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4 Open Source Password Managers To Keep Your Passwords Safe

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:47:11 +0000

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/intro1.png?54167" alt="password manager"/>

href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/using-keepass-to-secure-your-online-accounts/">KeePass/ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/keepassx-secure-password-management-linux-os/">KeePassX is a popular open source project that has won the hearts of thousands, with a myriad of href="http://lifehacker.com/5046988/eight-best-keepass-plug+ins-to-master-your-passwords">plugins and href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search?hl=en-US&q=keepass">extensions such as href="http://keefox.org/">KeeFox and href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search?hl=en-US&q=keepass">ChromelPass, that dramatically improve the user experience. However, KeePass isn’t the only open source password manager out there. If you’re looking for a simpler but still secure application where you can store your login credentials and important notes, why note check out additional open source programs?

Even if you’re accustomed to your beloved and convenient commercial password manager, it’s probably not a bad idea to try other ultra secure applications that offer some of the same features and risk less at your expense. If you’re ready for some password manager goodness, read on!

href="http://www.clipperz.com/">Clipperz [ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-of-both-worlds-online-passwords-offline/">Web-based]

Clipperz is a web-based password manager, not unlike LastPass, with a major difference in that it’s open source. Jim reviewed it href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-of-both-worlds-online-passwords-offline/">here a couple of years ago so be sure to check his review for more details.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/clipperz_compact_tabs.png?54167" alt="password manager" width="484" height="308" />

Pros:

Support for direct one-click logins (made with a special bookmarklet) so users can login automatically from the Clipperz website.
Provides an encrypted HTML copy for offline read-only use.
Login history is recorded.
Registration requires no email (just a username and passphrase) so users can maintain anonymity.
Works on any OS with a major browser (like Firefox or Opera) that has Javascript enabled.
href="http://www.clipperz.com/support/user_guide/clipperz_compact">Compact site for Firefox sidebar and Opera panel with access to direct one-click logins.
Clipperz can also store notes with sensitive content.
Password generator available.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_104715.png?54167" border="0" alt="password manager reviews" width="490" height="285" />

Users can import data from a number of password managers.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_102719.png?54167" alt="password manager reviews" width="442" height="562" />

Cons:

Saving direct logins involves manually copy-pasting code onto Clipperz website,
Direct login codes don’t seem to work for all sites. In my tests, Imageshack and Springpad couldn’t create direct logins from the bookmarklet, but users can always create new “web passwords” or cards and specify the website URL manually.
No support for passphrase recovery since emails aren’t required.
Cannot organize accounts in groups.

href="http://www.yadabyte.com/Yadabyte_Portables.php">Yadabyte Passwords [Windows]

Yadabyte Passwords is like a tiny Keepass manager, except it carries fewer bells and whistles. Though it’s a bit older, this portable password manager is absolutely a breeze to use. You simply create a master password and then type the usernames, passwords, and URLs for all the services you want included in your password database.

Pros:

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_112637.png?54167" alt="password manager reviews" width="249" height="327" />

Portable
Easy to use

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_112855.png?54167" border="0" alt="free password manager" width="249" height="327" />

Cons:

Might be too simple for some users as it doesn’t have lots of features.
Cannot organize accounts in groups.

href="https://github.com/zdia/gorilla/wiki/">Password Gorilla [Cross-Platform]

Password Gorilla is a password manager and personal vault that can store login information and notes. The application consists of a single executable that allows you to create a database and save it to a specified location. The encrypted database can only be read in Password Gorilla of course, but the database is actually a different file, separate from the application, so you can create several databases if you wish.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_115859.png?54167" alt="free password manager" width="400" height="257" />

Pros:

Portable
Can create groups and subgroups to organize passwords and sites.
Can import password databases saved in CSV format.
Automatically locks the database after a defined amount of minutes.
Can clear the clipboard after specified number of seconds.
Users can set what double-clicking a login does: open a browser directed to the URL, copy password to clipboard, edit login or do nothing.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_120349.png?54167" alt="free password manager" width="529" height="341" />

Can copy username and password to the clipboard with keyboard shortcuts.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_120037.png?54167" width="408" height="267" /> /> Cons:

Exported files are unencrypted plain text files.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_120911.png?54167" width="492" height="199" />

href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/upm/">Universal Password Manager [Cross-Platform; Android]

Universal Password Manager is a simple program that uses 128bit AES encryption and, like Password Gorilla, allows you to create databases once you’ve set a master password.

Pros:

Databases can be exported and imported.
Android app available.
Can load and sync remote databases from URL.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_130616.png?54167" width="500" height="304" />

Can copy username and password to clipboard with keyboard shortcuts.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-06-26_125814.png?54167" alt="password manager" width="500" height="304" />

Cons:

Cannot organize accounts in groups though they are alphabetized. A workaround could be to create several databases.

From this list, I prefer Password Gorilla as it has robust features. There are, however, dozens of additional open source programs we couldn’t possibly cover, so if you’re eager to learn more, be sure to check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/manage-and-protect-your-personal-data-with-lockcrypt/">LockCrypt, href="http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/">Password Safe, href="http://www.petroules.com/products/silverlock">SilverLock, href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/opensimsim/files/">OpenSimSim and href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/oubliette/">Oubliette.

Do you use an open source password manager and have tips to share? Enlighten us in the comments!

Image Credit: rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=77476477">Shutterstock – Mario7 />
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href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-open-source-password-managers-passwords-safe/">4 Open Source Password Managers To Keep Your Passwords Safe is a post from: href="http://www.makeuseof.com">MakeUseOf

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No Photoshop: 15 Amazing Logos & Portraits Made With Open Source Tools

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:47:49 +0000

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/intro2.jpg" alt="logo art" />It seems like there’s a growing number of users that have given GIMP, Inkscape and other open-source software a chance. In many cases, being liberated from the grips of commercial software does not mean professional-grade graphics cannot be created. With a lot of patience, skill and enthusiasm, many users have demonstrated time and again that href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/photoshop">Photoshop really isn’t the only tool capable of producing high-quality visual art.

To prove my point, I’ve scoured the web and DeviantArt in search of great graphics. The result was absolutely exhilarating. Not only did I find many magnificent pieces made entirely with open-source software, I also was surprised to find a growing community of professional visual artists dedicated to spreading the word about GIMP, Inkscape, MyPaint, etc. using them exclusively to produce their artworks and even extending them to produce improved painting packages like href="http://code.google.com/p/gps-gimp-paint-studio/">GIMP Paint Studio. There were too numerous works worthy of mention here, but including all of them would have probably made this too long of a post. So here are some stunning pieces flowing around deviantArt.

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/122430398/">Inkscape 0.47 Contest Entry

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1.jpg" alt="logo art" width="580" height="503" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://sko.deviantart.com/">sko on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49622704/">Inkscape Is My Bitch

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/21.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="456" height="562" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://wflu.deviantart.com/">wflu on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/77954092/">sm_2

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/3.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="579" height="445" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/120639620/">Bjork Vector Inkscape 2

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/4.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="420" height="572" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://ndop.deviantart.com/">ndop on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/158109316/">Inkscape 0.48 Screen Contest

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/5.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="580" height="490" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://arwassa.deviantart.com/">Arwassa on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/art/Jacky-D-Icon-124990687">Jacky D Icon

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/6.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="569" height="650" />

Author: href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/">~uberdiablo-pixels

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/103391176/">Pinkitude For Life

A reminder for women that self-breast exams are key for early detection & prevention.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/7.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="486" height="535" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://quicheloraine.deviantart.com/">QuicheLoraine on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://theshock.deviantart.com/art/Nixie-Pixel-portrait-148411228">Nixie Pixel Portrait

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/8.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="707" />

Author: * class="u vt-p" href="http://theshock.deviantart.com/">TheShock on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART (author of href="http://code.google.com/p/gps-gimp-paint-studio/">GIMP Paint Studio)

Software used: GIMP and href="http://code.google.com/p/gps-gimp-paint-studio/">GIMP Paint Studio

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/162632183/">Jensen Ackles – GIMP Painting

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/9.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://lasianicole.deviantart.com/">LasiaNicole on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/205168309/">Ailvhe Ni Faolain

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/10.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="879" />

Author: class="u vt-p" href="http://anokorok.deviantart.com/">Anokorok on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203639838/">Princess Of The Wind Kingdom

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/11.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="839" />

Author: * class="u vt-p" href="http://anokorok.deviantart.com/">Anokorok on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203949998/">Sweet Candy

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/12.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="435" />

Author: * class="u vt-p" href="http://starca.deviantart.com/">starca on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/art/Attack-of-the-gnome-33389962">Attack Of The Gnome

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/13.jpg" alt="" width="411" height="500" />

Author: href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviantART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/75234516/">big_water

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/14.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="435" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/99135586/">Negra In Vector

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/15.jpg" alt="logo art" width="580" height="707" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://pretojackson.deviantart.com/">pretojackson on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape & GIMP

Interesting DeviantArt Groups

If you’re interested in exploring additional paintings, be sure to look at the galleries of the following groups on DA. Each group has an RSS feed that you can subscribe to and most even accept members without any eligibility restrictions. That way you can constantly see artwork and be motivated to keep learning.

href="http://foss-designers.deviantart.com/">FOSS Designers
href="http://openartists.deviantart.com/">Open Artists
href="http://ubuntu-artists.deviantart.com/">Ubuntu Artists
href="http://linux-deviants.deviantart.com/">Linux Deviants
href="http://mypaint.deviantart.com/">MyPaint
href="http://gimpdome.deviantart.com/">Gimp Dome
href="http://gimpies.deviantart.com/">GIMPies
href="http://gimp-artists.deviantart.com/">GIMP Artists
href="http://mastergimpers.deviantart.com/">Master GIMPers for resources, patterns, tutorials
href="http://krita-free-art-app.deviantart.com/">Krita Free Art App

I imagine at this point you’re bit curious to learn more about Inkscape and GIMP. If so, check out some hand-picked href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-10-beginner-level-video-tutorials-learn-gimp-fast/">beginner video tutorials, some easy text-based href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tutorials-amazing-wallpapers-gimp/">tutorials to create your own wallpapers, or some href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-websites-learn-gimp-photo-editor-online/">dedicated href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-websites-learn-gimp-photo-editing/">websites. After being through with those, you can have fun href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/cartoonify-photos-gimp/">creating cartoonish versions of your photos, or use GIMP for some non-artistic work, such as making href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-make-an-animated-gif-image-with-gimp/">GIFs, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-image-map-gimp/">image maps, adding href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-speech-bubbles-screenshots-gimp/">speech bubbles or callouts, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-simple-zoomed-effect-screenshots-gimp/">zoom effects, and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/optimize-images-web-gimp/">optimizing (read shrinking file sizes of) images. If you want to use GIMP to paint, you should definitely check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/gimp-paint-studio-great-addition-gimp-digital-artists-playground/">GIMP Paint Studio, which offers a variety of brushes and goodies to improve the drawing and painting features in GIMP.

Do you know of any beginner-friendly tutorials for open-source software that are worth mentioning? Please let us know in the comments!

Read comments: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/photoshop-15-amazing-logos-portraits-open-source-tools/#disqus_thread">Loved it? Hated it? Join discussion here …

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More articles about: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/art/" title="art" rel="tag">art, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/creative/" title="creative" rel="tag">creative, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/design/" title="design" rel="tag">design, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/gimp/" title="GIMP" rel="tag">GIMP, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/graphics/" title="graphics" rel="tag">graphics, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/logo/" title="logo" rel="tag">logo, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/open-source/" title="open source" rel="tag">open source, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/photoshop/" title="photoshop" rel="tag">photoshop />

No Photoshop: 15 Amazing Logos & Portraits Made With Open Source Tools

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:47:08 +0000

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/122430398/">Inkscape 0.47 Contest Entry

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/1.jpg" alt="logo art" width="580" height="503" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://sko.deviantart.com/">sko on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49622704/">Inkscape Is My Bitch

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/21.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="456" height="562" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://wflu.deviantart.com/">wflu on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/77954092/">sm_2

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/3.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="579" height="445" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/120639620/">Bjork Vector Inkscape 2

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/4.jpg" alt="digital portraits" width="420" height="572" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://ndop.deviantart.com/">ndop on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/158109316/">Inkscape 0.48 Screen Contest

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/5.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="580" height="490" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://arwassa.deviantart.com/">Arwassa on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/art/Jacky-D-Icon-124990687">Jacky D Icon

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/6.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="569" height="650" />

Author: href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/">~uberdiablo-pixels

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/103391176/">Pinkitude For Life

A reminder for women that self-breast exams are key for early detection & prevention.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/7.jpg" alt="examples of digital art" width="486" height="535" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://quicheloraine.deviantart.com/">QuicheLoraine on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape

href="http://theshock.deviantart.com/art/Nixie-Pixel-portrait-148411228">Nixie Pixel Portrait

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/8.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="707" />

Software used: GIMP and href="http://code.google.com/p/gps-gimp-paint-studio/">GIMP Paint Studio

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/162632183/">Jensen Ackles – GIMP Painting

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/9.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="600" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://lasianicole.deviantart.com/">LasiaNicole on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/205168309/">Ailvhe Ni Faolain

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/10.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="879" />

Author: class="u vt-p" href="http://anokorok.deviantart.com/">Anokorok on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203639838/">Princess Of The Wind Kingdom

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/11.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="839" />

Author: * class="u vt-p" href="http://anokorok.deviantart.com/">Anokorok on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203949998/">Sweet Candy

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/12.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="435" />

Author: * class="u vt-p" href="http://starca.deviantart.com/">starca on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/art/Attack-of-the-gnome-33389962">Attack Of The Gnome

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/13.jpg" alt="" width="411" height="500" />

Author: href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviantART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/75234516/">big_water

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/14.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="435" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/">hrum on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: GIMP

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/99135586/">Negra In Vector

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/15.jpg" alt="logo art" width="580" height="707" />

Author: ~ class="u vt-p" href="http://pretojackson.deviantart.com/">pretojackson on href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviant href="http://www.deviantart.com">ART

Software used: Inkscape & GIMP

Interesting DeviantArt Groups

href="http://foss-designers.deviantart.com/">FOSS Designers
href="http://openartists.deviantart.com/">Open Artists
href="http://ubuntu-artists.deviantart.com/">Ubuntu Artists
href="http://linux-deviants.deviantart.com/">Linux Deviants
href="http://mypaint.deviantart.com/">MyPaint
href="http://gimpdome.deviantart.com/">Gimp Dome
href="http://gimpies.deviantart.com/">GIMPies
href="http://gimp-artists.deviantart.com/">GIMP Artists
href="http://mastergimpers.deviantart.com/">Master GIMPers for resources, patterns, tutorials
href="http://krita-free-art-app.deviantart.com/">Krita Free Art App

Do you know of any beginner-friendly tutorials for open-source software that are worth mentioning? Please let us know in the comments!

Read comments: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/photoshop-15-amazing-logos-portraits-open-source-tools/#disqus_thread">Loved it? Hated it? Join discussion here …

4 Free Online Multiplayer Source Engine Mods For Half-Life 2

admin — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:47:23 +0000

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/intro2.jpg" alt="best half-life 2 multiplayer mods" />Valve’s original hit href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-5-free-cross-platform-fps-games/">first person shooter Half-Life gave birth to some wonderful third-party development. Thanks to the free software development kit (SDK) modders, mappers and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/blender-powerful-free-crossplatform-3d-content-creation-suite/">modelers were free to hack and mould the engine into completely different games.

Many of these games survived the jump from the original Half-Life engine to the Source engine, first used in Counter-Strike: Source & Half-Life 2 (and re-used several times in games like Left 4 Dead). Where many developers now charge users for in-house total conversions (Battlefield Bad Company 2: Vietnam, for example) PC href="http://www.makeuseof.com/service/games/">gamers have long been able to enjoy similar efforts for free.

id="more-67274"> /> Here are a few personal free favourites to get the most out of your Source engine games!

Full Steam Ahead

If you’ve not got Steam, head over to href="http://www.steampowered.com/">the official website and download the client for href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-the-ultimate-windows-7-guide">Windows (Steam does work on Mac, as does Half-Life 2 but unfortunately free third-party mods that run on OS X are very thin on the ground).

You’re going to need a copy of a game that uses the Source engine and supports third-party mods. If you’ve got a full copy of Half-Life 2 then you’re already done. If you’ve not got Half-Life 2 you could buy it (it’s about $10, £7) or a similar title with support for the SDK.

Luckily there is href="http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category2=16">a list of games that support these mods on the Steam website, choose one you like the look of and make sure it’s downloaded and ready to play.

href="http://www.zombiepanic.org/">Zombie Panic! Source [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/17500/">On Steam]

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/zps1.jpg" alt="best half-life 2 multiplayer mods" width="580" height="464" />

At the time of writing Zombie Panic! Source is entertaining more online players than a considerable amount of new full-price releases, which is pretty good going for a free mod. There are two classes – the human survivor and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/apocalypse-now-with-these-three-zombie-games/">blood-thirsty zombies.

Everyone starts out human, apart from one (volunteer or auto-selected) zombie. As a human it’s your job to fend off hordes of undead with whatever weapons you can find (you’re given one random melee weapon and a handgun to start you off). Zombies simply have to eat brains!

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/zps2.jpg" alt="half life 2 mods" width="580" height="464" />

When a human player is killed by a zombie then he or she joins the zombie team. Each zombie has a limited amount of lives, and when these lives run out the humans win. Of course, if the zombies overrun the human team then the zombie team wins.

href="http://www.fortress-forever.com/">Fortress Forever [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/900646/">On Steam]

Do you remember Team Fortress Classic? Back when mods were free add-ons, created by enthusiasts in their bedrooms and played by thousands? Don’t you wish someone would remake the classic TFC, except from scratch on the Source engine? Step in Fortress Forever!

classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="430" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-0-6wdDyGLI" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="430" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-0-6wdDyGLI">

The mod aims to satiate the needs of those who have stuck with the age-old TFC, and also promises to have done “more for new TF players than any prior Fortress attempt” – which should please the newbies.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/fortress.jpg" alt="half life 2 mods" width="580" height="435" />

As well as the old school capture the flag set-up, FF includes several other game modes, 10 playable classes and in excess of 20 maps (including the legendary 2fort). If you pine for TFC and are sick of Team Fortress 2, you might have just found your medicine.

href="http://www.insmod.org/">Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/17700">On Steam]

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/insmod2.jpg" alt="half life 2 mods" width="580" height="435" />

Winner of ModDB’s Mod of the Year 2007, Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat delivers a present-day conflict experience with a variety of real-world weapons and equipment. You won’t get very far without working as a team and making the most of the environment provided.

The realism levels have been turned up to 11, meaning a couple of bullets is all it takes to be pushing up daisies. There’s a few modes of play, including a Battlefield-esque point capture gametype and of course generic team href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/quake-live-free-online-shooter-in-your-browser/">deathmatch.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/insmod1.jpg" alt="half life 2 multiplayer mods" width="579" height="362" />

Maps are based on real-world Afghan and Iraqi locations such as Ramadi, Almaden and Baghdad. There is also a new (unrelated) open source href="http://forums.newworldinteractive.com/index.php?/forum/14-insurgency-classic/">Insurgency Classic project, which might be worth checking out.

href="http://www.sourcefortsmod.com/">Source Forts [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/90034/">On Steam]

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sf1.jpg" alt="half life 2 multiplayer mods" width="580" height="311" />

Recently back from the dead, Source Forts is a multiplayer mod with a difference, and will test your building and shooting skills equally. Armed with a modified Half-Life 2 gravity gun, teams must create and maintain their very own forts in order to protect their flag.

At the start of each round there is a build period, where you and your team are given enough time to construct a base. At the same time your foes are busily doing the same. Once build-time is over, you must capture the opposing force’s flag more times than they capture yours.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sf2.jpg" alt="best half-life 2 multiplayer mods" width="580" height="313" />

There are different classes, plenty of maps and a small dedicated community playing. If you’re interested, you’ll want to href="http://www.sourcefortsmod.com/wiki/index.php?title=Getting_Started">check out the wiki for the full low-down.

Conclusion

Whilst there might not be a wealth of players enjoying these mods, there should still be enough available servers to get a decent game. If you’re looking for a neat way to link up with and meet gamers try href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/instant-message-and-more-mid-game-with-xfire/">X-Fire for Windows, a game-centric IM client.

Unfortunately for gamers these mods seem to be thinner on the ground than ever – despite the original (and free) Half-Life classic Counter-Strike still being one of the most popular games on the Steam platform.

Do you have any favourite free mods? Do you remember the good old days of Counter-Strike beta 7? Are free mods soon going to be a thing of the past? Share your thoughts in the comments below. />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to check out href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof">MakeUseOf page on Facebook. Over 24,000 fans already!

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The Spring Project – An Open Source Strategy Game Engine With An Impressive Selection of Free Games

admin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 09:47:05 +0000

class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SpringIconmkII.png" alt="strategy game engine" width="175" height="175" />Spawned off the back of popular real-time class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/strategy-games/">strategy (RTS) game Total Annihilation, Spring is an open source freeware strategy game engine designed to run on class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/service/windows">Windows and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/getting-started-guide-linux">Linux, with a Mac version still under development.

Developers can take the engine and use it as they please, without having to pay the creators any money for the licence. This has helped the Spring engine build up a class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-awesome-free-opensource-games-enjoy-windows-mac-linux/">roster of games that will please even the most seasoned RTS fan.

There are also a selection of commercial projects, but it’s the free ones I’ll be focusing on in this article.

id="more-62244">

The Engine

Licensed under the class="vt-p" href="http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html">GNU GPL, the engine is free to download, use and adapt upon. The development team comprises of community members who have surpassed the project’s initial aims of bringing Total Annihilation into 3D, with support for all the mods and third-party extras the original could handle.

Spring is a desirable platform for developers as it has evolved to support some fairly advanced features and is limited solely by the hardware you have available. Within one arena there is support for up to 30,000 units with 250 players taking part with deformable maps, realistic weapon trajectories and varied units, economy and maps.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/spring.jpg" alt="strategy game engine" width="580" height="359" />

In order to play games that make use of the Spring RTS engine, you’ll need a minimum of: 1GHz single core CPU, 512MB of RAM and a graphics card with 64MB of VRAM. The minimum install is 200MB, and this depends on what else you’re after (be it extra maps, units or add-ons).

If you really want to get the most out of the engine then these requirements shoot up to a 2GHz processor, 1GB or more RAM and a 256MB GeForce 6600 or better. Your install directory can also reach several gigabytes if you’re determined to try the lot, so class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-analyze-your-disk-usage-pattern-in-linux/">make sure you’ve got space.

Installing Games

For Windows the install process is fairly straightforward. You simply need to class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Download">download the Spring installer executable, run it and you’ll be able to choose from a selection of games to install as optional components during the install procedure.

You are also able to download maps and mods from a link within the Spring client. This community-made video explains the ins and outs of getting to grips with the Windows setup procedure and the client in general:

classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="460" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ll58N26aDgU" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="460" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ll58N26aDgU">

For Linux users there is a class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/SetupGuide">setup guide to follow, and if you’re using Ubuntu or a package that uses Synaptic then you only need to punch a couple of lines into the console before you’ll be playing.

Note: Linux users will need to add the class="vt-p" href="https://launchpad.net/~spring/+archive/ppa?field.series_filter=maverick">Spring repository and install (or update) from there to use the latest versions.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/repositories-package-management-ubuntu/">Ubuntu users can open Terminal and use:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:spring/ppa /> sudo apt-get update /> sudo apt-get upgrade

Some games have their own individual installers, but for most you’ll simply need to place the main game files in your Spring “mods” folder and maps into the “maps” folder.

Whilst many of the games are focused on pure class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/multiplayer-war-games-fps-assaultcube/">multiplayer mayhem, some have single player campaigns and full support for bots so you can play on your own if you feel like it.

The Games

Here’s a selection of four of my favourite Spring derivatives. Some of these are stable and popular titles whereas others show promise and demonstrate what the Spring engine is really capable of. You can download more at class="vt-p" href="http://www.springfiles.com/">SpringFiles, or check out the official Spring class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Games">games page.

class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Balanced_Annihilation">Balanced Annihilation

Currently the most popular game utilising the Spring strategy game engine, Balance Annihilation provides players with a very in-depth, tactical and competitive online battlefield. The game is home to many refugees from the original Total Annihilation and new players are encouraged to read class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Balanced_Annihilation:Starting_With_TA">this guide before jumping in.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ba.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="348" />

Regarded as a mature and well-developed game, updates now only include minor tweaks as opposed to big upgrades. Tactical options open to each player invariably shape the way each game is played out, with strategies focusing on map control, air superiority and aggression amongst others.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.spring1944.org/">Spring: 1944

Still under development, the only World War II themed Spring game to date has a keen following thanks to the aspirations of the development team. Eventually the team would like to create four playable sides (Britain, the US, Germany and the USSR) with historically accurate units and attributes.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1944.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="423" />

At present you can play with German and British troops, which is good enough for a very tactical game of toy soldiers. Like many of the other Spring games, 1944 strives for realism so you might benefit from reading class="vt-p" href="http://www.spring1944.org/wiki/doku.php?id=guide">the documentation first.

class="vt-p" href="http://zero-k.info/">Zero-K

Once known as Complete Annihilation, Zero-K is another dynamic and action packed RTS that promises to provide hassle-free tactical gameplay. Perhaps the most impressive aspect are the hundreds of available units that shape your tactical choices, and the game’s eventual outcome.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/zerok.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="435" />

Whilst continuing to be a very in-depth game, aspects are simplified like the streamlined economy which requires careful monitoring of resources but little in the way of micromanagement. Zero-K makes for a very balanced and approachable game in an often over-complicated genre. As always, if it’s your first game you’ll probably benefit from class="vt-p" href="http://zero-k.info/guide-newbie.php">reading the guide.

class="vt-p" href="http://www.imperialwinter.com/">Star Wars: Imperial Winter

Completely free and unofficial, this non-Lucas Arts RTS is set in the politically unstable post-Return of the Jedi universe and should keep even the most dedicated Star Wars fans happy.

style="text-align: center;"> class="alignnone size-full wp-image-62248" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/starwars.jpg" alt="strategy game engine" width="580" height="464" />

With more than a hundred units available for either the Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire, this free community-driven project attempts to provide more units than any game released under the Star Wars guise yet.

Currently in beta, this one’s worth keeping an eye on if you’re a strategy-obsessed fan of the Force.

Conclusion

Whilst many of the games on the Spring strategy game engine are still in need of time, developers and refinement – some are ready for you to play right now. If you are an class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dyson-ambient-real-time-strategy-game/">avid RTS fan, longing for a decent multiplayer effort to latch onto then there’s bound to be something using this engine that ticks the box. Hopefully the Mac version will be stable enough for a proper release soon.

Do RTS games do it for you? Have you got any favourite Spring based games and maps? Let us know in the comments. />
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Diaspora Preview – All You Need to Know About The New “Open Source Facebook”

admin — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:48:34 +0000

style="border: 0px none;margin-left:20px;float:right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/intro1.jpg" alt="open source facebook"/>For a project that received $10,000 funding within the first 12 days of its announcement, href="http://joindiaspora.com">Diaspora has quite a lot to live up to. When you factor in that the funding href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/196017994/diaspora-the-personally-controlled-do-it-all-distr">eventually reached $200,641 and donors to the project include Facebook frontman Mark Zuckerburg (describing it as a “cool idea”) then this href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-5-best-open-source-social-networking-software/">open-source social network venture starts to sound quite exciting.

The word diaspora originated from the Greek meaning “a scattering of seeds”, an apt name for any decentralised social network. In modern usage, a diaspora is defined as a group migration, but will the promise of tighter security and an open source attitude be enough to tempt people away from social media giants like href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/is-facebook-safer-than-myspace/">Facebook or MySpace?

id="more-54237">

What’s It For?

Diaspora came about when a group of New York University students from the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science were inspired by a speech about freedom and privacy online. Columbia University law professor Eben Moglen described centralised social networks as “spying for free” and the developers came up with Diaspora.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/diaspofficial.jpg" alt="open source facebook"/>

On April 24 2010, the project was announced on href="http://www.kickstarter.com">Kickstarter. Within a few weeks the team had a few hundred thou’ in the bank, a goal to aim for and the open-source world on their side.

The developers aim to create an alternative social network, with the added option of choosing where your data is stored rather than have it sit on the same centralised server. They’re also pretty big on keeping work and play separate, so your boss remains oblivious to what you get up to on a Friday night.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/workmates.jpg" alt="open source facebook"/>

The project’s main “opposition” (for want of a better word) is undoubtedly Facebook, which has been making headlines for a while over security lapses and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-complete-guide-to-facebook-privacy/">privacy boo-boos. Even if the project isn’t a massive success, Diaspora’s direct approach with privacy and data security will hopefully further encourage Facebook and pals to improve things on their side.

So How Does It Work?

Users are able to set up their own servers (known as “seeds”) to store their data, these seeds can then interact with other seeds to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/review-of-5-online-photo-sharing-sites-as-free-alternatives-to-flickr/">share photos, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/dir/openbook-search-facebook-status-updates/">status updates and everything else the internet likes to do.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/status.jpg" alt="open source facebook alternative"/>

Not everybody needs to set up a seed, but through having these separate “hubs” you are able to choose where your data is hosted – rather than putting it straight on someone else’s servers. Your data remains on the seed you choose, and you have control over what is done with it.

Data migration has also been addressed and developers have said that if a user would like to move data to another seed, Diaspora will support seamless migration from one seed to another and still work afterwards.

Diaspora is still somewhat of a business, much like Facebook. When the platform is finally launched there are plans from the developers to offer paid hosting for seeds, complete with support. Those of you interested in this thinking “No thanks, I’ve got hosting” probably don’t care, as long as you’ve got support for Ruby in your hosting package.

Apart from that, it all reads a bit Facebook really. The main Diaspora interface looks like Facebook though the current version isn’t exactly full of features and consumer-friendly.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/aspects.jpg" alt="open source facebook alternative"/>

The ability to separate your work life and social life is a nice touch, and highly customizable. Diaspora refers to groups of people as “aspects”, and contacts are added to these as required. When you post an update online you can then choose to only post to work, family or even just your drinking buddies.

What State Is It In?

The current build is a developer preview, with a consumer alpha due in October. There’s undoubtedly still a long way to go, but the open-source nature of the project should help move things along.

At the moment you can post status updates, upload photos, add contacts and edit your profile. The current build is also chock-full of security holes, but that’s no surprise as it’s still pre-alpha.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/addfriend.jpg" alt="open source facebook alternative"/>

Developers have promised a “battery of add-on modules” are making their way to Diaspora, and these are intended to enable “any type of communication”. They are also planning their own href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-security-tips-to-protect-yourself-from-instant-messenger-hacks/">instant messenger (because you haven’t got enough of those already) and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/technology-explained-how-does-skype-work/">VoIP integration.

Also on the to-do list is integration with href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/openid-overview-and-four-awesome-providers/">OpenID, to facilitate logging in and the distribution of encrypted backups between seeds. It all sounds great, it’s just not built yet.

Can I Have A Go?

If you do want a play with the current development build then you can register on href="http://openspora.com">Openspora and take a look around. Remember – don’t go adding too many personal details and your wedding photos. This is still a preview!

Those of you who want something a little more stable and actually usable will have wait for that consumer alpha coming in October.

Diaspora is still in its infancy yet already receiving a lot of interest. If you’re concerned about privacy, data protection and what Facebook are planning next then it is probably worth keeping an eye on this one. Whether it’s going to be a real contender for the social networking crown remains to be seen. />
/>NEW: href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/makeuseof/id366921965?mt=8" target="_blank">Download MakeUseOf iPhone App. FREE!

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Open Source Software Can be Found Very Easily!

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:32:25 +0000

Anyone who has used the Internet on a regular basis has heard mention of open source software. However, very few people understand what its full potential is and how it works, and how it can benefit the online community.
Open Source Software is unique because it can be designed by everyone for everyone to use. The intention of the software is to enable every computer user to be able to use it without having to worry about high costs or administrative issues.
In most instances, when software is developed it is done under a cloak of secrecy. Not many people are involved in the design and development phase. With most software, for more details visit to www.page-brand-generator.com there is a huge cost that is associated with it and it is usually this cost that is paid for by the consumer, whereas the development of open source software is completely free from start to finish, and the general online public can download it immediately at no cost.
Open Source Software is not new to the Internet. It has been around for over twenty years. Yet many people still do not understand its scope. This software played a big part in the way the Internet developed. It is the reason why the World Wide Web is free for all to access. Many different Internet providers have converted their browsers to Open Source and have had great success.
When a company installs Open Source Software, they are giving themselves the ability to reach markets that they not ordinarily be able to do business with. All business people know that image is everything, and when they use Open Source Software, for more details visit to www.software-designers-pro.com they are able to contribute something back to the public thereby increasing their popularity with consumers and acquiring customers.
The creators of Open Source Software believe that when you allow the public to view how the software is made, it creates a sense of trust and thereby building a strong and united online community. Those who are dedicated to Open Source Software claim that is more reliable with fewer problems than the commercial counterparts.
The people who contribute to Open Source Software often are talented, caring, and are available to provide customer support when it is needed. They are able to provide a quality product that is far superior to commercial software. They do not do it for the money; they do it for the love of the software and Internet. They do not rush through the process just to get it done and sold, they create a product that everyone can understand and use on a daily basis.
Another benefit to Open Source Software is that anyone who uses the software can contribute his or her ideas to be used. What this means is that the general public can offer their preferences in the development of the software, where commercial software is developed according to the designers preferences.
Finding Open Source Software can be found very easily. By doing a simple Internet search, you will find millions of links to this software.
with time perimeters. The system will automatically search and find the next available appointment for that type of appointment and associated time frame.Yes. You must be set up as an Administrator in order to install and setup MDC for the first time.
Can you work with my medical billing software?
If your software can output the HCFA data as noted above, then we can process your claims for you. However, we do not directly “talk” to your medical billing software for any sort of confirmation process. Also, we cannot circumvent your software and change your claim data. If you have an issue with your software then you must take it up with your software company.If your software can output the HCFA data as noted above, then we can process your claims for you. However, we do not directly “talk” to your medical billing software for any sort of confirmation process. Also, we cannot circumvent your software and change your claim data. If you have an issue with your software then you must take it up with your software company.Yes. As long as our software support agreement is in force you will receive all upgrades and enhancements to our software at no charge.
How do I align the new CMS-1500 and how do I tell MDC to use the new form when printing claims?
To align the new form, select Edit ? Preferences. In the upper left corner, the screen will say Form Type. Make sure you select the 08/05 form. Then enter the nudge parameters. There are separate nudge parameters for the 08/05 form so make sure you select the correct form before entering the nudge parameters and testing the form. Most client have needed to align the form vertically (about 0.25) this selection does not determine what form is used when you print a real claim.Yes.
What reporting capabilities does the software have?
The system comes with a powerful user-friendly custom report generator program which allows you to create your own custom reports and allows you to name them and run them as often as you desire.Yes. Using a static IP address for security, you can retrieve and amend patient data from any location in the world that has internet connectivity.We have very attractive lease rates that are very competitive. This allows you to select a monthly payment plan if you so desire rather than paying for the system upfront.

Windows Vista Screensavers For Windows XP – #1 Source for Screensavers on the Internet

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:43:39 +0000

Windows Vista Screensavers For Windows XP. With screensavers, you can customize your computer the way you like it. You have your own unique personality. You can create your own personality through screensavers.

Get your free screensavers here.

Many web sites will let you download many screensavers for your computer at no cost to you. It’s painless to download and install your screensavers on your personal computer. There are various groups of screensavers you can pick. And so many screensavers that you could spend days just browsing through all the available ones.

A good plan and an easy way in getting screensavers is to utilize a website. Screensaver sites make it easy to search and download screensavers based on your interests.

Download your favorite screensavers here.

Screensavers are beyond than just a picturesque thing. They also have a few advantages. The inactive photograph can aid you to minimize tension. Computers are also not vulnerable to image burn. It is not recommendable to make the image stay for too long in the screen because it would cause the image to burn. Screensavers assure that this does not transpire.

The present screensavers are substantially alike to video games because both are high resolution. They seem to be striking and stunning in 3D. Sound adds different aspect to them. With its moving pictures, it establishes a sensible world. It makes a show of you being inside the portrait. They are much more developed now than they were from the start.

In downloading screensavers, there are number of things you need to keep in mind. To save your Windows Vista Screensavers For Windows XP onto your computer, your computer will need to have free memory in it’s hard drive. You need this to prevent your computer from running slow. Sizable screensaver is more appropriate for the new computer because it will not make your computer run slower.

Also, be certain that your screensaver will be downloaded from a commendable site. Some screensaver sites may contain viruses. Examine carefully the file to see if there are viruses. This can assure that your computer is protected. So move directly.

Choose your style and interest to transform your computer. To read additional info about Windows Vista Screensavers For Windows XP and to get hands on your screensaver, visit here.

DOD source Imac 24

admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:00:48 +0000

test demarrage mac osx sur imac 24″ et meme test avec windows + test day of defeat source

Interview with Untangle: Open Source Network Gateway Apps

admin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 02:04:06 +0000

In this interview, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dirk Morris, Co-Founder & CTO of Untangle. Untangle provides an open source, integrated network gateway solution for small businesses, which includes spam and spyware blocking, web filtering, anti-virus protection, firewall, VPN, and numerous other features. Untangle integrates all of these existing open source network gateway applications into a single application, which can be run on a single server, with a simple user interface. Dirk shares about the tremendous opportunities Untangle has had to reach small businesses, largely due to the fact that their entire product offering is free and open source. He also shares about his personal background and career path, which started on the engineering side, but quickly led him to exciting entrepreneurial opportunities. He also gives some great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, so be sure to check it out!

APPnox » source

4 Open Source Password Managers To Keep Your Passwords Safe

href="http://www.clipperz.com/">Clipperz [ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-of-both-worlds-online-passwords-offline/">Web-based]

href="http://www.yadabyte.com/Yadabyte_Portables.php">Yadabyte Passwords [Windows]

href="https://github.com/zdia/gorilla/wiki/">Password Gorilla [Cross-Platform]

href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/upm/">Universal Password Manager [Cross-Platform; Android]

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href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49622704/">Inkscape Is My Bitch

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href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/art/Jacky-D-Icon-124990687">Jacky D Icon

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/103391176/">Pinkitude For Life

href="http://theshock.deviantart.com/art/Nixie-Pixel-portrait-148411228">Nixie Pixel Portrait

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/162632183/">Jensen Ackles – GIMP Painting

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/205168309/">Ailvhe Ni Faolain

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203639838/">Princess Of The Wind Kingdom

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203949998/">Sweet Candy

href="http://hrum.deviantart.com/art/Attack-of-the-gnome-33389962">Attack Of The Gnome

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No Photoshop: 15 Amazing Logos & Portraits Made With Open Source Tools

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/122430398/">Inkscape 0.47 Contest Entry

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49622704/">Inkscape Is My Bitch

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/77954092/">sm_2

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/120639620/">Bjork Vector Inkscape 2

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/158109316/">Inkscape 0.48 Screen Contest

href="http://uberdiablo-pixels.deviantart.com/art/Jacky-D-Icon-124990687">Jacky D Icon

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/103391176/">Pinkitude For Life

href="http://theshock.deviantart.com/art/Nixie-Pixel-portrait-148411228">Nixie Pixel Portrait

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/162632183/">Jensen Ackles – GIMP Painting

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/205168309/">Ailvhe Ni Faolain

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203639838/">Princess Of The Wind Kingdom

href="http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/203949998/">Sweet Candy

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4 Free Online Multiplayer Source Engine Mods For Half-Life 2

Full Steam Ahead

href="http://www.zombiepanic.org/">Zombie Panic! Source [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/17500/">On Steam]

href="http://www.fortress-forever.com/">Fortress Forever [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/900646/">On Steam]

href="http://www.insmod.org/">Insurgency: Modern Infantry Combat [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/17700">On Steam]

href="http://www.sourcefortsmod.com/">Source Forts [ href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/90034/">On Steam]

Conclusion

The Spring Project – An Open Source Strategy Game Engine With An Impressive Selection of Free Games

The Engine

Installing Games

The Games

class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Balanced_Annihilation">Balanced Annihilation

class="vt-p" href="http://www.spring1944.org/">Spring: 1944

class="vt-p" href="http://zero-k.info/">Zero-K

class="vt-p" href="http://www.imperialwinter.com/">Star Wars: Imperial Winter

Conclusion

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Diaspora Preview – All You Need to Know About The New “Open Source Facebook”

What’s It For?

So How Does It Work?

What State Is It In?

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