iNode: Nota Bene

Given one blank corporate laptop (XP, with full Office including Visio and Project), what software would I install, and why?

It's all Free Software | Open Source unless otherwise noted.

• Cygwin
• • This gives me as full a Linux-like environment as possible, that lives in the same filesystem as Windows, so I can work on Windows-stored data with proper tools ..
  • Subcategory - what do I install in the Cygwin environment?
  • • openssh, openssl, stunnel, rsync, unison, keychain
    • expect, perl, python, ruby, tcl/tk
    • zip, unzip, bzip2, expat / OpenSP, vim, ImageMagick, netpbm
    • rxvt, figlet, lynx, links, X

• Firefox
• • Because you need a web browser, of course
  • Subcategory - what plugins do I install on Firefox?
  • • Google Browser Sync
    • • Synchronise bookmarks & passwords between all your Firefox instances, via Google. Yes you can encrypt the data. No you shouldn't believe that'll keep them out. Don't store customer passwords in here!
    • Gmail Notifier
    • • Keep an unobtrusive eye on your incoming mail.
    • Mouse Gestures
    • • Reproduce Opera's finest features!
    • Add Bookmark Here 2
    • • Makes bookmarking easier to get organised, and to use.
    • Firebug
    • • Absolutely magnificent debug environment for pages and requests.
    • Better Gmail
    • • Not totally convinced you need the whole load, but the Google Reader integration and the “Mark Read” button are a huge improvement over stock Gmail.

• FinePrint - neither Free nor free
• • n-up print job compositor - print anything to the FinePrint printer, and select 1,2,4,8-up printing, delete individual unwanted pages, etc. Very useful!
• KeePass
• • Single-user cross-platform encrypted password database.
• FreeMind
• • Mind-mapping software with just the right amount of features. Easy to drive from keyboard or mouse.
• Wireshark - formerly “Ethereal”
• • Network traffic capture and analyser. Identifies network problems fast.
• Network Stumbler - No source code?
• • Allows scanning of the wireless networks in range. Slightly better than the Wifi signal detector Tshirt
• BZFlag
• • The recreational drug - BattleZone Capture the Flag! “MMFPS”
  • But probably not played while on work time, or the work network …
• The Gimp
• • Every now and then you need to edit or create graphics :-)
• Stellarium
• • You need to know what's behind those clouds at night!