Software
This page documents a selection of the software that I’m using or intend to use.
Image/Graphics:
Gimp - this is my favourite raster image editor, I’ve not really learnt anything else.
Blender - 3D rendering program, works well with povray (a raytracer). I’m no expert but have a basic understanding and still learning.
Inkscape - 2D vector drawing program, similar to Corel Draw. Nice to use and very quick for mockups.
Text Editing, Programming, Word Processing:
LaTeX - typesetting language used to produce high quality documents. Is my preferred option over Openoffice, much more logical (but harder to use). I’ve just started using this and finding it quite easy to do most of the basics such as headings and all in, also BibTeX does bibilographies.
OpenOffice - MS Office replacement, spawned off from staroffice.
Eclipse - Java based text editor with loads of plugins.
JEdit - simple graphical Java based text editor.
vim - when on a unix sheel prompt this is my prefered choice.
Audio:
Audacity - sound recording/editing program.
CDEx. CD ripping software, not too sure this is necessary after using iTunes? use winlame to record mp3’s.
IM:
Skype - this is my preferred option over msn or anything else mostly becuase I’m used to using this. Does video, text and calls. Has a whole load of plugins.
Antivirus: avast - there’s a load of free antivirus vendors out there, these guys happen to be one of the first I’ve liked.
Other:
Octave, matlab replacement.
7-zip, can unzip most unzip formats, e.g. zip, gz, tar, bzip…
Freemind, mind mapping software
Apache, webserver, used to test my website in.
PHP, sits on top of apache to write pages in, very handy for other bits of work.
Ghostscript, only postscript document view I know of.
Firefox, current browser of choice.
Safari, another browser, just started using recently.
Web:
The great thing about Google services is the integration. The annoying thing about Google services is the integration, having 2 or more accounts means you may have to sign in/out to get to your correct account, this was apparent when I created my hci blog with my university account.
Gmail - Simple, easy to use, initial 1GB allowance is small in comparison to other competitors however this is growing.
Google Reader - an rss reader, I use this to manage the many rss feeds I have, data is Google’s game and they do a killer job organising it in a meaningful manner.
This app also allows you to import/export bookmarks, share with friends. Loads of features are being added constantly.
Yahoo
del.icio.us - this is where I store my online book mark collection, very simple and effective to use, I especially like the integeration with firefox and the fact that everything is organised around tags making it much easier to categorise.
facebook - well practically everyone else is on this, looking at it from a hci pov it’s got loads of cool integrated features, is well designed and isn’t annoying to use. Also constantly adding and improving features.