GNU Octave, a Matlab-like product, is a high-level language, primarily intended for numerical computations. It provides a convenient command line interface for solving linear and nonlinear problems numerically, and for performing other numerical experiments using a language that is mostly compatible with Matlab.
Easy to use diagramming, org. charts, and flowcharting application with tight integration to the other KOffice apps.
Gliffy
N/A
http://www.gliffy.com/
Note, one caveat with the free basic version is that your documents are "public" meaning that potentaily anyone can view them if they guess the name of the file, see http://www.gliffy.com/faqs.shtml
Create professional-looking flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, technical drawings, and more
Hard drives are mechanical devices which will fail at some point in time! It is extremely important to backup or synchronize your data to at least one another location on a weekly basis - a daily basis would be even better! Using one, or a combination of these tools will enable you to do so.
New as of March 09, this is a feature rich backup and sync. tool, with easy to use 'wizard' driven interface. Jobs can be scheduled and notification emails sent to monitor jobs
A more complex backup program as it offers differential and incremental backups. Does not have file synchronization. Can be scheduled to run automatically.
This one is worth a mention as it is free for students but with limitations (limitations allow user to synchronize no more than 20,000 files per 30-day period). Easily backup or synchronize your files. Try this in lieu of SyncBack. Can be scheduled to run automatically.
Very simple easy to use backup or sync tool, does not have scheduling capabilities built in but can be used with the Windows Task Scheduler easily. No automatic notification on task completion.
File version tracking and real-time backup. Monitors specific files/folders and automatically creates incremental backups whenever those files are modified. Best of all, notes about the changes made can be easily added, allowing quick location of a specific revision or to provide a detailed account of the work done on a specific file.
Creates an ‘image’ of your hard drive which can then be copied to a new hard drive should failure occur. (Best not used for day to day backup/synchronization – use Synchback).
Defrag single files or folders (Windows builtin defrag. tool does not do this). Useful to speed up programs that access big data files like email clients (Outlook/Thunderbird).
System optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space.
There are now many good online collaboration tools which enable online meetings to be conducted with video, voice, IM, desktop sharing, document sharing and whiteboard functions. Several of these tools offer slightly limited free versions, for example smaller number of people can join meetings, so check and test software before using in a real meeting. Save time and money by not having to travel to your next meeting!
I have set this up for people on several occasions and it has been very successful. Offers screen sharing, whiteboard, remote control, videoconferencing, audio and IM. Supports up to three meeting participants.
Not used this one yet but it looks really good and has a whole raft of features listed! Offers screen sharing, whiteboard, remote control, videoconferencing, audio, IM and much more. Free version supports up to 20 meeting participants.
Twiddla embraces a fairly new concept called co-browsing. A team of people can get together on a Twiddla page and browse a site while participating in discussions, adding annotations, sharing files and chatting along - all in real time. It's like adding a whiteboard layer over any uploaded image or website!
**Currently Skype is blocked on campus as it can quickly use up all the available bandwidth***
I mention it here as it is a good tool to use from elsewhere.
The department uses a variety of calendaring software, Outlook, iCal and Google Calendar, and our own Webmessaging calendar, which means sharing calendars and organizing meetings automatically is difficult. These tools enable calendars to be shared and meetings arranged without having a common software platform.
Calgoo Connect is a calendar sync. tool that supports synchronization between a wide range of calendar programs: Outlook 03/07, Apple iCal, Google Calendar for example.
Note, when used from off-campus, use VPN to connect to the Physics network before using Wake-on-LAN.
Turn on a computer remotely via internet network connection to enable remote access. The computer must be new enough to support this function and have wake via network turned on in the BIOS. Handy if you need to access a file on your computer which got turned off.
