I can't justify the cost of photoshop. What freeware/shareware/open-source image editor for Windows comes closest in terms of capabilities and/or interface? [more inside]
posted by werkzeuger on Feb 20, 2012 - 25 answers

I am looking for a free web-based inventory system for a volunteer local government team. [more inside]
posted by PerpetualPermutation on Jul 20, 2010 - 2 answers

Refurbishing an old laptop for use by a friend's 12-year-old daughter. Looking for free software suggestions, any other tips you care to offer. Laptop will mostly be used for schoolwork and freeing up mom's laptop while daughter checks email and chats with friends. [more inside]
posted by halcyon_daze on Feb 20, 2010 - 16 answers

What are the best embedded open source/free audio/video players? [more inside]
posted by avocet on Jul 12, 2008 - 7 answers

Which mobile phone OS will work the best for my needs and can be easily expanded with free software? [more inside]
posted by abkadefgee on Jul 5, 2008 - 11 answers

I run a web design company, and want to set up a website based chat client so I can see when someone is perusing my site and pop up a chat window to help them with any questions... [more inside]
posted by wile e on Dec 3, 2006 - 12 answers

Freeware/Open Source help desk support ticket type of software? [more inside]
posted by NoMich on Aug 16, 2006 - 13 answers

Looking for a macro program or method that captures and pastes text among different browser windows? [more inside]
posted by Fishing Nut on Jan 26, 2006 - 3 answers

I am working on an academic project in which a significant question has come up -- why do people distribute software as freeware (not open source) or shareware in situations where it is just as easy to distribute it commercially, using systems like Palmgear or Handango? Is it because developers don't think these projects are as valuable, or are there other reasons? Does anyone have either written evidence or personal experiences to share?
posted by blahblahblah on May 31, 2005 - 15 answers

Laptop Clean XP Install:
1] My (on board?) sound card is unrecognised. How do I find out what drivers to use?

2] What programs do you really think I need? I already have VNC, VLC, Firefox, Thunderbird and AVG installed. What else should I add? (Freeware/OS appriciated but not needed.) [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Dec 16, 2004 - 8 answers

I need a package to facilitate collaboration among a group of people spread across the Internet/globe. Ideally it would track staff, projects, to-do lists and contacts. Open source (PHP/mySQL) would be ideal. Any suggestions?
posted by Leonard on Nov 4, 2004 - 11 answers

What's a good freeware/open source astronomy application for the Mac? I know that one exists but my Google skills haven't been too hot today. What I really want is something that will display a realtime starchart for me with the ability to look up the positions (declination, etc) of each of the stars.
posted by adrianhon on Sep 15, 2004 - 4 answers

My laptop has taken to switching itself off at random intervals, but only at my parents or in-laws houses. The general consensus is that these houses are hotter than my own and it may be just enough to upset my system.

Can anyone recommend a good freeware (pref OpenSource) program to check up on the internal temperatures of the system? I'm running WinXP.
posted by twine42 on Jan 21, 2004 - 8 answers