers of many IM fans.  Your friends use Yahoo (why?), your mom uses AIM, your business uses MSN, and some old geek from college still uses ICQ.  They all want to talk to you.  What do you do!  What... do... you... do...?


WinMerge 2.4.4 - Fantastic file comparison utility - Free Download

Simple, efficient file comparison utility.  Vital if you are a coder or any other person who is required to type characters into text editors all day long.


DVDShrink 3.2.0.15 - The best DVD burning utility - Free Download

You can safely ignore every single product in CompUSA that claims to back-up your DVDs, etc.  There is no need to pay anyone for this feature.  DVDShrink has been around for years.  It works perfectly and is 100% free.

Technically, DVDShrink is not a burner.  You will need a DVD burning utiltiy like Nero to finish the job.  If you don't have Nero then you are a dork.  Stop reading.


FastStone Image Viewer - The best freeware image viewer I've ever seen - Free Download

IrfanView move over.  FastStone rocks.  Get it now!  You will be impressed.


IrfanView 3.98 - Super-fast Image Viewer/Converter - Free Download

World of Warcraft (okay, I'm a dork) stores screenshots as Targas (.tga)... why Blizzard, why!  So, of course, I needed a way to convert those 3 Meg monster files into sub-100k slimliner JPGs for easy transport.  IrfanView arrived on the scene and I have never looked back.  It is a WickedFast(tm) image viewer with lots of image conversion features.


Cryptainer 6.0.1.0 - Creates a Super-Encrypted Vault for Secret Files on your Hard Drive - Free Download

Cryptainer is just cool.  Do you have files that absolutely must not fall into the wrong hands under the pain of death?  Well then, my paranoid little friend, Cryptainer is for you.  This little beauty will create a hidden vault on your hard drive into which you can deposit all of your precious files.  When you are done working with them, the Vault disappears into the ether... never to be seen or opened by anyone who doesn't have the correct password... ie... you.


Ultr@VNC - Remote desktop access - Free Download

Do you use PCAnywhere?  Why?  Do you use GoToMyPC or LogMeIn?  Why?  Stop paying for something that is free!

Ultr@VNC is a very usable flavor of the open-source remote access utility known as VNC.  I use it daily and find it to be even more reliable that Windows' built-in Remote Desktop utiltly.  It also has a full-featured file transfer utility (like FTP) built in.


NotePad++ - Text Editor Extraordinaire - Free Download

We don't need no fancy, shmancy Software Development Environment.  If you are looking for lightweight and speedy, then NotePad++ is for you.  Personally I keep it on my servers just in case I need to edit code at the source.  Get it?  "At the source".  That was funny.


FreeMind - Mind-Mapping Software - Free Download

No, FreeMind isn't some weirdo John Travolta Scientology power-channeling software.  It's a utility used to create Mind Maps, which are a fantastic way to store bits of information in a visual way.  I'm very visually oriented, so this is right up my alley.  I use FreeMind to create my TODO lists, current Project lists for work, and even store all of my work related passwords and server information.

FreeMind is a Java application so you will need the Java Runtime Environment installed in order to use it.