Visual Studio 2008

The Visual Studio Express Editions are an expansion of the Visual Studio and SQL Server product line to include fun, simple and easy-to-learn tools for non-professional developers like hobbyists, students and novice developers who want to build dynamic Windows applications, Web sites, and Web services. The Express products consist of:

• Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition - Productivity that is ideal for first time or casual Windows programming
• Visual C# 2008 Express Edition – A great combination of power and productivity for the Windows developer
• Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition – Horsepower with a finer degree of control than other Express Editions
• Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition – An easy-to-use environment for dynamic Web application development
• SQL Server 2005 Express and SQL Server Compact Edition – A powerful and easy-to-use set of databases to complement each Express Edition

Homepage: http://www.microsoft.com/express/

TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is free open-source disk encryption software for Windows Vista/XP, Mac OS X, and Linux. Main Features:

• Creates a virtual encrypted disk within a file and mounts it as a real disk.
• Encrypts an entire partition or storage device such as USB flash drive or hard drive.
• Encrypts a partition or drive where Windows is installed (pre-boot authentication).
• Encryption is automatic, real-time (on-the-fly) and transparent.
• Provides two levels of plausible deniability, in case an adversary forces you to reveal the password.
• Encryption algorithms: AES-256, Serpent, and Twofish. Mode of operation: XTS.

Homepage: http://www.truecrypt.org

HandBrake

HandBrake is an open-source, GPL-licensed, multiplatform, multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 converter, available for MacOS X, Linux and Windows.

Homepage: http://handbrake.fr

Audacity

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

Homepage: http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Visual3D

Visual3D.NET™ is the first shader-based 3D engine and design toolset built on Microsoft .NET and XNA designed to simplify rapid creation of:

• Next-generation PC and Xbox 360 games
• Massive-multiplayer online games (MMOs)
• Interactive visualizations
• Training simulations
• and other 3D virtual worlds

Homepage: http://www.visual3d.net

XNA Game Studio

XNA Game Studio Express is a new game development solution targeted primarily at students, hobbyists, and independent game developers. XNA Game Studio Express is based on Visual C# Express 2005 and lets developers create games for both Windows and Xbox 360. XNA Game Studio Express contains the following:

• The XNA Framework, a set of managed code development libraries that make it possible for game developers to be more productive when creating games for Windows and the Xbox 360.
• The XNA Framework Content Pipeline, a set of tools that allow developers to more easily incorporate 3D content into their games
• XNA Game Studio Express also contains a full set of documentation, how-tos, and starter kits that demonstrate how best to use the content pipeline and XNA Framework.
• XNA Game Studio Express runs side-by-side with other versions of Visual Studio without interference
• XNA Game Studio Express has now been released, and can be found here. It supports both Windows and Xbox 360 game development.

Homepage: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna

Google Documents

Create and share your work online:

• Create, edit and upload quickly
• Import your existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations, or create new ones from scratch.
• Access and edit from anywhere
• All you need is a Web browser. Your documents are stored securely online.
• Share changes in real time
• Invite people to your documents and make changes together, at the same time.

Homepage: docs.google.com

Softimage|XSI Mod Tool

Mod Tool is packed with the same 3D modeling and animation tools that the pros use to create triple-A titles like Half Life 2, including:

• The world's fastest subdivision surface modeler, so you can work efficiently with intuitive XSI tools that make 3D modeling feel like sculpting.
• The world’s best polygon reduction engine: works reliably with millions of polygons, quadrangulates meshes, and preserves volume and detail.
• Fast, flexible animation tools that make it easy to pose and keyframe your characters.
• An interactive texture editor that lets you unfold UVs and place texture maps precisely.
• Ultimapper: generate normal, ambient occlusion, difference, light, and albedo maps in just a few clicks.
• Crosswalk import/export: Mod Tool is Crosswalk enabled, so you can import and export content to and from other applications using the dotXSI, COLLADA and FBX file formats.
• Net View: a built-in web browser that you can use to access the tools, sample content, and training material that comes with Mod Tool.

Homepage: http://softimage.com/products/modtool/

Glest

Glest is a free 3D real time strategy game, available for several operating systems and that can be modified using XML and a set of tools. The core game allows the player to take control of two completely different factions: Tech, which is mainly composed of warriors and mechanical devices, and Magic, that prefers mages and summoned creatures in the battlefield.

Homepage: http://www.glest.org

Brava! Reader

Brava! Reader is a free PDF Viewer, TIFF Viewer and CSF (content sealed format) Viewer. View and print TIFF, PDF and CSF files. Brava! Reader opens files quickly without startup delay and runs either as a desktop application or as an ActiveX with IE. TIFF imaging supports, monochrome (fax) and color, multi-page and oversize high resolution images. CSF files are persistent rights protected published files created by the free Net-It(r) Now, Brava Desktop and Net-It CAD content publishing applications. CSF is a compressed format that encompasses our Visual Rights persistent security that includes password protection, onscreen banners, print, and other feature restrictions, etc. Looking for a faster TIFF or PDF viewer - give Brava! Reader a try.

Homepage: http://www.bravaviewer.com

Penumbra

Penumbra is a free, first-person horror adventure game that uses the latest graphics technologies and physics to create an immersive game world. The protagonist finds himself in an underground base searching for his lost father. It´s dark, scary, and dangerous.

Homepage: http://frictionalgames.com

F.E.A.R. Combat

F.E.A.R. Combat is a free multiplayer component from the original PC first-person shooter F.E.A.R., which lets you play against the owners of the retail version of F.E.A.R. as well as the other F.E.A.R. Combat users.

Homepage: http://www.joinfear.com

CC Cleaner

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!

Homepage: http://www.ccleaner.com

Punto Switcher

Automatic keyboard layout switcher. Officially free.

Homepage: http://punto.ru

Video DVD Maker

Video DVD Maker features:

- Capture video from any video device (DV camera, web camera, TV tuner, etc.)
- Import any video file (AVI, DIVX, XVID, MP4, MPG, WMV, ASF, MOV, FLV, etc.)
- Burn to any type of media (CD R/RW, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD DL, etc.)
- DVD Video, Video CD, Super Video CD
- Intuitive user interface

Homepage: http://protectedsoft.com

DVD Flick

DVD Flick aims to be a simple but at the same time powerful DVD Authoring tool. It can take a number of video files stored on your computer and turn them into a DVD that will play back on your DVD player, Media Center or Home Cinema Set. You can add additional custom audio tracks as well as subtitles of your choice.

Homepage: http://www.dvdflick.net

AIM

AIM helps you manage your busy social life. Challenge them to fierce online games, make your stories come to life with photo sharing and much more. Plus, your AIM buddy profile is a great place to leave taunting messages for your friends. Sometimes you have to hear it to believe it. Use Voice Chat to go from typing to talking with anyone on your Buddy List window. Talk all you want because it's free*. *No equipment installation required. All that's needed is a computer with speakers and a microphone. A headset or USB phone and high-speed connection are recommended, but optional. Look your buddies in the eye while you chat with them. Video chat lets you switch from an Instant Message chat to a high-quality video conference.

Homepage: http://www.aim.com

ICQ

ICQ was the first instant messenger client available - pioneered by Mirabilis in 1996. For many years ICQ was the most popular client on the market, but lately it has been surpassed by MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and others. However, ICQ still has many advanced features and has been the first to introduce a number of cutting edge functionalities - such as sending SMSes. Apart from standard chat ICQ also supports video and voice (VoIP) chat. Skinning is also an important part of ICQ allowing people to change the look and feel for their ICQ client. ICQ is available in virtually any language.

Homepage: http://www.icq.com

Agent Mail.Ru

Freeware IM messenger with audio and video chat.

Homepage: http://agent.mail.ru

ooVoo

ooVoo is the next evolution in online communication — a remarkably easy way to have a face-to-face video conversation with friends, family or colleagues, no matter where they are in the world. ooVoo is remarkably easy to use: easy to download, easy to install, and best of all: it's FREE!

Homepage: http://www.oovoo.com

Windows Live Messenger

Windows Live Messenger is the next-generation MSN Messenger. It has everything you already love about Messenger—your contact list, emoticons, and instant access to your friends via text, voice, and video—plus new ways to connect and share photos and documents effortlessly. As always, it's free to download Messenger and use most of its features.

Homepage: http://get.live.com/messenger/overview

Sightspeed

SightSpeed Video Chat lets you connect with all your friends and family easily. Make video calls, phone calls, and send video mails and text messages to everyone in your network, anywhere in the world.

Homepage: http://www.sightspeed.com/personal

Wengo

OpenWengo is a community of enthusiasts and developers, creating free software products related to communication over IP. The flagship product of the OpenWengo project is a softphone which allows you to make free PC to PC video and voice calls, and to integrate all your IM contacts in one place.

Homepage: http://www.openwengo.org