The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.99c (a CD of open source software for Windows) is available for download.

The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.98 (a CD of open source software for Windows) is available for download.

Changelog summary :

• Date created : February 3rd, 2009
• File name : ttcs_osswin_cd_v1.98.iso
• File size : 693 MB (726,781,952 bytes)
• MD5 checksum : bd995787bd8c9e2c02494facae7e569d / bd995787 bd8c9e2c 02494fac ae7e569d
• SHA-1 : 4fc17df1 fff099e0 497d9e47 4ce276e4 5162f360
• SHA-256 : bf5d02b0 eb1321f8 e3ef2d9e 6829cc3a 52bf88ab 71672c9c 94441cba f67b4ffa

Changes from v1.97

• updated : OpenOffice.org, Abiword, GanttProject, 7-zip, WinMerge, Wikidpad, Treeline, Tux Typing 2, TuxMath, Maxima, Portable Puzzle Collection, Sokoban YASC, GIMP, Dia, Mozilla Thunderbird, Filezilla, Miranda IM, Hmailserver, VirtualDub, UltraVNC
• corrected : Grisbi download to include the GTK version.

Although the web based interface looks no different from previous versions, the method of updating and generating the web pages interface was rewritten. Now, the TTCS can generate different versions of open source CDs and DVDs, as discussed before.

The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.97, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software for Windows is available for download.

The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.96, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software for Windows is available for download.

• Date created : November 19th, 2008
• File name : ttcs_osswin_cd_v1.96.iso
• File size : 689 MB (722,694,144 bytes)
• MD5 checksum : 35da602a6687be450d44439a9acbab8a / 35da602a 6687be45 0d44439a 9acbab8a
• SHA-1 : 85c32d4e d5fddbd8 a618e609 bef931dc ee6b8513
• SHA-256 : ec06766f 439a4258 ffd2091a aaec9f97 a69e5f25 38843273 5e74d988 016e2591

Changes from v1.95

• removed : Win9X version of Notepad2
• updated : GanttProject, Notespad2, WinMerge, Wikidpad, Treeline, Portable Puzzle Collection, GIMP, Blender, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Filezilla, Miranda IM, Hmailserver, VideoLAN, ClamWin Free Antivirus, InfraRecorder, Truecrypt, Keepass.

The Filefront mirror has TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.96 ; other mirrors at http://ttcsweb.org/osswin-cd/ should have the latest version soon.

Now, regarding translations, I’m aware that the TTCS OSSWIN CD is being translated in different languages. I’ll will be posting an article on how the CD interface is generated, and would make the source files available to those who wish to translate the CD.

The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.95, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software for Windows is available for download. This versions features OpenOffice.org v3, Gimp 2.6.1, Mozilla Firefox v3.0.3 and more. Head to the download page or read below for the changes

Screenshot of OpenOffice.org v3

TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.95 file details

• Date created : October 14th, 2008
• File name : ttcs_osswin_cd_v1.95.iso
• File size : 690 MB (723,947,520 bytes)
• MD5 checksum : 9e5954e32ded61234eee7436721a18da / 9e5954e3 2ded6123 4eee7436 721a18da
• SHA-1 : 69a81c86 91a53ab6 4a227ebb 85048a2c 9450e78c
• SHA-256 : a8eff099 0e0aaf29 a046228c ca309016 68c342a6 8ac6a45e f3b64ffe 80c69d09

The increased size of the OpenOffice.org v3 installer means more programs had to be cut from the CD. The following were removed from TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.95 :

• Freeciv, SANS, Wackget, Win9x versions of Media Player Classic and Miranda IM

List of programs on the TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.95 :

• Desktop Applications
  • OpenOffice.org 3.0 free productivity suite compatible with all major office suites
  • AbiWord 2.6.4 Free Word processing program similiar to commercial products
  • GanttProject 2.0.7 Gantt chart based project scheduling and management tool
  • Grisbi 0.5.9 personal finance manager
  • 7-Zip 4.57 file archiver with high compression ratio.
  • Rainlendar 0.22.1 displays skinnable calendar on your desktop
  • Programmers Notepad 2.0.8 text editor with special features for coders
  • Notepad2 2.1.19 text editor with the look and feel of Notepad but with more features
  • Sumatra PDF 0.9.3 slim, portable, open-source PDF viewer for Windows.
  • WinMerge 2.10.0 WinMerge is a Win32 tool for visual difference display and merging, for both files and directories.
  • ConvertAll 0.4.2 Unit Conversion program
  • GTD TiddlyWiki Plus 2.1.3 complete wiki contained in a single HTML file.
  • Wikidpad 1.8rc16 Wiki-like notebook for storing anything you can think of to write down
  • TreeLine 1.2.0 store your data in a tree structure to keep things organised
• Educational
  • GraphCalc 4.0.1 an enhanced calculator application that can solve equations
  • Tux Paint 0.9.20b Tux Paint is a free drawing program designed for children
  • Tux Typing 2 1.5.17 “Tux Typing” is an educational typing tutor for children
  • TuxMath 1.6.3 “Tux, of Math Command” is an educational typing tutor for children
  • Celestia 1.5.1 Freeware Educational Astronomy Program
  • Stellarium 0.10.0 Map the night sky on your computer
  • MegaTrack 1.4 track storms on a map
  • Maxima 5.16.3 A sophisticated computer algebra system
  • Childsplay 0.85.1 Childsplay is a ’suite’ of educational games for young children
  • The Babbleback Machine 1.0 Records and Playback voice game
• Games
  • Kobo Deluxe 0.5.1 space ship “shoot-them-up” style game
  • Tux Racer 0.61a Race down the mountain as Tux the penguin
  • Crack Attack 1.1.14 fast-paced puzzle game inspired by the classic Super NES title Tetris Attack!
  • FloboPuyo 0.20 Clone of the famous PuyoPuyo
  • Anagramarama 0.2 Create as many words from the given letters
  • Portable Puzzle Collection r8200 collection of small one-player puzzle games
  • Sokoban YASC 1.435 Yet Another Sokoban Clone – for Windows
  • Pengupop 2.2.2 online multiplayer clone of Frozen Bubble/Bust a move
  • Pang Zero 1.3 fast paced action game that involves popping balloons with a harpoon.
  • NeverBall 1.4.0 tilt the floor to roll a ball through an obstacle course
  • Armagetron Advanced 0.2.8.2.1 action game modeled after the lightcycle sequence of the movie Tron ; supports multiplayer over LAN
  • pouetChess 0.1.1 3D chess
  • Enigma 1.01 find and uncover pairs of stones. Based on Oxyd
  • Critical Mass 1.0.0 space shoot’em up game with gameplay similiar to Galaga
  • Space Invaders OpenGL 0.6.1 An OpenGL version of the classic arcade game
  • LBreakout2 2.5.1 Use your paddle to aim a ball at bricks until all bricks are destroyed
  • FooBillard 3.0 OpenGL-based billiards (pool) game with realistic physics, AI-player and many gametypes such as pool carambol or snooker.
  • SuperTux 0.1.3 a 2D jump ‘n run sidescroller game.
• Graphics
  • GIMP 2.6.1 bitmap editor suitable for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring.
  • Paint.NET 3.36 image and photo editing tool for Windows XP and greater
  • Blender 2.47 3D modeling, animation, rendering application
  • Dia 0.96.1-8 A diagram creation program program similiar to “Visio”
  • Cornice 0.6.1 Image Viewer for both Linux and Windows
  • Inkscape 0.46 scalable vector graphics format (SVG) drawing tool
• Internet
  • Mozilla Firefox 3.0.3 Award-winning Web browser that’s fast, secure, and easy to use
  • Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.17 powerful e-mail and newsgroup client.
  • FileZilla 3.1.3.1 fast FTP and SFTP client
  • Halite 0.3.1 download files via BitTorrent, a client file-sharing protocol created to overcome the obstacles of transferring large files over the Internet
  • Thingamablog 1.1b6 standalone blogging application
  • Kompozer 0.7.10 a WYSIWYG HTML editor to create/edit webpages without necessary knowledge of HTML
  • tsWebEditor 2.2.20.79 text editor with syntax highlighting and code completion
  • HTTrack Website Copier 3.43 HTTrack is a free and easy-to-use offline browser utility.
  • Miranda IM 0.7.10 A multi-protocol instant messenger (IM) client
  • Poptray 3.2 POP3 Mail checker
  • Juice 2.2 The cross-platform podcast receiver
  • wxDownload Fast 0.6.0 Open Source Download Manager
• Server
  • XAMPP Lite 1.6.8 Bundled web server containing Apache, PHP and MySQL
  • Hmailserver 4.4.1 – Build 273 Free Email server supporting POP and SMTP
• Sound and Video
  • Audacity 1.2.6 Free sound editor
  • Gungirl Sequencer 0.3.1 Sequencer
  • Hydrogen 0.9.4-svn Advanced Drum Machine
  • VirtualDub 1.8.6 VirtualDub is a video capture/processing utility
  • MusikCube 1.0 Music “library” application similar to iTunes
  • CoolPlayer build 219 Audio Player similar to Winamp
  • VideoLAN 0.9.4 VLC is a multimedia player for various audio and video formats
  • Media Player Classic 6.4.9.0 Media Player Classic is an all-in-one video player
• Utilities
  • PDFCreator 0.9.6 easily create Adobe Acrobat® PDFs from any Windows application that can print.
  • ClamWin Free AntiVirus 0.94 ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003.
  • WinPooch 0.6.6 detects and blocks programs (such as trojans or spyware) attempting to modify your Windows 2000 and later system
  • LetMeType v1.81 helps you enter frequently-typed text strings in Windows applications
  • WinDirStat 1.1.2 disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Microsoft Windows
  • InfraRecorder 0.45 CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows
  • PathSync 0.35 an interactive directory (path) synchronizer for windows
  • UltraVNC v1.0.5.1 remotely control a computer over TCP/IP
  • Virtual Dimension 0.94 A free, fast and feature-filled virtual desktop manager for Windows.
  • Virtual Magnifying Glass v3.3.1 screen magnification tool for Windows
  • TaskSwitchXP 2.0.11 replacement for the standard Windows Alt-Tab dialog
  • Folder Size 2.4 adds a new column to the Details view in Windows Explorer to show the size of folders.
  • Safarp 0.5 fast alternative to the Add/Remove Control Panel applet to Win2k/XP
  • WinCalendarTime 1.0 enhanced replacement for the Windows clock in the system tray
  • TrueCrypt 6.0a creates on-the-fly-encrypted disk partitions (hard disk, USB flash drive)
  • KeePass 1.13 KeePass is an open-source password safe
  • AxCrypt 1.6.4.4 File Encryption Software for Windows.
  • winMd5Sum 1.0.1.55 Md5 checker
  • WinRoll 2.0 WinRoll easily manages multiple open windows
  • Launchy 2.1.2 The Open Source Keystroke Launcher for Windows
  • Qliner Hotkeys 2.0.1 easily configure Windows keyboard shortcuts for programs
  • Ant Renamer 2.10 makes easier the renaming of lots of files and folders by using specified settings.
  • AutoHotKey 1.0.47.06 scripting language to automate Windows tasks
  • Vital Desktop 1.42 runs screensavers in the Windows desktop.
  • Drempels 1.5.0 a screensaver that can also be run in your Windows background or “desktop”.
  • Really Slick Screensavers 1.0 a collection of OpenGL-based screensavers
  • Spirex 2.23 an OpenGL based 3D screensaver
  • Run With Parameters 1.1.2 Run windows apps with parameters without using a command

BTW, Blender 2.48 has been released. Hate it when there are software updates just hours after uploading the new version of the TTCS OSSWIN CD.

The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) is looking at what to do for a TTCS OSSWIN CD 2.0 release.

Does anything need to change?

One of the big problems encountered with the TTCS OSSWIN CD is the space for programs. Updated versions of programs unfortunately are larger in filesize than their predecessors. Recently, more and more programs had to be removed (see the TTCS OSSWIN CD changelog). So, YES, something needs to change.

Here are several options the TTCS has considered. Ideally, it will be good to have a version 2.0 of the TTCS OSSWIN CD done in time for Software Freedom Day 2008.

Develop a DVD version of the TTCS OSSWIN CD.

A DVD would solve (for now at least) the file size problem and allows for many more programs to be put on a DVD and more material about each program (such as larger screenshots, or short videos, even. There are several concerns, however :

• whether to maintain the TTCS OSSWIN CD concurrently with a DVD version. This relates to the difficulty of maintaining two software collections – it could be done separately but then this introduces more maintainence headaches and I’ve learned that the more hassle something is, the less likely it will be done (data backups anyone?). So IMO, a system has be developed/designed to allow for updates to the CD and DVD versions to be done in one location (ie : updates to the information text and the program is done at one location).
• hosting a DVD might be too much for the third party mirrors for TTCS OSSWIN CD (to whom we cannot thank enough!).
• the interface for a DVD version : the current interface for the CD will probably not work well with more software items in its menu. Already the Utilities section scrolls off the page on lower resolution displays (see screenshot below – there are three more items below Drempels yet on a 1280×1024 display, they are not seen). So a new webpage design needs to be also designed to cater for the many programs on such a DVD.

Drop the games from TTCS OSSWIN CD

With regards to the CD version, a possible option being explored is to drop the games section from the TTCS OSSWIN CD. This will allow space for more programs in the other categories in the short term. Also the easiest option to implement.

It has been suggested by some that the presence of the games might be turning off persons such as business users who may not take the OSS seriously for use in businesses, so the removal may make the CD more “friendly” to its use in businesses.

The downside of this option : no games! Life is no fun without games . A TTCS OSSWIN CD Games edition could be done…which leads to the third option :

Develop multiple editions of TTCS OSSWIN CD

It has been suggested that specific editions of OSSWIN CD be done to target different persons. Two examples : a TTCS OSSWIN CD (Business Edition) which takes out the games and a TTCS OSSWIN CD (Education Edition) which takes out games and adds a programming software category.

The idea would be that the targeting of different editions of the CD to the different users would result in increased usage among such targeted users. Similar to the ideas expressed in this TED Talk : “What we can learn from spaghetti sauce”.

Downsides?

• The difficulty of maintaining multiple editions as mentioned earlier.
• Microsoft Vista has multiple editions. Does that make it easier for users to decide which one is right for them?

However, it is possible that a single DVD version could do this type of end user targeting by having different menus for different users. So on startup (say), the screen could have menu options or ask the question :

• Are you a Business User?
• Are you a home user?
• Are you a Teacher?

then a different software selection on the DVD would be given.

So, those are some of the considerations. Your thoughts about the current version of TTCS OSSWIN CD?