When you think of open source applications, certain ones immediately come to mind: Mozilla Firefox, OpenOffice.org, and Gimp, but there are many more out there that are cross-platform and high-quality programs. You do not have to be a Linux user to benefit from free and open source software development. Try out the following apps and enjoy the freedom.

1. Audacity (Linux, Mac, Windows, and more)

If you are going to edit audio of any sort, Audacity can probably do it. Whether it is something as simple as converting a WAV file to Mp3, or as complex as editing out the background noise of an important interview, Audacity can pretty much do it all. It comes with a ton of audio editing plugins, has a fairly straightforward interface, and it costs you nothing.

2. Boxee (Linux, Mac, Windows, Apple TV)

The Boxee Box has received big headlines lately, and that may have obscured the fact that the Boxee software is free and open source. You can download it and install it on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers, turning any computer into an instant home theater box. Boxee will play all kinds of videos from both your computer and the Internet. It also plays music and photos. Easy home theater entertainment can be as easy as hooking a laptop to your TV.

3. FileZilla (Linux, Mac, Windows, and more)

Transferring files does not need to be painful. Whether you have your own website or just want to copy files over a network from one computer to another, FileZilla is a power and easy-to-use transfer tool that supports FTP, SFTP, and FTPS. With FileZilla, you can easily connect to a web host, such as UK server hosting company 34SP.com. It has a drag and drop interface for easy file transfers, and you can connect with the click of a button.

4. VLC (Linux, Mac, Windows, and more)

Tried and tested, VLC is the definitive video player for all platforms. Forget whatever player came with your computer. This is the one you need. It will play everything: Quicktime, DivX, Windows Media, H.264, Xvid, MPEG-4, Mp3, DVDs, and pretty much anything else you can throw at it. It is lightweight, has a ton of features, and can also stream content to others.

5. Inkscape (Linux, Mac, Windows, and more)

When most people think of open source image editing, they immediately think “Gimp”, but when you need a powerful vector graphics editor, Inkscape is the best free solution you will find. Easily create basic shapes or entire drawings. The possibilities are limitless. Just as Adobe Illustrator is the lifelong companion of Photoshop, Inkscape is a must for anyone with Gimp.

6. Pidgin (Linux, Mac, Windows, and more)

Yes, people still use instant messengers, and chances are, you have a bunch of accounts: Yahoo, AOL, Windows Live, Google Talk, and others. Pidgin brings them all together in one program and allows you to stay in contact with your diverse groups of friends. Pidgin even connects to Facebook chat so you can chat with friends without going to the website.

7. Xmind (Linux, Mac, and Windows)

Mind-mapping sounds kind of like a sci-fi experiment you should avoid, but it is actually quite useful for creative types, students, and businesspeople. With it you can do simple brainstorming or develop intricate organizational charts, outlines, and business models. Best of all, when you are finished, you can upload it to the web and share it with others.

“Free and open source” means the software you are using is distributed under a license that allows modification of the source code, sharing, and redistribution. Unlike Freeware, where the application is free of charge but the source code is hidden, this software can be sold or given away for free, and the source code is open for all to view and modify to their liking. While some proprietary operating systems like Mac OS X contain some free and open components, others like Ubuntu and FreeBSD are primarily free, open, and available for all.

Guest post by: Tavis J. Hampton is a librarian and writer with a decade of experience in information technology, web hosting, and Linux system administration. His freelance services include writing, editing, tech training, and information architecture.

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7 Must-Have Free and Open Source Apps originally appeared on: Crenk
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