If you want to learn more about using open source applications, but don’t know your way around places like SourceForge or don’t want to spend a lot of time doing research, then checkout the OpenCD project. You can download the whole CD or individual programs including standards like Firefox and OpenOffice as well as others that I plan on testing such as GIMP. According to the website:
The OpenCD project aims to introduce users of MS-Windows to the benefits of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). We include only the highest quality programs, which have been carefully tested for stability and which we consider appropriate for a broad audience. We provide a description and screen-shots of each program, so you can get an idea of what it does before installing. All these applications install and un-install cleanly, so you can be comfortable testing them with the knowledge that they will not adversely affect your system. The programs on the disc are all distributed under an Open Source License (OSI approved), which allows you to freely use and distribute them. You may even change the programs using the source code, which we make available, and distribute your own modified versions, provided you then in turn make the source code available, and give appropriate credit to past contributors.
This is an excellent place to start and you can find out why OpenOffice is making such inroads from a recent post by Stephen Walli.
[I’m currently working on a project in Montreal so posting is light this week.]
