The List

Deluge

Deluge is a bittorrent client similar to the now-official µTorrent in Windows. While this particular program is not alone in this space, I find the interface of Transmission far too simple for my preference. Fortunately, we have choice! Deluge supports popular features such as encryption and web interface. Extensibility is built-in with support for plugins, including an eMule-style IP block list.

Deluge Screenshot

FileZilla

I discovered this application years ago when it was Windows-only. Since then, the author has completely rewritten it from the ground up using wxWidgets and a variety of other open source tools. FileZilla is an absolutely amazing FTP client that also supports FTPS and FTP along with a bevy of helpful features such as bookmarks, filename filters and proxy support. This utility is one that I install everywhere.

FileZilla Screenshot

Firefox

Probably the most well-known open source application, Firefox’s usage share has steadily climbed since pre-1.0 days. It is the second most popular browser after only Internet Explorer and has widely spread on other OS‘s where IE is not a choice. The plugin and theme architecture mean that the browser can serve many needs – such as website debugging and even IRC – that once required multiple utilities.

Firefox Screenshot

hellanzb

Continuing the network theme, we have probably my most favorite application, hellanzb. This is a usenet binary downloading program at its finest. Give it an NZB and it takes care of the rest, including download, parchive check, and extraction. If you use Usenet for downloads, go get this right now. It is officially supported on any Unix-like OS, including OS X. An automated installer and Cygwin guide are available for Windows users. Be forewarned, hellanzb is a command-line tool, which works great in it’s own right. Fortunately, it provides an XML RPC interface allowing GUI applications to be easily built on top of it. Below is a screenshot of one of those tools: Remote HellaNZB GUI. If you’re looking for a UI that is cross-platform as well, tools built on platforms like Adobe AIR will fit-the-bill.

Remote HellaNZB GUI Screenshot

Pidgin

Originally known as Gaim, Pidgin is probably the most-used multi-service IM application across all operating systems. Even though OS X users love Adium, it’s the libpurple engine underneath Pidgin that drives it all. This is another program that supports theme and plugins, increasing its usefulness. I would suggest you try it out, but if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you already have.

Pidgin Screenshot

KeePassX

KeePassX started as a port of KeePass for Windows known as KeePass/L. When the application finally became cross-platform, KeePass/L was changed to its KeePassX. Although it can only read and save KeePass 1.x-style databases, this utility is becoming indispensable in a world of dozens of passwords. The database is stored in your choice of encryption (AES or Twofish) with one or both of password and key file. In addition to simply storing login information, KeePassX can also generate passwords based on your own filters and help automate the filling-in of login forms.

KeePassX Screenshot

TrueCrypt

TrueCrypt is another piece of desktop encryption software. It allows users to create self-contained encrypted volumes or entire encrypted partitions. This utility also supports multiple encryption algorithms and forms of authentication. In addition to the end-user tools like a Quick-start guide, the author has posted a very detailed explanation of the internal mechanisms. Geeks rejoice!

TrueCrypt Screenshot

VirtualBox

My love for VirtualBox is no secret. What I truly love about VirtualBox is that the underlying virtual disk images are OS-agnostic, I can easily move a VDI from Linux to Windows to Mac, and the guest operating system doesn’t care. Furthermore, with the added ability to read VHD and VMDK formats, this has become my virtualization software of choice.

Virtualbox Screenshot

Handbrake

Handbrake is an absolutely amazing video transcoding application. Give it just about any file format and convert it to many destination formats on-the-fly. Recently downloaded a FLV off YouTube and want to keep a local copy on your iPhone? Just a few clicks and Handbrake can help with that. Supports a queue for batch operation and works efficiently.

Handbrake Screenshot

VLC

The great thing about VLC is that it can play just about as many formats as Handbrake can convert. All the A/V support is built-in, so there’s no need to worry about gathering the necessary codecs. It can often stand on its own, but also works great as a supplemental video player.

VLC Screenshot

What is it? It’s a bidirectionally synchronized folder in The Cloud. It synchronizes and shares files between your computers in addition to provided access through the web interface. I have 3 different computers I use on a regular basis, so keeping important files synchronized is a boon to productivity.

Let’s say you need a few files at work. Copy them into your Dropbox folder at home and and be on your way. By the time you arrive to the office, the files have already replicated to all registered computers, and they’re ready to use.

Dropbox Nautilus Overlay Icons

On the desktop

How does it work? A tiny program runs in the background that monitors a special Dropbox folder. Any changes to that folder are copied up the server and then down to all your other computers.

Dropbox Tray Icons

In addition, overlay icons are displayed on files and folders to indicate the sync status. I can’t say enough about how well this integrates into the graphical shell, providing a nuanced view into the inner workings.

Dropbox Explorer Overlay Icons

The simplicity of the whole system is what makes this software so powerful. Though most details are obscured, there’s still a few nerdy details that can be had with a little research:

Dropbox claims that files are transferred over SSL in addition to storing them encrypted on Amazon S3 servers. It supports change tracking, so you can revert to a previous revision if necessary. Also, the company claims to transfer only file deltas (changes), which helps conserve bandwidth and speed transfers.

Dropbox Tray Right-click Menu

On the web

In addition to the client goodies, Dropbox has a wonderful web front-end that provides a superset of desktop features.

There’s several management options that can only be accessed from the web: account type, contact information, and computer management. Because these are items not often changed, I don’t mind that they’ve been left out of the client application; it helps reinforce the simple mantra.

Dropbox Web Interface: Manage Computers

You can also add files via the website directly. This speaks to the universal usefulness, even while accessing files on a foreign computer.

Another interesting feature is the availability of an Event Feed in the form of RSS. If you’re somehow sharing an account, this feature would work well to notify each other of changes. Even included is a direct download link to that file. My only suggestion, would be to also provide a link to that particular revision, instead of only the most recent copy.

Dropbox RSS Feed

Dropbox also directly supports various shared-use scenarios. It’s got built-in photo gallery support, collaboration features, and the ability to supply a public link to any file.

Conclusion

I certainly don’t use Dropbox for everything: Most documents I keep in Google Docs and large amounts of data still lives on my NAS. Also, I’m not willing to synchronize a whole movie just to transfer between computers – traditional networks and sneakernets still have their place. Even still, I’d be crazy to not take advantage of the ridiculous simplicity that this service offers.

With Dropbox, I truly fell in love with a brand-new product. If you’d like to experience Dropbox for yourself, get an extra 250MB free by using my referral link.

First, the summarized new features according to the Changelog, with my personal favorites with emphasis:

• Support for hardware virtualization on Mac OS X hosts
• Support for 64-bit guests on 32-bit host operating systems
• Added support for Intel Nehalem virtualization enhancements
• Experimental 3D acceleration via OpenGL
• Experimental LsiLogic and BusLogic SCSI controllers
• Full VMDK/VHD support including snapshots
• New NAT engine with significantly better performance, reliability and ICMP echo (ping) support
• New Host Interface Networking implementations for Windows and Linux hosts with easier setup

Support for hardware virtualization on Mac OS X hosts

I don’t personally run OS X, but this is certainly a welcomed feature regardless. I’m a bit confused though, as Sun claims better speed with this turned off in many cases. However, this may no longer be true as I’ll get to later.

Support for 64-bit guests on 32-bit host operating systems

I wasn’t even aware this was possible – and my jaw dropped when I read this. I think this is a killer feature, especially with the continued move of server platforms to 64-bit only. Exchange 2007 immediately comes to mind – it will only run on a 64-bit version of Windows Server. You could now implement a headless 32-bit Linux host that in fact runs a 64-bit guest.

There are some easy-to-satisfy caveats to this, however:

1. 64-bit processor with hardware virtualization is required. You didn’t think you were going to run this on some old Pentium 4, did you?
2. Actually enable hardware virtualization! Requirement 1 exists for a reason, and that’s for Requirement 2. Go ahead and ensure that it is enabled in your BIOS and for the specific VM.
3. Select a 64-bit OS for the guest. Because of the extra overhead involved, VirtualBox requires that you explicitly request the support.
4. I/O APIC should be enabled for 64-bit Windows guests.
5. Intel networking devices should be used in place of AMD network devices for 64-bit Windows guests.

What it boils down to is this: If you’ve got a fairly recent processor, just flip a couple software switches and you’re home free.

I. LOVE. IT.

Added support for Intel Nehalem virtualization enhancements

Nice future-proofing, but doesn’t do much for many people right now. Still a welcome enhancement.

Experimental 3D acceleration via OpenGL

This helps bring the features closer inline with Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion on the Mac. If you have an OpenGL application, VirtualBox will attempt to render that window using the host’s native OpenGL support, if available. The feature works regardless of host, which is great! Unfortunately, at this time, the guest must be Windows XP or Windows Vista 32-bit. Understandably, Guest Additions must be installed. Also, Direct3D is not currently supported. Lastly, this feature is deemed experimental and disabled by default. Enable it in the Advanced settings.

Experimental LsiLogic and BusLogic SCSI controllers

OK? I’m not sure who is this targeted at, but would like to know.

Full VMDK/VHD support including snapshots

Another godly feature! Previously, VirtualBox supported only its own custom VDI file format. I accepted this particular tradeoff because VirtualBox can run on any major OS; if you want to switch from Windows to Linux, just transport the VDI file and add it to the new VM.

Sun has removed yet another barrier to entry by supporting two new container formats. VMDK (used by VMware) and VHD (used by Microsoft Virtual PC).

New NAT engine with significantly better performance, reliability and ICMP echo (ping) support

Self-explanatory. I wouldn’t call this an enhancement as much as a bug fix, but the change is welcome nonetheless. I don’t personally use this, since I prefer Host networking… which brings us to:

New Host Interface Networking implementations for Windows and Linux hosts with easier setup

Currently, host networking is a pain to setup and get working correctly, 100% of the time. According to the new documentation, Linux and Windows hosts no longer you to manually bridge interfaces within the OS itself. A simple dropdown in VirtualBox will allow you to indicate which adapter to bind to.

There are a few limitations as outlined in the manual, most of which relate to wireless adapter support. Mac and Linux only support IPv4 over wireless and Solaris doesn’t support wireless at all. If this is a deal-breaker, consider setting up a wireless bridge using a router that supports DD-WRT.

Other Miscellaneous

“Significant performance improvements for VT-x”. This is the “I’ll get to later” in the first item. No benchmarks are available yet, but I wonder if this starts to negate some of the claim that VirtualBox performs better with hardware virtualization off rather than on. Especially with the requirements that it be turned on for some features, maybe there are large performance gains to be made as Sun invests more resources into this rather than their own custom tweaks.

Resources

If you need more detailed information, certainly give the VirtualBox User Manual [PDF] a read through.

As always, be sure to leave a comment if you’ve got anything to add.