Orangeinks

AlternativeTo: Find Better Applications

Here at Orangeinks, new web apps and software are featured so that users looking for alternatives can try them out and decide for themselves if they’re going to use it or not. They may not be always the best applications but they are chosen carefully and if they are interesting enough, you’ll see them get featured here.

I’d like to share a site, called AlternativeTo, where you can find great alternatives to desktop software that you can use on your favorite operating system. Whether you are using Linux, OS-X or Windows, they give a great list of alternatives for the pre-installed or mainstream software that you are using. They also have a great list of Web Apps that you can choose from that are carefully selected and tested. The applications featured on AlternativeTo are constantly reviewed. Users comment and vote on the app according to their personal experiences while using them. You’ll also be able to get other suggestions from the community.

AlternativeTo has a great collection of applications that might work better than the ones that you are using. It’s always great to try out new apps, especially when those apps are properly tested and reviewed by experts. Have fun trying out alternatives.

Tags: AlternativeTo, Applications, linux, OS X, Software, web app, Windows

Yuuguu: Collaboration Tool with Multiple IM and OS Support

Yuguu is an interesting service with an interesting name. The name was derived from a Japanese word for Fusion. It’s a collaboration tool which functions pretty much like your normal IM client. The client is available for Windows, Mac and Linux (currently 3 distros are supported) which will pretty much eliminate some OS compatibility issues.

Recognising the changing world of work, Yuuguu came about as a solution to help people work together remotely, through any firewall, across different platforms, with as many colleagues as needed, just as if they were sat right next to each other.

Yuuguu features the usual online meetings, web conference, audio conference and web collaboration. The remote desktop and support is that most useful feature of Yuuguu. Imagine not having compatibility issues with screen sharing or desktop sharing software. Whether you are a Mac, Windows or Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu or Suse) user, you can collaborate with each other using the application.

Another useful feature of Yuuguu is its multi-IM support. By integrating your other Instant Messenger (IM) contacts with Yuuguu – you can share your screen, chat and work together without your contacts having to change networks or sign up to Yuuguu. Yuuguu supports group sessions across multiple IM platforms, so several participants on different networks can easily chat and join the secure conference or screen share.

Yuuguu is free to use and you can work with up to 30 people at any one time. If you’re going to use the service with more than 30 people, you have to acquire a pro account. This is a great application if you are collaborating with people using different operating systems.

If you are looking for other collaboration tools, you might also want to try DabbleBoard or Twiddla.

Tags: collaboration tool, IM, linux, Mac, Windows, yuuguu

Type Mathematical Formulas with Ease Using LyX

LyX is an open-source document processor which runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. They called it a “document processor” simply because unlike most word processors, it encourages an approach to writing based on the structure of the document rather than the appearance. This means that you do not have to worry about the appearance of your document because the software will handle the details for visual layouts.

The software is free with no strings attached. Using LyX for typing regular notes and letters is as easy as using your favorite word processor. The main feature of the software is its ability to produce complex equations with ease while providing a professional look for the created document. It takes a little time to get used to and to learn the commands for the software, but once you get the hang of LyX, you can turn LyX into a very useful document tool. You can check out their video demo here.

LyX is a great alternative for your usual word processor and a great tool for creating documents that contains simple and complex equations. It is light and does not eat up a lot of memory and you can download it for free.

Tags: document processor, linux, lyx, Mac, Windows, word processor