Software I Use
I have quite a lot of programs installed on various computers, but only a relatively small number of programs get used. Here are most of the programs that I use. For server software, look at my network page. For handheld software, look at my PDA page.
Free Software
I’m increasingly finding free and open source software to be better than commercial software in the same domain. Most of my time on the computer these days is spent in some sort of open source program (primarily Emacs, Firefox, and Thunderbird, in that order). Here’s a list of the free software I use most:
Commercial Software
This list has gotten a lot shorter over the past few years. QuickBooks is pretty much the one program for which I don’t have a good replacement candidate. SQL Ledger’s inventory management had too many quirks the last time I looked at it, and the other programs are either massive overkill or are designed for personal finances.
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 (possibly to be replaced by the Gimp)
- Microsoft Office 2007 (possibly to be replaced by OpenOffice)
- QuickBooks Pro 2007
Games
Games are the exception — I don’t play many, but I find that they’re worth the money.
SimCity 4 is the most recent addition to my collection, and was the source of much relaxation during my last vacation. Neverwinter Nights is an excellent cooperative networked PC game. And Bejeweled is a good way to pass some time when I really don’t feel like doing much of anything (e.g. shortly before bedtime after a long day at a conference).
- Bejeweled
- Neverwinter Nights
- SimCity 4 Deluxe
- Starcraft
- Text Twist (Free, Online)
- Warcraft II and III
