What follows is based on information found at Rich's blog, "Rich on Linux, OSS and other stuff." These applications can be freely downloaded and generally run on Windows or Linux, but the CD-ROM being offered for download contains software that runs on Windows.
If you're Bit Torrent-savvy, you can use the bittorrent file.
Here are some of the programs you will find on the CD-ROM, with brief descriptions.
3D Animation:
Blender. Blender is open source software for 3D modeling, animation, rendering, post-production, interactive creation, and playback. Available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.
Art Of Illusion. Art of Illusion is a free, open source 3D modelling and rendering studio. It is written entirely in Java, and should be usable on any Java Virtual Machine which is compatible with J2SE 1.4 or later.
Archive:
7-zip. 7-zip is a file archiver with a high compression ratio. The program supports 7z, ZIP, CAB, RAR, ARJ, LZH, CHM, GZIP, BZIP2, Z, TAR, CPIO, RPM and DEB formats. Compression with the new 7z format is 30-50% more efficient than the older ZIP format.
Database servers:
MySQL server: MySQL is the premier open source relational database server. MySQL can be found under the covers of many high volume website such as NASA and Yahoo, as well as Blogcritics.org.
PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL is a feature rich and powerful object-relational database manager server.
Desktop publishing:
Scribus. Open Source Desktop Publishing for Linux, MacOS® X, and Windows
Development tools:
Eclipse. Eclipse is an open source community whose projects are focused on providing an extensible development platform and application frameworks for building software.
File sharing:
FrostWire. FrostWire is an open source version of the popular LimeWire P2P file sharing program.
Graphics:
The Gimp. A raster image editor similar in function to Adobe Photoshop.
GimpShop. The Gimp, but made to look and act like Adobe Photoshop.
Inkscape. A vector graphics program similar in function to Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator.
Article comments
1 - Lindsey Rockwell
Excellent article!
There is no substitute for Linux, but if you are tied up with your arms and legs to MS-lock-in this is the second best choice!
Regards:
Lindsey
2 - Decibel
I'm glad you included PostgreSQL in this, but perhaps it would be best if you used the PostgreSQL logo instead of the MySQL one? :)
3 - Ecacofonix
Nice, useful article and introduction to open source software...I think it is a good idea to have this CD give all the details on Windows, since that will enable lots of folks enslaved by Microsoft to know linux and open source better
At eIT.in, we also have a page that provides lots of web resources for free & open source sofware . Hope this link is of help too
[Edited]
4 - Triniman
Two months since this article came out and it still shows up once in a while in the Most Popular article listing. Clearly, people are interested in alternatives to MS, especially when they are at no cost.
5 - PedroAlberto Sanchez
Eye-opener! Thanks for the update,must needed info to be had. Once again there is HOPE.