POWERFUL HOST-BASED IDS

Open Source Tripwire is a free software security and data integrity tool useful for monitoring and alerting on specific file change(s) on a range of systems. The project is based on code originally contributed by Tripwire, Inc. in 2000.

Open Source Tripwire functions as a host-based intrusion detection system. Rather than attempting to detect intrusions at the network interface level (as in network intrusion detection systems), Open Source Tripwire detects changes to file system objects.

When first initialized, Open Source Tripwire scans the file system as directed by the administrator and stores information on each file scanned in a database. At a later date the same files are scanned and the results compared against the stored values in the database. Changes are reported to the user. Cryptographic hashes are employed to detect changes in a file without storing the entire contents of the file in the database.

While useful for detecting intrusions after the event, it can also serve many other purposes, such as integrity assurance, change management, and policy compliance.

Personally, I use Tripwire in a simple CentOS server, and have configured it to automatically send me and email after a period of time, and it works just great!

Source: Wikipedia

You can download Tripwire from here

DRIVE A NEW MERCEDEZ BENZ CLC COUPE

If you've always dreamed of driving a Mercedes but can't afford one, this could be an intermediate solution while you're saving money.

Mercedes CLC Dream Test Drive puts you behind the steering-wheel of the awesome Mercedes CLC Coupé. The game is free though quite limited, as it only includes two gaming modes: a race against five other computer-controlled Mercedes through the streets of London and a single lap time trial against your personal best record. At least the scenarios are pretty realistic, giving you the opportunity to do some high-speed sightseeing around London or enjoy cool races at night.

The only choice of car available is obviously a Mercedes, but there are some customization options available such as changing color or getting new wheels. There are also three different difficulty levels that tailor the game to your driving skills.

That said, the truth is that Mercedes CLC Dream Test Drive is not a very fun driving game and it has some surprisingly odd characteristics, like the absence of driver or the fact that the car is not affected by crashes. In a way it feels more like an interactive ad than a real computer game, so unless you're a fan of the famous German car brand, I'd recommend downloading other driving games before this one.

Give it a try here!!

FULL-FEATURED MULTIMEDIA PLAYER

MediaMonkey is an audio tool that allows you to play, burn, tag, and organize music supported by the most popular audio formats.

The installation process takes little time to complete, and you have the possibility of installing MediaMonkey as a portable version, in case you don't want to risk changing the system registry files.

The user interface is pretty standard. Thanks to the well-developed online help section, users can learn how to navigate through MediaMonkey.

Party Mode is a feature of MediaMonkey that prevents any modifications from being made to your files, or to the configuration of the software, while Sleep mode allows you to configure the time to play, whether to shutdown at the end, or gradually fade the volume.

Categories include Music, Podcast, Playlists, Media Servers, and Net Radio (access to the SHOUTcast and Icecast radio).

Track managing includes editing track properties and album information, album art, auto-tag from filename, converting formats, and others. In addition, you can burn an audio CD, data CD/DVD/BD, or erase it.

For some reason, even when MediaMonkey is not performing a task, CPU and memory resources are considerably used.

The truth is that MediaMonkey has a lot of features and buttons, but they are not very well organized. Plus, the interface is too large for a media player (you have to maximize it to easily navigate). And you have to get the MediaMonkey Gold to access more advanced features.

The bottom line is that MediaMonkey still needs some work, but it's not to be ignored either. It basically intends to cover all features in the audio department. And it's free to try!

You can download MediaMonkey here

STOP WASTING MONEY ON MICROSOFT VISIO

Dia is free and open source general-purpose diagramming software, developed originally by Alexander Larsson. Dia uses a controlled single document interface (CSDI) similar to GIMP and Inkscape.

Dia has a modular design with several shape packages available for different needs: flowchart, network diagrams, circuit diagrams, and more. It does not restrict symbols and connectors from various categories from being placed together.

Dia has special objects to help draw entity-relationship models (tedia2sql can be used to create the SQL DDL), Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and simple electrical circuits. It is also possible to add support for new shapes by writing simple XML files, using a subset of Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) to draw the shape.

Dia loads and saves diagrams in a custom XML format, which is, by default, gzipped to save space, and can print large diagrams spanning multiple pages. It can also be scripted using the Python programming language.

Download Dia from this link.

Source: Wikipedia

A VERY STRONG RIVAL TO MICROSOFT OFFICE

Apache OpenOffice is an open-source office productivity software suite containing word processor, spreadsHeet, presentation,graphics, formula editor, and database management applications. It was formerly known as OpenOffice.org under Sun, thenOracle ownership. OpenOffice's default file format is the OpenDocument Format (ODF), a ISO/IEC standard. It can also handle other file formats including those from Microsoft Office. OpenOffice runs on several operating systems. As of June 2011, it supports over 120 languages. It is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and Apache License open source licenses.

You can download Apache OpenOffice from here

Source: Wikipedia

COMPLETE SECURITY SUITE


Comodo Internet Security - a software package for comprehensive protection for your computer. Includes: COMODO Antivirus, COMODO Firewall and COMODO Defense +.
Comodo Firewall - a small, free firewall to protect computers running Windows. The program has a simple and convenient interface, displays detailed information (IP address, open ports, application path, etc.) on all connections. Built in the Comodo Firewall framework to automatically detect and display the options you want to work with more than ten thousand applications. Comodo AntiVirus automatically detects and removes malicious software.

you can download Comodo here

CISCO PACKET TRACER

Source: Cisco website

Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation program that allows students to experiment with network behavior and ask “what if” questions. As an integral part of the Networking Academy comprehensive learning experience, Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities and facilitates the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts.

Packet Tracer supplements physical equipment in the classroom by allowing students to create a network with an almost unlimited number of devices, encouraging practice, discovery, and troubleshooting. The simulation-based learning environment helps students develop 21st century skills such as decision making, creative and critical thinking, and problem solving. Packet Tracer complements the Networking Academy curricula, allowing instructors to easily teach and demonstrate complex technical concepts and networking systems design.  

You can download Packet Tracer in this link or this one