Scott Bradford: Off on a Tangent

Software & Technology

Links to software and technology resources including web browsers, creative software, development tools, emulators and virtualizers, LLMs, tech news, web development, and a selection of useful websites and utilities.

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BrowsersCreativeDev.EmulatorsGenerativeNewsOfficeOSTechnicalToolsVM/ContainersWebDevWebsites

Web browsers serve as the gateway to the Internet.

  • Chrome
    Blink-based web browser by Google.
  • Edge
    Blink-based web browser by Microsoft.
  • Falkon
    Blink-based web browser by KDE.
  • Firefox
    Gecko-based web browser by Mozilla.
  • Ladybird
    A truly independent web browser (work in progress).
  • Pale Moon
    Goanna-based web browser by Moonchild Productions.
  • Safari
    WebKit-based web browser by Apple.
  • Tor Browser
    Gekco-based high-security web browser by the Tor Project.

Creative software and tools for making art, music, and more.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud
    Subscription-based suite of creative applications including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere, Audition, and more.
  • Affinity
    Free, integrated professional design application with raster, vector, and page design capabilities (by Canva).
  • Audacity
    Cross-platform, open source audio editing and recording software.
  • Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve
    Free, professional application for video editing, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio production.
  • Blender
    Free, open source tool for creating 3D graphics, models, designs, and videos.
  • Canva
    Free web-based platform for art, graphic design, photo and video editing, and more.
  • Converseen
    Free, open source, cross platform image processing and conversion software.
  • Fender Studio Pro
    Professional digital audio workstation (DAW) software available for purchase or subscription.
  • GIMP
    Free, open source, cross platform raster image editing software.
  • Inkscape
    Free, open source, cross platform vector graphic design software.
  • OBS Studio
    Free, open source, cross platform software for video recording, broadcasting, and live-streaming.
  • Scribus
    Free, open source, cross platform desktop publishing and page design software.
  • Shotcut
    Free, open source, cross platform video editor software.
  • Sweet Home 3D
    Free, open source, cross platform interior design application.

Software development tools, utilities, and references.

  • Filezilla
    Free, open source file transfer software supporting FTP, FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP.
  • Ghidra
    Suite of open source reverse-engineering tools originally developed by the U.S. NSA.
  • Git
    A “free and open source distributed version control system.”
  • Gitea
    Self-hosted web interface for the Git version control system.
  • Github
    Hosted Git-based version control system owned by Microsoft.
  • JetBrains
    Provider of innovative and powerful development environments (free community versions and full-featured subscriptions).
  • MantisBT
    Self-hosting software bug tracking system.
  • Microsoft VS Code
    Open source, cross platform text and code editor by Microsoft.
  • MSYS2
    A “collection of tools and libraries” for “building, installing and running native Windows software.”
  • Notepad++
    Free, open source source text and code editor for Windows.
  • Python
    A “programming language that lets you work quickly and integrate systems more effectively.”
  • RegExr
    An “online tool to learn, build, and test Regular Expressions (RegEx / RegExp).”
  • SYMBL
    Find Unicode characters and symbols, including emojis.
  • wxHexEditor
    A free, open source, cross platform hex editor and disk editor.

Make one kind of device act like another kind of device . . . because you can.

  • 86box
    A “low level x86 emulator that runs older operating systems . . . for IBM PC systems and compatibles.”
  • Altirra
    Emulates 8-bit “Atari 400/800, 1200XL, 600/800XL, 130XE, XEGS, and 5200 systems.”
  • AppleWin
    An emulator “supporting different Apple II models and clones.”
  • Basilisk II
    An “open source 68k Macintosh emulator.”
  • Dolphin
    An “emulator for two recent Nintendo video game consoles: the GameCube and the Wii.”
  • DOSBox-X
    An “open-source DOS emulator for running DOS applications and games.”
  • Einstein
    Open source emulator for the Apple Newton handheld platform.
  • GSPlus
    A cross platform emulator for the Apple IIgs, the final and most advanced Apple II.
  • Mesen2
    A “a multi-system emulator” for the Nintendo (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), and relatives.
  • Mini vMac
    A “miniature early Macintosh emulator” emulating the Apple Macintosh Plus.
  • Mupen64Plus
    A “cross-platform plugin-based” Nintendo 64 (N64) emulator.
  • QEMU
    A “generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer” supporting many architectures.
  • RetroArch
    A relatively easy to use “frontend for emulators, game engines[,] and media players.”
  • SDLTRS
    A cross platform emulator for the “Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I/III/4/4P.”
  • Snes9X
    A “freeware Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator.”
  • The Emulator Zone
    A useful resource about emulation of old computers and game systems.
  • VICE
    Emulator of Commodore 8-bit computers including the C64, C128, VIC20, PET, and more.
  • WinUAE
    Emulator of the Commodore Amiga line of computers.

Generative systems, including large language models (LLM) and other generative models (which are not “AIs,” despite marketing claims to the contrary).

  • ChatGPT
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by OpenAI.
  • Claude
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Anthropic.
  • Copilot
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Microsoft.
  • Duck.ai
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by DuckDuckGo.
  • Euria
    Switzerland-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Infomaniak.
  • Firefly
    U.S.-based image creation generative models by Adobe.
  • Gemini
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Google.
  • Grok
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by xAI.
  • HuggingChat
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Hugging Face.
  • Labs.Google/FX
    U.S.-based generative models for creating images, videos, etc. by Google.
  • Le Chat
    France-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Mistral.
  • Meta AI
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Meta.
  • Perplexity
    U.S.-based large language model (LLM) chatbot by Perplexity.

Software, technology, and operating system news sources.

  • 9to5Mac
    Outlet dedicated to “breaking exclusive news and being the first to report” about Apple.
  • Android Central
    One of the “oldest and most trusted” news sites covering the Android OS and ecosystem.
  • Ars Technica
    News website about the “technological arts and sciences.”
  • BleepingComputer
    Offers “accurate and relevant information about the latest cybersecurity threats and technology advances.”
  • MacRumors
    The “most popular Apple news and rumor site on the internet.”
  • OSNews
    Technology news website with an emphasis on operating systems, niche and vintage computing, and more.
  • The Register
    A “leading and trusted global online enterprise technology news publication.”
  • The Verge
    Tech website offering “everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations.”
  • Windows Central
    Offers “news, reviews, advice, and buying recommendations” for the Windows, PC, and Xbox ecosystems.

Office software including email, personal information management, documents, and so forth.

  • Betterbird
    An email and productivity application; a “fine-tuned version of Mozilla Thunderbird.”
  • Joplin
    An “open source note-taking app” available on all major platforms.
  • LibreOffice
    A “private, free[,] and open source office suite” available on the main desktop platforms.
  • Microsoft 365 (Office)
    Microsoft’s productivity suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, in desktop, online, and mobile versions.
  • Nextcloud
    A self-hosted cloud solution for file storage, synchronization, productivity, and more.
  • Planify
    A “beautiful . . . task manager that syncs with Todoist and Nextcloud” for Linux (and, soon, other platforms).
  • Zotero
    A “free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, annotate, cite, and share research.”

Operating systems are the fundamental software environments of your computers and devices.

  • Apple iOS
    Apple’s touch-oriented smartphone operating system for the iPhone.
  • Apple iPadOS
    Apple’s hybrid touch- and desktop-oriented tablet operating system for the iPad.
  • Apple MacOS
    Apple’s desktop-oriented operating system for its Macintosh desktop and laptop computers.
  • Debian
    The Linux-based “universal operating system” with an emphasis on stability and flexibility.
  • EndeavourOS
    A “rolling” Linux-based operating system derived from Arch; emphasis on being up-to-date.
  • Google Android
    Google’s touch-oriented smartphone operating system for the Pixel and third-party devices.
  • Google ChromeOS
    Google’s desktop-oriented operating system for first- and third-party Chromebooks and similar devices.
  • Haiku
    An “open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing;” inspired by BeOS.
  • Microsoft Windows
    Microsoft’s desktop-oriented operating system for the Surface and third-party PC desktops and laptops.
  • Tangential
    My own customized GNU/Linux installation in two editions: DE (Debian) and EOS (EndeavourOS).

Technical software and tool for mathematical, specialty, and similar purposes.

  • CHIRP
    A “free, open-source tool for programming your radio,” including most modern amateur radios.
  • FreeCAD
    A parametric 3D modeler for computer-aided design (CAD).
  • Gephi
    An “open source project for visual network analysis” based on nodes and edges.
  • Gramps
    A “genealogy program that is both intuitive for hobbyists and feature-complete for professional genealogists.”
  • LibreCAD
    An open source 2D computer-aided design (CAD) application.
  • ProScan
    Commercial application for programming, managing, and controlling various radio scanners.
  • QElectroTech
    Open source software to “create industrial complex electric diagrams.”
  • Speedcrunch
    A “high-precision scientific calculator featuring a fast, keyboard-driven user interface.”
  • Stellarium
    A powerful “free open source planetarium for your computer.”

Software tools for getting the most out of your systems.

  • 7-Zip
    A “file archiver with a high compression ratio” supporting 7z, ZIP, TAR.GZ, and many other formats.
  • Calibre
    A free, open source desktop e-book library manager, converter, reader, and more.
  • DeDRM Tools
    Tools for removing restrictive DRM from e-books you bought and have a right to use, convert, and archive.
  • Deskflow
    Open source, cross platform KVM software for controlling multiple computers from one keyboard and mouse.
  • Display Fusion
    Commercial application for managing displays, desktop backgrounds, shortcuts, and taskbars on Windows.
  • FileLight
    A cross platform, open source “application to visualize the disk usage on your computer” by KDE.
  • MediaMonkey
    A “media manager for serious collectors” for organizing music and video content.
  • Microsoft PowerToys
    A “set of free Microsoft Windows utilities for power users to tune and streamline” their systems.
  • NirSoft Utilities
    A “unique collection of small and useful freeware utilities” for Windows made by Nir Sofer.
  • Remote Desktop Manager
    A powerful remote connection manager supporting remote protocols like SSH, VNC, RDP, and many more.
  • RustDesk
    A self-hosted, open source remote desktop application with support for all major platforms.
  • SMPlayer
    A “free media player for Windows and Linux . . . that can play virtually all video and audio formats.”
  • Stardock Start11
    Commercial application to replace the Windows “Start Menu” with a more reliable and configurable alternative.
  • Syncovery
    Commercial application; the “ultimate sync, backup, copy and migration tool.”
  • Tails
    A “portable operating system that protects against surveillance and censorship.”
  • TrayStatus
    Commercial application to add useful status widgets to the Windows system tray.
  • UniGetUI
    A “graphical interface for your package managers” on Windows; supports Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, and others.
  • VeraCrypt
    A cross platform “free open source disk encryption” application (derived from TrueCrypt).

Virtualization and container technology for running systems within systems.

  • Docker
    An open source system for containerization on desktops and servers.
  • Oracle VirtualBox
    An open source “general-purpose full virtualization” system for “laptop, desktop, server and embedded use.”
  • Portainer CE
    Open source self hosted solution for managing containerized services (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.).
  • QEMU
    A “generic and open source machine emulator and virtualizer” supporting many architectures.
  • VMWare Workstation & Fusion
    The “industry standard desktop hypervisors;” Workstation for Windows and Linux and Fusion for Macs.

Web development and Internet technologies, including useful libraries and toolkits.

  • 11ty (Eleventy)
    A “a simpler static site generator” for modern development of simple websites.
  • Bootstrap
    A “powerful, extensible, and feature-packed frontend toolkit” for modern websites.
  • DaisyUI
    A CSS design framework that extends (and simplifies) the Tailwind CSS framework.
  • DDEV
    An open source “local development environment for web developers” that is fast and easy to use.
  • Fontsource
    A “collection of open-source fonts that are packaged into individual NPM packages for self-hosting in your web applications.”
  • GLightbox
    A “pure JavaScript lightbox with mobile and video support.”
  • Iconify Design
    A toolbox “to give developers freedom to choose icons” from many open source icon sets.
  • Leaflet
    An “open-source JavaScript library for mobile-friendly interactive maps.”
  • MariaDB Community Server (SQL)
    “One of the most popular database servers in the world;” “created by MySQL’s original developers.”
  • MDN
    A broad collection of “resources for developers, by developers,” including documentation for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
  • Node.js
    A “free, open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment.”
  • PHP
    A “popular general-purpose scripting language that is especially suited to web development.”
  • Playwright
    A “fast and reliable” cross platform, open source system for end-to-end testing in multiple browser engines.
  • SASS
    The “most mature, stable, and powerful professional grade CSS extension language in the world.”
  • Tailwind CSS
    A “utility-first CSS framework” that “can be composed to build any design, directly in your markup.”
  • W3C
    The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C); “develops standards and guidelines” for the Internet.
  • Webmaster Tools – Bing
    Microsoft Bing’s search engine management tools for webmasters.
  • Webmaster Tools – Google
    Google’s search engine management tools for webmasters.
  • Webpack
    A toolkit “used to compile JavaScript modules” and pack assets for deployment on the Internet.
  • WHATWG
    The Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group (WHATWG) manages HTML and other Internet standards.
  • WordPress
    An “open source publishing platform” for “creators and small businesses to enterprises.”

Useful and interesting websites that don’t really fit anywhere else.

  • Creative Commons
    An organization that “empowers people to grow and sustain the thriving commons of shared knowledge and culture.”
  • Instapaper
    A tool that “lets you save, read, and manage the things you find on the Internet.”
  • My Abandonware
    A “video game museum on the web” that preserves “great software created in the 80s and 90s.”
  • NewsBlur
    A “personal news reader” service for organizing, managing, and reading syndicated content from across the Internet.
  • Old Games Download
    A website “archiving abandoned video games from the 1970s until now.”
  • Spotify
    Listen to “unlimited songs and podcasts with occasional ads,” or subscribe for ad-free listening.
  • Vetusware
    The “biggest free abandonware downloads collection in the universe;” tons of old software and games.
  • Wayback Machine
    The Internet Archive’s massive collection of “more than 1 trillion web pages saved over time.”
  • WinWorld
    An “online museum dedicated to the preservation and sharing of vintage, abandoned, and pre-release software.”

Scott Bradford is a writer and technologist who has been putting his opinions online since 1995. He believes in three inviolable human rights: life, liberty, and property. He is a Catholic Christian who worships the trinitarian God described in the Nicene Creed. Scott is a husband, nerd, pet lover, and AMC/Jeep enthusiast with a B.S. degree in public administration from George Mason University.