GIMP

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.

It has many capabilities. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc.

GIMP is expandable and extensible. It is designed to be augmented with plug-ins and extensions to do just about anything. The advanced scripting interface allows everything from the simplest task to the most complex image manipulation procedures to be easily scripted.

Website:

http://www.gimp.org/about/introduction.html

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?

a) Artists or image editors can use this tool. Any one who have basic idea or interest in editing images can use this tool. This tool is also recommended for production purpose.

2) Is it a free ware?

a)  Yes, its a freeware and can also be used for production purpose.

3) Have you used this tool?

a) Yes. I used this tool when ever I need to go for specific type of image editing or creating my own stuff.

4) How to use this tool?

a) Just download the installer and install it like as usual. Once installation is done a icon shows up on desktop and you will be needing to click it to run the gimp.

5)How do you rate this tool?

a) 3/5 (overall).

Download:

http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

http://filehippo.com/download_the_gimp/

for any queries on this post please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,

Sid

Nero Multimedia Suite 10

Nero Multimedia Suite 10 excels your multimedia power with a collection of three products bundled into one powerful suite - Nero Vision Xtra, Nero BackItUp & Burn and Nero Burning ROM. It’s loaded with easy-to-advanced video editing features, media organizer and player, superior burning software, reliable backup technology, and special multimedia tools to enhance your music, photos and videos.


website: 
http://www.nero.com/ena/nero10-overview.html

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?

a) Any one from home user to a production specialist. As this tool helps to do lot more things depending on the requirement any one can use it. Actually this is a collection of various features thus making it to a bundle/suite.

2) Is it a free ware?

a) No. But you can have a trail version for trying it before buying the copy.

3) Have you used this tool?

a) Ya. I have tried the trail copy and its look very interesting to me. The features that it provides are really good. One who wanna need good video editing tool this can be one of his solutions.

4) How to use it?

a) Once you got your copy, install it as usual and try checking the features. Their will be a panel that shows the options to select. So, you get to choose the options that you want to continue.

5) How do you rate this suite?

a) 3/5 (overall). But to be specific some features are too good such as burning solution gets 5/5 rating.

Download:

http://www.nero.com/ena/downloads-nero10-trial.php

http://filehippo.com/download_nero_multimedia_suite/

for further queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,

Sid

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. This greatly supports multiple scripts and language editing with a cool user interface.


website: http://notepad-plus-plus.org/

My Review:


1) Who can be benefited using this tool?
a) Programmers, Scriptwriters, web site developers etc... can use this tool efficiently. This tool can be used for quick editing of code files that are required.

2) Can we use it for commercial production?
a) Yes. It is a free tool and carries general public license.

3) How long you have been using this tool?
a) I have been using this tool from long back. It's about nearly 4 years.

4) How to install and use it?
a) You can download from its website or any software download provider site. Once downloaded start installing. Their is no special dependencies for it. Once installation is done you can start the editor and load the required doc to edit or freshly create one.

5) How do you rate this product?
 a) 4/5 (overall)


Download:
http://notepad-plus-plus.org/download
http://filehippo.com/search?q=notepad%2B%2B


for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Tortoise SVN

The coolest interface to sub version control.TortoiseSVN is a really easy to use Revision control / version control / source control software for Windows. It is based on Subversion. TortoiseSVN provides a nice and easy user interface for Subversion. 

It is developed under the GPL. Which means it is completely free, including the source code. But just in case you don't know the GPL too well: you can use TortoiseSVN to develop commercial applications or just use it in your company without any restrictions.
Since it's not an integration for a specific IDE like Visual Studio, Eclipse or others, you can use it with whatever development tools you like. 

As a Subversion client, TortoiseSVN has all the features of Subversion itself, including:

• Most current CVS features.
• Directories, renames, and file meta-data are versioned.
• Commits are truly atomic.
• Branching and tagging are cheap (constant time) operations.
• Efficient handling of binary files.

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?

a) This tool is mainly intended for developers and producers who need to keep in track of daily updates during the course of production. This is a very useful product and is available for completely free of cost.

2) Can we use it for commercial production?

a) Yes, of course you can use it completely free for production.

3) How long have been you using this tool?

a) I have been using this tool for about more than 2 years. We use this tool at my office and at home for some personal development stuff.

4) How to setup for personal development use?

a) Download and install the software first and go for a system restart. You can see a new option available on regular right click. Now got for settings and customize as required. Once done you can now use this for downloading a project by giving the repository path into your system easily. To create a repository of your own and to maintain the version ids etc... please go through the manual provided by tortoise svn.

5) How do you rate this product?

a) 4/5 (overall)

Download links:

http://tortoisesvn.net/downloads

http://filehippo.com/download_tortoisesvn/

for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,

Sid

DEAMON tools

Using this tool you can load any image file directly on your system, you save the time and effort of CD burning and plus, virtual drives are much faster than actual CD drives. This helps in loading any burned images and loads quickly. This is an effective usable tool. 
for more details on this tool please visit the link http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?
a) This is a general purpose tool and so any one who need to work on virtual drives or read image data can use this tool.

2) Is it freeware?
a) No,It's not completely freeware. You can use this tool freely for personal use but for production you need to have a commercial/licensed version.

3)  How to use this tool?
a) Firstly need to download the software and start installation. As part of installation it recommends a system reboot and creates virtual drives for reading images. Once setup is done you can open a virtual drive and load image data. Thus shows the contents in side the drive and makes you access the data contents.

4) What's exactly this tool is about?
a) It's a virtual drive emulator.

5) How do you rate this product?
a) 5/5 (over all)


download links:
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/downloads
http://filehippo.com/download_daemon_tools/

for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Skype ( Online Conferencing tool )

 Allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant messaging, file transfer, and video conferencing. Its easy to download and run on PC or any laptop. Recently Skype also provide this feature for mobile platforms also. For more details on this software please visit the link http://www.skype.com/intl/en/home.

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?
a) Any one can use this tool with out any restrictions. This is a complete freeware product except dialing to landlines phones etc... But given freedom to call any phone in the world by using or creating a debit account.

2) How to use this tool?
a) Download the software from the site and install on to the machine. Once installation is done just need to create an Skype account which acts like a login or user profile.

3) Benefits of this software?
a) This software is useful for online video and audio conferences. Sharing contents like data files etc...

4) How long you have been using this tool?
a) I have been using this tool for a quit long time for now. I generally use this tool to have video chat with my parents who are staying at a different place and with friends around in the countries.

5) How do you rate this tool?
a) 4/5 (overall)


Download links:
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/home
http://filehippo.com/download_skype/

for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

VMWare Workstation

VMware Workstation is a virtual machine software suite for x86 and x86-64 computers from VMware, a division of EMC Corporation. This software suite allows users to set up multiple x86 and x86-64 virtual computers and to use one or more of these virtual machines simultaneously with the hosting operating system. Each virtual machine instance can execute its own guest operating system, such as Windows, Linux, BSD variants, or others. In simple terms, VMware Workstation allows one physical machine to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. 
( for more details on this software please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMware_Workstation ).

My Review:

1) Who can use this tool?
a) It is extremely beneficial for the production engineers in software field who need to work on multiple operating systems simultaneously. Students/Learners can use this tool in order to avoid unnecessary installations of multiple operating systems using regular multi-boot.

2) Is it a freeware?
a) Well, the answer is no. It's not a freeware, however interested people can try out its 60 day trail version before you buy.

3) How many OS does it support?
a) As many as you like, because you are gonna run only one extra OS per time apart from original OS on which this software is running.

4) How long you have been using?
a) I just checked the trail version and comfortably worked with it for a month, as I am a learner. But to sure that I will be soon owning one, once I start of my production.

5) How do you rate this software?
a) 4/5 (overall)


Download links:
www.VMware.com


for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com




regards,
Sid

Microsoft Virtual PC

Microsoft Virtual PC is one of the master piece of gold collections. It gives the user a beneficial experience of working on multiple operating systems simultaneously. For example on a windows Vista machine I can use this software and create a virtual Pc with a different operating system such as other windows operating systems or any linux distros.

for more details on this software please go to the following link.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=04d26402-3199-48a3-afa2-2dc0b40a73b6#QuickInfoContainer

 My Review:

1) What is the actual purpose of this software?
a) This software serves by giving us flexibility of working on multiple operating systems by creating virtual systems in side the core system. This will help us work still virtually on multiple desktops in a single machine.

2)Who can use this tool?
a) Well, it is not restricted to any one, so every one can use. But it benefits developers / researchers / scientists etc... who wanna work on multiple operating systems as per projects they work.

3) What is the cost of this tool?
a) It is absolutely free of cost for windows user.

4) Why did you use this tool?
a) As I am a game developer, I need to develop apps/ tools/ games which run on multiple platforms. So I need work on multiple operating systems. This tool helped me to solve the issue of owing multiple desktop machines.

5) Does it support 64 bit OS?
a) Yes, it supports 64 bit besides 32 bit OS.

6) What is the rate that you give?
a) 4/5 ( overall ).

Download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=04d26402-3199-48a3-afa2-2dc0b40a73b6#QuickInfoContainer

for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Cool 3d Production Studio

Cool 3d production studio is a simple and smart 3d tool aimed for quicker productions. All the basic 3d animations and most of the complex 3d composting can be done easily with readily available features. for more details on this tool please visit the following link. http://www.corel.com recently Unlead company is taken over by Corel company.

MyReview:

1) What is the use of this tool?
a) This tool is used to produce some cool 3d animations very easily and effectively. This tool helps us to reduce the production time of a 3d animation movie content. No master level training is required to work with this tool. So any one who want to make some good looking 3d animation content can use this.

2) What is the cost of this tool?
a) It costs you only  $129.

3) Can it be used to deliver high quality animated content?
a) It always matters with type of production. In case of animated characters this tool may not be so good than 3d tools like 3DsMax or Maya. But title animations, non-animated 3d models with effects can be done efficiently.

4)How long have you used this tool?
a) I have been using this tool when ever I need to produce some cool, simple and efficient quality 3d animation movie files.

5) How do you rate this product?
a) 3/5 ( overall )


Download:
 http://store1.corel.com/corel/product/index.jsp?&countryCode=IN&1=1&mapcounter=1&pid=prod3430083


for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Windows Movie Maker

 Windows Movie Maker is a default movie making software provided along with windows operating system. This tool is mainly used for making a cool and simple video clip using the photo's captured or even can edit video clips and make a nice video reel.
By default it provides various features like video effects, clip to clip transition effects, text overlays with effects, audio recording and finally making desired output type.for example for online streaming, broadcasting, for pc, video players etc...
For more information visit the following url  http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx

MyReview:

1) Who can use this tool?
a) Any one who is having windows xp/vista/7 can use this tool. The latest version is much better and got more stability. So, from students, general windows users and all can use this for making their personal stuff.

2) What about license?
a) This comes as a free software with OS. So need to pay any thing extra.

3) What about features?
a) You can make a cool video clip with the pictures that you shot/captured. Merge all captured video clips into single movie clip.Can publish desired kind of output that is required.

4) How long have been you r using this?
a) More than 5+ years and I use it mostly to generate video clips with the photos that I shoot at functions / tour trips.

5) How do you rank this tool?
a) 3/5 ( overall )


Download:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx


for any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Install Creator ( Installation Creation Software)

Install Creator is a product published by Click Team. This product is available in both free and in paid versions. Their is no feature reduction in non-paid version. The only difference is that at the end of installer they made it to show a link that is connected to their web site. This tool can be used for production purpose also. This tool is build up in a way that any one can make his installer very easily with few clicks. For more details please visit the following link.http://www.clickteam.com/eng/installcreator.php

My Review:

1)When did you came across this tool?
a) During my project submission in Post Graduation Game Development, I decided to make an installer for the game I made. So I searched across the internet for free install creators. I finally found this tool as a result.

2)Are you satisfied with this tool?
a) This is a simple Install creator tool that any one can use with out any prior knowledge. This tool helped me in creating the installers in the way I want to and also it cost nothing, which made me use this freely.

3)What about features?
a) Along with regular installation program we can also add serial code for the installer that we make and also add license and personal docs if any. We can add the icon for the executable if any and also installation back ground image too if any.

4)Who can use this tool?
a) From student to companies any one can use this tool comfortably. In free version as their is a link to publisher's website, it may not suit for companies. It's better for them to take up paid version instead.

5)How long you have been using this tool?
a)I have been using this tool for about 3+ years.

6) How do you rate this tool?
a)4/5(overall) and 5/5(freewares)


Download:
http://www.clickteam.com/eng/installcreator.php
http://download.cnet.com/Install-Creator/3000-2383_4-10218346.html


You can download this tool from any of the above links. For any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com


regards,
Sid

Icofx ( Free Icon Creator Tool)

 Icofx is a freeware icon creation tool. This tool works on windows xp, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and on Macintosh. Easy image to Icon conversion, extraction of existing icons and helps in editing them and exporting to required format are some of its features. For complete details of this tool please do visit the following link.
http://icofx.ro/

My Review:

1) When did you use it?
a) I used this tool for making creating icons for my games/apps. I have looked into this tool when I was in search of some free and stable icon creator software.

2)Why is it different from others?
a) It has got a wide variety of features which makes it stand unique icon creation tool. Besides regular creation importing and exporting icons are pretty easy. One very good reason is their no cost to be paid to use this tool either for personal or for production.

3) How long have been using this tool?
a) I have been using this tool from past 8 months approx.

4) How about getting a license?
a) This is a complete freeware tool so their is no need of license required. Yet if you want one, take their free license doc mentioned in their software and showcase in your product for the icons created. If you also wanna support these publishers then donate your considerable amount to them as a token of appreciation.

5) Who can use this tool?
a) Any one from student to companies any one can use it for creating icons.

6) How do you rate this?
a) 4/5 (overall) and 5/5(freewares).


Download:
http://icofx.ro/
http://download.cnet.com/IcoFX/3000-2195_4-10515364.html

you can download this software from any of the above links specified. For any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Free Studio Manager

It is a free software from DvdVideoSoft.com. This is a one stop solution for audio&Video Conversion, youtube downloading, video uploading, Burning to disk, audio & video editing etc... It is a pack of multiple solutions and very useful tool. This tool is awarded by many top leaders of industry. This tool can be used completely free of charge for personal or production use. For more details please visit their personal website www.dvdvideosoft.com

 

 

My Review: 

1) When did you looked into this tool?
a) I was in search of some tools for converting video files for my psp and found lot of tools as a result. Of all the tools I got this Free Video Converter is much more efficient in delivering quality output and takes less time than any other tools.

2) How long have been you are using this tool?
a) I have been using this tool from over last 2 years.

3) Do we need a license to use this tool?
 a) It's a open free ware and no license is required. But if you are interested to help this publishers then you can donate your considerable amount to them as a token of appreciation.

4) What about the features?
a) Above are the images that show the features that it can do. This tool is a bundle of individual tools.

5) who can use this tool?
a) Any one. Students, general public, developers, companies etc...

6) How do you rate this product?
a) 5/5 (overall), 5/5 (freewares)


Download: 
 http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/free-dvd-video-software.htm
http://download.cnet.com/Free-Studio/3000-2170_4-205258.html


You can download from any of the above links. for any queries please do write to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid


  

Paint.Net ( a free image editing software )

 It is a free Image editing tool and has features that make it usable at production level too. This software is completely depend on windows platform and has much resemblance of Adobe Photoshop software. Much like Photoshop it has all the features from modification to new image creation and multiple brush support and build in effects. For more details please do visit their website. The link follows. http://www.getpaint.net/

My Review:

1) When did I first checked this tool?

a) Last year when I was making a freelancing game, I am in need of a free image editing tool that supports most features like Photoshop so that I can use it, as I am not in a situation of purchasing Photoshop. I started my search which finally pointed to this.

2) What about the features?

a) It has most of features that support Painting, Image modifications, Red eye removal, Adding cool effects, importing and exporting into desired formats etc... 

3) How good is this tool in comparison with other Image editing tools?

a) Firstly It has promising features and less crashes/ bugs. More over it is a free tool and can be used in production also. As I am using it and by my experience I can say it is better than most of all other free tools.

4) Who can use this tool?

a) Any one who wants to do basic editing or want for production level image editing work can use this tool. Its quite easy for the people who have knowledge on Photoshop. Even for a new learner it shouldn't take much time to grasp.

5)  How long you are using this tool?

a)  I have been using this tool for more than a year and I am satisfied by its results.

6)  How do you rate this product?

a) 3/5 (overall ) and 3/5 (opensource)

download:

http://www.getpaint.net/download.html

http://filehippo.com/download_paint.net/

you can download from any of the above links. For any queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,

Sid

Filezilla ( a free FTP solution)

It is an open source project intend to solve ftp problems for the common user. It has both client and server versions. Client is a platform independent where as server is currently available for windows platform only. Hopefully we may see soon server edition on all platforms too. It is an open source project and is still going its production.Currently we have its stable versions available at their website. The link follows below.
http://filezilla-project.org/index.php

Well, its time for my personal review.

My Review: 


1) Why did you checked this tool?
a) When I started in search of a simple and efficient software for ftp solution as I have to upload and download my data from my personal sites, I found this software.

2) Is there any other software which works like the same?
a) I have checked out many other solutions but nothing in deed gave me as satisfaction as this tool. I have been using this software for more than a year and I am very happy with it.

3) Why do you prefer using this tool?
a) Well, It is firstly giving the basic and standard solution for all my ftp problems and secondly it is an open source and no need to purchase a license.

4) Who can use this tool?
a) Any one, from a single user to a multi national company any one can use this tool. It is a well structured and technically speaking no crashes, no memory leaks, no runtime errors and finally no complaints. So I strongly recommend to all.

5) How good are its features?
a) It supports transfers of files without any interruption. It transfers the data by converting into small packets and so even if net disconnect and when reconnected back the transfer just continues with out breaking the operation, just like data transfer through torrents upload and download.

6) How do you rate this tool in comparison with other similar tools?
a) 4/5 ( over all ) and 5/5 ( open source )

download:
http://filezilla-project.org/index.php
http://filehippo.com/download_filezilla/

visit any of this links to download directly.

for more queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

regards,
Sid

Audacity ( Open Source Audio Editor )

Introduction:
Audacity is an open source tool that is used for editing audio tracks. This has been one of the popular audio editor tools over the past few years. This tool is widely used by many freelancers and companies for editing the sound tracks, mixing multiple audio tracks etc... Over the years it has release many versions and still keep updating by the publisher. The cover story of this tool is breifly explained in wiki. Check the following link for breifing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audacity.

How ever, I am here not going to write its background story or its future plans etc... Being strict to my word, I am only going to write about my experience on using this tool.

My Review:

1) Why did I looked at this tool first?
a) Well, as part of my freelance project I looked for an opensource audio tool that could help me in editing the existing audio tracks.

2) Did this tool meet my requirement?
a) Ya. It is a simple tool that helped me out in editing my audio tracks for things like noise reduction, amplifying, Mixing background audio with voice overs etc...

3) How much time did I took for exploration?
a) Approximatly 15 minutes for complete exploration

4) Who can use this tool?
a) Any one who wants basic audio editing features, recording features and even with out knowledge in audio composing.

5) How good are its features?
a) This tool supports a wide range of formats and has capable of converting from one format to another in less time with out any quality loss. Besides like most other tools it has recording and saving features too.

6) Finally how do I rate this software?
a) 3/5 (overall) and 5/5 (open source tools)

software download link:
download_audacity

For more queries please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

Regards,
Sid

Welcome Note

Hi All,
I am a Tech Developer from INDIA, working under the areas of Computer Games and Simulations over past few years. As part of my dialy curriculum, I explore new softwares that get released every day in the market. My main concentration is driven always towards open source tools, as they can be used or modified as required by any one and also besides their is always a huge group of people who will be answering all our questions and support in the way we want over the forums.

As I am always crazy about exploring the way the software can be used, I got an Idea of writing about my explorations or so called personal reviews. That is how this blog comes into picture.

As I am an end user, I can say openly the problems that I faced or the plus points over the software in open. This should help the people in saving time in selecting the required software. Exploring the software is a time consuming one. So, here my blog will help you out in saving the time from ROS(research on software).

Most of the software that I cover here fall into the following areas.

• Graphics Design Tools
• Internet Tools
• Developer Tools
• Security Tools
• Network Tools
• System Utilities

If the software that you are looking is not in the areas listed above, then I am sorry. But you can write to me about the software so that I can update your personal review along with your name in my blog.

note:
This is not to critisize any software publisher, but only to help users in getting the actual software that they are looking after. The review shown here is not been copied or rewritten from any other's website or blogs or books. This is truly my personal review and I have been using this softwares over the years and pretty good level research is done over them.

People who are interested in posting personal review please send to the following mail with your name/nick name so that we will post your review.

for queries/posts please mail to softsiddu@rediffmail.com

Regards,
Sid