Free tools and software for IT student

Ok this will be my first attempt to list the free tools I commonly used. I hope I could list them all, I personaly use these software. In each category, I will be arranging them from favorite down to all other known. If you want to know about these tools, just google them, I will not provide here their sites and download page.

Editor:
- Notepad++ (multi language editor i.e C++, PHP, ASP, SH, PY, Assembly, Java, Javascript, Pascal, Perl, etc). This also install perfect on Linux using wine.
- PHP Designer (Personal is free for none commercial, neat color scheme)
- Eclipse (Multi Language install on Windows and Linux, its java based), though I find this one resource eater.

Operating System
- Linux CentOS
- Linux Kubuntu (Ubuntu)

Database:
- MySQL Server
- Mysql GUI/IDE's made by Mysql

Http Server:
- Apache

Scripting interpreter:
- PHP
- Java

Compiler:
- GCC

Browser:
- Chrome (good debugging features)
- Firefox (install firebug for debugging features, wide extensions to choose from)

Email Client:
- Thunder Bird

Others:
- Xampp/Lampp: This is one of the easiest installer the could install apache, php, tomcat and perl just by few clicks. Xampp for windows and Lampp for linux.
- Skype: Best quality in terms of voice and video from the rest if IM client
- Google Desktop: Multi usage (find the gadget you like), it surpases the default sidebar of Vista.
- FlashGet: Download manager (best to have this first before downloading the other tools).


I think that are enough to create a good system. I will followup this Free Tools and Software soon, but the next one is for all users and not limited to IT student.

A trial of MS Vista.

I am a Software Engineer, my career requires computer OS testing for deffining limitations and compatibility. Besides from linux distro, I my self at home has a Windows XP installed up to present. 

I have no plans on upgrading to Vista or Win7 untill one of my friend said that I should try Vista and give it a shot. So I borrowed his Vista OEM and make my self have a partition for it to install. Hey!!! somebody might react that I borrowed a software, Yah and its an OEM license, means I cant activate it. 

I only need to try Vista if it is worth upgrading from my WindowsXP, so I will have a 30 days to try it before it locks. By then I have to decide if I should upgrade from WindowsXP since it reached its life span according to MS, or just stick to it since It is too cool and already comportable with it.  This post might me too late for review of Vista so I will not put any details of its features. 

I just thought that I just need to know. Untill my trial end, before, If I will be, purchasing license for Vista, I will post an enough reason for this opening. Untill then, this post is not close. 

Cheers

Start a new beggining?

Its 2009, my first day at the office. Also i have my first leave yesterday. I will try to be active this year on this blog. And what more someone can read these year is much more about;

• Moving from MS Windows to Linux
• All about software
• Linux how to for newbie
• Why staying my toe on MS Windows

And I will continue expressing thoughts more often.

Happy New Year!!!